But how shall all this be made good ? What assurance may we have of this discreet and seasonable ploughing, in time, measure, and continuance, we having so many enemies without us, and corruptions within us ? * This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.' From hence we observe,
Doct. 10. God, in the chastisements, trials, and afflictions of his elect, hath wonderful wisdom nndpotver beyond our nnderstandiny. He knows not only which is the best way to lead us to heaven, but also he is excellent in work- ing, to bring his counsel to pass. See it in examples. As in Joseph, appointed to be the greatest save Pharaoh in all Egypt. First, he is sold for a slave. Secondly, accused falsely by his mistress ; so cast into prison, that for a long time, as it is Ps. cv. 18, ' the iron entered in his feet, until the Lord's time was come.' What meant God thus to suffer an innocent man to be wronged and disgraced? He was 'wonderful in counsel' all * That is, ' inflamed.'— G.
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this while. One might think at first that counsel was darkened without knowledge ; but, indeed, this affliction was the best means for him, as upon stairs, to climb up to his preferment. Besides all this, while in the prison, God so tamed him that he bare all patiently. He could not have come to ihis honour, nor borne it as became him, unless the Lord had first thus ploughed him. So David, after he was anointed king, in a state of honour, and all pomp and pleasure, how was he vexed and ploughed with many crosses ? In all likelihood he lived a much better and quieter Hfe when he was a shepherd. What means was this to raise him, to be so afflicted ere he came to it ? He was humbled and acquainted with God by these trials, which drove him to prayer, to believe, trust, and wait upon God ; and then, all these were helps to fit and enable him for his kingdom. So at Ziklag, his wives and] all his goods were taken away ; the flesh had a bout,* he wept till he could weep no more ; yet then was God excellent in working ; Saul was overthrown within a while ; and the Amalekites, having much goods together, he asked counsel of God, being but four hundred men, and overtook, overthrew them, and had a great spoil, being able to send presents and rewards to all his men. So that which was at first a strange and uncouth thing, a most grievous cross, was turned into a very great blessing. So God was wonderful in counsel, to put all their store in his possession ; secondly, he was excellent in working, his enemies had no heart to withstand him.
Use. The use is, therefore, to be patient, because in all troubles and afflic- tions ' he is wonderful in counsel ;' and all his works are beautiful in time, which we shall see when both ends of the cross shall meet ; and though we see not which way things shall be effected, yet he is infinite in wisdom. If we will but be quiet, stand still, and see his salvation, we shall see a wonderful issue, if we wait in patience.
Obj. Oh but, say some, they come, I know, from God ; but I cannot bear this cross, I see no fruit of the working thereof upon rhe.
Ans. I say. Yet stay a while ; as it is true his physic always works at length, so it is as true that he is not bound it shall work by and by at all times. Perhaps this is not good for thee ; yet know, that as he is ' wonder- ful in counsel,' so he is also ' excellent in working.' We give counsel many times, and cannot make the party follow it ; but God can, he hath power, and wisdom, and will abundantly ; he who gives the purge, can cause it work to purpose ; he who applies the plaster, can make it cure and heal, and in the best time ; therefore we must be comforted in all our troubles with these considerations.
Lastly, to conclude, where he says, ' This also comes forth from the Lord of hosts,' thereby he shews,
Doct. 11. That nothing can stay him from working, to hinder our comfort and deliverance in due time. Why ? Because * he is Lord of hosts,' and all the creatures are his soldiers at command, and must do what he will, as, Isa. liv. 16, he most excellently shews, that no weapon without him shall prosper to hurt his people : ' For,' saith he, * behold I have created the smith that bloweth the coals of the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work, and I have created the water f to destroy;' there- fore he overrules all things to work for our good, so as we shall have a seasonable, happy, and blessed end to all our afflictions. Oh, if we could beheve this, how happy were it for us ! — that God is the Lord of hosts, that the devil is chained up, and all the creatures, from hurting us, till he * That is, ' round ' = turn.— G. t Q"- ' waster '?— Ed.