[In the government of kingdoms all the powers of the human mind are called forth and concentrated : but the time for their commencement and continuance is altogether under the direction of a superior powers The success of all human plans, whether relating to military enterprises**, or commercial speculations'^, or agricultural pursuits'^, or matters of inferior moment and of daily occurrence*^, depends entirely on him
It was he who directed to Ahab's heart the bow drawn
at a venture, and to Goliath's forehead the stone out of David's sling. In a word, he *' worketh all things after the counsel of his own wilK;" and " his counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure s."
2. The things that are most independent of human agency —
[Nothing has less dependence on human skill or foresight than a lot. As far as respects the determining of that, an idiot is on a par with the wisest man in the universe. But it is en- tirely at God's disposal ; as all who acknowledge the existence of a Deity have confessed, by resorting to it on emergencies which nothing else could determine. Saul, and all the people of Israel, resorted to it, in order to learn from God who it was that had displeased him ; and again, to determine the same matter between Saul and Jonathan his son*^. In like manner the Apostles had recourse to it, in order to know whom God willed to be the successor of Judas in the Apostolic office'. Even the heathens themselves had a persuasion, that, when matters were solemnly referred to Him in a way of lot, he would make known to them the point which they wished to ascertain'^. But as in these instances the event, though sup- posed to have been directed of God, might have been casual, since the chances against it were not very great, we will adduce one, which marks beyond all possibility of doubt the Divine interposition ; since, in the language of chances, it was above a million to one that the lot did not fall on the person to whom God infallibly directed it^ Here is a striking illustration of that passage, " Evil shall hunt the wicked man to overthrow him™." The hounds see not their prey in the first instance, but trace it by its scent, and follow it with certainty in all its turnings, till at last they come in sight of it, and overtake it,
a Dan. iv. 17, 35. ^ 1 Sam. xvii. 45—47. 2 Chron. xx. 17.
c Deut viii. 17, 18. ^ Hagg. i. 6—11.
e Prov. xix. 21. 1 Sam. ii. 6—9. f Eph. i. 11.
e Isai. xlvi. 10. ^ j Sam. xiv. 40 — 42.
' Acts i. 23—26. ^ Jonah i. 7.
' Josh. vii. 14 — 18. There were two millions of people : but in the last lot the men only were concerned. ™ Ps. cxl. 11.