In every dispensation, especially as it respects his people, we may say,
II. His intentions are merciful —
The perplexities of his people are often very great : but God has gracious designs in all"1. We may see this remark exemplified in the case of Job —
[How heavy and accumulated were the trials that came on him! He himself, in his haste, accused God of cruelty". But the end shewed that God sent those trials in love0.]
The case of Joseph also deserves attention in this view —
[God intended to make him lord over his brethren p. But, instead of being advanced, he was sold as a slave q. Afterwards he was imprisoned as guilty of a capital offence r. He was above twenty years without ever hearing of his brethren. Yet we see at last the designs of God accomplished by the very means which appeared most calculated to defeat them.]
The same mercy is discoverable in God's dealings with all his afflicted people —
[He suffers their path to be for a time dark and intricate. But he invisibly directs and manages their concerns. He gradually removes their difficulties, and clears up their doubts. If he shut them up under the law, it is that they may embrace
h 2 Cor. xii. 8. ' 2 Cor. xii. 7. k Ps. lxxvii. 19.
1 Rom. xi. 33. m Jer. xxix. 10, 11. n Job x. 3, 1G.
0 Job xlii. 12, 13. with Jam. v. 11. P Gen. xxxvii. G — 10.
(J Gen. xxxvii. 28. l Gen. xxxix. 17 — 20.