October 28

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.—Matthew 10:29-31.

THE word of God assures us, that nothing happens in this tumultuous and tempestuous world, without the knowledge, the will, either approving or permissive, and efficacy of God, so far as to dispose the worst evils by his powerful providence subordinately to his main end, that is always good. Nothing is so high as to be exempted from the dominion, nor so low as to be excluded from the care of his providence. The little sparrow, and even the hairs of our head, are cared for by the providence of our heavenly Father.

Divine providence is more special and tender towards God's peculiar people. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole earth, to show himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are perfect towards him. His tender mercies are over all his works: but more eminently exercised according to their degrees of goodness, and his propriety in them. Our Saviour infers by the clearest consequence, that the Divine providence, that reaches to the falling sparrow, is much more concerned for his people; accordingly encourages his disciples, Fear not, ye are of more value than many sparrows. God is the Saviour of all men, especially of those who believe. Now, as when the reason of a command has a direct aspect upon us, it more strongly binds us to obey God; so when the reason of a promise has a peculiar respect to us, it engages God more strongly to preserve us. God has a right to all mankind by a general tenure, but a special interest in the godly. He is the king of nations, and the king of saints: it is his dearest title, above all the titles of majesty ascribed to him. They are precious in his esteem, his treasure, his jewels—the most valuable part of his treasure, the jewels of his crown, the most radiant and rich jewels. Propriety and preciousness engage his powerful and propitious providence for their good. They are exposed to many evils for their relation to him their heavenly Father, and for his image shining in them. For thy sake we are killed all the day long. They are like a flock of sheep among wolves and tigers, unable to defend themselves. His compassionate love excites his power for their preservation. The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this. His love inclines him, and his promise engages him never to leave nor forsake them: when they are ready to despair he is ready to deliver. Now the firm belief of the universal providence of God, and his special care for his people, is like a rudder to a ship, without which it is constrained to yield to every storm; but guided by it, sails with every wind to its designed port. When God entered into a covenant with Abraham, he assures him, I am the Almighty God, walk before me and be perfect. Every deflection from our duty, proceeds either from the hope of obtaining some temporal good, or the fear of incurring some temporal evil: these passions are very forcible in men's breasts. We see how powerful they are in sensitive creatures; even in a greyhound's coursing a hare, hope adds wings to the feet of the one, and fear adds wings to the feet of the other. Men without faith in God, will break through his laws, when temptations work on their hope or fear; for they are under the dominion of sense. But the belief of God's all-sufficiency, that he is a Sun to supply us with all truly desirable good things, a shield to secure us from all destructive evils, confirms our dependence on him, and engages our obedience to him.

This conduces to our present peace, and future blessedness. There are secret springs of providence that work sometimes in an extraordinary manner, for the preserving of his people. Joseph was raised from a prison to a principality. The poor prophet was fed by a raven when the wicked king was like to starve in his palace. The malicious design of Haman, to destroy the whole nation of the Jews, was frustrated, and reflexively pernicious to himself, by a strange concurrence of circumstances, ordered by Divine providence. The faithful companions of Daniel, who resigned themselves to his will and wisdom, were rescued from the furnace and fury of the proud king by an Angel.

But many times the saints of God are involved in common calamities: inundations, earthquakes, the pestilential air, sword, famine, make no difference between the innocent and the guilty: The sun rises upon the evil and the good; the thunder falls upon the good and evil. Nay, as our Saviour tells his disciples, They shall weep and lament, when the world rejoices. But he comforts them with the assurance, that their sorrow shall be turned into joy. The apostle declares, We know all things work together for good to them that love God. There are mysterious depths in the economy of Providence, that the short line of our reason can not sound. But we may rely upon the promise of God, who can bring light out of darkness. We have an illustrious proof of his universal providence, in the regular disposal of natural causes, superior, middle, and lowest, in such a union, that from the insuperable discord of natures, insuperable concord of operations proceeds, for the preserving the world. The afflictions of the saints are medicinal to prevent or recover them from sin. And what man of understanding does not esteem his physician that prescribes bitter remedies for his health, before a cook, that prepares things pleasant to his taste? Faith sees the love of a Father through a cloud of tears; and that he is as gracious when he corrects us for our transgressions, as when he encourages us in his service. In the sufferings of his people from the wickedness and wills of their enemies, his wisdom and power appear in ordering them for excellent effects. For the same things that increase the guilt and punishment of their enemies, increase the graces and reward of the saints. These light afflictions that are but for a moment, work out for them an exceeding eternal weight of glory. When all the folds of Providence shall be opened, we shall clearly understand every dispensation was as it ought to be, and for the best.