SERMON XII.

On the Mysteriousness of the Ways of Providence.

PSALM lxxvii. 19.

Thy way is in the sea, and thy paths in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

THE Psalmist is here speaking of the mysterious providence of God. Under the image of his passing through the sea, and having his paths in the great waters, in which every impression that is made is soon obliterated, are represented the vanity and presumption of our attempting to search out his judgments, and perfectly to comprehend his dealings with the children of men.

The soul of man seems to be formed with a natural thirst for knowledge; and the desire of prying into futurity is universally implanted in the human breast. But, natural propensities and desires, which, under due regulations, are sources of joy, when extravagantly indulged, are only productive of pain. It is true, while God has said to the sea, "Hitherto shalt thou come, "and no farther"-while irrational animals soon arrive at the summit of their improvement; no bounds are assigned to the increase and extent of human know

ledge. But still, in our present imperfect state, there are many things too dark and intricate for our comprehension; we cannot, in all instances, accurately trace the footsteps of the Almighty. In a future state, our faculties will be strengthened and enlarged. Having come to the stature of perfect men in Christ Jesus, we shall then put away childish things. We shall no longer know in part, nor see through a glass darkly. Light, (a glorious increase of knowledge,) is laid up for the righteous; as well as gladness for the upright in heart.

There is much truth in the pointed remark, that, " where ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be wise." Our Saviour himself has taught us, "that sufficient "unto the day is the evil thereof." An eager anticipation of evil lengthens the duration of distress, and infuses bitterness into the cup of rational pleasure which we now hold in our hands. Was it possible for any person, upon his entrance into life, to draw back the curtain of futurity, and to take a full prospect of all the perplexities and distresses which are to infest his way; from that moment, his peace would be destroyed; every enjoyment would be embittered by trembling apprehension.

Thus we perceive, that our wise Creator is good in what he denies, as well as in what he grants. We are, therefore, to rest contented with our condition; to proceed with humility and resignation; satisfied that the Judge of all the earth will do right, though we cannot, in all cases, perceive the immediate propriety of his determinations. This is an important principle in the conduct of human life; and perhaps the most effectual way of impressing it forcibly upon your

minds, will be to produce instances from the sacred Scriptures.

And here, the surprising history of the life of Joseph immediately presents itself to our view. That innocent and unsuspicious youth was treated with injustice and cruelty by his envious brethren; he was sold to strangers, conducted into a distant country, and reduced to the abject condition of a slave; he was falsely accused of crimes which he abhorred; incurred the resentment of a master whom he faithfully served; and was condemned, at last, to endure among malefactors, the miseries of a loathsome dungeon. With respect to him, the paths of God were in the great waters; the ways of Providence were altogether mysterious; but, the event declared, that they were directed by wisdom and mercy, for the preservation of Jacob and his children, as well as of the whole land of Egypt. Joseph, being given up to the hands of the Ishmaelites, sold to a principal officer of Pharaoh's court, thrown into the very prison where the king's prisoners were confined-Joseph, passing through this obscure path of dejection and misery, was in the direct road to happiness and honour. In this manner, he became a saviour to the Egyptians, and to his Father's house-"As for

you," says he to his brethren, "ye thought evil "against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring "to pass as it is this day, to save much people alive.” And, it may be farther observed, in all these occurrences, he was an eminent type of Jesus Christ. When we read the history of our Saviour's life and sufferings; to a partial and superficial observer, the footsteps of God would not be known. The Jews rejected him, because they depended more upon present

appearances, than upon the wisdom and power of God. It was, indeed, mysterious and astonishing, that he whose birth was so obscure, whose life was spent in poverty, and concluded by an ignominious death; should, nevertheless, be the Redeemer of his people Israel, and the light of the Gentiles. And yet, we now rest assured, that from all these circumstances of distress, he proved himself to be the true Messiah. Being thus humbled; making himself of no reputation; he has given us a perfect example of meekness and humility; he has showed himself able to triumph over the most dangerous temptations; to vanquish even death and the grave. So that the faithless and unbelieving justly merit this severe reproof; "O, fools, "and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets "have written! Ought not Christ to have suffered "these things, and then to enter into his glory?"

For the perfect completion of the prophecies which related to him, there was a wonderful combination of circumstances. When the fulness of time came, and the Redeemer was to be born into the world, it was so ordered, that a decree went forth from the Roman government, to which the Jews were then subject, that the whole land should be taxed. This rendered it necessary for the parents of our Lord to leave Nazareth, and take a long journey to Bethlehem, a city of Judah, because they were of the house and lineage of David, with which family it was required to have their names enrolled. At this particular time, Christ is born; and thus, the prophecy was fulfilled, "Thou, "Bethlehem-Ephratah, though thou be little among "the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he "come forth unto me that is to be Ruler in Israel;

"whose goings forth have been from of old, from ever

Not long before our Redeemer came into the world, Judea had been conquered by the Roman arms; the Jews were reduced to a state of entire subjection; and although their Sanhedrim, or great council of priests and elders, were permitted to exercise some authority; they were totally deprived of the power of inflicting capital punishment. Thus our Lord was condemned by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate; the punishment inflicted, (crucifixion,) was not a Jewish, but a Roman punishment; and Christ, by enduring it, verified the prophecy, that his feet and his hands should be pierced; and exemplified an ancient and figurative representation, by being lifted up on the cross; as the brazen serpent was lifted up in the wilderness to heal the wounded Israelites.

Thus we perceive, that although it is said by the Psalmist, the paths of God are in the great waters, and his footsteps are not known; yet the event sufficiently proves, that all things are settled by weight and measure, and conducted by unerring wisdom and truth. Let us, therefore, learn to scan the works of the Almighty with reverence. Let us live under the steadfast persuasion, that the foolishness of God is wiser than man; and the weakness of God is stronger than man. Let us love him with sincere hearts, and we know that all things will work together for good.

Every person who reads the Scripture with attention, will not a moment hesitate to acknowledge, that he who created the universe, still presides over the works of his hands; that he rules among the inhabitants of the earth, as well as the armies of heaven; that we and