The fame Scripture to which we give credit, while it records paft miracles, is equally intituled to our affent, when it predicts, as in this inftance, miracles to come.

Suppose then the Scriptures were to acquaint us, that there are miracles performed at this present time; but either at fuch a distance from us, or else in such a latent manner, that we could not know by experience, whether they were wrought or no; ftill there could be no room to doubt: a ready affent must be yielded to fuch a revelation by all who believe the Scriptures.

Now if the Gospel teach us doctrines, from which the existence of these miracles may be inferred; or if it command duties, in which these interpofitions of Providence are fuppofed or implied; it does enough to prove the reality of them, though

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though we see them not, any more than we see yet the refurrection of the dead; or, than we did ever behold any of those miracles, which were performed by our Lord when he was here on earth.

any

There appears to be no difficulty in this matter, to those who believe that miracles were ever wrought, that is, whọ believe the Scriptures to be true; nor any inducement or occafion to put ourselves to trouble in giving hard interpretations of texts, or forced and unnatural explications of any part of our duty, in order to avoid, what can be no impediment in the way of a Chriftian, the acknowledgement of God's government and providence, his particular interpofition, and continual operation; as it is written, my Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

How magnificent is this idea of God's government! That he infpects the whole

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and every part of his Univerfe every moment; and orders it according to the counfels of his infinite wisdom and goodnefs, by his omnipotent will! whofe thought is power; and his acts ten thoufand times quicker than the light; unconfused in a multiplicity exceeding number, and unwearied through eternity!

How much comfort and encouragement to all good and devout persons are contained in this thought! That Al- ́ mighty God, as he hath his eye continually upon them, fo he is employed conftantly in directing, in doing what is best for them. Thus may they be fure,

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indeed, that all things work together for Rom. viii. their good. They may have the comfort of understanding all the promises of God's protection, in their natural, full, and perfect sense, not spoiled by that Philofophy which is vain deceit. The Lord Coloff. ii, is, truly, their Shepherd; not

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leaving Pf.xxiii.I.

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them to chance or fate, but watching over them himself, and therefore can they lack nothing.

What a fund of encouragement is here, as for all manner of virtue and piety, that we may be fit objects of God's gracious care and providence, fo particularly for devotion! when we can reflect, that every petition of a good man is heard and regarded by him, who holds the reins of nature in his hand. When God, from his throne of celeftial glory, iffues out that uncontroulable command to which all events are fubject, even your defires, humble pious Christians, are not overlooked or forgotten by him. good man's prayer is among the reasons, by which the Omnipotent is moved in the administration of the Universe.

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How little is all earthly greatnefs! how

low and impotent the proudest monarchs,

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if compared with the pooreft person in the world, that leads but a good life! For their influence, even in their highest profperity, is only among weak men, like themselves; and not feldom their designs are blafted from heaven for the infolence of those that formed them: Is not this great Babylon, that I have built Dan. iv. by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majefty? While the word was in the King's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, faying, the Kingdom is departed from thee. But the poor man's prayer pierceth the clouds; and, weak and contemptible as he seems, he can draw down the host of heaven, and arm the Almighty in his defence, fo long as he is able only to utter his wants, or can but turn the thought of his heart to God.

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