264 Sincere Obedience the bß Preparation SERM. may fpeak fo, lays a reftraint on his moí1 X. communicative bounty. All valuable and ufeful knowledge is derived from God as its original author. There is a * fpirit in man, and the infpiration of the Almighty giveth him underfanding. Difcretion in conducing even the affairs of common life cometb from the Lord, who is wonderful in connfel and ex, cellent in working, as the prophet obferves Much more may we juftly attribute to him the wifdom which is neceffary to men's moral conduit, upon which their higheft happinefs depends, and it is molt worthy of him to beftow. Efpecially, his affiftance will not be wanting, that thofe who are fincerely difpofed and duly qualified may know the çharaEters of a revelation from himfelf, fince that muff be fuppofed to be of the greateft moment and the moft-important confequences to depend upon their receiving or rejecting it, For it can never be imagined that God would interpofe in an extraordinary manner, by ma= king his will known to mankind withput intending fome great benefit to them, and conveying fome very neceffary inftru Lion, Md the fame goodnefs which moved him to reveal himfelf at all, would determine Job xxxii. $. Ifa. xxvüi. 29. 1.1,tT1
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