346 A Sermon on Occafion of a public Fa. SERM. Elihu fays *, That by watering, he (God) XIII. wearieth the thick cloud, which is turnea '"N"- about by his counfèls, to full whatever he pleats on earth ; and they come, either for correction, or for his land, or for mercy. Nay, the fuperior celeftial influences minifter to the fame purpofes, the ftars in their courfes fought againft Sifera j-. How glorious is God ? How weak are defencelefs mortals againft him ? how vain their devices ? Uni- verfal nature is ready to arm in his caufe, and every part at his command to ferve the ends of his goodnefs or juftice. But the things which feem to be the moft for- tuitous and contingent, are as much under his direction as thofe that move by the moft fteady unchangeable rules. What can appear more giddy, more capricious, than the ramblings of wild beafts feeking their prey, and yet thefe are guided by providence to make their inroads upon inhabited lands, for the punifhment of finners that dwell in them. And, laftly, the defigns of men, even the moft cunning, the moft fecret, and the molt violent of them, are under the guidance and controul of fuperior divine counfels. If the rulers of one nation are me- . Job xxxvii. i i, i z. t Judges v. zo. ditating
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