An Expofition upon Chap. 1 i. way of an arrow in the airssfo the ways pheming of the things which they un- ofGod cannot be known as touching, the caufe and manner of them, and until they be revealed. That Jofeph was fo exalted in Egypt,and David fo advanced in Ijrael, and Ifmael not chofen when Iaac was, and Chrift Pent to redeeme the world by death; thefe are things which we may fearch, becaufe they are known by the word. But why Jofeph andDavid were exalted,rather chE any of their other brethren : Why Jacob taken, and Ef au refufed, ( both being every way equall: ) Why redemption by Chrift, was rather wrought by jag his treafon, then by any other meanes : Finally, why the Jews a long time ha- ving been Gods pcople,lfhould be bro- ken off, and that in the time of grace; and the Gentiles at that time planted in when they were groffe Idolaters; and why the calling of the Jewes is deferred Co many hundred years; theft and fuch like are the wayes of God that cannot be known, nor ought to be fearched, but are to be thought upon with great admiration an d filence, after Paula ex- ample. T t M. What infirulïions have we from thefe laft wools cf the 33 verfe? S 1 L. Firfl, it is the duty of Gods children(avoiding al curiofity)to adore and wonder at the ferrets of God, as did Mary, Luke 2. and the Evangelift 7ohn,Reve1.$.4.And the reafon hereof is, both becaufe ftrange things deferve to be admired, and ignorance is . ever a joli caufe ofwondering, for no man won- ders at what he knows, but at what he knows not; therefore God never won - dreth at any thing, and wife men won- der lcffethen fools, becaufe they know more; and yet both fools and wife men muff wonder at force things which they cannot know. T t Ni. 70 what profit felves this do- arine ? S i L. It ferves to rebuke blockilh- neffe in fuch as are not moved to won- der at theadmirable wayes of God. Se- condly, the cutiofity of others, who in- Read of wondering and being amazed, \break out into murmuring and blaf- detfland not : as many Papifts, Pela - gians, and Lutherans ufe to do about the matter of predeflination and other high points, condemning what by them is not conceived.Thirdly,the prophane- neffe of force who deride and ¡eft at thingswhich they cannot perceive : the world is too full of fuch Atheifis and mockers;all fuck mufi be fent to ichoole to fober and godly minded Paul, to re- verence and adore things which be above them. T t M. What ether inffrullions from hence ? S r L. The caufe and reafons of Gods eternall counfell cannot be fought out nor found ; which infiruftion ad- mits two exceptions. Fitt, (of the blef- fedTrinity,of which each perfon knows I the hidden things of God, t Cor. 3. Se- condly, of fuch things as are manifefi by the workes and word of God, 1 Cor .2. 16. Matth. i o. So much of Gods ways as Chrift hath taught,'we may, nay we ought to learn, but we may not be learners where God is no teacher ; nor have cares to hear, where God hath not a mouth to (peak. Learned igno- rance Is much better and fafer then proud and curious knowledge; for he that fearcheth theglory, Thal be eófoun- ded of the majefiy; and ferret things be- long unto God, Deut. 29.29. T t M. What profit are we to »Jake our [elves of this point ? S i L. Firfl, it condemnes fuch curious perforas which like Adam, Gen. 3. and Peter, John 21. negleet to Lurch what they may well finde and know, anddefare to pry into that which they cannot know; thefe lofe their labour and themfelves. Secondly,it exhorts us all unto Chrifiianfobriety, to content our felves with things revealed,and let- ting paffe that part of Gods minde, which he hash referved to himfelfe, becaufe he needeth none to be the men of his counfell, as Efay well fpeaketh. For as he knows all the counfell of all his creatures, and is fufficient to him- felfe to be his own Counfellour, ha- ving none to advife him when he pur- pofed
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