§. 27. Of subjecting our purposes to Gods Will.
THe Apostles foresaid promise is thus limited, If God permit. The conditionall Particle, IF, implyeth such a limitation, as makes him subject his purpose to the guiding providence of God: as if he had said, I fully purpose what I promise; but yet with this caution, if God suffer me to do what I intend: by which pa•…•… we see that our purposes must be submitted to Gods permittance. This is thus ex∣presly commanded, Ye ought to say, If the Lord will, (Iam. 4. 15.) and this had been the practise of Gods Saints. When David had a purpose to bring the Arke of God into a setled place, he thus expresseth his purpose, If it be of the Lord our G•…•…, 1 Chro: 13. 2. and Saint Paul thus, I will return again unto you, if God will, Act. 18. •…•…1. and again, I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, (1 Cor. 4. 19.) and I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tarry a while with you, if the Lord will.
This submission giveth evidence of that knowledge which we have of the over∣ruling providence of God, of our faith therein, and respect thereto. For though there may be a preparation in the heart of man, yet the answer of the tongue is fr•…•… the Lord. And though a mans heart deviseth his way, yet the Lord directeth his 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ Prov. 16. 1, 9. So as a mans purposes, and promises will be all in vaine with•…•… this permission.
They are impious, and blasphemous thoughts, and speeches of men, who think or say, they will do this or that, whether God will or no. a 1.1 An Heathen Poet who noteth out this speech of Ajax, He that is no body may with the help of the G•…•…▪ much prevaile: But I am confident to get this done without them, withall observ∣eth, that divine vengeance followed him. How much more is b 1.2 that Pope of Rome to be condemned, who being forbidden by his Physitian, to eat of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which he liked exceeding well, but was hurtfull to his health, blasphemously said, Bring me my dish in despite of God. Such speeches argue atheisticall minds.
They go too far in this point of Atheisme, who peremptorily promise, vow, and binde themselves to do such things as are against the mind, and will of God. As those Jewes who bound themselves under a curse to kill Paul, Act. 23. 12.
It becomes us, who are instructed in the over-ruling providence of God, to have alwayes in our heart, and as occasion is given, to manifest in our words, our submission of all our intents to the divine providence: that so we may rest content, if at any time we be crossed in our intent. Well may we know what we wo•…•…ld have fall out: but God doth best know what should fall out, and what is best so to do. Let us not therefore be too eager in pursuing our own purposes. This cauti∣on being interposed, may keep us from breach of promise, when matters fall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 otherwise then we have promised.