The Providential Government of God [pp. 319-346]

The Providential Government of God.
exerted on the minds of Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar, inducing
their prophetic dreams, which were interpreted by Joseph and
Daniel. Thus it is evident that God can and does exert a
direct influence over the minds of men, even the ungodly,
inducing thoughts suited to the accomplishing of his purposes.
"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of
water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." Prov. xxi. 1.
5. On the other hand, in all holy exercises and right actions,
the immediate power of the Holy Spirit is active, creating right
affections, and leading and impelling his people to do such
things as are in accordance with God's holy will; so that whilst
on the one hand, the liberty of the agent is not taken away,
but he is freed from his previous bondage to corruption and
sin, and by the exercise of his natural faculties, "worketh out
his own salvation with fear and trembling;" on the other hand,
as to the real efficiency and power, "it is God that worketh in
him, both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Phil. ii. 12, 13.
It is to this, especially, that the apostle James refers, whendeclaring that we are not tempted of God, but of our own corruptions-he on the contrary adds, that "Every good gift,
and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from
the Father of lights." James i. 17.
6. Besides these modes of operation in the ordinary providence of God, who shall forbid, that in many ways, untraceable
by us, but adoringly witnessed by blessed spirits, the immediate
power of God should interpose in human affairs? We are persuaded that the whole analogy of his government, and the tone
of the entire Scriptures, lead directly to this conclusion. We
are confident that we express but the common experience and
the common sentiment of his people-those with whom is "the
secret of the Lord"-in declaring our conviction, that in multitudes of instances they are indebted to a fatherly care, and an
almighty hand, which, concealed from carnal observation, but
recognized by faith, dispenses blessings, which the natural
action of second causes would never have conveyed.
The government of God, thus variously administered, is
universal in its dominion, and constant in its exercise-it has
respect to the most minute, as well as the greatest results;
and is absolute in its sway. It is not a mere influence, but a
344
[APRIL