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I. THERE IS A PROVIDENCE. This appears —

1. From plain Scripture testimonies (see Psalm 103:19; Ephesians 1:11).

2. From the nature of God, who being independent, and the first cause of all things, the creatures must needs depend upon Him in their being and working. He is the end of all things, wise, knowing how to manage all for the best; powerful to effectuate whatever He has purposed, and faithful to accomplish all He has decreed, promised, or threatened.

3. From the harmony and order of the most confused things in the world. Everything appears to a discerning eye to be wisely ordered, notwithstanding the confusions that seem to take place.

4. From the fulfilment of prophecies, which could not possibly be without a providence to bring them to pass.

II. Let us, in the next place, consider THE OBJECT OF PROVIDENCE, or that which it reacheth and extendeth to. And this is all the creatures, and all their actions — "Upholding all things by the word of His power" (Hebrews 1:3). "His kingdom ruleth over all" (Psalm 103:19).

III. I proceed to consider THE ACTS OF PROVIDENCE. They are two, preserving and governing the creatures and their actions.

1. God by His providence preserves all the creatures.

2. God does not only preserve the creatures, but governs and manages them, which is the second act of providence; whereby He disposes of all things, persons, and actions, according to His will; "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will" (Proverbs 21:1). "The lot is cast into the lap: but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord" (Proverbs 16:33). "A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). And this act of providence is also necessary: for as the creature cannot be or exist without God, so neither can it act without Him (Acts 17:21). God does not make man as the carpenter doth the ship, which afterwards sails without him; but He rules and guides him, sitting at the helm, to direct and order all his motions: so that whatever men do, they do nothing without Him; not only in their good actions, where He gives grace, and excites it, working in them both to will and to do of His good pleasure; but also in their evil actions, wherein they are under the hand of providence, but in a very different manner.

(1) God permits sin, when He does not hinder it, which He is not obliged to do.

(2) God leaves the sinner so far as He sees meet to the swing of his own lusts, and denies him restraining grace.

(3) God bounds sin, and restrains men in their sins, as He does the raging sea, allowing it to go so far, but no further.

(4) God overrules all to a good end. God has one end in wicked actions, and the sinner another. The sinner minds and intends evil, but God means and designs good by them all.

IV. Our next business is to consider THE PROPERTIES OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE.

1. God's providence is most holy (Psalm 145:17).

2. It is most wise (Isaiah 28:29).

3. Providence is most powerful.I shall conclude with an use of exhortation.

1. Beware of drawing an excuse for your sin from the providence of God, for it is most holy, and has not the least efficiency in any sin you commit.

2. Beware of murmuring and fretting under any dispensations of providence that ye meet with; remembering that nothing falls out without a wise and holy providence, which knows best what is fit and proper for you. And in all cases, even amidst the most afflicting incidents that befall you, learn submission to the will of God.

3. Beware of anxious cares and diffidence about your through-bearing in the world.

(T. Boston, D. D.)

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KJV: Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

WEB: "Aren't five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God.