about by his counsels, that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them, upon the face of the world in the earth: He causeth them to come, whether for correction or mercy. (d) The Lord giveth rain, both the former and the latter rain in his season, that men may gather in their corn, their wine, and their oil: He also shutteth up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit. (e) He visiteth the earth, and blesseth the springing thereof: He reneweth the face of the earth, and crowneth the year with his goodness; so that the pastures are clothed with flocks, and the valleys are covered over with corn. (f) He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth. (g) He turneth a fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. (b) The Lord is the God of all flesh, and of the spirits of all flesh; all his living creatures, both small and great beasts, and things creeping innumerable, wait upon him, that he may give them their meat in due season. That which he giveth them they gather; he openeth his hand, and they are filled with good. When he hideth his face, they are troubled; when he taketh away their breath, they die and return to their dust. (i) He feedeth the fowls of the air, and not a sparrow falleth to the ground without him. (4) The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. (1) He is the governor among the nations; God ruleth unto the ends of the earth. (m) The Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king. (n) When the Most High separated the sons of Adam, he divided to the nations their inheritance, and set the bounds of the people. (0) He appointed the ancient people, and thethings that are coming, and shall come. (p) The Lord increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straitneth them again: And at what instant he speaketh concerning a nation or a kingdom, to build, and to plant it, or to pluck up, and pull down, and to destroy it, it shall be done. (q) He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: God the judge putteth down one, and setteth up another. (r) By him kings reign, and princes decree justice, even all the judges of the earth. (s) From him cometh every good and every perfect gift; neither is there any evil in the world, and the Lord hath not done it. (t) He killeth, and he maketh alive; he wound--eth, and he healeth: He bringeth down to the grave, and he bringeth up. Unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. If he gather unto himself the spirit of man and his breath, all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust. (u) The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. He giveth wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: And when it so seemeth good in his sight, he hideth things from the wise and prudent, and revealeth them unto babes. (w) The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, and lifteth up. Riches and honour come of him; and in his hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. He raiseth the poor out of the dust, and maketh the barren woman to be a joyful mother of children. (x) The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; for who knoweth not in all these, that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? (y) The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but safety is of the Lord: For he delivereth and rescueth: He maketh wars to cease, and restraineth the wrath of man. (z) The lot also is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord; in whose hand our breath is, and whose are all our ways. Job 34. 14, 15. (4) Prov. 16. 1. Dan. 2. 21. Luke 10. 21. Psal. We (a) We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what works thou didst in their days in the times of old. (b) For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God hath caused righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations. (c) The whole earth is full of his glory and riches; and they that go down to the sea in ships, these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. (d) The Lord is king for ever and ever, and his dominion is an everlasting dominion. (e) He ruleth by his power for ever; let not the rebellious exalt themselves. He is the blessed and only potentate; the King of kings, and Lord of lords: The one law giver, who is able to save and to destroy. (g) Who hath given him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world? Who teacheth like him? Or who hath enjoined him his way? He worketh all things after the counsel of his own will; and he giveth not account of any of his matters. (6) Isa. 61. 11. (a) Psal. 41. 1. (c) Isa. 6. 3. Psal. 104. 24. Psal. 107. 23, 24 (d) Psal. 10. 16. Dan. 4. 34. (c) Psal. 66. 7. (f) 1 Tim. 6. 15. James 4. 12. (g) Job 34. 13. Job 36.22, 23. Eph. 1. 11. Job 33. 13. The ١٠ THE PERFECTION OF GOD, (b) Our Father which is in heaven is perfect. (i) Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty. Thou art very great, thou art clothed with honour and majesty. (4) The heaven is thy throne, and the earth is thy footstool: Thy name is excellent, and thy glory is above the earth and heaven. (1) The Lord of hosts he is the King of glory; honour and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. (m) The Lord is great in counsel, and mighty in word: The Lord hath done excellent things; his work is honourable and glorious. (n) The work of the Lord is perfect; for all his ways are judgment. (0) The law of the Lord is perfect; and all his precepts concerning all things are right. (p) The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever. (q) Who can make known to the sons of men the glorious majesty_of his kingdom, and the greatness of his excellency? (r) Blessed be thy glorious name, O Lord, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. (b) Mat. 5. 48. (i) 1 Chron. 29. 11. Psal. 104. 1.(k) Isa. 66. 1. Psal. 148. 13 Psal. 96. 6. (1) Psal. 24. 10. (m) Jer. 32. 18, 19. Isa, 12.5. Psal. 111. 3. (n) Deut. 32. 4. (0) Psal. 19.7. Psal. 119. 128. (p) Psal. 104. 31. 145. 12. Exod. 15.7. (r) Neh. 7. 5. (7) Psal. He |