Ruin
and shame, I say. We are apt to forget how easy and common it is
for God to turn the wisdom of men into folly; to frustrate the
tokens of the liars, and make the prophets mad. How men blow great
bubbles, and God bursts them with the slightest touch. How, when
all seems well, and men cry peace and safety, sudden destruction
comes upon them unawares. How, when men say, 'Soul, take thine
ease, eat, drink, and be merry; thou hast much goods laid up for
many years,' God answers, 'Thou fool, this night shall thy soul be
required of thee.'
My friends, we see God doing thus in these very days by great
nations, by great branches of industry. Look at the American war,
look at the Manchester cotton famine, and see how God can confound
the strong and cunning, and blind their eyes to the ruin which is
coming till it is come in all its might. And then think, If it be
so easy for him to confound such as them, is it less easy for him to
confound you and me, if we begin to fancy that we can do without
him, and ask, 'Doth God perceive it? Or is there knowledge in the
Most High? We are they that ought to speak. Who is Lord over us?'
Yes, in this sense God is indeed a jealous God, who will not give
his honour to another.
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