(2.) The wisdom of God, as appearing in the works of providence, in bringing about unexpected events for the good of mankind, and that, by means that seem to have no tendency thereto, but rather the contrary; this will appear in the following instances. As, _1st_, Jacob’s flying from his father’s house, was wisely ordered, as a means not only for his escaping the fury of his brother, and the trial of his faith, and to humble him for the sinful method he took to obtain the blessing; but also for the building up his family, and encreasing his substance in the world, under a very unjust father-in-law and master, such as Laban was. _2dly_, Joseph’s being sold into Egypt, was ordered, as a means of his preserving not only that land, but his father’s house, from perishing by famine; his imprisonment was the occasion of his advancement. And all this led the way to the accomplishment of what God had foretold relating to his people’s dwelling in Egypt, and their wonderful deliverance from the bondage they were to endure therein. _3dly_, The wisdom of God was seen in the manner of Israel’s deliverance out of Egypt, in that he first laid them under the greatest discouragements, by suffering the Egyptians to increase their tasks and burdens; hardening Pharaoh’s heart, that he might try his people’s faith, and make their deliverance appear more remarkable; and then plaguing the Egyptians, that he might punish their pride, injustice, and cruelty; and, at last, giving them up to such an infatuation, as effectually procured their final overthrow, and his people’s safety. _4thly_, In leading Israel forty years in the wilderness, before he brought them into the promised land, that he might give them statutes and ordinances, and that they might experience various instances of his presence among them, by judgments and mercies, and so be prepared for all the privileges he designed for them, as his peculiar people, in the land of Canaan. _5thly_, We have a very wonderful instance of the wisdom of providence in the book of Esther; when Haman, the enemy of the Jews, had obtained a decree for their destruction, and Mordecai was first to be sacrificed to his pride and revenge, providence turned whatever he intended against him, upon himself. There was something very remarkable in all the circumstances that led to it, by which the church’s deliverance and advancement was brought about; when, to an eye of reason, it seemed almost impossible,