10. When the disciples put this question to our blessed Lord concerning the blind man, _Master, Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?_ He made this answer, _Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him_, John ix. 2, 3. plainly declaring, that the particular circumstances of every man’s birth, the body that he receives, and the state of life into which he is born, are appointed by a secret providence, which directs all things to their particular _times_, and _seasons_, and _manner_ of existence, that the wisdom and works of God may be made manifest in them all. As therefore it is certain, that all that is particular in our state, is the effect of God’s particular providence over us, and intended for some particular ends, both of his glory and our own happiness, we are, by the greatest obligations, called upon to resign our will to the will of God in all these respects; thankfully approving and accepting every thing that is particular in our state; praising and glorifying his name for our birth of such _parents_, and in such _circumstances_; being fully assured, that it was for some reasons of infinite wisdom and goodness, that we were so born into such particular states of life. 11. If the man above-mentioned was born blind, that the _works of God might be manifested in him_, had he not great reason to praise God, for appointing him in such a particular manner to be the instrument of his glory? And if one person is born _here_, and another _there_; if one falls amongst _riches_, and another into _poverty_; if one receives his flesh and blood from these _parents_, and another from those, for as particular ends as the man was born blind; have not all people the greatest reason to bless God, and to be thankful for their particular state and condition, because all that is particular in it, is as directly intended for the glory of God, and their own good, as the _particular blindness_ of that man, who was so born, that the _works of God might be manifested in him_? * How noble an idea does this give us of the divine omniscience, presiding over the whole world, and governing such a long chain and combination of seeming accidents, to the common and particular advantage of all beings? So that all persons, in such a wonderful variety of causes and events, should fall into such particular states, as were foreseen and fore-ordained to their best advantage, and so as to be most serviceable to the wise and glorious ends of God’s government of all the world! 12. * Had you been any thing else than what you are, you had, all things considered, been less wisely provided for than you are now; you had wanted some circumstances that are best fitted to make you happy yourself, and serviceable to the glory of God.