I. As to the first head, namely, Shew God*S

marring and making a crook in one's lot, as he sees meet.
First God keeps the rAoice of every one's crook to himself; and therein he exerts his sovereignty. Matt. XX. 15. It is not left to our option what that crook shall be, or what our peculiar burden ; hut as the potter makes of the same clay one ves^ sel for one use, another for another use ; so God makes one crook for one, another for another, ac- cording to his own vrill and pleasure, Psalm cxxxv- (^. *' Whatsoever the Lord pleaseth, that did he, " in heaven and in earth," &:c.
Secondly y He sees and obsen^es the bias of every one's will and inclination how it lies, and wherein it especially bends away from himself, and conse- quently wherein it needs the special bow ; so he did in that man's case, Mark x. 2^ " One thing thou " lackest ; go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast^ " and give it to the poor," &c. ObsfTve the bent of his heart to his great poasessious. He takes no- tice what is that idol that in every •ne's case is most apt to be his rival, that so he may suit the trial to the case, making the crook tlure.
Thirdliu By the conduct of his providence, or a touch of his hand, he gives that part of one's lot a bom the contrary way ; so that henceforth it,- lies quite contrary to that bias of the party's will, Eiek. xxiv. 25, An^ hare th? trial is made, the bc-nt oi
The Crook m the Lot. 5^
the will lying one way, and that part of one's lot another, that it does not answer the inclination of the party, but thwarts with it.
.' Lastly^ He wills that crook in the lot to remain while he sees meet, for longer or shorter time, just according to his own holy ends he designs it for, 2 Sam, xii. 10. Hos. v. 15. By that will it is so fix- ed, that the whole creation cannot alter it, or pur it out of the bow.