e who desires an enlarged view of the affairs of
the world, and the dealings of God with mankind in general, and with his
church in particular. In reading profane history, several things are to
be kept distinctly in view.

1. _The providence of God in directing the affairs of men._ Observe the
hand of God in everything; for he controls the actions even of wicked
men, to accomplish his own purposes. The Bible is full of this great
truth. Scarcely a page can be found where it is not recognized. "The
most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he
will." He calls the king of Assyria the "rod of his anger," for
chastising the hypocritical Jews; but adds, "Howbeit, he meaneth not so,
neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and
cut off nations not a few." And, in a subsequent verse, he says, when he
has performed his whole work, by this wicked king, he will punish his
stout heart, and the glory of his high looks. But it is not in great
matters alone, that the hand of the Lord is to be seen. He exercises a
particular providence over the least as well as the greatest of his
works. Even a single sparrow, says our Lord, shall not fall to the
ground without our heavenly Father. And this is one of the brightest
glories of the divine character. He who fills immensity with his
presence, condescends to care for the minutest beings in the universe.

2. _Observe the connection of the events recorded in history, with the
fulfilment of prophecy._ I do not, however, suppose you will be able to
see this very clearly, without reading some authors who have made the
prophecies their particular study. And this you will not be prepared to
do with much profit, till you have the leading events of history fixed
in your mind.

3. _Observe the depravity of the human heart, and the evil nature of
sin_, as manifested in the conduct of wicked men, who have been left
without restraint, and in the consequences resulting from such conduct.

4. _See the hatred of God towards sin_, as displayed in the miseries
brought upon the world in consequence of it. In reading history, we find
that individuals, whom God could have cut off by a single stroke of his
hand, have been permitted to live for years, and spread devastation,
misery, and death, everywhere around them. The infidel would pronounce
this inconsistent with the character of a God of infinite benevolence.
But the whole mystery is explained in the Bible