Clouds and darkness
They know not the reasons even of many of his present dispensations with the sons of men, but are constrained to rest here: though clouds and darkness are round about him, righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his seat (Psalm 97:2). Yea, often with regard to his dealings with themselves does their Lord say to them: What I do, you know not now, but you shall know hereafter (John 13:7). And how little do they know of what is ever before them, of even the visible works of his hands? How he spreads the north over the empty place, and hangs the earth upon nothing (Job 26:7)? How he unites all the parts of this vast machine by a secret chain which cannot be broken? So great is the ignorance, so very little the knowledge, of even the best of men.
1771 text
3. They know not the reasons even of many of his present dispensations with the sons of men: but are constrained to rest here, tho’ clouds and darkness are round about him, righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his seat. Yea, often with regard to his dealings with themselves doth their Lord say unto them, What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. And how little do they know, of what is ever before them, of even the visible works of his hands? How he spreadeth the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing? How he unites all the parts of this vast machine by a secret chain which cannot be broken? So great is the ignorance, so very little the knowledge of even the best of men.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 40 in the 1771 Works. Philippians 3:12.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.