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PART II. 
In considering, next, the methods of Deity as revealed to 
us in the Bible, I wish to call attention to some striking 
analogies which will be found between them and those spoken 
of as existing in nature. Irrespective of the direct inter- 
ferences which it is the province of revealed religion more 
especially to unfold, there is abundant evidence of the 
indirect manner in which God works, or of “ Law ” as it has 
been described when speaking of secondary agencies. And 
in addition, we have many cases recorded where intention or 
design is executed by means of accidental circumstances , 
often if not always involving the free agency of man, which, 
however, does not appear to afford any evidence of having 
been controlled. A few examples of the latter will illustrate 
this : — 
God foretold to Rebekah that her elder son should 
serve the younger. He did not say how this should be 
effected, but she had not sufficient faith in God’s promise, 
and so must needs bring it about herself. Hence, when 
Isaac said of Jacob, “ Yea, and he shall be blessed/’ he was 
corroborating the will of Jehovah, though it was — we may 
safely presume to say — not brought about as God wished. 
Again, the whole series of events, which issued in Joseph 
being the lord of Egypt, are such as might and did result 
from the free actions of his brethren and others ; yet we 
cannot refuse to recognize design throughout, but must be- 
lieve with Joseph, that such was the case when he said to 
his brethren, — “Now, therefore, be not grieved, nor angry 
with yourselves, that ye sold me hither, for God did send me 
before you to preserve life” (Gen. xlv. 5). 
The Book of Judges supplies us with instances where 
God’s judgments on the Israelites were executed by means of 
the incursions of neighbouring tribes ; who, however, we 
have no reason for believing ever considered themselves as 
specially called upon by the God of the Hebrews to inflict 
punishment upon them. 
Again, the account given in the 14th chapter of Judges, of 
Samson’s going down to Timnath, is one of a natural sequence 
of events ; but it is said of his father, who raised an objection 
to his son’s taking a wife from among the Philistines, that he 
<( knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion 
against them.” 
