1. Man is a special object of providence. God provides for all
It is a comfort that, 1. Man is a special object of providence. God provides for all creatures, even those that are the works of his hands, much more for man, who is more peculiarly the work of his head, in whose creation he took counsel: Gen. 1:26, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.' The work of his heart, in being made according to his image, and intended as a subordinate end of his whole creation, next to the principal, that of God's glory. He is the preserver of man and beast; of man principally, of beasts in subserviency to man's good and preservation.
2. Holy men a more special object of it. God preserves and provides for all things, and all persons. But his eye is more peculiarly fixed upon those that fear him: Ps. 33:18, 'Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy,' so fixed as if he had no regard to anything else. If God hath a care of man created after his own image, though his image be depraved, much more of those wherein his image is restored. If God loves himself, he loves his image and his works. A man loves the works which he hath made of some external matter; much more doth a father love his son, much more doth God love his own, and therefore will work their good, and dispose of them well. God exerciseth a special providence over the actions of a good man, as well as his person, Ps. 37:23, 'The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his ways;' it is a special, because a delightful providence, he delights in his way. How highly may it cheer a man to be in covenant with that God which rules the world, and hath all things at his beck, to be under not only the care of his wisdom, but of his goodness. The governor of the world, being such an only friend, will do him no hurt, being such an only father, will order all things to his good out of a fatherly affection; he is the world's sovereign, but a good man's father; he rules the heavens and the earth, but he loves his holy ones.
Other things are the objects of his providence, and a good man is the end of it. For 'His eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to