A discourse concerning the divine providence by William Sherlock ...
         Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707.
      
       
         
           1694
        
      
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             A discourse concerning the divine providence by William Sherlock ...
             Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707.
          
           [8], 394 p.
           
             Printed for William Rogers ...,
             London :
             1694.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Providence and government of God -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           DISCOURSE
           Concerning
           the
           
             Divine
             Providence
          
           .
        
         
           By
           WILLIAM
           SHERLOCK
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Dean
           of
           St.
           
           Paul's
           ,
           Master
           of
           the
           Temple
           ,
           and
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           Their
           Majesties
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 
                   IMPRIMATUR
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                     Maii
                     9.
                     1693.
                     
                  
                   
                     Carolus
                     Alston
                     ,
                     
                       R.
                       P.
                       D.
                    
                     Hen.
                     Episc.
                     Lond.
                     
                       à
                       Sacris
                    
                     .
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             William
             Rogers
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Sun
           over-against
           St.
           
           Dunstan's
           Church
           in
           
             Fleet
             street
          
           .
           MDCXCIV
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           QUEEN's
           Most
           Excellent
           Majesty
           .
        
         
           
             May
             it
             please
             Your
             Majesty
             ,
          
        
         
           TO
           Accept
           this
           Treatise
           ,
           which
           ,
           did
           the
           Composition
           answer
           the
           Subject
           ,
           would
           recommend
           it self
           to
           the
           Perusal
           of
           Princes
           ,
           who
           are
           the
           peculiar
           Care
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           Ministers
           of
           Providence
           .
           For
           it
           is
           this
           Good
           Providence
           which
           is
           the
           Security
           of
           the
           Royal
           Throne
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           perfect
           Patern
           of
           a
           Just
           ,
           and
           Equal
           Government
           ,
           without
           Contempt
           of
           the
           meanest
           ,
           or
           Partiality
           to
           the
           greatest
           .
        
         
         
           That
           Experience
           YOUR
           MAJESTY
           has
           had
           of
           a
           Kind
           and
           Watchful
           Providence
           ,
           and
           that
           constant
           dependence
           the
           most
           Potent
           Monarchs
           have
           on
           the
           Divine
           Protection
           ,
           especially
           in
           the
           great
           Shakings
           and
           Convulsions
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           I
           hope
           may
           excuse
           this
           Dedication
           ,
           as
           neither
           improper
           nor
           unseasonable
           .
           And
           may
           the
           same
           Good
           Providence
           ,
           which
           has
           advanced
           YOUR
           MAJESTIES
           to
           the
           Throne
           ,
           and
           so
           signally
           preserved
           the
           King
           from
           the
           greatest
           Dangers
           ,
           still
           preserve
           Your
           Sacred
           Persons
           ,
           establish
           Your
           Throne
           ,
           and
           deliver
           You
           from
           all
           Your
           Enemies
           .
           Which
           is
           the
           hearty
           and
           daily
           Prayer
           of
           ,
        
         
           
             YOUR
             MAJESTIES
             ,
             Most
             Humble
             ,
             most
             Obedient
             ,
             and
             most
             Dutiful
             Subject
             and
             Servant
             ,
             WILLIAM
             SHERLOCK
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           The
           CONTENTS
           .
        
         
           
             THE
             Introduction
             ,
             Page
             1
          
        
         
           
             Chap.
             1.
             
          
           
             THE
             necessary
             Connexion
             between
             the
             belief
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             Providence
             ,
             3
          
           
             The
             World
             can
             be
             no
             more
             governed
             than
             made
             by
             chance
             ,
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             An
             Infinite
             and
             Eternal
             Mind
             ,
             which
             sees
             and
             knows
             all
             things
             ,
             must
             govern
             the
             Word
             ,
             5
          
           
             He
             who
             made
             the
             World
             ,
             cannot
             be
             unconcerned
             for
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             7
          
           
             No
             Philosophers
             ,
             except
             the
             Epicureans
             ,
             who
             acknowledged
             a
             Deity
             ,
             denied
             a
             Providence
             ,
             8
          
           
             The
             same
             Arguments
             ,
             which
             prove
             the
             Being
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             prove
             a
             Providence
             ,
             9
          
           
             The
             strength
             of
             Atheism
             consists
             in
             contradicting
             the
             Vniversal
             Reason
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             11
          
        
         
           
             Chap.
             2.
             
          
           
             THE
             general
             Notion
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             particularly
             concerning
             a
             preserving
             Providence
             ,
             16
          
           
             The
             Nature
             of
             Preservation
             ,
             as
             distinguisht
             from
             a
             governing
             Providence
             ,
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             The
             first
             Act
             of
             Preservation
             in
             upholding
             and
             preserving
             the
             Being
             and
             Natures
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             17
          
           
             The
             second
             Act
             of
             Preservation
             ;
             God's
             Co-operation
             and
             Concourse
             with
             Creatures
             in
             all
             their
             Actions
             ,
             21
          
           
             Some
             difficulties
             of
             Providence
             answered
             ;
             as
             God's
             Concourse
             with
             Creatures
             in
             sinful
             Actions
             ,
             25
          
           
             Concerning
             the
             Eternity
             of
             Punishments
             ,
             28
          
           
             Some
             Practical
             Inferences
             ,
             31
          
        
         
           
             Chap.
             3.
             
          
           
             COncerning
             God's
             Governing
             Providence
             ,
             33
          
           
             God's
             Government
             of
             Causes
             ,
             and
             of
             Events
             ,
             34
          
           
             God's
             Government
             of
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             and
             wherein
             it
             consists
             ,
             Ib.
             
          
           
             God's
             Government
             of
             Accidental
             Causes
             ,
             or
             what
             we
             call
             Chance
             and
             Accident
             ,
             39
          
           
             God's
             Government
             of
             Moral
             Causes
             ,
             or
             Free
             Agents
             ,
             .
             47
          
           
             
             The
             difference
             between
             God's
             Government
             of
             Men
             considered
             as
             reasonable
             Creatures
             ,
             and
             as
             Instruments
             of
             Providence
             ,
             48
          
           
             Concerning
             God's
             Government
             of
             mens
             Minds
             ,
             their
             Wills
             and
             Passions
             ,
             Page
             51
          
           
             Concerning
             God's
             Government
             of
             mens
             Actions
             ,
             54
          
           
             God's
             Government
             of
             Good
             and
             Bad
             men
             ,
             more
             particularly
             considered
             ,
             57
          
           
             God's
             Government
             of
             Events
             ,
             59
          
           
             What
             is
             meant
             by
             Events
             in
             this
             Question
             ,
             60
          
           
             Wherein
             God's
             Government
             of
             Events
             consists
             ,
             61
          
           
             Concerning
             Gods
             Permission
             ,
             Ibid
          
           
             The
             difference
             between
             God's
             Government
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             and
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             ,
             66
          
           
             That
             the
             Exercise
             of
             a
             particular
             Providence
             consists
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             68
          
        
         
           
             Chap.
             4.
             
          
           
             COncerning
             the
             Sovereignty
             of
             Providence
             ,
             73
          
           
             Concerning
             God's
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             75
          
           
             That
             true
             Absolute
             Power
             can
             do
             no
             wrong
             ,
             explained
             at
             large
             ,
             Ib.
             
          
           
             The
             Vnsearchable
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ,
             85
          
           
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             can
             do
             no
             wrong
             ,
             88
          
           
             That
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             must
             be
             as
             unaccountable
             ,
             as
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             the
             Creation
             ,
             91
          
           
             That
             the
             wise
             Government
             of
             the
             Word
             ,
             requires
             secret
             and
             hidden
             Methods
             of
             Providence
             ,
             97
          
           
             That
             we
             are
             ignorant
             of
             a
             great
             many
             things
             ,
             without
             the
             knowledg
             of
             which
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             to
             understand
             the
             reasons
             of
             Providence
             ,
             110
          
           
             In
             what
             cases
             the
             Vnsearchable
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             ,
             is
             a
             reasonable
             Answer
             to
             the
             Difficulties
             of
             Providence
             ,
             123
          
        
         
           
             Chap.
             5.
             
          
           
             THe
             Iustice
             and
             Righteousness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             137
          
           
             That
             the
             Iustice
             of
             Providence
             does
             not
             consist
             in
             hindring
             all
             Acts
             of
             Injustice
             and
             Violence
             ,
             138
          
           
             God
             may
             do
             that
             very
             justly
             ,
             which
             men
             cannot
             do
             without
             great
             Injustie
             ,
             139
          
           
             What
             the
             Nature
             and
             Exercise
             of
             God's
             Iustice
             requires
             ,
             141
          
           
             
             What
             Acts
             of
             Iustice
             the
             present
             Government
             of
             this
             World
             requires
             ,
             Page
             147
          
           
             The
             Account
             the
             Scripture
             gives
             us
             of
             God's
             Iustice
             and
             Righteousness
             ,
             150
          
        
         
           
             Chap.
             6.
             
          
           
             THE
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             161
          
           
             What
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Government
             requires
             ,
             Ib.
             
          
           
             What
             the
             Holiness
             of
             God's
             Providence
             does
             not
             require
             of
             him
             ,
             168
          
           
             God
             is
             not
             the
             Cause
             and
             Author
             of
             Sin
             ,
             175
          
           
             The
             Divine
             Prescience
             does
             not
             destroy
             the
             Liberty
             of
             Human
             Actions
             ,
             178
          
           
             God
             decrees
             no
             mens
             sins
             ,
             181
          
           
             Some
             Texts
             of
             Scripture
             considered
             ,
             which
             seem
             to
             make
             God
             the
             Author
             of
             sin
             ,
             183
          
           
             Concerning
             God's
             hardning
             
             Pharaoh's
             heart
             ,
             Ib.
             
          
           
             Some
             other
             Texts
             considered
             ,
             which
             seem
             to
             charge
             God
             with
             the
             sins
             of
             men
             .
             200
          
        
         
           
             Chap.
             7.
             
          
           
             THE
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             214
          
           
             Mistakes
             concerning
             the
             Nature
             of
             God's
             Goodness
             ,
             216
          
           
             The
             difference
             between
             Absolute
             Goodness
             and
             Iustice
             ,
             and
             the
             Goodness
             and
             Iustice
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             220
          
           
             That
             God
             exercises
             all
             Acts
             of
             Goodness
             ,
             which
             a
             state
             of
             Trial
             and
             Discipline
             will
             admit
             ,
             221
          
           
             Another
             Mistake
             concerning
             the
             Nature
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ;
             and
             what
             Good
             and
             Evil
             is
             in
             a
             state
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             226
          
           
             Another
             Mistake
             about
             the
             Nature
             of
             Government
             ;
             and
             what
             Goodness
             is
             required
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             233
          
           
             Two
             Objections
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             answered
             .
             1.
             
             From
             the
             many
             Miseries
             which
             are
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             238
          
           
             A
             second
             Objection
             is
             ,
             God's
             partial
             and
             unequal
             Care
             of
             his
             creatures
             ,
             265
          
        
         
           
             Chap.
             8.
             
          
           
             THE
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ,
             269
          
           
             The
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             considered
             in
             some
             great
             Events
             recorded
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             270
          
           
             
             The
             Destruction
             of
             the
             World
             by
             Noah's
             Flood
             ,
             Page
             271
          
           
             Concerning
             the
             Confusion
             of
             Languages
             ,
             and
             the
             Dispersion
             of
             Mankind
             over
             all
             the
             earth
             ,
             285
          
           
             God's
             chusing
             Abraham
             and
             his
             Posterity
             ,
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             289
          
           
             Concerning
             the
             removal
             of
             Jacob
             and
             his
             Family
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             299
          
           
             The
             Oppression
             of
             Israel
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             300
          
           
             The
             Miracles
             wrought
             by
             Moses
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             302
          
           
             God's
             delivering
             the
             Law
             from
             Mount
             Sinai
             ,
             309
          
           
             All
             that
             came
             out
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             excepting
             Joshua
             and
             Caleb
             ,
             died
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             311
          
           
             The
             frequent
             Relapses
             of
             Israel
             into
             Idolatry
             ,
             313
          
           
             Concerning
             the
             Captivities
             and
             Dispersions
             of
             Israel
             ,
             especially
             their
             Captivity
             in
             Babylon
             ,
             319
          
           
             In
             what
             sense
             Christ
             came
             in
             the
             Fulness
             of
             Time
             ,
             326
          
           
             The
             Destruction
             of
             Jerusalem
             by
             the
             Romans
             ,
             328
          
           
             The
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             in
             some
             more
             common
             and
             ordinary
             Events
             ,
             331
          
           
             That
             God
             rewards
             or
             punishes
             men
             in
             their
             Posterity
             ,
             332
          
           
             God's
             punishing
             sin
             with
             sin
             ,
             339
          
           
             God's
             disappointing
             both
             our
             Hopes
             and
             Fears
             ,
             340
          
           
             God's
             deferring
             the
             deliverance
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             punishment
             of
             the
             wicked
             ,
             to
             the
             utmost
             extremity
             ,
             341
          
           
             Concerning
             sudden
             Changes
             and
             Revolutions
             ,
             343
          
           
             The
             wise
             mixture
             of
             Mercy
             and
             Iudgment
             ,
             344
          
        
         
           
             Chap.
             9.
             
          
           
             THE
             Duties
             we
             owe
             to
             Providence
             ,
             345
          
           
             A
             particular
             Acknowledgment
             of
             Providence
             in
             all
             Events
             ,
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Submission
             to
             the
             Providential
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             347
          
           
             Concerning
             Submission
             to
             God
             under
             Afflictions
             and
             Sufferings
             ,
             348
          
           
             Submission
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             with
             respect
             to
             our
             several
             states
             and
             conditions
             of
             life
             ,
             354
          
           
             Concerning
             Hope
             and
             Trust
             in
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             366
          
           
             Concerning
             the
             Duties
             of
             Prayer
             and
             Thanksgiving
             ,
             378
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           DISCOURSE
           OF
           THE
           Divine
           Providence
           .
        
         
           
             The
             INTRODUCTION
             .
          
           
             MY
             Chief
             Design
             in
             this
             following
             Treatise
             ,
             is
             ,
             So
             to
             Explain
             the
             Nature
             of
             Providence
             ,
             as
             to
             reconcile
             men
             to
             the
             Belief
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             to
             possess
             them
             with
             a
             Religious
             Awe
             and
             Reverence
             of
             the
             Supreme
             and
             Absolute
             Lord
             of
             the
             World.
             For
             it
             is
             very
             evident
             ,
             That
             the
             Mistakes
             about
             the
             Nature
             of
             Providence
             ,
             are
             the
             principal
             Objections
             against
             it
             ;
             which
             tempt
             some
             men
             to
             deny
             a
             Providence
             ,
             or
             so
             weaken
             the
             sense
             of
             it
             in
             others
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             very
             little
             the
             better
             for
             believing
             it
             .
             That
             a
             Divine
             Providence
             does
             Govern
             the
             World
             ,
             I
             have
             proved
             largely
             enough
             for
             my
             present
             Design
             ,
             in
             the
             
               Discourse
               concerning
               a
               Future
               Iudgment
            
             ;
             
             which
             I
             refer
             my
             Reader
             to
             :
             But
             that
             this
             Work
             might
             not
             seem
             to
             want
             a
             Foundation
             ,
             I
             have
             not
             wholly
             omitted
             the
             Proof
             of
             a
             Providence
             ,
             but
             have
             at
             least
             said
             enough
             to
             
             convince
             those
             of
             a
             Providence
             ,
             who
             believe
             ,
             That
             there
             is
             a
             God
             ;
             which
             must
             be
             supposed
             in
             a
             Discourse
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Whole
               is
               divided
               into
               Nine
               Chapters
               .
            
             
               I.
               The
               necessary
               Connection
               between
               the
               Belief
               of
               a
               God
               ,
               and
               of
               a
               Providence
               .
            
             
               II.
               The
               General
               Notion
               of
               Providence
               ;
               and
               particularly
               concerning
               a
               Preserving
               Providence
               .
            
             
               III.
               Concerning
               God's
               Governing
               Providence
               .
            
             
               IV.
               The
               Soveraignty
               of
               Providence
               .
            
             
               V.
               The
               Justice
               of
               Providence
               .
            
             
               VI.
               The
               Holiness
               of
               Providence
               .
            
             
               VII
               .
               The
               Goodness
               of
               Providence
               .
            
             
               VIII
               .
               The
               Wisdom
               of
               Providence
               .
            
             
               IX
               .
               The
               Duties
               we
               owe
               to
               Providence
               .
            
          
           
             The
             Explication
             of
             these
             Things
             will
             not
             only
             answer
             many
             Difficulties
             in
             Providence
             ,
             but
             will
             give
             us
             a
             clearer
             Notion
             of
             the
             Divine
             Attributes
             ,
             and
             of
             some
             of
             the
             principal
             Duties
             of
             Religion
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             The
             necessary
             Connection
             between
             the
             Belief
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             Providence
             .
          
           
             INstead
             of
             other
             Arguments
             to
             prove
             a
             Providence
             ,
             I
             shall
             at
             present
             insist
             only
             on
             this
             ,
             That
             the
             Belief
             of
             a
             God
             infers
             a
             Providence
             :
             That
             if
             we
             believe
             there
             is
             a
             God
             who
             Made
             the
             World
             ,
             we
             must
             believe
             that
             the
             same
             God
             who
             Made
             the
             World
             ,
             does
             Govern
             it
             too
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             For
             first
             ,
             It
             is
             as
             absurd
             and
             unreasonable
             to
             think
             ,
             That
             the
             World
             is
             Governed
             by
             Chance
             ;
             as
             to
             think
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             Made
             by
             Chance
             ;
             for
             Chance
             can
             no
             more
             Govern
             ,
             than
             it
             can
             Make
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             One
             principal
             Act
             of
             Providence
             is
             to
             uphold
             all
             things
             in
             being
             ,
             to
             preserve
             their
             Natures
             ,
             Powers
             ,
             Operations
             ;
             to
             make
             this
             lower
             World
             again
             every
             Year
             by
             new
             Productions
             :
             For
             Nature
             seems
             to
             decay
             ,
             and
             dye
             ,
             and
             revive
             again
             ,
             in
             almost
             as
             wonderful
             a
             manner
             ,
             and
             as
             unintelligible
             to
             us
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             first
             made
             .
             Now
             tho
             it
             is
             very
             absurd
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             Chance
             which
             acts
             by
             no
             Rule
             ,
             nor
             with
             any
             Counsel
             or
             Design
             ,
             can
             make
             a
             World
             ,
             which
             has
             all
             the
             Marks
             and
             Characters
             of
             an
             admirable
             Wisdom
             in
             its
             Contrivance
             ;
             yet
             it
             seems
             more
             absurd
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             Chance
             can
             preserve
             ,
             that
             it
             can
             uphold
             the
             things
             it
             has
             made
             ,
             that
             it
             can
             repair
             the
             decays
             of
             Nature
             ,
             nay
             ,
             restore
             it
             when
             it
             seems
             lost
             :
             That
             it
             can
             not
             only
             do
             the
             same
             thing
             twice
             ,
             but
             repeat
             it
             infinitely
             in
             new
             productions
             :
             That
             Chance
             can
             give
             Laws
             to
             Nature
             ,
             
             and
             impose
             a
             Necessity
             
             on
             it
             to
             act
             regularly
             and
             uniformly
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             That
             Chance
             should
             put
             an
             end
             to
             Chance
             ,
             and
             introduce
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             .
             Were
             there
             not
             a
             Wise
             and
             Powerful
             Providence
             ,
             it
             is
             Ten
             thousand
             times
             more
             likely
             ,
             that
             Chance
             should
             unmake
             and
             dissolve
             the
             World
             ,
             than
             that
             it
             should
             at
             first
             make
             it
             ;
             for
             a
             World
             that
             came
             together
             by
             Chance
             ,
             and
             has
             nothing
             to
             keep
             it
             together
             but
             the
             Chance
             that
             made
             it
             ,
             which
             is
             as
             uncertain
             and
             mutable
             as
             Chance
             is
             ,
             will
             quickly
             unmake
             it self
             .
             Should
             the
             Sun
             but
             change
             his
             place
             ,
             come
             nearer
             this
             Earth
             ,
             or
             remove
             farther
             from
             it
             ,
             there
             were
             an
             end
             of
             this
             lower
             World
             ▪
             and
             if
             it
             were
             placed
             there
             by
             Chance
             ,
             it
             is
             wonderful
             ,
             that
             in
             so
             many
             Ages
             ,
             some
             new
             unlucky
             Chance
             has
             not
             removed
             it
             .
             And
             therefore
             the
             Psalmist
             attributes
             not
             only
             the
             Creation
             but
             the
             Preservation
             of
             all
             things
             to
             God.
             
               Praise
               him
               sun
               and
               moon
               ,
               praise
               him
               ye
               stars
               of
               light
               :
               Praise
               him
               all
               ye
               heavens
               ,
               and
               ye
               waters
               that
               are
               above
               the
               heavens
               :
               Let
               them
               praise
               the
               name
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               for
               he
               spake
               the
               word
               ,
               and
               they
               were
               made
               ;
               he
               commanded
               ,
               and
               they
               were
               created
               :
               He
               hath
               made
               them
               fast
               for
               ever
               ;
               he
               hath
               given
               them
               a
               law
               ,
               which
               shall
               not
               be
               broken
               ,
            
             148.
             
             Psal.
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             2dly
             .
             The
             same
             Wisdom
             and
             Power
             which
             Made
             the
             World
             ,
             must
             Govern
             it
             too
             :
             It
             is
             only
             a
             Creating
             Power
             that
             can
             preserve
             :
             That
             which
             owes
             its
             very
             Being
             to
             Power
             ,
             must
             depend
             upon
             the
             Power
             that
             made
             it
             ,
             for
             it
             can
             have
             no
             principle
             of
             Self-subsistence
             independent
             on
             its
             Cause
             :
             It
             is
             only
             Creating
             Wisdom
             ,
             that
             perfectly
             understands
             the
             Natures
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             that
             sees
             all
             the
             springs
             of
             Motion
             ,
             that
             can
             correct
             the
             Errors
             of
             Nature
             ,
             that
             can
             suspend
             or
             direct
             the
             Influences
             of
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             that
             can
             govern
             Hearts
             ,
             change
             mens
             Purposes
             ,
             inspire
             Wisdom
             and
             Counsel
             ,
             restrain
             or
             let
             loose
             their
             Passions
             .
             It
             is
             only
             an
             Infinite
             Mind
             that
             can
             take
             care
             of
             all
             the
             World
             ;
             that
             can
             allot
             every
             Creature
             its
             portion
             ;
             that
             can
             adjust
             the
             Interests
             of
             States
             and
             Kingdoms
             ;
             that
             can
             bring
             Good
             
             out
             of
             Evil
             ,
             and
             Order
             out
             of
             Confusion
             .
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             world
             requires
             such
             Wisdom
             and
             such
             Power
             ,
             as
             no
             Being
             has
             but
             he
             who
             made
             it
             ;
             and
             therefore
             if
             the
             World
             be
             governed
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             governed
             by
             the
             Maker
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             If
             there
             be
             any
             such
             Being
             as
             we
             call
             God
             ,
             a
             Pure
             ,
             Infinite
             ,
             Eternal
             Mind
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             Demonstration
             ,
             That
             he
             must
             Govern
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             Those
             who
             deny
             a
             Providence
             ,
             will
             not
             allow
             ,
             that
             God
             sees
             or
             takes
             notice
             of
             what
             is
             done
             here
             below
             .
             The
             Epicureans
             ,
             tho
             in
             Civility
             and
             Compliment
             to
             the
             Superstition
             of
             mankind
             ,
             rather
             than
             from
             a
             real
             belief
             and
             sense
             of
             a
             Deity
             ,
             they
             did
             own
             a
             God
             ,
             nay
             ,
             a
             great
             many
             Gods
             ,
             
             such
             as
             they
             were
             ,
             yet
             never
             allowed
             their
             Gods
             to
             know
             any
             thing
             of
             our
             affairs
             ,
             
             which
             would
             have
             disturbed
             their
             profound
             Ease
             and
             Rest
             ,
             the
             sole
             Happiness
             of
             the
             Lazy
             ,
             Unactive
             ,
             Epicurean
             Deities
             ;
             and
             this
             secured
             them
             from
             the
             fear
             of
             their
             Gods
             ,
             who
             lived
             at
             a
             great
             distance
             from
             them
             ,
             and
             knew
             nothing
             concerning
             them
             .
          
           
             
               And
               in
               the
               same
               manner
               this
               is
               represented
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               That
               wicked
               men
               would
               not
               believe
               that
               God
               saw
               ,
               or
               heard
               ,
               or
               took
               any
               notice
               of
               what
               they
               did
               ;
               64.
               
               Psalm
            
             5.
             
             They
             encourage
             themselves
             in
             an
             evil
             matter
             ,
             they
             commune
             of
             laying
             snares
             secretly
             ;
             they
             say
             ,
             Who
             shall
             see
             them
             .
             10.
             
             Psalm
             11.
             
             He
             hath
             said
             in
             his
             heart
             ,
             God
             hath
             forgotten
             ,
             he
             hideth
             his
             face
             ,
             he
             will
             never
             see
             it
             .
             94.
             
             Psalm
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10.
             
             Yet
             they
             say
             ,
             The
             Lord
             shall
             not
             see
             ,
             neither
             shall
             the
             God
             of
             Iacob
             regard
             it
             .
             Vnderstand
             ye
             brutish
             among
             the
             people
             ,
             and
             ye
             fools
             when
             will
             ye
             be
             wise
             ?
             He
             that
             planted
             the
             ear
             ,
             shall
             he
             not
             hear
             ?
             And
             he
             that
             formed
             the
             eye
             ,
             shall
             he
             not
             see
             ?
             He
             that
             chastiseth
             the
             heathen
             ,
             shall
             not
             he
             correct
             ?
             And
             he
             that
             teacheth
             man
             knowledg
             ,
             shall
             not
             he
             know
             ?
             The
             Lord
             knoweth
             the
             thoughts
             of
             man
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             vanity
             .
             
               So
               that
               
               these
               men
               took
               it
               for
               granted
               ,
               That
               if
               God
               did
               see
               ,
               and
               hear
               ,
               and
               know
               what
               was
               done
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               he
               would
               reward
               men
               accordingly
               .
               And
               therefore
               the
               Providence
               of
               God
               is
               described
               in
               Scripture
               by
               his
               seeing
               and
               observing
               the
               Actions
               of
               men
               .
               31.
               
               Job
            
             4.
             
             Doth
             not
             he
             see
             my
             ways
             ,
             and
             count
             all
             my
             steps
             ?
             33.
             
             Psal.
             18
             ,
             19.
             
             Behold
             the
             eye
             of
             the
             Lord
             is
             upon
             them
             that
             fear
             him
             ,
             upon
             them
             that
             hope
             in
             his
             mercy
             ;
             
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               protect
               them
               ,
               and
               to
               do
               good
               to
               them
               ;
               as
               it
               follows
               ,
            
             to
             deliver
             their
             soul
             from
             death
             ,
             and
             to
             keep
             them
             alive
             in
             famine
             .
             
               And
               therefore
               when
               good
               men
               pray
               for
               help
               and
               succour
               ,
               they
               only
               beg
               God
               to
               see
               and
               take
               notice
               of
               their
               condition
               ;
               1.
               
               Lam.
            
             11.
             
             See
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             and
             consider
             ,
             for
             I
             am
             become
             vile
             .
             64.
             
             Isa.
             9.
             
             Behold
             ,
             see
             ,
             we
             beseech
             thee
             ,
             we
             are
             all
             thy
             people
             .
             
               Thus
               in
            
             Hezekiah
             
               's
               Prayer
            
             ,
             Incline
             thine
             ear
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             and
             hear
             ,
             open
             thine
             eyes
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             and
             see
             ,
             and
             hear
             all
             the
             words
             of
             Senacherib
             ,
             which
             hath
             sent
             to
             reproach
             the
             living
             God
             :
             
               And
               therefore
               God's
               seeing
               ,
               is
               made
               an
               argument
               that
               he
               will
               reward
               or
               punish
               ,
               10.
               
               Psalm
            
             14.
             
             Thou
             hast
             seen
             it
             ,
             for
             thou
             beholdest
             mischief
             and
             spite
             ,
             to
             requite
             it
             with
             thy
             hand
             .
             
               And
               indeed
               it
               is
               not
               to
               be
               imagined
               ,
               that
               a
               holy
               and
               just
               God
               ,
               who
               sees
               and
               observes
               all
               the
               good
               and
               evil
               that
               is
               done
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               should
               not
               reward
               the
               good
               ,
               and
               punish
               the
               wicked
               ;
               for
               there
               is
               no
               other
               Holy
               and
               Just
               Being
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               that
               has
               authority
               to
               reward
               and
               punish
               ,
               but
               would
               certainly
               do
               it
               .
               And
               if
               the
               Proof
               of
               a
               Divine
               Providence
               be
               resolved
               into
               God's
               knowing
               what
               is
               done
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               the
               Dispute
               will
               be
               soon
               ended
               ;
               for
               those
               who
               believe
               that
               there
               is
               a
               God
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               is
               an
               Infinite
               ,
               Omnipresent
               Mind
               ,
               cannot
               doubt
               whether
               he
               sees
               and
               knows
               all
               things
               .
               As
               the
               Psalmist
               elegantly
               expresses
               it
               ,
               139.
               
               Psalm
            
             1.
             —
             13.
             
             O
             Lord
             ,
             thou
             hast
             searched
             me
             and
             known
             me
             .
             Thou
             knowest
             my
             down-sitting
             ,
             and
             my
             uprising
             ,
             thou
             understandest
             my
             thought
             afar
             off
             ?
             Thou
             compassest
             my
             path
             ,
             and
             my
             lying
             down
             ,
             and
             art
             acquainted
             with
             all
             my
             ways
             .
             For
             there
             is
             not
             a
             word
             in
             my
             tongue
             ,
             but
             lo
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             
             thou
             knowest
             it
             altogether
             .
             Thou
             hast
             beset
             me
             hehind
             and
             before
             ,
             and
             laid
             thine
             hand
             upon
             me
             .
             Such
             knowledge
             is
             too
             wonderful
             for
             me
             ,
             it
             is
             too
             high
             ,
             I
             cannot
             attain
             unto
             it
             .
             Whither
             shall
             I
             go
             from
             thy
             Spirit
             ,
             or
             whither
             shall
             I
             flee
             from
             thy
             presence
             ?
             If
             I
             ascend
             up
             into
             heaven
             ,
             thou
             art
             there
             ,
             if
             I
             make
             my
             bed
             in
             hell
             ,
             behold
             thou
             art
             there
             .
             If
             I
             take
             the
             wings
             of
             the
             morning
             ,
             and
             dwell
             in
             the
             uttermost
             parts
             of
             the
             sea
             ,
             even
             there
             shall
             thy
             hand
             lead
             me
             ,
             and
             thy
             right
             hand
             shall
             hold
             me
             :
             If
             I
             say
             ,
             surely
             the
             darkness
             shall
             cover
             me
             ,
             even
             the
             night
             shall
             be
             light
             about
             me
             ;
             yea
             ,
             the
             darkness
             hideth
             not
             from
             thee
             ,
             but
             the
             night
             shineth
             as
             the
             day
             ;
             the
             darkness
             and
             the
             light
             are
             both
             alike
             to
             thee
             ;
             for
             thou
             hast
             possessed
             my
             reins
             ,
             thou
             hast
             covered
             me
             in
             my
             mother's
             womb
             .
             
               How
               is
               it
               possible
               ,
               that
               an
               Omnipresent
               Mind
               should
               be
               ignorant
               of
               any
               thing
               ,
               or
               that
               the
               Maker
               of
               the
               World
               should
               not
               be
               present
               with
               all
               his
               Creature
               ,
               or
               that
               being
               present
               ,
               and
               seeing
               all
               their
               Actions
               ,
               he
               should
               be
               an
               idle
               and
               unconcerned
               Spectator
               ?
            
          
           
             4thly
             ,
             For
             I
             think
             in
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             it
             is
             past
             all
             dispute
             ,
             that
             he
             who
             made
             the
             World
             cannot
             be
             unconcerned
             for
             his
             Creatures
             .
             He
             hath
             implanted
             in
             most
             Creatures
             a
             natural
             care
             of
             their
             Offspring
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             made
             an
             argument
             of
             want
             of
             understanding
             in
             the
             
               Ostrich
               ,
               That
               she
               leaveth
               her
               Eggs
               in
               the
               Earth
               ,
               and
               warmeth
               them
               in
               the
               dust
               ,
               and
               forgetteth
               that
               the
               foot
               may
               crush
               them
               ,
               or
               that
               the
               wild
               Best
               may
               break
               them
               .
               She
               is
               hardened
               against
               her
               young
               ones
               ,
               as
               if
               they
               were
               not
               hers
               :
               Her
               labour
               is
               in
               vain
               without
               fear
               ,
               because
               God
               hath
               deprived
               her
               of
               wisdom
               ,
               neither
               hath
               he
               imparted
               to
               her
               understanding
               ,
            
             39.
             
             Job
             15
             ,
             16
             ,
             17.
             
             And
             can
             we
             think
             then
             ,
             that
             an
             infinitely
             wise
             Being
             ,
             should
             be
             as
             unconcerned
             for
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             the
             Ostrich
             is
             for
             her
             Eggs
             ?
          
           
             It
             is
             certain
             the
             Maker
             of
             the
             World
             is
             no
             sluggish
             unactive
             Being
             ;
             for
             to
             make
             a
             World
             is
             a
             Work
             of
             infinite
             Wisdom
             and
             Counsel
             ,
             of
             Divine
             Art
             and
             Power
             ;
             and
             not
             only
             to
             give
             being
             to
             that
             which
             was
             not
             ,
             is
             it self
             an
             act
             of
             excellent
             Goodness
             ,
             but
             there
             are
             so
             many
             legible
             Characters
             
             of
             a
             Divine
             Bounty
             and
             Goodness
             stamped
             upon
             all
             the
             Works
             of
             Nature
             ,
             that
             we
             must
             conclude
             ,
             the
             World
             was
             made
             by
             an
             infinitely
             good
             Being
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             impossible
             that
             a
             wise
             and
             good
             Being
             ,
             who
             is
             a
             pure
             Act
             ,
             and
             perfect
             Life
             ,
             can
             cast
             off
             the
             care
             of
             his
             Creatures
             .
             Besides
             the
             Laws
             of
             God
             and
             Men
             ,
             natural
             Affection
             will
             not
             suffer
             men
             to
             forget
             their
             Children
             ;
             and
             though
             God
             has
             no
             Superior
             ,
             his
             own
             Nature
             is
             a
             Law
             to
             himself
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             sufficient
             to
             shew
             ,
             how
             necessarily
             the
             belief
             of
             a
             God
             infers
             a
             Providence
             ,
             and
             therefore
             no
             Philosophers
             ,
             excepting
             Epicurus
             ,
             and
             his
             Sect
             ,
             who
             acknowledged
             a
             Deity
             ,
             
             ever
             denied
             a
             Providence
             ;
             and
             Tully
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             he
             retained
             the
             name
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             but
             destroyed
             his
             Being
             .
             
          
           
             The
             Stoick
             in
             Tully
             concludes
             a
             Providence
             from
             the
             acknowledgment
             of
             a
             God
             :
             And
             therefore
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             Providence
             signifies
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             :
             
             And
             those
             Philosophers
             made
             no
             scruple
             of
             calling
             God
             Providence
             and
             Fate
             ,
             
             and
             the
             Power
             of
             an
             Eternal
             and
             Perpetual
             Law.
             For
             indeed
             Mankind
             had
             no
             other
             notion
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             than
             that
             he
             is
             an
             Excellent
             and
             Perfect
             Being
             ,
             
             who
             made
             ,
             and
             who
             governs
             the
             World.
             This
             is
             the
             notion
             which
             the
             Philosophers
             ,
             who
             acknowledg'd
             a
             Deity
             ,
             defended
             against
             Epicurus
             ,
             and
             other
             Atheists
             ;
             
             this
             is
             the
             notion
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             which
             Atheists
             oppose
             ,
             the
             God
             whom
             they
             fear
             ,
             an
             Eternal
             Lord
             ,
             who
             observes
             ,
             and
             takes
             notice
             of
             every
             thing
             ,
             and
             thinks
             himself
             concerned
             in
             all
             the
             Affairs
             of
             the
             World.
             
             And
             therefore
             the
             Dispute
             ,
             Whether
             there
             be
             a
             God
             or
             no
             ,
             principally
             resolves
             it self
             into
             this
             ,
             Whether
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             all
             things
             in
             it
             ,
             is
             made
             and
             governed
             by
             Wisdom
             and
             Counsel
             ,
             or
             by
             Chance
             ,
             and
             a
             blind
             material
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             :
             which
             proves
             ,
             that
             the
             very
             notion
             of
             God
             includes
             a
             Providence
             ,
             or
             else
             either
             to
             prove
             or
             to
             overthrow
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Providence
             ,
             would
             neither
             prove
             ,
             nor
             overthrow
             the
             Being
             of
             a
             God.
             
          
           
             This
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             is
             very
             plain
             ,
             That
             the
             same
             Arguments
             which
             prove
             the
             Being
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             prove
             a
             Providence
             :
             If
             the
             beauty
             ,
             variery
             ,
             usefulness
             ,
             and
             wise
             contrivance
             of
             the
             Works
             of
             Nature
             ,
             prove
             that
             the
             World
             was
             at
             first
             made
             by
             a
             wise
             and
             powerful
             Being
             ;
             the
             continuance
             and
             preservation
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             the
             regular
             motions
             of
             the
             Heavens
             ,
             the
             uniform
             productions
             of
             Nature
             ,
             prove
             the
             World
             is
             upheld
             ,
             directed
             and
             governed
             by
             the
             same
             Omnipotent
             Wisdom
             and
             Counsel
             .
             As
             St.
             Paul
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               The
               invisible
               things
               of
               God
               from
               the
               creation
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               are
               clearly
               seen
               ,
               being
               understood
               by
               the
               things
               that
               are
               made
               ,
               even
               his
               eternal
               power
               and
               Godhead
               ,
            
             1
             Rom.
             20.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             his
             Dominion
             and
             Soveraignty
             ,
             or
             his
             governing
             Providence
             ;
             this
             visible
             World
             does
             not
             only
             prove
             an
             Eternal
             Power
             which
             made
             it
             ,
             but
             a
             Soveraign
             Lord
             ,
             who
             administers
             all
             the
             Affairs
             of
             it
             .
             And
             14.
             
             Acts
             17.
             
             He
             proves
             the
             Being
             of
             God
             from
             his
             Providence
             ;
             
               Nevertheless
               he
               left
               not
               himself
               without
               witness
               in
               that
               he
               did
               good
               ,
               and
               gave
               us
               rain
               from
               heaven
               ,
               and
               fruitful
               seasons
               ,
               filling
               our
               hearts
               with
               food
               and
               gladness
               .
            
             And
             17.
             
             Acts
             28.
             
             He
             proves
             ,
             that
             God
             governs
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             takes
             care
             of
             all
             the
             Creatures
             that
             are
             in
             it
             ,
             because
             he
             made
             it
             ;
             
               For
               in
               him
               we
               live
               ,
               move
               ,
               and
               have
               our
               being
               ,
               as
               certain
               of
               your
               own
               Poets
               have
               said
               ;
               for
               we
               are
               also
               his
               off-spring
               :
            
             which
             is
             very
             improperly
             alledged
             by
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             if
             we
             may
             be
             the
             Off-spring
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             yet
             not
             live
             ,
             and
             move
             ,
             and
             have
             our
             Being
             in
             him
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             if
             God's
             making
             the
             World
             does
             not
             necessarily
             
             prove
             his
             constant
             care
             and
             governmet
             of
             it
             .
             But
             the
             Apostle
             knew
             in
             those
             days
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             ,
             who
             confessed
             that
             God
             made
             the
             World
             ,
             questioned
             his
             Providence
             ,
             and
             therefore
             makes
             no
             scruple
             to
             prove
             ,
             that
             we
             live
             and
             subsist
             in
             God
             ,
             because
             he
             made
             us
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             a
             noble
             Argument
             to
             prove
             both
             the
             Being
             and
             Providence
             of
             God
             (
             which
             cannot
             be
             separated
             )
             from
             the
             Works
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             the
             Wise
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             It
             would
             give
             us
             a
             very
             delightful
             entertainment
             ,
             to
             view
             all
             the
             Curiosities
             and
             suprizing
             Wonders
             of
             Nature
             ;
             with
             what
             beauty
             ,
             art
             and
             contrivance
             ,
             particular
             Creatures
             are
             made
             ,
             and
             how
             the
             several
             parts
             of
             this
             great
             Machine
             are
             fitted
             to
             each
             other
             ,
             and
             make
             a
             regular
             and
             uniform
             World
             ;
             How
             all
             particular
             Creatures
             are
             fitted
             to
             the
             use
             and
             purposes
             of
             their
             several
             Natures
             ,
             and
             yet
             are
             made
             serviceable
             to
             one
             another
             ,
             and
             have
             as
             mutual
             a
             connexion
             and
             dependance
             ,
             as
             the
             Wheels
             of
             a
             Clock
             .
             What
             an
             equal
             and
             steady
             Hand
             governs
             the
             World
             ,
             when
             its
             motions
             seem
             most
             excentrick
             and
             exorbitant
             ,
             and
             brings
             Good
             out
             of
             Evil
             ,
             and
             Order
             out
             of
             Confusion
             ,
             when
             things
             are
             so
             perplext
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             impossible
             for
             any
             one
             ,
             but
             a
             God
             ,
             to
             disentangle
             them
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             no
             need
             of
             the
             subtilty
             of
             Reason
             and
             Argument
             in
             this
             Cause
             ,
             would
             but
             men
             attentively
             study
             the
             Works
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             dwell
             in
             the
             contemplation
             of
             Nature
             and
             Providence
             ;
             for
             God
             is
             as
             visible
             in
             his
             Works
             ,
             as
             the
             Sun
             is
             by
             its
             Light
             ;
             when
             all
             the
             Wonders
             of
             Nature
             are
             unfolded
             ,
             and
             exposed
             particularly
             to
             our
             view
             ,
             it
             so
             over-powers
             the
             mind
             with
             such
             infinite
             varieties
             of
             that
             most
             Divine
             Art
             and
             Wisdom
             ,
             that
             modest
             men
             are
             ashamed
             to
             ascribe
             such
             things
             to
             a
             blind
             Chance
             ,
             which
             has
             no
             Design
             or
             Counsel
             .
          
           
             Indeed
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             a
             World
             full
             of
             Infinite
             Marks
             and
             Characters
             of
             the
             most
             admirable
             Art
             ,
             a
             World
             so
             made
             ,
             that
             no
             Art
             could
             make
             it
             better
             ,
             was
             not
             made
             by
             a
             wise
             
             Mind
             ,
             but
             by
             Chance
             ,
             by
             a
             fortuitous
             concourse
             of
             Atoms
             ,
             which
             without
             any
             Design
             ,
             after
             infinite
             fruitless
             Trials
             ,
             happened
             into
             this
             exact
             ,
             useful
             ,
             beautiful
             Order
             ,
             that
             now
             they
             are
             in
             ,
             know
             when
             they
             are
             well
             ,
             and
             in
             despight
             of
             Chance
             move
             as
             constantly
             ,
             regularly
             ,
             artificially
             ,
             in
             all
             new
             Productions
             ,
             as
             the
             divinest
             and
             most
             uniform
             Wisdom
             could
             direct
             :
             I
             say
             ,
             to
             affirm
             this
             ,
             is
             to
             put
             an
             end
             to
             all
             Disputes
             ,
             by
             leaving
             no
             Principles
             of
             Reason
             and
             Argumentation
             to
             dispute
             with
             .
          
           
             An
             Atheist
             is
             the
             most
             vain
             Pretender
             to
             Reason
             in
             the
             World
             :
             The
             whole
             strength
             of
             Atheism
             consists
             in
             contradicting
             the
             universal
             Reason
             of
             Mankind
             .
             They
             have
             no
             Principles
             ,
             nor
             can
             have
             any
             ,
             and
             therefore
             they
             can
             never
             reason
             ,
             but
             only
             confidently
             deny
             or
             affirm
             .
             They
             can
             assign
             no
             Principles
             of
             Reason
             ,
             which
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             allow
             to
             be
             Principles
             ,
             from
             whence
             they
             can
             prove
             that
             there
             is
             no
             God
             ,
             and
             no
             Providence
             ;
             but
             they
             only
             reject
             those
             Principles
             ,
             which
             all
             other
             men
             agree
             in
             ,
             and
             from
             whence
             it
             must
             necessarily
             follow
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             a
             God
             and
             a
             Providence
             .
          
           
             It
             will
             be
             of
             great
             use
             briefly
             to
             explain
             this
             ,
             which
             will
             teach
             you
             to
             reject
             Atheism
             and
             Atheists
             ,
             without
             troubling
             your selves
             to
             dispute
             with
             them
             ;
             for
             they
             have
             no
             common
             Principles
             with
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             to
             reason
             upon
             ,
             nor
             indeed
             any
             Principles
             of
             Reason
             at
             all
             .
          
           
             A
             few
             words
             will
             suffice
             for
             this
             purpose
             .
             Mankind
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             used
             to
             thinking
             and
             reasoning
             ,
             have
             universally
             agreed
             ,
             That
             there
             must
             be
             something
             that
             had
             no
             beginning
             ,
             and
             no
             cause
             ;
             for
             nothing
             can
             produce
             nothing
             ;
             that
             had
             there
             ever
             been
             a
             time
             ,
             when
             there
             was
             nothing
             ,
             there
             never
             could
             have
             been
             any
             thing
             ,
             unless
             there
             can
             be
             an
             effect
             without
             a
             cause
             ,
             which
             is
             too
             absurd
             for
             Atheists
             themselves
             to
             say
             in
             express
             words
             ,
             who
             do
             not
             boggle
             much
             at
             Absurdities
             ;
             and
             therefore
             they
             make
             their
             Atoms
             ,
             and
             their
             Vacuum
             ,
             to
             be
             eternal
             .
             It
             is
             agreed
             also
             ,
             
             That
             whatever
             had
             a
             beginning
             ,
             had
             a
             cause
             ;
             and
             the
             most
             easy
             and
             natural
             progress
             of
             Human
             Understandings
             is
             to
             reason
             from
             one
             cause
             to
             another
             ,
             till
             we
             ascend
             to
             ,
             and
             center
             in
             ,
             a
             first
             Cause
             .
             For
             it
             is
             as
             easy
             and
             natural
             to
             believe
             one
             first
             Eternal
             Cause
             ,
             as
             to
             believe
             an
             Eternal
             Being
             ;
             but
             though
             it
             is
             natural
             to
             believe
             something
             Eternal
             ,
             it
             is
             as
             unnatural
             to
             believe
             all
             things
             to
             be
             so
             ;
             we
             have
             no
             notion
             of
             all
             things
             being
             Eternal
             ,
             though
             we
             have
             of
             an
             Eternal
             Cause
             ;
             for
             the
             very
             reason
             why
             we
             are
             forced
             to
             confess
             something
             Eternal
             ,
             is
             ,
             because
             there
             must
             be
             an
             Eternal
             Cause
             of
             all
             other
             things
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             because
             all
             things
             are
             not
             eternal
             :
             But
             if
             any
             thing
             ,
             which
             has
             not
             an
             eternal
             and
             unchangeable
             Nature
             ,
             but
             is
             capable
             of
             being
             made
             and
             unmade
             ,
             changed
             and
             altered
             ,
             as
             all
             the
             things
             of
             this
             World
             are
             ,
             might
             be
             without
             a
             Cause
             ,
             then
             every
             thing
             may
             be
             without
             a
             Cause
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             Eternity
             of
             all
             things
             be
             a
             natural
             Notion
             ,
             it
             cannot
             be
             a
             natural
             Notion
             that
             there
             is
             a
             first
             Cause
             .
             For
             that
             very
             Notion
             supposes
             ,
             that
             something
             had
             a
             beginning
             ,
             and
             was
             originally
             made
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             not
             before
             ,
             and
             therefore
             ,
             that
             all
             things
             are
             not
             eternal
             .
             For
             to
             be
             made
             in
             this
             Axiom
             ,
             primarily
             relates
             to
             the
             being
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             is
             so
             understood
             by
             all
             men
             :
             And
             how
             can
             such
             a
             notion
             of
             the
             making
             and
             giving
             being
             to
             any
             thing
             ,
             be
             natural
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             a
             natural
             notion
             ,
             that
             all
             things
             are
             eternal
             ,
             and
             that
             nothing
             was
             made
             ?
          
           
             Hence
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             seen
             and
             visible
             Effects
             ,
             which
             have
             no
             visible
             Cause
             adequate
             to
             the
             producing
             such
             Effects
             ,
             are
             allowed
             by
             all
             Mankind
             to
             be
             a
             sufficient
             proof
             of
             some
             Invisible
             Cause
             ,
             as
             St.
             Paul
             tells
             us
             ;
             and
             he
             spoke
             the
             Language
             of
             Human
             Nature
             in
             it
             ;
             
               That
               the
               invisible
               things
               of
               God
               from
               the
               creation
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               are
               clearly
               seen
               ,
               being
               understood
               by
               the
               things
               that
               are
               made
               ,
            
             1.
             
             Rom.
             20.
             
             For
             if
             that
             which
             is
             made
             ,
             must
             have
             a
             Cause
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             no
             visible
             Cause
             ,
             there
             must
             be
             an
             invisible
             Maker
             :
             And
             therefore
             
             this
             World
             ,
             which
             has
             no
             visible
             ,
             must
             have
             an
             invisible
             Cause
             .
          
           
             And
             as
             it
             is
             natural
             to
             the
             Reason
             of
             Mankind
             to
             conclude
             the
             Cause
             from
             the
             Effect
             ,
             so
             is
             it
             to
             learn
             the
             Nature
             of
             the
             Cause
             from
             the
             Nature
             of
             the
             Effect
             ;
             for
             whatever
             is
             in
             the
             Effect
             ,
             must
             be
             either
             specifically
             or
             virtually
             in
             the
             Cause
             ;
             for
             whatever
             is
             in
             the
             Effect
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             in
             the
             Cause
             ,
             that
             has
             no
             Cause
             ,
             for
             nothing
             can
             be
             a
             cause
             of
             that
             ,
             which
             it
             is
             not
             it self
             .
             And
             therefore
             whatever
             has
             life
             and
             understanding
             ,
             must
             be
             made
             by
             a
             living
             and
             understanding
             Cause
             ;
             whatever
             has
             art
             and
             skill
             ,
             and
             wise
             contrivance
             in
             its
             frame
             ,
             as
             every
             Worm
             and
             Fly
             has
             ,
             must
             have
             a
             wise
             designing
             Cause
             for
             its
             Maker
             :
             And
             then
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             that
             this
             whole
             World
             was
             not
             made
             by
             chance
             ,
             or
             the
             fortuitous
             concourse
             of
             Atoms
             ,
             but
             by
             an
             infinitely
             wise
             Mind
             .
             This
             way
             of
             reasoning
             is
             easy
             and
             natural
             to
             our
             minds
             ;
             all
             men
             understand
             it
             ,
             all
             men
             feel
             it
             :
             Atheists
             themselves
             allow
             of
             this
             kind
             of
             proof
             in
             all
             other
             cases
             ,
             excepting
             the
             proof
             of
             a
             God
             or
             a
             Providence
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             no
             absurd
             ,
             foolish
             way
             of
             reasoning
             ,
             for
             then
             it
             must
             not
             be
             allowed
             of
             in
             any
             case
             ;
             and
             they
             have
             no
             reason
             to
             reject
             it
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             are
             resolved
             not
             to
             believe
             a
             God
             and
             a
             Providence
             .
             And
             yet
             this
             way
             of
             reasoning
             from
             Effects
             to
             Causes
             ,
             must
             be
             good
             in
             all
             Cases
             ,
             or
             in
             none
             :
             For
             the
             Principle
             is
             universal
             ,
             That
             nothing
             can
             be
             made
             without
             a
             Cause
             ,
             and
             if
             any
             thing
             can
             be
             made
             made
             without
             a
             Cause
             ,
             this
             Principle
             is
             false
             ,
             and
             can
             prove
             nothing
             .
             And
             I
             challenge
             the
             wisest
             and
             subtilest
             Atheist
             of
             them
             all
             ,
             to
             prove
             from
             any
             Principle
             of
             Reason
             ,
             that
             the
             most
             beautiful
             and
             regular
             House
             that
             ever
             he
             saw
             ,
             which
             he
             did
             not
             see
             built
             (
             for
             that
             is
             a
             proof
             from
             Sense
             ,
             not
             from
             Reason
             )
             was
             built
             by
             men
             ,
             and
             is
             a
             work
             of
             Art
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             did
             not
             either
             grow
             out
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             nor
             was
             made
             by
             the
             accidental
             meeting
             of
             the
             several
             Materials
             ,
             which
             without
             knowledge
             ,
             art
             ,
             or
             design
             ,
             
             fell
             into
             a
             regular
             and
             uniform
             Building
             .
             Had
             these
             men
             never
             seen
             a
             House
             built
             ,
             I
             would
             desire
             to
             know
             ,
             how
             they
             would
             prove
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             a
             work
             of
             Art
             ,
             built
             by
             a
             skilful
             Workman
             ,
             and
             not
             made
             by
             chance
             ;
             and
             by
             what
             medium
             soever
             they
             will
             prove
             this
             ,
             I
             will
             undertake
             to
             prove
             ,
             that
             God
             made
             the
             World
             ,
             though
             we
             did
             not
             see
             him
             make
             it
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             present
             Enquiry
             is
             only
             this
             ,
             Whether
             this
             be
             Human
             Reason
             ,
             the
             natural
             Reason
             of
             Human
             Minds
             ?
             If
             it
             be
             ,
             then
             men
             ,
             who
             will
             be
             contented
             to
             reason
             like
             men
             ,
             must
             acknowledge
             and
             assent
             to
             this
             Argument
             from
             Effects
             to
             Causes
             ,
             which
             unavoidably
             proves
             a
             God
             and
             a
             Providence
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             all
             I
             desire
             to
             be
             granted
             ,
             That
             those
             who
             will
             follow
             the
             Notices
             and
             Principles
             of
             Human
             Reason
             ,
             must
             believe
             that
             God
             made
             and
             governs
             the
             World
             ;
             for
             I
             know
             not
             how
             to
             reason
             beyond
             Human
             Reason
             ;
             those
             who
             do
             ,
             may
             please
             themselves
             with
             it
             .
          
           
             Those
             who
             have
             found
             out
             a
             Reason
             ,
             which
             contradicts
             the
             natural
             Principles
             of
             Reason
             ,
             must
             reason
             by
             themselves
             ,
             for
             Mankind
             cannot
             reason
             with
             them
             .
          
           
             But
             let
             us
             consider
             how
             Atheists
             reason
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             laid
             aside
             this
             Principle
             of
             Reason
             ,
             from
             Effects
             to
             Causes
             .
          
           
             They
             tell
             us
             ,
             That
             a
             most
             Artificial
             World
             may
             be
             made
             without
             Art
             ,
             or
             any
             wise
             Maker
             ,
             by
             blind
             Chance
             ,
             without
             any
             designing
             Efficient
             Cause
             :
             That
             Life
             ,
             and
             Sense
             ,
             and
             Reason
             ,
             may
             result
             from
             dead
             ,
             stupid
             ,
             sensless
             Atoms
             ;
             Well!
             we
             hear
             this
             ,
             and
             bear
             it
             as
             patiently
             as
             we
             can
             ;
             but
             how
             do
             they
             prove
             this
             ;
             why
             ,
             they
             say
             ,
             
               it
               may
               be
            
             ,
             and
             they
             can
             go
             no
             farther
             :
             But
             how
             do
             they
             know
             ,
             this
             
               may
               be
            
             ?
             Have
             they
             any
             such
             notion
             in
             their
             minds
             ?
             have
             they
             any
             natural
             sensation
             that
             answers
             these
             words
             ?
             does
             Nature
             teach
             them
             ,
             that
             any
             thing
             can
             be
             without
             a
             Cause
             adequate
             to
             the
             Effect
             ?
             that
             any
             thing
             can
             be
             wisely
             made
             without
             a
             wise
             Cause
             ?
             that
             one
             contrary
             can
             produce
             the
             other
             ?
             that
             sensless
             ,
             stupid
             Matter
             can
             produce
             Life
             ,
             
             Sensation
             and
             Understanding
             ?
             Can
             they
             then
             tell
             me
             ,
             what
             it
             is
             that
             
               can't
               be
            
             ?
             I
             desire
             to
             know
             by
             what
             Rule
             they
             judge
             ,
             what
             
               may
               be
            
             ,
             and
             what
             
               can't
               be
            
             :
             And
             if
             they
             can
             find
             any
             
               can't
               be
            
             more
             absurd
             and
             contradictious
             than
             their
             
               may
               be
            
             ,
             I
             will
             renounce
             Sense
             and
             Reason
             for
             ever
             :
             If
             nothing
             can
             be
             without
             a
             Cause
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Reason
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             this
             can't
             be
             ,
             and
             therefore
             all
             that
             their
             
               may
               be
               's
            
             can
             signify
             ,
             is
             this
             ,
             That
             if
             the
             Reason
             of
             Mankind
             deceive
             us
             ,
             such
             things
             
               may
               be
            
             ,
             as
             the
             most
             unquestionable
             Principles
             of
             Reason
             tells
             us
             
               can't
               be
            
             .
             And
             this
             is
             the
             glorious
             triumph
             of
             Atheistical
             Reason
             ,
             it
             can
             get
             no
             farther
             than
             
               a
               may
               be
            
             ,
             and
             such
             
               a
               may
               be
            
             as
             is
             absolutely
             impossible
             ,
             if
             the
             Reason
             of
             Mankind
             be
             true
             .
          
           
             Set
             aside
             the
             relation
             between
             Causes
             and
             Effects
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Arguments
             from
             Causes
             to
             Effects
             ,
             and
             from
             Effects
             to
             Causes
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             an
             end
             of
             all
             Knowledge
             ;
             and
             set
             aside
             all
             those
             first
             Principles
             and
             Maxims
             of
             Reason
             ,
             which
             all
             men
             assent
             to
             at
             the
             first
             Proposal
             ,
             the
             truth
             of
             which
             they
             see
             and
             feel
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             an
             end
             of
             all
             Reason
             :
             For
             there
             can
             be
             no
             reasoning
             without
             the
             acknowledgment
             of
             some
             first
             Principles
             ,
             which
             the
             mind
             has
             a
             clear
             ,
             distinct
             ,
             and
             vigorous
             perception
             of
             :
             And
             if
             men
             will
             distrust
             their
             own
             minds
             in
             such
             things
             as
             they
             have
             an
             easy
             ,
             natural
             perception
             of
             ,
             and
             prefer
             some
             Arbitrary
             Notions
             ,
             which
             seem
             absurd
             Contradictions
             ,
             and
             impossible
             to
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             which
             they
             can
             have
             no
             Idea
             of
             beyond
             the
             sound
             of
             words
             ;
             they
             may
             be
             Atheists
             ,
             if
             they
             please
             ,
             at
             the
             expence
             of
             their
             Reason
             and
             Understanding
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             they
             may
             be
             Atheists
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             not
             judge
             and
             reason
             like
             Men
             :
             But
             if
             we
             are
             as
             certain
             of
             the
             Being
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             Providence
             ,
             as
             we
             are
             ,
             
               that
               nothing
               can
               be
               without
               a
               Cause
               ,
            
             we
             have
             all
             the
             certainty
             that
             Human
             Nature
             is
             capable
             of
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             The
             general
             Notion
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             particularly
             concerning
             a
             Preserving
             Providence
             .
          
           
             HAving
             proved
             as
             largely
             as
             my
             present
             Design
             required
             ,
             That
             the
             same
             God
             who
             made
             the
             World
             ,
             is
             the
             Supream
             Lord
             and
             Governour
             of
             it
             .
             I
             proceed
             to
             consider
             the
             Nature
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             The
             general
             Notion
             of
             Providence
             is
             God's
             care
             of
             all
             the
             Creatures
             he
             has
             made
             ,
             which
             must
             consist
             in
             preserving
             and
             upholding
             their
             Beings
             and
             Natures
             ,
             and
             in
             such
             Acts
             of
             Government
             ,
             as
             the
             good
             Order
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             Happiness
             of
             Mankind
             require
             ;
             which
             divides
             Providence
             into
             Preservation
             and
             Government
             ,
             which
             must
             be
             carefully
             distinguished
             in
             order
             to
             answer
             some
             great
             Difficulties
             in
             Providence
             .
          
           
             I
             begin
             with
             
               Preserving
               Providence
            
             ,
             which
             commences
             from
             the
             first
             instant
             of
             the
             Creation
             ;
             for
             as
             soon
             as
             Creatures
             are
             made
             ,
             they
             need
             a
             Divine
             Power
             to
             preserve
             them
             .
             For
             this
             is
             the
             strict
             Notion
             of
             Preservation
             ,
             as
             distinguished
             from
             a
             Governing
             Providence
             ,
             That
             God
             upholds
             all
             things
             in
             being
             from
             falling
             back
             into
             their
             first
             Nothing
             ,
             and
             preserves
             their
             natural
             Vertues
             ,
             Powers
             and
             Faculties
             ,
             and
             enables
             them
             to
             act
             ,
             and
             to
             attain
             the
             ends
             of
             their
             several
             Natures
             :
             Which
             distinguishes
             this
             Preserving
             Providence
             from
             those
             many
             Acts
             of
             Preservation
             which
             belong
             to
             Government
             :
             Such
             as
             preserving
             the
             Lives
             of
             men
             from
             unseen
             Accidents
             ,
             and
             visible
             Dangers
             ,
             nay
             of
             Beasts
             and
             of
             Birds
             too
             ,
             as
             our
             Saviour
             assures
             us
             ,
             
               That
               not
               a
               sparrow
               falls
               to
               the
               ground
               without
               our
               Father
            
             ;
             
             
             in
             which
             sense
             the
             Psalmist
             tells
             us
             ,
             
             That
             God
             
               preserves
               both
               man
               and
               beasts
            
             ,
             supplies
             them
             with
             Food
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             things
             necessary
             to
             life
             ,
             and
             preserves
             their
             Lives
             from
             violence
             or
             accident
             ,
             as
             long
             as
             he
             sees
             fit
             .
          
           
             This
             Preservation
             as
             distinguish'd
             from
             Government
             ,
             St.
             Paul
             expresly
             teaches
             17.
             
             
               Acts
               28.
               
               For
               in
               him
               we
               live
               ,
               and
               move
               ,
               and
               have
               our
               being
               .
            
             We
             were
             not
             only
             made
             by
             him
             ,
             but
             we
             live
             ,
             and
             move
             ,
             and
             have
             our
             being
             in
             Him
             ;
             as
             the
             Apostle
             to
             the
             Hebrews
             tells
             us
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               That
               he
               upholds
               all
               things
               by
               the
               word
               of
               his
               power
               ,
            
             1.
             
             Hebr.
             3.
             
          
           
             The
             Schools
             have
             divided
             this
             into
             two
             distinct
             Acts.
             1.
             
             God's
             upholding
             and
             preserving
             the
             Being
             and
             Natures
             of
             all
             things
             .
             2.
             
             His
             Co-operating
             with
             all
             Creatures
             ,
             and
             by
             a
             perpetual
             influx
             and
             concourse
             actuating
             their
             natural
             Powers
             to
             perform
             their
             natural
             Actions
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             That
             we
             
               have
               our
               being
               in
               him
            
             ,
             that
             
               we
               live
               ,
               and
               move
               ,
               and
               act
               in
               him
               ,
            
             or
             by
             a
             new
             influx
             of
             power
             from
             him
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             first
             ,
             The
             preservation
             of
             all
             things
             in
             being
             ,
             besides
             those
             Texts
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             which
             expresly
             attribute
             this
             to
             God
             ,
             the
             Schools
             urge
             several
             Arguments
             for
             the
             proof
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             I
             think
             may
             be
             resolved
             into
             this
             one
             ;
             That
             whatever
             does
             not
             necessarily
             exist
             by
             the
             internal
             Principles
             of
             its
             own
             Nature
             ,
             must
             depend
             on
             its
             Cause
             ,
             not
             only
             for
             its
             Being
             ,
             but
             for
             its
             Continuance
             and
             Preservation
             .
             For
             there
             is
             no
             medium
             between
             necessary
             Existence
             ,
             and
             dependance
             on
             its
             Cause
             .
          
           
             The
             very
             notion
             of
             a
             Creature
             does
             not
             only
             include
             in
             it
             ,
             
               its
               being
               made
            
             ,
             but
             its
             
               dependance
               on
               its
               Maker
               for
               its
               continuance
               in
               being
               :
            
             For
             whatever
             does
             not
             necessarily
             exist
             ,
             must
             not
             only
             be
             made
             at
             first
             ,
             but
             must
             be
             upheld
             and
             preserved
             in
             being
             ;
             for
             it
             can
             no
             more
             preserve
             ,
             than
             it
             can
             make
             it self
             :
             It
             was
             nothing
             once
             ,
             and
             what
             was
             once
             nothing
             ,
             may
             be
             nothing
             again
             ,
             and
             therefore
             cannot
             subsist
             of
             it self
             ,
             but
             in
             dependance
             on
             its
             Maker
             .
          
           
           
             It
             is
             not
             with
             the
             Being
             and
             Natures
             of
             things
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             with
             the
             Works
             of
             Art
             ,
             which
             though
             they
             cannot
             make
             themselves
             ,
             yet
             when
             they
             are
             made
             ,
             can
             subsist
             without
             the
             Artist
             that
             made
             them
             .
             As
             a
             House
             cannot
             build
             it self
             ,
             but
             when
             it
             is
             built
             ,
             it
             continues
             of
             it self
             ,
             as
             long
             as
             the
             Materials
             and
             Workmanship
             last
             ,
             when
             the
             Workman
             has
             left
             it
             ;
             for
             the
             Workman
             does
             not
             give
             being
             to
             the
             Materials
             ,
             but
             only
             to
             the
             Form
             ,
             which
             subsists
             in
             the
             Matter
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             its
             first
             Cause
             :
             but
             whatever
             receives
             its
             Being
             from
             another
             ,
             as
             all
             Creatures
             do
             ,
             has
             nothing
             to
             support
             its
             Being
             ,
             but
             the
             Cause
             that
             made
             it
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             so
             certain
             ,
             that
             I
             should
             make
             no
             scruple
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             God
             can
             no
             more
             make
             an
             Independent
             Creature
             ,
             which
             can
             subsist
             without
             him
             ,
             than
             he
             can
             make
             an
             Eternal
             Creature
             ,
             which
             shall
             have
             no
             beginning
             ;
             which
             is
             not
             want
             of
             Power
             in
             God
             ,
             but
             a
             repugnancy
             and
             contradiction
             in
             the
             Nature
             of
             Creatures
             .
             That
             which
             once
             was
             not
             ,
             can
             never
             be
             so
             made
             as
             to
             have
             no
             beginning
             ;
             that
             which
             has
             not
             a
             necessary
             existence
             ,
             as
             nothing
             has
             ,
             which
             once
             was
             not
             ,
             cannot
             be
             made
             to
             exist
             necessarily
             ,
             without
             dependance
             on
             its
             Cause
             ,
             because
             necessary
             existence
             is
             not
             in
             its
             Nature
             ,
             for
             then
             it
             would
             always
             have
             been
             .
          
           
             Suarez
             has
             another
             Argument
             to
             prove
             the
             dependence
             of
             Creatures
             on
             the
             perpetual
             influx
             of
             Power
             from
             the
             first
             Cause
             ,
             which
             possibly
             some
             may
             think
             only
             a
             School-subtily
             ,
             but
             seems
             to
             me
             to
             have
             great
             weight
             in
             it
             ;
             and
             it
             proceeds
             upon
             this
             Supposition
             ,
             (
             which
             all
             men
             must
             grant
             )
             That
             if
             God
             made
             the
             World
             out
             of
             nothing
             ,
             he
             could
             annihilate
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             reduce
             them
             into
             nothing
             again
             ,
             if
             he
             so
             pleased
             :
             Now
             he
             says
             ,
             That
             Annihilation
             is
             not
             an
             Act
             of
             Power
             ,
             for
             all
             positive
             Acts
             of
             Power
             must
             have
             some
             real
             and
             positive
             effect
             ;
             whereas
             to
             annihilate
             is
             to
             make
             nothing
             ,
             and
             therefore
             to
             do
             nothing
             :
             Now
             if
             to
             annihilate
             be
             no
             Act
             of
             Power
             ,
             then
             it
             can
             be
             nothing
             
             else
             ,
             but
             a
             withdrawing
             that
             Power
             ,
             which
             supported
             all
             things
             in
             being
             ;
             and
             that
             proves
             ,
             That
             all
             things
             are
             upheld
             in
             being
             by
             the
             Divine
             Power
             ,
             if
             they
             cannot
             subsist
             ,
             but
             fall
             into
             nothing
             again
             ,
             when
             that
             Upholding
             and
             Preserving
             Power
             is
             withdrawn
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             a
             very
             sensible
             Argument
             ,
             if
             we
             distinguish
             between
             what
             we
             call
             destroying
             ,
             and
             annihilating
             ,
             which
             is
             apt
             to
             confound
             us
             in
             this
             matter
             .
             To
             destroy
             ,
             is
             only
             to
             change
             the
             present
             form
             and
             compages
             of
             things
             ,
             while
             the
             matter
             and
             substance
             continues
             the
             same
             ;
             thus
             God
             destroyed
             the
             Old
             World
             by
             Water
             ,
             and
             will
             destroy
             this
             World
             by
             Fire
             again
             ;
             which
             is
             like
             pulling
             down
             a
             House
             ,
             without
             destroying
             the
             Materials
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             an
             Act
             of
             Power
             ,
             and
             has
             a
             positive
             effect
             ;
             but
             to
             annihilate
             ,
             is
             to
             reduce
             something
             to
             nothing
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             do
             nothing
             ,
             and
             therefore
             is
             no
             Act
             of
             Power
             ,
             but
             only
             a
             Cessation
             of
             Power
             .
             And
             if
             not
             to
             uphold
             ,
             is
             to
             annihilate
             ,
             then
             all
             things
             subsist
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             are
             made
             ,
             by
             the
             Power
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             I
             shall
             only
             add
             ,
             That
             God
             cannot
             make
             a
             Creature
             independent
             on
             himself
             ,
             without
             bestowing
             on
             it
             a
             self-subsisting
             Nature
             ,
             or
             necessary
             existence
             ;
             for
             whatever
             does
             not
             necessarily
             exist
             by
             the
             internal
             Principles
             of
             its
             Nature
             ,
             must
             depend
             on
             something
             else
             to
             uphold
             it
             in
             being
             .
             Now
             besides
             ,
             what
             I
             observed
             before
             ,
             That
             whatever
             necessarily
             exists
             ,
             can't
             be
             made
             ,
             but
             must
             be
             eternal
             .
             For
             that
             which
             exists
             necessarily
             ,
             must
             always
             exist
             ,
             without
             a
             Cause
             ,
             and
             without
             a
             Beginning
             ;
             for
             nothing
             can
             begin
             to
             have
             a
             necessarily
             self-subsisting
             Nature
             .
             I
             now
             add
             ,
             That
             whatever
             necessarily
             is
             ,
             can't
             be
             changed
             ,
             destroyed
             ,
             annihilated
             ;
             for
             whatever
             necessarily
             is
             ,
             necessarily
             is
             what
             it
             is
             ;
             which
             proves
             ,
             That
             if
             God
             can
             annihilate
             whatever
             he
             has
             made
             ,
             then
             all
             things
             subsist
             by
             the
             Will
             ,
             and
             Pleasure
             ,
             and
             Power
             of
             God
             ,
             not
             by
             the
             internal
             Principles
             of
             their
             Natures
             ;
             for
             whatever
             necessarily
             exists
             ,
             can
             never
             be
             annihilated
             ,
             for
             that
             is
             a
             contradiction
             .
          
           
           
             How
             God
             upholds
             all
             things
             in
             being
             ,
             we
             no
             more
             know
             ,
             than
             how
             at
             first
             he
             made
             all
             things
             ,
             when
             there
             was
             nothing
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             a
             vain
             Inquiry
             of
             the
             Schools
             ,
             which
             no
             man
             can
             resolve
             ,
             and
             which
             serves
             no
             End
             in
             Religion
             ,
             Whether
             Creation
             and
             Preservation
             be
             the
             same
             ,
             or
             two
             different
             Acts
             ?
             Whether
             Preservation
             be
             a
             continued
             Creation
             ?
             or
             whether
             they
             be
             two
             distinct
             and
             different
             Acts
             of
             Power
             ,
             to
             Make
             ,
             and
             to
             Preserve
             ?
             For
             how
             can
             any
             man
             know
             this
             ,
             who
             neither
             knows
             ,
             how
             God
             creates
             ,
             nor
             how
             he
             preserves
             .
             Thus
             much
             is
             certain
             ,
             That
             to
             Create
             ,
             is
             to
             give
             being
             to
             that
             which
             was
             not
             before
             ;
             to
             Preserve
             ,
             is
             to
             continue
             that
             in
             being
             which
             was
             made
             before
             ;
             and
             when
             any
             thing
             is
             once
             created
             ,
             it
             can
             never
             be
             new
             created
             ,
             till
             it
             fall
             into
             nothing
             again
             ;
             for
             to
             create
             ,
             is
             to
             make
             out
             of
             nothing
             ,
             not
             to
             make
             a
             thing
             which
             already
             is
             ;
             but
             by
             what
             Acts
             of
             Power
             either
             of
             these
             is
             done
             ,
             we
             cannot
             tell
             ,
             nor
             are
             we
             concerned
             to
             know
             ;
             for
             what
             way
             soever
             this
             is
             done
             ,
             we
             equally
             depend
             on
             God
             ,
             we
             live
             and
             subsist
             in
             him
             .
          
           
             But
             there
             is
             one
             thing
             fit
             to
             be
             observed
             ,
             That
             this
             Act
             of
             Preservation
             ,
             which
             consists
             in
             upholding
             all
             things
             in
             being
             ,
             is
             fixt
             by
             a
             perpetual
             and
             unchangeable
             Decree
             :
             That
             though
             God
             will
             dissolve
             this
             present
             frame
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             cast
             the
             World
             into
             a
             new
             Mould
             ,
             yet
             nothing
             that
             is
             made
             ,
             neither
             Matter
             ,
             nor
             Spirit
             ,
             shall
             be
             annihilated
             ,
             or
             reduced
             into
             nothing
             again
             .
             This
             I
             think
             we
             may
             safely
             conclude
             from
             the
             Promises
             and
             Threatnings
             of
             Eternal
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             ,
             which
             supposes
             ,
             that
             both
             Good
             and
             Bad
             men
             shall
             live
             for
             ever
             ,
             the
             one
             to
             be
             happy
             ,
             the
             other
             to
             be
             miserable
             to
             Eternity
             ;
             and
             then
             we
             may
             reasonably
             conclude
             ,
             That
             the
             World
             ,
             whatever
             Changes
             it
             may
             suffer
             ,
             will
             continue
             as
             long
             the
             Inhabitants
             of
             it
             do
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             the
             first
             Act
             of
             what
             we
             call
             Preserving
             Providence
             ,
             to
             uphold
             all
             things
             in
             being
             ,
             in
             distinction
             ,
             as
             I
             
             observed
             before
             ,
             from
             those
             several
             Acts
             of
             Preservation
             ,
             which
             concern
             a
             Governing
             Providence
             .
          
           
             A
             Second
             Act
             of
             Preserving
             Providence
             ,
             is
             what
             the
             Schools
             call
             ,
             God's
             Co-operation
             and
             Concourse
             with
             Creatures
             in
             all
             their
             Actions
             ,
             that
             we
             not
             only
             live
             ,
             and
             have
             our
             being
             ,
             but
             that
             we
             move
             in
             God
             ;
             that
             whatever
             we
             do
             ,
             we
             do
             by
             a
             natural
             Power
             received
             from
             God
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             as
             certain
             ,
             as
             that
             we
             have
             our
             being
             in
             him
             ;
             for
             if
             we
             live
             ,
             we
             must
             move
             in
             him
             .
          
           
             But
             then
             whether
             God's
             Co
             operation
             and
             Concourse
             be
             a
             different
             Act
             from
             his
             preserving
             the
             natural
             Vertues
             and
             Powers
             of
             Action
             ,
             is
             a
             nicer
             and
             more
             intricate
             Speculation
             ,
             and
             neither
             the
             thing
             ,
             nor
             the
             reason
             of
             it
             ,
             is
             easy
             to
             be
             conceived
             .
             Natural
             Powers
             are
             Internal
             Principles
             of
             Action
             ,
             when
             a
             Creature
             acts
             from
             an
             inward
             Principle
             of
             Nature
             ;
             but
             if
             these
             Natural
             Powers
             ,
             while
             they
             are
             preserved
             in
             their
             full
             force
             and
             vigour
             by
             God
             ,
             can
             do
             nothing
             themselves
             ,
             without
             a
             new
             extrinsick
             ,
             determining
             motion
             from
             God
             ,
             then
             they
             seem
             to
             be
             no
             Natural
             Powers
             ,
             for
             they
             cannot
             act
             by
             Nature
             ,
             if
             this
             be
             true
             ;
             the
             Fire
             don't
             burn
             by
             nature
             ,
             for
             though
             God
             preserves
             its
             nature
             ,
             it
             cannot
             burn
             without
             some
             new
             co-operating
             Power
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             in
             its
             nature
             .
             A
             man
             don't
             reason
             and
             judge
             ,
             chuse
             and
             refuse
             by
             Nature
             ;
             for
             though
             God
             preserve
             his
             Natural
             Powers
             and
             Faculties
             of
             Understanding
             and
             Will
             ,
             yet
             he
             can
             neither
             understand
             nor
             will
             ,
             unless
             he
             be
             moved
             ,
             acted
             ,
             determined
             by
             God
             :
             This
             seems
             to
             make
             the
             whole
             World
             a
             meer
             Apparition
             ,
             and
             empty
             Scene
             ,
             which
             has
             nothing
             real
             .
             Whatever
             we
             see
             done
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             is
             not
             done
             by
             Creatures
             ,
             who
             seem
             to
             do
             it
             ;
             for
             they
             are
             only
             acted
             like
             Machines
             ,
             not
             from
             the
             Internal
             Principles
             and
             Powers
             of
             Nature
             ,
             but
             from
             External
             Motion
             :
             But
             God
             does
             every
             thing
             himself
             by
             an
             immediate
             Power
             ,
             even
             all
             the
             Contradictions
             and
             Contrarieties
             we
             see
             in
             the
             World.
             
          
           
           
             This
             is
             a
             very
             great
             difficulty
             ,
             which
             I
             will
             not
             undertake
             to
             determine
             one
             way
             or
             other
             ;
             but
             thus
             much
             ,
             I
             think
             ,
             we
             may
             safely
             say
             ,
             That
             if
             we
             will
             attribute
             any
             thing
             to
             Creatures
             ,
             if
             we
             will
             allow
             ,
             that
             they
             ever
             act
             from
             a
             Principle
             of
             Nature
             ,
             we
             must
             confess
             ,
             that
             God
             co-operates
             only
             to
             the
             natural
             Power
             of
             Action
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             That
             he
             only
             enables
             them
             to
             act
             according
             to
             their
             Natures
             ,
             without
             changing
             ,
             influencing
             ,
             determining
             their
             Natures
             ,
             otherwise
             than
             these
             Natural
             Powers
             would
             naturally
             act
             .
             For
             this
             is
             all
             that
             is
             necessary
             to
             Action
             ,
             when
             God
             has
             created
             the
             Natural
             Powers
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             all
             the
             co-operation
             that
             can
             belong
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             the
             Maker
             and
             Preserver
             of
             all
             things
             .
          
           
             Whatever
             is
             more
             than
             this
             ,
             as
             I
             acknowledge
             there
             is
             a
             great
             deal
             more
             that
             God
             does
             ,
             it
             belongs
             to
             a
             Governing
             ,
             not
             to
             a
             Preserving
             Providence
             :
             God
             does
             a
             great
             deal
             more
             ,
             than
             merely
             co-operate
             with
             our
             Natural
             Powers
             
               to
               perform
               Natural
               Actions
            
             ,
             but
             this
             he
             does
             as
             a
             Governour
             ,
             not
             merely
             as
             a
             Preserver
             :
             The
             not
             distinguishing
             of
             which
             has
             occasioned
             great
             mistakes
             in
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Providence
             ;
             as
             to
             show
             this
             briefly
             .
          
           
             God
             has
             endowed
             all
             Creatures
             with
             such
             Natural
             Powers
             and
             Vertues
             ,
             as
             may
             answer
             the
             End
             for
             which
             they
             were
             made
             .
             He
             has
             made
             the
             Sun
             to
             shine
             ,
             to
             enlighten
             and
             refresh
             the
             World
             ;
             the
             Fire
             to
             burn
             ,
             the
             Earth
             to
             bring
             forth
             all
             sorts
             of
             Herbs
             ,
             and
             Grass
             ,
             and
             Corn
             ,
             and
             Fruit
             ,
             the
             Vapours
             to
             ascend
             out
             of
             the
             Earth
             to
             purge
             and
             fan
             the
             Air
             with
             Winds
             ,
             and
             to
             fall
             down
             again
             in
             fruitful
             Showers
             ;
             every
             Herb
             and
             Flower
             and
             Tree
             has
             its
             peculiar
             Seeds
             to
             propagate
             its
             Kind
             ,
             as
             all
             living
             Creatures
             have
             .
          
           
             Now
             as
             it
             had
             been
             to
             little
             purpose
             for
             God
             to
             have
             made
             a
             World
             without
             upholding
             it
             in
             being
             ,
             for
             Creatures
             can
             no
             more
             preserve
             ,
             than
             they
             can
             make
             themselves
             ;
             so
             it
             had
             been
             to
             as
             little
             purpose
             ,
             to
             have
             endowed
             all
             
             Creatures
             with
             such
             Vertues
             and
             Powers
             ,
             as
             belong
             to
             their
             several
             Natures
             ,
             without
             such
             a
             natural
             Co-operation
             ,
             whatever
             that
             be
             ,
             as
             shall
             enable
             their
             Natural
             Powers
             to
             act
             ,
             and
             to
             attain
             the
             ends
             of
             their
             Natures
             ;
             and
             therefore
             God
             established
             this
             Natural
             Concourse
             and
             Co-operation
             to
             actuate
             all
             the
             Powers
             of
             Nature
             ,
             by
             a
             perpetual
             Law
             ,
             which
             is
             that
             Blessing
             God
             bestowed
             upon
             all
             Creatures
             at
             the
             time
             of
             the
             Creation
             .
             For
             though
             this
             Blessing
             ,
             to
             Encrease
             ,
             and
             Multiply
             ,
             and
             to
             replenish
             the
             Sea
             ,
             and
             Air
             ,
             and
             Earth
             ,
             which
             preserves
             and
             invigorates
             the
             Powers
             of
             Nature
             ,
             be
             expressed
             only
             of
             living
             Creatures
             ,
             the
             Fish
             ,
             and
             Fowls
             ,
             and
             Beasts
             ,
             and
             Men
             ,
             yet
             it
             equally
             belongs
             to
             the
             whole
             Creation
             ,
             as
             will
             be
             easily
             granted
             ;
             and
             makes
             Nature
             regular
             and
             constant
             in
             all
             its
             Motions
             and
             Productions
             .
          
           
             But
             there
             are
             other
             Acts
             belong
             to
             God's
             Government
             even
             of
             the
             Material
             World
             ,
             as
             I
             shall
             shew
             you
             more
             hereafter
             .
             As
             to
             direct
             the
             Vertues
             and
             Influences
             of
             Nature
             ,
             or
             to
             suspend
             and
             restrain
             them
             :
             To
             make
             the
             Earth
             fruitful
             or
             barren
             ,
             the
             Air
             wholsome
             or
             Pestilential
             ,
             to
             withhold
             the
             Dews
             and
             Showers
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             or
             to
             give
             the
             former
             and
             latter
             Rain
             in
             its
             Season
             ,
             to
             cause
             it
             to
             Rain
             upon
             one
             City
             ,
             and
             not
             upon
             another
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             temper
             the
             Influences
             of
             Nature
             ,
             as
             to
             punish
             the
             Wickedness
             ,
             or
             to
             reward
             the
             Obedience
             of
             Mankind
             ;
             these
             are
             Acts
             of
             Government
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             quite
             different
             kind
             from
             actuating
             the
             Powers
             of
             Nature
             to
             attain
             their
             Ends
             ,
             and
             to
             do
             what
             they
             were
             made
             for
             .
          
           
             Thus
             to
             consider
             the
             Rational
             World
             ;
             God
             has
             endowed
             Man
             with
             the
             Natural
             Faculties
             of
             Understanding
             and
             Will
             ,
             to
             judge
             ,
             and
             to
             chuse
             for
             himself
             ;
             and
             he
             preserves
             these
             Faculties
             ,
             and
             gives
             them
             a
             natural
             Power
             to
             act
             ,
             to
             understand
             ,
             and
             will
             :
             But
             this
             natural
             Co-operation
             of
             God
             can
             extend
             no
             farther
             than
             to
             the
             natural
             Power
             of
             acting
             ,
             not
             to
             any
             specifical
             Acts
             ;
             it
             does
             not
             improve
             any
             
             man's
             Understanding
             ,
             nor
             incline
             his
             Judgment
             ,
             nor
             determine
             his
             Choice
             ;
             it
             makes
             no
             alteration
             in
             the
             Powers
             of
             Nature
             ,
             but
             only
             enables
             them
             to
             act
             according
             to
             their
             Natures
             ;
             it
             is
             only
             like
             winding
             up
             a
             Clock
             ,
             which
             puts
             it
             into
             motion
             ,
             but
             gives
             no
             new
             preternatural
             motions
             to
             it
             ,
             but
             leaves
             its
             motions
             to
             be
             guided
             by
             its
             own
             Springs
             and
             Wheels
             Whatever
             this
             Co-operation
             of
             God
             be
             ,
             which
             is
             thought
             necessary
             to
             actuate
             our
             Natural
             Faculties
             ,
             it
             gives
             no
             new
             Byas
             to
             us
             ,
             but
             leaves
             us
             perfectly
             in
             a
             state
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             only
             enables
             us
             to
             do
             that
             ,
             which
             we
             should
             do
             of
             our selves
             without
             any
             such
             Co-operation
             of
             God
             ,
             could
             we
             act
             without
             it
             .
          
           
             But
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             Mankind
             God
             exercises
             a
             very
             different
             Power
             over
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             .
             He
             changes
             the
             Hearts
             and
             Counsels
             of
             men
             ,
             imprints
             new
             thoughts
             upon
             their
             Minds
             ,
             claps
             a
             new
             byas
             upon
             their
             Wills
             and
             Affections
             ;
             the
             Hearts
             of
             Princes
             are
             in
             his
             hands
             ,
             and
             he
             turneth
             them
             as
             Rivers
             of
             Waters
             .
             He
             renews
             and
             sanctifies
             Good
             men
             by
             his
             Spirit
             ;
             enlightens
             their
             Understandings
             ,
             changes
             their
             Wills
             ,
             inspires
             them
             with
             Divine
             Affections
             :
             He
             gives
             up
             Bad
             men
             to
             the
             impostures
             of
             wicked
             spirits
             ,
             to
             their
             own
             affected
             Ignorance
             ,
             Blindness
             ,
             Inconsideration
             ,
             to
             the
             Obstinacy
             and
             Perverseness
             of
             their
             own
             Wills
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Empire
             of
             their
             Lusts.
             Every
             one
             must
             perceive
             ,
             that
             this
             is
             a
             very
             different
             thing
             from
             God's
             co-operating
             with
             our
             Natural
             Faculties
             to
             will
             ,
             and
             to
             understand
             ;
             for
             that
             makes
             no
             change
             in
             our
             Natural
             Understandings
             and
             Wills
             ,
             but
             only
             enables
             them
             to
             act
             ;
             but
             this
             improves
             ,
             and
             heightens
             ,
             and
             regulates
             our
             Faculties
             ;
             enlarges
             our
             Knowledge
             ,
             and
             rectifies
             our
             Choice
             ,
             and
             directs
             and
             governs
             our
             Passions
             ;
             and
             yet
             these
             things
             have
             not
             been
             well
             distinguished
             ,
             which
             has
             very
             much
             obscured
             and
             perplexed
             the
             Doctrines
             both
             of
             Providence
             and
             Grace
             ,
             as
             I
             shall
             now
             shew
             you
             .
          
           
           
             For
             having
             thus
             briefly
             explained
             the
             difference
             between
             a
             Preserving
             and
             Governing
             Providence
             ,
             that
             this
             may
             not
             be
             thought
             a
             more
             subtil
             than
             useful
             Speculation
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             necessary
             to
             shew
             you
             ,
             of
             what
             great
             use
             this
             is
             to
             answer
             some
             of
             the
             greatest
             Difficulties
             in
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             Now
             as
             the
             foundation
             of
             all
             ,
             I
             shall
             ask
             but
             one
             thing
             ,
             which
             every
             man
             must
             grant
             ;
             That
             it
             becomes
             God
             to
             preserve
             the
             Creatures
             which
             he
             has
             made
             ,
             to
             uphold
             them
             in
             being
             ,
             and
             to
             actuate
             their
             Natural
             Powers
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             is
             necessary
             to
             enable
             Creatures
             to
             perform
             those
             Natural
             Actions
             ,
             which
             their
             Natures
             are
             fitted
             and
             made
             for
             .
             If
             it
             became
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             to
             make
             Creatures
             with
             such
             Powers
             and
             Faculties
             of
             acting
             ,
             it
             becomes
             him
             also
             to
             preserve
             their
             Beings
             ,
             and
             Natures
             ,
             and
             Powers
             of
             Action
             .
             To
             Make
             ,
             is
             to
             give
             a
             Being
             and
             Nature
             to
             that
             which
             was
             nothing
             ;
             to
             Preserve
             ,
             is
             only
             to
             continue
             its
             Being
             ,
             and
             to
             enable
             it
             to
             act
             according
             to
             its
             nature
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             must
             either
             approve
             or
             disapprove
             of
             both
             alike
             .
          
           
             Let
             us
             then
             lay
             down
             this
             as
             an
             acknowledged
             Principle
             ,
             That
             we
             must
             not
             quarrel
             with
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             for
             any
             thing
             which
             is
             a
             mere
             Act
             of
             Preservation
             ,
             not
             an
             Act
             of
             Government
             .
             For
             to
             uphold
             the
             being
             ,
             and
             nature
             ,
             and
             operations
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             is
             no
             fault
             ,
             whatever
             evil
             consequences
             may
             attend
             it
             ;
             and
             therefore
             those
             who
             have
             a
             mind
             to
             quarrel
             at
             Providence
             ,
             must
             find
             some
             fault
             ,
             if
             they
             can
             ,
             in
             God's
             government
             of
             Creatures
             ,
             not
             in
             the
             Acts
             of
             Preservation
             ;
             and
             this
             easily
             answers
             some
             of
             the
             most
             difficult
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             .
             As
             for
             instance
             .
          
           
             Since
             no
             Creature
             can
             move
             ,
             or
             act
             ,
             or
             do
             any
             thing
             ,
             without
             the
             Concourse
             and
             Co-operation
             of
             God
             ,
             some
             are
             wonderfully
             puzled
             to
             give
             an
             account
             ,
             why
             God
             should
             co-operate
             with
             any
             Creature
             in
             sinful
             Actions
             .
             Why
             
             God
             should
             actuate
             mens
             Understandings
             and
             Wills
             ,
             and
             their
             other
             natural
             Powers
             and
             Faculties
             ,
             when
             he
             certainly
             knows
             ,
             that
             if
             he
             enables
             them
             to
             act
             ,
             they
             will
             act
             wickedly
             ;
             they
             will
             chuse
             that
             which
             is
             wicked
             ,
             and
             will
             execute
             their
             wicked
             Designs
             :
             That
             if
             they
             have
             the
             exercise
             of
             their
             Natural
             Powers
             ,
             they
             will
             defile
             themselves
             with
             Adultery
             ,
             and
             Drunkenness
             ,
             and
             Theft
             ,
             or
             Murther
             ,
             and
             all
             manner
             of
             Wickedness
             :
             And
             how
             can
             a
             holy
             God
             co-operate
             in
             all
             the
             Wickedness
             which
             is
             committed
             ?
             When
             men
             do
             wickedly
             by
             the
             Power
             and
             Co-operation
             of
             God
             ,
             without
             which
             they
             can
             do
             nothing
             ,
             how
             does
             the
             Sin
             come
             to
             be
             the
             man's
             ,
             when
             the
             Action
             is
             God's
             ,
             as
             done
             by
             his
             immediate
             Power
             ?
          
           
             I
             shall
             not
             trouble
             you
             with
             other
             Answers
             ,
             which
             are
             commonly
             given
             to
             this
             Difficulty
             ;
             for
             what
             I
             have
             now
             discoursed
             ,
             gives
             a
             plain
             and
             easy
             solution
             to
             it
             :
             For
             all
             this
             ,
             however
             it
             be
             represented
             ,
             comes
             to
             no
             more
             ,
             than
             God's
             preserving
             the
             Natures
             of
             Creatures
             ,
             and
             actuating
             their
             Natural
             Powers
             to
             perform
             the
             Offices
             of
             Nature
             ;
             and
             if
             this
             be
             such
             a
             fault
             ,
             as
             intitles
             God
             to
             all
             the
             Wickedness
             they
             commit
             ,
             the
             original
             Fault
             is
             in
             making
             such
             Creatures
             ;
             for
             if
             it
             were
             no
             fault
             to
             make
             them
             ,
             it
             can
             be
             no
             fault
             to
             preserve
             their
             Natures
             .
             Does
             it
             become
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             to
             make
             Creatures
             ,
             who
             must
             act
             dependently
             on
             himself
             ,
             and
             to
             deny
             them
             the
             natural
             Powers
             of
             acting
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             unmake
             them
             again
             ?
             And
             if
             this
             does
             not
             become
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             ,
             then
             it
             can
             be
             no
             fault
             in
             God
             to
             co-operate
             with
             the
             natural
             Powers
             of
             men
             ,
             even
             in
             their
             sinful
             Actions
             ;
             nor
             any
             more
             intitle
             God
             to
             their
             Sins
             ,
             than
             his
             making
             Creatures
             with
             such
             natural
             Powers
             :
             For
             to
             preserve
             their
             Natures
             ,
             and
             to
             actuate
             their
             natural
             Powers
             ,
             is
             no
             more
             a
             cause
             of
             their
             Sin
             ,
             than
             to
             make
             such
             Natures
             ,
             and
             such
             natural
             Powers
             .
          
           
             To
             represent
             this
             as
             plainly
             as
             I
             can
             ,
             Let
             us
             suppose
             that
             God
             had
             created
             Man
             with
             a
             natural
             power
             to
             act
             without
             
             needing
             such
             a
             perpetual
             concourse
             and
             co-operation
             to
             enable
             him
             to
             act
             ,
             would
             this
             charge
             God
             with
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             ,
             because
             they
             act
             ,
             even
             when
             they
             sin
             ,
             by
             a
             power
             derived
             from
             him
             in
             their
             first
             Creation
             ?
             If
             this
             makes
             God
             the
             Author
             of
             Sin
             ,
             then
             God
             can't
             make
             a
             Creature
             ,
             who
             is
             capable
             of
             sinning
             by
             the
             abuse
             of
             its
             natural
             Powers
             ,
             without
             being
             the
             Author
             of
             Sin
             ,
             which
             is
             too
             absurd
             for
             any
             thinking
             man
             to
             say
             :
             And
             yet
             if
             it
             does
             not
             ,
             How
             does
             God's
             perpetual
             concourse
             and
             co-operation
             with
             Creatures
             to
             enable
             them
             to
             act
             ,
             and
             to
             exert
             their
             natural
             Powers
             ,
             make
             God
             the
             Author
             of
             Sin
             ?
             for
             this
             is
             no
             more
             than
             a
             natural
             power
             to
             act
             ,
             and
             it
             makes
             no
             difference
             ,
             whether
             this
             natural
             power
             be
             given
             once
             for
             all
             ,
             as
             an
             inherent
             Power
             in
             Creatures
             ,
             or
             be
             supplied
             every
             minute
             ;
             for
             both
             ways
             the
             Power
             is
             the
             same
             ,
             and
             equally
             derived
             from
             God
             :
             and
             if
             the
             natural
             power
             of
             acting
             charges
             God
             with
             mens
             Sins
             ,
             the
             Charge
             lies
             equally
             against
             a
             creating
             and
             co-operating
             Power
             ;
             if
             it
             does
             not
             ,
             God
             is
             no
             more
             chargeable
             with
             Sin
             for
             co-operating
             with
             mens
             natural
             Powers
             in
             every
             Action
             ,
             than
             he
             would
             be
             ,
             for
             creating
             such
             natural
             Powers
             as
             could
             act
             of
             themselves
             .
          
           
             God's
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             must
             be
             fitted
             to
             the
             natures
             of
             the
             Creatures
             which
             he
             has
             made
             ,
             without
             denying
             them
             the
             natural
             Powers
             of
             Action
             ;
             and
             therefore
             while
             he
             co-operates
             with
             Creatures
             only
             to
             act
             according
             to
             the
             liberty
             of
             their
             own
             Natures
             ,
             this
             is
             no
             fault
             in
             this
             Government
             ,
             nor
             contributes
             any
             thing
             more
             to
             the
             Sins
             of
             Creatures
             ,
             than
             preserving
             their
             Natures
             ,
             which
             as
             much
             becomes
             God
             ,
             as
             it
             did
             to
             make
             them
             .
          
           
             Thus
             some
             think
             it
             a
             great
             blemish
             to
             Providence
             ,
             that
             Adulterous
             Mixtures
             prove
             fruitful
             ,
             when
             
               encrease
               and
               multiply
            
             is
             an
             established
             Decree
             from
             the
             first
             Creation
             ;
             and
             the
             setled
             Course
             and
             Order
             of
             Nature
             must
             not
             be
             reversed
             by
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             :
             They
             may
             as
             well
             object
             against
             Providence
             ,
             That
             a
             man
             who
             steals
             his
             Neighbour's
             Grain
             ,
             
             and
             sows
             it
             in
             his
             own
             Land
             ,
             should
             have
             a
             plentiful
             Crop
             the
             next
             year
             from
             his
             stolen
             Seed
             .
             And
             whatever
             Opinion
             men
             have
             concerning
             the
             origination
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             Whether
             it
             be
             propagated
             
               ex
               traduce
            
             ,
             or
             did
             praeexist
             ,
             or
             be
             immediately
             created
             by
             God
             ,
             and
             infused
             into
             prepared
             Matter
             ,
             it
             makes
             no
             difference
             in
             the
             case
             ;
             for
             when
             the
             Order
             of
             Nature
             is
             setled
             ,
             and
             the
             Blessing
             pronounced
             and
             established
             by
             the
             Divine
             Decree
             ,
             it
             does
             not
             unbecome
             God
             to
             preserve
             the
             powers
             of
             Nature
             to
             produce
             their
             natural
             Effects
             ;
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             there
             want
             not
             wise
             Reasons
             in
             God's
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             why
             it
             should
             be
             so
             ,
             to
             restrain
             some
             mens
             Lusts
             ,
             and
             to
             shame
             and
             punish
             others
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             whoever
             considers
             this
             matter
             well
             ,
             will
             acknowledge
             ,
             that
             it
             goes
             a
             great
             way
             in
             answering
             the
             greatest
             Difficulty
             of
             all
             ,
             viz.
             The
             Eternal
             Punishments
             of
             Wicked
             Men
             in
             the
             next
             World.
             
          
           
             The
             Objection
             is
             not
             against
             God's
             punishing
             Wicked
             Men
             in
             the
             next
             World
             ;
             for
             no
             body
             pretends
             ,
             that
             this
             is
             unjust
             for
             God
             to
             punish
             the
             Wicked
             ,
             whether
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             next
             .
          
           
             Nor
             is
             the
             Objection
             against
             the
             nature
             of
             these
             Punishments
             ;
             for
             indeed
             we
             do
             not
             distinctly
             know
             what
             they
             are
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             we
             know
             what
             the
             Happiness
             of
             Heaven
             is
             .
             Those
             Descriptions
             our
             Saviour
             gives
             of
             them
             ,
             
               of
               lakes
               of
               fire
               and
               brimstome
               ,
               blackness
               of
               darkness
               ,
               the
               worm
               that
               never
               dieth
               ,
               and
               the
               fire
               that
               never
               goeth
               out
               ,
            
             prove
             that
             they
             are
             very
             great
             ,
             because
             these
             Descriptions
             are
             intended
             to
             present
             to
             us
             very
             frightful
             and
             terrible
             images
             of
             the
             Miseries
             of
             the
             Damned
             :
             But
             this
             is
             not
             the
             Complaint
             neither
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             confessed
             ,
             that
             Wicked
             Men
             deserve
             to
             be
             very
             miserable
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             Objection
             is
             against
             that
             vast
             disproportion
             between
             Time
             and
             Eternity
             ;
             How
             it
             is
             reconcilable
             with
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             to
             punish
             Temporal
             Sins
             with
             Eternal
             Miseries
             ;
             
             that
             when
             men
             can
             sin
             but
             for
             a
             very
             few
             years
             ,
             they
             must
             suffer
             for
             it
             for
             ever
             ?
          
           
             Now
             the
             difficulty
             of
             this
             seems
             in
             part
             to
             be
             owing
             to
             a
             mistating
             the
             case
             :
             There
             is
             no
             proportion
             indeed
             between
             Time
             and
             Eternity
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             therefore
             difficult
             to
             conceive
             ,
             that
             every
             momentary
             sin
             should
             in
             its
             own
             nature
             deserve
             eternal
             punishments
             ;
             but
             there
             is
             no
             difficulty
             to
             conceive
             ,
             that
             an
             immortal
             sinner
             may
             by
             some
             short
             and
             momentary
             sins
             sink
             himself
             into
             an
             irrecoverable
             state
             of
             misery
             ,
             and
             then
             he
             must
             be
             miserable
             as
             long
             as
             he
             continues
             to
             be
             ;
             and
             if
             he
             can
             never
             die
             ,
             he
             must
             be
             always
             miserable
             ,
             and
             may
             be
             so
             ,
             without
             any
             Injustice
             in
             God.
             We
             do
             not
             here
             consider
             the
             proportion
             between
             the
             continuance
             of
             the
             sin
             and
             the
             punishment
             ,
             between
             a
             short
             transient
             act
             ,
             and
             eternal
             punishments
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             not
             the
             sin
             ,
             but
             the
             sinner
             ,
             that
             is
             punished
             for
             his
             sin
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             must
             not
             ask
             ,
             How
             long
             punishment
             a
             short
             sin
             deserves
             ?
             but
             ,
             How
             long
             the
             sinner
             deserves
             to
             be
             punished
             ?
             and
             the
             answer
             to
             that
             is
             easy
             ,
             As
             long
             as
             he
             is
             a
             sinner
             :
             And
             therefore
             an
             immortal
             sinner
             ,
             who
             can
             never
             die
             ,
             and
             will
             never
             cease
             to
             be
             wicked
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             the
             hopeless
             and
             irrecoverable
             state
             of
             Devils
             and
             damned
             Spirits
             )
             must
             always
             be
             miserable
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             just
             it
             should
             be
             so
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             just
             to
             punish
             sinners
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             nothing
             to
             quarrel
             with
             God
             for
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Eternity
             of
             Punishments
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             ,
             that
             he
             does
             not
             annihilate
             Immortal
             Spirits
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             become
             incurably
             wicked
             and
             miserable
             .
             The
             Justice
             of
             God
             is
             only
             concerned
             to
             punish
             sinners
             ;
             that
             their
             punishents
             are
             eternal
             ,
             is
             a
             necessary
             consequence
             of
             their
             Immortality
             ;
             and
             this
             can't
             be
             charged
             on
             God
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             a
             fault
             to
             make
             immortal
             creatures
             ,
             and
             to
             preserve
             and
             uphold
             immortal
             creatures
             in
             being
             ;
             or
             to
             punish
             sinners
             while
             they
             deserve
             punishment
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             while
             they
             are
             sinners
             .
          
           
           
             It
             may
             give
             some
             light
             to
             this
             matter
             ,
             to
             remove
             the
             Scene
             into
             this
             world
             :
             We
             see
             the
             punishment
             of
             sin
             in
             this
             world
             bears
             no
             proportion
             to
             the
             time
             of
             committing
             it
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             lasting
             effects
             of
             the
             sin
             .
             One
             short
             single
             act
             of
             Lust
             may
             not
             only
             leave
             a
             lasting
             Reproach
             on
             mens
             Names
             ,
             but
             destroy
             the
             health
             and
             ease
             of
             their
             bodies
             ,
             and
             the
             pleasure
             of
             their
             lives
             ,
             for
             their
             ever
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             and
             had
             Man
             continued
             immortal
             after
             the
             fall
             ,
             these
             miserable
             effects
             must
             have
             continued
             for
             ever
             ,
             and
             then
             there
             had
             been
             a
             visible
             Eternal
             Punishment
             for
             a
             very
             short
             transient
             sin
             ,
             and
             yet
             no
             man
             would
             have
             blamed
             the
             Justice
             of
             God
             for
             it
             ;
             which
             shews
             ,
             That
             a
             sin
             ,
             which
             is
             quickly
             committed
             ,
             may
             be
             eternally
             punished
             ,
             and
             that
             very
             justly
             too
             ,
             when
             the
             effects
             of
             it
             are
             incurable
             ,
             and
             the
             person
             immortal
             :
             And
             thus
             it
             is
             in
             a
             great
             many
             other
             cases
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             where
             the
             effects
             of
             sin
             last
             as
             long
             as
             the
             Men
             last
             ;
             and
             if
             this
             be
             the
             case
             of
             the
             other
             world
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             miseries
             and
             punishments
             of
             the
             damned
             ,
             as
             we
             certainly
             know
             in
             a
             great
             measure
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             their
             punishments
             are
             the
             natural
             effects
             and
             consequents
             of
             their
             sins
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             objection
             against
             the
             Eternity
             of
             their
             Punishments
             ,
             but
             that
             God
             does
             not
             annihilate
             them
             :
             And
             how
             hard
             soever
             any
             man
             may
             think
             it
             to
             be
             ,
             that
             a
             sinner
             should
             be
             eternally
             miserable
             ,
             I
             believe
             no
             man
             will
             venture
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             God
             ought
             in
             Justice
             to
             annihilate
             creatures
             whom
             he
             has
             made
             immortal
             ,
             when
             by
             their
             own
             fault
             they
             must
             be
             eternally
             miserable
             ,
             if
             they
             live
             for
             ever
             .
             To
             preserve
             and
             uphold
             creatures
             in
             being
             ,
             is
             ,
             in
             it self
             considered
             ,
             what
             becomes
             the
             Wise
             Maker
             of
             all
             things
             ;
             and
             I
             am
             sure
             there
             can
             be
             no
             reason
             given
             ,
             to
             prove
             ,
             that
             God
             ought
             to
             annihilate
             sinners
             ,
             to
             prevent
             their
             being
             miserable
             for
             ever
             ,
             but
             what
             will
             much
             more
             prove
             ,
             that
             God
             ought
             to
             have
             withdrawn
             his
             natural
             concourse
             from
             his
             creatures
             ,
             or
             to
             have
             annihilated
             them
             ,
             to
             prevent
             their
             sinning
             ;
             or
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             last
             result
             of
             all
             ,
             as
             
             I
             have
             already
             observed
             ,
             and
             the
             only
             fault
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             one
             ,
             That
             he
             ought
             not
             to
             have
             made
             an
             Immortal
             Creature
             ,
             who
             could
             sin
             ,
             and
             be
             miserable
             for
             ever
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             conclude
             this
             whole
             Argument
             with
             some
             few
             Inferences
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             If
             Creatures
             must
             be
             preserved
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             made
             by
             God
             ,
             then
             the
             present
             continuance
             and
             preservation
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             is
             a
             visible
             Argument
             of
             the
             Being
             of
             God.
             Some
             men
             will
             not
             believe
             that
             God
             made
             the
             world
             ,
             because
             they
             did
             not
             see
             him
             make
             it
             ;
             but
             they
             see
             a
             world
             preserved
             ,
             when
             there
             is
             no
             one
             thing
             in
             the
             world
             more
             able
             to
             preserve
             ,
             than
             to
             make
             it self
             ;
             and
             who
             then
             is
             it
             that
             preserves
             this
             world
             ,
             and
             all
             things
             in
             it
             ?
             This
             must
             be
             a
             work
             of
             Reason
             and
             Wisdom
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Power
             ;
             and
             the
             only
             reasonable
             Creature
             in
             this
             visible
             world
             ,
             is
             Man
             ;
             and
             Man
             cannot
             preserve
             himself
             ,
             and
             knows
             that
             he
             can
             preserve
             nothing
             else
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             Preservation
             of
             all
             things
             must
             be
             owing
             to
             some
             Invisible
             Cause
             ,
             whom
             we
             call
             GOD.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             If
             we
             live
             ,
             and
             move
             ,
             and
             have
             our
             being
             in
             God
             ,
             we
             are
             entirely
             his
             ,
             and
             owe
             all
             homage
             and
             obedience
             to
             him
             ;
             for
             he
             did
             not
             only
             make
             us
             ,
             but
             we
             have
             our
             constant
             dependance
             on
             him
             ,
             we
             live
             and
             subsist
             in
             him
             .
             Had
             he
             only
             made
             us
             at
             first
             ,
             that
             had
             given
             him
             a
             title
             to
             us
             for
             ever
             ;
             but
             could
             we
             have
             lived
             without
             him
             ,
             when
             he
             had
             made
             us
             ,
             tho
             it
             had
             not
             been
             a
             less
             fault
             ,
             yet
             it
             had
             been
             less
             foolish
             and
             absurd
             ,
             to
             have
             lived
             without
             any
             notice
             or
             regard
             of
             him
             ;
             as
             some
             ungrateful
             persons
             deal
             by
             their
             Friends
             and
             Patrons
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             set
             them
             up
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             enabled
             them
             to
             live
             by
             themselves
             :
             but
             to
             forget
             that
             God
             in
             whom
             we
             live
             ,
             who
             preserves
             and
             upholds
             us
             in
             being
             every
             moment
             ,
             is
             to
             affront
             a
             present
             Benefactor
             ,
             if
             we
             value
             being
             ;
             and
             tho
             we
             cannot
             tempt
             God
             by
             this
             to
             let
             us
             fall
             into
             nothing
             ,
             yet
             we
             shall
             make
             
             it
             just
             for
             him
             to
             punish
             us
             ,
             to
             preserve
             us
             in
             being
             ,
             to
             feel
             the
             weight
             of
             his
             Wrath
             and
             Vengeance
             ,
             which
             is
             infinitely
             worse
             ,
             for
             
               happy
               had
               it
               been
               for
               such
               a
               man
               ,
               that
               he
               had
               never
               been
               born
               .
            
          
           
             3.
             
             For
             if
             he
             not
             only
             made
             but
             upholds
             and
             preserves
             us
             in
             being
             ,
             he
             must
             be
             our
             Sovereign
             Lord
             and
             Governor
             ;
             for
             no
             other
             has
             any
             original
             and
             absolute
             interest
             in
             us
             ;
             we
             are
             in
             his
             hands
             ,
             and
             none
             can
             take
             us
             out
             of
             them
             ,
             nor
             touch
             us
             ,
             but
             by
             his
             order
             .
             To
             give
             being
             and
             to
             preserve
             it
             ,
             is
             the
             foundation
             of
             all
             other
             acts
             of
             Government
             ,
             no
             other
             Being
             has
             a
             Right
             to
             govern
             ,
             no
             other
             Power
             can
             govern
             .
             He
             alone
             can
             give
             Laws
             ,
             can
             reward
             or
             punish
             ,
             can
             govern
             Nature
             ,
             can
             direct
             ,
             over-rule
             ,
             controul
             all
             other
             Powers
             ,
             for
             all
             things
             are
             in
             his
             hands
             ,
             and
             therefore
             he
             commands
             them
             all
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             And
             this
             may
             convince
             us
             ,
             how
             irresistible
             the
             Divine
             Power
             is
             ;
             for
             all
             the
             power
             of
             Creatures
             is
             derived
             from
             him
             ,
             and
             depends
             on
             him
             ,
             as
             Light
             does
             on
             the
             Sun
             ,
             and
             therefore
             they
             can
             have
             no
             power
             against
             him
             ;
             and
             what
             distraction
             then
             is
             it
             ,
             to
             provoke
             that
             Almighty
             God
             ,
             whom
             we
             cannot
             resist
             ?
             Humble
             thy self
             ,
             Sinner
             ,
             before
             thy
             Maker
             ,
             thy
             Preserver
             ,
             and
             thy
             Judge
             ;
             obey
             his
             Will
             ,
             to
             whose
             Power
             thou
             must
             submit
             ;
             let
             him
             be
             thy
             Fear
             and
             thy
             Dread
             ;
             thy
             only
             Fear
             ,
             for
             thou
             needest
             fear
             none
             else
             ;
             all
             Power
             is
             his
             ,
             none
             can
             resist
             him
             ,
             none
             can
             act
             without
             him
             ;
             he
             sets
             bounds
             to
             the
             Raging
             of
             the
             Sea
             ,
             to
             the
             Fury
             of
             Princes
             ,
             to
             the
             Madness
             of
             the
             People
             :
             Thou
             art
             safe
             in
             his
             hands
             ,
             safe
             in
             obedience
             to
             his
             Will
             ,
             but
             thou
             canst
             never
             escape
             him
             ,
             never
             flie
             from
             him
             ,
             never
             defend
             thy self
             against
             him
             ,
             for
             thou
             livest
             in
             him
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             This
             also
             proves
             that
             God
             must
             see
             and
             know
             all
             our
             actions
             ,
             for
             we
             live
             and
             move
             in
             him
             .
             He
             is
             always
             present
             with
             us
             ,
             privy
             to
             our
             most
             secret
             thoughts
             and
             counsels
             ,
             observes
             all
             our
             wandrings
             ,
             sees
             us
             in
             all
             our
             retirements
             :
             
             
               There
               is
               no
               darkness
               ,
               nor
               shadow
               of
               death
               ,
               where
               the
               workers
               of
               iniquity
               can
               hide
               themselves
               .
            
             This
             the
             Scripture
             in
             express
             words
             teaches
             ,
             and
             the
             reason
             of
             the
             thing
             speaks
             it
             ;
             for
             if
             we
             cannot
             think
             ,
             nor
             move
             ,
             nor
             subsist
             without
             God
             ,
             he
             must
             be
             always
             intimately
             present
             with
             us
             ;
             which
             should
             possess
             us
             with
             a
             constant
             Awe
             and
             Reverence
             of
             his
             Pure
             and
             All
             seeing
             Eye
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             Concerning
             God's
             Governing
             Providence
             .
          
           
             NEXT
             to
             Preservation
             ,
             as
             that
             signifies
             God's
             upholding
             all
             things
             in
             being
             ,
             and
             preserving
             and
             actuating
             their
             Natural
             Powers
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             God's
             Government
             of
             the
             world
             ;
             for
             God
             is
             the
             Supreme
             and
             Sovereign
             Lord
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             
               who
               doth
               whatsoever
               pleaseth
               him
               both
               in
               heaven
               and
               in
               earth
            
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             Absolute
             Government
             of
             all
             things
             must
             be
             in
             his
             hands
             ,
             or
             else
             something
             might
             be
             done
             ,
             which
             he
             would
             not
             have
             done
             .
          
           
             This
             all
             men
             grant
             in
             general
             words
             ,
             who
             own
             a
             Providence
             ;
             but
             when
             they
             come
             to
             particulars
             ,
             there
             are
             so
             many
             excepted
             cases
             which
             they
             will
             hardly
             allow
             God
             to
             have
             any
             thing
             to
             do
             in
             ,
             that
             they
             seem
             to
             mean
             little
             more
             by
             God's
             Government
             ,
             than
             a
             general
             Inspection
             of
             Human
             Affairs
             ,
             his
             looking
             on
             to
             see
             the
             World
             govern
             it self
             ;
             for
             three
             parts
             of
             four
             of
             all
             that
             is
             done
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             they
             resolve
             into
             bare
             Permission
             ,
             as
             distinguish'd
             from
             an
             Ordering
             and
             Disposing
             Providence
             ;
             and
             then
             it
             can
             signifie
             no
             more
             ,
             than
             that
             God
             does
             not
             hinder
             it
             ;
             and
             if
             this
             
             be
             all
             ,
             God
             governs
             the
             world
             in
             such
             cases
             no
             more
             than
             men
             do
             :
             The
             only
             difference
             is
             ,
             that
             God
             can
             hinder
             when
             he
             don
             't
             ,
             but
             men
             don't
             hinder
             ,
             because
             they
             can't
             ;
             but
             still
             merely
             not
             to
             hinder
             ,
             does
             not
             signifie
             to
             govern
             .
          
           
             But
             rightly
             to
             understand
             this
             matter
             ,
             the
             best
             way
             is
             ,
             to
             consider
             how
             the
             Scripture
             represents
             it
             ;
             and
             because
             there
             are
             great
             variety
             of
             acts
             in
             the
             government
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             of
             a
             very
             different
             consideration
             ,
             I
             shall
             distinctly
             enquire
             into
             God's
             government
             of
             Causes
             ,
             and
             his
             government
             of
             Events
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             God's
             government
             of
             Causes
             ;
             and
             we
             must
             consider
             three
             sorts
             of
             Causes
             ,
             and
             what
             the
             Scripture
             attributes
             to
             God
             with
             respect
             to
             each
             .
             1.
             
             Natural
             Causes
             .
             2dly
             .
             Accidental
             Causes
             ,
             or
             what
             we
             call
             Chance
             ,
             and
             Accident
             ,
             and
             Fortune
             .
             3dly
             .
             Moral
             Causes
             ,
             and
             free
             Agents
             ,
             or
             the
             government
             of
             mankind
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             or
             God's
             Government
             of
             the
             Natural
             World
             ,
             of
             the
             Heavens
             ,
             and
             Earth
             ,
             and
             Seas
             ,
             and
             Air
             ,
             and
             all
             things
             in
             them
             ,
             which
             move
             and
             act
             by
             a
             Necessity
             of
             Nature
             ,
             not
             by
             Choice
             .
             Now
             the
             Scripture
             does
             not
             only
             attribute
             to
             God
             all
             the
             Vertues
             and
             Powers
             of
             Nature
             ,
             which
             belongs
             to
             Creation
             ,
             and
             to
             a
             Preserving
             Providence
             ,
             but
             the
             direction
             and
             government
             of
             all
             their
             Natural
             Influences
             ,
             to
             do
             what
             God
             has
             a
             mind
             should
             be
             done
             .
             God
             does
             in
             some
             measure
             govern
             the
             Moral
             by
             the
             Natural
             World
             ;
             he
             rewards
             or
             punishes
             men
             by
             a
             wholsome
             or
             pestilential
             air
             ,
             by
             fruitful
             or
             barren
             seasons
             ;
             he
             hinders
             or
             promotes
             their
             designs
             ,
             by
             winds
             and
             weather
             ,
             by
             a
             forward
             or
             a
             backward
             Spring
             ,
             and
             makes
             Nature
             give
             Laws
             to
             men
             ,
             and
             set
             bounds
             to
             their
             Passions
             and
             Intriegues
             ;
             to
             overthrow
             the
             most
             powerful
             Fleets
             and
             Armies
             ;
             to
             defeat
             the
             wisest
             Counsels
             ,
             and
             to
             arbitrate
             the
             Differences
             of
             Princes
             ,
             and
             the
             Fate
             of
             Men
             and
             Kingdoms
             :
             And
             if
             God
             govern
             men
             by
             Nature
             ,
             he
             must
             govern
             
             Nature
             too
             ,
             for
             necessary
             Causes
             cannot
             be
             fitted
             to
             the
             government
             of
             free
             Agents
             ,
             without
             the
             direction
             and
             management
             of
             a
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             which
             guides
             ,
             exerts
             ,
             or
             suspends
             the
             Influences
             of
             Nature
             ,
             with
             as
             great
             freedom
             as
             men
             act
             .
             Men
             do
             not
             always
             deserve
             well
             or
             ill
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             kind
             or
             malign
             Influences
             of
             Nature
             must
             be
             tempered
             to
             mens
             deserts
             ,
             to
             punish
             them
             when
             they
             do
             ill
             ,
             and
             to
             reward
             them
             when
             they
             do
             well
             ,
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             which
             of
             themselves
             act
             necessarily
             without
             Wisdom
             or
             Counsel
             ,
             must
             be
             guided
             by
             a
             Wise
             Hand
             .
          
           
             Thus
             reason
             tells
             us
             it
             must
             be
             ,
             if
             God
             govern
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             God
             challenges
             to
             himself
             this
             Absolute
             and
             Sovereign
             Empire
             over
             Nature
             :
             God
             has
             bestowed
             different
             Vertues
             and
             Powers
             on
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             and
             in
             ordinary
             cases
             makes
             use
             of
             the
             Powers
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             neither
             acts
             without
             them
             ,
             nor
             against
             the
             Laws
             of
             Nature
             ;
             which
             makes
             some
             unthinking
             men
             resolve
             all
             into
             Nature
             ,
             without
             a
             God
             or
             a
             Providence
             ;
             because
             ,
             excepting
             the
             case
             of
             Miracles
             ,
             which
             they
             are
             not
             willing
             to
             believe
             ,
             they
             see
             every
             thing
             else
             done
             by
             the
             Powers
             of
             Nature
             ;
             and
             if
             it
             were
             not
             so
             ,
             God
             had
             made
             a
             World
             ,
             and
             made
             Nature
             to
             no
             purpose
             ,
             to
             do
             every
             thing
             himself
             ,
             by
             an
             immediate
             Power
             ,
             without
             making
             use
             of
             the
             Powers
             of
             Nature
             :
             But
             the
             ordinary
             government
             of
             Nature
             does
             not
             signifie
             to
             act
             without
             it
             ,
             or
             to
             over-rule
             its
             Powers
             ,
             but
             to
             steer
             and
             guide
             its
             motions
             ,
             to
             serve
             the
             Wise
             Ends
             of
             his
             Providence
             in
             the
             government
             of
             Mankind
             .
          
           
             
               For
               as
               God
               does
               not
               usually
               act
               without
               Nature
               ,
               nor
               against
               its
               Laws
               ,
               so
               neither
               does
               Nature
               act
               by
               steady
               and
               uniform
               motions
               ,
               without
               the
               direction
               of
               God
               :
               But
               while
               every
               thing
               in
               the
               material
               world
               acts
               necessarily
               ,
               and
               exerts
               its
               Natural
               Powers
               ,
               God
               can
               temper
               ,
               suspend
               ,
               direct
               its
               Influences
               ,
               without
               reversing
               the
               Laws
               of
               Nature
               .
               As
               for
               instance
               ;
               Fire
               and
               Water
               ,
               Wind
               and
               Rain
               ,
               Thunder
               and
               Lightning
               ,
               have
               their
               Natutral
               Vertues
               and
               
               Powers
               ,
               and
               Natural
               Causes
               ;
               and
               God
               produces
               such
               effects
               as
               they
               are
               made
               to
               produce
               by
               their
               Natural
               Powers
               ;
               he
               warms
               us
               with
               Fire
               ;
               invigorates
               the
               earth
               by
               the
               benign
               Influences
               of
               the
               Sun
               and
               Moon
               ,
               and
               other
               Stars
               and
               Planets
               ;
               refreshes
               and
               moistens
               it
               with
               Springs
               and
               Fountains
               ,
               and
               Rain
               from
               Heaven
               ;
               fans
               the
               Air
               with
               Winds
               ,
               and
               purges
               it
               with
               Thunders
               and
               Lightnings
               ,
               and
               the
               like
               ;
               but
               then
               ,
               when
               and
               where
               the
               Rains
               shall
               fall
               ,
               and
               the
               Winds
               shall
               blow
               ,
               in
               what
               measure
               and
               proportion
               ,
               times
               and
               seasons
               ,
               Natural
               Causes
               shall
               give
               or
               withhold
               their
               Influences
               ,
               this
               God
               keeps
               in
               his
               own
               Power
               ,
               and
               can
               govern
               ,
               without
               altering
               the
               standing
               Laws
               of
               Nature
               ;
               and
               this
               is
               his
               government
               of
               Natural
               Causes
               in
               order
               to
               reward
               or
               punish
               men
               as
               they
               shall
               deserve
               .
               Thus
               God
               reasons
               with
            
             Iob
             
               concerning
               his
               Power
               and
               Providence
               ,
               38.
               
               Job
               31
               ,
               32
               ,
               &c.
            
             Canst
             thou
             bind
             the
             sweet
             influences
             of
             the
             Pleiades
             ,
             or
             loose
             the
             bands
             of
             Orion
             ?
             canst
             thou
             bring
             forth
             Mazzaroth
             in
             his
             season
             ,
             or
             canst
             thou
             guide
             Arcturus
             with
             his
             sons
             ?
             knowest
             thou
             the
             ordinances
             of
             heaven
             ,
             or
             canst
             thou
             set
             the
             dominion
             thereof
             in
             the
             earth
             ?
             canst
             thou
             lift
             up
             thy
             voice
             to
             the
             clouds
             ,
             that
             abundance
             of
             waters
             may
             cover
             thee
             ?
             canst
             thou
             send
             lightnings
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             go
             ,
             and
             say
             unto
             thee
             ,
             here
             we
             are
             ?
             
               This
               is
               above
               Human
               Power
               ,
               but
               belongs
               to
               the
               Government
               and
               Providence
               of
               God
               :
            
             Fire
             and
             hail
             ,
             snow
             and
             vapour
             ,
             and
             stormy
             winds
             ,
             fulfil
             his
             word
             ,
             148.
             
             
               Psal.
               8.
               
               Sometimes
               God
               restrains
               the
               influences
               of
               Nature
               ,
            
             shuts
             up
             heaven
             ,
             that
             it
             shall
             not
             rain
             ,
             2
             
               Chr.
               7.
               13.
               
               At
               other
               times
               he
            
             calls
             to
             the
             clouds
             ,
             that
             abundance
             of
             water
             may
             cover
             the
             earth
             .
             He
             gives
             the
             former
             and
             the
             latter
             rain
             in
             its
             season
             ,
             and
             preserveth
             to
             us
             the
             appointed
             weeks
             of
             harvest
             ,
             5.
             
             
               Jer.
               24
               as
               he
               promised
               to
            
             Israel
             ,
             11
             Deut
             14
             ,
             15.
             
             I
             will
             give
             you
             the
             rain
             of
             your
             land
             in
             his
             due
             season
             ,
             the
             first
             rain
             and
             the
             latter
             rain
             ,
             that
             thou
             mayst
             gather
             in
             thy
             corn
             ,
             and
             thy
             wine
             ,
             and
             thy
             oyl
             ;
             and
             I
             will
             send
             grass
             in
             thy
             fields
             for
             thy
             cattle
             ,
             that
             thou
             mayst
             eat
             and
             be
             full
             .
             
               He
               prescribes
               
               in
               what
               proportions
               it
               shall
               rain
               ,
               2.
               
               Joel
            
             23
             ,
             24.
             
             Be
             glad
             ye
             children
             of
             Sion
             ,
             and
             rejoyce
             in
             the
             Lord
             your
             God
             ;
             for
             he
             hath
             given
             you
             the
             former
             rain
             moderately
             ,
             and
             he
             will
             cause
             to
             come
             down
             for
             you
             the
             former
             rain
             ,
             and
             the
             latter
             rain
             in
             the
             first
             month
             .
             
               Nay
               ,
               God
               appoints
               on
               what
               place
               it
               shall
               rain
               .
               34.
               
               Ezek.
            
             26.
             
             And
             I
             will
             make
             thee
             ,
             and
             the
             places
             round
             about
             my
             hill
             ,
             a
             blessing
             ;
             and
             I
             will
             cause
             the
             shower
             to
             come
             down
             in
             his
             season
             ,
             there
             shall
             be
             showers
             of
             blessing
             .
             4.
             
             Amos
             7
             ,
             8.
             
             And
             also
             I
             have
             withholden
             the
             rain
             from
             you
             ,
             when
             there
             were
             yet
             three
             months
             to
             the
             harvest
             ;
             and
             I
             caused
             it
             to
             rain
             upon
             one
             city
             ,
             and
             caused
             it
             not
             to
             rain
             upon
             another
             city
             :
             One
             piece
             was
             rained
             upon
             ,
             and
             the
             piece
             whereupon
             it
             rained
             not
             ,
             withered
             :
             So
             two
             or
             three
             cities
             wandered
             to
             one
             city
             to
             drink
             water
             ,
             but
             they
             were
             not
             satisfied
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             impossible
             to
             give
             any
             tolerable
             account
             of
             such
             Texts
             as
             these
             ,
             without
             confessing
             .
             That
             God
             keeps
             the
             Direction
             and
             Government
             of
             all
             Natural
             Causes
             in
             his
             own
             hands
             ;
             for
             particular
             Effects
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Changes
             of
             Nature
             can
             never
             be
             attributed
             to
             God
             ,
             unless
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             and
             Counsel
             determines
             Natural
             Causes
             to
             the
             producing
             such
             particular
             Effects
             .
             Great
             part
             of
             the
             Happiness
             or
             Miseries
             of
             this
             Life
             is
             owing
             to
             the
             good
             or
             bad
             Influences
             of
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             that
             if
             God
             take
             care
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             he
             must
             govern
             Nature
             ;
             and
             when
             he
             promises
             Health
             and
             Plenty
             ,
             or
             threatens
             Pestilence
             and
             Famine
             ,
             how
             can
             he
             make
             good
             either
             ,
             if
             he
             have
             not
             reserved
             to
             himself
             a
             Soveraign
             Power
             over
             Nature
             .
          
           
             The
             sum
             is
             this
             ,
             That
             all
             Natural
             Causes
             are
             under
             the
             immediate
             and
             absolute
             Government
             of
             Providence
             ;
             that
             God
             keeps
             the
             Springs
             of
             Nature
             in
             his
             own
             hand
             ,
             and
             turns
             them
             as
             he
             pleases
             .
             For
             meer
             Matter
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             endowed
             with
             all
             Natural
             Vertues
             and
             Powers
             ,
             which
             necessarily
             produce
             their
             Natural
             Effects
             ,
             yet
             it
             having
             no
             wisdom
             and
             counsel
             of
             its
             own
             ,
             cannot
             serve
             the
             Ends
             of
             a
             Free
             Agent
             ,
             without
             being
             guided
             by
             a
             Wise
             Hand
             ;
             and
             we
             
             see
             in
             a
             thousand
             Instances
             what
             an
             Empire
             Human
             Art
             has
             over
             Nature
             ,
             not
             by
             changing
             the
             nature
             of
             things
             ,
             which
             Human
             Art
             can
             never
             do
             ,
             but
             by
             such
             a
             skilful
             application
             of
             Causes
             ,
             as
             will
             produce
             such
             Effects
             ,
             as
             unguided
             ,
             and
             if
             I
             may
             so
             speak
             ,
             untaught
             Nature
             could
             never
             have
             produced
             ;
             and
             if
             God
             have
             subjected
             material
             Nature
             to
             Human
             Art
             ,
             surely
             he
             has
             not
             exempted
             it
             from
             his
             own
             Guidance
             and
             Power
             .
          
           
             This
             shews
             how
             necessary
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             God
             by
             an
             immediate
             Providence
             should
             govern
             Nature
             ;
             for
             Natural
             Causes
             are
             excellent
             Instruments
             ,
             but
             to
             make
             them
             useful
             ,
             they
             must
             be
             directed
             by
             a
             Skilful
             Hand
             ;
             and
             those
             various
             Changes
             which
             are
             in
             Nature
             ,
             especially
             in
             this
             Sublunary
             World
             ,
             (
             which
             we
             are
             most
             acquainted
             with
             )
             without
             any
             certain
             and
             periodical
             returns
             ,
             prove
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             not
             all
             Mechanism
             ;
             for
             Mechanical
             Motions
             are
             fixt
             and
             certain
             ,
             and
             either
             always
             the
             same
             ,
             or
             regular
             or
             uniform
             in
             their
             Changes
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             of
             great
             use
             to
             us
             to
             understand
             this
             ,
             which
             teaches
             us
             ,
             what
             we
             may
             expect
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             what
             we
             must
             attribute
             to
             him
             in
             the
             government
             of
             Nature
             :
             We
             must
             not
             expect
             in
             ordinary
             Cases
             ,
             that
             God
             should
             reverse
             the
             Laws
             of
             Nature
             for
             us
             ;
             that
             if
             we
             leap
             into
             the
             fire
             ,
             it
             shall
             not
             burn
             us
             ;
             or
             into
             the
             water
             ,
             it
             shall
             not
             drown
             us
             ;
             and
             by
             the
             same
             reason
             ,
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             is
             not
             concerned
             to
             preserve
             us
             ,
             when
             we
             destroy
             our selves
             by
             Intemperance
             and
             Lust
             ;
             for
             God
             does
             not
             work
             Miracles
             to
             deliver
             men
             from
             the
             evil
             Effects
             of
             their
             own
             Wickedness
             and
             Folly
             :
             But
             all
             the
             kind
             Influences
             of
             Heaven
             which
             supply
             our
             wants
             ,
             and
             fill
             our
             hearts
             with
             food
             and
             gladness
             ,
             are
             owing
             to
             that
             good
             Providence
             which
             commands
             Nature
             to
             yield
             her
             encrease
             ;
             and
             those
             disorders
             of
             Nature
             which
             afflict
             the
             world
             with
             Famines
             ,
             and
             Pestilence
             ,
             and
             Earthquakes
             ,
             are
             the
             effects
             of
             God's
             Anger
             and
             Displeasure
             ,
             and
             are
             ordered
             by
             him
             for
             the
             punishment
             
             of
             a
             wicked
             world
             .
             We
             must
             all
             believe
             this
             ,
             or
             confess
             that
             we
             mock
             God
             ,
             when
             we
             bless
             him
             for
             a
             healthful
             Air
             ,
             and
             fruitful
             Seasons
             ,
             or
             deprecate
             his
             Anger
             ,
             when
             we
             see
             the
             visible
             Tokens
             of
             his
             Vengeance
             ,
             in
             the
             disorders
             of
             Nature
             :
             For
             did
             not
             God
             immediately
             interpose
             in
             the
             government
             of
             Nature
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             no
             reason
             to
             beg
             his
             Favour
             ,
             or
             to
             deprecate
             his
             Anger
             upon
             these
             Accounts
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             Let
             us
             consider
             God's
             Government
             of
             Accidental
             Causes
             ,
             or
             what
             we
             call
             Chance
             and
             Accident
             ,
             which
             has
             a
             large
             Empire
             over
             human
             Affairs
             ;
             not
             that
             Chance
             and
             Accident
             can
             do
             any
             thing
             properly
             speaking
             ;
             for
             whatever
             is
             done
             ,
             has
             some
             proper
             and
             Natural
             Causes
             which
             does
             it
             ;
             but
             what
             we
             call
             Accidental
             Causes
             ,
             is
             rather
             such
             an
             Accidental
             Concurrence
             of
             different
             Causes
             ,
             as
             produces
             unexpected
             and
             undesigned
             Effects
             ;
             as
             when
             one
             Man
             by
             Accident
             loses
             a
             purse
             of
             Gold
             ,
             and
             another
             Man
             walking
             in
             the
             Fields
             without
             any
             such
             expectation
             ,
             by
             as
             great
             an
             Accident
             finds
             it
             .
             And
             how
             much
             of
             the
             Good
             or
             Evil
             that
             happens
             to
             us
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             is
             owing
             to
             such
             Undesigned
             ,
             Surprizing
             ,
             Accidental
             Events
             ,
             every
             man
             must
             know
             ,
             who
             has
             made
             any
             Observations
             on
             his
             own
             ,
             or
             other
             mens
             Lives
             and
             Fortunes
             .
             The
             Wise
             Man
             observed
             this
             long
             since
             ,
             9.
             
             
               Eccl.
               11.
               
               I
               returned
               and
               saw
               under
               the
               Sun
               ,
               that
               the
               race
               is
               not
               to
               the
               swift
               ,
               nor
               the
               battel
               to
               the
               strong
               ,
               neither
               yet
               bread
               to
               the
               wise
               ,
               nor
               yet
               riches
               to
               men
               of
               understanding
               ,
               nor
               yet
               favour
               to
               men
               of
               skill
               ;
               but
               time
               and
               chance
               happeneth
               to
               them
               all
               .
            
             Some
             unusual
             and
             casual
             Events
             change
             the
             fortunes
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             disappoint
             the
             most
             proper
             and
             natural
             means
             of
             Success
             :
             What
             should
             conquer
             in
             a
             Race
             but
             Swiftness
             ;
             or
             win
             the
             Battel
             but
             strength
             ?
             What
             should
             supply
             mens
             wants
             ,
             and
             increase
             Riches
             ,
             but
             Wisdom
             and
             Understanding
             in
             Human
             affairs
             ?
             What
             more
             likely
             way
             to
             gain
             the
             Favour
             of
             Princes
             and
             People
             ,
             than
             a
             dextrous
             and
             skilful
             Application
             and
             Address
             ?
             And
             yet
             the
             Preacher
             observed
             
             in
             his
             days
             ,
             and
             the
             observation
             holds
             good
             still
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             not
             always
             thus
             :
             
               Time
               and
               chance
            
             ,
             some
             favourable
             Junctures
             ,
             and
             unseen
             Accidents
             ,
             are
             more
             Powerfull
             than
             all
             Human
             Strength
             ,
             or
             Art
             ,
             or
             Skill
             .
          
           
             Now
             what
             an
             ill
             state
             were
             Mankind
             in
             ,
             did
             not
             a
             Wise
             and
             Merciful
             Hand
             Govern
             what
             we
             call
             Chance
             and
             Fortune
             ?
             How
             can
             God
             Govern
             the
             World
             ,
             or
             Dispose
             of
             mens
             Lives
             and
             Fortunes
             without
             Governing
             Chance
             ,
             all
             unseen
             ,
             unknown
             and
             surprizing
             Events
             ,
             which
             disappoint
             the
             Counsels
             of
             the
             Wise
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             moment
             unavoidably
             change
             the
             whole
             scene
             of
             Human
             Affairs
             ?
             Upon
             what
             little
             unexpected
             things
             do
             the
             Fortunes
             of
             Men
             ,
             of
             Families
             ,
             of
             whole
             Kingdoms
             turn
             ?
             And
             unless
             these
             little
             unexpected
             things
             are
             Governed
             by
             God
             ,
             some
             of
             the
             greatest
             Changes
             in
             the
             World
             are
             exempted
             from
             his
             Care
             and
             Providence
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             reason
             enough
             to
             believe
             ,
             That
             if
             God
             Governs
             the
             World
             ,
             he
             Governs
             Chance
             and
             Fortune
             ;
             that
             the
             most
             unexpected
             Events
             ,
             how
             Casual
             soever
             they
             appear
             to
             us
             ,
             are
             foreseen
             ,
             and
             ordered
             by
             God.
             
          
           
             Such
             Events
             as
             these
             are
             the
             properest
             Objects
             of
             God's
             Care
             and
             Government
             ;
             because
             they
             are
             very
             great
             instruments
             of
             Providence
             ;
             many
             times
             the
             greatest
             things
             are
             done
             by
             them
             ,
             and
             they
             are
             the
             most
             visible
             demonstration
             of
             a
             Superiour
             Wisdom
             and
             Power
             which
             Governs
             the
             World
             :
             By
             these
             means
             God
             disappoints
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             the
             Wise
             ,
             and
             defeats
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             Mighty
             ;
             
               Frustrateth
               the
               tokens
               of
               the
               liars
               ,
               and
               maketh
               diviners
               mad
               ;
               turneth
               wise
               men
               backward
               ,
               and
               maketh
               their
               knowledge
               foolish
               ,
               44.
               
               Isai.
            
             25.
             
             Did
             Strength
             and
             Wisdom
             always
             prevail
             ,
             as
             in
             a
             great
             measure
             they
             would
             ,
             were
             it
             not
             for
             such
             unseen
             disappointments
             ,
             Mankind
             would
             take
             less
             notice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             would
             have
             less
             reason
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             since
             they
             would
             be
             the
             more
             absolute
             Masters
             of
             their
             own
             Fortunes
             ;
             a
             powerful
             combination
             of
             Sinners
             ,
             managed
             by
             some
             crafty
             Politicians
             
             would
             govern
             the
             World
             :
             But
             the
             uncertain
             turnings
             and
             changes
             of
             Fortune
             keep
             Mankind
             in
             awe
             ,
             make
             the
             most
             prosperous
             and
             powerful
             Sinners
             fear
             an
             unseen
             Vengeance
             ,
             and
             give
             security
             to
             Good
             men
             against
             unseen
             Evils
             ,
             which
             cannot
             befall
             them
             without
             the
             order
             and
             appointment
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             That
             there
             are
             a
             great
             many
             accidental
             and
             casual
             Events
             ,
             which
             happen
             to
             us
             all
             ,
             and
             which
             are
             of
             great
             consequence
             to
             the
             Happiness
             or
             Miseries
             of
             our
             Lives
             ,
             all
             men
             see
             and
             feel
             ;
             that
             we
             cannot
             defend
             our selves
             from
             such
             unseen
             Events
             ,
             which
             we
             know
             nothing
             of
             ,
             till
             we
             feel
             them
             ,
             is
             as
             manifest
             ,
             as
             that
             there
             are
             such
             Events
             ;
             and
             what
             so
             properly
             belongs
             to
             the
             Divine
             Care
             ,
             as
             that
             which
             we
             our selves
             can
             take
             no
             care
             of
             ?
             The
             Heathens
             made
             Fortune
             a
             Goddess
             ,
             and
             attributed
             the
             government
             of
             all
             things
             to
             Her
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Whereby
             they
             only
             signified
             ,
             the
             government
             of
             Providence
             in
             all
             casual
             and
             fortuitous
             Events
             ;
             and
             if
             Providence
             governs
             any
             thing
             ,
             it
             must
             govern
             Chance
             ,
             which
             governs
             almost
             all
             things
             else
             ,
             and
             which
             none
             but
             God
             can
             govern
             .
             As
             far
             as
             Human
             Prudence
             and
             Foresight
             reaches
             ,
             God
             expects
             we
             should
             take
             care
             of
             our selves
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             will
             not
             ,
             he
             suffers
             us
             to
             reap
             the
             fruits
             of
             our
             own
             Folly
             ;
             but
             when
             we
             cannot
             take
             care
             of
             our selves
             ,
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             expect
             and
             hope
             ,
             that
             God
             will
             take
             care
             of
             us
             ;
             in
             other
             Cases
             ,
             Human
             Prudence
             and
             Industry
             must
             concur
             with
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             ;
             in
             Matters
             of
             Chance
             and
             Accident
             ,
             Providence
             must
             act
             alone
             ,
             and
             do
             all
             it self
             ,
             for
             we
             know
             nothing
             of
             it
             ;
             so
             that
             all
             the
             Arguments
             for
             Providence
             do
             most
             strongly
             conclude
             for
             God's
             government
             of
             all
             Casual
             Events
             .
          
           
             And
             the
             Scripture
             does
             as
             expresly
             attribute
             all
             such
             Events
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             any
             other
             Acts
             of
             Providence
             and
             Government
             .
             In
             the
             Law
             of
             Moses
             ,
             when
             a
             man
             killed
             his
             Neighbour
             by
             accident
             ,
             God
             is
             said
             to
             deliver
             him
             into
             his
             
             hands
             ;
             21.
             
             Exod.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
             He
             that
             smiteth
             a
             man
             ,
             so
             that
             he
             die
             ,
             shall
             be
             surely
             put
             to
             death
             .
             And
             if
             a
             man
             lie
             not
             in
             wait
             ,
             but
             God
             deliver
             him
             into
             his
             hands
             ,
             then
             I
             will
             appoint
             thee
             a
             place
             ,
             whither
             he
             shall
             flee
             :
             Where
             God's
             delivering
             him
             into
             his
             hands
             ,
             
               is
               opposed
               to
               him
            
             that
             smiteth
             a
             man
             ▪
             so
             that
             he
             die
             ;
             and
             to
             him
             that
             comes
             presumptuously
             upon
             his
             neighbour
             to
             slay
             him
             ,
             15.
             
               verse
               ,
               and
               therefore
               signifies
               one
               who
               kills
               his
               Neighbour
               by
               meer
               Accident
               :
               As
               it
               is
               explained
               in
            
             19.
             
             Deut.
             4
             ,
             5.
             
             And
             this
             is
             the
             case
             of
             the
             slayer
             that
             shall
             flee
             thither
             ,
             
               i.
               e.
               to
               the
               City
               of
               Refuge
               :
            
             Whoso
             killeth
             his
             neighbour
             ignorantly
             ,
             whom
             he
             hated
             not
             in
             time
             past
             :
             As
             when
             a
             man
             goeth
             into
             the
             wood
             with
             his
             neighbour
             to
             hew
             wood
             ,
             and
             his
             hand
             fetcheth
             a
             stroke
             with
             the
             axe
             to
             cut
             down
             the
             tree
             ,
             and
             the
             head
             slippeth
             from
             the
             helve
             ,
             and
             lighteth
             upon
             his
             neighbour
             ,
             that
             he
             die
             ,
             he
             shall
             flee
             unto
             one
             of
             these
             cities
             ,
             and
             live
             .
             
               What
               can
               be
               more
               accidental
               than
               this
               ?
               And
               yet
               we
               are
               assured
               ,
               that
               this
               is
               appointed
               by
               the
               Divine
               Providence
               ,
               that
               God
               delivers
               the
               man
               who
               is
               killed
               ,
               into
               the
               hands
               of
               him
               that
               killed
               him
               .
            
          
           
             Is
             any
             thing
             more
             casual
             than
             a
             Lot
             ?
             and
             yet
             Solomon
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               The
               lot
               is
               cast
               into
               the
               lap
               ,
               but
               the
               whole
               disposing
               thereof
               is
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             16.
             
             Prov.
             33.
             
             Which
             is
             not
             confined
             to
             the
             Case
             of
             Lots
             ,
             but
             to
             signify
             to
             us
             ,
             That
             nothing
             is
             so
             casual
             and
             uncertain
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             exempted
             from
             the
             disposal
             of
             Providence
             .
             For
             what
             seems
             accidental
             to
             us
             ,
             is
             not
             Chance
             ,
             but
             Providence
             ;
             is
             ordered
             and
             appointed
             by
             God
             to
             bring
             to
             pass
             what
             his
             own
             Wisdom
             and
             Counsel
             has
             decreed
             :
             As
             is
             very
             evident
             from
             some
             remarkable
             Instances
             of
             Providence
             which
             are
             recorded
             in
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             By
             how
             many
             seeming
             Accidents
             and
             casual
             Events
             was
             Ioseph
             advanced
             to
             
             Pharoah's
             Throne
             ?
             His
             Dreams
             ,
             whereby
             God
             foretold
             his
             Advancement
             ,
             made
             his
             Brethren
             envious
             at
             him
             ,
             and
             watch
             some
             convenient
             opportunity
             to
             get
             rid
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             so
             confute
             his
             Dreams
             :
             Iacob
             sends
             Ioseph
             to
             visit
             his
             Brethren
             in
             the
             Fields
             ,
             where
             they
             were
             
             keeping
             their
             Sheep
             ;
             this
             gave
             them
             an
             opportunity
             to
             execute
             their
             Revenge
             ,
             and
             at
             first
             they
             intended
             to
             murther
             him
             ;
             but
             the
             Ishmaelites
             accidentally
             passing
             by
             ,
             they
             sold
             Ioseph
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             they
             carried
             him
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             sold
             him
             to
             Potiphar
             .
             Potiphar's
             Wife
             tempts
             him
             to
             Uncleanness
             ,
             and
             being
             denied
             by
             Ioseph
             ,
             she
             accuses
             him
             to
             his
             Lord
             ,
             who
             cast
             him
             into
             the
             King's
             Prison
             :
             Whilst
             he
             was
             there
             ,
             the
             King's
             Butler
             and
             Baker
             were
             cast
             into
             the
             same
             Prison
             ,
             and
             dreamed
             their
             several
             Dreams
             ,
             which
             Ioseph
             expounded
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             Event
             verified
             his
             Interpretation
             .
             The
             Butler
             ,
             who
             was
             restored
             to
             his
             Office
             ,
             forgat
             Ioseph
             ,
             till
             two
             years
             after
             ,
             Pharaoh
             dreamed
             a
             Dream
             ,
             which
             none
             of
             the
             Wise-men
             could
             interpret
             ,
             and
             then
             Ioseph
             was
             sent
             for
             ,
             and
             advanced
             to
             the
             highest
             place
             of
             Dignity
             and
             Power
             next
             to
             Pharaoh
             :
             The
             years
             of
             Famine
             brought
             
             Ioseph's
             Brethren
             into
             Egypt
             to
             buy
             Corn
             ,
             where
             they
             bowed
             before
             him
             ,
             according
             to
             his
             Dream
             ;
             this
             occasioned
             the
             removal
             of
             Iacob
             and
             his
             whole
             Family
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             where
             Ioseph
             placed
             them
             in
             the
             Land
             of
             Goshen
             ,
             by
             which
             means
             God
             fulfilled
             what
             he
             had
             told
             
               Abraham
               ;
               Know
               of
               a
               surety
               ,
               That
               thy
               seed
               shall
               be
               a
               stranger
               in
               a
               land
               that
               is
               not
               theirs
               ,
               and
               shall
               serve
               them
               ,
               and
               they
               shall
               afflict
               them
               four
               hundred
               years
               ,
            
             15.
             
             Genes
             .
             13
             ▪
             How
             casual
             does
             all
             this
             appear
             to
             us
             ?
             but
             no
             man
             will
             think
             that
             Prophesies
             are
             fulfilled
             by
             Chance
             ,
             and
             therefore
             we
             must
             confess
             ,
             that
             what
             seems
             Chance
             to
             us
             ,
             was
             appointed
             by
             God.
             
          
           
             Thus
             God
             intended
             to
             deliver
             Israel
             out
             of
             Egypt
             by
             the
             hands
             of
             
               Moses
               :
               Moses
            
             was
             born
             at
             a
             time
             ,
             when
             the
             King
             of
             Egypt
             had
             commanded
             ,
             That
             every
             Son
             that
             was
             born
             to
             the
             Israelites
             should
             be
             cast
             into
             the
             River
             .
             His
             Mother
             hid
             him
             three
             months
             ,
             and
             being
             not
             able
             to
             conceal
             him
             any
             longer
             ,
             exposed
             him
             in
             an
             Ark
             of
             Bulrushes
             among
             the
             Flags
             by
             the
             River-side
             :
             
             Pharaoh's
             Daughter
             came
             down
             to
             wash
             her self
             in
             the
             River
             ,
             and
             finds
             the
             Ark
             with
             the
             Child
             in
             it
             ;
             puts
             him
             to
             his
             own
             Mother
             to
             nurse
             ,
             whereby
             
             he
             came
             to
             know
             his
             own
             Kindred
             and
             Relations
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             instructed
             in
             the
             Knowledge
             and
             Worship
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             .
             Afterwards
             
             Pharaoh's
             Daughter
             takes
             him
             home
             ,
             and
             breeds
             him
             up
             as
             her
             own
             Son
             ,
             whereby
             he
             was
             instructed
             in
             all
             the
             Learning
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             the
             Policies
             of
             
             Pharaoh's
             Court
             ,
             which
             qualified
             him
             for
             government
             :
             When
             he
             was
             forty
             years
             old
             ,
             he
             had
             lived
             long
             enough
             in
             
             Pharaoh's
             Court
             ,
             and
             God
             thought
             fit
             to
             remove
             him
             into
             better
             Company
             ,
             and
             to
             accustom
             him
             to
             a
             more
             severe
             life
             ;
             and
             this
             was
             done
             by
             as
             strange
             an
             Accident
             .
             He
             slew
             an
             Egyptian
             in
             defence
             of
             an
             oppressed
             Iew
             ,
             and
             was
             betrayed
             by
             his
             own
             Brethren
             ,
             and
             forced
             to
             flie
             from
             Pharaoh
             to
             save
             his
             own
             Life
             ;
             till
             the
             time
             was
             come
             for
             the
             Deliverance
             of
             Israel
             ,
             and
             then
             God
             sent
             him
             back
             into
             Egypt
             to
             bring
             his
             people
             out
             from
             thence
             with
             Signs
             and
             Wonders
             and
             a
             Mighty
             Hand
             .
          
           
             Thus
             God
             had
             foretold
             Ahab
             by
             the
             Prophet
             Micaiah
             ,
             that
             if
             he
             went
             up
             against
             Ramoth-Gilead
             ,
             he
             should
             perish
             there
             ,
             and
             this
             was
             accomplished
             by
             a
             very
             great
             Chance
             :
             For
             
               a
               certain
               man
               drew
               a
               bow
               at
               a
               venture
               ,
               and
               smote
               the
               king
               between
               the
               joynts
               of
               the
               harness
               ,
            
             of
             which
             he
             died
             .
             1
             
               Kings
               22.
            
             34.
             
             The
             Blood
             which
             came
             from
             his
             Wound
             ran
             into
             the
             Chariot
             ,
             and
             
               one
               washed
               the
               chariot
               in
               the
               pool
               of
               Samaria
               ,
               and
               the
               dogs
               licked
               up
               his
               blood
            
             ;
             which
             was
             a
             very
             Casual
             thing
             ,
             and
             little
             thought
             of
             by
             him
             who
             did
             it
             ,
             and
             yet
             fulfilled
             God's
             threatning
             against
             
               Ahab
               :
               In
               the
               place
               where
               dogs
               licked
               the
               blood
               of
               Naboth
               ,
               shall
               dogs
               lick
               thy
               blood
               ,
               even
               thine
               ,
            
             21.
             ch
             .
             29.
             v.
             
          
           
             I
             shall
             add
             but
             one
             example
             more
             of
             this
             nature
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             a
             very
             remarkable
             one
             ;
             God's
             deliverance
             of
             the
             Iews
             in
             the
             days
             of
             Esther
             ,
             from
             the
             wicked
             Conspiracy
             of
             Haman
             :
             This
             Haman
             being
             advanced
             to
             great
             Power
             and
             Authority
             by
             King
             Ahasuerus
             ,
             took
             great
             offence
             at
             Mordecai
             the
             Iew
             ,
             who
             refused
             to
             reverence
             him
             as
             others
             did
             ;
             and
             for
             his
             sake
             obtained
             a
             Decree
             from
             the
             King
             ,
             to
             destroy
             all
             
             the
             Iews
             in
             the
             Provinces
             of
             his
             Dominions
             :
             Mordecai
             sends
             to
             Queen
             Esther
             to
             go
             to
             the
             King
             ,
             and
             to
             petition
             him
             about
             this
             matter
             :
             This
             was
             a
             very
             hazardous
             Attempt
             ,
             it
             being
             Death
             by
             the
             Law
             for
             any
             Person
             ,
             Man
             ,
             or
             Woman
             ,
             to
             go
             to
             the
             King
             without
             being
             called
             ,
             unless
             the
             King
             held
             out
             his
             Golden
             Scepter
             to
             them
             :
             But
             the
             Queen
             at
             last
             ,
             after
             three
             days
             fasting
             ,
             ventured
             her
             own
             Life
             to
             save
             her
             People
             ,
             and
             obtained
             Favour
             in
             the
             King's
             sight
             ,
             who
             held
             out
             the
             Golden
             Scepter
             to
             her
             :
             All
             that
             she
             requested
             at
             that
             time
             ,
             was
             ,
             That
             the
             King
             and
             Haman
             would
             come
             to
             the
             Banquet
             which
             she
             had
             prepared
             ;
             and
             being
             then
             asked
             ,
             What
             her
             Petition
             was
             ?
             with
             an
             assurance
             that
             it
             should
             be
             granted
             ;
             she
             begged
             ,
             That
             the
             King
             and
             Haman
             would
             come
             the
             next
             day
             also
             to
             her
             Banquet
             ,
             and
             then
             she
             would
             declare
             it
             :
             Haman
             was
             much
             exalted
             with
             the
             King's
             Favour
             ,
             and
             that
             Queen
             Esther
             had
             admitted
             none
             to
             the
             Banquet
             with
             the
             King
             ,
             but
             himself
             ;
             but
             still
             Mordecai
             ,
             who
             refused
             to
             bow
             before
             him
             ,
             was
             a
             great
             Grievance
             ;
             and
             by
             the
             advice
             of
             his
             Friends
             ,
             he
             built
             a
             Gallows
             Fifty
             Cubits
             high
             ,
             and
             resolved
             that
             night
             to
             beg
             of
             the
             King
             ,
             That
             Mordecai
             might
             be
             hanged
             on
             it
             ;
             and
             had
             he
             come
             in
             time
             ,
             his
             Petition
             had
             been
             certainly
             granted
             ;
             but
             it
             so
             happened
             ,
             that
             that
             very
             night
             the
             King
             could
             not
             sleep
             ,
             and
             he
             called
             for
             the
             Book
             of
             the
             Records
             of
             the
             Chronicles
             ,
             and
             there
             they
             found
             written
             ,
             That
             Mordecai
             had
             discovered
             the
             Treason
             of
             two
             of
             the
             King's
             Chamberlains
             against
             him
             ;
             and
             finding
             upon
             enquiry
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             never
             been
             rewarded
             for
             it
             ,
             he
             resolved
             to
             do
             him
             Honour
             ,
             and
             made
             Haman
             ,
             who
             was
             at
             the
             door
             to
             beg
             that
             Mordecai
             might
             be
             hanged
             ,
             his
             Minister
             in
             doing
             him
             Honour
             :
             This
             prepared
             the
             King
             to
             grant
             Queen
             
             Esther's
             Request
             ,
             and
             hanged
             Haman
             upon
             the
             Gallows
             he
             had
             built
             for
             Mordecai
             ,
             and
             preserved
             the
             Iews
             from
             that
             Destruction
             he
             had
             designed
             against
             them
             .
             And
             thus
             it
             is
             almost
             in
             all
             the
             Remarkable
             Passages
             of
             Providence
             ;
             
             there
             is
             so
             much
             appearance
             of
             Chance
             and
             Accident
             ,
             which
             has
             the
             greatest
             stroke
             in
             some
             wonderful
             Events
             ,
             as
             may
             satisfie
             considering
             men
             ,
             That
             the
             world
             is
             governed
             by
             a
             Divine
             Wisdom
             and
             Counsel
             ,
             and
             an
             Invisible
             Power
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             immediate
             and
             visible
             Causes
             have
             always
             the
             least
             hand
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             For
             can
             we
             think
             otherwise
             ,
             when
             we
             see
             as
             many
             visible
             marks
             of
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             Justice
             ,
             in
             what
             we
             call
             Chance
             ,
             as
             in
             any
             other
             acts
             of
             Providence
             ?
             Nay
             ,
             when
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             is
             principally
             seen
             in
             the
             government
             of
             Fortuitous
             Events
             ?
             When
             we
             see
             a
             World
             wisely
             made
             ,
             tho
             we
             did
             not
             see
             it
             made
             ,
             yet
             we
             conclude
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             not
             made
             by
             Chance
             ,
             but
             by
             a
             Wise
             Being
             ;
             and
             by
             the
             same
             reason
             ,
             when
             we
             see
             Accidental
             Events
             ,
             nay
             ,
             a
             long
             incoherent
             Series
             of
             Accidents
             ,
             concur
             to
             the
             producing
             the
             most
             admirable
             effects
             ,
             we
             ought
             to
             conclude
             ,
             That
             there
             is
             a
             Wise
             Invisible
             Hand
             which
             governs
             Chance
             ,
             which
             of
             it self
             can
             do
             nothing
             wisely
             .
             When
             the
             Lives
             and
             Fortunes
             of
             Men
             ,
             the
             Fate
             of
             Kingdoms
             and
             Empires
             ,
             the
             Successes
             of
             War
             ,
             the
             Changes
             of
             Government
             ,
             are
             so
             often
             determined
             and
             brought
             about
             by
             the
             most
             visible
             Accidents
             ;
             when
             Chance
             defeats
             the
             Wisest
             Counsels
             ,
             and
             the
             Greatest
             Power
             ;
             when
             Good
             men
             are
             rewarded
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             preserved
             by
             appearing
             Chances
             ;
             when
             Bad
             men
             are
             punished
             by
             Chance
             ,
             and
             the
             very
             Chance
             whereby
             they
             are
             punished
             ,
             carries
             the
             marks
             of
             their
             sins
             upon
             it
             ,
             for
             which
             they
             are
             punished
             ;
             I
             say
             ,
             can
             any
             man
             in
             such
             cases
             ,
             think
             that
             all
             this
             is
             mere
             Chance
             ?
             when
             ,
             how
             accidental
             soever
             the
             Means
             are
             ,
             or
             appear
             to
             be
             ,
             whereby
             such
             things
             are
             done
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             appearance
             at
             all
             of
             Chance
             in
             the
             Event
             ;
             but
             the
             Changes
             and
             Revolutions
             ,
             the
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             of
             Chance
             ,
             are
             all
             as
             wisely
             done
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             had
             been
             nothing
             of
             Chance
             and
             Accident
             in
             it
             .
             This
             is
             the
             great
             security
             of
             our
             lives
             ,
             amidst
             all
             the
             uncertainties
             of
             
             Fortune
             ,
             That
             Chance
             it self
             can't
             hurt
             us
             ,
             without
             a
             Divine
             Commission
             :
             This
             is
             a
             sure
             foundation
             of
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Hope
             ,
             and
             Trust
             in
             God
             ,
             how
             calamitous
             and
             desperate
             soever
             our
             external
             condition
             seems
             to
             be
             ,
             that
             God
             never
             wants
             means
             to
             help
             ;
             that
             he
             has
             a
             thousand
             unseen
             ways
             ,
             a
             whole
             Army
             of
             Accidents
             and
             unexpected
             Events
             at
             command
             ,
             to
             disappoint
             such
             designs
             ,
             which
             no
             visible
             Art
             or
             Power
             can
             disappoint
             ,
             and
             to
             save
             those
             whom
             no
             visible
             Power
             can
             save
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             an
             undeniable
             Reason
             for
             a
             perpetual
             Awe
             and
             Reverence
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             an
             entire
             submission
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             a
             devout
             acknowledgment
             of
             him
             in
             all
             our
             ways
             ,
             That
             we
             have
             no
             Security
             but
             in
             his
             Providence
             and
             Protection
             ;
             for
             whatever
             provision
             we
             can
             make
             against
             foreseen
             and
             foreknown
             evils
             ,
             we
             can
             never
             provide
             against
             Chance
             ;
             that
             is
             wholly
             in
             God's
             hands
             ,
             and
             no
             human
             Wit
             or
             Strength
             can
             withstand
             it
             ;
             which
             may
             abate
             the
             Pride
             and
             self-confidence
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             teach
             the
             Rich
             ,
             and
             Great
             ,
             and
             Mighty
             ,
             a
             Religious
             Veneration
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             can
             with
             so
             much
             ease
             
               pull
               down
               the
               mighty
               from
               their
               seat
               ,
               and
               advance
               those
               of
               low
               degree
               .
            
          
           
             3dly
             .
             The
             next
             thing
             to
             be
             explained
             ,
             is
             God's
             government
             of
             Moral
             Causes
             or
             Free
             Agents
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             government
             of
             men
             ,
             considered
             as
             the
             Instruments
             of
             Providence
             which
             God
             makes
             use
             of
             for
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             his
             own
             Wise
             Counsels
             .
          
           
             Most
             of
             the
             good
             or
             evil
             which
             happens
             to
             us
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             is
             done
             by
             Men
             ;
             if
             God
             rewards
             ,
             or
             if
             he
             punishes
             us
             ,
             usually
             Men
             are
             his
             Ministers
             in
             both
             ,
             to
             execute
             his
             Vengeance
             ,
             or
             to
             dispence
             his
             Blessings
             ;
             and
             therefore
             God
             must
             have
             as
             Absolute
             a
             Government
             over
             Mankind
             ,
             of
             all
             their
             Thoughts
             ,
             and
             Passions
             ,
             and
             Counsels
             ,
             and
             Actions
             ,
             as
             he
             has
             of
             the
             Powers
             and
             Influences
             of
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             or
             else
             he
             cannot
             reward
             and
             punish
             when
             and
             as
             he
             pleases
             .
             
             If
             men
             could
             hurt
             those
             whom
             God
             would
             bless
             and
             reward
             ,
             or
             could
             do
             good
             to
             those
             whom
             God
             would
             punish
             ,
             both
             good
             and
             bad
             men
             might
             be
             happy
             or
             miserable
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             whether
             God
             would
             or
             not
             ;
             our
             Fortunes
             would
             depend
             upon
             the
             Numbers
             and
             Power
             of
             our
             Friends
             or
             Enemies
             ,
             upon
             the
             good
             or
             bad
             humours
             and
             inclinations
             of
             those
             among
             whom
             we
             live
             ,
             and
             Providence
             could
             not
             help
             us
             .
          
           
             Now
             this
             is
             the
             great
             Difficulty
             ,
             How
             God
             can
             exercise
             such
             an
             Absolute
             Government
             over
             Mankind
             ,
             who
             are
             Free
             Agents
             ,
             without
             destroying
             the
             Liberty
             and
             Freedom
             of
             their
             Choice
             ,
             which
             would
             destroy
             the
             nature
             of
             Vertue
             and
             Vice
             ,
             of
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             :
             The
             necessity
             of
             allowing
             this
             ,
             if
             we
             will
             acknowledge
             a
             Providence
             ,
             and
             the
             plain
             Testimonies
             and
             Examples
             of
             this
             Absolute
             and
             Uncontroulable
             Government
             ,
             which
             we
             find
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             have
             made
             some
             men
             deny
             the
             Liberty
             of
             Human
             Actions
             ,
             and
             represent
             Mankind
             to
             be
             as
             mere
             Machines
             ,
             as
             a
             Watch
             or
             Clock
             ,
             which
             move
             as
             they
             are
             moved
             :
             And
             then
             they
             know
             not
             how
             to
             bring
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             Moral
             Differences
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             and
             the
             Natural
             Justice
             of
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             ,
             into
             their
             Scheme
             ;
             for
             nothing
             of
             all
             this
             can
             be
             reconciled
             with
             Absolute
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             .
             Others
             ,
             to
             avoid
             these
             Difficulties
             ,
             are
             afraid
             of
             attributing
             too
             much
             to
             Providence
             ,
             or
             have
             such
             confused
             and
             perplex'd
             Notions
             about
             it
             ,
             that
             there
             are
             few
             cases
             wherein
             they
             can
             securely
             depend
             on
             God.
             
          
           
             But
             I
             think
             this
             Difficulty
             will
             be
             easily
             removed
             ,
             if
             we
             distinguish
             between
             God's
             government
             of
             Men
             ,
             as
             Reasonable
             Creatures
             ,
             and
             Free
             Agents
             ,
             and
             his
             government
             of
             them
             as
             the
             Instruments
             of
             Providence
             ;
             the
             first
             considers
             them
             in
             their
             own
             private
             and
             natural
             Capacity
             ,
             the
             second
             in
             relation
             to
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             ;
             which
             makes
             a
             great
             difference
             in
             the
             Reason
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Acts
             of
             Government
             .
          
           
           
             Man
             considered
             in
             his
             own
             nature
             ,
             is
             a
             reasonable
             Creature
             and
             free
             Agent
             ,
             and
             therefore
             the
             proper
             government
             of
             Man
             ,
             consists
             in
             giving
             him
             Laws
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             know
             the
             difference
             between
             good
             and
             evil
             ,
             what
             he
             ought
             to
             chuse
             ,
             and
             what
             to
             refuse
             ,
             and
             in
             annexing
             such
             rewards
             and
             punishments
             to
             the
             observation
             or
             to
             the
             breach
             of
             these
             Laws
             ,
             as
             may
             reasonably
             invite
             him
             to
             obedience
             ,
             and
             deter
             him
             from
             sin
             ;
             and
             as
             this
             degenerate
             state
             requires
             ,
             in
             laying
             such
             external
             restraints
             on
             him
             ,
             and
             affording
             him
             such
             internal
             assistances
             of
             Grace
             ,
             as
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             sees
             proportioned
             to
             the
             weakness
             and
             corruption
             of
             Human
             Nature
             :
             and
             when
             this
             is
             done
             ,
             it
             becomes
             God
             to
             leave
             him
             to
             his
             own
             choice
             ,
             and
             to
             reward
             or
             punish
             him
             as
             he
             deserves
             ;
             for
             a
             forced
             Vertue
             deserves
             no
             Reward
             ,
             and
             a
             necessity
             of
             sinning
             will
             reasonably
             excuse
             from
             Punishment
             .
             The
             nature
             of
             a
             reasonable
             Creature
             ,
             of
             Vertue
             and
             Vice
             ,
             of
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             ,
             represent
             it
             as
             very
             becoming
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             leave
             every
             man
             to
             the
             freedom
             of
             his
             own
             choice
             ,
             to
             do
             good
             or
             evil
             ,
             to
             deserve
             Rewards
             or
             Punishments
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             he
             himself
             is
             only
             concerned
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             But
             when
             we
             consider
             man
             in
             Society
             ,
             the
             case
             is
             altered
             ;
             for
             when
             the
             good
             or
             evil
             of
             their
             actions
             extend
             beyond
             themselves
             ,
             to
             do
             good
             or
             hurt
             to
             other
             men
             ,
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             becomes
             concerned
             either
             to
             hinder
             ,
             or
             to
             permit
             and
             order
             it
             ,
             as
             may
             best
             serve
             the
             Wise
             Ends
             of
             Government
             ,
             as
             those
             other
             men
             who
             are
             like
             to
             be
             the
             better
             or
             the
             worse
             for
             it
             ,
             have
             deserved
             well
             or
             ill
             of
             God.
             Tho
             God
             has
             made
             man
             a
             free
             Agent
             ,
             yet
             we
             must
             not
             think
             that
             he
             has
             made
             such
             a
             Creature
             as
             he
             himself
             can't
             govern
             :
             No
             man
             doubts
             ,
             but
             that
             God
             can
             when
             he
             pleases
             ,
             by
             an
             Irresistible
             Power
             ,
             turn
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             and
             chain
             up
             their
             Passions
             ,
             and
             alter
             their
             Counsels
             ;
             the
             only
             Question
             is
             ,
             When
             it
             is
             fit
             for
             God
             to
             do
             this
             :
             And
             no
             man
             can
             question
             the
             fitness
             of
             it
             ,
             when
             the
             good
             Government
             
             of
             the
             world
             requires
             it
             .
             God
             makes
             no
             man
             good
             or
             bad
             ,
             vertuous
             or
             vicious
             ,
             by
             a
             perpetual
             and
             irresistible
             force
             ;
             for
             this
             contradicts
             the
             nature
             of
             Vertue
             and
             Vice
             ,
             which
             requires
             a
             Freedom
             and
             Liberty
             of
             Choice
             ;
             but
             God
             may
             by
             a
             secret
             and
             irresistible
             influence
             upon
             mens
             minds
             ,
             even
             force
             them
             to
             do
             that
             good
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             no
             inclination
             to
             do
             ,
             and
             restrain
             them
             from
             doing
             that
             evil
             ,
             which
             otherwise
             they
             would
             have
             done
             ,
             which
             does
             not
             make
             them
             Good
             men
             ,
             but
             makes
             them
             the
             Instruments
             of
             Providence
             in
             doing
             good
             to
             men
             ;
             and
             God
             who
             is
             the
             Soveraign
             Lord
             of
             all
             Creatures
             ,
             may
             ,
             when
             he
             sees
             fit
             ,
             press
             those
             men
             ,
             if
             I
             may
             so
             speak
             ,
             to
             his
             Service
             ,
             who
             would
             not
             do
             good
             upon
             choice
             .
             This
             shows
             the
             difference
             between
             the
             Government
             of
             Grace
             ,
             and
             Providence
             ;
             the
             first
             has
             relation
             to
             Vertue
             and
             Vice
             ,
             to
             make
             men
             good
             ,
             to
             change
             their
             Natures
             and
             sinful
             Inclinations
             into
             habits
             of
             Vertue
             ;
             and
             therefore
             admits
             of
             no
             greater
             force
             than
             what
             is
             consistent
             with
             the
             freedom
             of
             Choice
             ,
             and
             the
             nature
             of
             Virtue
             and
             Vice
             :
             but
             the
             Government
             of
             Providence
             respects
             the
             external
             Happiness
             or
             Misery
             ,
             Rewards
             or
             Punishments
             of
             Men
             or
             Nations
             ;
             and
             to
             this
             purpose
             God
             may
             use
             what
             Instruments
             he
             pleases
             ,
             and
             exercise
             such
             Authority
             over
             Nature
             or
             Men
             ,
             as
             is
             necessary
             to
             accomplish
             his
             own
             Wise
             Counsels
             of
             Mercy
             or
             Judgment
             .
             And
             it
             was
             necessary
             to
             premise
             this
             distinction
             ,
             because
             the
             confounding
             these
             two
             ,
             has
             occasioned
             great
             difficulties
             and
             mistakes
             both
             in
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Grace
             and
             Providence
             .
          
           
             Let
             us
             then
             now
             more
             particularly
             consider
             ,
             How
             God
             governs
             Mankind
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             make
             them
             the
             Instruments
             and
             Ministers
             of
             his
             Providence
             in
             the
             world
             .
             The
             Methods
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             are
             Infinite
             and
             Unsearchable
             ,
             and
             we
             must
             not
             expectfully
             to
             comprehend
             all
             the
             Secrets
             and
             Mysteries
             of
             God's
             Government
             ,
             but
             something
             we
             may
             know
             of
             this
             ,
             enough
             to
             teach
             us
             to
             reverence
             God
             ,
             
             and
             to
             trust
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             vindicate
             his
             Providence
             from
             the
             Cavils
             of
             Ignorance
             and
             Infidelity
             ;
             which
             is
             as
             much
             as
             is
             useful
             for
             us
             to
             know
             :
             And
             I
             shall
             reduce
             what
             I
             have
             to
             say
             ,
             to
             Two
             General
             Heads
             :
             1.
             
             The
             Government
             of
             mens
             Minds
             ,
             of
             their
             Wills
             ,
             their
             Passions
             ,
             and
             Counsels
             .
             2.
             
             The
             Government
             of
             their
             Actions
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             God's
             Government
             of
             the
             Minds
             of
             Men
             ,
             their
             Wills
             ,
             and
             Passions
             ,
             and
             Counsels
             ;
             for
             these
             are
             the
             great
             Springs
             of
             Action
             ;
             and
             as
             free
             a
             Principle
             as
             the
             Mind
             of
             man
             is
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             ungovernable
             ;
             it
             may
             be
             governed
             ,
             and
             that
             without
             an
             Omnipotent
             Power
             ,
             against
             its
             own
             Byas
             ,
             and
             without
             changing
             its
             inclinations
             :
             and
             what
             may
             be
             done
             ,
             certainly
             God
             can
             do
             ;
             and
             when
             it
             is
             necessary
             to
             the
             Ends
             of
             Providence
             ,
             we
             may
             conclude
             he
             will
             do
             it
             .
             Let
             a
             man
             be
             never
             so
             much
             bent
             upon
             any
             Project
             ,
             yet
             hope
             or
             fear
             ,
             some
             present
             great
             advantage
             ,
             or
             great
             inconvenience
             ,
             the
             powerful
             intercession
             of
             Friends
             ,
             a
             sudden
             change
             of
             circumstances
             ,
             the
             improbability
             of
             success
             ,
             the
             irreparable
             mischief
             of
             a
             defeat
             ,
             and
             a
             thousand
             other
             considerations
             ,
             will
             divert
             him
             from
             it
             ;
             and
             how
             easie
             is
             it
             for
             God
             to
             imprint
             such
             thoughts
             upon
             mens
             minds
             with
             an
             irresistible
             Vigor
             and
             Brightness
             ;
             that
             it
             shall
             be
             no
             more
             in
             their
             power
             to
             do
             what
             they
             had
             a
             mind
             to
             ,
             than
             to
             resist
             all
             the
             Charms
             of
             Riches
             and
             Honours
             ,
             than
             to
             leap
             into
             the
             Fire
             ,
             and
             to
             chuse
             Misery
             and
             Ruin.
             
          
           
             That
             thus
             it
             is
             ,
             the
             Scripture
             assures
             us
             ;
             21.
             
             Prov.
             1.
             
             
               The
               king's
               heart
               is
               in
               the
               hand
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               as
               the
               rivers
               of
               waters
               ,
               he
               turneth
               it
               whither
               soever
               he
               will
               :
            
             And
             if
             the
             King's
             heart
             be
             in
             the
             hand
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             we
             cannot
             doubt
             but
             he
             hath
             all
             other
             mens
             hearts
             in
             his
             hand
             also
             ,
             and
             can
             turn
             and
             change
             them
             as
             he
             pleases
             .
             Thus
             the
             Wise
             man
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               A
               man's
               heart
               deviseth
               his
               ways
               ,
               but
               the
               Lord
               directeth
               his
               steps
               ,
            
             16.
             
             Prov.
             9.
             
             Men
             consult
             and
             advise
             what
             to
             do
             ,
             but
             after
             all
             ,
             God
             steers
             and
             directs
             them
             which
             way
             he
             
             pleases
             ;
             for
             tho
             
               there
               are
               many
               devices
               in
               a
               man's
               heart
               ,
               nevertheless
               the
               counsel
               of
               the
               Lord
               that
               shall
               stand
               ,
            
             19.
             
             Prov.
             21.
             
             Which
             made
             the
             Wise
             man
             conclude
             ,
             
               Mans
               goings
               are
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               how
               then
               shall
               a
               man
               understand
               his
               own
               ways
               ?
            
             20.
             
             Prov.
             24.
             
             That
             is
             ,
             God
             has
             such
             an
             Absolute
             Government
             of
             the
             hearts
             and
             actions
             of
             men
             ,
             when
             his
             Providence
             is
             concerned
             in
             the
             Event
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             can
             certainly
             know
             what
             he
             himself
             shall
             chuse
             and
             do
             ;
             for
             God
             can
             .
             in
             an
             instant
             alter
             his
             mind
             ,
             and
             make
             him
             steer
             a
             very
             different
             course
             from
             what
             he
             intended
             :
             as
             the
             Prophet
             Ieremiah
             assures
             us
             ;
             
               I
               know
               that
               the
               way
               of
               man
               is
               not
               in
               himself
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               in
               man
               that
               walketh
               to
               direct
               his
               steps
               ,
            
             10.
             
             Jer
             23.
             
             And
             Solomon
             tells
             us
             something
             more
             strange
             than
             this
             ;
             
               The
               preparation
               of
               the
               heart
               in
               man
               ,
               and
               the
               answer
               of
               the
               tongue
               ,
               is
               of
               the
               Lord.
            
             16.
             
             Prov.
             1.
             or
             as
             the
             Hebrew
             seems
             to
             signifie
             ,
             
               the
               preparation
               of
               the
               heart
               is
               from
               man
            
             ;
             a
             man
             premeditates
             and
             resolves
             what
             he
             will
             say
             ;
             but
             notwithstanding
             that
             ,
             
               the
               answer
               of
               the
               tongue
               is
               of
               the
               Lord.
            
             When
             he
             comes
             to
             speak
             ,
             he
             shall
             say
             nothing
             but
             what
             God
             pleases
             :
             Which
             sayings
             must
             not
             be
             expounded
             to
             an
             universal
             sense
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             always
             thus
             ;
             but
             that
             thus
             it
             is
             ,
             whenever
             God
             sees
             fit
             to
             interpose
             ,
             which
             he
             does
             as
             often
             as
             he
             has
             any
             wise
             end
             to
             serve
             by
             it
             .
          
           
             Thus
             we
             are
             told
             ,
             That
             
               when
               a
               mans
               ways
               please
               the
               Lord
               ,
               he
               maketh
               even
               his
               enemies
               to
               be
               at
               peace
               with
               him
               .
            
             16.
             
             Prov.
             7.
             
             And
             it
             is
             a
             very
             remarkable
             Promise
             God
             makes
             to
             the
             Children
             of
             Israel
             ,
             that
             when
             all
             their
             Males
             should
             come
             Three
             times
             every
             Year
             to
             Worship
             God
             at
             Ierusalem
             ,
             by
             which
             means
             their
             Country
             was
             left
             without
             defence
             ,
             exposed
             to
             the
             Rapine
             of
             their
             Enemies
             ,
             who
             dwelt
             round
             about
             them
             ,
             That
             
               no
               man
               should
               desire
               their
               land
               ,
               when
               they
               go
               up
               to
               appear
               before
               the
               Lord.
            
             34.
             
             Exod.
             24.
             
             We
             have
             many
             Examples
             of
             this
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             some
             of
             those
             many
             ways
             whereby
             God
             does
             it
             .
             When
             Abraham
             sojourned
             in
             Gerar
             ,
             he
             said
             of
             Sarah
             his
             Wife
             ,
             that
             she
             was
             his
             
             Sister
             ,
             and
             Abimelech
             the
             King
             of
             Gerar
             sent
             and
             took
             her
             :
             but
             God
             reproved
             Abimelech
             in
             a
             dream
             ,
             and
             tells
             him
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             withheld
             him
             from
             Sinning
             ,
             and
             not
             suffered
             him
             to
             touch
             her
             .
             20.
             
             
               Genes
               .
               1.
               &c.
            
             Thus
             when
             Iacob
             fled
             from
             Laban
             with
             his
             Wives
             and
             Children
             ,
             and
             Laban
             pursued
             him
             ,
             God
             appeared
             to
             Laban
             in
             a
             dream
             ,
             and
             Commanded
             him
             that
             he
             should
             not
             speak
             to
             Iacob
             either
             good
             or
             hurt
             .
             31.
             
             Genes
             .
             24.
             
             Such
             appearances
             were
             very
             common
             in
             that
             Age
             ,
             though
             they
             seem
             very
             extraordinary
             to
             us
             ;
             but
             God
             does
             the
             same
             thing
             still
             by
             strong
             and
             lively
             impressions
             upon
             our
             minds
             ;
             by
             suggesting
             and
             fixing
             such
             thoughts
             in
             us
             ,
             as
             excite
             or
             calm
             our
             Passions
             ,
             as
             encourage
             us
             to
             bold
             and
             great
             Attempts
             ,
             or
             check
             us
             in
             our
             career
             by
             frightful
             Imaginations
             ,
             and
             unaccountable
             Fears
             and
             Terrors
             ,
             or
             by
             such
             other
             Arguments
             as
             are
             apt
             to
             change
             our
             Purposes
             and
             Counsels
             .
          
           
             Sometimes
             God
             does
             this
             by
             a
             Concurrence
             of
             External
             Causes
             ,
             which
             at
             other
             times
             would
             not
             have
             been
             effectual
             ;
             but
             shall
             certainly
             have
             their
             Effect
             when
             God
             inforces
             the
             impression
             .
          
           
             Thus
             God
             in
             a
             moment
             turned
             the
             Heart
             of
             Esau
             ,
             when
             he
             came
             out
             in
             great
             Rage
             against
             his
             Brother
             Iacob
             .
             It
             was
             an
             old
             Hatred
             he
             had
             conceived
             against
             him
             for
             the
             loss
             of
             his
             Birthright
             and
             of
             his
             Blessing
             ;
             and
             he
             had
             for
             many
             years
             confirmed
             himself
             in
             a
             resolution
             to
             cut
             him
             off
             ,
             the
             first
             opportunity
             he
             had
             to
             do
             it
             :
             And
             could
             it
             be
             expected
             ,
             that
             the
             Present
             which
             Iacob
             sent
             him
             ,
             which
             he
             could
             have
             taken
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             pleased
             ,
             without
             receiving
             it
             as
             a
             Gift
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             Submission
             of
             Iacob
             ,
             when
             he
             was
             in
             his
             Power
             ,
             should
             all
             on
             a
             sudden
             make
             him
             forget
             all
             that
             was
             past
             ,
             and
             the
             very
             Business
             he
             came
             for
             ,
             and
             turn
             his
             bloody
             Designs
             into
             the
             kindest
             Embraces
             ?
             No!
             this
             was
             God's
             work
             ,
             the
             effect
             of
             that
             Blessing
             which
             the
             Angel
             gave
             to
             Iacob
             ,
             after
             a
             whole
             Nights
             wrestling
             with
             him
             in
             
               Peniel
               ,
               32.
            
             and
             33.
             
             Genes
             .
             and
             when
             God
             pleases
             ,
             the
             weakest
             
             means
             shall
             change
             the
             most
             sullen
             and
             obstinate
             Resolutions
             .
          
           
             Of
             the
             same
             nature
             with
             this
             is
             the
             Story
             of
             David
             and
             
               Abigail
               :
               Nabal
            
             had
             highly
             provoked
             David
             by
             the
             churlish
             Answer
             which
             he
             sent
             him
             ,
             and
             David
             was
             resolved
             to
             take
             a
             very
             severe
             revenge
             on
             Nabal
             and
             his
             House
             ;
             but
             God
             sent
             Abigail
             to
             pacifie
             him
             ,
             who
             by
             her
             presence
             ,
             and
             dutiful
             and
             submissive
             Behaviour
             and
             wise
             Counsels
             ,
             diverted
             him
             from
             those
             bloody
             resolutions
             he
             had
             taken
             ,
             as
             David
             himself
             acknowledges
             :
             
               Blessed
               be
               the
               Lord
               God
               of
               Israel
               ,
               which
               sent
               thee
               this
               day
               to
               meet
               me
               ,
               and
               blessed
               be
               thy
               advice
               ,
               and
               blessed
               be
               thou
               who
               hast
               kept
               me
               this
               day
               from
               coming
               to
               shed
               blood
               ,
               and
               from
               avenging
               my self
               with
               my
               own
               hand
               ,
            
             1
             Sam.
             25.
             32
             ,
             33.
             
          
           
             Saul
             pursued
             David
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             to
             take
             away
             his
             Life
             ,
             and
             God
             delivered
             him
             Twice
             into
             
             David's
             hands
             ;
             and
             the
             kindness
             David
             shewed
             him
             in
             not
             killing
             him
             when
             he
             was
             in
             his
             Power
             ,
             did
             at
             last
             turn
             the
             Heart
             of
             Saul
             ,
             that
             he
             pursued
             him
             no
             more
             .
             1
             
               Sam.
               26.
               27.
               ch
            
             .
          
           
             Thus
             God
             confounded
             the
             good
             Counsel
             of
             Ahitophel
             by
             the
             advice
             of
             Hushai
             ,
             which
             Absolom
             chose
             to
             follow
             ;
             and
             the
             Text
             tells
             us
             this
             was
             from
             God
             ,
             
               who
               had
               purposed
               to
               defeat
               the
               good
               counsel
               of
               Ahitophel
               ,
               to
               the
               intent
               that
               he
               might
               bring
               evil
               upon
               Absolom
               .
            
             2
             Sam.
             17.
             14.
             
             Such
             an
             absolute
             Empire
             has
             God
             over
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             ,
             that
             he
             can
             turn
             them
             as
             he
             pleases
             ,
             can
             lead
             them
             into
             new
             thoughts
             and
             counsels
             with
             as
             great
             ease
             ,
             as
             the
             waters
             of
             a
             river
             may
             be
             drawn
             into
             a
             new
             Channel
             prepared
             for
             them
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             When
             God
             does
             not
             think
             fit
             to
             change
             and
             alter
             mens
             Wills
             and
             Passions
             ,
             he
             can
             govern
             their
             Actions
             ,
             and
             serve
             the
             ends
             of
             his
             Providence
             by
             them
             .
             When
             God
             suffers
             them
             to
             pursue
             their
             own
             Counsels
             ,
             and
             to
             do
             what
             they
             themselves
             like
             best
             ;
             he
             does
             that
             by
             their
             hands
             ,
             which
             they
             little
             expected
             or
             intended
             .
             The
             same
             Action
             may
             serve
             very
             different
             Ends
             ;
             and
             therefore
             
             God
             and
             Men
             may
             have
             very
             different
             intentions
             in
             it
             ;
             and
             what
             is
             ill
             done
             by
             men
             ,
             and
             for
             a
             very
             ill
             End
             ,
             may
             be
             ordered
             by
             God
             for
             Wise
             and
             Good
             purposes
             :
             Nay
             ,
             the
             ill
             Ends
             which
             men
             Designed
             ,
             may
             be
             Disappointed
             ;
             and
             the
             good
             ,
             which
             God
             intended
             by
             it
             ,
             have
             its
             Effect
             :
             And
             this
             is
             as
             Absolute
             a
             Government
             over
             mens
             Actions
             ,
             as
             the
             ends
             of
             Providence
             require
             ,
             when
             whatever
             men
             do
             ,
             if
             they
             intend
             one
             thing
             ,
             and
             God
             another
             ,
             
               the
               counsel
               of
               God
               shall
               stand
               ,
            
             and
             what
             they
             intended
             shall
             have
             no
             effect
             any
             farther
             than
             as
             it
             is
             subservient
             to
             the
             Divine
             Counsels
             ;
             as
             to
             give
             some
             plain
             examples
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             
             Ioseph's
             Brethren
             being
             offended
             at
             his
             Dreams
             and
             at
             the
             peculiar
             kindness
             which
             their
             Father
             Iacob
             shewed
             him
             ,
             resolved
             to
             get
             rid
             of
             him
             ;
             but
             God
             intended
             to
             send
             him
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             to
             advance
             him
             to
             
             Pharaoh's
             Throne
             ,
             and
             to
             transplant
             Iacob
             and
             his
             Family
             thither
             ;
             and
             therefore
             God
             would
             not
             suffer
             them
             to
             slay
             him
             as
             they
             at
             first
             intended
             ,
             but
             he
             suffered
             them
             to
             sell
             him
             to
             the
             Ishmaelites
             ,
             who
             carried
             him
             into
             Egppt
             :
             which
             disappointed
             what
             they
             aimed
             at
             in
             it
             ,
             never
             to
             see
             or
             hear
             more
             of
             him
             ;
             but
             accomplished
             the
             Decrees
             and
             Counsels
             of
             God.
             Another
             Example
             we
             have
             in
             the
             King
             of
             Assyria
             ,
             who
             came
             against
             Ierusalem
             with
             a
             powerful
             Army
             with
             an
             intention
             to
             destroy
             it
             ,
             but
             God
             intended
             no
             more
             than
             to
             Correct
             them
             for
             their
             Sins
             ;
             this
             God
             suffered
             him
             to
             do
             ,
             but
             he
             could
             do
             no
             more
             .
             
               O
               Assyrian
               ,
               the
               rod
               of
               mine
               anger
               ,
               and
               the
               staff
               in
               their
               hand
               is
               mine
               indignation
               :
               I
               will
               send
               him
               against
               a
               hypocritical
               nation
               ;
               and
               against
               the
               people
               of
               my
               wrath
               will
               I
               give
               him
               a
               charge
               to
               take
               the
               spoil
               ,
               and
               to
               take
               the
               prey
               ,
               and
               to
               tread
               them
               down
               like
               the
               mire
               in
               the
               street
               .
            
             Thus
             far
             God
             gave
             him
             Commission
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             thus
             far
             God
             intended
             to
             suffer
             his
             Rage
             and
             Pride
             to
             proceed
             ;
             but
             this
             was
             the
             least
             of
             his
             intention
             :
             
               Howbeit
               he
               thinketh
               not
               so
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               in
               his
               heart
               to
               destroy
               and
               cut
               off
               nations
               ,
               not
               a
               few
               :
            
             but
             in
             this
             God
             disappointed
             him
             .
             
               Wherefore
               it
               shall
               
               come
               to
               pass
               ,
               that
               when
               the
               Lord
               hath
               performed
               his
               whole
               work
               upon
               mount
               Zion
               and
               on
               Ierusalem
               ,
               I
               will
               punish
               the
               fruit
               of
               the
               stout
               heart
               of
               the
               King
               of
               Assyria
               ,
               and
               the
               glory
               of
               his
               proud
               looks
               .
            
             10.
             
             Isai.
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             A
             great
             many
             Examples
             might
             be
             given
             of
             this
             nature
             ,
             but
             these
             are
             sufficient
             to
             show
             what
             different
             Intentions
             God
             and
             Men
             have
             in
             the
             same
             actions
             ;
             and
             how
             easily
             God
             can
             defeat
             what
             men
             intend
             ,
             and
             accomplish
             by
             them
             his
             own
             Wise
             Counsels
             ,
             which
             they
             never
             thought
             of
             .
             When
             God
             has
             no
             particular
             Ends
             of
             Providence
             to
             serve
             by
             the
             Lusts
             and
             Passions
             ,
             and
             evil
             Designs
             of
             men
             ,
             he
             commonly
             disappoints
             them
             ;
             that
             when
             
               they
               intend
               evil
               ,
               and
               imagine
               a
               mischievous
               device
               ,
               they
               are
               not
               able
               to
               perform
               it
               ,
            
             21.
             
             Psal.
             11.
             
             Or
             he
             turns
             the
             evil
             upon
             their
             own
             heads
             ;
             
               The
               heathen
               are
               sunk
               down
               in
               the
               pit
               that
               they
               made
               ,
               in
               the
               net
               which
               they
               hid
               ,
               is
               their
               own
               foot
               taken
               ;
               the
               Lord
               is
               known
               by
               the
               judgment
               which
               he
               executeth
               ;
               the
               wicked
               is
               snared
               in
               the
               work
               of
               his
               own
               hands
               ,
            
             9
             Psal.
             15
             ▪
             16.
             
             Or
             he
             doubly
             disappoints
             their
             malice
             ,
             not
             only
             by
             defeating
             the
             evil
             they
             intended
             ,
             but
             by
             turning
             it
             to
             the
             great
             advantage
             of
             those
             it
             was
             intended
             against
             ;
             which
             was
             visible
             in
             the
             case
             of
             Haman
             ,
             whose
             malice
             against
             Mordecai
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Iews
             for
             his
             sake
             ,
             did
             not
             only
             prove
             his
             own
             ruin
             ,
             but
             the
             great
             advancement
             of
             Mordecai
             ,
             and
             the
             Glory
             and
             Triumph
             of
             the
             Iewish
             Nation
             .
          
           
             Having
             thus
             briefly
             shewn
             ,
             what
             Government
             God
             has
             both
             of
             the
             Hearts
             and
             the
             Actions
             of
             men
             ,
             how
             easily
             he
             can
             alter
             their
             Counsels
             ,
             and
             manage
             their
             Passions
             ,
             make
             them
             do
             what
             good
             they
             never
             intended
             ,
             and
             disappoint
             the
             evil
             which
             they
             did
             intend
             ,
             or
             turn
             it
             into
             good
             ;
             this
             is
             a
             sufficient
             Demonstration
             ,
             how
             Absolute
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             is
             ;
             for
             he
             who
             has
             such
             an
             Absolute
             Government
             of
             Nature
             ,
             of
             what
             we
             call
             Chance
             and
             Fortune
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Wills
             and
             Actions
             of
             men
             ,
             can
             do
             whatsoever
             pleaseth
             him
             .
             But
             that
             we
             may
             have
             the
             clearer
             and
             more
             
             distinct
             apprehension
             of
             God's
             government
             of
             mankind
             ,
             to
             make
             them
             the
             Instruments
             of
             his
             Providence
             ,
             I
             shall
             more
             particularly
             ,
             but
             very
             briefly
             ,
             state
             this
             matter
             ,
             both
             with
             respect
             to
             good
             and
             to
             bad
             men
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             As
             for
             Good
             men
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             difficulty
             in
             their
             case
             ;
             for
             they
             are
             the
             Ministers
             of
             a
             good
             and
             beneficent
             Providence
             ;
             they
             do
             good
             out
             of
             Temper
             and
             Inclination
             ,
             and
             a
             Habit
             and
             Principle
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             out
             of
             Reverence
             to
             the
             Divine
             Laws
             ;
             and
             are
             ready
             to
             obey
             every
             extraordinary
             impression
             to
             excite
             and
             determine
             them
             to
             such
             particular
             good
             offices
             as
             God
             thinks
             fit
             to
             employ
             them
             in
             :
             And
             this
             is
             nothing
             but
             what
             is
             very
             honourable
             for
             God
             ,
             and
             what
             becomes
             good
             men
             ;
             for
             to
             do
             good
             is
             the
             Glory
             of
             Human
             Nature
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             ;
             and
             good
             men
             will
             observe
             the
             Laws
             of
             Vertue
             in
             doing
             good
             ;
             and
             while
             good
             is
             done
             by
             honest
             and
             vertuous
             means
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             But
             as
             Bad
             men
             are
             most
             difficulty
             governed
             ,
             so
             the
             greatest
             difficulty
             is
             in
             vindicating
             Providence
             in
             making
             use
             of
             the
             Ministries
             of
             Bad
             men
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             commonly
             thought
             a
             great
             blemish
             to
             Providence
             ,
             when
             Glorious
             and
             Admirable
             Designs
             are
             brought
             to
             pass
             by
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             .
             Now
             the
             Foundation
             of
             this
             Objection
             is
             a
             great
             mistake
             ,
             as
             if
             God
             could
             not
             serve
             his
             own
             Providence
             by
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             ,
             without
             being
             the
             Cause
             of
             mens
             sins
             ;
             for
             there
             is
             no
             colour
             nor
             reasonable
             pretence
             of
             an
             Objection
             against
             God's
             making
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             serve
             wise
             and
             good
             ends
             ,
             if
             he
             can
             do
             this
             without
             having
             any
             hand
             in
             mens
             sins
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             the
             great
             Glory
             of
             Providence
             ,
             to
             bring
             good
             out
             of
             evil
             ;
             and
             while
             all
             the
             Events
             of
             Providence
             are
             Just
             ,
             and
             Righteous
             ,
             and
             Holy
             ,
             and
             Wise
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             become
             a
             God
             ,
             it
             is
             much
             more
             admirable
             to
             consider
             ,
             that
             all
             this
             should
             be
             ,
             while
             there
             is
             so
             much
             wickedness
             and
             disorder
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
           
           
             The
             true
             state
             of
             this
             matter
             in
             short
             is
             this
             :
             God
             never
             suggests
             any
             evil
             designs
             to
             men
             ;
             that
             is
             owing
             to
             their
             own
             wicked
             hearts
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             Temptations
             of
             other
             wicked
             men
             ,
             or
             of
             wicked
             Spirits
             ;
             but
             when
             men
             have
             formed
             any
             wicked
             Designs
             ,
             he
             sometimes
             ,
             as
             you
             have
             heard
             ,
             changes
             their
             purposes
             ,
             or
             deters
             them
             from
             putting
             them
             in
             execution
             ;
             and
             when
             he
             suffers
             them
             to
             proceed
             to
             action
             ,
             he
             either
             shamefully
             disappoints
             them
             ,
             or
             serves
             some
             wise
             and
             good
             end
             ,
             by
             what
             they
             wickedly
             do
             :
             And
             if
             Providence
             consists
             in
             the
             Care
             and
             Government
             of
             mankind
             ,
             how
             can
             God
             govern
             mankind
             better
             ,
             than
             to
             permit
             bad
             men
             to
             do
             no
             more
             hurt
             ,
             than
             what
             he
             can
             turn
             to
             good
             .
             God
             does
             not
             govern
             the
             world
             by
             an
             immediate
             and
             miraculous
             Power
             ,
             but
             governs
             men
             by
             men
             ,
             and
             makes
             them
             help
             and
             defend
             ,
             reward
             and
             punish
             one
             another
             ;
             and
             therefore
             there
             is
             no
             other
             ordinary
             way
             of
             punishing
             bad
             men
             (
             excepting
             the
             Civil
             Sword
             ,
             which
             reaches
             but
             a
             few
             Criminals
             )
             but
             to
             punish
             them
             by
             the
             Wickedness
             of
             other
             bad
             men
             ;
             and
             what
             can
             more
             become
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             than
             to
             make
             bad
             men
             the
             Ministers
             and
             Executioners
             of
             a
             Divine
             Vengeance
             upon
             each
             other
             ,
             which
             is
             one
             great
             End
             God
             serves
             by
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             .
             I
             'm
             sure
             it
             is
             for
             the
             great
             good
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             God
             has
             the
             government
             of
             bad
             men
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             do
             so
             much
             hurt
             as
             they
             would
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             mischief
             God
             permits
             them
             to
             do
             ,
             is
             directed
             to
             fall
             on
             such
             persons
             as
             either
             want
             Correction
             ,
             or
             deserve
             Punishment
             .
             For
             this
             is
             another
             thing
             very
             observable
             in
             God's
             government
             both
             of
             the
             good
             and
             bad
             actions
             of
             men
             ,
             that
             as
             in
             the
             government
             of
             Natural
             Causes
             God
             directs
             where
             ,
             and
             when
             ,
             and
             in
             what
             proportion
             Nature
             shall
             exert
             its
             Influences
             ;
             that
             it
             shall
             rain
             upon
             one
             City
             ,
             and
             not
             upon
             another
             ;
             so
             God
             does
             not
             only
             excite
             men
             to
             do
             good
             ,
             but
             directs
             and
             determines
             them
             where
             to
             do
             it
             ;
             chuses
             out
             such
             persons
             as
             they
             shall
             do
             good
             to
             ,
             and
             
             appoints
             what
             good
             they
             shall
             do
             ,
             and
             in
             what
             measures
             and
             proportions
             they
             shall
             do
             it
             :
             And
             he
             not
             only
             sets
             bounds
             to
             the
             Lusts
             and
             Passions
             of
             bad
             men
             ,
             but
             when
             he
             sees
             fit
             to
             permit
             their
             wickedness
             ,
             he
             directs
             where
             the
             hurt
             and
             mischief
             of
             it
             shall
             light
             :
             We
             need
             no
             other
             proof
             of
             this
             ,
             but
             the
             very
             Notion
             of
             Providence
             ,
             which
             is
             ,
             God's
             Care
             of
             his
             Creatures
             ;
             for
             that
             requires
             a
             particular
             Application
             of
             the
             good
             or
             evil
             which
             men
             do
             ,
             to
             such
             particular
             persons
             as
             God
             thinks
             fit
             to
             do
             good
             to
             ,
             or
             to
             afflict
             and
             punish
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             most
             material
             and
             most
             necessary
             exercise
             both
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             .
             For
             if
             God
             suffered
             men
             to
             do
             good
             or
             evil
             at
             random
             ,
             without
             directing
             them
             to
             fit
             and
             proper
             Objects
             ,
             the
             Fortunes
             of
             particular
             men
             would
             depend
             upon
             as
             great
             a
             Chance
             ,
             as
             the
             mutable
             Lusts
             ,
             and
             Passions
             ,
             and
             Fancies
             of
             men
             .
          
           
             The
             only
             Use
             I
             shall
             make
             of
             this
             at
             present
             ,
             is
             to
             convince
             you
             how
             perfectly
             we
             are
             in
             God's
             hands
             ,
             and
             how
             secure
             we
             are
             in
             his
             Protection
             ;
             what
             little
             reason
             we
             have
             to
             be
             afraid
             of
             men
             ,
             whatever
             their
             Power
             ,
             how
             furious
             soever
             their
             Passions
             are
             ;
             how
             vain
             it
             is
             to
             trust
             in
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             depend
             on
             their
             favour
             ;
             for
             they
             can
             neither
             do
             good
             nor
             hurt
             ,
             but
             as
             they
             are
             directed
             by
             God
             ;
             and
             therefore
             he
             alone
             must
             be
             the
             Supreme
             Object
             of
             our
             Fear
             and
             Trust
             :
             
               If
               God
               be
               for
               us
               ,
               who
               can
               be
               against
               us
               ?
            
             If
             we
             make
             him
             our
             Enemy
             ,
             who
             can
             save
             us
             out
             of
             his
             hands
             ?
             So
             that
             we
             have
             but
             one
             thing
             to
             take
             care
             of
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             safe
             :
             Let
             us
             make
             God
             our
             Friend
             ,
             and
             he
             will
             raise
             us
             up
             Friends
             ,
             and
             Patrons
             ,
             and
             Protectors
             ;
             will
             deliver
             us
             out
             of
             the
             hands
             of
             our
             Enemies
             ,
             or
             make
             our
             Enemies
             to
             be
             at
             peace
             with
             us
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Having
             thus
             explained
             God's
             government
             of
             Causes
             ,
             let
             us
             now
             consider
             his
             government
             of
             Events
             :
             And
             I
             think
             it
             will
             be
             easily
             granted
             me
             ,
             That
             if
             all
             those
             
             Causes
             by
             which
             all
             Events
             are
             brought
             to
             pass
             ,
             are
             governed
             by
             God
             ,
             God
             must
             also
             have
             the
             Absolute
             Government
             of
             all
             Events
             in
             his
             own
             hands
             .
          
           
             But
             yet
             the
             government
             of
             Causes
             and
             of
             Events
             ,
             are
             of
             a
             very
             different
             consideration
             ;
             and
             to
             represent
             this
             as
             plainly
             and
             familiarly
             as
             I
             can
             ,
             I
             shall
             1.
             shew
             you
             ,
             What
             I
             mean
             by
             Events
             ,
             when
             I
             attribute
             the
             government
             of
             all
             Events
             to
             God.
             2.
             
             Wherein
             God's
             government
             of
             Events
             consists
             .
             3.
             
             The
             Difference
             between
             God's
             Absolute
             government
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             and
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             .
             4.
             
             That
             the
             Exercise
             of
             a
             particular
             Providence
             consists
             in
             the
             government
             of
             all
             Events
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             What
             I
             mean
             by
             Events
             :
             Now
             every
             thing
             that
             is
             done
             ,
             may
             in
             a
             large
             sense
             be
             called
             an
             Event
             ,
             and
             is
             in
             some
             degree
             or
             other
             ,
             under
             the
             government
             of
             Providence
             ,
             as
             all
             the
             actions
             of
             men
             are
             ;
             but
             when
             I
             speak
             of
             God's
             government
             of
             Events
             ,
             I
             mean
             only
             such
             Events
             as
             are
             in
             Scripture
             called
             God's
             doings
             ,
             as
             being
             ordered
             and
             appointed
             by
             him
             ;
             that
             is
             to
             say
             ,
             all
             the
             good
             or
             evil
             which
             happens
             to
             private
             men
             ,
             or
             to
             Kingdoms
             and
             Nations
             in
             this
             world
             .
             Every
             thing
             that
             is
             done
             ,
             is
             not
             God's
             doing
             ;
             for
             there
             is
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             evil
             every
             day
             committed
             ,
             which
             God
             does
             not
             order
             and
             appoint
             to
             be
             done
             ,
             but
             has
             expresly
             forbid
             the
             doing
             of
             it
             ;
             but
             there
             is
             no
             good
             or
             evil
             which
             happens
             to
             any
             man
             ,
             or
             to
             any
             Society
             of
             men
             ,
             but
             what
             God
             orders
             and
             appoints
             for
             them
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             God's
             government
             of
             all
             Events
             .
             This
             is
             the
             proper
             exercise
             of
             Providence
             ,
             to
             allot
             all
             men
             their
             Fortunes
             and
             Conditions
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             dispense
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             ,
             to
             take
             care
             that
             no
             man
             shall
             receive
             either
             good
             or
             evil
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             Hand
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             Appointment
             of
             God
             ;
             this
             is
             the
             Subject
             of
             all
             the
             Disputes
             about
             the
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             all
             the
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             ,
             necessarily
             suppose
             that
             thus
             
             it
             is
             ,
             or
             thus
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             if
             God
             governs
             the
             world
             :
             For
             unless
             Providence
             be
             concerned
             to
             take
             care
             that
             no
             men
             be
             happy
             or
             miserable
             ,
             but
             as
             they
             deserve
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             without
             the
             Absolute
             Government
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             the
             prosperity
             of
             bad
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             sufferings
             of
             the
             good
             ,
             the
             many
             miseries
             that
             are
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             the
             uncertain
             changes
             and
             turnings
             of
             Fortune
             ,
             can
             be
             no
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             :
             And
             indeed
             ,
             were
             not
             this
             the
             case
             ,
             Providence
             would
             be
             so
             insignificant
             a
             Name
             ,
             that
             it
             would
             not
             be
             worth
             the
             while
             to
             dispute
             for
             or
             against
             it
             ;
             for
             a
             Providence
             which
             neither
             can
             do
             us
             good
             nor
             hurt
             ,
             or
             which
             cannot
             always
             and
             in
             all
             cases
             do
             it
             ,
             is
             worth
             nothing
             ,
             or
             worth
             no
             more
             than
             it
             can
             do
             good
             or
             hurt
             .
             And
             therefore
             all
             the
             good
             or
             evil
             ,
             which
             does
             or
             can
             befal
             Men
             or
             Kingdoms
             ,
             is
             in
             Scripture
             attributed
             to
             Providence
             ,
             and
             promised
             or
             threatned
             by
             God
             ,
             as
             men
             shall
             deserve
             either
             ;
             such
             as
             Length
             of
             Days
             ,
             or
             a
             sudden
             and
             untimely
             Death
             ;
             Health
             ,
             or
             Sickness
             ;
             Honour
             ,
             or
             Disgrace
             ;
             Riches
             ,
             or
             Poverty
             ;
             Plenty
             ,
             or
             Famine
             ;
             War
             ,
             or
             Peace
             ;
             the
             changing
             Times
             and
             Seasons
             ;
             the
             removing
             Kings
             ,
             and
             setting
             up
             Kings
             ;
             and
             with
             respect
             to
             all
             such
             Events
             as
             these
             ,
             whatever
             the
             immediate
             Causes
             of
             them
             be
             ,
             God
             is
             said
             to
             do
             whatsoever
             pleaseth
             him
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             But
             we
             shall
             better
             understand
             this
             ,
             by
             enquiring
             into
             the
             Nature
             of
             God's
             Government
             .
             Now
             God's
             Government
             of
             Events
             consists
             in
             ordering
             and
             appointing
             whatever
             good
             or
             evil
             shall
             befal
             men
             ;
             for
             according
             to
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             we
             must
             attribute
             such
             a
             Government
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             makes
             all
             these
             Events
             
               his
               Will
               and
               Doing
            
             ;
             and
             nothing
             can
             be
             his
             Will
             and
             Doing
             ,
             but
             what
             he
             Wills
             and
             Orders
             .
          
           
             Some
             men
             think
             it
             enough
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             God
             permits
             every
             thing
             that
             is
             done
             ,
             but
             will
             by
             no
             means
             allow
             that
             God
             Wills
             ,
             and
             Orders
             ,
             and
             Appoints
             it
             ,
             which
             they
             are
             afraid
             will
             charge
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             with
             all
             the
             evil
             that
             is
             done
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             truly
             so
             it
             would
             ,
             did
             God
             
             order
             and
             appoint
             the
             evil
             to
             be
             done
             ;
             but
             tho
             God
             orders
             and
             appoints
             what
             evils
             every
             man
             shall
             suffer
             ,
             he
             orders
             and
             appoints
             no
             man
             to
             do
             the
             evil
             ;
             he
             only
             permits
             some
             men
             to
             do
             mischief
             ,
             and
             appoints
             who
             shall
             suffer
             by
             it
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             short
             Resolution
             of
             this
             Case
             .
             To
             attribute
             the
             evils
             which
             some
             men
             suffer
             from
             other
             mens
             sins
             ,
             merely
             to
             Gods
             Permission
             ,
             is
             to
             destroy
             the
             Government
             of
             Providence
             ,
             for
             bare
             Permission
             is
             not
             Government
             ;
             and
             those
             evils
             which
             God
             permits
             ,
             but
             does
             not
             order
             ,
             cannot
             be
             called
             
               his
               will
               and
               doing
            
             ;
             and
             if
             this
             be
             the
             case
             of
             all
             the
             evils
             we
             suffer
             from
             other
             mens
             sins
             ,
             most
             of
             the
             evils
             which
             men
             suffer
             ,
             befal
             them
             without
             God's
             Will
             and
             Appointment
             ;
             and
             yet
             to
             attribute
             all
             the
             evil
             which
             men
             do
             ,
             to
             God's
             Order
             and
             Appointment
             ,
             is
             to
             destroy
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             must
             necessarily
             distinguish
             between
             the
             evils
             men
             do
             ,
             and
             the
             evils
             they
             suffer
             ;
             the
             first
             God
             Permits
             and
             Directs
             ,
             the
             second
             he
             Orders
             and
             Appoints
             .
             How
             God
             governs
             men
             hearts
             and
             actions
             ,
             I
             have
             already
             explained
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             the
             place
             to
             consider
             God's
             Permission
             of
             Evil
             ;
             for
             Permission
             relates
             to
             actions
             .
             Mens
             own
             wicked
             hearts
             conceive
             and
             form
             wicked
             designs
             ,
             and
             they
             execute
             them
             by
             God's
             Permission
             ,
             but
             no
             man
             suffers
             by
             them
             ,
             but
             by
             God's
             Appointment
             :
             God's
             Care
             of
             his
             creatures
             requires
             that
             no
             man
             should
             suffer
             any
             thing
             ,
             but
             what
             God
             orders
             for
             him
             ;
             and
             if
             such
             sufferings
             be
             just
             and
             righteous
             ,
             how
             wicked
             soever
             the
             Causes
             be
             ,
             it
             is
             no
             reproach
             to
             Providence
             to
             order
             and
             appoint
             them
             .
             Suppose
             a
             man
             have
             forfeited
             his
             Life
             ,
             or
             Estate
             ,
             or
             Reputation
             to
             Providence
             ,
             or
             tho
             he
             have
             made
             no
             Criminal
             Forfeiture
             of
             it
             ,
             yet
             God
             sees
             fit
             for
             other
             Wise
             Reasons
             to
             remove
             him
             out
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             or
             to
             reduce
             him
             to
             Poverty
             and
             Contempt
             ;
             is
             it
             any
             fault
             in
             Providence
             to
             deliver
             such
             a
             man
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             Murderers
             ,
             Oppressors
             ,
             Slanderers
             ,
             who
             are
             very
             forward
             to
             execute
             such
             Decrees
             ,
             when
             Providence
             takes
             off
             the
             restraint
             ,
             
             and
             sets
             them
             at
             liberty
             to
             follow
             their
             own
             lusts
             ?
             And
             when
             there
             are
             so
             many
             that
             deserve
             or
             need
             these
             or
             such
             kind
             of
             Punishments
             or
             Corrections
             ,
             and
             such
             vast
             numbers
             of
             bad
             men
             ,
             who
             are
             ready
             every
             day
             to
             commit
             such
             outrages
             ,
             did
             not
             God
             restrain
             them
             ,
             is
             it
             not
             very
             visible
             how
             easily
             God
             can
             order
             and
             appoint
             such
             sufferings
             for
             men
             ,
             without
             ordering
             or
             appointing
             any
             man's
             sins
             ?
             It
             requires
             no
             more
             than
             to
             bring
             those
             whom
             God
             appoints
             for
             suffering
             ,
             into
             the
             reach
             of
             such
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             put
             them
             into
             their
             power
             ,
             and
             their
             own
             malice
             and
             wickedness
             will
             do
             the
             rest
             :
             It
             is
             like
             exposing
             Condemn'd
             Malefactors
             to
             Wild
             Beasts
             ,
             whose
             nature
             and
             inclination
             is
             to
             devour
             ;
             and
             if
             God
             chains
             up
             bad
             men
             ,
             as
             we
             do
             wild
             beasts
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             touch
             any
             one
             but
             whom
             God
             delivers
             up
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             lets
             them
             loose
             only
             to
             execute
             his
             own
             Just
             and
             Righteous
             Judgment
             ,
             can
             any
             thing
             be
             more
             Honourable
             to
             Providence
             ,
             or
             a
             greater
             Security
             to
             Mankind
             ?
          
           
             To
             form
             an
             Idea
             of
             this
             in
             our
             minds
             ,
             let
             us
             suppose
             this
             to
             be
             the
             case
             of
             an
             Earthly
             Prince
             ,
             That
             he
             perfectly
             understood
             all
             the
             Deserts
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Inclinations
             of
             his
             Subjects
             ,
             and
             had
             such
             an
             invisible
             and
             insensible
             Authority
             over
             them
             ,
             that
             without
             giving
             them
             any
             directions
             ,
             or
             letting
             them
             know
             any
             thing
             of
             his
             Intentions
             ,
             or
             offering
             any
             violence
             to
             their
             own
             Inclinations
             ,
             he
             could
             determine
             them
             to
             do
             that
             hurt
             which
             they
             had
             a
             mind
             to
             do
             ,
             to
             those
             ,
             and
             to
             those
             only
             ,
             whom
             he
             intended
             to
             punish
             ;
             and
             to
             do
             the
             good
             they
             are
             desirous
             to
             do
             ,
             to
             those
             ,
             and
             to
             those
             only
             ,
             whom
             he
             intends
             to
             reward
             ;
             in
             case
             such
             a
             Prince
             took
             care
             that
             no
             man
             should
             suffer
             more
             from
             the
             wickedness
             of
             others
             ,
             than
             what
             he
             deserved
             ,
             and
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Government
             required
             ,
             would
             any
             man
             charge
             such
             a
             Prince
             with
             all
             the
             Wickedness
             that
             is
             committed
             in
             his
             Kingdom
             ,
             only
             because
             he
             so
             wisely
             orders
             it
             ,
             that
             some
             bad
             men
             shall
             execute
             his
             Vengeance
             upon
             other
             bad
             
             men
             ,
             and
             serve
             instead
             of
             Judge
             ,
             and
             Jury
             ,
             and
             Executioners
             ?
             Nay
             ,
             would
             not
             every
             man
             say
             ,
             That
             this
             is
             the
             most
             Perfect
             and
             Absolute
             Form
             of
             Government
             in
             the
             world
             ?
             Earthly
             Princes
             indeed
             cannot
             do
             this
             ,
             but
             this
             is
             the
             Government
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             accomplishes
             his
             own
             Wise
             Counsels
             by
             the
             Ministries
             of
             Men.
             
          
           
             And
             this
             may
             satisfie
             us
             in
             what
             sense
             all
             the
             good
             and
             all
             the
             evil
             that
             happens
             either
             to
             private
             Men
             ,
             or
             to
             Kingdoms
             and
             Nations
             ,
             is
             said
             to
             be
             
               God's
               will
            
             ,
             and
             
               God's
               doing
            
             ,
             and
             
               what
               pleaseth
               him
            
             ;
             because
             no
             Man
             or
             Nation
             is
             rewarded
             or
             punished
             ,
             but
             by
             God's
             order
             and
             appointment
             :
             That
             as
             many
             good
             men
             as
             there
             are
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             who
             are
             ready
             to
             do
             good
             to
             all
             they
             can
             ;
             and
             as
             many
             bad
             men
             as
             there
             are
             ,
             who
             are
             ready
             to
             do
             all
             the
             mischief
             they
             can
             ;
             none
             of
             them
             can
             do
             either
             good
             or
             hurt
             to
             any
             ,
             but
             to
             those
             whom
             God
             has
             appointed
             for
             either
             ;
             which
             makes
             God
             the
             Absolute
             Lord
             and
             Sovereign
             of
             the
             world
             ;
             since
             whatever
             men
             intend
             ,
             all
             mens
             Fortunes
             and
             Conditions
             depend
             upon
             his
             Will.
             
          
           
             And
             since
             God
             absolutely
             orders
             and
             appoints
             nothing
             but
             the
             Event
             ,
             if
             the
             Event
             be
             holy
             ,
             just
             ,
             and
             good
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             if
             men
             be
             rewarded
             and
             punished
             according
             to
             their
             works
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             the
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             is
             concerned
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             reasonable
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ;
             for
             by
             what
             wicked
             means
             soever
             men
             be
             rewarded
             or
             punished
             ,
             if
             the
             Reward
             or
             Punishment
             by
             holy
             ,
             just
             ,
             and
             good
             ,
             this
             vindicates
             the
             Holiness
             ,
             and
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ;
             of
             which
             more
             hereafter
             .
             Let
             mens
             Wickedness
             be
             to
             themselves
             ,
             for
             that
             is
             their
             own
             ;
             but
             that
             the
             Wickedness
             of
             men
             is
             over-ruled
             by
             an
             Invisible
             Hand
             ,
             to
             accomplish
             Wise
             and
             Just
             Decrees
             ,
             that
             is
             the
             Glory
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             suggests
             another
             evident
             Reason
             ,
             why
             all
             the
             good
             or
             evil
             that
             befals
             men
             ,
             is
             called
             
               God's
               will
            
             ,
             and
             
               God's
               doings
            
             ,
             because
             in
             a
             strict
             and
             proper
             sense
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             man's
             
             Will
             ,
             nor
             man's
             Doings
             .
             What
             is
             done
             ,
             is
             either
             what
             those
             who
             did
             it
             ,
             never
             intended
             to
             do
             ;
             or
             else
             serves
             such
             ends
             ,
             and
             is
             ordered
             by
             God
             for
             such
             ends
             ,
             as
             those
             who
             did
             it
             ,
             never
             thought
             of
             ;
             which
             proves
             men
             to
             be
             only
             Instruments
             ,
             but
             God
             the
             Supreme
             Disposer
             of
             all
             Events
             .
             If
             we
             must
             attribute
             all
             things
             that
             are
             done
             ,
             either
             to
             God
             or
             Men
             ,
             then
             what
             is
             not
             done
             by
             Men
             ,
             must
             be
             done
             by
             God
             ;
             and
             Men
             can't
             be
             properly
             said
             to
             do
             what
             they
             never
             intended
             ;
             and
             therefore
             whatever
             is
             either
             beyond
             or
             contrary
             to
             what
             Men
             intended
             ,
             must
             either
             be
             attributed
             to
             Chance
             ,
             or
             to
             a
             Divine
             Providence
             .
             I
             observed
             before
             ,
             what
             different
             Intentions
             God
             and
             men
             have
             in
             the
             same
             actions
             ;
             what
             is
             intended
             by
             men
             ,
             is
             their
             doing
             ;
             what
             is
             intended
             by
             God
             ,
             is
             his
             doing
             ,
             and
             wholly
             his
             doing
             ,
             when
             what
             God
             intended
             was
             not
             intended
             by
             men
             .
             For
             this
             reason
             Ioseph
             tells
             his
             Brethren
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             not
             they
             ,
             but
             God
             ,
             that
             sent
             him
             into
             
               Egypt
               ,
               45.
               
               Gen.
            
             4
             ,
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             for
             they
             thought
             nothing
             of
             sending
             him
             into
             Egypt
             ;
             but
             this
             was
             what
             God
             intended
             ,
             when
             he
             permitted
             them
             to
             sell
             him
             to
             the
             Ishmaelites
             :
             This
             was
             their
             sin
             ,
             as
             he
             adds
             ,
             50.
             
             Gen.
             20.
             
             
               But
               as
               for
               you
               ,
               ye
               thought
               evil
               against
               me
            
             ;
             but
             the
             good
             that
             was
             done
             ,
             was
             wholly
             God's
             doings
             ;
             
               but
               God
               meant
               it
               unto
               good
               .
            
             And
             thus
             it
             is
             in
             other
             cases
             ;
             which
             shows
             us
             what
             the
             Scripture
             calls
             God's
             doings
             .
             The
             punishment
             of
             sinners
             ,
             and
             those
             evils
             he
             brings
             on
             them
             ,
             is
             God's
             doings
             ,
             but
             not
             the
             sins
             whereby
             they
             are
             punished
             :
             The
             Punishment
             of
             
             David's
             Adultery
             by
             the
             Incest
             of
             Absalom
             ,
             was
             God's
             doing
             ,
             but
             not
             
             Absalom's
             Incest
             :
             The
             sending
             Ioseph
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             advancing
             him
             into
             
             Pharaoh's
             Throne
             ,
             was
             God's
             doing
             ;
             but
             not
             the
             Sin
             of
             his
             Brethren
             in
             selling
             him
             for
             a
             Slave
             :
             And
             thus
             it
             is
             throughout
             the
             Scripture
             ;
             nothing
             is
             called
             God's
             Will
             ,
             or
             God's
             doing
             ,
             which
             has
             any
             Moral
             Evil
             in
             it
             ;
             all
             wicked
             actions
             are
             mens
             own
             will
             and
             own
             doings
             ,
             which
             God
             permits
             for
             wise
             ends
             ,
             but
             never
             orders
             or
             appoints
             ;
             but
             the
             good
             
             or
             evil
             which
             is
             done
             by
             mens
             sins
             ,
             that
             is
             God's
             doing
             :
             and
             I
             hope
             by
             this
             time
             you
             all
             know
             how
             to
             distinguish
             between
             God's
             government
             of
             mens
             Actions
             ,
             and
             his
             government
             of
             Events
             ;
             and
             then
             we
             may
             safely
             attribute
             all
             Events
             to
             God's
             order
             and
             appointment
             ,
             without
             danger
             of
             charging
             God
             with
             the
             sins
             of
             men
             ,
             whereby
             such
             Events
             are
             brought
             to
             pass
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             Let
             us
             now
             consider
             ,
             What
             difference
             there
             is
             between
             God's
             Absolute
             Government
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             and
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             ;
             for
             many
             men
             are
             very
             apt
             to
             confound
             these
             two
             :
             If
             no
             good
             or
             evil
             befals
             any
             men
             ,
             but
             what
             God
             orders
             and
             appoints
             for
             them
             ,
             this
             they
             think
             sounds
             like
             Fate
             and
             Destiny
             ;
             that
             every
             man's
             Fortune
             is
             writ
             upon
             his
             Forehead
             ;
             and
             that
             it
             is
             impossible
             for
             any
             man
             ,
             by
             all
             his
             Care
             ,
             and
             Industry
             ,
             and
             Prudence
             ,
             to
             make
             his
             Condition
             better
             than
             what
             God
             has
             decreed
             it
             to
             be
             in
             the
             Irreversible
             Rolls
             of
             Fate
             :
             And
             yet
             an
             Unrelenting
             ,
             Immutable
             Fate
             ,
             is
             so
             irreconcilable
             with
             the
             liberty
             of
             human
             actions
             ,
             with
             the
             nature
             of
             good
             and
             evil
             ,
             of
             rewards
             and
             punishments
             ,
             that
             if
             we
             admit
             of
             it
             ,
             there
             is
             an
             end
             of
             all
             Religion
             ,
             of
             all
             Vertuous
             Endeavours
             ,
             of
             all
             Great
             and
             Generous
             Attempts
             :
             it
             is
             to
             no
             purpose
             to
             pray
             to
             God
             ,
             or
             to
             trust
             in
             him
             ,
             or
             to
             resist
             temptations
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             diligent
             in
             our
             business
             ,
             or
             prudent
             and
             circumspect
             in
             our
             actions
             ;
             for
             what
             will
             be
             ,
             will
             be
             :
             Or
             if
             any
             means
             be
             to
             be
             used
             ,
             that
             is
             no
             matter
             of
             our
             choice
             or
             care
             ,
             but
             we
             shall
             do
             it
             as
             necessarily
             and
             mechanically
             as
             a
             Watch
             moves
             ,
             and
             points
             to
             the
             Hour
             of
             the
             Day
             ;
             for
             Fate
             has
             by
             the
             same
             Necessity
             determined
             the
             Means
             and
             the
             End
             ,
             and
             we
             can
             do
             no
             more
             nor
             less
             than
             Fate
             has
             determined
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             not
             now
             trouble
             you
             with
             an
             account
             of
             the
             various
             Opinions
             of
             the
             Ancient
             Philosophers
             about
             Fate
             ,
             none
             of
             whom
             ever
             dreamt
             of
             such
             a
             terrible
             Fate
             as
             some
             Christians
             have
             fancied
             ,
             which
             reaches
             not
             only
             to
             this
             world
             ,
             but
             to
             all
             Eternity
             :
             What
             I
             have
             already
             discoursed
             ,
             
             is
             sufficient
             to
             vindicate
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Providence
             from
             the
             least
             imputation
             of
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             .
          
           
             For
             1.
             
             Though
             God
             over-rules
             the
             actions
             of
             men
             ,
             to
             do
             what
             he
             himself
             thinks
             fit
             to
             be
             done
             ,
             yet
             he
             lays
             no
             Necessity
             upon
             human
             actions
             :
             men
             will
             and
             chuse
             freely
             ,
             pursue
             their
             own
             interests
             and
             inclinations
             ,
             just
             as
             they
             would
             do
             if
             there
             were
             no
             Providence
             to
             govern
             them
             ;
             and
             while
             men
             act
             freely
             ,
             it
             is
             certain
             there
             can
             be
             no
             Absolute
             Fate
             .
             God
             indeed
             ,
             as
             you
             have
             already
             heard
             ,
             sometimes
             hinders
             them
             from
             executing
             their
             wicked
             purposes
             ,
             and
             permits
             them
             to
             do
             no
             more
             hurt
             than
             what
             he
             can
             direct
             to
             Wise
             Ends
             ;
             but
             no
             man
             is
             wicked
             ,
             or
             does
             wickedly
             ,
             by
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             .
             Tho
             he
             may
             be
             restrained
             from
             doing
             so
             much
             wickedness
             as
             he
             would
             ,
             yet
             all
             the
             wickedness
             he
             commits
             ,
             is
             his
             own
             free
             Choice
             ,
             even
             when
             it
             serves
             such
             ends
             as
             he
             never
             thought
             of
             ;
             and
             therefore
             he
             is
             and
             acts
             like
             a
             free
             Agent
             ,
             notwithstanding
             the
             Government
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             Tho
             God
             determines
             all
             Events
             ,
             all
             the
             good
             and
             evil
             that
             shall
             happen
             to
             Men
             or
             Nations
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             no
             more
             nor
             no
             other
             than
             what
             they
             themselves
             have
             deserved
             ;
             and
             therefore
             they
             are
             under
             no
             other
             Fate
             than
             what
             they
             themselves
             bring
             upon
             themselves
             by
             the
             good
             or
             bad
             use
             of
             their
             own
             liberty
             :
             that
             is
             ,
             they
             are
             under
             no
             other
             Fate
             than
             to
             be
             rewarded
             when
             they
             do
             well
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             punished
             when
             they
             do
             ill
             ;
             but
             this
             is
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             not
             the
             Necessity
             of
             Fate
             .
             Those
             who
             do
             ill
             ,
             and
             deserve
             ill
             ,
             and
             suffer
             ill
             ,
             might
             have
             done
             well
             ,
             and
             have
             made
             themselves
             the
             Favourites
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             therefore
             are
             under
             no
             greater
             Necessity
             of
             Suffering
             ill
             ,
             than
             they
             were
             of
             Doing
             ill
             .
             The
             reason
             why
             God
             keeps
             all
             Events
             in
             his
             own
             hands
             ,
             is
             not
             because
             he
             has
             absolutely
             determined
             the
             Fates
             of
             all
             men
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             may
             govern
             the
             world
             wisely
             and
             justly
             ,
             and
             reward
             and
             punish
             men
             according
             
             to
             their
             deserts
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             require
             in
             this
             world
             .
             Now
             while
             the
             liberty
             of
             human
             actions
             is
             secured
             ,
             and
             the
             Events
             of
             Providence
             are
             not
             the
             execution
             of
             Fatal
             ,
             Absolute
             ,
             and
             Unconditional
             Decrees
             ,
             but
             acts
             of
             Government
             in
             the
             Wise
             Administration
             of
             Justice
             ,
             and
             dispensing
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             ,
             how
             Absolute
             soever
             God's
             Govenment
             be
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             ,
             but
             a
             Wise
             ,
             and
             Just
             ,
             and
             Absolute
             Government
             .
             This
             indeed
             is
             what
             some
             of
             the
             Wisest
             Heathens
             called
             Fate
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             they
             meant
             by
             the
             Name
             of
             Fate
             ,
             That
             God
             had
             fixed
             it
             by
             an
             irreversible
             Decree
             ,
             that
             Good
             men
             should
             be
             rewarded
             ,
             and
             the
             Wicked
             punished
             ;
             and
             thus
             far
             we
             must
             all
             allow
             Fate
             ;
             and
             Providence
             is
             only
             the
             Minister
             and
             Executioner
             of
             these
             Fatal
             Decrees
             ;
             and
             to
             that
             end
             ,
             God
             keeps
             the
             Government
             of
             all
             Events
             in
             his
             own
             hands
             .
             Now
             whether
             we
             say
             ,
             That
             God
             determines
             what
             good
             or
             evil
             shall
             befal
             men
             ,
             at
             the
             very
             time
             when
             they
             deserve
             it
             ;
             or
             ,
             That
             foreseeing
             what
             good
             or
             evil
             they
             will
             do
             ,
             and
             what
             they
             will
             deserve
             ,
             did
             beforehand
             determine
             what
             good
             or
             evil
             should
             befal
             them
             according
             to
             their
             deserts
             ,
             this
             makes
             no
             alteration
             at
             all
             in
             the
             state
             of
             the
             Question
             ;
             for
             if
             all
             the
             good
             or
             evil
             that
             befalls
             men
             ,
             have
             respect
             to
             their
             deserts
             ,
             this
             is
             not
             Fate
             ,
             but
             a
             Just
             and
             Righteous
             Judgment
             .
          
           
             In
             a
             word
             ;
             God's
             Government
             of
             all
             Events
             is
             indeed
             so
             Absolute
             and
             Uncontroulable
             ,
             that
             no
             good
             or
             evil
             can
             befal
             any
             man
             ,
             but
             what
             God
             pleases
             ,
             what
             he
             orders
             and
             appoints
             for
             him
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             necessary
             to
             the
             good
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             Care
             of
             all
             his
             Creatures
             ;
             but
             then
             God
             orders
             no
             good
             or
             evil
             to
             befal
             any
             men
             ,
             but
             what
             they
             deserve
             ,
             and
             what
             the
             Wise
             Ends
             of
             his
             Providence
             require
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             not
             Fate
             ,
             but
             a
             Wise
             and
             Just
             Government
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             That
             the
             Exercise
             of
             a
             Particular
             Providence
             consists
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             all
             Events
             .
          
           
           
             I
             have
             often
             wondred
             at
             those
             Philosophers
             who
             acknowledg'd
             a
             Providence
             ,
             but
             would
             not
             acknowledge
             God's
             particular
             Care
             of
             all
             his
             Creatures
             .
             Some
             confined
             his
             Providence
             to
             the
             Heavens
             ,
             but
             would
             not
             extend
             it
             to
             this
             lower
             world
             ;
             and
             yet
             this
             world
             needs
             a
             Providence
             as
             much
             ,
             and
             a
             great
             deal
             more
             ,
             as
             being
             a
             Scene
             of
             Change
             and
             Corruption
             ,
             of
             furious
             Lusts
             and
             Passions
             ,
             which
             need
             the
             Restraints
             and
             Government
             of
             Providence
             :
             No
             Creatures
             need
             God's
             Care
             more
             than
             the
             Inhabitants
             of
             this
             Earth
             ;
             and
             if
             he
             take
             Care
             of
             any
             of
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             one
             would
             think
             he
             should
             take
             most
             Care
             of
             them
             who
             need
             it
             most
             .
          
           
             Others
             ,
             who
             would
             allow
             ,
             That
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             reached
             this
             lower
             world
             ,
             yet
             confined
             God's
             care
             to
             the
             several
             Kinds
             and
             Species
             of
             Beings
             ,
             but
             would
             not
             extend
             it
             to
             every
             Individual
             ;
             as
             if
             God
             took
             care
             of
             Logical
             Terms
             ,
             of
             Genus
             and
             Species
             ,
             but
             took
             no
             care
             of
             his
             own
             Creatures
             ,
             which
             are
             all
             Individuals
             ;
             or
             as
             if
             God
             could
             take
             care
             of
             all
             his
             creatures
             ,
             without
             taking
             care
             of
             any
             particular
             creature
             ;
             i.e.
             That
             he
             could
             take
             care
             of
             all
             his
             creatures
             ,
             without
             taking
             care
             of
             any
             one
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             Thus
             they
             would
             allow
             God
             to
             take
             care
             of
             the
             great
             Affairs
             of
             Kingdoms
             and
             Commonwealths
             ,
             but
             to
             have
             no
             regard
             to
             particular
             Men
             or
             Families
             ,
             unless
             they
             made
             a
             great
             Figure
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             as
             if
             Kingdoms
             and
             Commonwealths
             were
             not
             made
             up
             of
             particular
             Men
             ,
             and
             particular
             Families
             ;
             or
             that
             God
             could
             take
             care
             of
             the
             whole
             ,
             without
             taking
             care
             of
             every
             part
             ;
             or
             as
             if
             there
             were
             any
             other
             reason
             for
             taking
             care
             of
             the
             whole
             ,
             but
             to
             take
             care
             of
             those
             particulars
             who
             make
             the
             whole
             .
             To
             talk
             of
             a
             General
             Providence
             ,
             without
             God's
             Care
             and
             Government
             of
             every
             Particular
             Creature
             ,
             is
             manifestly
             unreasonable
             and
             absurd
             ;
             for
             whatever
             Reasons
             oblige
             us
             to
             own
             a
             Providence
             ,
             oblige
             us
             to
             own
             a
             Particular
             Providence
             .
          
           
           
             If
             Creation
             be
             a
             Reason
             why
             God
             should
             preserve
             and
             take
             care
             of
             what
             he
             has
             made
             ,
             this
             is
             a
             Reason
             why
             he
             should
             take
             care
             of
             every
             creature
             ,
             because
             there
             is
             no
             creature
             but
             what
             he
             made
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             whole
             world
             consists
             of
             particulars
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             taken
             care
             of
             in
             the
             care
             of
             particulars
             ;
             for
             if
             all
             particulars
             perish
             ,
             as
             they
             may
             do
             if
             no
             care
             be
             taken
             to
             preserve
             them
             ,
             the
             whole
             must
             perish
             .
          
           
             And
             there
             is
             the
             same
             reason
             for
             the
             Government
             of
             Mankind
             ;
             for
             the
             whole
             is
             governed
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             parts
             ;
             and
             Mankind
             can't
             be
             well
             governed
             ,
             without
             the
             Wise
             Government
             of
             every
             particular
             Man.
             
          
           
             I
             'm
             sure
             that
             the
             Objections
             against
             a
             Particular
             Providence
             are
             very
             foolish
             .
             Some
             think
             it
             too
             much
             trouble
             to
             God
             to
             take
             care
             of
             every
             particular
             ;
             as
             if
             it
             were
             more
             trouble
             to
             him
             to
             take
             care
             of
             them
             ,
             than
             it
             was
             to
             make
             them
             ;
             or
             as
             if
             God
             had
             made
             more
             creatures
             than
             he
             could
             take
             care
             of
             ;
             as
             if
             an
             Infinite
             Mind
             ,
             and
             Omnipotent
             Power
             ,
             were
             as
             much
             disturbed
             and
             tired
             with
             various
             and
             perpetual
             Cares
             ,
             as
             we
             are
             .
             Others
             think
             it
             below
             the
             Greatness
             and
             Majesty
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             take
             cognizance
             of
             every
             mean
             and
             contemptible
             creature
             ,
             or
             of
             every
             private
             man
             ;
             as
             if
             it
             were
             more
             below
             God
             to
             take
             care
             of
             such
             creatures
             ,
             than
             it
             is
             to
             make
             them
             ;
             as
             if
             numbers
             made
             creatures
             considerable
             to
             God
             ;
             that
             tho
             one
             man
             is
             below
             God's
             care
             ,
             yet
             a
             Kingdom
             is
             worthy
             of
             his
             care
             and
             notice
             ;
             when
             the
             whole
             world
             to
             God
             is
             but
             
               as
               the
               drop
               of
               the
               bucket
               ,
               and
               the
               small
               dust
               of
               the
               balance
               .
            
          
           
             Now
             it
             is
             certain
             there
             can
             be
             no
             particular
             Providence
             ,
             without
             God's
             Government
             of
             all
             Events
             ;
             for
             if
             any
             good
             or
             evil
             happens
             to
             any
             man
             without
             God's
             Order
             and
             Appointment
             ,
             that
             is
             not
             Providence
             ,
             whatever
             other
             name
             you
             will
             give
             it
             :
             So
             that
             if
             God
             does
             take
             a
             particular
             care
             of
             all
             his
             creatures
             ,
             this
             is
             a
             demonstration
             that
             he
             has
             the
             Absolute
             Government
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             for
             without
             it
             
             he
             cannot
             take
             Care
             of
             them
             ;
             and
             if
             God
             have
             the
             Government
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             as
             the
             Scripture
             assures
             us
             he
             has
             ,
             this
             confirms
             us
             in
             the
             belief
             of
             a
             particular
             Providence
             ;
             for
             if
             all
             the
             Good
             or
             Evil
             that
             happens
             to
             every
             particular
             man
             is
             appointed
             by
             God
             ,
             that
             is
             proof
             enough
             that
             God
             takes
             Care
             of
             every
             particular
             Man.
             God's
             Government
             of
             all
             particular
             Events
             ,
             and
             his
             Care
             of
             all
             Individuals
             ,
             include
             each
             other
             in
             their
             very
             Natures
             :
             The
             Care
             of
             particular
             Creatures
             consists
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             all
             particular
             Events
             ;
             and
             the
             Government
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             is
             the
             Exercise
             of
             a
             particular
             Providence
             ;
             as
             our
             Saviour
             represents
             it
             10.
             
             
               Matth.
               29
               ,
               30
               ,
               31.
               
               Are
               not
               two
               sparrows
               sold
               for
               a
               farthing
               ?
               and
               one
               of
               them
               shall
               not
               fall
               on
               the
               ground
               without
               your
               Father
               .
               But
               the
               very
               hairs
               of
               your
               head
               are
               all
               numbred
               .
               Fear
               ye
               not
               therefore
               ,
               ye
               are
               of
               more
               value
               than
               many
               sparrows
               .
            
             Where
             God's
             particular
             Providence
             over
             all
             his
             Creatures
             is
             expressed
             by
             his
             particular
             care
             of
             all
             Events
             ;
             which
             extends
             even
             to
             the
             Life
             of
             a
             Sparrow
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Hairs
             of
             our
             Heads
             .
          
           
             Thus
             much
             is
             certain
             ,
             That
             without
             this
             belief
             ,
             That
             God
             takes
             a
             particular
             Care
             of
             all
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             all
             Events
             that
             can
             happen
             to
             them
             ;
             there
             is
             no
             reason
             or
             pretence
             for
             most
             of
             the
             particular
             Duties
             of
             Religious
             Worship
             .
             For
             most
             of
             the
             Acts
             of
             Worship
             consider
             God
             ,
             not
             merely
             as
             an
             Universal
             Cause
             ,
             (
             could
             we
             form
             any
             Notion
             of
             a
             general
             Providence
             without
             any
             Care
             of
             particular
             Creatures
             ,
             or
             particular
             Events
             )
             but
             as
             our
             particular
             Patron
             ,
             Protector
             ,
             and
             Preserver
             .
          
           
             To
             fear
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             stand
             in
             awe
             of
             his
             Justice
             ;
             to
             trust
             and
             depend
             on
             him
             in
             all
             Conditions
             ;
             to
             submit
             patiently
             to
             his
             will
             under
             all
             Afflictions
             ;
             to
             pray
             to
             him
             for
             the
             supply
             of
             our
             Wants
             ,
             for
             the
             relief
             of
             our
             Sufferings
             ,
             for
             Protection
             and
             Defence
             ;
             to
             love
             and
             praise
             him
             for
             the
             Blessings
             we
             enjoy
             ,
             for
             peace
             ,
             and
             plenty
             ,
             and
             health
             ,
             for
             friends
             and
             benefactors
             ,
             and
             all
             prosperous
             Successes
             :
             I
             
             say
             ,
             these
             are
             not
             the
             Acts
             of
             Reasonable
             men
             ,
             unless
             we
             believe
             that
             God
             has
             the
             Supreme
             Disposal
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             and
             takes
             a
             particular
             Care
             of
             us
             .
             For
             if
             any
             Good
             or
             Evil
             can
             befal
             us
             without
             God's
             particular
             Order
             and
             Appointment
             ,
             we
             have
             no
             reason
             to
             trust
             in
             God
             who
             does
             not
             always
             take
             Care
             of
             us
             ;
             we
             have
             no
             reason
             to
             bear
             our
             Sufferings
             patiently
             at
             God's
             hand
             ,
             and
             in
             Submission
             to
             his
             Will
             ;
             for
             we
             know
             not
             whether
             our
             Sufferings
             be
             God's
             Will
             or
             not
             ;
             we
             have
             no
             reason
             to
             love
             and
             praise
             God
             for
             every
             Blessing
             and
             Deliverance
             we
             receive
             ,
             because
             we
             know
             not
             whether
             it
             came
             from
             God
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             to
             no
             purpose
             to
             pray
             to
             God
             for
             particular
             Blessings
             ,
             if
             he
             does
             not
             concern
             himself
             in
             particular
             Events
             :
             But
             if
             we
             believe
             that
             God
             takes
             a
             particular
             Care
             of
             us
             all
             ,
             and
             that
             no
             Good
             or
             Evil
             happens
             to
             us
             but
             as
             he
             pleases
             ;
             all
             these
             Acts
             or
             Religious
             Worship
             are
             both
             Reasonable
             ,
             Necessary
             ,
             and
             Just.
             But
             of
             this
             more
             hereafter
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             IV.
             
          
           
             Concerning
             the
             Sovereignty
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             HAving
             in
             the
             former
             Chapter
             shewn
             ,
             That
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             consists
             in
             Over-ruling
             and
             Disposing
             all
             Events
             :
             For
             the
             better
             understanding
             of
             this
             ,
             and
             to
             prevent
             a
             great
             many
             ignorant
             Objections
             against
             it
             ,
             besides
             what
             I
             have
             already
             said
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             necessary
             more
             particularly
             to
             explain
             the
             Nature
             and
             Essential
             Characters
             and
             Properties
             of
             God's
             Governing
             Providence
             .
             And
             I
             shall
             begin
             with
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Sovereignty
             of
             Providence
             .
             For
             God
             being
             the
             Sovereign
             Lord
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             must
             Govern
             with
             a
             Sovereign
             Will
             ,
             For
             a
             Sovereign
             Lord
             ,
             is
             a
             Sovereign
             and
             Absolute
             Governor
             .
             For
             which
             reason
             the
             Scripture
             so
             often
             resolves
             all
             things
             into
             
               the
               sole
               will
               and
               pleasure
               of
               God
            
             ;
             and
             in
             many
             cases
             will
             allow
             us
             to
             seek
             for
             no
             other
             Cause
             .
             
             
               He
               doth
               according
               to
               his
               will
               in
               the
               army
               of
               heaven
               ,
               and
               among
               the
               inhabitants
               of
               the
               earth
               .
            
             
             
               Whatever
               the
               Lord
               pleased
               ,
               that
               did
               he
               in
               heaven
               and
               in
               earth
               ,
               in
               the
               seas
               ,
               and
               all
               deep
               places
               .
            
          
           
             That
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             is
             Sovereign
             ,
             and
             Absolute
             ,
             and
             Unaccountable
             ;
             needs
             no
             other
             proof
             ,
             but
             that
             his
             Power
             is
             Absolute
             ,
             and
             his
             Wisdom
             Unsearchable
             ;
             for
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             makes
             an
             Absolute
             Will.
             He
             who
             has
             Power
             to
             do
             whatever
             he
             will
             ,
             can
             do
             whatever
             he
             will
             ;
             and
             that
             is
             the
             definition
             of
             a
             Severeign
             and
             Absolute
             Will.
             And
             thus
             the
             Scripture
             resolves
             the
             Sovereignty
             of
             God
             into
             Power
             :
             
             That
             
               none
               can
               stay
               his
               hand
               ,
               or
               say
               unto
               him
               ,
               what
               dost
               thou
               ?
               He
               is
               wise
               in
               heart
               ,
               and
               mighty
               in
               strength
               :
               who
               hath
               hardened
               himself
               against
               him
               and
               hath
               prospered
               ?
            
          
           
           
             And
             indeed
             a
             Power
             which
             is
             Supreme
             and
             Absolute
             ,
             which
             can
             do
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             which
             has
             no
             greater
             Power
             above
             it
             ,
             none
             equal
             to
             it
             ,
             has
             a
             right
             to
             Sovereignty
             .
             For
             Absolute
             Power
             must
             be
             the
             Maker
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             that
             must
             give
             an
             Absolute
             Right
             to
             all
             things
             ;
             and
             that
             gives
             a
             Right
             to
             Absolute
             Government
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             any
             such
             thing
             as
             a
             Natural
             Right
             to
             Government
             ;
             for
             if
             God
             have
             a
             Natural
             Right
             to
             Govern
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             he
             must
             have
             a
             Right
             to
             Absolute
             Government
             ;
             because
             the
             Right
             he
             has
             in
             his
             Creatures
             is
             Absolute
             and
             Uncontroulable
             .
             No
             Creature
             has
             such
             an
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             and
             therefore
             no
             Creature
             has
             such
             a
             Sovereign
             and
             Absolute
             Will
             neither
             :
             For
             how
             Powerful
             soever
             any
             man
             is
             ,
             God
             is
             more
             Powerful
             than
             he
             ,
             and
             can
             call
             him
             to
             an
             account
             ;
             and
             no
             Power
             ,
             no
             Will
             which
             can
             be
             Checked
             ,
             and
             Controul'd
             ,
             and
             called
             to
             an
             Account
             ,
             is
             perfectly
             Absolute
             .
          
           
             And
             as
             Absolute
             Power
             makes
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             Absolute
             and
             Unaccountable
             ,
             so
             does
             perfect
             and
             unerring
             Wisdom
             ;
             but
             for
             a
             very
             different
             reason
             :
             Absolute
             Power
             has
             no
             Superior
             Power
             to
             give
             Laws
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             call
             it
             to
             an
             Account
             :
             Perfect
             and
             Unerring
             Wisdom
             ,
             has
             no
             Superior
             Wisdom
             to
             take
             an
             Account
             ,
             or
             to
             Judge
             of
             its
             Actions
             ;
             nothing
             can
             Judge
             of
             Wisdom
             ,
             but
             Wisdom
             ;
             and
             an
             Inferior
             cannot
             comprehend
             a
             Superior
             Wisdom
             ;
             especially
             when
             there
             is
             such
             a
             vast
             disproportion
             as
             there
             is
             between
             a
             Finite
             and
             an
             Infinite
             Understanding
             ;
             which
             must
             of
             necessity
             in
             a
             thousand
             instances
             make
             
               the
               judgments
               of
               God
               unsearchable
               ,
               and
               his
               ways
               past
               finding
               out
               :
            
             It
             neither
             becomes
             the
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             in
             all
             cases
             to
             give
             an
             account
             of
             his
             Actions
             ,
             nor
             the
             Modesty
             of
             Creatures
             to
             demand
             it
             ;
             as
             Elihu
             tells
             
               Iob
               ,
               Why
               dost
               thou
               strive
               against
               him
               ?
               for
               he
               giveth
               not
               account
               of
               any
               of
               his
               matters
               .
            
             33.
             
             Job
             13.
             
          
           
             But
             both
             these
             are
             thought
             very
             grievous
             by
             some
             men
             .
             They
             are
             terribly
             afraid
             of
             an
             Absolute
             Power
             which
             can
             do
             what
             it
             pleases
             ,
             and
             justify
             whatever
             it
             does
             by
             an
             Absolute
             
             and
             Unaccountable
             Will.
             Others
             are
             very
             uneasie
             that
             God
             does
             any
             thing
             without
             giving
             them
             the
             reasons
             why
             he
             does
             it
             ;
             and
             to
             be
             revenged
             of
             Providence
             ,
             they
             will
             allow
             nothing
             to
             be
             Wisely
             and
             Justly
             done
             ,
             which
             they
             can't
             comprehend
             :
             every
             Event
             which
             they
             can't
             account
             for
             ,
             they
             make
             an
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ;
             and
             thus
             they
             may
             easily
             object
             themselves
             into
             Atheism
             or
             Infidelity
             ;
             for
             they
             can
             never
             want
             such
             Objections
             ,
             while
             infinite
             and
             unsearchable
             Wisdom
             Governs
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             Here
             then
             I
             shall
             lay
             the
             Foundation
             of
             all
             ,
             in
             justifying
             the
             Sovereignty
             of
             Providence
             ,
             which
             will
             justifie
             every
             thing
             else
             :
             And
             I
             shall
             distinctly
             consider
             God's
             Sovereign
             and
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             and
             his
             Unsearchable
             and
             Unaccountable
             Wisdom
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Absolute
             Power
             ;
             and
             the
             very
             naming
             Absolute
             Power
             puts
             an
             end
             to
             the
             dispute
             about
             the
             extent
             of
             God's
             Dominion
             over
             his
             Creatures
             :
             For
             Absolute
             Power
             has
             no
             limits
             ,
             and
             can
             have
             none
             ;
             and
             therefore
             Absolute
             Dominion
             extends
             to
             all
             that
             Absolute
             Power
             can
             do
             .
             This
             is
             what
             Mankind
             are
             afraid
             of
             ,
             who
             judge
             of
             God's
             Absolute
             Power
             by
             the
             Arbitrary
             and
             Tyrannical
             Government
             of
             some
             Absolute
             Monarchs
             :
             But
             true
             Absolute
             Power
             can
             do
             no
             wrong
             ,
             cannot
             injure
             and
             oppress
             its
             Creatures
             ;
             but
             will
             do
             good
             and
             judge
             righteously
             ,
             defend
             the
             Innocent
             ,
             and
             punish
             the
             Wicked
             .
             If
             I
             can
             make
             it
             appear
             ,
             that
             this
             is
             the
             essential
             Character
             of
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             it
             will
             make
             us
             infinitely
             secure
             in
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             ;
             for
             all
             men
             must
             grant
             that
             the
             Power
             of
             God
             is
             Absolute
             ;
             and
             if
             this
             Absolute
             Power
             Governs
             the
             World
             ,
             the
             World
             must
             be
             very
             well
             and
             justly
             Governed
             ,
             if
             Absolute
             Power
             can
             do
             nothing
             but
             what
             is
             Just
             and
             Good.
             Now
             this
             is
             the
             Natural
             Notion
             which
             all
             Mankind
             have
             of
             Supreme
             and
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Supreme
             and
             Natural
             
             Lord
             and
             Judge
             of
             the
             World.
             Thus
             Abraham
             reasoned
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             therein
             spake
             the
             sense
             of
             Mankind
             ;
             
               Shall
               not
               the
               judge
               of
               all
               the
               earth
               do
               right
               ?
            
             18.
             
             Genes
             .
             25.
             
             If
             Absolute
             Power
             could
             do
             wrong
             ,
             there
             were
             no
             certain
             redress
             of
             those
             wrongs
             and
             injuries
             ,
             which
             Inferior
             Powers
             do
             ;
             for
             the
             last
             Appeal
             must
             be
             to
             the
             Greatest
             and
             most
             Absolute
             Power
             ;
             and
             if
             that
             will
             not
             certainly
             rectify
             the
             injuries
             of
             Inferior
             Powers
             ,
             but
             instead
             of
             that
             may
             do
             wrong
             it self
             ,
             we
             cannot
             certainly
             promise
             our selves
             ever
             to
             have
             right
             done
             us
             .
          
           
             This
             shews
             how
             necessary
             it
             is
             ,
             That
             Absolute
             Will
             and
             Power
             should
             be
             Absolute
             Rectitude
             and
             Justice
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             any
             such
             thing
             as
             Justice
             in
             Nature
             .
             For
             Absolute
             Power
             is
             by
             Nature
             the
             last
             and
             Supreme
             Judge
             ;
             and
             the
             Natural
             Judge
             of
             Right
             and
             Wrong
             ,
             must
             be
             Natural
             Justice
             and
             Rectitude
             ;
             or
             else
             Natural
             Justice
             is
             a
             mere
             Speculative
             Notion
             ,
             which
             can
             never
             be
             reduced
             to
             Practice
             .
             For
             there
             never
             can
             be
             exact
             and
             perfect
             Justice
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             unless
             there
             be
             a
             Judge
             who
             is
             exact
             and
             perfect
             Justice
             :
             And
             if
             Absolute
             Will
             and
             Power
             be
             not
             that
             Judge
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             none
             ;
             for
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             Absolutely
             and
             perfectly
             Just
             ,
             can
             do
             Wrong
             ,
             whoever
             else
             Judges
             Right
             .
          
           
             But
             besides
             this
             ,
             it
             is
             demonstrable
             
               à
               priori
            
             ,
             that
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             must
             be
             Absolute
             Rectitude
             and
             Justice
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Because
             all
             infinite
             Perfections
             ,
             how
             different
             soever
             they
             are
             in
             our
             Conceptions
             of
             them
             ,
             are
             but
             one
             infinite
             Being
             ,
             which
             is
             Absolutely
             Perfect
             ;
             and
             therefore
             in
             a
             Being
             Absolutely
             Perfect
             ,
             one
             Absolute
             Perfection
             can
             never
             be
             divided
             or
             separated
             from
             any
             other
             Absolute
             Perfection
             ;
             and
             therefore
             Absolute
             Power
             can
             never
             be
             separated
             from
             Absolute
             Justice
             :
             For
             to
             say
             any
             Being
             is
             Absolutely
             Perfect
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             the
             most
             Natural
             Notion
             of
             God
             )
             and
             yet
             that
             it
             wants
             any
             Absolute
             Perfection
             ,
             is
             a
             
             Contradiction
             :
             Absolute
             Will
             and
             Absolute
             Government
             ,
             is
             the
             most
             Perfect
             Will
             and
             most
             Perfect
             Government
             ;
             and
             that
             is
             the
             most
             Perfect
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             if
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             be
             any
             Perfections
             .
          
           
             We
             must
             not
             judge
             of
             the
             Absolute
             Will
             and
             Absolute
             Government
             of
             God
             ,
             by
             what
             we
             call
             Absolute
             Power
             in
             men
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             foundation
             of
             all
             the
             Mistakes
             about
             God's
             Government
             :
             We
             find
             men
             apt
             to
             abuse
             their
             Power
             ,
             the
             more
             Absolute
             it
             is
             ,
             into
             Tyranny
             and
             Oppression
             ;
             and
             this
             makes
             some
             afraid
             ,
             that
             God's
             Absolute
             Will
             and
             Power
             may
             use
             his
             Creatures
             very
             hardly
             also
             ;
             but
             the
             case
             is
             very
             different
             ,
             as
             different
             as
             the
             Absolute
             Power
             of
             Men
             is
             from
             the
             Absolute
             Power
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             What
             we
             call
             Absolute
             Power
             in
             men
             ,
             is
             not
             Absolute
             Power
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             perfect
             Power
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             a
             Power
             which
             can
             do
             all
             things
             ,
             for
             there
             are
             Infinite
             things
             ,
             which
             the
             most
             Absolute
             Prince
             has
             not
             Power
             to
             do
             ;
             and
             that
             is
             not
             Absolute
             Perfect
             Power
             ,
             which
             can't
             do
             all
             things
             .
             Absolute
             Government
             among
             men
             ,
             signifies
             only
             an
             Uncontroulable
             Liberty
             to
             do
             all
             that
             it
             will
             and
             can
             do
             :
             A
             Will
             which
             is
             under
             no
             Human
             Restraints
             ,
             which
             may
             will
             whatever
             it
             pleases
             ,
             and
             do
             whatever
             it
             wills
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             it
             can
             ,
             but
             has
             not
             Power
             to
             do
             all
             that
             it
             would
             .
             Now
             such
             an
             Absolute
             Will
             as
             this
             ,
             which
             has
             not
             all
             Power
             ,
             may
             be
             very
             wild
             and
             extravagant
             ,
             and
             far
             from
             willing
             always
             what
             is
             right
             and
             just
             ;
             for
             such
             a
             Will
             as
             this
             is
             no
             Perfection
             ;
             and
             therefore
             as
             it
             is
             separated
             from
             a
             truly
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             so
             it
             may
             be
             separated
             from
             Rectitude
             and
             Justice
             .
             Nay
             ,
             such
             a
             Will
             is
             not
             truly
             Absolute
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             its
             Power
             ;
             because
             there
             is
             a
             Will
             ,
             as
             there
             is
             a
             Power
             ,
             above
             it
             ;
             and
             no
             Will
             is
             Absolute
             ,
             which
             has
             a
             superior
             Will
             to
             controul
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             Laws
             to
             it
             ;
             and
             yet
             God
             is
             higher
             than
             the
             highest
             ,
             to
             whose
             Sovereign
             Will
             the
             most
             Absolute
             Princes
             are
             accountable
             ,
             and
             therefore
             are
             not
             Absolute
             themselves
             .
             Now
             reason
             tells
             us
             ,
             
             That
             a
             Will
             which
             has
             a
             Superior
             Will
             and
             Law
             ,
             is
             not
             it self
             unerring
             Rectitude
             and
             Justice
             ,
             and
             therefore
             may
             deviate
             from
             what
             is
             right
             and
             just
             ,
             as
             experience
             tells
             us
             such
             Absolute
             Wills
             very
             often
             do
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             Will
             can
             chuse
             wrong
             ,
             the
             Power
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Minister
             of
             such
             an
             erring
             Will
             ,
             must
             do
             wrong
             also
             .
             But
             now
             reason
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             the
             Supreme
             Will
             must
             be
             the
             Supreme
             Law
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             Perfect
             and
             Absolute
             Justice
             ,
             and
             therefore
             can
             no
             more
             will
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             unjust
             ,
             than
             Justice
             it self
             can
             be
             unjust
             ;
             and
             if
             this
             Absolute
             and
             Soveraign
             Will
             be
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             Absolute
             Power
             must
             be
             perfectly
             Just
             and
             Good
             ,
             as
             being
             inseparable
             from
             Perfect
             Justice
             :
             And
             therefore
             the
             Absolute
             Power
             of
             God
             can
             no
             more
             do
             any
             wrong
             ,
             than
             his
             Absolute
             Will
             can
             chuse
             it
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Nay
             ,
             if
             we
             do
             but
             consider
             the
             Nature
             of
             truly
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             which
             can
             do
             whatever
             it
             will
             ,
             this
             alone
             may
             satisfy
             us
             ,
             That
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             this
             Supreme
             Powerful
             Being
             ,
             can
             neither
             will
             nor
             do
             any
             wrong
             :
             For
             if
             we
             consider
             things
             well
             ,
             we
             shall
             plainly
             see
             ,
             that
             tho
             some
             degree
             of
             Power
             is
             required
             to
             enable
             men
             to
             do
             wrong
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             always
             want
             of
             Power
             which
             tempts
             them
             to
             do
             wrong
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             two
             visible
             Causes
             of
             all
             the
             Injustice
             that
             is
             committed
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             both
             of
             them
             are
             the
             effects
             of
             weakness
             .
             1.
             
             That
             men
             want
             Power
             to
             do
             what
             they
             have
             a
             mind
             to
             do
             ,
             without
             doing
             some
             wrong
             or
             injury
             to
             others
             .
             2.
             
             That
             men
             are
             overpowered
             by
             their
             own
             passions
             ,
             to
             do
             what
             they
             know
             they
             ought
             not
             to
             do
             ,
             and
             which
             they
             would
             not
             do
             ,
             had
             they
             the
             perfect
             Government
             of
             themselves
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             first
             ,
             Is
             there
             any
             man
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             who
             is
             not
             a
             perfect
             bruit
             ,
             who
             does
             not
             wish
             that
             it
             were
             lawful
             for
             him
             to
             do
             what
             he
             has
             a
             mind
             to
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             might
             have
             what
             he
             desires
             to
             have
             ,
             without
             offering
             Violence
             or
             Injury
             to
             any
             body
             ?
             Would
             not
             a
             Thief
             much
             rather
             chuse
             
             to
             find
             a
             Treasure
             ,
             than
             to
             take
             a
             Purse
             upon
             the
             Road
             ?
             Would
             not
             an
             Ambitious
             and
             Aspiring
             Monarch
             rather
             chuse
             ,
             That
             all
             Princes
             should
             resign
             their
             Crowns
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             all
             Nations
             become
             his
             Subjects
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             forced
             to
             win
             their
             Crowns
             by
             his
             Sword
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             bloody
             Conquests
             with
             the
             lamentable
             Ravage
             and
             Spoils
             of
             flourishing
             Countries
             ?
             Do
             not
             men
             intend
             to
             supply
             some
             real
             or
             imaginary
             want
             in
             all
             the
             Injuries
             they
             do
             ?
             And
             does
             not
             this
             suppose
             weakness
             and
             want
             of
             Power
             ,
             to
             want
             any
             thing
             else
             ?
             For
             is
             it
             possible
             for
             Absolute
             Power
             to
             want
             ?
             So
             impossible
             is
             it
             for
             Absolute
             Power
             to
             do
             any
             Injury
             .
          
           
             He
             who
             is
             the
             sole
             Lord
             and
             Proprietor
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             (
             as
             he
             is
             and
             must
             be
             whose
             Power
             is
             Supreme
             and
             Absolute
             )
             ,
             He
             whos
             's
             all
             Creatures
             are
             ,
             and
             whose
             Wisdom
             and
             Power
             can
             accomplish
             whatever
             he
             would
             have
             done
             ,
             without
             doing
             the
             least
             Injustice
             ,
             can
             never
             be
             tempted
             to
             injure
             his
             own
             Creatures
             ,
             nor
             can
             ever
             want
             any
             thing
             which
             should
             tempt
             him
             to
             do
             an
             Injury
             ;
             and
             therefore
             Absolute
             Power
             must
             be
             Absolute
             Justice
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             All
             the
             Injuries
             that
             are
             done
             ,
             are
             owing
             to
             the
             Lusts
             and
             Passions
             of
             men
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             weaknesses
             even
             of
             Human
             Nature
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             not
             under
             the
             government
             of
             Reason
             .
             No
             man
             does
             any
             Injury
             ,
             but
             to
             gratifie
             some
             Lust
             or
             Passion
             ;
             and
             that
             is
             a
             weak
             and
             impotent
             mind
             ,
             where
             Passion
             reigns
             .
             Reason
             is
             the
             Strength
             and
             Vigor
             of
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             a
             man
             who
             lives
             by
             Reason
             ,
             never
             does
             any
             Injury
             ,
             but
             through
             mistake
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             weakness
             of
             Reason
             .
             But
             now
             Absolute
             Power
             is
             not
             an
             external
             adventitious
             thing
             ,
             but
             is
             a
             Powerful
             Nature
             ,
             and
             a
             Powerful
             Nature
             is
             all
             Power
             ,
             and
             there
             can
             be
             no
             place
             for
             the
             Rule
             and
             Empire
             of
             Passion
             ;
             and
             if
             it
             be
             one
             Passion
             or
             other
             which
             always
             does
             the
             Injury
             ,
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             which
             is
             void
             of
             Passion
             ,
             can
             do
             none
             .
          
           
           
             Excepting
             a
             Divine
             Love
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             the
             true
             Image
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             ,
             and
             never
             does
             any
             Injury
             ,
             and
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             reckoned
             among
             the
             Passions
             )
             ,
             all
             our
             other
             Pasons
             are
             the
             effects
             of
             weakness
             ,
             and
             are
             Arguments
             of
             a
             weak
             ,
             limited
             ,
             and
             confined
             Nature
             .
          
           
             Desire
             and
             Hope
             prove
             that
             we
             want
             something
             which
             we
             cannot
             certainly
             bestow
             upon
             our selves
             ;
             Fear
             is
             a
             sense
             of
             danger
             ,
             which
             argues
             want
             of
             Power
             to
             defend
             our selves
             :
             Anger
             and
             Revenge
             is
             a
             resentment
             of
             some
             Injuries
             we
             have
             received
             ,
             and
             that
             argues
             want
             of
             Power
             ,
             to
             suffer
             Injuries
             :
             Hatred
             and
             Malice
             are
             but
             greater
             degrees
             of
             Anger
             and
             Revenge
             ;
             and
             the
             greater
             they
             are
             ,
             the
             greater
             sense
             they
             argue
             of
             Fear
             and
             Danger
             ,
             of
             Injuries
             either
             expected
             ,
             or
             received
             .
          
           
             These
             are
             the
             Passions
             which
             do
             all
             the
             mischief
             that
             is
             done
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             demonstrable
             ,
             that
             Absolute
             Power
             is
             not
             capable
             of
             these
             injurious
             Passions
             ,
             can
             neither
             desire
             ,
             nor
             hope
             ,
             nor
             fear
             ,
             can
             suffer
             no
             Wants
             nor
             Injuries
             ,
             nor
             have
             any
             sense
             or
             resentment
             of
             them
             ;
             and
             therefore
             there
             is
             no
             danger
             it
             should
             do
             any
             Injury
             ;
             it
             is
             acted
             by
             calm
             and
             steady
             Wisdom
             ,
             which
             is
             unerring
             Justice
             too
             ,
             which
             never
             did
             and
             never
             can
             do
             any
             injury
             .
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             some
             of
             these
             Passions
             are
             in
             Scripture
             attributed
             to
             God
             ,
             such
             as
             Anger
             ,
             Fury
             ,
             Hatred
             ,
             Revenge
             ;
             for
             the
             Scripture
             speaks
             of
             God
             after
             the
             manner
             of
             men
             ;
             but
             then
             all
             that
             this
             signifies
             is
             ,
             That
             God
             will
             be
             as
             severe
             in
             his
             Judgments
             ,
             as
             Anger
             and
             Revenge
             is
             ,
             tho
             it
             is
             not
             Passion
             in
             God
             ,
             but
             a
             Wise
             ,
             and
             Cool
             ,
             and
             Equal
             Justice
             ,
             which
             punishes
             ;
             which
             may
             be
             as
             severe
             as
             Anger
             and
             Revenge
             ,
             but
             never
             partial
             or
             unjust
             .
          
           
             (
             3.
             )
             Nay
             ,
             we
             may
             observe
             ,
             That
             Power
             it self
             is
             a
             Great
             and
             Generous
             Principle
             ,
             and
             inspires
             men
             with
             Great
             and
             Noble
             Thoughts
             .
             Those
             whose
             Power
             secures
             them
             from
             receiving
             any
             hurt
             ,
             are
             never
             tempted
             to
             do
             any
             :
             Power
             ,
             which
             is
             Cruel
             ,
             Insolent
             ,
             Mischievous
             ,
             is
             always
             
             conscious
             of
             its
             own
             weakness
             and
             danger
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             commonly
             weakness
             and
             fear
             ,
             which
             makes
             men
             cruel
             ;
             but
             a
             Power
             which
             knows
             it self
             out
             of
             danger
             ,
             out
             of
             the
             reach
             of
             envy
             and
             ill-will
             ,
             is
             always
             a
             very
             generous
             Adversary
             ,
             never
             insults
             over
             a
             prostrate
             Enemy
             ;
             for
             such
             great
             Power
             makes
             all
             its
             Enemies
             the
             objects
             of
             Pity
             or
             Scorn
             ,
             and
             then
             they
             cease
             to
             be
             the
             objects
             of
             Revenge
             .
             And
             if
             Power
             ,
             that
             little
             Power
             which
             men
             have
             ,
             gives
             them
             such
             a
             Greatness
             of
             Mind
             as
             sets
             them
             above
             Affronts
             ,
             and
             Resentments
             ,
             and
             sense
             of
             Injuries
             ;
             if
             this
             be
             so
             natural
             to
             Power
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             always
             expected
             from
             men
             in
             Power
             ,
             That
             they
             should
             have
             a
             Greatness
             and
             Generosity
             of
             Mind
             proportioned
             to
             their
             Power
             ;
             That
             it
             is
             a
             Reproach
             to
             them
             when
             it
             is
             not
             so
             ,
             and
             makes
             them
             despised
             ,
             and
             scorned
             ,
             and
             hated
             ,
             with
             all
             their
             Power
             ;
             What
             then
             may
             we
             expect
             from
             the
             Perfect
             and
             Absolute
             Power
             of
             God
             ?
             We
             may
             fear
             his
             Justice
             ,
             but
             have
             no
             reason
             to
             fear
             his
             Power
             ;
             Justice
             will
             punish
             sinners
             ,
             but
             his
             Power
             will
             never
             oppress
             ;
             for
             that
             is
             below
             his
             Power
             ,
             that
             is
             too
             mean
             and
             base
             a
             thing
             for
             Perfect
             and
             Absolute
             Power
             to
             do
             :
             It
             is
             thought
             a
             reproach
             for
             a
             Great
             and
             Powerful
             Man
             to
             oppress
             ,
             much
             less
             then
             will
             the
             All-Powerful
             God
             do
             so
             .
          
           
             (
             4.
             )
             For
             to
             observe
             but
             one
             thing
             more
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             Glory
             of
             Power
             to
             do
             good
             ,
             not
             to
             do
             hurt
             ,
             and
             if
             this
             be
             the
             Natural
             Glory
             of
             Power
             ,
             it
             is
             its
             Natural
             Perfection
             too
             ,
             and
             the
             most
             Natural
             Exercise
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             that
             which
             Perfect
             Power
             will
             do
             .
             It
             s
             Nature
             is
             to
             do
             good
             ,
             but
             never
             to
             do
             hurt
             ;
             that
             if
             to
             punish
             were
             not
             to
             do
             good
             ,
             Perfect
             and
             Absolute
             Power
             could
             not
             punish
             .
          
           
             If
             we
             rightly
             consider
             things
             ,
             we
             must
             confess
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             a
             much
             greater
             Power
             to
             do
             good
             ,
             than
             to
             do
             hurt
             ;
             to
             save
             ,
             than
             to
             destroy
             ;
             to
             make
             so
             excellent
             a
             Creature
             as
             man
             is
             ,
             and
             to
             maintain
             and
             preserve
             him
             in
             being
             ,
             than
             to
             kill
             him
             :
             In
             most
             cases
             it
             requires
             very
             little
             Power
             to
             
             do
             hurt
             ;
             every
             man
             ,
             how
             weak
             and
             inconsiderable
             soever
             he
             is
             ,
             has
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             Power
             to
             do
             hurt
             ;
             but
             there
             are
             very
             few
             who
             can
             do
             much
             good
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             plain
             ,
             that
             to
             do
             good
             is
             the
             greater
             Power
             ,
             and
             therefore
             to
             do
             good
             ,
             must
             be
             essential
             to
             the
             greatest
             Power
             .
             It
             is
             certain
             ,
             that
             to
             do
             good
             is
             the
             most
             glorious
             Power
             ,
             because
             good
             is
             in
             it self
             a
             beautiful
             ,
             lovely
             ,
             and
             glorious
             thing
             ,
             but
             evil
             is
             very
             inglorious
             .
             All
             Creatures
             love
             to
             receive
             good
             ,
             they
             feel
             it
             ,
             they
             rejoice
             in
             it
             ,
             they
             adore
             and
             praise
             their
             Maker
             and
             great
             Benefactor
             ,
             they
             live
             in
             him
             ,
             they
             depend
             on
             him
             ,
             they
             fly
             to
             him
             to
             supply
             their
             wants
             ,
             they
             take
             Refuge
             and
             Sanctuary
             in
             his
             Power
             ,
             and
             think
             themselves
             safe
             under
             his
             Wings
             .
             And
             can
             there
             possibly
             be
             a
             more
             lovely
             Idea
             and
             Representation
             of
             Power
             than
             this
             ?
             A
             Power
             ,
             which
             makes
             a
             World
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Creatures
             in
             it
             ;
             which
             contrives
             their
             Natures
             with
             all
             variety
             of
             Art
             and
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             with
             very
             different
             capacities
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             different
             Excellencies
             and
             Perfections
             of
             their
             Natures
             ,
             and
             provides
             for
             them
             all
             with
             a
             bounteous
             Hand
             ;
             this
             is
             great
             and
             excellent
             Power
             indeed
             ,
             which
             gives
             Being
             ,
             and
             preserves
             it
             ,
             and
             provides
             daily
             for
             such
             infinite
             numbers
             and
             variety
             of
             Creatures
             as
             are
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             this
             is
             the
             lovely
             and
             charming
             Idea
             of
             a
             God
             ;
             but
             an
             Arbitrary
             ,
             Lawless
             Power
             ,
             which
             tyranizeth
             over
             Creatures
             ,
             which
             can
             do
             what
             mischief
             it
             pleases
             ,
             and
             delights
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             is
             a
             very
             terrible
             thing
             indeed
             ,
             but
             not
             glorious
             ;
             it
             is
             what
             all
             Creatures
             must
             fear
             ,
             and
             hate
             ,
             and
             fly
             from
             ,
             not
             praise
             and
             adore
             .
             So
             that
             if
             we
             will
             allow
             the
             most
             Perfect
             and
             Absolute
             Power
             to
             be
             the
             most
             Glorious
             ,
             as
             we
             must
             do
             if
             we
             acknowledge
             Power
             to
             be
             Glorious
             ,
             then
             the
             most
             Absolute
             Power
             must
             be
             the
             most
             kind
             and
             beneficent
             thing
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             the
             Glory
             of
             Power
             ,
             to
             do
             good
             .
          
           
             Thus
             we
             see
             in
             what
             sense
             Absolute
             Will
             and
             Power
             can
             do
             no
             wrong
             ,
             because
             the
             Will
             and
             Power
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             
             is
             the
             only
             Absolute
             Will
             and
             Power
             ,
             is
             Absolute
             Rectitude
             and
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Absolute
             Goodness
             too
             .
             Absolute
             Power
             can
             do
             no
             wrong
             ,
             because
             it
             can
             never
             will
             nor
             chuse
             to
             do
             any
             wrong
             ;
             not
             because
             Power
             can
             make
             that
             just
             and
             right
             ,
             which
             without
             such
             Absolute
             Power
             would
             have
             been
             wrong
             ;
             for
             no
             Power
             can
             make
             right
             to
             be
             wrong
             ,
             nor
             wrong
             to
             be
             right
             .
             Good
             and
             evil
             ,
             just
             and
             unjust
             ,
             are
             of
             an
             eternal
             and
             unchangeable
             nature
             ,
             not
             made
             so
             by
             Power
             ,
             but
             in
             their
             Notion
             antecedent
             to
             Power
             ,
             and
             the
             natural
             rule
             and
             measure
             of
             it
             .
             The
             Will
             of
             God
             is
             Eternal
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             therefore
             his
             Will
             is
             the
             Eternal
             Rule
             of
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ;
             and
             therefore
             in
             propriety
             of
             speech
             ,
             when
             we
             speak
             of
             God
             we
             can
             neither
             say
             that
             God
             wills
             any
             thing
             because
             it
             is
             just
             and
             good
             ,
             or
             that
             it
             is
             just
             and
             good
             because
             God
             wills
             it
             ,
             both
             which
             imply
             a
             distinction
             between
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             which
             in
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             are
             the
             same
             ;
             but
             since
             the
             imperfection
             of
             our
             understandings
             cannot
             admit
             one
             simple
             Notion
             and
             Idea
             of
             an
             Infinite
             Mind
             ,
             but
             must
             apprehend
             every
             thing
             by
             distinct
             Conceptions
             in
             God
             ,
             as
             we
             do
             in
             Creatures
             ;
             it
             is
             more
             agreeable
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             things
             ,
             to
             make
             good
             and
             evil
             antecedent
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Rule
             of
             his
             Will
             and
             Choice
             ,
             because
             this
             asserts
             the
             Eternal
             and
             Unchangeable
             Nature
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             and
             the
             inflexible
             Justice
             and
             Holiness
             of
             the
             Divine
             Will
             ,
             that
             God
             never
             can
             will
             any
             thing
             but
             what
             is
             Just
             and
             Good
             ,
             and
             never
             wills
             any
             thing
             for
             any
             other
             reason
             ,
             but
             because
             it
             is
             Just
             and
             Good
             :
             Whereas
             to
             make
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             to
             depend
             wholly
             upon
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             therefore
             any
             thing
             is
             Just
             and
             Good
             because
             God
             wills
             it
             ,
             supposes
             that
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             has
             no
             stable
             Nature
             of
             its
             own
             ,
             but
             may
             at
             any
             time
             change
             its
             Nature
             with
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             impossible
             to
             prove
             ,
             that
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             can't
             change
             as
             the
             Wills
             of
             men
             do
             ,
             if
             it
             have
             no
             Eternal
             and
             Unchangeable
             
             Rule
             ,
             or
             be
             not
             Eternal
             and
             Unchangeable
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             it self
             .
          
           
             When
             we
             speak
             of
             God
             after
             the
             manner
             of
             men
             ,
             our
             words
             must
             be
             expounded
             to
             the
             same
             sense
             ,
             excepting
             Metaphorical
             and
             Figurative
             Expressions
             ,
             as
             when
             they
             are
             used
             of
             men
             :
             Now
             we
             all
             know
             what
             a
             vast
             difference
             there
             is
             between
             these
             two
             expressions
             ,
             when
             used
             of
             men
             .
             Such
             a
             man
             always
             wills
             and
             chuses
             what
             is
             good
             and
             just
             ;
             and
             he
             makes
             every
             thing
             good
             and
             just
             by
             willing
             it
             ;
             the
             first
             supposes
             a
             certain
             and
             invariable
             Rule
             of
             good
             and
             evil
             ,
             the
             second
             resolves
             the
             nature
             of
             good
             and
             just
             into
             Arbitrary
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             .
          
           
             And
             it
             is
             the
             very
             same
             case
             ,
             when
             we
             speak
             of
             God's
             Power
             ,
             which
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             the
             execution
             of
             his
             Will.
             God's
             Absolute
             Power
             can
             do
             nothing
             but
             what
             is
             just
             and
             good
             ;
             but
             we
             must
             not
             therefore
             say
             ,
             That
             Absolute
             Power
             makes
             every
             thing
             it
             does
             ,
             just
             and
             good
             ;
             as
             if
             Power
             were
             not
             regulated
             by
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             but
             were
             the
             Rule
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             great
             reason
             curiously
             to
             distinguish
             in
             this
             matter
             ,
             because
             there
             are
             a
             sort
             of
             Christians
             who
             attribute
             such
             things
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             are
             irreconcilable
             with
             all
             the
             Notions
             we
             have
             of
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             think
             to
             silence
             all
             Objections
             ,
             and
             to
             justify
             all
             ,
             by
             the
             Sovereign
             Dominion
             and
             Absolute
             Power
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             can
             do
             no
             wrong
             ;
             but
             if
             it
             be
             a
             wrong
             to
             Creatures
             to
             be
             eternally
             miserable
             for
             no
             other
             reason
             but
             the
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             of
             God
             ,
             I
             cannot
             but
             think
             the
             Absolute
             Decrees
             of
             Reprobation
             to
             be
             very
             unjust
             ,
             and
             the
             Execution
             of
             such
             Decrees
             to
             be
             doing
             wrong
             ,
             how
             Absolute
             soever
             the
             Power
             be
             that
             does
             it
             .
          
           
             And
             I
             confess
             I
             cannot
             but
             wonder
             ,
             that
             men
             who
             make
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             the
             End
             of
             all
             his
             actions
             ,
             (
             as
             certainly
             it
             is
             ,
             when
             rightly
             understood
             )
             should
             attribute
             such
             things
             to
             God
             as
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             mankind
             think
             very
             inglorious
             .
             
             That
             when
             the
             truest
             and
             greatest
             Glory
             of
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             as
             you
             have
             already
             heard
             ,
             is
             to
             do
             the
             greatest
             good
             ,
             they
             should
             think
             it
             sufficient
             to
             justifie
             such
             actions
             as
             they
             have
             no
             other
             way
             to
             prove
             good
             and
             just
             ,
             merely
             by
             Absolute
             Power
             .
             The
             Glory
             of
             Absolute
             Power
             is
             to
             do
             what
             all
             the
             world
             acknowledges
             to
             be
             good
             and
             just
             ;
             and
             therefore
             Absolute
             Power
             cannot
             prove
             those
             actions
             to
             be
             good
             and
             just
             ,
             nor
             make
             it self
             Glorious
             ,
             by
             doing
             such
             actions
             as
             mankind
             think
             very
             infamous
             and
             unjust
             .
          
           
             Let
             us
             then
             lay
             down
             this
             as
             the
             Foundation
             of
             all
             ,
             That
             how
             Unaccountable
             soever
             Sovereign
             and
             Absolute
             Will
             and
             Power
             is
             ,
             it
             neither
             can
             nor
             will
             do
             any
             wrong
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             Absolute
             and
             Sovereign
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             .
             We
             have
             no
             reason
             to
             be
             afraid
             of
             the
             Absolute
             Power
             of
             God
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             we
             have
             to
             be
             afraid
             of
             his
             Absolute
             Goodness
             .
             Absolute
             Power
             is
             the
             only
             security
             we
             have
             against
             suffering
             wrong
             ;
             for
             it
             will
             do
             no
             wrong
             it self
             ,
             but
             will
             rectify
             all
             the
             wrongs
             which
             are
             done
             by
             Inferior
             Powers
             ,
             which
             none
             but
             a
             Sovereign
             and
             Absolute
             Power
             can
             do
             .
             The
             firm
             belief
             of
             this
             will
             give
             great
             relief
             and
             satisfaction
             to
             our
             minds
             ,
             under
             all
             the
             unaccountable
             Passages
             of
             Providence
             ;
             for
             tho
             Absolute
             Power
             be
             always
             just
             and
             good
             ,
             yet
             
               its
               ways
               are
            
             sometimes
             
               past
               finding
               out
            
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Let
             us
             now
             consider
             ,
             How
             unsearchable
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             is
             ,
             
               which
               doth
               great
               things
               past
               finding
               out
               ,
               yea
               ,
               and
               wonders
               without
               number
               ,
            
             9.
             
             Job
             10.
             
             Which
             may
             satisfy
             us
             ,
             how
             impossible
             it
             is
             for
             such
             ignorant
             creatures
             as
             we
             are
             ,
             to
             comprehend
             all
             the
             Wise
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             how
             impious
             it
             is
             ,
             to
             reproach
             and
             censure
             what
             we
             do
             not
             and
             cannot
             understand
             .
          
           
             We
             all
             know
             the
             History
             of
             Iob
             ,
             and
             the
             Dispute
             betwixt
             him
             and
             his
             three
             Friends
             .
             God
             exercised
             Iob
             with
             very
             severe
             and
             amazing
             Sufferings
             ,
             for
             the
             Trial
             of
             his
             
             Vertue
             ;
             his
             Friends
             conclude
             from
             his
             great
             Sufferings
             ,
             That
             tho
             his
             life
             were
             visibly
             very
             innocent
             and
             vertuous
             ,
             yet
             he
             had
             been
             a
             secret
             Hypocrite
             ,
             because
             God
             did
             not
             use
             to
             punish
             good
             men
             ,
             but
             only
             the
             wicked
             in
             such
             a
             manner
             .
             On
             the
             other
             hand
             ,
             Iob
             justifies
             his
             own
             Innocence
             ,
             and
             asserts
             more
             truly
             ,
             That
             bad
             men
             were
             many
             times
             very
             prosperous
             ,
             and
             good
             men
             great
             sufferers
             in
             this
             world
             :
             He
             complains
             very
             tragically
             of
             his
             sufferings
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             could
             not
             understand
             the
             reason
             why
             God
             dealt
             thus
             with
             him
             ;
             and
             this
             seems
             to
             be
             
             Iob's
             fault
             ,
             that
             he
             insisted
             too
             much
             on
             his
             own
             Justification
             ,
             and
             instead
             of
             vindicating
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             seems
             to
             accuse
             God
             of
             a
             causeless
             and
             unaccountable
             Severity
             ;
             for
             which
             Elihu
             so
             severely
             reproved
             him
             .
             At
             last
             ,
             God
             answers
             Iob
             himself
             ,
             as
             he
             had
             often
             desired
             he
             would
             ;
             but
             instead
             of
             a
             particular
             Justification
             of
             his
             Providence
             ,
             or
             of
             giving
             Iob
             the
             Reasons
             for
             which
             he
             had
             thus
             afflicted
             him
             ,
             he
             gives
             him
             some
             sensible
             Proofs
             of
             his
             own
             Great
             and
             Admirable
             Wisdom
             and
             Power
             in
             the
             Works
             of
             Nature
             ,
             which
             Iob
             was
             so
             far
             from
             being
             able
             to
             imitate
             ,
             that
             he
             could
             not
             understand
             how
             they
             were
             done
             :
             The
             Force
             of
             which
             Argument
             is
             this
             ,
             That
             so
             weak
             and
             ignorant
             a
             Creature
             as
             Man
             is
             ,
             ought
             not
             to
             censure
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             how
             mysterious
             and
             unaccountable
             soever
             it
             be
             ;
             when
             the
             very
             Works
             of
             Nature
             convince
             us
             ,
             That
             God
             is
             infinitely
             Wiser
             and
             more
             Powerful
             than
             we
             are
             :
             This
             should
             teach
             us
             great
             Modesty
             and
             Humility
             ,
             to
             adore
             the
             Divine
             Judgments
             ,
             not
             to
             censure
             what
             we
             cannot
             understand
             ;
             for
             the
             Power
             and
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             can
             do
             great
             and
             excellent
             things
             ,
             above
             our
             understandings
             .
          
           
             
               Vain
               man
               would
               be
               wise
            
             ,
             
             
               tho
               man
               be
               born
               like
               a
               wild
               asses
               colt
               .
            
             They
             are
             impatient
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             God
             should
             do
             any
             thing
             which
             they
             cannot
             understand
             ,
             and
             yet
             there
             is
             not
             any
             one
             thing
             in
             Nature
             ,
             which
             they
             do
             understand
             :
             And
             if
             we
             cannot
             understand
             the
             Mysteries
             of
             Nature
             ,
             why
             
             should
             we
             expect
             to
             understand
             all
             the
             unsearchable
             Depths
             and
             Mysteries
             of
             Providence
             ?
             If
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             be
             unsearchable
             ,
             why
             should
             we
             not
             allow
             his
             Wisdom
             in
             Governing
             the
             World
             ,
             to
             be
             as
             unsearchable
             as
             his
             Wisdom
             in
             Making
             it
             ?
             For
             an
             Incomprehensible
             Wisdom
             will
             do
             Incomprehensible
             Things
             ,
             whatever
             it
             employs
             its
             self
             about
             ;
             and
             when
             we
             know
             ,
             that
             if
             the
             world
             be
             governed
             at
             all
             ,
             it
             is
             governed
             by
             an
             Infinite
             and
             Incomprehensible
             Wisdom
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             reason
             to
             wonder
             that
             there
             are
             many
             Events
             of
             Providence
             which
             we
             cannot
             fathom
             ,
             and
             much
             less
             reason
             to
             deny
             a
             Providence
             ,
             because
             we
             cannot
             comprehend
             the
             Reasons
             of
             all
             Events
             .
          
           
             But
             this
             is
             a
             matter
             of
             such
             vast
             consequence
             ,
             to
             silence
             the
             Sceptical
             Humour
             of
             the
             Age
             ,
             and
             to
             shame
             those
             trifling
             and
             ridiculous
             Pretences
             to
             Wit
             and
             Philosophy
             ,
             in
             Censuring
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             that
             it
             deserves
             a
             more
             particular
             Discourse
             :
             For
             could
             we
             make
             men
             confess
             ,
             what
             all
             modest
             considering
             men
             must
             blush
             to
             deny
             ,
             That
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             is
             unsearchable
             ,
             this
             would
             put
             an
             end
             to
             all
             the
             Disputes
             about
             Providence
             ,
             and
             teach
             us
             humbly
             to
             Adore
             and
             Reverence
             that
             Wisdom
             ,
             which
             we
             cannot
             comprehend
             .
          
           
             And
             to
             prepare
             my
             way
             to
             give
             such
             full
             satisfaction
             in
             this
             matter
             ,
             as
             you
             may
             securely
             acquiesce
             in
             ,
             without
             Disputing
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             ,
             or
             being
             tempted
             to
             Deny
             a
             Providence
             ,
             when
             you
             meet
             with
             any
             Difficulties
             too
             hard
             for
             you
             ,
             I
             shall
             show
             you
             how
             impossible
             it
             is
             that
             is
             should
             be
             otherwise
             ,
             both
             from
             the
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             our
             own
             great
             Ignorance
             of
             things
             ,
             which
             makes
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             in
             many
             cases
             so
             much
             above
             our
             understandings
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             not
             capable
             of
             such
             knowledge
             .
          
           
             And
             1.
             
             I
             shall
             show
             you
             ,
             What
             reason
             we
             have
             securely
             to
             acquiesce
             in
             the
             unsearchable
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ,
             
             and
             to
             trust
             God
             beyond
             our
             own
             knowledge
             ,
             because
             we
             are
             certain
             that
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             can
             never
             err
             ,
             or
             mistake
             ,
             or
             do
             wrong
             .
             2.
             
             That
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             must
             be
             as
             unsearchable
             and
             unaccountable
             to
             us
             ,
             as
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             the
             Creation
             .
             3.
             
             That
             the
             wise
             Government
             of
             the
             world
             requires
             secret
             and
             hidden
             Methods
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             therefore
             at
             least
             in
             this
             present
             state
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             expect
             or
             desire
             a
             particular
             account
             or
             reason
             of
             all
             events
             .
             4.
             
             That
             our
             ignorance
             of
             other
             matters
             ,
             the
             knowledge
             of
             which
             is
             absolutely
             necessary
             to
             understand
             the
             reasons
             of
             Providence
             ,
             makes
             us
             utterly
             uncapable
             of
             such
             knowledge
             in
             this
             state
             .
             5.
             
             I
             shall
             enquire
             in
             what
             cases
             this
             is
             a
             reasonable
             answer
             to
             all
             Difficulties
             ,
             
               That
               the
               judgments
               of
               God
               are
               unsearchable
               ,
               and
               his
               ways
               past
               finding
               out
               .
            
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             ,
             how
             unsearchable
             and
             unaccountable
             soever
             its
             ways
             are
             ,
             can
             do
             no
             wrong
             .
             As
             I
             observed
             before
             ,
             that
             God's
             Absolute
             Power
             is
             Absolute
             Rectitude
             and
             Justice
             ;
             so
             all
             men
             must
             grant
             ,
             that
             Infinite
             and
             Perfect
             Wisdom
             is
             always
             in
             the
             right
             ;
             for
             to
             be
             in
             the
             wrong
             is
             Ignorance
             and
             Mistake
             .
             If
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             will
             always
             judge
             ,
             and
             chuse
             ,
             and
             act
             wisely
             ,
             it
             is
             then
             impossible
             that
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             should
             ever
             do
             wrong
             ;
             for
             to
             do
             wrong
             ,
             is
             either
             not
             to
             judge
             ,
             or
             not
             to
             chuse
             wisely
             .
             In
             Scripture
             all
             kind
             of
             Wickedness
             is
             called
             Folly
             ,
             and
             Sinners
             Fools
             ,
             and
             to
             learn
             Wisdom
             is
             prescribed
             as
             the
             only
             remedy
             against
             Vice
             ;
             
               The
               fear
               of
               the
               Lord
               that
               is
               wisdom
               ;
               and
               to
               depart
               from
               evil
               ,
               that
               is
               understanding
               :
            
             And
             the
             reason
             and
             nature
             of
             things
             proves
             it
             must
             be
             so
             ;
             for
             all
             men
             who
             do
             wickedly
             ,
             must
             either
             mistake
             their
             Rule
             ,
             or
             mistake
             their
             Interest
             ;
             must
             either
             call
             Vice
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             Vertue
             Vice
             ,
             or
             think
             to
             make
             themselves
             happy
             by
             being
             wicked
             ;
             which
             is
             a
             stupid
             ignorance
             of
             the
             nature
             and
             the
             natural
             effects
             and
             consequences
             of
             things
             .
             Now
             if
             all
             Wickedness
             be
             Ignorance
             and
             Folly
             ,
             Infinite
             
             and
             Perfect
             Wisdom
             must
             be
             perfect
             Rectitude
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Goodness
             ;
             it
             can
             never
             do
             any
             wrong
             ,
             because
             it
             can
             never
             be
             ignorant
             of
             what
             is
             right
             .
          
           
             And
             what
             greater
             security
             can
             creatures
             possibly
             have
             ,
             That
             in
             the
             last
             issue
             of
             things
             they
             shall
             suffer
             no
             wrong
             ,
             than
             to
             know
             that
             they
             are
             under
             the
             Care
             and
             Government
             of
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             ,
             that
             can
             do
             no
             wrong
             ?
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             indeed
             is
             incomprehensible
             to
             a
             finite
             mind
             ,
             the
             methods
             of
             it
             may
             seem
             intricate
             and
             perplext
             to
             us
             ,
             full
             of
             Mystery
             and
             surprizing
             Events
             ;
             and
             thus
             it
             must
             be
             ,
             while
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             governs
             the
             world
             ,
             which
             is
             so
             much
             above
             the
             reach
             of
             our
             most
             improved
             and
             elevated
             thoughts
             :
             But
             would
             not
             any
             wise
             man
             rather
             chuse
             to
             be
             governed
             by
             such
             a
             perfect
             and
             excellent
             Wisdom
             ,
             as
             can
             never
             mistake
             ,
             tho
             it
             vastly
             exceeds
             his
             understanding
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             governed
             by
             a
             Being
             no
             wiser
             ,
             or
             not
             much
             wiser
             than
             himself
             ,
             all
             whose
             Counsels
             he
             can
             fathom
             ;
             and
             see
             to
             the
             end
             of
             ?
             The
             more
             perfect
             and
             excellent
             the
             Wisdom
             is
             ,
             the
             less
             we
             can
             understand
             it
             ,
             but
             the
             more
             safe
             we
             are
             under
             its
             conduct
             :
             So
             absurd
             is
             it
             to
             complain
             that
             we
             cannot
             understand
             all
             the
             depths
             and
             secrets
             of
             Providence
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             as
             reasonably
             complain
             ,
             That
             an
             Excellent
             and
             Incomprehensible
             Wisdom
             takes
             care
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             the
             creatures
             that
             are
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             While
             we
             know
             our selves
             safe
             in
             the
             hands
             of
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             ,
             let
             us
             be
             contented
             that
             God
             should
             do
             such
             things
             as
             we
             cannot
             understand
             the
             reasons
             of
             :
             Are
             we
             ever
             the
             less
             perfect
             and
             happy
             creatures
             ,
             because
             we
             know
             not
             how
             God
             made
             us
             ,
             how
             he
             formed
             and
             fashioned
             us
             in
             the
             womb
             ,
             and
             breathed
             into
             us
             the
             breath
             of
             life
             ?
             And
             what
             hurt
             is
             it
             to
             us
             ,
             if
             God
             preserve
             and
             govern
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             take
             care
             of
             all
             the
             creatures
             in
             it
             ,
             by
             as
             unknown
             and
             incomprehensible
             a
             Wisdom
             ,
             as
             that
             which
             at
             first
             gave
             being
             to
             us
             ?
             We
             find
             our selves
             wisely
             made
             ,
             tho
             we
             know
             not
             how
             God
             made
             us
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             conclusion
             
             of
             all
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             and
             feel
             our selves
             very
             happy
             ,
             if
             we
             follow
             God
             ,
             and
             adhere
             to
             him
             ,
             tho
             we
             may
             not
             understand
             the
             reasons
             of
             all
             intermediate
             Events
             ,
             nor
             the
             several
             steps
             and
             advances
             of
             Providence
             to
             make
             us
             happy
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             great
             Pride
             ,
             and
             as
             contemptible
             Folly
             ,
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             if
             there
             be
             a
             God
             who
             is
             infinitely
             wise
             ,
             he
             should
             not
             be
             able
             to
             do
             things
             above
             our
             understanding
             ,
             and
             to
             do
             them
             very
             wisely
             too
             ,
             tho
             we
             do
             not
             understand
             them
             :
             Let
             men
             value
             their
             understandings
             never
             so
             highly
             ,
             and
             think
             scorn
             that
             any
             thing
             should
             be
             above
             their
             knowledg
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             that
             there
             are
             Ten
             thousand
             things
             both
             in
             the
             Works
             of
             Nature
             and
             Providence
             ,
             which
             no
             man
             fully
             understands
             ,
             and
             yet
             which
             bear
             the
             marks
             and
             signatures
             of
             a
             most
             Divine
             and
             Admirable
             Art
             and
             Wisdom
             ;
             and
             since
             whether
             we
             will
             or
             no
             we
             must
             confess
             our
             own
             ignorance
             ,
             why
             should
             we
             not
             be
             as
             well
             contented
             to
             allow
             that
             God
             can
             do
             such
             things
             as
             are
             above
             our
             understanding
             ,
             as
             that
             there
             should
             be
             such
             things
             done
             ,
             we
             know
             not
             how
             ,
             nor
             by
             whom
             ?
             Is
             it
             not
             a
             greater
             Reproach
             to
             our
             understandings
             ,
             that
             blind
             Chance
             should
             do
             such
             things
             as
             all
             our
             Wit
             and
             Philosophy
             cannot
             comprehend
             ,
             than
             to
             attribute
             such
             Events
             to
             the
             Art
             and
             Government
             of
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             ?
             Which
             is
             most
             reasonable
             ,
             to
             attribute
             such
             works
             as
             are
             above
             our
             understandings
             ,
             to
             the
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             ;
             or
             to
             deny
             that
             they
             had
             any
             wise
             Cause
             ,
             because
             we
             cannot
             find
             out
             the
             Causes
             of
             them
             ,
             tho
             we
             can
             discern
             such
             Wisdom
             in
             them
             ,
             as
             no
             Human
             Art
             or
             Wisdom
             can
             imitate
             ?
          
           
             Indeed
             the
             Passion
             of
             Admiration
             ,
             which
             is
             implanted
             in
             all
             men
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             utterly
             vain
             ,
             is
             a
             plain
             natural
             indication
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             something
             above
             our
             natural
             understandings
             ,
             which
             we
             must
             admire
             ,
             but
             cannot
             comprehend
             ;
             for
             the
             proper
             object
             of
             Admiration
             is
             Art
             and
             Wisdom
             ,
             a
             Wisdom
             vastly
             greater
             than
             our
             own
             ;
             and
             therefore
             if
             this
             natural
             passion
             have
             a
             natural
             object
             ,
             
             it
             is
             certain
             there
             is
             a
             Wisdom
             greater
             than
             our
             own
             ,
             which
             no
             human
             understanding
             can
             comprehend
             ;
             such
             a
             Wisdom
             as
             doth
             
               great
               and
               wondrous
               things
               ,
               and
               things
               past
               finding
               out
               .
            
          
           
             The
             Sum
             is
             this
             ;
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             is
             and
             must
             be
             unacconntable
             ;
             her
             ways
             are
             unsearchable
             and
             past
             finding
             out
             ,
             and
             therefore
             we
             must
             be
             contented
             in
             many
             cases
             ,
             to
             be
             ignorant
             of
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             we
             have
             great
             reason
             to
             be
             so
             since
             we
             are
             so
             secure
             that
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             will
             always
             act
             wisely
             ,
             and
             consult
             the
             general
             good
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             the
             happiness
             of
             particular
             creatures
             ,
             tho
             by
             methods
             secret
             and
             incomprehensible
             to
             us
             :
             which
             teaches
             us
             not
             to
             deny
             or
             censure
             Providence
             ,
             when
             we
             do
             not
             understand
             the
             Reasons
             of
             it
             ;
             but
             in
             an
             entire
             belief
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             ,
             quietly
             to
             submit
             to
             all
             Events
             ,
             and
             to
             adore
             and
             reverence
             his
             Judgments
             with
             an
             implicite
             Faith.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             better
             to
             satisfy
             us
             in
             a
             profound
             Veneration
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ,
             even
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             most
             unaccountable
             Passages
             of
             it
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             impossible
             we
             should
             be
             able
             to
             comprehend
             it
             :
             That
             we
             cannot
             know
             more
             of
             God's
             Governing
             the
             World
             ,
             than
             we
             do
             of
             his
             Making
             it
             :
             That
             the
             unsearchable
             Wisdom
             of
             God's
             Works
             ,
             makes
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             unsearchable
             also
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             supposed
             in
             God's
             Answer
             to
             Iob
             ,
             when
             to
             make
             him
             sensible
             how
             little
             he
             understood
             of
             the
             Wise
             Ends
             and
             Designs
             of
             Providence
             ,
             he
             convinced
             him
             how
             ignorant
             he
             was
             of
             the
             Works
             of
             Nature
             ,
             38
             ,
             39
             ,
             40
             ,
             41.
             
             Chapters
             .
             
               Who
               is
               this
               that
               darkneth
               counsel
               by
               words
               without
               knowledge
               ?
               Gird
               up
               now
               thy
               loins
               like
               a
               man
               ,
               for
               I
               will
               demand
               of
               thee
               ,
               and
               answer
               thou
               me
               :
               Where
               wast
               thou
               when
               I
               laid
               the
               foundations
               of
               the
               earth
               ?
               declare
               if
               thou
               hast
               understanding
               ,
               who
               hath
               laid
               the
               measure
               thereof
               ,
               if
               thou
               knowest
               ?
               or
               who
               hath
               stretched
               the
               line
               upon
               it
               ?
               whereupon
               are
               the
               foundations
               
               thereof
               fastned
               ?
               or
               who
               hath
               laid
               the
               corner
               stone
               thereof
               ?
               who
               shut
               up
               the
               sea
               with
               doors
               ,
               when
               it
               brake
               forth
               as
               if
               it
               had
               issued
               out
               of
               the
               womb
               ?
               Hast
               thou
               commanded
               the
               morning
               since
               thy
               days
               ,
               and
               caused
               the
               day-spring
               to
               know
               his
               place
               ?
               Where
               is
               the
               way
               where
               light
               dwelleth
               ?
               and
               as
               for
               darkness
               ,
               where
               is
               the
               plaee
               thereof
               ?
               Hast
               thou
               entred
               into
               the
               treasures
               of
               the
               snow
               ?
               or
               hast
               thou
               known
               the
               treasures
               of
               the
               hail
               ?
               hath
               the
               rain
               a
               father
               ?
               and
               who
               hath
               begotten
               the
               drops
               of
               the
               dew
               ?
               out
               of
               whose
               womb
               came
               the
               ice
               ?
               and
               the
               hoary
               frost
               of
               heaven
               ,
               who
               hath
               gendred
               it
               ?
            
             By
             these
             and
             such
             like
             Questions
             ,
             expressed
             in
             unimitable
             words
             ,
             God
             convinces
             Iob
             how
             ignorant
             he
             was
             of
             the
             most
             common
             and
             familiar
             Works
             of
             Nature
             ;
             which
             made
             it
             great
             Presumption
             in
             so
             ignorant
             a
             Creature
             ,
             to
             censure
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             .
             And
             the
             Force
             of
             the
             Argument
             does
             not
             only
             consist
             in
             this
             ,
             That
             the
             very
             Works
             of
             Nature
             convince
             us
             ,
             that
             God
             is
             infinitely
             wiser
             than
             we
             are
             ,
             and
             can
             do
             great
             and
             excellent
             things
             which
             are
             above
             our
             understanding
             ,
             and
             therefore
             that
             we
             never
             ought
             to
             censure
             any
             thing
             that
             God
             does
             ,
             because
             he
             is
             so
             much
             wiser
             than
             we
             are
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             not
             competent
             Judges
             of
             what
             he
             does
             ,
             which
             is
             an
             unanswerable
             Argument
             to
             teach
             us
             the
             most
             profound
             Reverence
             and
             the
             most
             absolute
             Resignation
             of
             our selves
             to
             God
             :
             But
             the
             Force
             of
             this
             Argument
             reaches
             farther
             ,
             That
             our
             ignorance
             of
             the
             Works
             of
             Nature
             is
             both
             the
             Cause
             and
             the
             Proof
             of
             our
             great
             Ignorance
             of
             the
             Works
             of
             Providence
             .
             For
             no
             Being
             can
             know
             how
             to
             govern
             a
             world
             ,
             who
             does
             not
             know
             how
             to
             make
             it
             ;
             and
             he
             who
             does
             not
             know
             ,
             how
             to
             govern
             the
             world
             himself
             ,
             is
             a
             very
             unfit
             Judge
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ,
             for
             he
             can
             never
             know
             when
             the
             world
             is
             well
             and
             wisely
             governed
             ,
             because
             he
             does
             not
             know
             what
             belongs
             to
             the
             government
             of
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             The
             wise
             government
             of
             all
             creatures
             must
             be
             proportioned
             to
             their
             natures
             ;
             and
             therefore
             without
             understanding
             
             the
             Philosophy
             of
             Nature
             ,
             the
             Springs
             of
             Motion
             ,
             the
             mutual
             dependance
             of
             Causes
             and
             Effects
             ,
             what
             end
             things
             are
             made
             for
             ,
             and
             what
             uses
             they
             serve
             ,
             we
             can
             never
             know
             what
             is
             fit
             to
             be
             done
             ,
             nor
             what
             can
             be
             done
             ,
             or
             by
             what
             means
             it
             is
             to
             be
             done
             ;
             and
             then
             can
             never
             tell
             when
             any
             thing
             is
             done
             as
             it
             should
             be
             :
             We
             know
             not
             what
             the
             Rules
             ,
             nor
             what
             the
             Ends
             of
             God's
             Government
             are
             ,
             which
             makes
             it
             impossible
             to
             judge
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Government
             :
             Without
             understanding
             the
             Natures
             of
             things
             ,
             we
             must
             of
             necessity
             make
             as
             wild
             Conjectures
             about
             Providence
             ,
             as
             a
             blind
             man
             does
             of
             Light
             and
             Colours
             .
             As
             for
             instance
             ;
             how
             is
             it
             possible
             to
             talk
             a
             wise
             word
             about
             God's
             Government
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             in
             what
             manner
             ,
             and
             by
             what
             means
             he
             turns
             their
             hearts
             ,
             directs
             and
             influences
             their
             counsels
             ,
             suggests
             thoughts
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             foresees
             their
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             how
             they
             will
             determine
             themselves
             ;
             when
             we
             know
             so
             little
             of
             the
             Make
             and
             Frame
             of
             our
             own
             minds
             ,
             where
             the
             spring
             of
             thoughts
             is
             ,
             and
             how
             we
             connect
             Propositions
             ,
             and
             draw
             consequences
             ;
             what
             the
             power
             of
             the
             Will
             is
             ,
             how
             we
             determine
             our selves
             in
             indifferent
             matters
             ,
             where
             the
             balance
             is
             equal
             ?
             for
             tho
             we
             feel
             all
             these
             Powers
             in
             our selves
             ,
             yet
             we
             know
             not
             whence
             they
             are
             ,
             nor
             how
             they
             act
             .
          
           
             And
             yet
             how
             many
             intricate
             questions
             are
             there
             ,
             relating
             to
             the
             Disputes
             of
             Providence
             ,
             which
             are
             wholly
             owing
             to
             such
             Nice
             Philosophical
             Speculations
             ,
             which
             we
             know
             nothing
             of
             ,
             and
             yet
             which
             some
             men
             perplex
             themselves
             with
             ,
             and
             undertake
             very
             gravely
             to
             determine
             .
          
           
             Such
             are
             the
             Disputes
             about
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             ,
             Prescience
             and
             Predetermination
             ,
             and
             the
             liberty
             of
             Human
             Actions
             ;
             which
             as
             they
             are
             differently
             determined
             ,
             make
             very
             different
             and
             contrary
             Hypotheses
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             either
             charge
             God
             with
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             ,
             or
             acquit
             him
             from
             any
             Partnership
             in
             Wickedness
             .
          
           
           
             For
             all
             these
             questions
             at
             last
             resolve
             themselves
             into
             this
             ,
             How
             the
             Mind
             of
             man
             acts
             and
             determines
             it self
             ?
             Whether
             it
             be
             determined
             from
             abroad
             ,
             from
             a
             necessary
             Train
             and
             Series
             of
             Fatal
             Events
             ,
             or
             from
             the
             Decrees
             and
             Predetermination
             or
             Foreknowledg
             of
             God
             ?
             Or
             whether
             it
             be
             a
             self-moving
             Being
             ,
             and
             determines
             it self
             from
             the
             Principles
             of
             its
             own
             Nature
             ,
             and
             its
             own
             free
             Choice
             ?
             Now
             unless
             we
             understood
             the
             Philosophy
             ,
             or
             the
             Natural
             Frame
             and
             Composition
             of
             our
             own
             Minds
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             to
             say
             any
             thing
             to
             the
             purpose
             in
             this
             cause
             ,
             any
             farther
             than
             our
             own
             sense
             and
             feeling
             goes
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             on
             the
             side
             of
             liberty
             ;
             for
             unless
             we
             are
             strangely
             imposed
             on
             ,
             we
             feel
             our selves
             free
             .
             But
             this
             may
             satisfy
             us
             ,
             that
             as
             to
             all
             the
             Difficulties
             of
             Providence
             ,
             which
             can
             be
             no
             other
             way
             resolved
             ,
             but
             by
             a
             knowledge
             of
             Nature
             ,
             we
             must
             of
             necessity
             be
             as
             ignorant
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             we
             are
             of
             the
             nature
             of
             things
             ;
             and
             therefore
             our
             confessed
             ignorance
             of
             Nature
             ,
             is
             a
             good
             Argument
             in
             all
             such
             cases
             ,
             to
             make
             us
             very
             modest
             in
             Censuring
             Providence
             .
          
           
             We
             know
             enough
             both
             of
             the
             works
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             works
             of
             Providence
             ,
             to
             serve
             all
             the
             wise
             ends
             and
             purposes
             of
             living
             ;
             which
             is
             all
             that
             is
             useful
             for
             us
             to
             know
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             God
             intended
             we
             should
             know
             ;
             but
             the
             Reasons
             and
             Causes
             of
             things
             ,
             belong
             only
             to
             that
             Wisdom
             which
             can
             make
             and
             govern
             a
             world
             .
             We
             know
             as
             much
             of
             Providence
             as
             we
             do
             of
             Nature
             ;
             and
             would
             men
             set
             bounds
             to
             their
             Enquiries
             here
             ,
             which
             is
             as
             far
             as
             Human
             Understandings
             can
             reach
             ,
             we
             should
             hear
             very
             few
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             .
          
           
             Our
             ignorance
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             and
             the
             Natural
             Springs
             of
             Motion
             ,
             how
             things
             were
             made
             ,
             and
             how
             they
             act
             ,
             and
             for
             what
             ends
             they
             were
             made
             ,
             which
             in
             many
             cases
             we
             do
             but
             very
             imperfectly
             guess
             at
             ,
             is
             a
             plain
             demonstration
             ,
             That
             we
             never
             ought
             to
             admit
             any
             Difficulties
             in
             Nature
             as
             a
             sufficient
             Objection
             against
             the
             Being
             or
             
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             in
             bar
             to
             all
             the
             Moral
             Evidence
             and
             Assurance
             we
             have
             of
             both
             .
          
           
             We
             have
             all
             the
             Moral
             Evidence
             we
             can
             have
             for
             any
             thing
             ,
             That
             God
             governs
             the
             world
             by
             a
             Wise
             ,
             and
             Holy
             ,
             and
             Free
             Providence
             ;
             That
             he
             is
             not
             the
             Author
             of
             Sin
             ;
             That
             our
             Wills
             ,
             at
             least
             as
             far
             as
             Vertue
             and
             Vice
             is
             concerned
             ,
             are
             under
             no
             Foreign
             Force
             and
             Constraint
             ,
             but
             chuse
             ,
             and
             refuse
             ,
             and
             determine
             themselves
             with
             a
             Natural
             Liberty
             :
             I
             say
             ,
             we
             have
             undeniable
             evidence
             of
             this
             ,
             from
             the
             Wisdom
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Holiness
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             ,
             from
             the
             difference
             between
             Vertue
             and
             Vice
             ,
             and
             the
             nature
             of
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             ;
             these
             things
             are
             plain
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             we
             can
             understand
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             we
             cannot
             deny
             with
             any
             fair
             appearance
             of
             Reason
             ;
             but
             now
             all
             the
             Arguments
             against
             Providence
             ,
             and
             for
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             ,
             are
             mere
             Philosophical
             Speculations
             ,
             which
             men
             vainly
             pretend
             to
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             demonstrable
             they
             can
             know
             nothing
             of
             them
             .
             As
             for
             instance
             ;
             Some
             tell
             us
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             not
             a
             Wise
             and
             Free
             Providence
             that
             governs
             the
             world
             ,
             but
             that
             all
             things
             come
             to
             pass
             by
             a
             Necessary
             Chain
             of
             Causes
             ,
             which
             fatally
             determine
             the
             Will
             to
             Chuse
             and
             Act
             ,
             as
             these
             Causes
             move
             it
             .
             Now
             whether
             there
             be
             such
             a
             necessary
             Chain
             of
             Causes
             or
             not
             ,
             it
             is
             certain
             no
             man
             can
             know
             it
             ,
             who
             does
             not
             as
             perfectly
             understand
             this
             great
             Machine
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             all
             its
             Motions
             ,
             as
             an
             Artist
             does
             all
             the
             Wheels
             in
             a
             Watch
             or
             Clock
             :
             nor
             can
             any
             man
             know
             how
             such
             a
             Chain
             of
             Causes
             should
             move
             and
             determine
             the
             Mind
             of
             Man
             ,
             without
             understanding
             the
             Philosophy
             of
             Human
             Souls
             ,
             how
             the
             Will
             is
             moved
             ,
             how
             it
             is
             determined
             ,
             or
             determines
             it self
             ;
             whether
             by
             the
             Constitution
             of
             its
             Nature
             it
             always
             necessarily
             chuses
             what
             it
             chuses
             ,
             or
             might
             have
             not
             chose
             ,
             or
             have
             chosen
             any
             thing
             else
             :
             Now
             whatever
             other
             men
             may
             do
             ,
             I
             'm
             sure
             I
             know
             nothing
             of
             the
             Philosophy
             of
             these
             matters
             ,
             and
             therefore
             they
             don't
             concern
             me
             .
          
           
           
             Others
             make
             God
             himself
             to
             be
             nothing
             else
             but
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             ,
             who
             by
             Eternal
             and
             Irreversible
             Decrees
             ,
             as
             necessary
             and
             essential
             to
             him
             as
             his
             own
             Being
             ,
             has
             determined
             whatever
             shall
             come
             to
             pass
             ;
             but
             no
             man
             can
             pretend
             to
             know
             this
             ,
             without
             an
             Immediate
             Vision
             ,
             if
             I
             may
             so
             speak
             ,
             of
             the
             Naked
             Essence
             of
             God
             :
             His
             Attributes
             and
             Moral
             Perfections
             give
             us
             no
             notice
             of
             such
             Fatal
             Decrees
             ;
             his
             Wisdom
             ,
             Holiness
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             Goodness
             ,
             contain
             nothing
             of
             Fate
             and
             Necessity
             ;
             and
             those
             who
             can
             see
             the
             very
             Essence
             of
             God
             to
             be
             Fate
             ,
             must
             be
             able
             to
             contemplate
             his
             Pure
             Essence
             ,
             and
             to
             know
             God
             after
             another
             manner
             than
             he
             ever
             yet
             manifested
             himself
             to
             Creatures
             ,
             or
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             than
             it
             is
             possible
             for
             God
             to
             show
             himself
             to
             Creatures
             .
          
           
             Others
             conclude
             the
             Fatal
             Necessity
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             from
             God's
             Prescience
             :
             for
             they
             say
             ,
             that
             God
             can
             foreknow
             things
             only
             in
             his
             own
             Decrees
             ;
             and
             therefore
             if
             God
             foreknows
             all
             things
             ,
             all
             things
             are
             decreed
             ;
             or
             however
             ,
             what
             God
             foreknows
             will
             come
             to
             pass
             ,
             will
             certainly
             and
             necessarily
             come
             to
             pass
             ,
             and
             therefore
             all
             Events
             are
             certain
             and
             necessary
             ,
             if
             they
             are
             all
             foreknown
             by
             God.
             But
             these
             are
             Conclusions
             which
             no
             man
             can
             be
             certain
             of
             ,
             without
             pretending
             perfectly
             to
             understand
             the
             Nature
             of
             Prescience
             ,
             or
             how
             God
             foreknows
             things
             to
             come
             ;
             for
             if
             God
             can
             foreknow
             what
             he
             has
             not
             decreed
             ,
             and
             can
             foreknow
             what
             does
             not
             come
             to
             pass
             necessarily
             ,
             then
             the
             Prescience
             of
             God
             does
             not
             infer
             a
             Fatality
             of
             all
             Events
             :
             And
             yet
             this
             may
             be
             ,
             for
             ought
             we
             know
             ,
             unless
             we
             perfectly
             understand
             the
             Nature
             of
             Prescience
             ,
             and
             how
             God
             foreknows
             things
             to
             come
             ,
             and
             then
             we
             may
             foreknow
             things
             our selves
             .
             The
             like
             may
             be
             said
             of
             God's
             concourse
             with
             his
             Creatures
             in
             all
             their
             actions
             ,
             from
             whence
             they
             conclude
             ,
             That
             the
             Will
             of
             man
             in
             all
             its
             elections
             is
             determined
             by
             God
             ,
             without
             whose
             concourse
             it
             cannot
             act
             ,
             nor
             determine
             it self
             .
          
           
           
             These
             are
             all
             Nice
             Philosophical
             Speculations
             ,
             which
             creatures
             who
             are
             so
             ignorant
             of
             the
             Natures
             of
             things
             ,
             can
             know
             nothing
             of
             ;
             and
             therefore
             they
             are
             not
             fit
             to
             be
             made
             Arguments
             for
             or
             against
             any
             thing
             .
          
           
             The
             Sum
             is
             this
             ;
             That
             since
             we
             must
             confess
             our selves
             so
             very
             ignorant
             of
             the
             Works
             of
             Nature
             ,
             without
             the
             knowledg
             of
             which
             in
             Ten
             thousand
             Instances
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             to
             understand
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ,
             it
             is
             unreasonable
             and
             absured
             for
             us
             to
             demand
             an
             account
             of
             God's
             Providences
             ;
             but
             we
             ought
             to
             be
             satisfied
             ,
             to
             leave
             God
             to
             Govern
             the
             World
             with
             the
             same
             Sovereign
             and
             Unaccountable
             Wisdom
             ,
             which
             at
             first
             gave
             Being
             to
             all
             things
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             That
             the
             Wise
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             requires
             secret
             and
             hidden
             Methods
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             therefore
             at
             least
             in
             this
             state
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             expect
             or
             desire
             a
             particular
             Account
             or
             Reason
             of
             all
             Events
             .
          
           
             The
             Wise-man
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               It
               is
               the
               glory
               of
               God
               to
               conceal
               a
               thing
               ,
            
             25.
             
             Prov.
             2.
             
             It
             is
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             Incomprehensible
             by
             us
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             to
             be
             Unsearchable
             ;
             and
             therefore
             many
             of
             the
             Ancient
             Philosophers
             and
             Poets
             forbid
             too
             curious
             an
             Enquiry
             into
             the
             Nature
             or
             Providence
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             Sophronius
             gives
             a
             wise
             Reason
             for
             it
             ,
             Because
             we
             are
             all
             born
             of
             Mortal
             Parents
             ,
             and
             therefore
             the
             perfect
             knowledge
             of
             an
             Infinite
             Immortal
             Being
             ,
             must
             be
             above
             us
             :
             Which
             is
             much
             the
             same
             Reason
             that
             Zophar
             gives
             ,
             
               Vain
               man
               would
               be
               wise
               ,
               tho
               man
               be
               born
               like
               a
               wild
               asses
               colt
               ,
            
             11.
             
             Job
             12.
             
             This
             is
             a
             knowledge
             too
             great
             for
             our
             birth
             ,
             if
             our
             Natural
             Capacities
             bear
             proportion
             to
             it
             ;
             for
             God
             must
             be
             a
             very
             little
             Being
             himself
             ,
             could
             he
             be
             comprehended
             by
             such
             mean
             Creatures
             .
          
           
             But
             that
             which
             I
             at
             present
             intend
             ,
             is
             only
             to
             shew
             you
             ,
             That
             the
             Wise
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             requires
             ,
             that
             the
             Divine
             Counses
             ,
             that
             the
             Events
             and
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             
             should
             in
             a
             great
             measure
             be
             concealed
             from
             us
             ;
             and
             I
             hope
             that
             is
             a
             satisfactory
             reason
             ,
             why
             God
             should
             conceal
             them
             ,
             if
             he
             can't
             so
             wisely
             govern
             the
             world
             without
             it
             .
          
           
             I
             would
             desire
             those
             persons
             who
             are
             so
             apt
             to
             quarrel
             at
             Providence
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             it
             so
             very
             ill
             ,
             that
             God
             does
             any
             thing
             which
             they
             don
             't
             presently
             understand
             ,
             to
             sit
             down
             and
             agree
             among
             themselves
             ,
             How
             they
             would
             have
             God
             govern
             the
             world
             ?
             What
             it
             is
             that
             they
             would
             be
             pleased
             with
             ?
             But
             let
             them
             consider
             well
             of
             it
             before-hand
             ,
             that
             upon
             second
             thoughts
             they
             don
             't
             find
             more
             reason
             to
             quarrel
             at
             their
             own
             ways
             and
             methods
             of
             governing
             the
             world
             ,
             than
             they
             now
             have
             to
             quarrel
             with
             Providence
             ;
             or
             that
             the
             rest
             of
             mankind
             do
             not
             find
             more
             reason
             to
             quarrel
             with
             them
             ,
             than
             they
             have
             now
             to
             quarrel
             with
             God.
             As
             to
             give
             an
             Instance
             or
             two
             of
             this
             ,
             by
             way
             of
             Essay
             .
          
           
             Some
             seem
             to
             be
             very
             much
             discontented
             at
             the
             Uneveness
             and
             Uncertainty
             of
             all
             Events
             ;
             that
             all
             things
             are
             in
             a
             perpetual
             Flux
             and
             Motion
             ;
             that
             no
             man
             knoweth
             what
             a
             day
             or
             an
             hour
             will
             bring
             forth
             :
             The
             instability
             of
             Fortune
             ,
             which
             gives
             and
             takes
             away
             ,
             and
             every
             day
             shews
             a
             new
             face
             ,
             and
             opens
             new
             and
             surprizing
             Scenes
             ,
             has
             been
             an
             old
             Complaint
             .
          
           
             Well
             then
             :
             Would
             they
             have
             this
             rectified
             ?
             Would
             they
             have
             all
             the
             Events
             of
             Providence
             as
             constant
             ,
             and
             regular
             ,
             and
             unchangeable
             ,
             as
             the
             Motions
             of
             the
             Heavens
             ,
             as
             the
             Returns
             of
             Day
             and
             Night
             ,
             of
             Winter
             and
             Summer
             ?
             And
             when
             they
             see
             all
             things
             happen
             thus
             evenly
             and
             regularly
             ,
             will
             they
             then
             promise
             to
             believe
             a
             Providence
             ?
             I
             mightily
             suspect
             that
             they
             will
             be
             farther
             from
             believing
             a
             Providence
             then
             ,
             than
             they
             are
             now
             .
             We
             see
             that
             the
             Regular
             Motions
             of
             the
             Heavens
             ,
             and
             the
             Uniform
             Productions
             of
             Nature
             ,
             which
             so
             seldom
             vary
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             thought
             Portentous
             and
             Ominous
             if
             they
             do
             ,
             cannot
             convince
             them
             ,
             That
             God
             governs
             the
             Heavens
             and
             the
             
             Earth
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Works
             of
             Nature
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             all
             their
             Vertues
             and
             Powers
             move
             and
             act
             uniformly
             ,
             by
             constant
             and
             unerring
             Laws
             :
             and
             if
             the
             regular
             uniformity
             of
             Nature
             is
             not
             thought
             by
             these
             men
             a
             sufficient
             Proof
             of
             a
             Providence
             ,
             I
             doubt
             a
             constant
             and
             uniform
             round
             of
             all
             Events
             would
             be
             thought
             much
             less
             so
             .
             Those
             who
             now
             resolve
             all
             the
             uncertain
             Changes
             and
             Revolutions
             that
             happen
             ,
             into
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             ,
             would
             have
             more
             reason
             to
             do
             so
             ,
             did
             Providence
             always
             shew
             the
             same
             face
             and
             appearances
             ,
             as
             the
             Heavens
             do
             .
          
           
             But
             can
             they
             tell
             what
             kind
             of
             Uniformity
             and
             Stability
             of
             Providence
             it
             is
             ,
             would
             please
             them
             ?
             Would
             they
             have
             all
             mens
             Fortunes
             equal
             ?
             That
             there
             should
             be
             no
             distinction
             between
             Rich
             and
             Poor
             ,
             High
             and
             Low
             ,
             Princes
             and
             Subjects
             ,
             the
             Honourable
             and
             the
             Vile
             ?
             I
             believe
             few
             of
             them
             would
             like
             such
             a
             Levelling
             Providence
             ,
             which
             ,
             as
             the
             state
             of
             mankind
             now
             is
             ,
             would
             destroy
             the
             good
             Government
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             most
             of
             the
             Pleasures
             and
             Conveniences
             of
             Life
             ;
             and
             yet
             without
             this
             ,
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             is
             not
             so
             uniform
             towards
             men
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             towards
             beasts
             ;
             and
             those
             who
             fare
             worse
             than
             others
             of
             the
             same
             nature
             with
             them
             ,
             will
             still
             complain
             .
          
           
             If
             then
             Providence
             must
             not
             deal
             alike
             by
             all
             men
             ,
             do
             they
             mean
             by
             the
             Uniformity
             and
             Stability
             of
             Providence
             ,
             That
             mens
             Fortunes
             ,
             whatever
             they
             are
             ,
             shall
             always
             be
             the
             same
             ?
             That
             the
             Rich
             and
             Prosperous
             shall
             always
             be
             Rich
             and
             Prosperous
             ,
             and
             the
             Poor
             always
             Poor
             ,
             and
             Beggars
             ,
             and
             Slaves
             ?
             Unless
             these
             Objectors
             be
             all
             Rich
             and
             Happy
             ,
             I
             doubt
             they
             will
             never
             agree
             to
             this
             ;
             for
             the
             Poor
             and
             Miserable
             must
             needs
             think
             it
             hard
             usage
             to
             be
             always
             poor
             ,
             without
             room
             for
             better
             hopes
             .
          
           
             But
             such
             a
             Stability
             of
             Providence
             as
             this
             ,
             would
             destroy
             the
             Wise
             and
             Just
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             for
             how
             should
             God
             restrain
             and
             punish
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             reward
             and
             encourage
             Vertue
             ,
             if
             the
             Rich
             must
             always
             be
             
             Rich
             ,
             and
             the
             Poor
             always
             Poor
             ?
             Nay
             ,
             how
             can
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             do
             this
             ,
             without
             making
             men
             Vertuous
             and
             Vicious
             too
             ,
             by
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             ?
             When
             Wantonness
             and
             Prodigality
             ,
             Idleness
             and
             Folly
             ,
             will
             spend
             or
             lose
             an
             Estate
             ;
             and
             Frugality
             ,
             Prudence
             and
             Diligence
             will
             get
             one
             .
             And
             when
             all
             men
             in
             this
             world
             must
             not
             be
             equal
             ,
             does
             it
             not
             more
             become
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             that
             mens
             own
             Vertues
             and
             Vices
             shall
             in
             a
             great
             measure
             make
             the
             distinction
             ,
             and
             carve
             out
             their
             own
             Fortunes
             for
             them
             ?
          
           
             So
             that
             when
             men
             complain
             of
             the
             Uncertainty
             and
             Instability
             of
             Fortune
             ,
             as
             they
             call
             it
             ,
             they
             complain
             of
             they
             know
             not
             what
             ;
             and
             were
             it
             put
             to
             their
             own
             choice
             what
             to
             have
             in
             the
             room
             of
             it
             ,
             they
             would
             not
             know
             how
             to
             mend
             the
             matter
             .
             The
             wise
             government
             of
             free
             Agents
             ,
             who
             so
             often
             change
             themselves
             ,
             requires
             very
             frequent
             ,
             sudden
             ,
             surprizing
             Turns
             of
             Providence
             ,
             the
             reasons
             of
             which
             must
             of
             necessity
             be
             as
             invisible
             to
             us
             ,
             as
             the
             thoughts
             of
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             and
             their
             most
             secret
             intrigues
             and
             counsels
             ;
             till
             we
             can
             make
             men
             all
             move
             alike
             ,
             as
             regularly
             and
             uniformly
             as
             the
             Heavenly
             Bodies
             do
             ,
             it
             is
             an
             absurd
             and
             unreasonable
             complaint
             ,
             That
             Providence
             does
             not
             act
             regularly
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             Events
             of
             Providence
             are
             not
             always
             the
             same
             .
          
           
             Another
             great
             Complaint
             against
             Providence
             is
             ,
             That
             good
             men
             are
             not
             always
             rewarded
             ,
             nor
             bad
             men
             punished
             according
             to
             their
             deserts
             :
             That
             many
             bad
             men
             are
             prosperous
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             and
             some
             good
             men
             great
             sufferers
             :
             That
             
               all
               things
               come
               alike
               to
               all
               ;
               there
               is
               one
               event
               to
               the
               righteous
               and
               to
               the
               wicked
               ,
               to
               the
               good
               and
               to
               the
               clean
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               unclean
               ;
               to
               him
               that
               sacrificeth
               ,
               and
               to
               him
               that
               sacrificeth
               not
               ;
               as
               is
               the
               good
               ,
               so
               is
               the
               sinner
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               sweareth
               ,
               as
               he
               that
               feareth
               an
               oath
               ,
            
             9.
             
             Eccl.
             2.
             
             This
             makes
             the
             Events
             of
             Providence
             very
             sudden
             ,
             mysterious
             ,
             and
             unaccountable
             ;
             that
             no
             man
             knows
             what
             course
             to
             take
             ,
             to
             
             make
             his
             life
             easy
             and
             prosperous
             ;
             for
             whether
             he
             be
             good
             or
             wicked
             ,
             he
             may
             be
             happy
             or
             miserable
             ,
             as
             it
             happens
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             Objection
             it self
             ,
             I
             shall
             consider
             it
             more
             hereafter
             ;
             but
             at
             present
             I
             will
             only
             ask
             these
             Objectors
             ,
             Whether
             to
             remove
             these
             Difficulties
             and
             Uncertainties
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             may
             the
             better
             understand
             the
             Reasons
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             they
             do
             in
             good
             earnest
             desire
             ,
             That
             God
             would
             reduce
             this
             matter
             to
             a
             Certainty
             ,
             by
             punishing
             all
             bad
             men
             ,
             and
             rewarding
             all
             good
             men
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             according
             to
             their
             deserts
             ?
             If
             they
             do
             ,
             I
             must
             tell
             them
             ,
             as
             Christ
             told
             the
             two
             Brethren
             ,
             who
             desired
             that
             they
             might
             sit
             one
             on
             his
             Right
             hand
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             on
             his
             Left
             ,
             in
             his
             Kingdom
             ,
             
               Ye
               ask
               ye
               know
               not
               what
               :
            
             They
             ask
             the
             most
             dangerous
             thing
             that
             could
             possibly
             befal
             mankind
             ;
             and
             what
             they
             ask
             ,
             would
             be
             Ten
             thousand
             times
             a
             greater
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ,
             than
             what
             they
             complain
             of
             .
             Should
             every
             Sinner
             be
             punished
             in
             this
             world
             according
             to
             his
             deserts
             ,
             what
             man
             is
             there
             so
             just
             and
             innocent
             as
             to
             escape
             the
             Divine
             Vengeance
             ?
             
               If
               thou
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               shouldest
               mark
               iniquity
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               who
               shall
               stand
               !
            
             130.
             
             Psal.
             3.
             
             Were
             every
             Sinner
             punished
             as
             he
             deserves
             ,
             I
             doubt
             there
             would
             be
             no
             good
             man
             left
             to
             be
             rewarded
             ;
             for
             where
             is
             the
             man
             that
             doth
             good
             ,
             and
             sinneth
             not
             ?
             What
             room
             does
             this
             leave
             for
             Patience
             and
             Forbearance
             ,
             for
             the
             Repentance
             of
             Sinners
             ,
             for
             God's
             Pardoning-Grace
             and
             Mercy
             ;
             and
             what
             a
             Terrible
             Providence
             is
             this
             ?
             How
             contrary
             to
             all
             the
             Notions
             we
             have
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             kind
             and
             gracious
             Government
             of
             his
             Creatures
             ?
          
           
             I
             grant
             God
             may
             exercise
             great
             Patience
             and
             Long-suffering
             towards
             sinners
             ;
             he
             may
             forgive
             the
             sins
             of
             true
             Penitents
             ,
             and
             yet
             punish
             sinners
             ,
             and
             reward
             good
             men
             even
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             these
             things
             are
             very
             reconcilable
             in
             God's
             Government
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             for
             thus
             he
             does
             govern
             the
             world
             ;
             but
             they
             are
             very
             irreconcilable
             with
             such
             a
             Providence
             and
             Government
             as
             these
             men
             desire
             ,
             which
             
             requires
             a
             present
             and
             visible
             Punishment
             of
             every
             sin
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             committed
             ;
             and
             as
             present
             and
             visible
             a
             Reward
             of
             every
             good
             action
             :
             for
             unless
             these
             Punishments
             and
             Rewards
             are
             present
             ,
             all
             the
             time
             they
             are
             delayed
             ,
             bad
             men
             may
             be
             prosperous
             ,
             and
             good
             men
             afflicted
             ;
             which
             is
             their
             very
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ;
             which
             can
             never
             be
             removed
             ,
             but
             by
             speedy
             and
             visible
             Executions
             ,
             which
             leave
             no
             place
             for
             the
             Patience
             and
             Forgiveness
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             for
             the
             Repentance
             of
             Sinners
             :
             And
             is
             it
             not
             much
             more
             desirable
             ,
             for
             ever
             to
             be
             ignorant
             of
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             ,
             than
             to
             have
             such
             Proofs
             and
             Demonstrations
             of
             Providence
             as
             this
             ?
          
           
             Let
             me
             desire
             these
             unthinking
             Cavillers
             at
             Providence
             ,
             to
             review
             their
             Objection
             over
             again
             ,
             and
             consider
             what
             is
             the
             meaning
             of
             every
             word
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             how
             upon
             second
             thoughts
             they
             like
             it
             themselves
             .
          
           
             That
             they
             may
             have
             a
             plain
             and
             certain
             Reason
             of
             God's
             Judgments
             ,
             they
             desire
             that
             no
             man
             may
             suffer
             any
             external
             Calamity
             ,
             but
             only
             for
             sin
             ;
             and
             that
             every
             sinner
             may
             be
             punish'd
             in
             this
             world
             according
             to
             his
             deserts
             ;
             and
             then
             they
             will
             believe
             ,
             That
             there
             is
             a
             Providence
             that
             governs
             the
             world
             ;
             tho
             it
             is
             better
             for
             the
             world
             that
             they
             should
             continue
             Infidels
             ,
             than
             be
             thus
             convinced
             .
             Well
             then
             ,
             who
             in
             the
             first
             place
             are
             these
             sinners
             whom
             they
             would
             have
             punished
             ?
             Do
             they
             mean
             every
             one
             who
             does
             a
             wicked
             action
             ;
             or
             every
             impenitent
             and
             incorrigible
             sinner
             ?
          
           
             If
             every
             one
             who
             at
             any
             time
             does
             any
             wicked
             action
             ,
             must
             be
             punished
             for
             it
             ,
             then
             it
             is
             plain
             that
             no
             man
             can
             escape
             ;
             then
             there
             is
             no
             place
             for
             Repentance
             or
             Forgiveness
             ,
             but
             a
             speedy
             Vengeance
             must
             pursue
             the
             sinner
             ;
             and
             God
             knows
             ,
             we
             are
             all
             sinners
             ,
             and
             must
             all
             be
             punished
             ;
             and
             if
             this
             removes
             one
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ,
             I
             'm
             sure
             it
             will
             very
             much
             encrease
             another
             ,
             from
             the
             many
             evils
             and
             miseries
             that
             are
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             many
             
             more
             ,
             and
             much
             greater
             ,
             if
             every
             sin
             must
             receive
             its
             just
             punishment
             .
          
           
             If
             they
             mean
             only
             ,
             That
             impenitent
             and
             incorrigible
             sinners
             must
             be
             punished
             ,
             then
             they
             must
             allow
             ,
             that
             God
             may
             spare
             a
             sinner
             a
             great
             while
             ,
             and
             then
             very
             great
             sinners
             may
             be
             prosperous
             a
             great
             while
             ,
             and
             if
             they
             repent
             at
             last
             ,
             may
             finally
             escape
             the
             Judgments
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             then
             the
             Prosperity
             of
             Sinners
             can
             never
             be
             an
             Argument
             against
             Providence
             ,
             unless
             they
             can
             prescribe
             to
             God
             ,
             just
             how
             long
             and
             no
             longer
             ,
             he
             may
             justly
             spare
             sinners
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             an
             easy
             matter
             to
             complain
             of
             any
             thing
             ,
             and
             to
             start
             Difficulties
             and
             Objections
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             impossible
             for
             the
             Wit
             of
             man
             to
             reduce
             Providence
             to
             such
             a
             Certainty
             as
             these
             men
             desire
             :
             Tho
             God
             govern
             the
             world
             by
             never
             such
             fixed
             and
             steady
             Laws
             ,
             we
             can
             never
             see
             it
             in
             external
             Events
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             be
             able
             to
             assign
             a
             reason
             of
             all
             that
             good
             and
             evil
             which
             happens
             to
             particular
             men
             .
          
           
             For
             would
             they
             have
             God
             reward
             every
             good
             man
             ,
             and
             punish
             every
             wicked
             man
             ,
             or
             reward
             and
             punish
             every
             man
             for
             the
             good
             and
             evil
             that
             he
             does
             ?
             There
             is
             a
             great
             mixture
             of
             good
             or
             bad
             in
             most
             men
             ,
             that
             for
             different
             reasons
             they
             may
             deserve
             both
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             ;
             and
             tho
             God
             knows
             when
             it
             is
             fit
             to
             reward
             or
             punish
             such
             men
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             impossible
             we
             should
             ;
             and
             therefore
             whether
             they
             be
             rewarded
             or
             punished
             ,
             we
             can
             give
             no
             account
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             also
             a
             great
             mixture
             of
             good
             and
             bad
             in
             most
             actions
             ;
             some
             very
             bad
             actions
             may
             not
             deserve
             Punishment
             ,
             as
             being
             the
             effect
             of
             Ignorance
             ,
             or
             Surprize
             ,
             or
             such
             invincible
             Temptations
             ,
             as
             Human
             Nature
             ,
             without
             an
             extraordinary
             measure
             of
             Grace
             ,
             cannot
             conquer
             ;
             and
             there
             are
             a
             great
             many
             good
             actions
             which
             deserve
             no
             Reward
             ,
             as
             being
             done
             by
             Chance
             ,
             besides
             the
             intention
             of
             the
             doer
             ,
             or
             done
             from
             a
             very
             bad
             Principle
             ,
             or
             for
             very
             bad
             ends
             :
             now
             we
             only
             see
             the
             good
             or
             evil
             that
             is
             in
             the
             
             action
             ,
             and
             Human
             Laws
             can
             punish
             or
             reward
             nothing
             but
             what
             is
             seen
             ;
             but
             I
             suppose
             you
             will
             not
             say
             that
             God
             ought
             to
             regard
             nothing
             else
             but
             the
             material
             and
             visible
             action
             ;
             and
             then
             it
             may
             be
             very
             Wise
             and
             Just
             in
             God
             ,
             neither
             to
             punish
             men
             for
             very
             bad
             actions
             ,
             nor
             to
             reward
             them
             for
             very
             good
             actions
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             another
             Uncertainty
             of
             Events
             ,
             which
             men
             ignorantly
             complain
             of
             .
          
           
             Thus
             some
             men
             are
             guilty
             of
             a
             great
             many
             secret
             sins
             ,
             or
             do
             a
             great
             many
             good
             actions
             ,
             which
             no
             man
             knows
             of
             ,
             but
             only
             God
             and
             their
             own
             Consciences
             ;
             and
             when
             God
             visibly
             rewards
             or
             punishes
             men
             for
             the
             secret
             good
             or
             evil
             they
             have
             done
             ,
             the
             reasons
             of
             such
             rewards
             or
             punishments
             must
             be
             unknown
             to
             us
             ,
             because
             the
             good
             or
             evil
             for
             which
             they
             are
             rewarded
             or
             punished
             ,
             is
             unknown
             .
          
           
             All
             these
             things
             make
             the
             Reasons
             and
             Events
             of
             Providence
             very
             uncertain
             and
             unaccountable
             to
             us
             ;
             and
             yet
             we
             see
             there
             may
             be
             very
             wise
             Reasons
             for
             them
             ,
             which
             we
             cannot
             understand
             ,
             and
             which
             no
             man
             in
             his
             Wits
             would
             desire
             should
             be
             understood
             .
          
           
             For
             would
             you
             desire
             that
             every
             sin
             you
             commit
             should
             be
             immediately
             punished
             ,
             without
             any
             time
             to
             repent
             ,
             without
             any
             hope
             of
             Mercy
             ?
             Would
             you
             have
             God
             reward
             and
             punish
             as
             Human
             Laws
             do
             ,
             to
             consider
             only
             what
             is
             done
             ,
             without
             making
             any
             allowances
             for
             ignorance
             and
             surprize
             ,
             or
             without
             taking
             any
             notice
             of
             the
             Principles
             or
             Ends
             of
             our
             actions
             ?
             Would
             you
             have
             a
             Casement
             into
             every
             man's
             breast
             ,
             or
             have
             all
             their
             secret
             Sins
             or
             Vertues
             written
             upon
             their
             Foreheads
             ,
             that
             every
             man
             may
             be
             as
             perfectly
             known
             to
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             he
             is
             to
             himself
             ?
             If
             you
             do
             not
             desire
             this
             ,
             you
             must
             be
             contented
             to
             be
             ignorant
             of
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             ,
             of
             those
             good
             and
             evil
             Events
             which
             happen
             to
             men
             ;
             why
             God
             punishes
             one
             man
             ,
             and
             spares
             or
             rewards
             another
             ;
             why
             he
             does
             not
             punish
             those
             whom
             we
             judge
             to
             deserve
             Punishment
             ,
             nor
             reward
             those
             whom
             we
             think
             worthy
             
             of
             a
             Reward
             .
             God
             has
             wise
             Reasons
             for
             all
             this
             ,
             but
             we
             cannot
             understand
             them
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             happy
             for
             us
             all
             that
             they
             are
             not
             understood
             .
          
           
             This
             shews
             how
             absurd
             it
             is
             for
             us
             to
             demand
             a
             Reason
             ,
             and
             to
             complain
             ,
             that
             we
             cannot
             give
             a
             Reason
             of
             all
             the
             Events
             of
             Providence
             :
             And
             I
             shall
             only
             observe
             this
             by
             the
             way
             ,
             That
             if
             men
             would
             in
             other
             cases
             take
             the
             same
             course
             that
             I
             have
             done
             in
             this
             ,
             they
             would
             quickly
             perceive
             how
             vain
             and
             senseless
             all
             their
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             are
             :
             That
             is
             ,
             Whatever
             they
             object
             against
             Providence
             ,
             let
             them
             turn
             the
             other
             side
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             try
             whether
             that
             would
             be
             better
             :
             Let
             them
             consider
             how
             they
             would
             have
             what
             they
             call
             the
             Defects
             and
             Blemishes
             of
             Providence
             ,
             rectified
             ;
             and
             whether
             it
             would
             be
             more
             for
             the
             wise
             and
             happy
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             so
             .
             I
             dare
             challenge
             the
             greatest
             Pretenders
             to
             Wit
             and
             Reason
             ,
             to
             give
             any
             one
             Instance
             of
             this
             nature
             ,
             to
             name
             any
             one
             thing
             which
             they
             quarrel
             at
             ,
             which
             they
             know
             how
             to
             mend
             :
             And
             if
             the
             world
             be
             so
             wisely
             ordered
             already
             ,
             that
             those
             who
             complain
             most
             ,
             can't
             tell
             how
             any
             thing
             could
             be
             better
             done
             ,
             it
             is
             Ridiculous
             and
             Impudent
             to
             find
             fault
             ;
             which
             are
             no
             hard
             words
             in
             such
             a
             Cause
             as
             this
             .
          
           
             But
             this
             is
             not
             all
             I
             intend
             ,
             merely
             to
             shew
             ,
             That
             this
             is
             an
             Unreasonable
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ,
             That
             the
             Events
             of
             it
             are
             many
             times
             very
             uncertain
             ,
             hidden
             ,
             and
             mysterious
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             we
             cannot
             give
             the
             particular
             Reasons
             of
             ;
             but
             likewise
             to
             satisfy
             you
             ,
             That
             the
             Wise
             Government
             of
             Mankind
             requires
             it
             should
             be
             so
             ;
             and
             to
             represent
             to
             you
             ,
             The
             great
             and
             excellent
             Advantages
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             Now
             I
             suppose
             you
             will
             all
             grant
             ,
             That
             what
             is
             most
             for
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             for
             the
             advancement
             of
             true
             Piety
             ,
             and
             the
             Restraints
             of
             Wickedness
             ,
             is
             the
             Wisest
             way
             of
             Governing
             the
             World.
             And
             if
             you
             will
             grant
             this
             ,
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             I
             shall
             presently
             satisfy
             you
             ,
             That
             the
             Wise
             
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             requires
             secret
             and
             hidden
             Methods
             of
             Providence
             ,
             such
             uncertain
             and
             surprizing
             Events
             ,
             as
             at
             least
             we
             can
             give
             no
             account
             of
             ,
             till
             it
             comes
             to
             its
             last
             and
             concluding
             Issue
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             For
             what
             is
             there
             that
             excites
             in
             us
             a
             greater
             Admiration
             of
             God
             ,
             than
             to
             see
             great
             and
             glorious
             things
             brought
             to
             pass
             by
             a
             long
             and
             winding
             Labyrinth
             of
             surprizing
             and
             perplex'd
             Events
             ,
             which
             we
             know
             nothing
             of
             ,
             nor
             whither
             they
             tend
             ,
             till
             we
             see
             where
             they
             end
             ?
             Mankind
             never
             greatly
             admire
             what
             is
             plain
             and
             obvious
             ,
             and
             every
             man's
             thought
             ,
             because
             there
             is
             nothing
             in
             it
             which
             shews
             any
             extraordinary
             Contrivance
             :
             But
             when
             unexpected
             Events
             are
             brought
             to
             pass
             by
             unsuspected
             means
             ,
             and
             yet
             designed
             and
             directed
             by
             a
             steady
             and
             unerring
             Counsel
             ;
             When
             great
             things
             are
             done
             by
             such
             means
             ,
             as
             have
             no
             Natural
             Causality
             to
             produce
             such
             Effects
             ,
             and
             therefore
             can
             give
             no
             notice
             nor
             the
             least
             suspicion
             of
             what
             is
             a-doing
             ;
             When
             our
             very
             Fears
             are
             turned
             into
             Triumphs
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             seemed
             to
             threaten
             us
             with
             some
             great
             evils
             ,
             is
             made
             the
             Instrument
             of
             some
             great
             and
             surprizing
             Blessings
             ;
             When
             bad
             men
             are
             ensnared
             in
             their
             own
             Counsels
             ,
             and
             fall
             into
             the
             Pit
             which
             they
             have
             digged
             for
             others
             ;
             When
             God
             turns
             their
             Curses
             into
             Blessings
             ,
             and
             saves
             good
             men
             by
             the
             Ministry
             of
             those
             who
             intended
             their
             Ruin
             :
             These
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             and
             such
             like
             Events
             ,
             of
             which
             there
             are
             numerous
             Instances
             both
             in
             Sacred
             and
             Prophane
             Story
             ,
             and
             which
             our
             own
             observation
             may
             furnish
             us
             with
             fresh
             Examples
             of
             ,
             justly
             give
             us
             great
             and
             admiring
             thoughts
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ;
             a
             Wisdom
             which
             is
             to
             be
             reverenced
             and
             feared
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             praised
             ;
             for
             who
             would
             not
             fear
             that
             God
             ,
             
               who
               is
               wise
               in
               heart
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               mighty
               in
               strength
               ?
               Who
               hath
               resisted
               his
               will
               ,
               and
               prospered
               ?
            
          
           
             2dly
             .
             The
             uncertain
             Events
             of
             Providence
             ,
             That
             good
             and
             evil
             is
             promiscuously
             dispenced
             ;
             That
             God
             does
             not
             
             always
             visibly
             reward
             the
             good
             ,
             nor
             punish
             the
             wicked
             ,
             tho
             he
             signally
             rewards
             some
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             as
             remarkably
             punishes
             some
             wicked
             men
             is
             the
             Wisest
             Method
             of
             Governing
             Mankind
             .
             That
             some
             good
             men
             are
             visibly
             rewarded
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             is
             a
             just
             Encouragement
             to
             good
             men
             to
             expect
             the
             Protection
             and
             the
             Blessing
             of
             God
             in
             doing
             good
             :
             That
             some
             bad
             men
             are
             made
             Examples
             of
             a
             Just
             and
             Terrible
             Vengeance
             ,
             is
             a
             Warning
             to
             all
             bad
             men
             to
             reverence
             the
             Judgments
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             stand
             in
             awe
             of
             him
             ;
             and
             that
             some
             bad
             men
             are
             spared
             ,
             nay
             ,
             are
             externally
             happy
             ,
             is
             a
             good
             reason
             for
             men
             to
             repent
             ,
             and
             to
             hope
             for
             Pardon
             and
             Forgiveness
             from
             so
             Patient
             and
             Merciful
             a
             God.
             
          
           
             The
             essential
             difference
             between
             good
             and
             evil
             ,
             the
             Hopes
             and
             Fears
             of
             Natural
             Conscience
             ,
             the
             Promises
             and
             Threatnings
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             the
             Scripture-Examples
             of
             those
             Miraculous
             Deliverances
             which
             God
             has
             wrought
             for
             his
             People
             ,
             and
             the
             Miraculous
             Destruction
             he
             has
             brought
             upon
             their
             Enemies
             ,
             are
             a
             plain
             proof
             ,
             That
             even
             the
             external
             Prosperity
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             is
             a
             Mark
             of
             God's
             Favour
             to
             them
             ;
             and
             the
             external
             Sufferings
             and
             Calamities
             of
             bad
             men
             ,
             the
             effects
             of
             his
             Anger
             and
             Vengeance
             :
             And
             then
             ,
             tho
             all
             good
             men
             are
             not
             so
             visibly
             rewarded
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             nor
             all
             bad
             men
             punished
             ,
             yet
             since
             no
             good
             men
             are
             excepted
             from
             God's
             Promises
             ,
             nor
             any
             bad
             men
             from
             his
             Threatnings
             ,
             the
             rewards
             of
             some
             good
             men
             is
             a
             reason
             for
             all
             good
             men
             to
             hope
             ;
             and
             the
             Judgments
             executed
             upon
             some
             bad
             men
             ,
             is
             a
             reason
             for
             all
             bad
             men
             to
             fear
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             is
             better
             accommodated
             to
             the
             Nature
             of
             Man
             ,
             who
             is
             a
             Free
             Agent
             ,
             than
             if
             God
             should
             visibly
             punish
             all
             bad
             men
             ,
             and
             reward
             all
             good
             men
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             because
             it
             offers
             less
             Force
             and
             Violence
             to
             men
             ,
             and
             leaves
             them
             more
             to
             the
             government
             of
             their
             own
             free
             choice
             .
             Should
             God
             make
             such
             a
             visible
             difference
             between
             all
             good
             and
             
             bad
             men
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             that
             all
             good
             men
             should
             be
             prosperous
             and
             happy
             ,
             and
             all
             bad
             men
             miserable
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             no
             more
             choice
             left
             to
             men
             ,
             Whether
             they
             would
             be
             good
             or
             bad
             ;
             than
             ,
             Whether
             they
             would
             spend
             their
             lives
             in
             Health
             or
             Sickness
             ,
             in
             Riches
             or
             Poverty
             ,
             in
             Honour
             or
             Disgrace
             ;
             but
             where
             the
             Event
             is
             not
             certain
             ,
             there
             is
             room
             left
             for
             wise
             Consideration
             ,
             for
             Hopes
             and
             Fears
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             Natural
             Springs
             of
             a
             Free
             Choice
             .
          
           
             And
             besides
             this
             ;
             That
             all
             good
             men
             are
             not
             rewarded
             ,
             nor
             all
             bad
             men
             punished
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             gives
             us
             a
             truer
             understanding
             of
             the
             nature
             of
             present
             things
             ,
             and
             reasonable
             expectations
             of
             greater
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             hereafter
             .
             We
             should
             be
             too
             apt
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             the
             enjoyments
             of
             this
             life
             were
             the
             best
             and
             greatest
             things
             ,
             and
             the
             peculiar
             Marks
             of
             God's
             Favour
             ,
             did
             none
             but
             good
             men
             share
             in
             them
             ;
             and
             were
             they
             the
             portion
             of
             all
             good
             men
             ,
             we
             should
             grow
             very
             fond
             of
             this
             world
             ,
             and
             little
             think
             of
             another
             ,
             or
             of
             exercising
             such
             Divine
             Vertues
             as
             are
             fitted
             to
             that
             state
             :
             Nay
             ,
             we
             should
             want
             the
             best
             Moral
             Argument
             for
             another
             Life
             ,
             That
             all
             good
             men
             are
             not
             rewarded
             ,
             nor
             all
             bad
             men
             punished
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             which
             gives
             a
             reasonable
             expectation
             of
             another
             life
             .
          
           
             But
             when
             we
             see
             bad
             men
             prosperous
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             good
             ,
             and
             good
             men
             suffer
             as
             hard
             things
             as
             any
             bad
             men
             do
             ;
             this
             convinces
             us
             ,
             That
             neither
             the
             Blessings
             nor
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             this
             life
             are
             the
             Final
             Rewards
             or
             Punishments
             of
             good
             or
             bad
             men
             :
             That
             God
             has
             greater
             Blessings
             reserved
             for
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             greater
             Miseries
             for
             the
             wicked
             ;
             which
             is
             a
             greater
             Incitement
             to
             a
             Divine
             and
             Heavenly
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             a
             greater
             Restraint
             to
             Wickedness
             ,
             than
             any
             present
             Rewards
             or
             Punishments
             can
             be
             .
             So
             that
             this
             Uncertainty
             of
             Events
             which
             some
             men
             complain
             of
             ,
             and
             which
             we
             can
             seldom
             give
             a
             reasonable
             account
             of
             ,
             when
             we
             come
             to
             particular
             cases
             and
             particular
             persons
             ,
             is
             so
             far
             from
             being
             a
             Defect
             in
             Providence
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             the
             
             wisest
             Method
             of
             Governing
             Mankind
             ,
             both
             considered
             as
             a
             Free
             Agent
             ,
             and
             as
             an
             Immortal
             Creature
             ,
             who
             must
             live
             in
             another
             world
             ,
             when
             he
             removes
             out
             of
             this
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             This
             Uncertainty
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             is
             the
             trial
             and
             exercise
             of
             many
             admirable
             Graces
             and
             Vertues
             ,
             which
             there
             would
             be
             no
             place
             for
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             this
             world
             ,
             were
             the
             Events
             and
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             known
             and
             certain
             :
             Such
             as
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Hope
             ,
             and
             Trust
             ,
             and
             Dependance
             on
             God
             ,
             which
             there
             would
             be
             little
             use
             of
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             were
             all
             good
             men
             immediately
             rewarded
             ;
             for
             they
             all
             respect
             absent
             ,
             unseen
             ,
             unknown
             Events
             .
             Difficulties
             and
             Sufferings
             ,
             which
             in
             Scripture
             are
             called
             Temptations
             ,
             are
             the
             trials
             of
             Vertue
             :
             When
             we
             serve
             God
             without
             any
             prospect
             of
             a
             present
             reward
             ;
             and
             trust
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             depend
             on
             him
             ,
             when
             we
             are
             forsaken
             of
             all
             other
             hopes
             ;
             when
             we
             say
             with
             
               Iob
               ,
               Tho
               he
               slay
               me
               ,
               yet
               will
               I
               trust
               in
               him
            
             ;
             or
             with
             the
             Prophet
             
               Habakkuk
               ,
               3.
               17
               ,
               18.
               
               Altho
               the
               fig-tree
               shall
               not
               blossom
               ,
               neither
               shall
               fruit
               be
               in
               the
               vines
               ,
               the
               labour
               of
               the
               olive
               shall
               fail
               ,
               and
               the
               field
               shall
               yield
               no
               meat
               ,
               the
               flock
               shall
               be
               cut
               off
               from
               the
               fold
               ,
               and
               there
               shall
               be
               no
               herd
               in
               the
               stalls
               ,
               yet
               I
               will
               rejoice
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               I
               will
               joy
               in
               the
               God
               of
               my
               salvation
               .
            
             And
             yet
             if
             we
             knew
             in
             all
             cases
             the
             particular
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             what
             the
             end
             and
             conclusion
             of
             them
             would
             be
             ,
             they
             would
             be
             no
             trials
             of
             our
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Submission
             to
             God
             :
             The
             Faith
             and
             Patience
             of
             Iob
             was
             wonderful
             ,
             but
             the
             greatest
             difficulty
             in
             all
             he
             suffered
             was
             ,
             that
             he
             could
             not
             possibly
             understand
             what
             God
             meant
             and
             intended
             ,
             in
             bringing
             all
             those
             Calamities
             on
             him
             ;
             but
             had
             he
             known
             ,
             that
             this
             was
             only
             a
             trial
             of
             his
             Patience
             and
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             that
             God
             would
             reward
             these
             sufferings
             with
             a
             very
             long
             and
             prosperous
             Life
             ,
             with
             a
             new
             increase
             of
             Children
             ,
             and
             new
             additions
             of
             Riches
             and
             Honour
             ,
             this
             had
             been
             no
             difficulty
             ,
             no
             trial
             ,
             any
             more
             than
             the
             smart
             of
             his
             present
             sufferings
             ;
             but
             Iob
             knew
             nothing
             of
             all
             this
             ,
             and
             therefore
             did
             great
             
             Glory
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             made
             himself
             an
             admirable
             Example
             of
             Faith
             and
             Patience
             to
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             God
             made
             him
             as
             great
             an
             Example
             of
             the
             Rewards
             of
             Faith
             and
             Patience
             .
             Were
             the
             Events
             of
             Providence
             as
             constant
             ,
             regular
             ,
             and
             certain
             ,
             and
             the
             Reasons
             of
             all
             Events
             as
             known
             and
             visible
             as
             some
             men
             would
             have
             them
             ,
             and
             complain
             that
             they
             are
             not
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             no
             exercise
             of
             some
             of
             the
             greatest
             Vertues
             of
             the
             Christian
             Life
             ,
             which
             do
             most
             Honour
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             are
             the
             greatest
             Ornaments
             and
             Perfections
             of
             Human
             Nature
             :
             Which
             evidently
             proves
             ,
             That
             the
             Uncertainty
             and
             Obscurity
             of
             the
             Events
             of
             Providence
             ,
             that
             we
             know
             not
             what
             shall
             be
             ,
             nor
             in
             many
             cases
             the
             Reasons
             of
             what
             we
             see
             ,
             is
             necessary
             to
             the
             Wise
             Government
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             therefore
             is
             no
             Defect
             ,
             but
             the
             Beauty
             and
             Perfection
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             We
             are
             necessarily
             ignorant
             of
             a
             great
             many
             things
             ,
             without
             the
             knowledge
             of
             which
             it
             is
             impossible
             for
             us
             to
             understand
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             ought
             no
             more
             to
             complain
             that
             we
             are
             ignorant
             of
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             ,
             than
             we
             do
             of
             our
             ignorance
             of
             other
             matters
             ,
             without
             the
             knowledge
             of
             which
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             cannot
             be
             known
             ;
             as
             to
             name
             some
             few
             of
             them
             :
          
           
             1.
             
             We
             are
             very
             ignorant
             of
             Men
             ,
             as
             I
             observed
             before
             :
             We
             know
             not
             their
             hearts
             ,
             and
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             counsels
             ,
             we
             see
             little
             of
             their
             private
             Conversation
             ,
             we
             cannot
             look
             into
             their
             Closets
             and
             secret
             Retirements
             ;
             and
             unless
             we
             knew
             better
             what
             men
             are
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             we
             should
             understand
             the
             Reasons
             of
             God's
             Providence
             towards
             them
             .
             Now
             tho
             as
             to
             external
             appearances
             ,
             there
             is
             some
             truth
             in
             this
             Objection
             ,
             That
             bad
             men
             are
             oftentimes
             very
             prosperous
             ,
             and
             good
             men
             afflicted
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             yet
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             when
             this
             Objection
             is
             applied
             to
             the
             Prosperity
             or
             Affliction
             
             of
             particular
             men
             ,
             where
             it
             is
             once
             applied
             right
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             hundred
             times
             applied
             wrong
             ;
             especially
             as
             to
             the
             sufferings
             of
             good
             men
             :
             For
             we
             very
             often
             take
             those
             for
             good
             men
             ,
             who
             are
             not
             so
             ,
             and
             who
             many
             times
             pluck
             off
             their
             disguise
             themselves
             ,
             and
             convince
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             not
             so
             ;
             and
             yet
             if
             any
             misfortune
             or
             adversity
             befal
             such
             men
             before
             they
             are
             known
             ,
             we
             are
             apt
             to
             wonder
             that
             God
             should
             afflict
             such
             good
             men
             as
             they
             are
             ,
             and
             think
             it
             a
             great
             difficulty
             in
             Providence
             ;
             when
             they
             themselves
             know
             that
             they
             deserve
             all
             that
             they
             suffer
             ,
             and
             a
             great
             deal
             more
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             I
             believe
             there
             is
             not
             a
             good
             man
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             who
             knows
             himself
             ,
             and
             impartially
             observes
             his
             own
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             passions
             ,
             and
             actions
             ,
             but
             knows
             a
             reason
             why
             God
             at
             any
             time
             afflicts
             him
             ;
             knows
             how
             he
             has
             deserved
             it
             ,
             and
             how
             he
             wants
             it
             ,
             and
             can
             justify
             the
             greatest
             severities
             of
             Providence
             towards
             himself
             :
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             all
             the
             good
             men
             in
             Scripture
             do
             so
             ,
             excepting
             Iob
             ;
             they
             frequently
             confess
             and
             bewail
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             acknowledge
             the
             Justice
             and
             Mercy
             of
             God
             in
             what
             they
             suffer
             ;
             and
             as
             for
             Iob
             ,
             all
             that
             he
             insists
             on
             ,
             is
             to
             justify
             his
             own
             Uprightness
             and
             Integrity
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             no
             secret
             Hypocrite
             ,
             as
             his
             Friends
             uncharitably
             accused
             him
             ;
             that
             he
             knew
             nothing
             so
             bad
             of
             himself
             ,
             as
             to
             deserve
             such
             amazing
             Sufferings
             as
             God
             had
             brought
             on
             him
             :
             And
             indeed
             ,
             
             Iob's
             Case
             was
             very
             peculiar
             ;
             and
             it
             appeared
             in
             the
             conclusion
             ,
             that
             God
             did
             not
             punish
             him
             for
             some
             unknown
             wickedness
             ,
             but
             to
             exercise
             his
             Faith
             and
             Patience
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             him
             a
             Glorious
             and
             Triumphant
             Example
             of
             a
             firm
             adherence
             to
             God
             under
             the
             severest
             Trials
             .
          
           
             Now
             when
             there
             is
             no
             good
             man
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             who
             upon
             his
             own
             account
             can
             charge
             God
             with
             afflicting
             him
             beyond
             what
             his
             sins
             deserve
             ,
             or
             the
             state
             of
             his
             Soul
             requires
             ,
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             very
             little
             truth
             in
             this
             Objection
             ;
             that
             did
             we
             know
             other
             good
             men
             as
             well
             
             as
             we
             know
             our selves
             ,
             we
             should
             as
             well
             understand
             the
             reason
             why
             God
             afflicts
             them
             ,
             as
             why
             he
             afflicts
             us
             ;
             and
             if
             there
             be
             a
             wise
             and
             just
             reason
             for
             the
             sufferings
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             whatever
             their
             sufferings
             are
             ,
             they
             can
             be
             no
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             .
          
           
             And
             it
             is
             very
             often
             seen
             ,
             that
             some
             men
             are
             thought
             wicked
             ,
             as
             wrongfully
             and
             ignorantly
             as
             others
             are
             thought
             good
             :
             It
             is
             a
             very
             little
             matter
             that
             will
             give
             men
             a
             bad
             Character
             in
             a
             Censorious
             World
             ;
             a
             different
             Opinion
             in
             Religion
             ,
             or
             some
             external
             Modes
             of
             Worship
             ;
             nay
             ,
             different
             Interests
             ,
             and
             State-Factions
             ;
             nay
             ,
             some
             private
             Quarrels
             and
             Animosities
             ,
             will
             make
             some
             men
             paint
             each
             other
             as
             black
             as
             Hell
             can
             make
             them
             ,
             and
             then
             quarrel
             with
             Heaven
             if
             it
             does
             not
             revenge
             their
             Quarrels
             ,
             and
             execute
             that
             Vengeance
             which
             they
             doom
             each
             other
             to
             .
          
           
             And
             as
             for
             others
             ,
             who
             with
             more
             reason
             are
             thought
             bad
             men
             ,
             as
             guilty
             of
             known
             Immoralities
             ,
             yet
             they
             may
             have
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             good
             in
             them
             ,
             many
             Generous
             Qualities
             and
             Social
             Vertues
             ,
             which
             may
             make
             them
             very
             useful
             men
             in
             a
             Commonwealth
             ;
             and
             they
             may
             do
             so
             much
             good
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             opinion
             of
             mankind
             may
             deserve
             some
             Temporal
             Rewards
             ,
             as
             may
             deserve
             Publick
             Trusts
             and
             Publick
             Honours
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             very
             hard
             to
             reproach
             Providence
             with
             the
             Prosperity
             of
             such
             men
             ,
             which
             we
             our selves
             think
             well
             bestowed
             ,
             notwithstanding
             their
             other
             Vices
             :
             And
             other
             bad
             men
             may
             have
             some
             secret
             and
             latent
             Principles
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             which
             deserve
             to
             be
             cherished
             ;
             and
             when
             this
             is
             ,
             God
             alone
             knows
             ;
             but
             if
             we
             knew
             it
             ,
             we
             should
             have
             no
             reason
             to
             quarrel
             with
             the
             Kindness
             and
             Patience
             of
             God
             to
             such
             men
             ,
             which
             is
             intended
             to
             lead
             them
             to
             Repentance
             .
             And
             as
             for
             profligate
             sinners
             who
             are
             at
             open
             defiance
             with
             God
             ,
             it
             is
             seldom
             seen
             but
             that
             some
             remarkable
             Vengeance
             at
             one
             time
             or
             other
             overtakes
             them
             ,
             and
             vindicates
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             in
             their
             Confusion
             .
             So
             easy
             were
             it
             to
             justify
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             both
             towards
             
             good
             and
             bad
             men
             ,
             did
             we
             sufficiently
             know
             men
             .
             And
             our
             ignorance
             of
             men
             makes
             it
             a
             very
             foolish
             and
             absurd
             Objection
             ;
             for
             if
             instead
             of
             answering
             it
             ,
             we
             should
             deny
             the
             truth
             of
             the
             Objection
             ,
             they
             have
             no
             way
             to
             prove
             it
             .
             Should
             we
             assert
             ,
             That
             all
             good
             men
             are
             rewarded
             ,
             and
             all
             bad
             men
             punished
             ,
             who
             deserve
             to
             be
             rewarded
             or
             punished
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             they
             have
             no
             way
             to
             disprove
             this
             ,
             but
             by
             plain
             matter
             of
             Fact
             ;
             by
             shewing
             some
             good
             men
             afflicted
             ,
             who
             deserve
             a
             reward
             ,
             and
             some
             bad
             men
             prosperous
             ,
             who
             deserve
             to
             be
             punished
             :
             Now
             this
             they
             can
             never
             do
             ,
             without
             pretending
             to
             know
             what
             is
             in
             man
             ,
             to
             see
             their
             Inside
             ,
             to
             be
             acquainted
             with
             all
             their
             Secrets
             ;
             in
             a
             word
             ,
             to
             know
             Men
             as
             God
             knows
             them
             :
             For
             tho
             some
             men
             are
             afflicted
             ,
             whom
             we
             think
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             it
             may
             be
             are
             so
             ,
             and
             some
             bad
             men
             are
             prosperous
             ,
             yet
             there
             may
             be
             such
             a
             mixture
             of
             evil
             and
             good
             in
             these
             good
             and
             bad
             men
             ,
             which
             we
             cannot
             see
             ,
             as
             may
             make
             it
             very
             wise
             and
             just
             in
             God
             to
             afflict
             these
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             prosper
             the
             wicked
             ;
             and
             since
             we
             cannot
             possibly
             know
             these
             things
             ,
             it
             becomes
             us
             to
             be
             very
             modest
             in
             censuring
             Providence
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             We
             are
             in
             most
             cases
             very
             ignorant
             also
             of
             the
             Counsels
             and
             Designs
             of
             Providence
             :
             We
             seldom
             know
             in
             any
             measure
             ,
             what
             God
             is
             a
             doing
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             then
             it
             is
             impossible
             for
             us
             to
             understand
             the
             admirable
             Wisdom
             of
             all
             those
             intermediate
             Events
             ,
             which
             tend
             to
             unknown
             ends
             .
             In
             the
             best-contrived
             Plot
             there
             will
             always
             be
             some
             Scenes
             full
             of
             nothing
             but
             Mystery
             and
             Confusion
             ,
             till
             the
             End
             explains
             them
             ,
             and
             then
             we
             admire
             the
             Skill
             and
             Art
             of
             the
             Poet.
             
          
           
             Now
             the
             great
             Obscurities
             and
             Difficulties
             of
             Providence
             are
             in
             such
             intermediate
             Events
             ,
             before
             we
             know
             what
             God
             intends
             by
             them
             .
             As
             to
             give
             an
             Instance
             or
             two
             of
             it
             .
          
           
           
             Had
             we
             heard
             no
             more
             of
             Ioseph
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             was
             sold
             by
             his
             Brethren
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             there
             falsly
             accused
             by
             a
             Wanton
             Mistress
             ,
             and
             cast
             into
             Prison
             ,
             we
             should
             have
             thought
             that
             God
             had
             dealt
             very
             hardly
             with
             him
             ;
             but
             when
             we
             understand
             that
             all
             this
             was
             the
             way
             to
             
             Pharaoh's
             Throne
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             man
             but
             would
             be
             contented
             to
             be
             a
             Ioseph
             .
          
           
             Thus
             the
             Story
             of
             
             Iob's
             Afflictions
             strikes
             Terror
             and
             Astonishment
             into
             all
             that
             hear
             them
             :
             Iob
             himself
             knew
             not
             what
             account
             to
             give
             of
             his
             Sufferings
             ,
             and
             his
             Friends
             gave
             a
             very
             bad
             one
             ,
             by
             falsly
             and
             uncharitably
             accusing
             Iob
             of
             some
             unknown
             Wickedness
             ,
             to
             vindicate
             God's
             Severity
             towards
             him
             ;
             and
             we
             should
             have
             been
             as
             much
             puzzl'd
             with
             it
             to
             this
             day
             ,
             had
             we
             not
             been
             acquainted
             with
             the
             Reason
             of
             
             Iob's
             Sufferings
             ,
             and
             with
             that
             long
             and
             great
             Prosperity
             wherewith
             God
             rewarded
             his
             Faith
             and
             Patience
             ;
             and
             now
             no
             man
             thinks
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             Iob
             any
             Difficulty
             in
             Providence
             ,
             much
             less
             any
             Objection
             against
             it
             .
          
           
             Thus
             it
             is
             with
             reference
             to
             single
             men
             ;
             when
             we
             see
             only
             a
             Scene
             or
             two
             of
             their
             lives
             ,
             we
             may
             meet
             with
             such
             prosperous
             or
             adverse
             Events
             ,
             as
             we
             cannot
             account
             for
             ;
             but
             could
             we
             see
             from
             the
             beginning
             to
             the
             end
             ,
             in
             most
             cases
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             would
             justify
             it self
             .
          
           
             But
             then
             the
             hidden
             and
             Mysterious
             Designs
             of
             Providence
             relating
             to
             Churches
             and
             Kingdoms
             ,
             which
             comprehend
             so
             many
             great
             and
             wonderful
             Revolutions
             ;
             the
             Translations
             of
             Empires
             ;
             the
             removing
             the
             Gospel
             from
             one
             Countrey
             ,
             and
             planting
             Churches
             in
             others
             ,
             where
             there
             were
             none
             before
             ;
             the
             Increase
             and
             Flourishing
             State
             of
             Religion
             in
             one
             Age
             ,
             and
             its
             great
             Declension
             and
             almost
             total
             Eclypse
             in
             another
             ;
             those
             surprizing
             Changes
             which
             may
             be
             observed
             in
             the
             Genius
             ,
             Tempers
             ,
             and
             Inclinations
             of
             Princes
             and
             People
             in
             several
             Ages
             ;
             the
             unaccountable
             Beginnings
             of
             War
             ,
             and
             the
             as
             unaccountable
             Successes
             ,
             and
             unaccountable
             End
             of
             
             it
             ;
             the
             long
             Prosperity
             of
             Persecuting
             Tyrants
             ,
             and
             their
             sudden
             Fall
             ;
             These
             ,
             and
             such
             like
             Events
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             very
             obscure
             and
             unknown
             to
             us
             ,
             who
             know
             not
             what
             God
             aims
             at
             in
             all
             this
             ,
             nor
             what
             Designs
             he
             is
             carrying
             on
             .
          
           
             The
             Designs
             of
             Providence
             many
             times
             reach
             from
             one
             Age
             to
             another
             ,
             nay
             ,
             do
             not
             come
             to
             perfection
             in
             many
             Ages
             ,
             and
             yet
             have
             all
             a
             mutual
             dependance
             and
             relation
             to
             each
             other
             ,
             and
             are
             subservient
             to
             some
             last
             great
             End.
             The
             Prophesies
             of
             Daniel
             ,
             and
             the
             Revelations
             of
             St.
             Iohn
             ,
             as
             Mysterious
             Books
             as
             they
             are
             ,
             and
             as
             difficult
             as
             it
             is
             to
             apply
             the
             several
             parts
             of
             them
             to
             their
             particular
             Events
             ;
             yet
             thus
             much
             is
             plain
             in
             them
             ,
             That
             there
             is
             a
             long
             Series
             and
             Chain
             of
             Events
             ,
             which
             reach
             from
             Age
             to
             Age
             ,
             with
             Infinite
             Turnings
             and
             Variety
             of
             Wisdom
             ,
             directed
             by
             a
             steady
             and
             unerring
             Counsel
             ,
             to
             some
             Unknown
             ,
             but
             Glorious
             Conclusion
             .
             And
             when
             the
             Divine
             Counsels
             are
             so
             deep
             and
             mysterious
             ,
             and
             so
             far
             out
             of
             our
             sight
             ;
             when
             we
             see
             so
             little
             a
             part
             of
             what
             God
             does
             ,
             and
             know
             not
             what
             end
             God
             aims
             at
             in
             it
             ,
             how
             impossible
             is
             it
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             understand
             the
             reason
             of
             particular
             Events
             ?
             Had
             we
             a
             certain
             and
             particular
             History
             of
             what
             God
             has
             already
             done
             ,
             and
             could
             we
             certainly
             understand
             the
             Prophesies
             of
             what
             is
             still
             to
             be
             done
             in
             every
             Age
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             succeeding
             Ages
             ;
             that
             we
             could
             have
             one
             View
             of
             Providence
             from
             the
             Beginning
             to
             the
             End
             ,
             we
             should
             be
             more
             competent
             Judges
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             ,
             Beauty
             ,
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ;
             but
             when
             our
             Accounts
             of
             what
             is
             past
             are
             so
             imperfect
             and
             uncertain
             ,
             and
             our
             Knowledge
             of
             what
             is
             to
             come
             much
             more
             imperfect
             than
             of
             what
             is
             past
             ;
             when
             we
             know
             so
             little
             of
             our
             own
             Age
             ,
             of
             our
             own
             Countrey
             ,
             of
             our
             own
             Neighbourhood
             ,
             it
             is
             as
             impossible
             to
             understand
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             to
             understand
             the
             wise
             Contrivance
             and
             Design
             of
             a
             Comedy
             ,
             by
             reading
             one
             Act
             ,
             or
             it
             may
             be
             but
             one
             Scene
             of
             that
             Act.
             
          
           
           
             This
             is
             certain
             ,
             that
             we
             can
             never
             understand
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             ,
             without
             understanding
             the
             Counsels
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             for
             what
             end
             every
             thing
             is
             designed
             ;
             for
             every
             thing
             is
             well
             or
             ill
             contrived
             ,
             as
             it
             serves
             the
             end
             for
             which
             it
             is
             intended
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             may
             as
             reasonably
             pretend
             to
             understand
             all
             the
             secret
             Counsels
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             all
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             :
             This
             very
             Reason
             St.
             Paul
             gives
             ,
             why
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             is
             so
             unsearchable
             ,
             11.
             
             
               Rom.
               33
               ,
               34.
               
               O
               the
               depth
               of
               the
               riches
               both
               of
               the
               wisdom
               and
               knowledge
               of
               God
               ;
               how
               unsearchable
               are
               his
               judgments
               ,
               and
               his
               ways
               past
               finding
               out
               !
               For
               who
               hath
               known
               the
               mind
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               or
               who
               hath
               been
               his
               Counsellor
               ?
            
          
           
             3dly
             .
             We
             are
             very
             ignorant
             also
             of
             the
             state
             of
             the
             other
             world
             ,
             and
             while
             we
             are
             so
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             we
             should
             be
             able
             thoroughly
             to
             comprehend
             the
             Reason
             of
             God's
             Providence
             in
             this
             world
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             vain
             thing
             to
             talk
             of
             Providence
             ,
             without
             taking
             the
             other
             world
             into
             the
             account
             .
             Were
             there
             no
             other
             life
             after
             this
             ,
             it
             were
             not
             worth
             the
             while
             to
             dispute
             ,
             Whether
             there
             be
             a
             Providence
             ,
             or
             not
             ;
             for
             whether
             there
             be
             or
             be
             not
             a
             Providence
             ,
             things
             are
             as
             they
             are
             ;
             and
             if
             Death
             put
             an
             end
             to
             us
             ,
             it
             is
             of
             no
             great
             consequence
             which
             is
             truest
             .
             The
             only
             reason
             why
             some
             men
             so
             zealously
             dispute
             against
             a
             Providence
             ,
             is
             because
             they
             are
             unwilling
             to
             believe
             that
             there
             is
             a
             God
             ,
             or
             another
             world
             ;
             and
             the
             reason
             why
             we
             so
             zealously
             contend
             for
             a
             Providence
             ,
             is
             to
             support
             our selves
             against
             all
             cross
             Events
             ,
             with
             the
             Care
             and
             Protection
             of
             a
             Wise
             and
             Good
             God
             at
             present
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             Hopes
             of
             a
             more
             Blessed
             and
             Happy
             Life
             hereafter
             .
             So
             that
             in
             truth
             this
             Dispute
             is
             not
             so
             much
             intended
             against
             Providence
             ,
             as
             against
             the
             Being
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             another
             Life
             ;
             and
             therefore
             both
             these
             must
             be
             taken
             into
             the
             account
             ,
             when
             they
             make
             their
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             ,
             or
             all
             their
             Arguments
             signify
             nothing
             :
             As
             for
             Instance
             ,
          
           
           
             It
             is
             not
             enough
             for
             them
             to
             say
             ,
             and
             to
             prove
             too
             ,
             That
             there
             are
             such
             Difficulties
             in
             Providence
             (
             for
             the
             Difficulties
             of
             Providence
             are
             their
             great
             Objection
             )
             as
             no
             man
             can
             give
             a
             reasonable
             account
             of
             ;
             but
             that
             there
             are
             such
             Difficulties
             as
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             it self
             cannot
             account
             for
             ;
             for
             tho
             there
             may
             be
             many
             Difficulties
             which
             we
             cannot
             particularly
             answer
             (
             as
             all
             wise
             men
             acknowledge
             that
             there
             are
             )
             ,
             yet
             unless
             they
             can
             positively
             prove
             ,
             That
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             it self
             cannot
             answer
             these
             Difficulties
             ,
             the
             world
             may
             still
             be
             governed
             by
             an
             Infinitely
             Wise
             Being
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             demonstrable
             ,
             that
             they
             can
             never
             prove
             this
             ;
             for
             nothing
             less
             than
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             ,
             can
             tell
             what
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             knows
             ,
             and
             what
             Difficulties
             it
             can
             answer
             :
             Which
             shews
             how
             vain
             all
             these
             Arguments
             against
             Providence
             are
             ,
             which
             at
             last
             resolve
             themselves
             into
             the
             Ignorance
             of
             Human
             Understandings
             :
             That
             there
             is
             no
             Providence
             ,
             because
             we
             see
             such
             things
             done
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             which
             ,
             for
             ought
             we
             know
             ,
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             can
             give
             very
             wise
             Reasons
             for
             ,
             but
             we
             can't
             .
          
           
             Thus
             to
             come
             to
             the
             business
             in
             hand
             :
             It
             is
             not
             enough
             to
             prove
             ,
             That
             there
             are
             such
             Difficulties
             in
             Providence
             ,
             as
             we
             can
             give
             no
             account
             of
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             no
             other
             life
             after
             this
             :
             but
             they
             must
             positively
             prove
             ,
             That
             there
             are
             such
             Difficulties
             as
             the
             next
             world
             can
             give
             no
             account
             of
             .
          
           
             All
             men
             must
             acknowledge
             this
             to
             be
             very
             reasonable
             ;
             for
             if
             there
             be
             another
             life
             after
             this
             ,
             it
             is
             evident
             ,
             that
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             must
             in
             many
             cases
             be
             wholly
             fetched
             from
             the
             other
             world
             .
             If
             we
             must
             live
             in
             another
             world
             when
             we
             remove
             out
             of
             this
             ,
             then
             this
             life
             is
             but
             one
             short
             Scene
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             the
             government
             of
             Mankind
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             is
             chiefly
             in
             order
             to
             the
             next
             ;
             and
             then
             the
             Reasons
             of
             God's
             government
             also
             must
             relate
             to
             the
             next
             world
             :
             And
             if
             we
             must
             judge
             of
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             by
             its
             relation
             to
             the
             next
             world
             ,
             it
             will
             give
             a
             general
             Answer
             to
             all
             the
             Difficulties
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             give
             
             us
             a
             satisfactory
             Reason
             why
             we
             must
             not
             expect
             to
             understand
             all
             the
             particular
             Passages
             of
             Providence
             in
             this
             world
             .
          
           
             The
             general
             Answer
             is
             this
             ,
             That
             all
             the
             seeming
             Irregularities
             of
             Providence
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             will
             be
             rectified
             in
             the
             next
             ;
             and
             when
             we
             see
             this
             done
             ,
             we
             shall
             then
             see
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             what
             we
             now
             call
             the
             Irregular
             and
             Eccentrick
             Motions
             of
             Providence
             .
             It
             is
             certain
             this
             may
             be
             so
             ,
             and
             no
             man
             can
             prove
             it
             can't
             be
             so
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             had
             no
             other
             Evidence
             for
             it
             ,
             the
             reason
             and
             nature
             of
             things
             ,
             upon
             the
             supposition
             of
             the
             other
             world
             ,
             makes
             it
             highly
             probable
             that
             it
             will
             be
             so
             .
          
           
             All
             men
             who
             believe
             another
             world
             ,
             believe
             also
             that
             good
             men
             shall
             be
             greatly
             rewarded
             ,
             and
             the
             wicked
             punished
             in
             the
             next
             life
             ;
             and
             we
             Christians
             are
             assured
             that
             it
             shall
             be
             so
             ,
             by
             the
             express
             Revelations
             of
             Scripture
             ;
             that
             good
             men
             shall
             be
             eternally
             rewarded
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             bad
             men
             eternally
             punished
             in
             Hell-fire
             :
             And
             it
             is
             wonderful
             to
             me
             ,
             that
             any
             Christians
             who
             profess
             to
             believe
             this
             ,
             should
             puzzle
             themselves
             about
             the
             Difficulties
             of
             Providence
             ;
             for
             what
             Difficulties
             are
             there
             ,
             which
             Eternal
             Happiness
             and
             Eternal
             Miseries
             will
             not
             answer
             ?
          
           
             The
             great
             Prosperity
             of
             bad
             men
             ,
             especially
             when
             they
             openly
             defy
             God
             and
             Religion
             ,
             and
             oppress
             all
             within
             their
             power
             ,
             and
             persecute
             the
             true
             Disciples
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             do
             all
             the
             mischief
             they
             can
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             the
             Poverty
             and
             Disgrace
             ,
             Persecutions
             and
             Sufferings
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             are
             thought
             great
             Difficulties
             in
             Providence
             ;
             but
             could
             these
             Objectors
             but
             look
             into
             the
             next
             world
             ,
             and
             see
             Dives
             tormented
             in
             Flames
             ,
             and
             hear
             him
             beg
             only
             for
             a
             Drop
             of
             Water
             to
             cool
             his
             Tongue
             ;
             could
             they
             see
             Lazarus
             in
             
             Abraham's
             Bosom
             ,
             no
             longer
             begging
             an
             Alms
             ,
             but
             entertain'd
             with
             all
             the
             Delights
             of
             Paradise
             :
             Could
             they
             see
             the
             Punishments
             of
             Tyrants
             ,
             Persecutors
             ,
             and
             Oppressors
             ,
             and
             the
             Glorious
             Crowns
             of
             Martyrs
             ,
             would
             they
             then
             any
             
             longer
             complain
             of
             Providence
             ?
             Would
             they
             think
             God
             too
             kind
             to
             bad
             men
             ,
             or
             too
             hard
             and
             severe
             to
             the
             good
             ?
          
           
             If
             the
             final
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             of
             good
             and
             bad
             men
             are
             reserved
             for
             the
             next
             world
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             difficulty
             at
             all
             in
             the
             Prosperity
             of
             some
             bad
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             Afflictions
             of
             the
             good
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             for
             they
             are
             not
             intended
             so
             much
             for
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             ,
             as
             for
             Methods
             of
             Discipline
             and
             Government
             ;
             that
             the
             Justice
             of
             God
             is
             not
             so
             much
             concerned
             in
             it
             ,
             as
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ;
             which
             we
             who
             know
             not
             what
             belongs
             to
             the
             government
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             are
             very
             unfit
             judges
             of
             .
             This
             leaves
             room
             for
             God
             ,
             as
             his
             own
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             shall
             direct
             ,
             to
             exercise
             great
             Patience
             and
             Long-suffering
             towards
             bad
             men
             ,
             to
             make
             them
             the
             Ministers
             and
             Executioners
             of
             his
             Vengeance
             upon
             a
             wicked
             world
             ,
             or
             to
             lead
             them
             to
             Repentance
             ;
             and
             to
             correct
             the
             sins
             and
             follies
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             to
             rectify
             the
             temper
             of
             their
             minds
             ,
             to
             govern
             their
             passions
             ,
             to
             exercise
             and
             improve
             their
             Graces
             and
             Vertues
             ;
             in
             a
             word
             ,
             to
             make
             bad
             men
             good
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             good
             men
             better
             :
             and
             to
             serve
             the
             wise
             ends
             of
             his
             Government
             and
             Providence
             by
             both
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             the
             belief
             of
             another
             world
             ,
             gives
             a
             general
             Answer
             to
             all
             the
             Difficulties
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             it
             does
             not
             become
             a
             Christian
             to
             call
             any
             thing
             a
             Difficulty
             in
             Providence
             ,
             which
             the
             other
             world
             will
             answer
             .
             That
             there
             are
             such
             Difficulties
             as
             we
             can
             give
             no
             account
             of
             without
             another
             life
             ,
             we
             all
             acknowledge
             ,
             and
             know
             that
             it
             must
             be
             so
             ;
             for
             if
             this
             life
             have
             a
             relation
             to
             the
             next
             ,
             the
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             in
             many
             cases
             must
             of
             necessity
             be
             fetched
             from
             the
             next
             world
             ;
             and
             therefore
             when
             an
             Atheist
             disputes
             with
             a
             Christian
             against
             Providence
             ,
             if
             he
             will
             say
             any
             thing
             to
             the
             purpose
             ,
             he
             must
             dispute
             against
             Providence
             ,
             upon
             the
             supposition
             of
             another
             life
             ,
             and
             prove
             that
             the
             Eternal
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             of
             the
             next
             world
             ,
             cannot
             vindicate
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             
             in
             this
             .
             This
             is
             the
             true
             state
             of
             the
             Controversy
             ;
             and
             bring
             them
             to
             this
             Issue
             ,
             and
             they
             will
             find
             little
             to
             say
             ,
             which
             will
             give
             any
             trouble
             to
             a
             wise
             man
             to
             answer
             .
          
           
             But
             after
             all
             ,
             we
             must
             confess
             ,
             That
             we
             know
             so
             little
             of
             the
             other
             world
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             impossible
             for
             us
             to
             give
             a
             particular
             reason
             of
             every
             passage
             of
             Providence
             ,
             which
             relates
             to
             the
             next
             world
             .
          
           
             I
             say
             ,
             which
             relate
             to
             the
             next
             world
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             greatest
             difficulties
             of
             all
             to
             good
             men
             .
             The
             belief
             of
             another
             life
             will
             answer
             all
             the
             Difficulties
             of
             Providence
             which
             concern
             this
             life
             ;
             but
             those
             Difficulties
             which
             concern
             the
             state
             of
             the
             other
             world
             ,
             it
             cannot
             answer
             ;
             but
             then
             there
             is
             a
             plain
             reason
             why
             we
             cannot
             answer
             such
             Difficulties
             ,
             viz.
             Because
             we
             do
             not
             know
             enough
             of
             the
             state
             of
             the
             other
             world
             ,
             to
             say
             any
             thing
             to
             them
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             trouble
             our selves
             about
             them
             here
             ,
             but
             to
             stay
             till
             we
             come
             into
             the
             next
             world
             ;
             and
             then
             it
             is
             very
             probable
             they
             will
             be
             no
             Difficulties
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             instance
             in
             one
             very
             great
             one
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             the
             state
             of
             Religion
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             which
             is
             no
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             with
             respect
             to
             this
             life
             ,
             but
             the
             whole
             Difficulty
             of
             it
             relates
             to
             the
             next
             life
             .
             That
             since
             all
             men
             have
             Immortal
             Souls
             ,
             and
             must
             be
             happy
             or
             miserable
             for
             ever
             ,
             God
             should
             for
             so
             many
             Ages
             suffer
             the
             whole
             World
             ,
             excepting
             the
             Iews
             ,
             to
             live
             in
             Ignorance
             ,
             and
             in
             Pagan
             Idolatry
             and
             Superstition
             :
             That
             Christ
             came
             so
             late
             into
             the
             world
             to
             reveal
             the
             True
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             publish
             the
             Gospel
             to
             them
             ;
             and
             that
             so
             great
             a
             part
             of
             the
             World
             still
             are
             Pagans
             and
             Mahometans
             ;
             nay
             ,
             that
             so
             little
             a
             part
             of
             the
             Christian
             World
             retain
             the
             True
             Faith
             and
             Worship
             of
             Christ
             :
             This
             is
             Ten
             thousand
             times
             a
             greater
             Difficulty
             than
             any
             present
             evils
             and
             calamities
             ,
             because
             the
             consequences
             of
             it
             reach
             to
             Eternity
             .
          
           
           
             But
             then
             the
             whole
             Difficulty
             is
             no
             more
             than
             this
             ,
             That
             we
             know
             not
             what
             the
             condition
             of
             such
             men
             is
             in
             the
             other
             world
             ,
             who
             lived
             in
             invincible
             ignorance
             of
             the
             True
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             our
             Saviour
             Jesus
             Christ
             in
             this
             .
             This
             we
             confess
             we
             do
             not
             know
             ,
             but
             believe
             so
             well
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             verily
             perswaded
             ,
             could
             we
             see
             what
             their
             state
             is
             in
             the
             other
             world
             ,
             we
             should
             see
             no
             reason
             to
             quarrel
             with
             the
             Justice
             or
             Goodness
             of
             God
             upon
             their
             account
             .
             And
             have
             we
             any
             reason
             then
             to
             quarrel
             with
             God
             ,
             only
             because
             we
             know
             not
             how
             he
             deals
             with
             the
             ignorant
             Heathens
             in
             the
             next
             world
             ?
             If
             we
             knew
             how
             God
             dealt
             with
             these
             men
             ,
             and
             knew
             that
             he
             dealt
             hardly
             by
             them
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             we
             could
             judge
             ,
             this
             would
             be
             a
             difficulty
             ;
             but
             what
             Difficulty
             is
             there
             in
             knowing
             nothing
             of
             the
             matter
             ?
             For
             if
             we
             know
             nothing
             of
             it
             ,
             we
             ought
             to
             say
             and
             judg
             nothing
             of
             it
             neither
             .
             Men
             must
             be
             very
             much
             inclined
             to
             quarrel
             with
             God
             ,
             who
             will
             raise
             Objections
             from
             what
             they
             confess
             they
             know
             nothing
             of
             ;
             and
             yet
             I
             cannot
             guess
             how
             they
             should
             know
             any
             thing
             of
             the
             state
             of
             ignorant
             Heathens
             in
             the
             next
             world
             ,
             since
             the
             Scripture
             says
             nothing
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             yet
             this
             can
             be
             known
             only
             by
             Revelation
             ,
             for
             we
             cannot
             look
             into
             the
             other
             world
             .
          
           
             The
             plain
             truth
             of
             the
             case
             is
             this
             :
             Some
             men
             ,
             without
             any
             Authority
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             confidently
             affirm
             ,
             That
             ignorant
             Heathens
             shall
             suffer
             the
             same
             Condemnation
             which
             Christ
             has
             threatned
             aginst
             wilful
             Infidels
             ,
             and
             wicked
             Christians
             ;
             and
             then
             it
             may
             well
             be
             thought
             a
             great
             Difficulty
             ,
             That
             God
             should
             as
             severely
             punish
             men
             for
             not
             knowing
             Christ
             ,
             when
             he
             was
             never
             preached
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             they
             had
             no
             other
             possible
             way
             of
             knowing
             him
             ,
             as
             he
             will
             punish
             those
             who
             have
             had
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             preached
             to
             them
             ,
             but
             refused
             to
             believe
             in
             him
             ,
             or
             have
             professed
             the
             Faith
             of
             Christ
             ,
             but
             lived
             very
             wickedly
             .
             This
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             is
             a
             great
             Difficulty
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             a
             Difficulty
             of
             their
             
             own
             making
             ;
             and
             I
             should
             think
             it
             much
             more
             safe
             for
             our selves
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             honourable
             for
             God
             ,
             to
             confess
             our
             Ignorance
             of
             such
             matters
             as
             we
             have
             no
             possible
             way
             to
             know
             ,
             and
             to
             refer
             all
             such
             unknown
             Cases
             to
             the
             Wisdom
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             than
             to
             pretend
             to
             know
             what
             we
             cannot
             know
             ,
             and
             from
             thence
             to
             raise
             such
             Objections
             as
             we
             cannot
             answer
             .
          
           
             Whatever
             Difficulties
             immediately
             relate
             to
             the
             state
             of
             the
             other
             world
             ,
             we
             must
             be
             contented
             should
             remain
             Difficulties
             till
             we
             go
             thither
             ;
             for
             we
             know
             so
             little
             in
             particular
             about
             the
             other
             world
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             impossible
             we
             should
             be
             able
             either
             to
             satisfy
             our selves
             or
             others
             in
             such
             matters
             ;
             but
             these
             are
             not
             properly
             Difficulties
             in
             Providence
             ;
             for
             they
             do
             not
             so
             much
             concern
             the
             government
             of
             this
             world
             ,
             as
             of
             the
             next
             .
          
           
             Thus
             I
             have
             at
             large
             shewn
             ,
             not
             only
             ,
             That
             the
             Absolute
             Power
             of
             God
             makes
             him
             Unaccountable
             ,
             as
             the
             Sovereign
             Lord
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             but
             ,
             That
             his
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             is
             above
             the
             comprehension
             of
             our
             Narrow
             Understandings
             ;
             he
             is
             not
             bound
             to
             give
             any
             account
             of
             all
             the
             Wise
             Designs
             of
             his
             Providence
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             not
             capable
             of
             receiving
             it
             .
          
           
             This
             indeed
             is
             so
             plain
             at
             the
             first
             hearing
             ,
             to
             all
             men
             who
             believe
             God
             to
             be
             Infinitely
             Wise
             ,
             and
             are
             sensible
             of
             their
             own
             Ignorance
             ,
             that
             I
             should
             have
             been
             ashamed
             to
             have
             insisted
             so
             long
             on
             it
             ,
             did
             not
             all
             men
             know
             ,
             who
             know
             any
             thing
             of
             this
             Dispute
             ,
             That
             most
             of
             the
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             ,
             are
             owing
             wholly
             to
             this
             cause
             ,
             That
             men
             will
             not
             allow
             God
             to
             do
             what
             they
             cannot
             understand
             :
             And
             the
             best
             way
             I
             could
             take
             to
             teach
             these
             men
             more
             Modesty
             in
             censuring
             Providence
             ,
             was
             to
             shew
             them
             particularly
             ,
             That
             if
             God
             govern
             the
             world
             wisely
             ,
             there
             are
             a
             thousand
             things
             which
             they
             must
             of
             necessity
             be
             ignorant
             of
             ,
             and
             then
             it
             can
             be
             no
             Objection
             against
             the
             Wisdom
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             in
             governing
             the
             world
             ,
             
             that
             they
             cannot
             in
             many
             cases
             give
             a
             satisfactory
             account
             of
             the
             Particular
             Reasons
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             Let
             us
             now
             enquire
             in
             what
             cases
             this
             is
             a
             reasonable
             Answer
             to
             all
             the
             Difficulties
             of
             Providence
             ,
             That
             God
             
               giveth
               no
               account
               of
               his
               matters
            
             ;
             That
             
               the
               judgments
               of
               God
               are
               unsearchable
               ,
               and
               his
               ways
               past
               finding
               out
               .
            
             And
             there
             is
             great
             reason
             for
             this
             Enquiry
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             may
             presume
             to
             attribute
             any
             thing
             to
             God
             ,
             which
             can
             never
             be
             reconciled
             with
             the
             common
             Notions
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             Just
             and
             Unjust
             ,
             upon
             this
             pretence
             ,
             That
             the
             Ways
             and
             Judgments
             of
             God
             are
             unsearchable
             and
             unaccountable
             ,
             and
             that
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             demand
             a
             reason
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             That
             there
             are
             such
             men
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             is
             sufficiently
             known
             to
             those
             who
             understand
             any
             thing
             of
             some
             modern
             Controversies
             in
             Religion
             .
             I
             need
             instance
             at
             present
             only
             in
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Eternal
             and
             Absolute
             Election
             and
             Reprobation
             ,
             on
             which
             a
             great
             many
             other
             such
             like
             unaccountable
             Doctrines
             depend
             :
             That
             God
             created
             the
             far
             greatest
             part
             of
             mankind
             on
             purpose
             to
             make
             them
             eternally
             miserable
             ;
             or
             at
             least
             ,
             as
             others
             state
             it
             ,
             That
             he
             Order'd
             and
             Decreed
             ,
             or
             which
             is
             the
             same
             thing
             ,
             effectually
             Permitted
             the
             Sin
             and
             Fall
             of
             Adam
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             glorify
             his
             Mercy
             in
             chusing
             some
             few
             out
             of
             the
             corrupted
             Mass
             of
             Mankind
             to
             be
             Vessels
             of
             Glory
             ,
             and
             to
             glorify
             his
             Justice
             in
             the
             Eternal
             Punishment
             of
             all
             others
             ,
             even
             of
             Reprobated
             Infants
             ,
             as
             involved
             in
             the
             Guilt
             of
             
             Adam's
             sin
             .
             Now
             thus
             far
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             they
             are
             in
             the
             right
             ,
             that
             these
             are
             very
             unaccountable
             Doctrines
             ;
             for
             to
             make
             creatures
             on
             purpose
             to
             make
             them
             miserable
             ,
             is
             contrary
             to
             all
             the
             Notions
             we
             have
             of
             Just
             and
             Good.
             
          
           
             But
             tho
             we
             readily
             confess
             ,
             That
             the
             Ways
             and
             Judgments
             of
             God
             are
             unsearchable
             ,
             yet
             men
             must
             not
             think
             upon
             this
             pretence
             to
             attribute
             what
             they
             please
             to
             God
             ,
             how
             absurd
             ,
             unreasonable
             ,
             unjust
             ,
             soever
             it
             be
             ,
             and
             then
             
             shelter
             themselves
             against
             all
             Objections
             ,
             by
             resolving
             all
             into
             the
             Unaccountable
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             of
             God
             ;
             for
             God
             has
             no
             such
             Unaccountable
             Will
             as
             this
             is
             ,
             to
             do
             such
             things
             as
             manifestly
             contradict
             all
             the
             Notions
             which
             mankind
             have
             of
             good
             and
             evil
             .
          
           
             We
             find
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             That
             God
             abhors
             all
             such
             Imputations
             as
             these
             ,
             as
             infinitely
             injurious
             to
             him
             ;
             and
             appeals
             to
             the
             common
             Notions
             of
             what
             is
             Just
             and
             Equal
             ,
             to
             justify
             the
             general
             Rules
             of
             his
             Providence
             .
             The
             whole
             18th
             .
             Chapter
             of
             Ezekiel
             ,
             is
             a
             plain
             proof
             of
             this
             ;
             where
             God
             complains
             of
             that
             Proverb
             ,
             as
             reflecting
             upon
             the
             Justice
             and
             Equity
             of
             his
             Providence
             ;
             
             
               The
               fathers
               have
               eaten
               sowre
               grapes
               ▪
               and
               the
               childrens
               teeth
               are
               set
               on
               edge
               :
            
             That
             is
             ,
             that
             the
             Children
             are
             punished
             for
             the
             sins
             of
             their
             Fathers
             .
             How
             unreasonable
             an
             Imputation
             this
             is
             ,
             God
             proves
             from
             that
             Equal
             Right
             which
             he
             hath
             in
             Parents
             and
             Children
             ,
             
             which
             will
             not
             admit
             of
             such
             Partiality
             :
             
               Behold
               ,
               all
               souls
               are
               mine
               ;
               as
               the
               soul
               of
               the
               father
               ,
               so
               also
               the
               soul
               of
               the
               son
               is
               mine
               ;
               the
               soul
               that
               sinneth
               ,
               it
               shall
               dye
               :
            
             And
             declares
             this
             to
             be
             the
             general
             Rule
             of
             his
             Providence
             ,
             That
             a
             good
             man
             who
             does
             what
             is
             just
             and
             right
             ,
             shall
             surely
             live
             ;
             That
             if
             he
             beget
             a
             wicked
             son
             ,
             his
             son
             shall
             surely
             dye
             ;
             and
             if
             this
             wicked
             son
             beget
             a
             just
             and
             righteous
             son
             ,
             he
             shall
             live
             :
             
             
               The
               son
               shall
               not
               bear
               the
               iniquity
               of
               the
               father
               ,
               neither
               shall
               the
               father
               bear
               the
               iniquity
               of
               the
               son
               ;
               the
               righteousness
               of
               the
               righteous
               shall
               be
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               the
               wickedness
               of
               the
               wicked
               shall
               be
               upon
               him
               .
            
             That
             if
             the
             wicked
             man
             turn
             from
             his
             wickedness
             ,
             he
             shall
             live
             ,
             and
             if
             the
             righteous
             man
             turn
             from
             his
             righteousness
             ,
             he
             shall
             dye
             ;
             and
             appeals
             to
             them
             to
             judge
             ,
             whether
             this
             be
             not
             equal
             :
             
               Yet
               ye
               say
            
             ,
             
             
               The
               way
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               not
               equal
               ;
               Hear
               now
               ,
               O
               house
               of
               Israel
               ,
               are
               not
               my
               ways
               equal
               ?
               are
               not
               your
               ways
               unequal
               ?
            
          
           
             This
             plainly
             proves
             ,
             That
             all
             the
             administrations
             of
             Providence
             are
             very
             just
             and
             equal
             ;
             and
             that
             to
             attribute
             any
             thing
             to
             God
             which
             contradicts
             the
             common
             Notions
             
             of
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             ,
             is
             a
             very
             great
             Reproach
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             is
             thought
             so
             by
             God
             himself
             :
             And
             therefore
             when
             the
             Prophet
             Ieremiah
             complained
             of
             the
             Prosperity
             of
             bad
             men
             ,
             as
             a
             great
             difficulty
             in
             Providence
             ,
             he
             lays
             this
             down
             in
             the
             first
             place
             as
             an
             unshaken
             Principle
             ,
             That
             God
             is
             very
             Just
             and
             Righteous
             :
             
               Righteous
               art
               thou
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               when
               I
               plead
               with
               thee
               ,
               yet
               let
               me
               talk
               with
               thee
               of
               thy
               judgments
               ;
               wherefore
               doth
               the
               way
               of
               the
               wicked
               prosper
               ?
               wherefore
               are
               all
               they
               happy
               that
               deal
               very
               treacherously
               ?
            
             12.
             
             Jer.
             1.
             
          
           
             This
             very
             Complaint
             ,
             That
             there
             are
             great
             Difficulties
             in
             Providence
             ;
             That
             
               the
               ways
               and
               judgments
               of
               God
               are
               unsearchable
               ,
               and
               past
               finding
               out
            
             ;
             is
             a
             plain
             proof
             ,
             that
             all
             mankind
             expect
             from
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             govern
             the
             world
             with
             great
             Justice
             and
             Equity
             ;
             for
             otherwise
             ,
             (
             tho
             such
             a
             Providence
             it self
             would
             be
             a
             great
             Difficulty
             )
             there
             could
             be
             no
             Difficulties
             in
             Providence
             ,
             if
             God
             were
             not
             by
             the
             Holiness
             and
             Justice
             of
             his
             own
             Nature
             obliged
             to
             observe
             the
             Eternal
             and
             Immutable
             Laws
             of
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             in
             governing
             the
             world
             :
             For
             upon
             this
             supposition
             ,
             What
             could
             the
             unaccountable
             Difficulties
             of
             Providence
             be
             ?
             Is
             it
             that
             we
             observe
             such
             Events
             as
             we
             know
             not
             how
             to
             reconcile
             with
             the
             common
             Rules
             of
             Justice
             ?
             And
             what
             then
             ?
             This
             is
             no
             Difficulty
             ,
             nor
             unaccountable
             ,
             if
             God
             observes
             no
             Rules
             of
             Justice
             in
             his
             Government
             ;
             if
             he
             act
             by
             such
             an
             unaccountable
             Will
             as
             has
             no
             Law
             or
             Rule
             ;
             by
             such
             a
             Will
             as
             regards
             not
             what
             we
             call
             right
             and
             just
             ,
             but
             makes
             every
             thing
             just
             it
             wills
             .
          
           
             The
             Difficulty
             and
             Unsearchableness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             consists
             not
             in
             the
             Rules
             of
             Providence
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             Events
             ;
             not
             in
             reconciling
             the
             Rules
             of
             Providence
             to
             the
             common
             Notions
             of
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             ,
             but
             in
             reconciling
             some
             Events
             to
             the
             acknowledged
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             of
             God's
             Government
             .
             This
             is
             the
             Atheists
             Objection
             against
             God's
             governing
             the
             world
             ,
             because
             they
             think
             
             that
             the
             world
             is
             not
             justly
             and
             wisely
             governed
             ;
             and
             tho
             we
             can
             vindicate
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             notwithstanding
             a
             great
             many
             difficult
             and
             unaccountable
             Events
             which
             the
             Atheists
             object
             ,
             yet
             we
             can
             never
             vindicate
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             against
             Unjust
             and
             Arbitrary
             Rules
             of
             Government
             ,
             which
             the
             reason
             of
             all
             mankind
             conclude
             to
             be
             arbitrary
             and
             unjust
             :
             As
             for
             Instance
             :
          
           
             Tho
             we
             see
             good
             men
             afflicted
             ,
             and
             wicked
             men
             prosperous
             ,
             and
             it
             may
             be
             can
             give
             no
             particular
             account
             why
             this
             good
             man
             is
             afflicted
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             wicked
             man
             prosperous
             ,
             yet
             we
             can
             vindicate
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             notwithstanding
             this
             ;
             and
             the
             Unsearchable
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             ,
             is
             a
             good
             answer
             to
             it
             :
             But
             should
             any
             man
             turn
             this
             into
             a
             Rule
             of
             Providence
             ,
             That
             by
             the
             Sovereign
             and
             Unaccountable
             Will
             of
             God
             some
             good
             men
             shall
             be
             finally
             miserable
             ,
             and
             some
             bad
             men
             shall
             be
             finally
             happy
             ,
             this
             we
             can
             never
             vindicate
             ,
             because
             it
             contradicts
             the
             common
             Notions
             of
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             :
             And
             tho
             we
             cannot
             always
             judge
             of
             the
             Righteousness
             and
             Justice
             of
             a
             particular
             Event
             ,
             yet
             we
             can
             judge
             of
             the
             Rules
             and
             abstracted
             Notions
             of
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             .
          
           
             Thus
             God
             had
             often
             threatned
             the
             Iews
             ,
             That
             he
             would
             visit
             on
             them
             not
             only
             their
             own
             sins
             ,
             but
             the
             iniquities
             of
             their
             Fathers
             ;
             which
             in
             some
             cases
             may
             be
             very
             wise
             and
             just
             ;
             of
             which
             more
             hereafter
             ;
             but
             when
             by
             an
             ignorant
             or
             spiteful
             mistake
             ,
             they
             turned
             this
             into
             an
             unjust
             Proverb
             ,
             which
             all
             men
             acknowledged
             to
             be
             unjust
             ,
             God
             declared
             his
             Abhorrence
             of
             it
             ;
             
               What
               mean
               ye
               ,
               that
               ye
               use
               this
               proverb
               concerning
               the
               land
               of
               Israel
               ,
            
             
             
               saying
               ,
               The
               fathers
               have
               eaten
               sowre
               grapes
               ,
               and
               the
               childrens
               teeth
               are
               set
               on
               edge
               ?
            
             As
             if
             Children
             who
             had
             never
             eaten
             sowre
             Grapes
             themselves
             ,
             should
             have
             their
             teeth
             set
             on
             edge
             by
             their
             Fathers
             eating
             them
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             that
             those
             who
             had
             not
             deserved
             to
             be
             punished
             for
             their
             own
             sins
             ,
             should
             yet
             be
             punished
             for
             
             their
             Fathers
             sins
             :
             This
             appears
             manifestly
             unjust
             ,
             and
             God
             himself
             rejects
             it
             ,
             as
             a
             Reproach
             to
             his
             Providence
             :
             And
             how
             difficult
             soever
             some
             passages
             of
             Providence
             may
             be
             ,
             we
             must
             own
             no
             Rules
             of
             Providence
             which
             are
             manifestly
             unjust
             .
          
           
             Thus
             it
             is
             too
             certain
             ,
             that
             much
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             mankind
             will
             be
             finally
             miserable
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             very
             reconcilable
             to
             the
             Justice
             of
             God
             ,
             if
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             mankind
             are
             very
             wicked
             ,
             and
             deserve
             to
             be
             miserable
             :
             But
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             God
             created
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             mankind
             ,
             nay
             ,
             that
             he
             created
             any
             one
             man
             under
             the
             Absolute
             Decree
             of
             Reprobation
             ;
             that
             he
             made
             them
             to
             make
             them
             miserable
             ,
             can
             never
             be
             justified
             by
             the
             Unaccountable
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             of
             God
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             notoriously
             unjust
             ,
             if
             mankind
             are
             competent
             Judges
             of
             what
             is
             just
             and
             unjust
             .
          
           
             The
             Sum
             is
             this
             :
             That
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             is
             Unsearchable
             ,
             Incomprehensible
             ,
             Unaccountable
             ,
             is
             no
             reason
             to
             attribute
             any
             thing
             to
             God
             ,
             which
             when
             reduced
             into
             abstracted
             Notions
             and
             general
             Rules
             of
             action
             ,
             is
             notoriously
             unjust
             ;
             but
             the
             true
             use
             of
             it
             is
             to
             reverence
             the
             Judgments
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             charge
             any
             particular
             Events
             of
             Providence
             with
             Injustice
             ,
             merely
             because
             we
             do
             not
             understand
             the
             reasons
             of
             them
             .
             The
             general
             Notions
             and
             Rules
             of
             Justice
             are
             not
             unaccountable
             things
             ,
             for
             we
             understand
             very
             well
             what
             they
             are
             ;
             for
             Justice
             is
             the
             same
             thing
             in
             God
             and
             Men
             ;
             but
             the
             unsearchable
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             can
             do
             a
             great
             many
             things
             wisely
             and
             justly
             ,
             which
             our
             narrow
             minds
             cannot
             comprehend
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             .
             Now
             this
             makes
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             a
             sufficient
             reason
             why
             we
             should
             acquiesce
             in
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             notwithstanding
             such
             Events
             as
             we
             cannot
             understand
             the
             reasons
             of
             :
             But
             an
             Unaccountable
             Will
             ,
             which
             acts
             by
             no
             Rules
             of
             Justice
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             we
             can
             understand
             what
             Justice
             means
             ,
             can
             give
             no
             reasonable
             satisfaction
             to
             any
             man
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             no
             reason
             to
             be
             satisfied
             with
             
             Providence
             ,
             That
             God
             does
             such
             things
             by
             a
             Sovereign
             and
             Arbitrary
             Will
             ,
             as
             the
             reason
             of
             mankind
             condemns
             as
             unjust
             ;
             for
             this
             does
             not
             answer
             our
             Complaints
             ,
             but
             justifies
             them
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             all
             the
             Atheist
             endeavours
             to
             prove
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             he
             desires
             should
             be
             granted
             him
             ,
             to
             confute
             the
             belief
             of
             a
             God
             and
             a
             Providence
             .
             That
             God
             does
             such
             things
             as
             we
             can
             give
             no
             satisfactory
             account
             of
             ,
             does
             him
             little
             service
             ,
             because
             the
             Unsearchable
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             answers
             such
             Difficulties
             ;
             but
             if
             we
             will
             grant
             him
             ,
             That
             God
             acts
             by
             such
             Rules
             ,
             as
             all
             men
             who
             judge
             impartially
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             natural
             notions
             and
             the
             natural
             sense
             which
             we
             have
             of
             Justice
             ,
             must
             think
             unjust
             ;
             this
             is
             what
             he
             would
             have
             ;
             and
             he
             will
             give
             us
             leave
             to
             talk
             as
             much
             as
             we
             please
             ,
             of
             the
             Arbitrary
             and
             Sovereign
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             he
             will
             believe
             no
             such
             God
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             not
             the
             Natural
             Notion
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             to
             be
             Arbitrary
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             Good
             and
             Just
             :
             And
             to
             say
             that
             God
             is
             Good
             and
             Just
             ,
             but
             not
             Good
             and
             Just
             as
             men
             understand
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             ,
             is
             to
             say
             that
             we
             have
             no
             Natural
             Notion
             of
             the
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             then
             we
             can
             have
             no
             Natural
             Notion
             of
             a
             God
             :
             For
             if
             the
             Natural
             Notion
             of
             a
             God
             is
             ,
             That
             he
             is
             Just
             and
             Good
             ;
             it
             seems
             hard
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             have
             a
             Natural
             Notion
             of
             a
             Good
             and
             Just
             God
             ,
             without
             having
             any
             Natural
             Notion
             what
             his
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             is
             ;
             but
             instead
             of
             that
             ,
             should
             have
             such
             Natural
             Notions
             of
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             as
             (
             if
             we
             believe
             what
             some
             men
             say
             of
             God
             )
             can
             never
             be
             reconciled
             with
             his
             being
             Just
             and
             Good.
             
          
           
             This
             then
             must
             be
             laid
             down
             as
             a
             standing
             Rule
             ,
             That
             we
             must
             never
             attribute
             any
             thing
             to
             God
             ,
             which
             contradicts
             the
             Natural
             Notions
             which
             we
             have
             of
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ▪
             under
             a
             pretence
             ,
             That
             God
             is
             unaccountable
             ,
             and
             his
             ways
             and
             judgments
             unsearchable
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             not
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             is
             always
             directed
             by
             Goodness
             
             and
             Justice
             ,
             that
             is
             unaccountable
             ,
             but
             his
             Wisdom
             ;
             not
             the
             standing
             Rules
             of
             his
             Providence
             ,
             which
             are
             nothing
             else
             but
             perfect
             and
             unerring
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             but
             the
             application
             of
             particular
             Events
             to
             these
             Rules
             :
             And
             having
             premised
             this
             by
             way
             of
             Caution
             ,
             I
             come
             now
             more
             particularly
             to
             consider
             in
             what
             Cases
             this
             is
             a
             reasonable
             Answer
             to
             all
             the
             Difficulties
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Now
             in
             the
             first
             place
             I
             observe
             in
             general
             ,
             That
             the
             Unsearchableness
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             in
             governing
             the
             world
             ,
             is
             a
             reasonable
             Answer
             to
             all
             difficulties
             which
             have
             no
             intrinsick
             or
             essential
             evil
             in
             them
             .
             Whatever
             we
             see
             done
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             possible
             to
             imagine
             any
             Cases
             or
             Circumstances
             wherein
             such
             a
             thing
             may
             be
             wisely
             and
             justly
             done
             ,
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             believe
             that
             the
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             had
             wise
             and
             just
             reasons
             for
             doing
             it
             ,
             tho
             we
             know
             not
             what
             they
             are
             .
             For
             is
             it
             not
             great
             perverseness
             to
             charge
             God
             with
             doing
             such
             things
             unjustly
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             possible
             might
             be
             done
             for
             wise
             and
             just
             Reasons
             ?
             And
             yet
             I
             challenge
             all
             the
             Atheists
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             name
             me
             any
             one
             thing
             which
             ever
             God
             did
             ,
             that
             could
             not
             possibly
             ,
             in
             no
             Cases
             or
             Circumstances
             whatsoever
             ,
             be
             wisely
             and
             justly
             done
             .
          
           
             The
             Difficulties
             of
             Providence
             do
             not
             consist
             merely
             in
             external
             Events
             ;
             for
             all
             external
             Events
             may
             be
             good
             or
             evil
             ,
             just
             or
             unjust
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             their
             different
             Circumstances
             of
             Time
             ,
             or
             Place
             ,
             or
             Person
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             :
             And
             therefore
             when
             we
             see
             any
             thing
             happen
             ,
             which
             as
             far
             as
             we
             apprehend
             the
             case
             ,
             seems
             a
             difficulty
             in
             Providence
             ,
             if
             altering
             the
             Case
             would
             answer
             the
             difficulty
             ,
             it
             is
             only
             supposing
             that
             God
             sees
             the
             Case
             to
             be
             otherwise
             than
             we
             apprehend
             it
             to
             be
             ,
             and
             the
             Difficulty
             vanishes
             :
             and
             is
             not
             this
             very
             easy
             and
             natural
             to
             suppose
             ,
             that
             God
             may
             know
             the
             Case
             better
             than
             we
             do
             ?
             And
             is
             it
             not
             much
             more
             reasonable
             to
             suppose
             ,
             that
             we
             mistake
             the
             Case
             ;
             than
             to
             
             charge
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             with
             doing
             any
             thing
             hard
             or
             unjust
             ?
          
           
             But
             to
             make
             you
             sensible
             of
             this
             ,
             I
             shall
             explain
             it
             a
             little
             more
             particularly
             .
             Most
             of
             the
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             ,
             relate
             to
             the
             good
             or
             evil
             that
             happens
             to
             private
             Men
             ,
             or
             to
             Publick
             Societies
             ,
             to
             Kingdoms
             and
             Common-wealths
             ;
             such
             as
             the
             Length
             or
             Shortness
             of
             our
             Lives
             ,
             Health
             or
             Sickness
             ,
             Poverty
             or
             Riches
             ,
             Honour
             or
             Disgrace
             ,
             Famine
             ,
             Sword
             ,
             and
             Pestilence
             ;
             or
             the
             contrary
             Blessings
             of
             Plenty
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             and
             a
             wholsome
             Air
             ;
             the
             Changes
             and
             Revolutions
             of
             States
             and
             Empires
             ;
             the
             removing
             Kings
             ,
             and
             setting
             up
             Kings
             :
             Now
             what
             of
             all
             this
             is
             there
             ,
             that
             God
             can
             never
             wisely
             and
             justly
             do
             ?
             May
             not
             God
             have
             very
             wise
             and
             just
             Reasons
             for
             lengthening
             some
             mens
             Lives
             ,
             and
             for
             shortening
             others
             ?
             For
             making
             men
             Rich
             or
             Poor
             ,
             Honourable
             or
             Vile
             ?
             For
             translating
             Kingdoms
             and
             Empires
             ?
             For
             sending
             Peace
             or
             War
             ,
             Plenty
             or
             Famine
             ?
             And
             if
             all
             these
             things
             can
             be
             wisely
             and
             justly
             done
             ,
             how
             can
             the
             doing
             of
             any
             of
             these
             things
             be
             an
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ?
             Yes
             ,
             you
             'l
             say
             ,
             such
             good
             or
             evil
             Events
             may
             be
             wrong
             applied
             to
             persons
             who
             do
             not
             deserve
             them
             ,
             and
             then
             they
             become
             unjust
             ;
             and
             so
             you
             apprehend
             they
             many
             times
             are
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             the
             Difficulty
             of
             Providence
             :
             But
             now
             if
             there
             be
             no
             iniquity
             in
             the
             Events
             themselves
             ,
             when
             there
             are
             wise
             and
             just
             reasons
             for
             them
             ,
             why
             should
             we
             not
             rather
             conclude
             ,
             That
             there
             are
             wise
             Reasons
             for
             them
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             ordered
             and
             appointed
             by
             God
             ?
             Are
             not
             the
             Natural
             Notions
             we
             have
             of
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             ,
             a
             sufficient
             reason
             to
             believe
             ,
             that
             God
             never
             does
             any
             thing
             but
             what
             is
             just
             ?
             And
             is
             not
             his
             unsearchable
             Wisdom
             ,
             which
             sees
             such
             things
             as
             we
             cannot
             see
             ,
             a
             sufficient
             reason
             to
             confess
             ,
             That
             God
             may
             have
             wise
             and
             just
             Reasons
             for
             what
             he
             does
             ,
             tho
             we
             know
             them
             not
             ?
             This
             is
             enough
             to
             satisfy
             all
             the
             Friends
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             to
             silence
             its
             Enemies
             :
             For
             if
             all
             those
             
             Events
             which
             they
             think
             hard
             or
             unjust
             ,
             may
             be
             very
             wise
             and
             just
             ,
             as
             the
             Natural
             Justice
             of
             God
             is
             reason
             to
             believe
             they
             are
             ,
             and
             as
             the
             unsearchable
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             proves
             they
             may
             be
             ,
             tho
             we
             do
             not
             see
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             them
             ;
             then
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             That
             what
             may
             be
             wise
             and
             just
             ,
             can
             be
             no
             Argument
             against
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             :
             And
             when
             we
             have
             so
             many
             Reasons
             to
             believe
             a
             Providence
             ,
             such
             a
             
               may
               be
            
             is
             a
             reasonable
             answer
             to
             all
             such
             Difficulties
             as
             are
             themselves
             no
             more
             than
             
               may
               bees
            
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             The
             unsearchable
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             is
             a
             reasonable
             satisfaction
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             Prerogative
             Acts
             which
             we
             must
             seek
             for
             no
             other
             reason
             of
             ,
             but
             the
             good
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             of
             God
             ;
             I
             call
             those
             Prerogative
             Acts
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             exercise
             of
             a
             Free
             and
             Sovereign
             Will
             ,
             within
             the
             bounds
             of
             Just
             and
             Good.
             The
             Divine
             Nature
             ,
             as
             Infinite
             as
             it
             is
             ,
             confines
             it self
             within
             the
             bounds
             of
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ;
             and
             the
             Prerogative
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             the
             Absolute
             and
             Sovereign
             Lord
             ,
             cannot
             transgress
             these
             bounds
             :
             but
             there
             are
             a
             great
             many
             acts
             of
             Sovereignty
             relating
             to
             the
             free
             exercise
             of
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             which
             are
             under
             the
             necessary
             direction
             of
             no
             Law
             ,
             but
             are
             only
             the
             free
             and
             unaccountable
             Choice
             of
             a
             Sovereign
             Will
             :
             As
             in
             Scripture
             God
             is
             sometimes
             said
             to
             do
             such
             things
             
               according
               to
               his
               Will
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               good
               Pleasure
               of
               his
               Will
               ,
               according
               to
               his
               good
               Pleasure
            
             ;
             which
             always
             relates
             to
             such
             Prerogative
             Acts
             ,
             and
             signifies
             to
             us
             ,
             That
             we
             must
             seek
             no
             farther
             for
             the
             Reasons
             of
             such
             things
             ,
             than
             the
             Sovereign
             Will
             of
             God
             ;
             as
             a
             Sovereign
             Prince
             ,
             while
             he
             keeps
             within
             the
             Legal
             Exercise
             of
             his
             Prerogative
             ,
             needs
             give
             no
             other
             account
             of
             it
             ,
             but
             that
             it
             is
             his
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             .
          
           
             But
             there
             are
             some
             men
             ,
             who
             will
             not
             be
             so
             civil
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             to
             a
             Sovereign
             Prince
             ,
             to
             take
             his
             sole
             Will
             and
             good
             Pleasure
             ,
             for
             a
             satisfactory
             reason
             of
             any
             thing
             ;
             but
             quarrel
             about
             these
             Prerogative
             Acts
             ,
             and
             ask
             a
             great
             many
             foolish
             Questions
             ,
             and
             make
             a
             great
             many
             impertinent
             Objections
             ,
             
             even
             against
             the
             exercise
             of
             a
             Free
             and
             Sovereign
             Goodness
             .
          
           
             Now
             in
             truth
             this
             is
             to
             deny
             God
             the
             Rights
             of
             a
             Sovereign
             ,
             to
             demand
             a
             Reason
             of
             him
             beyond
             his
             own
             Will
             ,
             for
             the
             Acts
             of
             pure
             Sovereignty
             :
             but
             yet
             I
             will
             grant
             these
             men
             ,
             That
             tho
             in
             all
             such
             Cases
             we
             must
             ask
             no
             other
             reason
             ,
             but
             the
             mere
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             yet
             God
             never
             does
             any
             thing
             for
             mere
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             ,
             in
             the
             sense
             that
             some
             men
             do
             ,
             but
             has
             always
             wise
             and
             hidden
             Reasons
             ,
             which
             we
             cannot
             comprehend
             :
             And
             tho
             they
             will
             not
             allow
             the
             unsearchable
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             a
             just
             satisfaction
             to
             other
             Objections
             ,
             yet
             methinks
             where
             they
             ought
             to
             demand
             no
             other
             reason
             but
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             it
             should
             abundantly
             satisfy
             them
             to
             know
             ,
             That
             tho
             this
             Will
             of
             God
             is
             Sovereign
             and
             Unaccountable
             ,
             it
             is
             always
             guided
             by
             Infinite
             and
             Infallible
             Wisdom
             .
          
           
             That
             you
             may
             the
             better
             understand
             this
             ,
             I
             shall
             give
             you
             some
             Instances
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             the
             Prerogative
             Acts
             of
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             .
             Goodness
             indeed
             is
             essential
             to
             the
             Notion
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             but
             yet
             there
             are
             some
             Sovereign
             Acts
             of
             Goodness
             which
             no
             creature
             could
             challenge
             from
             God
             ,
             which
             God
             might
             not
             have
             done
             ,
             and
             yet
             have
             been
             very
             good
             ;
             and
             why
             God
             exercises
             such
             Free
             and
             Prerogative
             Acts
             of
             Goodness
             ,
             must
             be
             resolved
             wholly
             into
             the
             good
             Pleasure
             of
             his
             own
             Will.
             This
             is
             the
             account
             the
             Scripture
             gives
             us
             ,
             of
             that
             Mysterious
             Goodness
             ,
             in
             the
             Redemption
             of
             the
             World
             by
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ;
             which
             is
             therefore
             every
             where
             in
             Scripture
             called
             Grace
             ,
             and
             
               Free
               Grace
            
             ,
             and
             
               the
               Love
               of
               God
            
             ,
             and
             
               the
               Will
               of
               God
            
             ;
             as
             Christ
             tells
             us
             ,
             
             That
             
               he
               came
               not
               to
               do
               his
               own
               will
               ,
               but
               the
               will
               of
               him
               that
               sent
               him
               .
            
             And
             the
             whole
             Oeconomy
             of
             our
             Redemption
             ,
             
             is
             called
             
               the
               purpose
               of
               him
               who
               worketh
               all
               things
               according
               to
               the
               counsel
               of
               his
               own
               will
               :
            
             And
             thus
             is
             every
             part
             of
             our
             Redemption
             ;
             
             as
             our
             New-Birth
             ;
             
               Of
               his
               own
               will
               he
               hath
               begotten
               us
               :
            
             The
             Gifts
             of
             the
             Holy
             
             Ghost
             were
             bestowed
             upon
             the
             Apostles
             
               according
               to
               his
               own
               will.
            
             
             
               God
               worketh
               in
               us
               both
               to
               will
               and
               to
               do
               of
               his
               good
               pleasure
               :
            
             
             All
             which
             signifies
             no
             more
             but
             this
             ,
             That
             these
             are
             such
             Prerogative
             Acts
             of
             Goodness
             ,
             as
             we
             must
             seek
             for
             no
             other
             reason
             of
             ,
             but
             the
             Sovereign
             Will
             and
             good
             Pleasure
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             Now
             in
             such
             Sovereign
             Acts
             of
             Goodness
             as
             these
             ,
             the
             time
             ,
             and
             manner
             ,
             and
             other
             circumstances
             ,
             and
             the
             rules
             and
             methods
             of
             administration
             ,
             are
             all
             perfectly
             free
             and
             voluntary
             ,
             where
             God
             has
             not
             bound
             up
             himself
             by
             Covenant
             and
             Promise
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             must
             satisfy
             our selves
             ,
             that
             God
             has
             very
             wise
             Reasons
             for
             what
             he
             does
             ,
             but
             must
             not
             critically
             examine
             ,
             whether
             every
             thing
             be
             done
             in
             the
             best
             manner
             that
             we
             can
             think
             on
             ;
             which
             would
             put
             an
             end
             to
             a
             great
             many
             foolish
             Enquiries
             ,
             with
             which
             men
             perplex
             themselves
             ,
             and
             disparage
             the
             Mysteries
             of
             our
             Salvation
             :
             As
             ,
             Why
             God
             sent
             Christ
             into
             the
             world
             ,
             for
             the
             Salvation
             of
             Mankind
             ?
             Whether
             there
             was
             no
             other
             possible
             way
             to
             save
             sinners
             ;
             or
             whether
             this
             were
             absolutely
             the
             best
             ?
             Why
             God
             sent
             Christ
             so
             late
             into
             the
             world
             ,
             in
             the
             last
             days
             ,
             when
             it
             grew
             near
             its
             end
             ,
             and
             so
             many
             Generations
             of
             men
             had
             perished
             in
             ignorance
             and
             wickedness
             ,
             before
             his
             Appearance
             ?
             Why
             so
             great
             a
             part
             of
             the
             world
             to
             this
             day
             have
             never
             heard
             of
             Christ
             ?
             And
             a
             great
             many
             other
             such
             like
             Questions
             as
             these
             :
             To
             all
             which
             it
             is
             sufficient
             to
             reply
             ,
             That
             our
             Redemption
             by
             Christ
             is
             an
             act
             of
             Sovereign
             Grace
             ,
             and
             therefore
             we
             must
             enquire
             no
             farther
             than
             the
             Will
             of
             God.
             Had
             God
             never
             sent
             Christ
             into
             the
             world
             ,
             nor
             preached
             the
             Gospel
             to
             any
             one
             Nation
             ,
             we
             should
             have
             had
             no
             reason
             to
             complain
             ;
             for
             he
             did
             not
             owe
             such
             a
             Saviour
             to
             sinners
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             have
             less
             reason
             to
             complain
             of
             the
             time
             of
             his
             coming
             into
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             that
             his
             Gospel
             is
             not
             universally
             received
             by
             mankind
             .
             Sovereign
             Grace
             is
             free
             and
             unaccountable
             ,
             and
             we
             need
             not
             doubt
             but
             that
             such
             stupendious
             
             Goodness
             is
             administred
             by
             as
             unsearchable
             Wisdom
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             reasonable
             for
             us
             to
             acquiesce
             in
             the
             belief
             of
             God's
             unerring
             Wisdom
             ,
             especially
             in
             such
             cases
             where
             we
             have
             no
             right
             to
             enquire
             beyond
             his
             Will.
             When
             we
             receive
             all
             from
             God
             without
             his
             owing
             us
             any
             thing
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             good
             answer
             St.
             Paul
             gives
             ,
             
               Who
               hath
               first
               given
               unto
               him
               ,
            
             
             
               and
               it
               shall
               be
               recompensed
               to
               him
               again
               ;
               for
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               through
               him
               ,
               and
               to
               him
               ,
               are
               all
               things
               ;
               to
               whom
               be
               glory
               for
               ever
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
           
             Thus
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             requires
             ,
             that
             God
             should
             punish
             obstinate
             and
             incorrigible
             sinners
             ;
             but
             then
             he
             executes
             Justice
             with
             a
             Free
             and
             Sovereign
             Authority
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             he
             is
             not
             confined
             to
             time
             ,
             and
             place
             ,
             and
             manner
             of
             punishing
             sinners
             ,
             as
             the
             Inferior
             Ministers
             of
             Justice
             are
             ;
             but
             when
             men
             have
             made
             themselves
             
               vessels
               of
               wrath
               fitted
               for
               destruction
               ,
            
             then
             God
             may
             punish
             sooner
             or
             later
             ,
             publickly
             or
             privately
             ,
             and
             in
             what
             manner
             he
             pleases
             ,
             without
             giving
             any
             other
             reason
             for
             it
             ,
             but
             his
             own
             Will.
             God
             has
             more
             reasons
             of
             punishing
             Sinners
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             than
             merely
             to
             take
             Vengeance
             of
             their
             sins
             ;
             and
             therefore
             he
             punishes
             them
             in
             such
             a
             manner
             as
             may
             best
             serve
             the
             ends
             of
             his
             Providence
             ,
             as
             may
             most
             advance
             his
             own
             Name
             and
             Glory
             ,
             and
             do
             most
             good
             in
             the
             world
             .
             Thus
             God
             tells
             
               Pharaoh
               ,
               For
               this
               cause
               have
               I
               raised
               thee
               up
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             either
             advanced
             thee
             to
             the
             Throne
             ,
             or
             preserved
             thy
             Life
             thus
             long
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             all
             the
             Plagues
             I
             have
             brought
             upon
             thy
             Land
             ,
             
               for
               to
               shew
               in
               thee
               my
               power
               ,
               and
               that
               my
               name
               may
               be
               declared
               throughout
               all
               the
               earth
            
             ;
             
             that
             is
             ,
             to
             take
             such
             a
             remarkable
             Vengeance
             on
             thee
             ,
             as
             may
             make
             all
             the
             earth
             confess
             my
             Glory
             .
          
           
             Would
             men
             but
             allow
             God
             the
             Authority
             of
             a
             Sovereign
             ,
             who
             can
             Spare
             ,
             and
             Reprieve
             ,
             nay
             ,
             Pardon
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             without
             the
             imputation
             of
             Injustice
             ,
             it
             would
             answer
             all
             the
             Cavilling
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             ,
             
             which
             relate
             to
             the
             Punishments
             of
             bad
             men
             .
             God
             might
             then
             be
             allowed
             to
             execute
             speedy
             Vengeance
             upon
             some
             sinners
             ,
             and
             to
             delay
             the
             Punishment
             of
             others
             ,
             and
             to
             suffer
             them
             to
             be
             prosperous
             for
             a
             great
             while
             ,
             without
             giving
             any
             other
             reason
             for
             it
             ,
             than
             his
             own
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             .
             God
             hath
             always
             wise
             Reasons
             for
             these
             things
             ,
             tho
             we
             do
             not
             always
             know
             them
             ;
             but
             if
             the
             Sovereignty
             of
             God
             will
             justify
             all
             this
             ,
             without
             any
             other
             reason
             ,
             much
             more
             ought
             we
             to
             be
             satisfied
             with
             what
             God
             does
             ,
             when
             we
             know
             that
             he
             executes
             Judgment
             ,
             and
             restrains
             and
             punishes
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             governs
             bad
             men
             ,
             with
             unsearchable
             Wisdom
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             That
             the
             ways
             of
             God
             are
             unsearchable
             ,
             is
             a
             reasonable
             Answer
             to
             all
             Difficulties
             which
             concern
             such
             matters
             as
             we
             must
             confess
             to
             be
             above
             our
             understanding
             :
             I
             have
             already
             given
             you
             a
             great
             many
             Instances
             of
             this
             nature
             ,
             which
             I
             need
             not
             repeat
             ;
             and
             indeed
             he
             must
             be
             a
             very
             ignorant
             man
             ,
             who
             is
             not
             sensible
             that
             there
             is
             a
             Knowledge
             which
             is
             too
             wonderful
             for
             him
             ,
             which
             the
             Light
             of
             Nature
             cannot
             discover
             ,
             and
             which
             God
             has
             not
             thought
             fit
             to
             reveal
             :
             And
             is
             it
             not
             reasonable
             in
             all
             such
             cases
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             the
             Ways
             and
             Judgments
             of
             God
             are
             above
             our
             knowledge
             ;
             and
             to
             be
             contented
             to
             be
             ignorant
             of
             what
             we
             cannot
             know
             ?
             This
             I
             am
             sure
             is
             the
             only
             Remedy
             that
             is
             left
             us
             ,
             and
             the
             only
             way
             to
             rid
             our
             minds
             of
             such
             perplexing
             Difficulties
             ,
             as
             are
             owing
             to
             our
             own
             unavoidable
             Ignorance
             of
             things
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             sufficient
             to
             shew
             you
             ,
             That
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             not
             only
             as
             our
             Absolute
             Lord
             ,
             but
             as
             the
             Infinitely
             Wise
             Governor
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             is
             and
             must
             be
             Unaccountable
             ;
             and
             that
             this
             is
             a
             very
             reasonable
             answer
             to
             the
             Difficulties
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             the
             true
             use
             of
             all
             is
             ,
             not
             to
             strive
             with
             God
             ,
             not
             to
             quarrel
             at
             his
             Providence
             ,
             but
             to
             reverence
             his
             Unsearchable
             Judgments
             ;
             to
             bear
             
             whatever
             he
             lays
             on
             us
             ,
             with
             Patience
             and
             Submission
             ,
             and
             to
             compose
             our
             minds
             to
             a
             firm
             Trust
             and
             Dependance
             on
             him
             ,
             in
             the
             most
             cross
             and
             threatning
             Events
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             thought
             a
             great
             piece
             of
             Wit
             ,
             to
             be
             able
             to
             start
             some
             New
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             ,
             and
             to
             find
             a
             great
             many
             Faults
             in
             God's
             Government
             of
             the
             world
             :
             But
             besides
             the
             great
             Irreverence
             to
             God
             ,
             did
             such
             men
             believe
             a
             God
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             certain
             proof
             of
             the
             most
             despicable
             Ignorance
             ,
             That
             they
             are
             ignorant
             to
             such
             a
             degree
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             know
             they
             are
             ignorant
             ;
             for
             if
             they
             did
             ,
             they
             would
             not
             dare
             to
             Judge
             and
             Censure
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             
          
           
             The
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             THE
             next
             Enquiry
             is
             ,
             Concerning
             the
             Justice
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             .
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             is
             essential
             to
             the
             Notion
             of
             a
             God
             ;
             and
             therefore
             if
             God
             govern
             the
             world
             ,
             he
             must
             govern
             it
             righteously
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             the
             great
             and
             formidable
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ,
             That
             the
             world
             is
             not
             governed
             with
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             :
             And
             could
             this
             be
             evidently
             and
             convincingly
             proved
             ,
             I
             would
             allow
             the
             Conclusion
             ,
             That
             then
             God
             does
             not
             govern
             the
             world
             .
             But
             I
             challenge
             any
             man
             who
             understands
             what
             the
             Justice
             of
             God's
             Government
             is
             ,
             to
             charge
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             with
             any
             one
             plain
             and
             notorious
             Act
             of
             Injustice
             ;
             for
             the
             truth
             is
             ,
             the
             ground
             of
             all
             these
             Objections
             ,
             is
             an
             ignorance
             of
             the
             Nature
             of
             God's
             Government
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             when
             this
             is
             truly
             stated
             ,
             all
             such
             Objections
             will
             need
             no
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Justice
             is
             commonly
             divided
             into
             Commutative
             and
             Distributive
             Justice
             ;
             the
             first
             respects
             mens
             Rights
             and
             Properties
             ;
             the
             second
             their
             Deserts
             ;
             the
             first
             consists
             in
             giving
             every
             man
             what
             is
             his
             own
             by
             some
             Natural
             or
             Acquired
             Rights
             ;
             the
             second
             consists
             in
             rewarding
             or
             punishing
             men
             ,
             as
             the
             nature
             and
             quality
             of
             their
             actions
             deserve
             .
             And
             upon
             both
             these
             accounts
             some
             men
             impeach
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Because
             it
             is
             too
             manifest
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             Injustice
             done
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             that
             a
             great
             many
             men
             are
             deprived
             of
             their
             Rights
             and
             Properties
             by
             Fraud
             ,
             Injustice
             ,
             or
             open
             Violence
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             world
             is
             not
             justly
             
             and
             righteously
             governed
             ;
             which
             they
             think
             in
             the
             last
             issue
             must
             reflect
             upon
             the
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             of
             Providence
             ;
             if
             God
             be
             the
             Supreme
             and
             Sovereign
             Lord
             of
             the
             world
             .
             2dly
             .
             That
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             are
             not
             justly
             and
             equally
             distributed
             ;
             that
             some
             bad
             men
             are
             greatly
             rewarded
             ,
             and
             some
             good
             men
             greatly
             punished
             ;
             which
             is
             not
             reconcilable
             with
             the
             Distributive
             Justice
             of
             Providenc
             .
             Now
             the
             plainest
             and
             shortest
             way
             of
             answering
             these
             and
             all
             such
             like
             Objections
             ,
             is
             to
             consider
             ,
             Wherein
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             consists
             ,
             and
             what
             Justice
             requires
             of
             God
             in
             the
             government
             of
             this
             lower
             world
             :
             For
             if
             God
             may
             govern
             the
             world
             very
             righteously
             ,
             without
             doing
             what
             some
             men
             think
             Justice
             requires
             him
             to
             do
             ,
             and
             without
             hindring
             what
             they
             think
             Justice
             requires
             him
             to
             hinder
             ,
             this
             is
             a
             sufficient
             Vindication
             of
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             whatever
             other
             Objections
             they
             may
             make
             against
             it
             :
             And
             I
             shall
             state
             this
             as
             plainly
             and
             briefly
             as
             I
             can
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             First
             then
             ,
             I
             suppose
             I
             may
             take
             it
             for
             granted
             ,
             That
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             does
             not
             consist
             in
             hindring
             all
             Acts
             of
             Injustice
             and
             Violence
             .
             There
             may
             be
             great
             Violence
             and
             Injustice
             committed
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             yet
             God
             may
             govern
             the
             world
             with
             great
             Righteousness
             :
             Which
             is
             no
             more
             than
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             men
             may
             be
             very
             wicked
             and
             unjust
             ,
             and
             yet
             God
             be
             very
             Just.
             As
             for
             God's
             permitting
             so
             much
             evil
             to
             be
             committed
             ,
             that
             is
             a
             greater
             Objection
             against
             the
             Holiness
             than
             against
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             shall
             be
             particularly
             considered
             under
             that
             Head
             ;
             but
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             does
             not
             consist
             in
             hindring
             men
             from
             sinning
             ,
             but
             in
             punishing
             them
             when
             they
             do
             .
             Were
             it
             unjust
             in
             God
             to
             suffer
             men
             to
             do
             any
             Injustice
             ,
             it
             would
             be
             but
             a
             very
             imperfect
             kind
             of
             Justice
             to
             punish
             them
             for
             it
             ;
             for
             upon
             this
             supposition
             ,
             the
             Justice
             of
             punishing
             sin
             would
             be
             founded
             in
             the
             Injustice
             of
             permitting
             
             it
             ;
             and
             God
             must
             be
             first
             Unjust
             in
             permitting
             Injustice
             ,
             before
             he
             can
             be
             Just
             in
             punishing
             it
             .
             Which
             shews
             how
             absurd
             it
             would
             be
             ,
             to
             charge
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             with
             Injustice
             ,
             because
             there
             are
             so
             many
             unjust
             men
             ,
             who
             do
             many
             unjust
             things
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             For
             God
             may
             do
             that
             very
             justly
             ,
             which
             men
             cannot
             do
             without
             great
             injustice
             ;
             and
             therefore
             men
             may
             be
             very
             unjust
             ,
             and
             God
             very
             just
             :
             As
             for
             instance
             ;
             God
             may
             very
             justly
             take
             away
             any
             man's
             Estate
             ,
             when
             no
             man
             can
             do
             it
             without
             Injustce
             ;
             and
             the
             Case
             is
             the
             same
             with
             respect
             to
             Honour
             ,
             and
             Power
             ,
             and
             Life
             it self
             ;
             for
             God
             is
             the
             Supreme
             Lord
             and
             Proprietor
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             we
             are
             all
             his
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             we
             have
             is
             his
             :
             We
             may
             have
             a
             Right
             to
             our
             Lives
             and
             Liberties
             ,
             Estates
             ,
             Honours
             ,
             and
             Power
             ,
             against
             all
             Human
             Claims
             ;
             but
             we
             have
             no
             Right
             against
             God
             :
             He
             may
             give
             Riches
             ,
             and
             Honours
             ,
             and
             Power
             ,
             to
             whom
             he
             pleases
             ,
             and
             take
             them
             away
             again
             when
             he
             sees
             fit
             ,
             without
             being
             chargeable
             with
             any
             Injustice
             ;
             for
             what
             he
             gives
             ,
             and
             what
             he
             takes
             away
             ,
             is
             his
             own
             ;
             and
             
               may
               not
               he
               do
               what
               he
               will
               with
               his
               own
               ?
            
          
           
             There
             can
             be
             no
             
               Commutative
               Iustice
            
             in
             a
             strict
             and
             proper
             sense
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             no
             Right
             but
             on
             one
             side
             ;
             for
             he
             who
             has
             no
             Right
             ,
             can
             suffer
             no
             Wrong
             ;
             and
             he
             in
             whom
             the
             whole
             Right
             is
             ,
             can
             do
             no
             Wrong
             in
             giving
             or
             taking
             away
             what
             is
             his
             own
             :
             And
             therefore
             
               Legal
               Rights
               and
               Properties
            
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             Foundation
             of
             Commutative
             Justice
             ,
             can
             be
             no
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ,
             for
             no
             Creature
             has
             any
             Legal
             Property
             against
             God.
             The
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             does
             not
             relate
             to
             the
             Rights
             of
             Creatures
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             Moral
             and
             Eternal
             Reasons
             of
             things
             ;
             it
             does
             not
             consist
             in
             defending
             every
             man
             in
             his
             Legal
             Rights
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Justice
             of
             Human
             Governments
             ,
             but
             in
             rewarding
             or
             punishing
             men
             according
             as
             they
             deserve
             ,
             or
             as
             may
             best
             serve
             the
             wise
             ends
             of
             God's
             Government
             in
             this
             world
             .
          
           
           
             There
             seems
             to
             me
             to
             be
             no
             occasion
             for
             that
             Dispute
             
               de
               Iure
               Dei
               in
               Creaturas
            
             ,
             what
             Right
             God
             has
             in
             Creatures
             ;
             for
             there
             is
             no
             doubt
             but
             God
             has
             an
             Absolute
             ,
             Unlimited
             ,
             Uncontroulable
             Right
             in
             all
             his
             Creatures
             ;
             they
             and
             all
             they
             have
             are
             his
             ,
             and
             at
             his
             Absolute
             Disposal
             ;
             tho
             it
             does
             not
             hence
             follow
             ,
             that
             God
             may
             without
             any
             Injustice
             make
             Creatures
             on
             purpose
             to
             make
             them
             miserable
             :
             for
             tho
             Creatures
             have
             no
             Natural
             Rights
             against
             God
             ,
             yet
             the
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             gives
             them
             a
             Moral
             Right
             to
             such
             usage
             as
             they
             shall
             deserve
             :
             as
             for
             instance
             ,
             That
             an
             innocent
             Creature
             should
             not
             be
             miserable
             ,
             and
             that
             those
             who
             deserve
             well
             ,
             should
             not
             be
             ill
             used
             .
             But
             these
             Moral
             Rights
             concern
             Distributive
             Justice
             ,
             and
             result
             from
             the
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             and
             Government
             ,
             not
             from
             the
             Natural
             Rights
             of
             Creatures
             .
             We
             are
             absolutely
             at
             the
             Will
             and
             Disposal
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             Slaves
             and
             Vassals
             are
             at
             the
             Will
             of
             their
             Lord
             ;
             but
             our
             security
             is
             ,
             That
             God
             can
             will
             nothing
             but
             what
             is
             wise
             ,
             and
             just
             ,
             and
             good
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             From
             hence
             it
             evidently
             follows
             ,
             That
             in
             our
             Disputes
             about
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             we
             must
             confine
             our
             enquiries
             to
             Distributive
             Justice
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             barely
             consider
             what
             men
             have
             ,
             or
             what
             they
             lose
             ,
             or
             what
             they
             suffer
             ,
             nor
             what
             the
             immediate
             and
             visible
             Causes
             of
             all
             this
             are
             ,
             whether
             just
             or
             unjust
             ;
             but
             we
             must
             consider
             what
             proportion
             there
             is
             between
             their
             Condition
             ,
             and
             their
             Moral
             Deserts
             ;
             or
             whether
             they
             enjoy
             or
             suffer
             any
             thing
             which
             will
             not
             serve
             the
             wise
             and
             just
             ends
             of
             God's
             Government
             .
             If
             men
             are
             put
             into
             such
             a
             condition
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             neither
             deserved
             ,
             nor
             can
             make
             any
             good
             use
             of
             ,
             or
             which
             does
             not
             make
             them
             Instruments
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             to
             serve
             some
             wise
             and
             good
             ends
             ,
             by
             what
             means
             soever
             they
             come
             into
             such
             a
             condition
             ,
             it
             reflects
             upon
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             has
             the
             Supreme
             Disposal
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             and
             by
             a
             Sovereign
             Authority
             
             allots
             all
             men
             their
             several
             Portions
             and
             Stations
             in
             the
             world
             :
             But
             let
             mens
             Condition
             be
             what
             it
             will
             ,
             whether
             they
             be
             Rich
             or
             Poor
             ,
             Happy
             or
             Miserable
             ,
             advanced
             or
             ruined
             by
             Injustice
             ,
             Oppression
             ,
             and
             Violence
             ,
             if
             this
             be
             what
             they
             deserved
             ,
             what
             they
             are
             fit
             for
             ,
             what
             the
             wise
             Government
             of
             the
             world
             requires
             ,
             it
             can
             be
             no
             blemish
             to
             Providence
             ,
             which
             directs
             and
             governs
             all
             things
             with
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             it
             is
             no
             Objection
             against
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             there
             are
             a
             great
             many
             miserable
             people
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             Injustice
             daily
             committed
             in
             it
             ;
             unless
             you
             can
             prove
             ,
             That
             any
             of
             these
             miserable
             people
             ought
             not
             for
             wise
             and
             just
             reasons
             to
             suffer
             such
             Miseries
             ;
             or
             that
             any
             suffer
             by
             Injustice
             what
             they
             ought
             not
             to
             suffer
             :
             For
             if
             notwithstanding
             all
             the
             Miseries
             that
             are
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Wickedness
             that
             is
             committed
             in
             it
             ,
             no
             man
             suffers
             any
             thing
             but
             what
             he
             deserves
             ,
             or
             what
             God
             may
             wisely
             and
             justly
             inflict
             on
             him
             ,
             this
             abundantly
             vindicates
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             4thly
             .
             But
             for
             the
             better
             understanding
             of
             this
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             more
             particularly
             the
             Nature
             of
             God's
             Justice
             ,
             and
             what
             Acts
             of
             Justice
             the
             Government
             of
             this
             world
             requires
             ;
             and
             how
             it
             differs
             from
             the
             Justice
             of
             Human
             Governments
             ;
             the
             confounding
             of
             which
             ,
             has
             occasioned
             most
             of
             the
             Objections
             against
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             To
             consider
             the
             Nature
             and
             Exercise
             of
             God's
             Justice
             :
             for
             tho
             the
             general
             Notion
             of
             Justice
             be
             the
             same
             ,
             whether
             we
             speak
             of
             the
             Justice
             of
             God
             or
             Men
             ;
             yet
             the
             particular
             Acts
             of
             Justice
             vary
             ,
             as
             they
             do
             even
             among
             men
             ,
             according
             as
             their
             Rights
             and
             Authority
             differ
             .
             Justice
             signifies
             to
             give
             to
             every
             man
             what
             is
             his
             own
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             nothing
             from
             any
             man
             ,
             but
             what
             is
             our
             own
             ;
             to
             serve
             
             our selves
             of
             other
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             reward
             or
             punish
             them
             ,
             as
             their
             Actions
             deserve
             ,
             and
             as
             our
             Authority
             will
             justify
             .
             So
             that
             the
             particular
             expressions
             of
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             ,
             as
             exercised
             by
             different
             persons
             ,
             differ
             as
             much
             as
             the
             Circumstances
             of
             mens
             Fortune
             and
             Conditions
             ,
             Relations
             ,
             Authority
             ,
             and
             Power
             ,
             differ
             :
             For
             when
             two
             men
             do
             the
             same
             thing
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             done
             very
             justly
             by
             one
             ,
             and
             very
             unjustly
             by
             the
             other
             ,
             because
             one
             may
             have
             a
             Right
             and
             Authority
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             have
             none
             ;
             as
             a
             Prince
             or
             Judge
             may
             very
             justly
             execute
             a
             Criminal
             ,
             and
             confiscate
             his
             Estate
             ,
             which
             a
             private
             man
             cannot
             justly
             do
             .
          
           
             Now
             if
             the
             difference
             between
             a
             private
             man
             and
             a
             Magistrate
             ,
             between
             a
             Prince
             and
             a
             Subject
             ,
             makes
             such
             a
             vast
             difference
             in
             the
             particular
             Acts
             and
             Exercise
             of
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             ,
             as
             they
             respect
             such
             different
             states
             ,
             that
             vast
             disproportion
             which
             is
             between
             God
             and
             Creatures
             ,
             must
             make
             a
             much
             greater
             difference
             ;
             that
             tho
             the
             General
             Notion
             of
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             is
             the
             same
             both
             with
             respect
             to
             God
             and
             Men
             ;
             yet
             God
             may
             do
             that
             very
             justly
             ,
             which
             men
             cannot
             justly
             do
             ;
             as
             a
             Prince
             may
             exercise
             some
             Acts
             of
             Justice
             ,
             which
             a
             private
             man
             must
             not
             do
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             at
             present
             only
             instance
             in
             God's
             Absolute
             Dominion
             and
             Sovereignty
             ,
             and
             shew
             you
             in
             some
             plain
             Cases
             ,
             what
             a
             vast
             difference
             this
             makes
             between
             the
             Justice
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Justice
             of
             Men.
             Now
             God's
             Absolute
             Dominion
             gives
             him
             Right
             and
             Authority
             to
             do
             whatever
             is
             consistent
             with
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             :
             For
             Absolute
             Dominion
             is
             Absolute
             Authority
             ,
             and
             Absolute
             Authority
             makes
             every
             thing
             just
             ,
             which
             is
             wise
             and
             good
             .
             A
             Limited
             Authority
             has
             a
             Rule
             ,
             and
             must
             not
             do
             what
             is
             wise
             and
             good
             ,
             against
             its
             Rule
             of
             Right
             :
             No
             man
             must
             take
             away
             that
             which
             is
             anothers
             ,
             and
             which
             he
             has
             no
             Authority
             to
             take
             away
             ,
             whatever
             wise
             and
             good
             ends
             he
             can
             
             serve
             by
             it
             .
             Tho
             it
             were
             never
             so
             apparent
             ,
             that
             it
             would
             be
             a
             great
             kindness
             to
             the
             man
             himself
             ,
             to
             take
             away
             great
             part
             of
             his
             Estate
             ,
             which
             he
             uses
             ill
             to
             oppress
             his
             Neighbours
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             himself
             a
             Beast
             ;
             tho
             he
             does
             not
             deserve
             the
             Estate
             he
             has
             ,
             nay
             ,
             deserves
             to
             lose
             it
             ;
             tho
             we
             could
             bestow
             it
             upon
             men
             who
             deserve
             and
             would
             use
             it
             better
             ,
             or
             could
             employ
             it
             to
             excellent
             uses
             ,
             for
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             or
             for
             the
             relief
             of
             the
             Poor
             :
             All
             these
             wise
             and
             good
             Purposes
             ,
             would
             justify
             no
             man
             who
             invades
             another's
             Rights
             without
             a
             just
             Authority
             :
             But
             had
             any
             Prince
             such
             an
             Absolute
             Authority
             over
             the
             Estates
             of
             all
             his
             Subjects
             ,
             that
             he
             could
             give
             or
             take
             them
             away
             as
             he
             pleased
             ,
             then
             such
             Reasons
             as
             these
             would
             justify
             the
             exercise
             of
             such
             a
             Sovereign
             Will
             and
             Power
             in
             transferring
             Estates
             and
             Properties
             ,
             and
             all
             men
             would
             allow
             it
             to
             be
             very
             just
             and
             righteous
             .
             Now
             this
             is
             the
             Case
             with
             respect
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             I
             observed
             before
             ;
             for
             he
             is
             the
             sole
             Lord
             and
             Proprietor
             of
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             therefore
             no
             other
             bounds
             can
             be
             set
             to
             the
             just
             exercise
             of
             his
             Authority
             ,
             but
             to
             do
             what
             is
             wise
             and
             good
             :
             He
             may
             give
             or
             take
             away
             any
             man's
             Estate
             ,
             or
             Honour
             ,
             or
             Power
             ,
             whenever
             he
             can
             serve
             any
             wise
             ,
             or
             just
             ,
             or
             good
             ends
             by
             it
             ;
             for
             they
             are
             all
             but
             several
             Trusts
             ;
             we
             are
             but
             God's
             Stewards
             ,
             and
             must
             give
             an
             Account
             of
             our
             Stewardship
             :
             and
             if
             we
             do
             not
             use
             our
             Riches
             and
             Honours
             well
             ,
             or
             when
             he
             has
             no
             longer
             any
             use
             of
             us
             ,
             he
             has
             as
             Absolute
             Authority
             to
             lay
             us
             aside
             ,
             as
             a
             Lord
             has
             to
             change
             his
             Steward
             ,
             when
             he
             pleases
             .
          
           
             Thus
             God
             is
             the
             Absolute
             Lord
             of
             all
             men
             :
             we
             are
             all
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             and
             are
             in
             his
             hands
             ,
             as
             Clay
             in
             the
             hands
             of
             a
             Potter
             ;
             and
             therefore
             he
             may
             deal
             with
             us
             as
             he
             pleases
             ,
             and
             may
             serve
             the
             ends
             of
             his
             own
             Glory
             and
             Providence
             of
             us
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             his
             own
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             will
             direct
             .
             Thus
             for
             instance
             ;
             we
             think
             it
             very
             unjust
             in
             Human
             Governments
             to
             punish
             a
             vertuous
             and
             innocent
             man
             ,
             to
             strip
             him
             of
             his
             Estate
             or
             Honours
             ,
             to
             afflict
             his
             body
             ,
             to
             expose
             
             him
             to
             publick
             scorn
             ,
             and
             confine
             him
             to
             a
             noisom
             Prison
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             to
             take
             away
             his
             life
             with
             exquisite
             Pains
             and
             Torments
             :
             But
             the
             Sovereign
             Authority
             of
             God
             extends
             to
             all
             this
             ,
             when
             he
             can
             serve
             his
             own
             Glory
             ,
             and
             the
             wise
             ends
             of
             his
             Grace
             and
             Providence
             by
             it
             ,
             without
             doing
             any
             real
             injury
             to
             his
             Creatures
             .
             The
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             requires
             ,
             that
             there
             should
             be
             very
             great
             and
             excellent
             Reasons
             for
             doing
             this
             ;
             and
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             requires
             ,
             that
             such
             good
             men
             should
             be
             greatly
             supported
             under
             their
             sufferings
             ,
             and
             greatly
             rewarded
             for
             them
             ;
             but
             then
             the
             Sovereignty
             of
             God
             gives
             him
             Authority
             to
             use
             the
             Services
             of
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             in
             doing
             or
             suffering
             his
             Will.
             
          
           
             This
             was
             the
             Case
             of
             Iob
             ,
             whom
             God
             exercised
             with
             great
             sufferings
             ,
             to
             make
             him
             an
             eminent
             Example
             of
             Faith
             and
             Patience
             ;
             but
             we
             know
             what
             was
             the
             end
             of
             Iob
             ,
             and
             how
             greatly
             God
             rewarded
             his
             Sufferings
             ;
             tho
             Iob
             himself
             ,
             while
             he
             was
             under
             these
             sufferings
             ,
             knew
             not
             what
             other
             account
             to
             give
             of
             them
             ,
             but
             to
             resolve
             all
             into
             the
             Sovereign
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             of
             God.
             
               The
               Lord
               gave
               ,
               and
               the
               Lord
               hath
               taken
               away
               ,
               and
               blessed
               be
               the
               name
               of
               the
               Lord.
            
             And
             ,
             
               Shall
               we
               receive
               good
               at
               the
               hands
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               shall
               we
               not
               receive
               evil
               ?
            
             Which
             indeed
             is
             Answer
             enough
             to
             all
             such
             Cases
             ,
             while
             we
             have
             an
             implicate
             Faith
             in
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             Thus
             God
             dealt
             with
             Ioseph
             ,
             made
             him
             the
             Instrument
             of
             transplanting
             his
             Father
             and
             all
             his
             Family
             into
             Egypt
             ;
             and
             rewarded
             his
             sufferings
             ,
             by
             advancing
             him
             to
             
             Pharaoh's
             Throne
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             thus
             God
             dealt
             with
             Christ
             himself
             ,
             who
             ,
             as
             man
             ,
             was
             Perfect
             and
             Innocent
             ,
             
               who
               did
               no
               evil
               ,
               neither
               was
               any
               guile
               found
               in
               his
               mouth
               ;
               who
               went
               about
               doing
               good
               ,
            
             and
             was
             obedient
             to
             his
             Father's
             Will
             in
             all
             things
             ;
             and
             yet
             him
             God
             delivered
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             sinners
             ,
             to
             suffer
             an
             ignominious
             and
             painful
             Death
             ,
             for
             the
             Redemption
             of
             the
             world
             .
             And
             the
             Sovereignty
             of
             God
             will
             justify
             the
             greatest
             
             Sufferings
             of
             the
             most
             innocent
             men
             ,
             when
             they
             serve
             such
             admirable
             Ends
             ,
             and
             are
             so
             greatly
             rewarded
             .
          
           
             And
             thus
             God
             has
             dealt
             with
             some
             of
             the
             best
             men
             that
             ever
             lived
             in
             the
             world
             :
             Witness
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             of
             other
             good
             men
             under
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Apostles
             and
             Martyrs
             of
             Christ
             ,
             who
             have
             trod
             in
             the
             steps
             of
             their
             Lord
             ,
             who
             have
             suffered
             with
             him
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             be
             glorified
             together
             .
             I
             know
             not
             what
             the
             Sovereignty
             of
             God
             signifies
             ,
             if
             he
             may
             not
             serve
             the
             wise
             ends
             of
             his
             Grace
             and
             Providence
             ,
             even
             by
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             when
             such
             Sufferings
             ,
             how
             uneasy
             and
             grievous
             soever
             they
             are
             at
             present
             ,
             shall
             turn
             to
             their
             much
             greater
             good
             ;
             when
             they
             shall
             be
             so
             greatly
             rewarded
             ,
             that
             good
             men
             themselves
             shall
             think
             the
             reward
             an
             abundant
             recompence
             for
             their
             sufferings
             ,
             and
             glory
             in
             those
             very
             sufferings
             which
             will
             have
             so
             great
             a
             reward
             .
          
           
             Thus
             let
             us
             consider
             God
             as
             the
             Supreme
             and
             Absolute
             Judge
             of
             the
             World
             :
             Now
             a
             Sovereign
             and
             Absolute
             Judge
             must
             do
             that
             which
             is
             just
             ,
             but
             he
             is
             tied
             up
             by
             no
             Rules
             or
             Formalities
             of
             Law
             ,
             as
             Inferior
             Ministers
             of
             Justice
             are
             ;
             if
             he
             reward
             the
             good
             ,
             and
             punish
             the
             wicked
             ,
             he
             may
             do
             it
             at
             what
             time
             and
             in
             what
             manner
             he
             pleases
             :
             He
             is
             under
             no
             rule
             but
             his
             own
             Sovereign
             Will
             and
             Wisdom
             .
             When
             men
             have
             deserved
             Punishment
             ,
             he
             may
             spare
             them
             as
             long
             ,
             or
             execute
             Vengeance
             on
             them
             as
             soon
             as
             he
             sees
             fit
             ;
             for
             he
             is
             the
             Absolute
             Judge
             of
             time
             ,
             and
             place
             ,
             and
             other
             circumstances
             of
             executing
             Judgment
             .
             This
             Prerogative
             all
             Sovereign
             Princes
             challenge
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             indeed
             an
             inseparable
             Right
             of
             Sovereignty
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             it
             is
             no
             reasonable
             Objection
             against
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             That
             God
             does
             not
             immediately
             reward
             all
             great
             and
             vertuous
             actions
             ,
             nor
             immediately
             punish
             wickedness
             ,
             for
             a
             Sovereign
             Justice
             is
             under
             no
             obligation
             to
             do
             this
             :
             All
             that
             we
             can
             expect
             from
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             is
             ,
             That
             good
             men
             shall
             be
             rewarded
             ,
             and
             the
             wicked
             punished
             ;
             
             and
             that
             whenever
             God
             does
             reward
             or
             punish
             ,
             good
             men
             shall
             have
             no
             reason
             to
             complain
             ,
             that
             their
             reward
             was
             delayed
             ;
             nor
             bad
             men
             to
             glory
             in
             the
             long
             delays
             of
             punishment
             ;
             but
             the
             greatness
             of
             the
             Rewards
             or
             Punishments
             shall
             recompence
             for
             all
             delays
             ;
             for
             then
             God
             is
             just
             in
             rewarding
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             punishing
             the
             wicked
             ,
             how
             long
             soever
             he
             delay
             either
             .
             Sovereign
             Justice
             is
             not
             confined
             to
             time
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             who
             deserve
             a
             Reward
             ,
             and
             the
             Prosperity
             of
             bad
             men
             who
             deserve
             Punishment
             ,
             and
             the
             delays
             of
             both
             are
             taken
             into
             the
             account
             ,
             God
             is
             very
             Just
             and
             Righteous
             ,
             how
             long
             soever
             he
             delay
             to
             reward
             or
             punish
             .
          
           
             From
             what
             I
             have
             now
             discoursed
             concerning
             the
             Sovereignty
             of
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             ,
             you
             may
             easily
             observe
             ,
             That
             all
             the
             Objections
             against
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             have
             no
             other
             Foundation
             ,
             but
             our
             Ignorance
             of
             the
             Nature
             of
             God's
             Justice
             ;
             we
             measure
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             by
             the
             Rules
             of
             Justice
             among
             men
             ,
             without
             considering
             that
             God
             is
             the
             Sovereign
             Lord
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             therefore
             has
             a
             Right
             and
             Authority
             superior
             to
             men
             ,
             and
             therefore
             a
             superior
             Justice
             too
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             unjust
             for
             men
             to
             deprive
             one
             another
             of
             their
             Just
             and
             Legal
             Lights
             ,
             and
             therefore
             they
             think
             this
             a
             Reflection
             on
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             too
             ,
             when
             men
             suffer
             wrongfully
             ;
             but
             no
             man
             has
             any
             Right
             against
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             sole
             Proprietor
             of
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             therefore
             he
             may
             give
             ,
             and
             he
             may
             take
             away
             ,
             he
             may
             set
             up
             and
             pull
             down
             ,
             and
             do
             whatsoever
             pleaseth
             him
             ,
             both
             in
             Heaven
             and
             in
             Earth
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             unjust
             for
             men
             to
             afflict
             and
             oppress
             the
             innocent
             and
             vertuous
             ,
             or
             to
             encourage
             and
             prosper
             the
             wicked
             ;
             and
             therefore
             they
             complain
             against
             Providence
             too
             ,
             when
             good
             men
             suffer
             ,
             and
             the
             wicked
             are
             prosperous
             ;
             but
             God
             has
             an
             Absolute
             Right
             to
             the
             services
             of
             all
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             both
             of
             good
             and
             bad
             men
             ;
             and
             if
             he
             can
             serve
             the
             Wise
             
             Ends
             of
             his
             Grace
             and
             Providence
             ,
             by
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             Prosperity
             of
             the
             wicked
             ;
             and
             when
             he
             has
             no
             farther
             use
             of
             their
             services
             ,
             rewards
             or
             punishes
             them
             according
             as
             they
             deserve
             ;
             the
             Sovereignty
             of
             God
             will
             justify
             the
             present
             Sufferings
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             Prosperity
             of
             the
             wicked
             ;
             and
             their
             final
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             will
             vindicate
             his
             Justice
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             But
             for
             a
             fuller
             Vindication
             of
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             the
             Nature
             of
             God's
             Government
             of
             this
             lower
             world
             ,
             and
             what
             Acts
             of
             Justice
             the
             present
             Government
             of
             the
             world
             requires
             .
             The
             Justice
             of
             Government
             must
             be
             proportioned
             to
             the
             Nature
             and
             Ends
             of
             Government
             ;
             for
             all
             acts
             of
             Justice
             are
             not
             proper
             at
             all
             times
             ▪
             and
             it
             is
             no
             Reproach
             to
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             if
             God
             do
             not
             exercise
             such
             acts
             of
             Justice
             as
             are
             not
             proper
             for
             the
             present
             state
             of
             the
             world
             ;
             for
             Justice
             is
             Rectitude
             ;
             and
             what
             is
             not
             right
             and
             fit
             in
             such
             a
             state
             of
             things
             ,
             is
             not
             just
             .
          
           
             The
             great
             Objection
             against
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             is
             ,
             That
             all
             good
             men
             are
             not
             rewarded
             ,
             nor
             all
             bad
             men
             punished
             according
             to
             their
             deserts
             in
             this
             world
             :
             But
             this
             is
             no
             Objection
             against
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             ,
             to
             those
             who
             believe
             that
             there
             is
             another
             world
             ,
             where
             all
             good
             men
             shall
             be
             rewarded
             ,
             and
             all
             wicked
             men
             punished
             ;
             for
             if
             all
             good
             and
             bad
             men
             shall
             be
             finally
             rewarded
             and
             punished
             according
             to
             their
             works
             ,
             this
             is
             a
             sufficient
             Vindication
             of
             the
             Justice
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             And
             as
             for
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             tho
             every
             good
             man
             is
             not
             rewarded
             ,
             nor
             every
             bad
             man
             punished
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             this
             is
             no
             reasonable
             Objection
             ,
             if
             the
             state
             of
             this
             world
             will
             not
             admit
             of
             such
             a
             strict
             and
             exact
             Justice
             .
             Now
             not
             to
             take
             notice
             at
             present
             of
             what
             is
             commonly
             said
             upon
             this
             occasion
             ,
             and
             what
             I
             have
             formerly
             discoursed
             more
             largely
             ,
             That
             this
             world
             is
             not
             the
             place
             of
             Judgment
             ,
             but
             a
             state
             of
             Trial
             ,
             Probation
             ,
             and
             Discipline
             ;
             
             where
             good
             men
             many
             times
             suffer
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             in
             Punishment
             of
             their
             sins
             ,
             as
             to
             exercise
             their
             Faith
             and
             Patience
             ,
             and
             to
             brighten
             their
             Vertues
             ,
             and
             to
             prepare
             them
             for
             greater
             Rewards
             ;
             and
             bad
             men
             are
             prosperons
             ,
             to
             lead
             them
             to
             Repentance
             ,
             or
             to
             make
             them
             Instruments
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             in
             chastising
             the
             Wickedness
             of
             other
             men
             ,
             or
             the
             more
             remarkable
             Examples
             of
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             and
             Vengeance
             in
             their
             final
             ruin
             .
          
           
             I
             say
             ,
             not
             to
             take
             notice
             of
             these
             things
             now
             ,
             I
             shall
             only
             observe
             ,
             That
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             the
             Justice
             of
             Government
             ,
             which
             in
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             thing
             must
             be
             distinguished
             from
             the
             Justice
             of
             the
             final
             Judgment
             .
          
           
             Now
             to
             govern
             the
             world
             ,
             does
             not
             signify
             to
             destroy
             it
             ,
             but
             to
             uphold
             and
             preserve
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             continue
             a
             succession
             of
             men
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             keep
             it
             in
             as
             good
             order
             ,
             as
             the
             present
             state
             of
             things
             will
             admit
             .
             The
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             is
             that
             Provident
             Care
             which
             he
             takes
             of
             all
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             while
             he
             thinks
             fit
             to
             preserve
             this
             present
             Frame
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             but
             to
             destroy
             the
             World
             ,
             is
             not
             properly
             an
             Act
             of
             Providence
             ,
             but
             of
             Judgment
             ;
             and
             yet
             if
             we
             consider
             the
             corrupt
             and
             degenerate
             state
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             did
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             require
             God
             to
             punish
             all
             bad
             men
             according
             to
             their
             deserts
             ,
             he
             must
             destroy
             far
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             mankind
             in
             every
             Age.
             This
             earth
             would
             soon
             be
             little
             better
             than
             a
             desolate
             Wilderness
             ,
             if
             none
             but
             good
             men
             were
             suffered
             to
             live
             in
             it
             :
             But
             this
             kind
             of
             Justice
             God
             has
             renounced
             ever
             since
             the
             Universal
             Deluge
             .
             He
             then
             indeed
             exercised
             such
             a
             terrible
             Justice
             and
             Vengeance
             ,
             as
             some
             men
             think
             can
             be
             the
             only
             proof
             of
             a
             Providence
             ;
             he
             destroyed
             the
             whole
             World
             by
             Water
             ,
             excepting
             Noah
             and
             his
             Sons
             ,
             whom
             he
             preserved
             in
             the
             Ark
             ;
             but
             he
             promised
             that
             he
             would
             never
             do
             so
             again
             ,
             notwithstanding
             the
             great
             Wickedness
             of
             mankind
             .
             
               The
               Lord
               said
               in
               his
               heart
               ,
               I
               will
               not
               again
               curse
               the
               ground
               any
               more
               for
               man's
               
               sake
               ;
               for
               the
               imagination
               of
               man's
               heart
               is
               evil
               from
               his
               youth
               :
               neither
               will
               I
               again
               smite
               any
               more
               every
               living
               thing
               ,
               as
               I
               have
               done
               .
               While
               the
               earth
               remaineth
               ,
               seed-time
               ,
               and
               harvest
               ,
               and
               cold
               ,
               and
               heat
               ,
               and
               summer
               ,
               and
               winter
               ,
               and
               day
               ,
               and
               night
               ,
               shall
               not
               cease
               ,
            
             8.
             
             Gen.
             21
             ,
             22.
             
             So
             that
             God
             will
             no
             more
             destroy
             the
             world
             ,
             nor
             all
             the
             wicked
             Inhabitants
             of
             it
             ,
             till
             the
             day
             of
             Judgment
             ;
             and
             then
             it
             is
             certain
             all
             wicked
             men
             cannot
             be
             punished
             according
             to
             their
             deserts
             in
             this
             world
             .
          
           
             The
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             then
             does
             not
             consist
             in
             rooting
             all
             bad
             men
             out
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             or
             in
             making
             them
             all
             miserable
             in
             it
             ,
             or
             in
             rewarding
             all
             good
             men
             with
             Temporal
             Felicity
             ;
             which
             considering
             the
             present
             state
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             cannot
             be
             done
             without
             constant
             Miracles
             ,
             and
             the
             visible
             interposition
             of
             a
             Divine
             Power
             ;
             for
             when
             bad
             men
             are
             so
             much
             the
             greater
             numbers
             ,
             they
             will
             have
             the
             greatest
             share
             and
             interest
             in
             this
             world
             :
             But
             the
             Care
             of
             Providence
             is
             to
             govern
             bad
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             protect
             the
             good
             ;
             to
             restrain
             and
             govern
             the
             Lusts
             and
             Passions
             of
             bad
             men
             ,
             to
             make
             them
             the
             Instruments
             and
             Executioners
             of
             his
             just
             Vengeance
             on
             one
             another
             ;
             and
             to
             make
             some
             of
             them
             in
             every
             Age
             notorious
             Examples
             of
             his
             Justice
             ,
             to
             keep
             the
             world
             in
             awe
             ,
             and
             to
             awaken
             in
             them
             a
             due
             sense
             and
             reverence
             of
             the
             Divine
             Power
             ;
             and
             to
             correct
             and
             chastise
             the
             Miscarriages
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             exercise
             their
             Graces
             and
             Vertues
             .
             The
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             consists
             in
             this
             ,
             Not
             that
             all
             good
             men
             shall
             be
             prosperous
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             and
             all
             bad
             men
             miserable
             ;
             but
             that
             notwithstanding
             all
             the
             Wickedness
             that
             is
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             the
             world
             is
             kept
             in
             tolerable
             order
             ,
             and
             is
             a
             tolerable
             place
             to
             live
             in
             ;
             and
             that
             bad
             men
             are
             as
             often
             punished
             ,
             and
             good
             men
             as
             often
             rewarded
             ,
             as
             the
             government
             of
             this
             world
             requires
             ;
             that
             no
             man
             suffers
             any
             thing
             but
             what
             he
             deserves
             ,
             and
             what
             God
             sees
             good
             for
             him
             ,
             if
             he
             will
             make
             a
             wise
             use
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             that
             how
             prosperous
             soever
             bad
             men
             are
             ,
             there
             are
             
             few
             of
             them
             go
             out
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             without
             some
             Marks
             and
             Tokens
             of
             a
             Divine
             Vengeance
             ,
             tho
             not
             always
             so
             remarkable
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             observed
             by
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             The
             Sum
             is
             this
             ;
             God
             is
             very
             Just
             in
             his
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             but
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             does
             not
             require
             the
             same
             Acts
             of
             Justice
             that
             the
             final
             Judgment
             of
             Mankind
             does
             :
             And
             if
             we
             do
             but
             consider
             the
             Nature
             of
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Justice
             of
             a
             Sovereign
             and
             Absolute
             Lord
             ,
             and
             the
             difference
             between
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             final
             Judgment
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             between
             God's
             Governing
             and
             Judging
             the
             World
             ,
             we
             shall
             easily
             answer
             all
             the
             Objections
             against
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             This
             I
             take
             to
             be
             a
             full
             and
             true
             Account
             of
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             to
             agree
             very
             exactly
             with
             the
             actual
             Administration
             of
             Providence
             :
             For
             it
             is
             manifest
             ,
             that
             all
             good
             men
             are
             not
             rewarded
             ,
             nor
             all
             wicked
             men
             punished
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             that
             a
             Righteous
             Cause
             is
             sometimes
             oppressed
             ;
             and
             that
             Oppression
             and
             Injustice
             is
             very
             often
             prosperous
             ;
             which
             must
             needs
             appear
             a
             great
             Difficulty
             to
             those
             who
             make
             no
             difference
             between
             the
             Justice
             of
             God
             and
             Men
             ;
             who
             think
             that
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             is
             as
             much
             concerned
             to
             defend
             all
             mens
             Rights
             and
             Properties
             ,
             as
             the
             Justice
             of
             a
             Prince
             is
             .
             This
             makes
             them
             quarrel
             against
             Providence
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             hardly
             and
             unjustly
             used
             by
             men
             ,
             and
             so
             blinds
             their
             minds
             ,
             that
             they
             see
             not
             the
             true
             Reasons
             why
             God
             afflicts
             them
             ,
             and
             neither
             reverence
             his
             Judgments
             ,
             nor
             make
             a
             wise
             use
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Reasons
               of
               this
               seem
               very
               plain
               ;
               the
               only
               Question
               is
               ,
               How
               it
               agrees
               with
               that
               account
               which
               the
               Scripture
               gives
               us
               of
               God's
               Justice
               and
               Righteousness
               ?
               For
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               God
               is
               represented
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               by
               loving
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               favouring
               a
               Righteous
               Cause
               .
               Thus
            
             11.
             
             Psalm
             7.
             
             The
             righteous
             Lord
             loveth
             righteousness
             ,
             
             and
             his
             countenance
             doth
             behold
             the
             upright
             .
             
               And
               the
            
             Psalmist
             
               very
               often
               encourages
               himself
               to
               expect
               the
               Divine
               Favour
               and
               Protection
               ,
               from
               his
               own
               Innocence
               and
               Integrity
               ,
               and
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               his
               Cause
               :
            
             35.
             
             Psal.
             19.
             
             Let
             not
             them
             that
             are
             mine
             enemies
             wrongfully
             ,
             rejoice
             over
             me
             ;
             neither
             let
             them
             wink
             with
             the
             eye
             ,
             that
             hate
             me
             without
             a
             cause
             .
             Stir
             up
             thy self
             ,
             and
             awake
             to
             my
             judgment
             ,
             even
             to
             my
             cause
             ,
             my
             God
             ,
             and
             my
             Lord.
             Iudge
             me
             ,
             O
             God
             ,
             according
             to
             thy
             righteousness
             ,
             and
             let
             them
             not
             rejoice
             over
             me
             .
             Let
             them
             be
             ashamed
             and
             brought
             to
             confusion
             together
             ,
             that
             rejoice
             at
             my
             hurt
             .
             Let
             them
             be
             cloathed
             with
             shame
             and
             dishonour
             ,
             that
             magnify
             themselves
             against
             me
             .
             Let
             them
             shout
             for
             joy
             ,
             and
             be
             glad
             ,
             that
             favour
             my
             righteous
             cause
             ;
             yea
             ,
             let
             them
             say
             continually
             ,
             Let
             the
             Lord
             be
             magnified
             ,
             which
             hath
             pleasure
             in
             the
             prosperity
             of
             his
             servant
             .
             23
             ,
             24
             ,
             26
             ,
             27.
             v.
             The
             Lord
             shall
             judge
             the
             people
             :
             Iudge
             me
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             according
             to
             my
             righteousness
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             mine
             integrity
             that
             is
             in
             me
             .
             Oh
             let
             the
             wickedness
             of
             the
             wicked
             come
             to
             an
             end
             ,
             but
             establish
             the
             just
             ;
             for
             the
             righteous
             Lord
             trieth
             the
             heart
             and
             reins
             .
             God
             judgeth
             the
             righteous
             ,
             and
             God
             is
             angry
             with
             the
             wicked
             every
             day
             .
             If
             he
             turn
             not
             ,
             he
             will
             whet
             his
             sword
             ;
             he
             hath
             bent
             his
             bow
             ,
             and
             made
             it
             ready
             :
             
               And
               concludes
            
             ,
             I
             will
             praise
             the
             Lord
             according
             to
             his
             righteousness
             ,
             and
             will
             sing
             praises
             to
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             most
             high
             ;
             7.
             
             Psal.
             8
             ,
             &c.
             
               Where
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               for
               which
               the
            
             Psalmist
             
               praises
               him
               ,
               is
               his
               Judging
               and
               Defending
               a
               Righteous
               Cause
               .
               Thus
               in
            
             9.
             
             Psalm
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10.
             
             He
             shall
             judge
             the
             world
             in
             righteousness
             ,
             he
             shall
             minister
             judgment
             to
             the
             people
             in
             uprightness
             .
             The
             Lord
             also
             will
             be
             a
             refuge
             to
             the
             oppressed
             ,
             a
             refuge
             in
             time
             of
             trouble
             .
             And
             they
             that
             know
             thy
             name
             .
             will
             put
             their
             trust
             in
             thee
             ;
             for
             thou
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             hast
             not
             forsaken
             them
             that
             seek
             thee
             .
             
               It
               were
               easy
               to
               multiply
               Texts
               to
               this
               purpose
               ,
               where
               God
               is
               expresly
               declared
               to
               be
               an
               irreconcilable
               Enemy
               to
               all
               Injustice
               and
               Violence
               ,
               the
               Protector
               of
               the
               Widow
               ,
               the
               Fatherless
               ,
               and
               Oppressed
               ,
               and
               of
               all
               just
               and
            
             
             righteons
             men
             :
             But
             those
             conclude
             a
             great
             deal
             too
             much
             ,
             who
             would
             prove
             from
             such
             Texts
             as
             these
             ,
             That
             no
             Righteous
             Man
             ,
             nor
             Righteous
             Cause
             ,
             shall
             ever
             be
             oppressed
             :
             That
             good
             men
             shall
             always
             be
             prosperous
             ,
             and
             the
             wicked
             always
             miserable
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             evident
             ,
             that
             this
             was
             not
             the
             state
             of
             the
             world
             when
             these
             Psalms
             were
             penned
             ;
             and
             therefore
             this
             could
             not
             possibly
             be
             the
             meaning
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             How
             many
             Complaints
             does
             the
             Psalmist
             make
             against
             his
             Enemies
             ,
             those
             who
             were
             wrongfully
             his
             Enemies
             ?
             69.
             
             Psalm
             4.
             
             
               That
               his
               Enemies
               were
               lively
               and
               strong
            
             ;
             and
             
               they
               that
               hated
               him
               wrongfully
               were
               multiplied
               ,
            
             38.
             
             Psalm
             19.
             
             How
             passionately
             does
             he
             pray
             for
             Protection
             against
             his
             Enemies
             ?
             
               How
               long
               wilt
               thou
               forget
               me
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               for
               ever
               ?
               how
               long
               wilt
               thou
               hide
               thy
               face
               from
               me
               ?
               how
               long
               shall
               I
               take
               counsel
               in
               my
               soul
               ,
               having
               sorrow
               in
               my
               heart
               daily
               ?
               how
               long
               shall
               mine
               enemy
               be
               exalted
               over
               me
               ?
            
             13.
             
             Psalm
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             The
             37th
             .
             Psalm
             is
             a
             plain
             proof
             ,
             that
             wicked
             men
             were
             very
             prosperous
             in
             those
             days
             ,
             tho
             they
             are
             threatned
             with
             final
             destruction
             .
             And
             to
             the
             same
             purpose
             the
             73d
             .
             Psalm
             gives
             us
             a
             large
             description
             of
             the
             Prosperity
             and
             Pride
             of
             bad
             men
             ,
             many
             of
             whom
             spend
             their
             lives
             ,
             and
             end
             their
             days
             prosperously
             :
             
               I
               was
               envious
               at
               the
               foolish
               ,
               when
               I
               saw
               the
               prosperity
               of
               the
               wicked
               :
               For
               there
               are
               no
               bands
               in
               their
               death
               ,
               but
               their
               strength
               is
               firm
               .
               They
               are
               not
               in
               trouble
               as
               other
               men
               ,
               neither
               are
               they
               plagued
               as
               other
               men
               .
               —
               Behold
               these
               are
               the
               ungodly
               ,
               who
               prosper
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               they
               encrease
               in
               riches
               .
            
             The
             Prosperity
             of
             bad
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             Miseries
             and
             Afflictions
             of
             the
             good
             ,
             were
             in
             those
             days
             a
             great
             Difficulty
             in
             Providence
             ,
             and
             were
             so
             to
             the
             Psalmist
             himself
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             that
             whatever
             he
             says
             of
             the
             Righteousness
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             care
             of
             Righteous
             men
             ,
             and
             his
             abhorrence
             of
             all
             Wickedness
             and
             Injustice
             ,
             cannot
             signify
             ,
             That
             God
             will
             always
             defend
             men
             in
             their
             just
             Rights
             ;
             that
             he
             will
             always
             prosper
             a
             Righteous
             Cause
             ,
             
             and
             Righteous
             Men
             ,
             for
             this
             was
             against
             plain
             matter
             of
             fact
             ;
             and
             we
             cannot
             suppose
             the
             Psalmist
             so
             inconsistent
             with
             himself
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             same
             breath
             to
             compalin
             that
             wicked
             men
             were
             prosperous
             ,
             and
             good
             men
             afflicted
             ;
             and
             to
             affirm
             ,
             That
             the
             Just
             and
             Righteous
             Judge
             of
             the
             World
             would
             always
             punish
             Unjust
             Oppressors
             ,
             and
             protect
             the
             Innocent
             :
             Nay
             ,
             indeed
             the
             very
             nature
             of
             the
             thing
             proves
             the
             contrary
             ;
             for
             there
             can
             be
             no
             Unjust
             Oppressors
             ,
             if
             no
             body
             can
             be
             oppressed
             in
             their
             just
             Rights
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             certain
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             does
             at
             least
             for
             a
             time
             suffer
             some
             men
             to
             be
             very
             prosperous
             in
             their
             Oppressions
             ,
             and
             does
             not
             always
             defend
             a
             just
             and
             innocent
             Cause
             ;
             for
             if
             he
             did
             ,
             there
             could
             be
             no
             innocent
             oppressed
             man
             to
             be
             relieved
             ,
             nor
             any
             Oppressor
             to
             be
             punished
             .
             And
             if
             it
             be
             consistent
             with
             the
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             of
             Providence
             to
             permit
             such
             things
             for
             some
             time
             ,
             we
             must
             conclude
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             at
             the
             discretion
             of
             Providence
             ,
             how
             long
             good
             men
             shall
             be
             oppressed
             ,
             and
             the
             Oppressor
             go
             unpunished
             .
          
           
             The
             plain
             account
             then
             of
             this
             matter
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             represented
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             is
             this
             :
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             as
             God
             is
             infinitely
             Just
             and
             Righteous
             himself
             ,
             so
             he
             loves
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             among
             men
             ;
             he
             loves
             Righteousness
             and
             Righteous
             Men
             ,
             and
             hates
             all
             Injustice
             ,
             Violence
             and
             Injuries
             ;
             for
             the
             Righteous
             Lord
             must
             love
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             hate
             Iniquity
             :
             and
             therefore
             ,
             though
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             is
             Superior
             to
             all
             Human
             Rights
             ,
             and
             his
             Authority
             Absolute
             and
             Sovereign
             ,
             to
             dispose
             of
             all
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             they
             have
             ,
             as
             his
             own
             Wisdom
             directs
             ,
             yet
             men
             cannot
             invade
             each
             other's
             Rights
             without
             Injustice
             ;
             and
             when
             Rights
             and
             Properties
             are
             setled
             by
             Human
             Laws
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             Rule
             of
             Righteousness
             to
             us
             ,
             to
             give
             to
             every
             man
             that
             which
             is
             his
             own
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             the
             Justice
             of
             Government
             to
             punish
             those
             who
             invade
             another's
             
             Rights
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             that
             Justice
             which
             the
             Righteous
             Lord
             loves
             in
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             violation
             of
             which
             he
             hates
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             the
             Justice
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             makes
             God
             love
             Righteousness
             and
             Justice
             ,
             and
             hate
             all
             Injustice
             and
             Oppression
             ;
             and
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             requires
             that
             God
             should
             punish
             Injustice
             and
             Violence
             ,
             and
             protect
             the
             Just
             and
             Innocent
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             the
             nature
             and
             ends
             of
             God's
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             requires
             ;
             and
             this
             the
             Scripture
             everywhere
             declares
             ,
             that
             God
             will
             do
             :
             That
             he
             is
             angry
             with
             the
             wicked
             every
             day
             ;
             That
             he
             is
             a
             refuge
             and
             sanctuary
             ,
             and
             strong
             tower
             and
             rock
             of
             defence
             to
             Just
             and
             Righteous
             men
             .
             Not
             that
             every
             particular
             bad
             man
             ,
             who
             does
             unjust
             things
             ,
             shall
             be
             immediately
             punished
             for
             his
             Unjustice
             ;
             nor
             that
             every
             man
             ,
             who
             has
             a
             just
             and
             righteous
             Cause
             ,
             shall
             be
             protected
             from
             the
             violence
             and
             injustice
             of
             the
             Wicked
             ;
             for
             the
             Experience
             of
             all
             the
             World
             proves
             ,
             that
             this
             never
             was
             done
             ,
             and
             therefore
             this
             cannot
             be
             the
             meaning
             of
             the
             Promises
             and
             Threatnings
             of
             Scripture
             :
             But
             there
             is
             enough
             meant
             by
             it
             to
             vindicate
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             to
             be
             a
             support
             to
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             a
             terror
             to
             the
             wicked
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             For
             first
             ,
             it
             signifies
             ,
             That
             in
             the
             ordinary
             course
             of
             Providence
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             nothing
             but
             the
             justice
             or
             injustice
             of
             the
             Cause
             to
             be
             considered
             ,
             God
             will
             favour
             a
             just
             and
             righteous
             Cause
             .
             There
             may
             be
             other
             wise
             Reasons
             ,
             why
             God
             may
             suffer
             a
             just
             Cause
             to
             be
             oppressed
             ,
             and
             Injustice
             to
             be
             prosperous
             ;
             and
             we
             ought
             to
             believe
             ,
             that
             there
             are
             always
             wise
             Reasons
             for
             it
             ,
             when
             God
             does
             suffer
             this
             ,
             because
             we
             certainly
             know
             ,
             that
             God
             is
             no
             favourer
             of
             Injustice
             :
             but
             he
             who
             has
             a
             just
             Cause
             ,
             may
             for
             other
             Reasons
             deserve
             to
             be
             punished
             ,
             and
             then
             God
             may
             justly
             punish
             him
             by
             unjust
             Oppressors
             ;
             and
             thus
             Injustice
             may
             be
             prosperous
             ,
             and
             Justice
             oppressed
             ;
             but
             where
             the
             other
             sins
             and
             demerits
             of
             the
             man
             do
             not
             forfeit
             God's
             protection
             
             of
             a
             just
             Cause
             ,
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             will
             make
             a
             visible
             distinction
             between
             just
             and
             unjust
             .
          
           
             2dly
             ,
             And
             therefore
             no
             man
             can
             promise
             himself
             the
             Divine
             Protection
             ,
             but
             only
             when
             his
             Cause
             is
             just
             and
             right
             .
             Which
             is
             the
             reason
             ,
             why
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             as
             you
             have
             already
             heard
             ,
             so
             often
             pleads
             his
             own
             innocence
             and
             integrity
             ,
             and
             the
             righteousness
             of
             his
             Cause
             ,
             to
             move
             God
             to
             save
             and
             defend
             him
             .
             For
             God
             has
             promised
             his
             protection
             upon
             no
             other
             terms
             ;
             and
             whenever
             Injustice
             prospers
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             in
             favour
             to
             the
             unjust
             man
             ,
             or
             his
             unjust
             Cause
             ,
             but
             in
             punishment
             to
             others
             ,
             whom
             God
             thinks
             fit
             to
             correct
             and
             chastise
             by
             such
             injustice
             .
             Tho
             wickedness
             may
             prosper
             for
             a
             while
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             way
             to
             obtain
             the
             Divine
             Favour
             and
             Protection
             ,
             but
             by
             doing
             good
             ;
             for
             a
             Righteous
             God
             can
             have
             no
             favour
             for
             an
             unjust
             Cause
             ;
             and
             therefore
             if
             we
             believe
             that
             God
             governs
             the
             World
             ,
             we
             must
             expect
             his
             protection
             only
             in
             the
             ways
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             this
             will
             give
             us
             a
             secure
             hope
             and
             dependance
             on
             God
             ,
             
               That
               we
               shall
               not
               be
               ashamed
               ,
               while
               we
               have
               respect
               unto
               all
               his
               commandments
               .
            
          
           
             3dly
             ,
             And
             for
             the
             same
             Reason
             ,
             though
             Injustice
             may
             prosper
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             no
             unjust
             man
             can
             be
             secure
             from
             a
             Divine
             Vengeance
             ;
             God
             does
             not
             always
             punish
             bad
             men
             as
             soon
             as
             they
             deserve
             it
             ;
             but
             sometimes
             he
             does
             ,
             and
             he
             is
             always
             angry
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             therefore
             they
             are
             always
             in
             danger
             .
             
               God
               is
               angry
               with
               the
               wicked
               every
               day
               ;
               if
               he
               turn
               not
               ,
               he
               will
               whet
               his
               sword
               ,
               he
               hath
               bent
               his
               bow
               ,
               and
               made
               it
               ready
               ,
               he
               hath
               also
               prepared
               for
               him
               the
               instruments
               of
               death
               ,
               he
               hath
               ordain'd
               his
               arrows
               against
               the
               persecutors
               ,
            
             7.
             
             Psalm
             11
             ,
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             4thly
             ,
             And
             therefore
             though
             every
             particular
             good
             man
             be
             not
             rewarded
             ,
             nor
             every
             bad
             man
             punish'd
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             yet
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             furnishes
             us
             with
             numerous
             Examples
             of
             Justice
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             protection
             and
             defence
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             punishment
             of
             the
             wicked
             .
             This
             is
             
             so
             notoriously
             known
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             can
             deny
             it
             ,
             That
             besides
             the
             ordinary
             Miseries
             and
             Calamities
             of
             Sinners
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             natural
             and
             necessary
             effects
             and
             rewards
             of
             their
             Sins
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             the
             scorn
             ,
             and
             the
             pity
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             God
             does
             very
             often
             execute
             very
             remarkable
             Judgments
             upon
             remarkable
             Sinners
             ,
             which
             bear
             the
             evident
             Tokens
             and
             Characters
             of
             a
             Divine
             Vengeance
             on
             them
             ,
             and
             does
             appear
             as
             wonderfully
             for
             the
             preservation
             of
             just
             and
             good
             men
             in
             a
             Righteous
             Cause
             .
             Both
             Sacred
             and
             Prophane
             Story
             ,
             and
             our
             own
             observation
             may
             furnish
             us
             with
             many
             Examples
             of
             both
             kinds
             ,
             which
             are
             sufficient
             to
             vindicate
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             the
             truth
             of
             those
             Promises
             and
             Threatnings
             which
             are
             made
             in
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             2dly
             ,
             The
             better
             to
             understand
             that
             Account
             the
             Scripture
             gives
             us
             of
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             I
             observe
             ,
             That
             the
             protection
             and
             defence
             of
             Providence
             is
             never
             promised
             in
             Scripture
             merely
             to
             a
             just
             and
             righteous
             Cause
             ,
             but
             only
             to
             just
             ,
             and
             righteous
             ,
             and
             good
             men
             .
             This
             is
             not
             commonly
             observed
             ;
             and
             yet
             as
             soon
             as
             it
             is
             named
             ,
             it
             is
             so
             evident
             ,
             that
             it
             needs
             no
             proof
             ;
             and
             the
             consequence
             of
             it
             is
             very
             considerable
             .
          
           
             We
             cannot
             indeed
             separate
             a
             just
             and
             righteous
             Man
             from
             a
             righteous
             Cause
             ;
             for
             as
             far
             as
             he
             is
             engaged
             in
             an
             unjust
             Cause
             ,
             he
             is
             an
             unjust
             Man
             :
             but
             if
             the
             Divine
             Protection
             be
             promised
             to
             the
             righteous
             Man
             ,
             not
             to
             the
             righteous
             Cause
             ,
             then
             a
             righteous
             Cause
             may
             be
             oppressed
             ,
             when
             the
             man
             has
             no
             right
             to
             God's
             Protection
             ,
             without
             any
             impeachment
             either
             of
             the
             Righteousness
             or
             Justice
             of
             God
             :
             Which
             shews
             the
             difference
             ,
             as
             I
             observed
             before
             ,
             between
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             the
             Justice
             of
             Human
             Governments
             .
             The
             Justice
             of
             Human
             Governments
             considers
             mens
             Rights
             ,
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             considers
             their
             moral
             Deserts
             .
             Human
             Justice
             defends
             bad
             men
             in
             their
             just
             Rights
             ,
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             ,
             which
             is
             supreme
             
             and
             absolute
             ,
             has
             no
             regard
             to
             Human
             Rights
             ,
             when
             the
             men
             deserve
             to
             be
             punished
             .
             For
             God
             challenges
             to
             himself
             such
             an
             absolute
             right
             and
             propriety
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             as
             to
             give
             or
             take
             them
             away
             when
             he
             pleases
             .
             And
             therefore
             he
             threatens
             Israel
             by
             the
             Prophet
             Hosea
             ,
             that
             since
             they
             had
             served
             Baal
             with
             the
             Corn
             ,
             and
             Wine
             ,
             and
             Oyl
             ,
             and
             Silver
             ,
             and
             Gold
             ,
             which
             he
             gave
             them
             ,
             
               Therefore
               will
               I
               return
               and
               take
               away
               my
               corn
               in
               the
               time
               thereof
               ,
               and
               my
               wine
               in
               the
               season
               thereof
               ,
               and
               will
               recover
               my
               wool
               ,
               and
               my
               flax
               ,
               given
               to
               cover
               her
               nakedness
               ,
            
             2.
             
             Hos.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             The
             26.
             
             Levit.
             contains
             the
             Promises
             and
             Threatnings
             to
             Israel
             ;
             and
             the
             Condition
             of
             both
             is
             ,
             their
             keeping
             or
             transgressing
             his
             Laws
             ,
             and
             Statutes
             ,
             and
             Commandments
             ;
             if
             they
             observed
             his
             Laws
             ,
             he
             would
             bestow
             all
             good
             things
             on
             them
             ;
             if
             they
             transgressed
             his
             Laws
             ,
             he
             would
             take
             them
             all
             away
             ,
             without
             any
             regard
             to
             their
             Rights
             or
             Properties
             .
             Among
             other
             Judgments
             ,
             he
             threatens
             them
             to
             deliver
             them
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             their
             Enemies
             ,
             who
             should
             oppress
             them
             in
             their
             own
             Land
             ,
             or
             carry
             them
             captive
             into
             strange
             Countries
             .
             This
             destroy'd
             all
             their
             Rights
             and
             Properties
             at
             once
             ;
             and
             yet
             I
             suppose
             no
             man
             will
             say
             ,
             that
             the
             Philistins
             ,
             or
             Moabites
             ,
             or
             Aramites
             ,
             had
             any
             right
             to
             invade
             Canaan
             ,
             and
             to
             bring
             Israel
             under
             their
             Yoke
             :
             and
             Nebuchadnezzar
             had
             no
             better
             right
             than
             they
             ,
             when
             he
             destroyed
             the
             Temple
             and
             City
             of
             Ierusalem
             ,
             and
             carried
             the
             Iews
             captive
             to
             Babylon
             ;
             but
             God
             was
             very
             just
             and
             righteous
             in
             this
             ,
             though
             he
             did
             not
             defend
             them
             in
             their
             just
             Rights
             ,
             because
             they
             had
             deserved
             such
             punishments
             .
             And
             thus
             throughout
             the
             Book
             of
             Psalms
             ,
             the
             protection
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             is
             promised
             only
             to
             good
             and
             righteous
             men
             ,
             to
             those
             who
             love
             God
             ,
             who
             fear
             ,
             and
             reverence
             ,
             and
             worship
             ,
             and
             put
             their
             trust
             in
             him
             ;
             that
             if
             men
             be
             not
             thus
             qualified
             ,
             whatever
             their
             Cause
             is
             ,
             they
             have
             no
             right
             to
             the
             Protection
             of
             Providence
             .
             And
             this
             is
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             not
             to
             secure
             
             Human
             Rights
             ,
             but
             to
             protect
             and
             defend
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             punish
             the
             wicked
             .
          
           
             3dly
             ,
             We
             may
             observe
             also
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             That
             notwithstanding
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             God's
             love
             to
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             to
             righteous
             Men
             ,
             he
             still
             by
             a
             Sovereign
             Authority
             reserves
             to
             himself
             a
             liberty
             to
             correct
             and
             chastise
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             exercise
             their
             Graces
             and
             Vertues
             ,
             and
             to
             serve
             the
             ends
             of
             his
             own
             Glory
             by
             their
             Sufferings
             .
             We
             must
             distinguish
             between
             Acts
             of
             Discipline
             and
             Justice
             ,
             which
             have
             very
             different
             ends
             and
             measures
             ,
             as
             the
             Correction
             of
             a
             Child
             differs
             from
             the
             Execution
             of
             a
             Malefactor
             .
             
               For
               whom
               the
               Lord
               loveth
               ,
               he
               chasteneth
               ;
               and
               scourgeth
               every
               son
               whom
               he
               receiveth
               .
               He
               corrects
               us
               for
               our
               profit
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               be
               partakers
               of
               his
               holiness
               ,
            
             7.
             
             Heb.
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9.
             
             Very
             good
             men
             may
             fall
             into
             such
             great
             sins
             ,
             as
             may
             deserve
             a
             severe
             correction
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             give
             them
             a
             greater
             abhorrence
             of
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             more
             watchful
             for
             the
             future
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             an
             Example
             to
             others
             ;
             and
             in
             such
             cases
             Repentance
             it self
             ,
             though
             it
             will
             obtain
             their
             pardon
             ,
             will
             not
             excuse
             them
             from
             Temporal
             Punishments
             ,
             as
             we
             see
             in
             the
             Example
             of
             David
             ,
             when
             he
             had
             been
             guilty
             of
             Adultery
             and
             Murther
             ;
             upon
             his
             repentance
             God
             declared
             his
             pardon
             by
             the
             Prophet
             Nathan
             ,
             but
             would
             not
             remit
             his
             punishment
             ,
             which
             was
             not
             so
             much
             an
             act
             of
             Justice
             and
             Vengeance
             ,
             as
             of
             necessary
             Discipline
             .
             And
             these
             are
             generally
             the
             many
             Afflictions
             of
             the
             Righteous
             ,
             out
             of
             which
             the
             Psalmist
             tells
             us
             ,
             God
             will
             at
             last
             deliver
             them
             ;
             whereas
             the
             Punishments
             of
             the
             Wicked
             ,
             when
             God
             ,
             after
             a
             long
             patience
             ,
             awakes
             to
             judgment
             ,
             are
             usually
             for
             their
             final
             ruin
             and
             destruction
             .
          
           
             Thus
             good
             men
             may
             have
             many
             secret
             failings
             and
             miscarriages
             ,
             known
             to
             none
             but
             God
             and
             themselves
             ,
             which
             may
             deserve
             severe
             corrections
             ;
             which
             sometimes
             are
             made
             an
             argument
             against
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             when
             the
             
             correction
             is
             visible
             ,
             but
             the
             causes
             for
             which
             they
             are
             corrected
             ,
             unknown
             .
          
           
             Other
             good
             men
             suffer
             for
             
               the
               trial
               of
               their
               faith
               ,
               which
               is
               more
               precious
               than
               of
               gold
               which
               perisheth
            
             ;
             and
             are
             trained
             up
             by
             great
             severities
             to
             heroical
             degrees
             of
             Vertue
             .
             All
             this
             is
             very
             reconcilable
             with
             God's
             love
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             righteous
             Men
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             the
             effect
             of
             this
             Love
             :
             And
             thus
             good
             Men
             for
             a
             time
             may
             visibly
             suffer
             as
             much
             as
             the
             wicked
             ,
             which
             occasions
             such
             Complaints
             ,
             that
             
               all
               things
               fall
               alike
               to
               all
            
             ;
             but
             such
             Corrections
             as
             these
             are
             not
             properly
             Acts
             of
             Justice
             ,
             but
             of
             Discipline
             ;
             not
             so
             much
             for
             the
             punishment
             of
             Good
             men
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             them
             better
             ;
             not
             the
             effects
             of
             Anger
             ,
             but
             of
             Love.
             
          
           
             4thly
             ,
             We
             may
             observe
             in
             Scripture
             also
             ,
             That
             God
             exercises
             a
             Sovereign
             Authority
             in
             exercising
             his
             Judgments
             upon
             Wicked
             men
             .
             He
             does
             not
             always
             punish
             them
             as
             soon
             as
             they
             deserve
             punishment
             ,
             but
             sometimes
             waits
             patiently
             for
             their
             return
             ;
             sometimes
             uses
             them
             as
             the
             Instruments
             of
             his
             Justice
             to
             punish
             other
             Bad
             men
             ,
             or
             to
             correct
             the
             Miscarriages
             ,
             and
             to
             exercise
             the
             Graces
             and
             Vertues
             of
             Good
             men
             ;
             and
             when
             he
             has
             finished
             what
             he
             had
             to
             do
             by
             them
             ,
             reserves
             them
             for
             a
             more
             publick
             and
             glorious
             Execution
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             Triumphs
             of
             his
             just
             Vengeance
             ,
             and
             standing
             Examples
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             which
             we
             know
             was
             the
             case
             of
             Pharaoh
             ,
             and
             the
             King
             of
             Assyria
             ,
             of
             Antiochus
             ,
             and
             some
             great
             Persecutors
             of
             the
             Christian
             Faith.
             
          
           
             Thus
             have
             I
             shewn
             you
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             consists
             ,
             both
             from
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             ,
             and
             the
             Ends
             of
             God's
             Government
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             Account
             the
             Scripture
             gives
             us
             of
             it
             ;
             which
             will
             enable
             us
             to
             answer
             all
             the
             Objections
             against
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
           
             I
             shall
             observe
             but
             one
             thing
             more
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             evident
             from
             this
             Discourse
             ,
             that
             we
             must
             not
             judge
             of
             the
             goodness
             of
             any
             Cause
             by
             external
             and
             visible
             Success
             ;
             much
             less
             make
             the
             oppression
             of
             a
             just
             Cause
             any
             argument
             against
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             .
             For
             Justice
             does
             not
             oblige
             God
             always
             to
             favour
             a
             just
             Cause
             ,
             when
             those
             who
             have
             a
             just
             Cause
             deserve
             to
             be
             punished
             .
             God
             may
             justly
             punish
             Bad
             men
             by
             unjust
             Oppressors
             ,
             for
             he
             is
             the
             Sovereign
             Lord
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             can
             dispose
             of
             his
             Creatures
             as
             his
             own
             Absolute
             Authority
             ,
             and
             Unsearchable
             Wisdom
             shall
             direct
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             
          
           
             The
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             THE
             next
             Enquiry
             is
             concerning
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             .
             For
             God
             is
             a
             Holy
             Being
             ,
             as
             Holiness
             is
             opposed
             to
             all
             Impurity
             and
             Wickedness
             ;
             and
             such
             as
             God's
             Nature
             is
             ,
             such
             his
             Government
             must
             be
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             145.
             
             Psalm
             17.
             assures
             us
             ,
             That
             the
             Lord
             is
             not
             only
             
               righteous
               in
               all
               his
               ways
            
             ;
             which
             signifies
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             which
             I
             have
             already
             discoursed
             of
             ;
             but
             he
             is
             
               holy
               in
               all
               his
               works
            
             ,
             as
             he
             tells
             us
             more
             at
             large
             ,
             5.
             
             
               Psal.
               4
               ,
               5
               ,
               6
               ,
               For
               thou
               art
               not
               a
               God
               that
               hath
               pleasure
               in
               wickedness
               ,
               neither
               shall
               evil
               dwell
               with
               thee
               :
               The
               foolish
               shall
               not
               stand
               in
               thy
               sight
               ;
               thou
               hatest
               all
               workers
               of
               iniquity
               :
               thou
               shalt
               destroy
               them
               that
               speak
               leasing
               ;
               the
               Lord
               will
               abhor
               the
               bloody
               and
               deceitful
               man.
            
             And
             yet
             there
             want
             not
             Objections
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             some
             men
             think
             inexplicable
             difficulties
             ,
             against
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             .
             And
             therefore
             my
             design
             at
             present
             is
             to
             set
             this
             in
             as
             clear
             a
             light
             as
             I
             can
             ;
             and
             to
             that
             end
             I
             shall
             enquire
          
           
             1.
             
             What
             the
             Holiness
             of
             God
             requires
             of
             him
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             What
             it
             does
             not
             require
             of
             him
             .
             And
          
           
             3.
             
             What
             is
             Inconsistent
             and
             Irreconcilable
             with
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             And
             if
             God
             Governs
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             his
             Essential
             Holiness
             requires
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             Govern
             it
             ;
             if
             what
             men
             ignorantly
             Object
             against
             Providence
             be
             no
             just
             impeachment
             of
             his
             Holiness
             ;
             and
             if
             nothing
             be
             justly
             chargeable
             on
             Providence
             ,
             which
             is
             inconsistent
             and
             irreconcilable
             with
             the
             Holiness
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             ;
             I
             suppose
             I
             need
             then
             
             add
             no
             more
             to
             vindicate
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Now
             as
             for
             the
             first
             ,
             the
             case
             seems
             very
             plain
             ,
             That
             the
             Holiness
             of
             a
             Governour
             ,
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             Reasonable
             Creatures
             and
             Free
             Agents
             ,
             can
             require
             no
             more
             of
             him
             ,
             than
             to
             command
             every
             thing
             that
             is
             Holy
             ,
             and
             to
             forbid
             all
             kinds
             and
             degrees
             of
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             to
             encourage
             the
             practice
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             to
             discourage
             all
             Wicked
             practices
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Government
             ,
             and
             the
             freedom
             of
             human
             Actions
             will
             allow
             .
          
           
             That
             God
             does
             all
             this
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Government
             consists
             ,
             I
             know
             no
             man
             that
             denies
             :
             As
             wicked
             as
             Mankind
             is
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             for
             want
             of
             holy
             ,
             and
             just
             ,
             and
             good
             Laws
             ;
             
               The
               law
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               an
               undefiled
               law
               ,
               converting
               the
               soul
               ;
               the
               testimony
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               sure
               ,
               and
               giveth
               wisdom
               unto
               the
               simple
               :
               the
               statutes
               of
               the
               Lord
               are
               right
               ,
               and
               rejoyce
               the
               heart
               ;
               the
               commandment
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               pure
               ,
               and
               giveth
               light
               unto
               the
               eyes
               .
               The
               fear
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               clean
               and
               endureth
               for
               ever
               ;
               the
               judgments
               of
               the
               Lord
               are
               true
               ,
               and
               righteous
               altogether
               .
            
             19.
             
             Psal.
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9.
             
             The
             great
             complaint
             is
             ,
             That
             the
             Laws
             of
             God
             are
             too
             Holy
             for
             the
             Corrupt
             state
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             most
             men
             think
             to
             excuse
             their
             Wickedness
             by
             the
             degeneracy
             of
             human
             Nature
             ,
             and
             the
             too
             great
             Purity
             and
             Perfection
             of
             the
             Divine
             Laws
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             no
             Ability
             to
             perform
             .
          
           
             Now
             the
             Holiness
             of
             God's
             Laws
             are
             an
             undeniable
             Argument
             of
             the
             Holiness
             of
             his
             Providence
             and
             Government
             ,
             whether
             we
             consider
             these
             Laws
             as
             a
             copy
             of
             his
             Nature
             ,
             or
             a
             declaration
             of
             his
             Will
             ;
             much
             more
             if
             we
             consider
             them
             both
             as
             his
             Nature
             ,
             and
             his
             Will
             ,
             as
             all
             Moral
             Laws
             ,
             which
             have
             an
             eternal
             and
             necessary
             Goodness
             in
             them
             are
             ;
             for
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             and
             Will
             ,
             must
             be
             the
             rule
             and
             measure
             of
             his
             Providence
             and
             Government
             ,
             unless
             he
             Govern
             the
             World
             contrary
             to
             his
             own
             Nature
             and
             Will.
             Nay
             ,
             Laws
             themselves
             are
             not
             only
             the
             Rule
             of
             Obdience
             
             to
             Subjects
             ,
             but
             of
             Government
             to
             the
             Prince
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             universally
             acknowledged
             to
             be
             as
             great
             a
             miscarriage
             in
             a
             Prince
             ,
             not
             to
             Govern
             by
             his
             own
             Laws
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             in
             Subjects
             not
             to
             obey
             them
             .
             Princes
             may
             be
             guilty
             of
             such
             miscarriages
             ,
             but
             God
             can't
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             Laws
             he
             gives
             to
             us
             ,
             are
             the
             Rules
             of
             his
             own
             Providence
             ;
             and
             then
             the
             Holiness
             of
             his
             Laws
             prove
             ,
             that
             his
             Government
             and
             Providence
             must
             be
             very
             Holy.
             
          
           
             And
             indeed
             we
             have
             very
             visible
             and
             sensible
             proofs
             of
             this
             in
             that
             care
             he
             takes
             to
             encourage
             the
             Practice
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             to
             discourage
             Wickedness
             .
             This
             he
             has
             done
             by
             those
             great
             Promises
             which
             he
             has
             made
             to
             the
             Observation
             of
             his
             Laws
             ,
             and
             by
             those
             terrible
             Threatnings
             which
             he
             has
             denounc'd
             against
             the
             breach
             of
             them
             ,
             both
             in
             this
             World
             and
             in
             the
             World
             to
             come
             :
             But
             this
             is
             not
             what
             I
             mean
             ,
             for
             men
             can
             despise
             both
             Promises
             and
             Threatnings
             if
             they
             do
             not
             see
             the
             Execution
             of
             them
             ;
             and
             the
             Promises
             and
             Threatnings
             of
             the
             other
             World
             ,
             which
             are
             much
             the
             most
             considerable
             ,
             are
             out
             of
             sight
             ,
             and
             do
             not
             so
             much
             affect
             Bad
             men
             ;
             and
             that
             which
             is
             most
             proper
             for
             us
             to
             consider
             here
             ,
             is
             how
             the
             external
             Administrations
             of
             Providence
             encourage
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             discourage
             Wickedness
             and
             Vice.
             
          
           
             Now
             those
             who
             believe
             that
             all
             the
             Miseries
             that
             are
             in
             the
             World
             are
             the
             effects
             or
             rewards
             of
             Sin
             ,
             as
             all
             men
             must
             do
             ,
             who
             believe
             the
             Scripture
             ;
             nay
             as
             all
             men
             must
             do
             ,
             who
             believe
             that
             a
             Just
             and
             Good
             God
             governs
             the
             World
             ,
             must
             confess
             that
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             has
             done
             abundantly
             enough
             to
             discourage
             Wickedness
             :
             For
             it
             is
             visible
             enough
             how
             many
             Miserie
             's
             there
             are
             in
             the
             World
             :
             So
             many
             ,
             and
             so
             great
             ,
             as
             are
             commonly
             thought
             a
             reproach
             to
             Providence
             ;
             but
             if
             they
             be
             the
             just
             recompence
             of
             Sin
             ,
             they
             are
             only
             an
             Argument
             of
             the
             Justice
             and
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             If
             we
             believe
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             Mortality
             and
             Death
             ,
             and
             consequently
             all
             those
             Infirmities
             and
             Decays
             of
             Nature
             ,
             
             all
             those
             Pains
             and
             Sicknesses
             and
             Diseases
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             the
             effect
             of
             our
             own
             Sins
             ,
             or
             which
             we
             do
             not
             inherit
             from
             our
             more
             immediate
             Parents
             ,
             as
             an
             entail
             of
             their
             Sins
             ,
             are
             owing
             to
             the
             Sin
             of
             Adam
             which
             brought
             Death
             upon
             himself
             and
             all
             his
             Posterity
             ;
             and
             such
             a
             curse
             upon
             the
             earth
             ,
             as
             has
             entail'd
             Labour
             and
             Sorrow
             on
             us
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             many
             other
             Miseries
             and
             Calamities
             of
             life
             ,
             they
             are
             visibly
             owing
             to
             our
             own
             ,
             or
             to
             other
             mens
             Sins
             ;
             Such
             as
             Want
             and
             Poverty
             ,
             Infamy
             and
             Reproach
             ,
             Seditions
             and
             Tumults
             ,
             violent
             Changes
             and
             Revolutions
             of
             Government
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Miseries
             and
             Desolations
             of
             War.
             Take
             a
             survey
             in
             your
             thoughts
             of
             all
             the
             several
             sorts
             of
             Miseries
             ,
             which
             are
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             tell
             me
             what
             place
             they
             could
             find
             here
             ,
             by
             what
             possible
             means
             they
             could
             enter
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             were
             Sin
             banished
             out
             of
             it
             ?
             What
             Miseries
             could
             disturb
             Human
             life
             ,
             were
             all
             men
             Just
             ,
             and
             Honest
             ,
             and
             Charitable
             ,
             did
             they
             love
             one
             another
             as
             themselves
             ?
             Perfect
             Vertue
             is
             not
             only
             an
             innocent
             and
             harmless
             ,
             but
             a
             very
             beneficial
             thing
             ;
             it
             does
             no
             hurt
             ,
             but
             all
             the
             good
             it
             can
             ,
             both
             to
             it self
             and
             others
             ;
             and
             when
             there
             is
             nothing
             to
             hurt
             us
             ,
             neither
             within
             ,
             nor
             without
             ,
             we
             can
             suffer
             no
             hurt
             .
          
           
             And
             is
             not
             this
             a
             sufficient
             proof
             of
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             that
             God
             has
             so
             ordered
             the
             nature
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             the
             circumstances
             of
             our
             life
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             that
             if
             men
             will
             be
             Wicked
             ,
             they
             shall
             be
             Miserable
             ?
             Can
             any
             thing
             in
             this
             World
             more
             discourage
             men
             from
             Sin
             ,
             or
             make
             them
             more
             zealous
             to
             reform
             themselves
             and
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             than
             so
             many
             daily
             and
             sensible
             proofs
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             expectation
             of
             a
             secure
             state
             of
             rest
             and
             happiness
             ,
             while
             either
             they
             themselves
             ,
             or
             other
             men
             ,
             with
             whom
             they
             must
             of
             necessity
             converse
             ,
             or
             have
             something
             to
             do
             ,
             are
             Wicked
             .
          
           
             For
             you
             must
             remember
             ,
             that
             I
             am
             not
             now
             a
             vindicating
             the
             Justice
             ,
             but
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             
             therefore
             it
             is
             no
             Objection
             against
             what
             I
             have
             now
             said
             ,
             That
             many
             times
             vertuous
             and
             innocent
             men
             suffer
             very
             greatly
             by
             the
             Violence
             and
             Injustice
             of
             the
             wicked
             :
             Tho
             this
             may
             be
             an
             Objection
             against
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             which
             I
             have
             already
             accounted
             for
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             no
             Objection
             against
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             but
             a
             great
             justification
             of
             it
             ;
             for
             the
             more
             effectual
             care
             God
             has
             taken
             to
             give
             all
             mankind
             an
             abhorrence
             of
             all
             Wickedness
             both
             in
             themselves
             and
             others
             ,
             the
             more
             undeniable
             proof
             it
             is
             ,
             of
             the
             Holiness
             of
             God's
             Government
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             more
             effectually
             done
             by
             the
             evils
             which
             we
             suffer
             from
             other
             mens
             wickedness
             ,
             than
             from
             our
             own
             .
             Men
             who
             are
             very
             favourable
             to
             their
             own
             Vices
             when
             they
             feel
             the
             Pleasures
             and
             Advantages
             of
             them
             ,
             learn
             to
             hate
             ,
             to
             condemn
             ,
             to
             punish
             them
             ,
             by
             feeling
             what
             they
             suffer
             from
             other
             mens
             sins
             :
             When
             they
             lose
             their
             own
             Estates
             by
             Injustice
             and
             Violence
             ,
             or
             their
             Good
             Names
             by
             Reproaches
             and
             Defamations
             ,
             or
             are
             injur'd
             in
             the
             Chastity
             of
             their
             Wives
             and
             Daughters
             by
             other
             mens
             Lusts
             ;
             this
             gives
             them
             a
             truer
             sense
             of
             the
             evil
             of
             Injustice
             ,
             Defamation
             ,
             and
             Lust
             ,
             and
             makes
             them
             condemn
             these
             Vices
             in
             themselves
             ,
             how
             well
             soever
             they
             love
             them
             .
             This
             is
             the
             foundation
             of
             Human
             Government
             ,
             which
             keeps
             Mankind
             in
             order
             ,
             and
             lays
             great
             Restraints
             upon
             mens
             Lusts
             ;
             for
             did
             not
             all
             Mankind
             suffer
             by
             one
             another's
             sins
             ,
             I
             doubt
             neither
             good
             nor
             bad
             men
             would
             be
             so
             zealously
             concerned
             to
             punish
             and
             suppress
             Vice
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             could
             not
             have
             taken
             a
             more
             effectual
             course
             to
             discourage
             Wickedness
             ,
             than
             to
             make
             all
             Mankind
             sensible
             of
             the
             evil
             of
             sin
             ,
             by
             making
             them
             all
             at
             one
             time
             or
             other
             feel
             the
             evil
             of
             sin
             ,
             in
             what
             they
             suffer
             by
             their
             own
             or
             other
             mens
             sins
             .
             For
             were
             all
             men
             convinced
             (
             and
             it
             is
             strange
             that
             their
             own
             sense
             and
             feeling
             will
             not
             convince
             them
             )
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             evils
             and
             miseries
             of
             life
             are
             owing
             to
             sin
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             is
             impossible
             to
             be
             happy
             without
             reforming
             themselves
             and
             others
             as
             far
             as
             
             they
             can
             ,
             what
             more
             powerful
             Argument
             could
             Providence
             offer
             to
             us
             to
             reform
             the
             world
             ?
          
           
             There
             are
             another
             sort
             of
             Calamities
             ,
             and
             very
             terrible
             ones
             too
             ,
             which
             those
             who
             believe
             a
             Providence
             ,
             can
             attribute
             to
             nothing
             else
             but
             the
             just
             Judgment
             and
             Vengeance
             of
             God
             upon
             a
             wicked
             world
             :
             Such
             as
             Plague
             ,
             and
             Pestilence
             ,
             and
             Famine
             ,
             Deluges
             ,
             and
             Earthquakes
             ,
             which
             destroy
             Cities
             and
             Countries
             ;
             and
             more
             ordinary
             Accidents
             ,
             when
             they
             act
             in
             such
             an
             extraordinary
             manner
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             directed
             and
             guided
             by
             an
             unseen
             hand
             .
          
           
             A
             great
             many
             such
             Instances
             are
             recorded
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             expresly
             ascribed
             to
             the
             Judgment
             of
             God
             :
             God
             has
             threatned
             such
             Judgments
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             therefore
             when
             we
             see
             them
             executed
             ,
             we
             must
             conclude
             ,
             That
             they
             are
             inflicted
             by
             God
             ,
             as
             the
             just
             Punishment
             of
             Sin.
             Nay
             ,
             those
             very
             evils
             and
             miseries
             which
             we
             suffer
             by
             other
             mens
             sins
             ,
             are
             in
             Scripture
             attributed
             to
             God
             ,
             who
             has
             the
             Supreme
             Disposal
             of
             all
             Events
             .
          
           
             For
             ,
             as
             I
             observed
             before
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             sufficient
             proof
             ,
             that
             these
             Judgments
             are
             not
             ordered
             by
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             can
             find
             some
             immediate
             Causes
             for
             them
             ;
             that
             some
             of
             them
             are
             owing
             to
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             others
             to
             Men
             ,
             others
             to
             some
             surprizing
             and
             unusual
             ,
             or
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             usual
             Accidents
             ;
             for
             whoever
             believes
             a
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             does
             not
             therefore
             believe
             that
             God
             does
             every
             thing
             immediately
             by
             his
             own
             Power
             ,
             without
             the
             Ministry
             of
             any
             Second
             Causes
             ,
             either
             Natural
             ,
             or
             Free
             Agents
             ,
             or
             what
             we
             call
             Accidents
             ;
             but
             he
             is
             only
             obliged
             to
             believe
             ,
             That
             God
             governs
             all
             Second
             Causes
             to
             produce
             such
             Effects
             as
             he
             sees
             fit
             ;
             That
             all
             Nature
             moves
             at
             God's
             Command
             ;
             That
             
               fire
               and
               hail
               ,
               snow
               and
               vapours
               ,
               wind
               and
               storm
               ,
               fulfil
               his
               word
               ,
            
             148.
             
             Psal.
             8.
             v.
             That
             both
             good
             and
             bad
             men
             are
             under
             his
             Government
             ,
             and
             the
             Ministers
             of
             his
             Providence
             ;
             and
             that
             what
             seems
             perfect
             Chance
             to
             us
             ,
             is
             directed
             by
             his
             Wisdom
             and
             Counsel
             ;
             and
             then
             whatever
             evils
             we
             suffer
             ,
             and
             whatever
             the
             
             immediate
             Causes
             of
             them
             be
             ,
             we
             must
             ascribe
             them
             all
             to
             God
             ;
             especially
             when
             the
             same
             kind
             of
             Judgments
             ,
             which
             had
             the
             same
             kind
             of
             immediate
             Causes
             ,
             are
             attributed
             to
             God
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             it
             is
             reason
             enough
             for
             us
             ,
             whenever
             such
             Judgments
             befal
             us
             ,
             to
             ascribe
             them
             to
             the
             Providence
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             But
             I
             need
             not
             dispute
             here
             ,
             Whether
             all
             those
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             which
             befal
             sinners
             ,
             are
             ordered
             and
             appointed
             by
             God
             ;
             for
             till
             they
             can
             prove
             
               à
               priori
            
             ,
             by
             direct
             and
             positive
             Arguments
             ,
             That
             there
             is
             no
             God
             nor
             a
             Providence
             ,
             (
             which
             none
             of
             our
             Modern
             Atheists
             pretend
             to
             do
             )
             while
             they
             dispute
             only
             by
             way
             of
             Objection
             ,
             they
             must
             prove
             ,
             that
             things
             are
             not
             so
             ordered
             as
             they
             ought
             to
             have
             been
             ordered
             ,
             did
             God
             govern
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             can
             prove
             that
             they
             are
             ,
             their
             Objection
             is
             answered
             .
             Now
             with
             respect
             to
             my
             present
             Argument
             ,
             to
             vindicate
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             it
             is
             plain
             beyond
             all
             contradiction
             ,
             that
             things
             are
             so
             ordered
             for
             the
             discouragement
             of
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             the
             encouragement
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             had
             been
             so
             ordered
             on
             purpose
             by
             the
             greatest
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             the
             most
             perfect
             Holiness
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             believe
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             so
             ordered
             by
             a
             Wise
             and
             a
             Holy
             Providence
             .
          
           
             As
             far
             then
             as
             to
             command
             and
             encourage
             all
             Holiness
             and
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             to
             forbid
             and
             discourage
             all
             Wickedness
             and
             Vice
             ,
             is
             a
             Proof
             of
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             I
             hope
             I
             have
             sufficiently
             cleared
             this
             Point
             ;
             and
             I
             must
             desire
             you
             to
             observe
             ,
             That
             these
             are
             direct
             and
             positive
             Proofs
             ,
             such
             as
             every
             man
             may
             understand
             ,
             and
             cannot
             avoid
             the
             evidence
             of
             ,
             and
             therefore
             are
             not
             to
             be
             shaken
             by
             every
             Difficulty
             objected
             against
             them
             :
             For
             our
             knowledg
             is
             so
             imperfect
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             nothing
             almost
             which
             we
             so
             certainly
             know
             ,
             but
             is
             liable
             to
             such
             Objections
             as
             we
             cannot
             easily
             and
             satisfactorily
             answer
             ;
             but
             one
             plain
             positive
             Proof
             is
             a
             better
             Reason
             to
             believe
             any
             thing
             ,
             than
             
             a
             hundred
             Objections
             against
             it
             ,
             are
             not
             to
             believe
             it
             ;
             because
             since
             it
             is
             confessed
             on
             all
             hands
             ,
             that
             our
             knowledg
             is
             very
             imperfect
             ,
             it
             is
             no
             reason
             to
             disbelieve
             what
             we
             do
             know
             ,
             and
             what
             we
             are
             as
             certain
             of
             ,
             as
             we
             can
             be
             of
             any
             thing
             ,
             because
             there
             are
             some
             things
             relating
             to
             the
             same
             subject
             ,
             which
             we
             do
             not
             know
             ;
             and
             therefore
             unless
             the
             Objection
             be
             as
             positive
             and
             evident
             as
             the
             proof
             is
             (
             and
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             there
             are
             no
             such
             Objections
             against
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             )
             we
             may
             very
             reasonably
             acknowledge
             that
             there
             are
             some
             difficulties
             which
             we
             do
             not
             understand
             ,
             and
             yet
             may
             very
             reasonably
             believe
             on
             as
             we
             did
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             Let
             us
             now
             consider
             ,
             What
             the
             Holiness
             of
             God's
             Providence
             and
             Government
             does
             not
             require
             of
             him
             :
             And
             I
             shall
             name
             but
             one
             thing
             which
             some
             men
             make
             a
             great
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ,
             viz.
             That
             there
             is
             so
             much
             Sin
             and
             Wickedness
             daily
             committed
             in
             the
             World.
             Now
             if
             the
             being
             of
             Sin
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             or
             if
             the
             Wickedness
             of
             men
             ,
             were
             irreconcilable
             with
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             this
             were
             an
             unanswerable
             Objection
             against
             it
             ;
             for
             it
             cannot
             be
             denied
             ,
             but
             that
             Mankind
             are
             very
             wicked
             .
             But
             what
             consequence
             is
             there
             in
             this
             ,
             that
             God
             can't
             be
             Holy
             ,
             nor
             his
             Providence
             Holy
             ,
             because
             Men
             are
             wicked
             ?
             We
             may
             as
             well
             prove
             that
             there
             is
             no
             God
             ,
             because
             there
             is
             a
             Devil
             .
             Such
             conceits
             as
             these
             tempted
             some
             ancient
             Hereticks
             ,
             to
             assert
             Two
             Principles
             ,
             a
             Good
             and
             a
             Bad
             God
             ,
             because
             they
             thought
             ,
             that
             if
             there
             were
             but
             one
             God
             ,
             and
             he
             very
             good
             ,
             there
             could
             be
             no
             such
             thing
             as
             evil
             in
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             But
             would
             any
             man
             think
             this
             a
             good
             Argument
             against
             the
             Holiness
             of
             a
             Prince
             and
             his
             Government
             ,
             that
             he
             has
             many
             Wicked
             Subjects
             ?
             and
             how
             then
             do
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             come
             to
             be
             an
             Argument
             against
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ?
          
           
             To
             state
             this
             in
             a
             few
             words
             ;
             When
             we
             speak
             of
             God's
             permitting
             Sin
             ,
             we
             either
             mean
             the
             internal
             ,
             or
             the
             external
             Acts
             of
             Sin.
             
          
           
           
             1.
             
             The
             internal
             Act
             of
             sin
             ;
             which
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             the
             choice
             of
             the
             Will
             :
             When
             men
             chuse
             that
             which
             is
             wicked
             ,
             and
             fully
             resolve
             and
             purpose
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             opportunity
             ,
             to
             do
             it
             .
             This
             is
             the
             sin
             ,
             this
             makes
             us
             guilty
             before
             God
             ,
             who
             knows
             our
             hearts
             ,
             though
             Human
             Laws
             can
             take
             no
             cognizance
             of
             it
             ;
             as
             our
             Saviour
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               He
               that
               looketh
               upon
               a
               woman
               to
               lust
               after
               her
               ,
               hath
               committed
               adultery
               with
               her
               already
               in
               his
               heart
               .
            
             He
             who
             intends
             ,
             and
             resolves
             it
             ,
             and
             wants
             nothing
             but
             an
             opportunity
             to
             commit
             adultery
             ,
             is
             an
             Adulterer
             .
          
           
             If
             God
             then
             must
             not
             permit
             sin
             ,
             he
             must
             not
             suffer
             men
             to
             will
             and
             to
             chuse
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             wicked
             ,
             for
             this
             is
             the
             sin
             ;
             herein
             the
             immorality
             of
             the
             Act
             consists
             .
             Consider
             then
             what
             the
             meaning
             of
             this
             is
             ,
             that
             God
             must
             not
             leave
             men
             to
             the
             liberty
             of
             their
             own
             choice
             ,
             but
             must
             always
             over-rule
             their
             minds
             by
             an
             irresistible
             Power
             to
             chuse
             that
             which
             is
             good
             ,
             and
             to
             refuse
             the
             evil
             .
             But
             will
             any
             one
             say
             ,
             that
             this
             is
             to
             govern
             men
             like
             men
             ?
             Is
             this
             the
             natural
             government
             of
             free
             Agents
             ,
             to
             take
             away
             their
             liberty
             ,
             and
             freedom
             of
             choice
             ?
             Does
             government
             signify
             destroying
             the
             nature
             of
             those
             Creatures
             which
             are
             to
             be
             governed
             ?
             does
             this
             become
             God
             ,
             to
             make
             a
             free
             Agent
             ,
             and
             to
             govern
             him
             by
             necessity
             and
             force
             ?
          
           
             This
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             is
             a
             certain
             way
             to
             keep
             Sin
             out
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             but
             it
             thrusts
             Holiness
             out
             of
             the
             world
             too
             ;
             for
             where
             there
             is
             no
             liberty
             of
             choice
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             neither
             moral
             good
             ,
             nor
             evil
             ;
             and
             this
             would
             be
             a
             more
             reasonable
             objection
             against
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             that
             it
             banishes
             Holiness
             out
             of
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             I
             grant
             ,
             that
             God
             governs
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             as
             well
             as
             their
             external
             Actions
             ;
             directs
             and
             influences
             their
             Counsels
             ,
             suggests
             wise
             thoughts
             to
             them
             ,
             excites
             good
             men
             to
             great
             and
             vertuous
             Actions
             ,
             and
             lays
             invisible
             restraints
             upon
             the
             Lusts
             and
             Passions
             of
             Bad
             men
             ;
             turns
             their
             Hearts
             ,
             changes
             their
             Counsels
             ,
             and
             diverts
             them
             from
             ill-laid
             Designs
             ,
             
             especially
             when
             they
             have
             no
             external
             restraints
             on
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             pursuing
             such
             Counsels
             would
             be
             very
             hurtful
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ;
             nay
             ,
             I
             deny
             not
             ,
             but
             in
             such
             cases
             God
             may
             by
             an
             irresistible
             power
             and
             influence
             govern
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             ,
             not
             to
             make
             them
             good
             ,
             but
             to
             make
             them
             the
             instruments
             of
             Providence
             in
             doing
             such
             good
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             no
             inclination
             to
             do
             ;
             and
             to
             chain
             up
             their
             Passions
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             not
             do
             that
             hurt
             which
             they
             intended
             to
             do
             ;
             as
             I
             have
             shewn
             at
             large
             above
             .
          
           
             And
             I
             see
             nothing
             in
             this
             ,
             
             which
             unbecomes
             the
             Wise
             and
             Soveraign
             Lord
             of
             the
             world
             ;
             sometimes
             by
             an
             immediate
             power
             to
             govern
             the
             minds
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             bodies
             of
             men
             ,
             that
             they
             shall
             no
             more
             be
             able
             to
             will
             and
             chuse
             ,
             than
             they
             are
             to
             do
             ,
             what
             they
             themselves
             please
             .
             For
             though
             God
             has
             made
             man
             a
             reasonable
             Creature
             ,
             and
             free
             Agent
             ,
             he
             has
             not
             wholly
             put
             him
             out
             of
             his
             own
             power
             ,
             but
             that
             when
             he
             sees
             fit
             ,
             he
             can
             lay
             invisible
             restraints
             upon
             him
             ,
             or
             clap
             a
             counter
             byass
             upon
             his
             mind
             ,
             which
             shall
             lead
             him
             contrary
             to
             the
             natural
             tendency
             of
             his
             own
             Will
             and
             Lusts
             :
             Thus
             it
             is
             in
             the
             natural
             World
             ;
             though
             God
             has
             endowed
             all
             Creatures
             with
             natural
             Vertues
             and
             Qualities
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             ordinary
             course
             of
             his
             Providence
             suffers
             them
             to
             produce
             their
             natural
             effects
             ,
             yet
             he
             has
             reserved
             to
             himself
             a
             Sovereign
             Authority
             over
             Nature
             ,
             to
             reverse
             its
             Laws
             ,
             or
             suspend
             its
             influences
             by
             an
             immediate
             and
             supernatural
             Power
             ;
             and
             I
             see
             no
             reason
             ,
             why
             God
             may
             not
             do
             this
             in
             the
             moral
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             in
             the
             natural
             world
             ,
             when
             the
             good
             government
             of
             the
             world
             requires
             it
             .
          
           
             But
             though
             God
             may
             thus
             sometimes
             by
             a
             Supernatural
             Power
             influence
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             chain
             up
             their
             Lusts
             and
             Passions
             ,
             yet
             this
             is
             not
             the
             natural
             government
             of
             mankind
             ,
             consider'd
             as
             free
             Agents
             ;
             and
             it
             would
             no
             more
             become
             God
             always
             to
             over-rule
             mens
             Wills
             in
             this
             manner
             ,
             than
             it
             would
             always
             to
             over-power
             Nature
             ,
             and
             to
             govern
             the
             natural
             world
             ,
             not
             by
             its
             natural
             Vertues
             and
             Powers
             ,
             but
             by
             constant
             Miracles
             .
          
           
           
             And
             if
             the
             ordinary
             and
             natural
             government
             of
             mankind
             ,
             considered
             as
             reasonable
             and
             free
             Agents
             ,
             requires
             that
             God
             should
             leave
             men
             to
             the
             liberty
             and
             freedom
             of
             their
             own
             choice
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             only
             thing
             that
             can
             be
             judged
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             capable
             of
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             ;
             then
             it
             is
             no
             reasonable
             objection
             against
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             that
             God
             permits
             men
             to
             chuse
             wickedly
             ,
             that
             he
             does
             not
             always
             by
             an
             Irresistible
             and
             Sovereign
             Power
             hinder
             the
             internal
             acts
             of
             Sin.
             Especially
             when
             we
             consider
             ,
             that
             God
             gives
             men
             all
             those
             internal
             assistances
             of
             his
             Grace
             ,
             and
             lays
             all
             those
             internal
             restraints
             upon
             their
             Lusts
             and
             Passions
             ,
             which
             are
             consistent
             with
             the
             liberty
             of
             Human
             Actions
             .
             Though
             we
             know
             not
             in
             what
             manner
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             works
             upon
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             ,
             yet
             this
             we
             know
             ,
             if
             we
             believe
             the
             Gospel
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             
               That
               God
               worketh
               in
               us
               both
               to
               will
               ,
               and
               to
               do
               ,
               of
               his
               own
               good
               pleasure
               :
               That
               he
               gives
               his
               holy
               spirit
               to
               those
               who
               ask
               him
               ,
            
             to
             be
             a
             principle
             of
             a
             spiritual
             life
             in
             them
             :
             And
             Bad
             men
             themselves
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             but
             confess
             what
             they
             feel
             ,
             must
             tell
             you
             ,
             what
             strugglings
             they
             find
             in
             their
             own
             minds
             ,
             before
             they
             can
             yield
             to
             the
             temptations
             of
             sin
             :
             How
             in
             some
             cases
             ,
             especially
             at
             their
             first
             entrance
             upon
             a
             sinful
             course
             of
             life
             ,
             natural
             modesty
             ,
             in
             others
             natural
             pity
             and
             compassion
             ,
             in
             others
             a
             natural
             greatness
             and
             generosity
             of
             mind
             ,
             gives
             check
             to
             them
             ;
             how
             at
             first
             they
             blush
             at
             the
             thoughts
             of
             any
             wickedness
             ,
             and
             are
             reproached
             by
             their
             own
             Consciences
             for
             it
             ;
             how
             they
             tremble
             at
             the
             thoughts
             of
             a
             future
             Judgment
             ,
             or
             some
             present
             Vengeance
             to
             overtake
             them
             ;
             and
             can
             never
             sin
             securely
             ,
             till
             they
             have
             laughed
             away
             the
             thoughts
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             another
             world
             .
             Such
             care
             God
             has
             taken
             to
             make
             Sin
             uneasy
             to
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             reconcile
             them
             to
             the
             love
             of
             Vertue
             ;
             and
             if
             after
             all
             ,
             they
             will
             be
             wicked
             (
             as
             free
             Agents
             may
             be
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             )
             this
             can
             be
             no
             blemish
             to
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ;
             because
             it
             is
             no
             fault
             of
             Providence
             to
             leave
             free
             Agents
             to
             the
             freedom
             of
             their
             own
             choice
             .
          
           
           
             2dly
             ,
             As
             for
             the
             external
             Acts
             of
             Sin
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             confessed
             ,
             that
             God
             permits
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             wickedness
             to
             be
             actually
             committed
             ;
             such
             as
             Thefts
             ,
             Murders
             ,
             Adulteries
             ,
             Perjuries
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             .
             Now
             this
             requires
             a
             different
             consideration
             ;
             for
             in
             Human
             Governments
             ,
             this
             is
             thought
             a
             great
             miscarriage
             ,
             to
             suffer
             any
             wickedness
             to
             be
             actually
             committed
             ,
             which
             we
             can
             hinder
             the
             commission
             of
             .
             No
             man
             would
             be
             thought
             innocent
             ,
             much
             less
             a
             Prince
             ,
             who
             should
             see
             a
             man
             murthered
             ,
             a
             Virgin
             deflowered
             ,
             a
             Robbery
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             Villanies
             committed
             ,
             without
             interposing
             to
             hinder
             the
             commission
             of
             such
             wickedness
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             in
             his
             power
             to
             do
             it
             ;
             and
             how
             then
             can
             we
             vindicate
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             which
             sees
             and
             observes
             ,
             and
             could
             easily
             hinder
             the
             commission
             of
             such
             wickedness
             ,
             as
             it
             daily
             permits
             ?
             Now
             rightly
             to
             understand
             this
             matter
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             God
             cannot
             always
             by
             an
             immediate
             Power
             hinder
             the
             actual
             commission
             of
             sin
             ,
             without
             a
             perpetual
             violation
             of
             the
             order
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             therefore
             this
             does
             not
             properly
             belong
             to
             an
             ordinary
             Providence
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             government
             of
             all
             Creatures
             according
             to
             their
             Natures
             .
             We
             know
             indeed
             ,
             That
             when
             Ieroboam
             in
             great
             anger
             stretched
             out
             his
             hand
             against
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             who
             cried
             against
             the
             Altar
             at
             Bethel
             ,
             his
             hand
             immediatly
             dried
             up
             ,
             so
             that
             he
             could
             not
             pull
             it
             in
             again
             ;
             1
             Kings
             13.
             4.
             
             And
             that
             when
             Vzziah
             would
             have
             usurped
             the
             Priests
             Office
             to
             burn
             Incense
             ,
             he
             was
             immediatly
             smitten
             with
             Leprosy
             ,
             2
             Chron.
             26.
             19.
             
             And
             there
             is
             no
             other
             way
             but
             this
             ,
             for
             God
             by
             an
             immediate
             power
             to
             hinder
             the
             actual
             commission
             of
             sin
             ,
             to
             take
             away
             mens
             lives
             ,
             or
             their
             natural
             powers
             of
             acting
             ,
             which
             may
             be
             of
             great
             use
             sometimes
             ,
             when
             God
             sees
             fit
             to
             work
             Miracles
             ,
             but
             ought
             to
             be
             as
             rare
             as
             Miracles
             are
             ;
             for
             such
             a
             way
             as
             this
             of
             hindring
             sin
             would
             quickly
             put
             an
             end
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             commerce
             and
             conversation
             
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             is
             properly
             to
             judge
             the
             world
             ,
             not
             to
             govern
             it
             .
          
           
             2dly
             ,
             And
             therefore
             though
             God
             does
             take
             care
             to
             prevent
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             wickedness
             ,
             which
             men
             intend
             and
             resolve
             to
             commit
             ,
             and
             watch
             for
             opportunities
             of
             committing
             ;
             yet
             he
             does
             it
             not
             by
             an
             immediate
             Supernatural
             Power
             ,
             but
             in
             Human
             ways
             ;
             and
             for
             this
             reason
             commands
             us
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             do
             no
             wickedness
             our selves
             ,
             but
             by
             our
             Advice
             ,
             and
             Counsels
             ,
             and
             Reproofs
             ,
             Authority
             and
             Power
             ,
             to
             hinder
             other
             men
             from
             doing
             wickedly
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             one
             way
             whereby
             God
             hinders
             the
             actual
             commission
             of
             many
             sins
             ,
             by
             obliging
             us
             to
             hinder
             the
             commission
             of
             them
             as
             much
             as
             we
             can
             :
             Which
             shews
             ,
             how
             men
             are
             obliged
             to
             hinder
             the
             commission
             of
             those
             sins
             ,
             which
             God
             is
             not
             obliged
             by
             an
             immediate
             and
             Supernatural
             Power
             to
             hinder
             .
          
           
             3dly
             ,
             To
             be
             sure
             ,
             for
             God
             to
             permit
             the
             actual
             commission
             of
             sin
             ,
             can
             be
             no
             greater
             blemish
             to
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             than
             to
             permit
             men
             to
             conceive
             sin
             in
             their
             hearts
             ;
             for
             therein
             the
             moral
             evil
             consists
             ,
             when
             the
             Will
             chuses
             and
             consents
             to
             it
             :
             The
             external
             Action
             may
             be
             a
             Natural
             ,
             Political
             ,
             or
             Oeconomical
             Evil
             ,
             but
             the
             moral
             Evil
             is
             in
             the
             Will
             and
             Choice
             .
             And
             therefore
             the
             permitting
             or
             hindring
             the
             external
             commission
             of
             sin
             ,
             does
             not
             so
             properly
             concern
             the
             Holiness
             ,
             as
             the
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ;
             for
             to
             hinder
             the
             actual
             commission
             of
             sin
             ,
             does
             not
             prevent
             the
             guilt
             of
             sin
             ,
             for
             the
             man
             has
             the
             guilt
             of
             those
             sins
             ,
             which
             he
             would
             ,
             but
             could
             not
             commit
             ;
             but
             it
             hinders
             that
             mischief
             which
             the
             actual
             commission
             of
             sin
             would
             have
             done
             to
             other
             men
             by
             murthering
             their
             persons
             ,
             or
             defiling
             their
             Wives
             ,
             or
             robbing
             them
             of
             their
             Estates
             and
             good
             Names
             .
          
           
             4thly
             .
             And
             therefore
             there
             may
             be
             wise
             reasons
             for
             God
             to
             permit
             the
             external
             commission
             of
             many
             Sins
             ,
             as
             acts
             of
             Judgment
             and
             Vengeance
             on
             other
             Sinners
             ,
             or
             as
             Acts
             of
             Correction
             and
             Discipline
             on
             Good
             men
             .
             For
             since
             God
             
             very
             rarely
             Punishes
             Bad
             men
             ,
             or
             Corrects
             Good
             men
             by
             an
             immediate
             Power
             ;
             and
             yet
             Punishments
             or
             Corrections
             are
             the
             proper
             Exercise
             of
             Providence
             ;
             it
             cannot
             unbecome
             God
             to
             make
             the
             Sins
             of
             some
             ,
             the
             Corrections
             and
             Punishment
             of
             others
             ;
             that
             it
             is
             so
             ,
             is
             so
             visible
             ,
             that
             I
             need
             not
             prove
             it
             :
             For
             few
             men
             suffer
             any
             great
             Evils
             ,
             but
             from
             other
             mens
             Sins
             :
             And
             if
             God
             take
             care
             as
             most
             certainly
             he
             does
             ,
             to
             direct
             the
             evil
             which
             mens
             Sins
             do
             ,
             to
             light
             upon
             those
             who
             deserve
             to
             suffer
             by
             them
             ;
             it
             is
             a
             mighty
             vindication
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             a
             sufficient
             reason
             why
             God
             should
             permit
             the
             external
             Commission
             of
             Sin.
             
          
           
             5thly
             .
             Especially
             considering
             how
             many
             Wise
             and
             Good
             ends
             God
             can
             serve
             by
             permitting
             Sin
             ;
             as
             to
             render
             Sin
             it self
             infamous
             and
             hateful
             by
             the
             great
             mischief
             it
             does
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             to
             expose
             the
             Sinner
             himself
             to
             shame
             and
             punishment
             ;
             which
             both
             deters
             other
             men
             from
             Sin
             ,
             and
             contributes
             very
             much
             to
             reform
             the
             Sinner
             :
             Nay
             ,
             many
             times
             God
             brings
             about
             great
             and
             excellent
             designs
             by
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             ,
             both
             for
             the
             advancement
             of
             his
             own
             Glory
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             of
             which
             many
             instances
             may
             be
             given
             ,
             were
             it
             needful
             ;
             which
             is
             no
             excuse
             for
             mens
             Sins
             ,
             nor
             any
             reason
             why
             God
             should
             order
             and
             over-rule
             men
             by
             his
             Providence
             to
             commit
             such
             Sins
             ,
             but
             is
             a
             very
             justifiable
             reason
             ,
             why
             God
             should
             permit
             the
             actual
             commission
             of
             Sin
             ,
             when
             he
             can
             bring
             good
             out
             of
             evil
             ,
             and
             serve
             the
             Wise
             ends
             of
             his
             Providence
             by
             it
             .
          
           
             6thly
             .
             And
             therefore
             lastly
             ,
             God
             does
             hinder
             the
             actual
             commission
             of
             Sin
             ,
             as
             often
             as
             he
             sees
             fit
             to
             hinder
             the
             evil
             and
             mischief
             ,
             which
             such
             Sins
             will
             do
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             already
             observed
             ;
             sometimes
             he
             very
             remarkably
             disappoints
             wicked
             Designs
             from
             taking
             effect
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             in
             the
             case
             of
             Haman
             and
             Mordecai
             ,
             when
             the
             Iews
             were
             devoted
             to
             destruction
             :
             And
             we
             have
             as
             many
             instances
             of
             this
             nature
             ,
             as
             we
             have
             discoveries
             of
             Plots
             and
             
             Treasons
             against
             the
             Lives
             of
             Princes
             ,
             and
             the
             Peace
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             ;
             or
             private
             designs
             against
             the
             Lives
             and
             Fortunes
             of
             private
             men
             ;
             and
             how
             much
             unknown
             Wickedness
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             every
             day
             prevents
             ,
             we
             cannot
             tell
             ;
             but
             all
             the
             Wickedness
             Mankind
             would
             commit
             ,
             but
             can't
             ,
             must
             be
             attributed
             to
             the
             restraints
             and
             prevention
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             then
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             every
             Bad
             man
             can
             give
             a
             great
             many
             instances
             of
             such
             disappointments
             which
             he
             himself
             has
             met
             with
             ;
             that
             as
             much
             Evil
             as
             there
             is
             committed
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             yet
             considering
             the
             great
             Wickedness
             and
             Degeneracy
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             believe
             ,
             That
             God
             hinders
             a
             hundred
             times
             more
             than
             he
             permits
             :
             And
             considering
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             it
             becomes
             us
             to
             think
             ,
             That
             God
             never
             permits
             the
             actual
             commission
             of
             any
             Sin
             ,
             but
             he
             Orders
             it
             for
             some
             Wise
             and
             Good
             ends
             .
             And
             this
             I
             hope
             is
             sufficient
             to
             vindicate
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             notwithstanding
             so
             much
             Wickedness
             ,
             as
             is
             daily
             committed
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             The
             Divine
             Providence
             is
             not
             justly
             chargeable
             with
             any
             thing
             ,
             that
             is
             utterly
             inconsistent
             and
             irreconcilable
             with
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Government
             .
          
           
             Now
             since
             the
             permission
             of
             Sin
             is
             very
             reconcilable
             with
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             other
             reasonable
             Objection
             against
             it
             ,
             unless
             we
             could
             prove
             by
             plain
             and
             undeniable
             evidence
             ,
             that
             God
             is
             the
             Cause
             and
             Author
             of
             Sin
             ;
             and
             this
             indeed
             would
             prove
             ,
             that
             God
             does
             not
             Govern
             the
             World
             with
             Holiness
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             any
             proper
             efficiency
             in
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             :
             That
             is
             ,
             did
             God
             tempt
             men
             to
             Sin
             ,
             or
             by
             any
             secret
             influences
             and
             impulses
             incline
             ,
             and
             even
             compel
             them
             to
             Sin.
             
          
           
             But
             the
             least
             thought
             and
             imagination
             of
             this
             is
             a
             very
             great
             Blasphemy
             ,
             and
             the
             greater
             and
             more
             unpardonable
             Blasphemy
             ,
             because
             there
             is
             no
             temptation
             to
             suspect
             any
             
             such
             thing
             of
             God.
             There
             is
             no
             way
             of
             knowing
             this
             ,
             but
             either
             by
             our
             own
             Sense
             and
             Experience
             ,
             or
             by
             Reason
             ,
             or
             by
             Revelation
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             our
             own
             Sense
             and
             Experience
             ,
             this
             can
             prove
             nothing
             :
             For
             no
             man
             finds
             any
             other
             force
             or
             impulse
             ,
             but
             from
             his
             own
             lusts
             and
             sinful
             inclinations
             ;
             
               Every
               man
               is
               tempted
               ,
               when
               he
               is
               drawn
               away
               of
               his
               own
               lust
               and
               enticed
               .
               1.
               
               Iames
            
             14.
             
             Those
             who
             charge
             God
             with
             inclining
             mens
             hearts
             to
             Wickedness
             ,
             yet
             confess
             ,
             that
             this
             is
             done
             by
             such
             secret
             influences
             ,
             as
             no
             man
             can
             distinguish
             from
             the
             workings
             of
             his
             own
             mind
             ;
             which
             is
             plainly
             to
             confess
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             tell
             by
             their
             own
             sense
             and
             feeling
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             thus
             moved
             and
             inclined
             by
             God
             ;
             but
             only
             charge
             their
             Sins
             on
             God
             to
             excuse
             themselves
             .
             Every
             man
             feels
             what
             it
             is
             that
             tempts
             him
             ,
             his
             love
             of
             Riches
             ,
             of
             Pleasures
             ,
             or
             Honours
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             temptation
             and
             impulse
             is
             weaker
             or
             stronger
             ,
             in
             proportion
             to
             his
             fondness
             and
             passion
             for
             these
             tempting
             Objects
             ;
             but
             yet
             he
             feels
             himself
             at
             liberty
             to
             chuse
             and
             determine
             himself
             ,
             and
             finds
             a
             Principle
             within
             him
             ,
             which
             resists
             and
             opposes
             his
             compliance
             with
             the
             temptation
             ,
             as
             contrary
             to
             the
             Will
             and
             Law
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             dictates
             of
             right
             Reason
             ,
             and
             that
             for
             which
             God
             will
             Punish
             him
             .
             And
             is
             there
             any
             reason
             for
             men
             to
             charge
             their
             Sins
             upon
             God
             ,
             when
             the
             only
             thing
             that
             gives
             check
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             makes
             Sin
             uneasy
             ,
             is
             the
             conviction
             of
             their
             own
             Consciences
             ;
             that
             it
             is
             what
             God
             has
             forbid
             ,
             and
             what
             he
             will
             punish
             .
             This
             I
             think
             is
             no
             evidence
             of
             God's
             tempting
             and
             inclining
             men
             to
             Sin
             ,
             that
             he
             has
             imprinted
             on
             our
             minds
             such
             a
             natural
             sense
             of
             his
             abhorrence
             of
             all
             Evil
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             natural
             awe
             and
             dread
             of
             his
             Justice
             that
             while
             we
             preserve
             this
             sense
             strong
             and
             vigorous
             ,
             no
             temptation
             can
             fasten
             on
             us
             .
          
           
             If
             we
             appeal
             to
             Reason
             ,
             the
             Reason
             of
             all
             Mankind
             proves
             ,
             That
             God
             does
             not
             ,
             and
             cannot
             ,
             tempt
             ,
             incline
             ,
             and
             over-rule
             men
             to
             chuse
             or
             to
             act
             any
             Wickedness
             ;
             for
             
             this
             is
             a
             direct
             contradiction
             to
             the
             Holiness
             and
             Purity
             of
             his
             Nature
             ,
             and
             the
             Justice
             of
             his
             Providence
             .
             All
             mankind
             believe
             God
             to
             be
             perfect
             Holiness
             ,
             which
             is
             essential
             to
             the
             very
             notion
             of
             a
             God
             ;
             and
             Reason
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             such
             a
             Pure
             and
             Holy
             Being
             cannot
             be
             the
             Author
             of
             Sin
             ;
             nor
             were
             it
             possible
             to
             vindicate
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             in
             the
             punishment
             of
             sin
             ,
             did
             men
             sin
             by
             Divine
             Impulses
             ,
             or
             by
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             .
          
           
             And
             the
             Scripture
             teaches
             this
             in
             express
             words
             ,
             
               Let
               no
               man
               say
               ,
               when
               he
               is
               tempted
               ,
               I
               am
               tempted
               of
               God
               :
               For
               God
               cannot
               be
               tempted
               with
               evil
               ,
               neither
               tempteth
               he
               any
               man
               ,
            
             1.
             
             James
             13.
             
             And
             all
             the
             Laws
             ,
             and
             Promises
             ,
             and
             Threatnings
             ,
             Exhortations
             ,
             Reproofs
             ,
             and
             passionate
             Expostulations
             ,
             which
             we
             meet
             with
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             if
             they
             mean
             any
             thing
             sincere
             ,
             do
             necessarily
             suppose
             ,
             that
             men
             sin
             freely
             ;
             and
             that
             God
             is
             so
             far
             from
             inclining
             and
             tempting
             men
             to
             sin
             ,
             that
             he
             does
             all
             that
             becomes
             a
             Wise
             and
             Holy
             Being
             to
             restrain
             and
             deter
             them
             from
             it
             .
          
           
             Now
             when
             we
             have
             such
             direct
             and
             positive
             Proofs
             ,
             that
             God
             is
             not
             ,
             and
             cannot
             be
             ,
             the
             Author
             of
             Sin
             ;
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             that
             we
             can
             have
             no
             direct
             and
             positive
             Proof
             that
             he
             is
             ,
             nor
             is
             any
             such
             Proof
             pretended
             ;
             and
             then
             some
             remote
             and
             uncertain
             Consequences
             ,
             which
             are
             owing
             to
             our
             Ignorance
             ,
             or
             confused
             and
             imperfect
             notions
             of
             things
             ,
             or
             to
             some
             obscure
             Expressions
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             are
             not
             ,
             and
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             thought
             sufficient
             to
             disprove
             a
             direct
             and
             positive
             Evidence
             ;
             no
             more
             than
             the
             difficulties
             about
             the
             nature
             of
             motion
             ,
             are
             a
             just
             reason
             to
             deny
             that
             there
             is
             any
             motion
             ,
             when
             we
             daily
             see
             and
             feel
             our selves
             and
             the
             whole
             world
             move
             .
             And
             yet
             such
             kind
             of
             Difficulties
             as
             these
             ,
             is
             all
             that
             is
             pretended
             to
             charge
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             with
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             ;
             the
             most
             material
             of
             which
             I
             intend
             at
             this
             time
             to
             examine
             .
          
           
           
             1.
             
             One
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             most
             plausible
             pretence
             to
             destroy
             the
             Liberty
             of
             Human
             Actions
             ,
             and
             to
             charge
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             upon
             God
             ,
             is
             his
             Praescience
             and
             Foreknowledge
             of
             all
             Future
             Events
             .
             That
             God
             does
             foreknow
             things
             to
             come
             ,
             is
             generally
             acknowledged
             by
             Heathens
             ,
             Jews
             and
             Christians
             ;
             and
             Prophesy
             is
             a
             plain
             demonstration
             of
             it
             ;
             for
             he
             that
             can
             foretell
             things
             to
             come
             ,
             must
             fore-know
             them
             .
          
           
             Now
             from
             hence
             they
             thus
             argue
             ,
             What
             is
             certainly
             fore-known
             ,
             must
             certainly
             be
             ;
             and
             what
             is
             thus
             certain
             ,
             is
             necessary
             :
             and
             therefore
             if
             all
             future
             Events
             are
             certain
             ,
             as
             being
             certainly
             foreknown
             ;
             then
             all
             things
             ,
             even
             all
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             ,
             are
             owing
             to
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             :
             And
             then
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             Author
             of
             this
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             ,
             must
             be
             the
             Cause
             and
             Author
             of
             mens
             Sins
             too
             .
          
           
             Now
             in
             answer
             to
             this
             I
             readily
             grant
             ,
             That
             nothing
             can
             be
             certainly
             fore-known
             ,
             but
             what
             will
             certainly
             be
             ;
             but
             then
             I
             deny
             ,
             that
             nothing
             will
             certainly
             be
             ,
             but
             what
             has
             a
             necessary
             Cause
             .
             For
             we
             see
             ten
             thousand
             effects
             of
             free
             or
             contingent
             Causes
             ,
             which
             certainly
             are
             ,
             though
             they
             might
             never
             have
             been
             ;
             for
             whatever
             is
             ,
             certainly
             is
             ;
             and
             whatever
             certainly
             is
             now
             ,
             was
             certainly
             ,
             though
             not
             necessarily
             ,
             future
             a
             thousand
             years
             ago
             .
             That
             man
             understands
             very
             little
             ,
             who
             knows
             not
             the
             difference
             between
             the
             necessity
             ,
             and
             the
             certainty
             of
             an
             Event
             .
             No
             Event
             is
             necessary
             ,
             but
             that
             which
             has
             a
             necessary
             Cause
             ,
             as
             the
             rising
             and
             sitting
             of
             the
             Sun
             ;
             but
             every
             Event
             is
             certain
             ,
             which
             will
             certainly
             be
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             produced
             by
             a
             Cause
             which
             acts
             freely
             ;
             and
             might
             do
             otherwise
             ,
             if
             it
             pleased
             ,
             as
             all
             the
             free
             Actions
             of
             men
             are
             ;
             some
             of
             which
             ,
             though
             done
             with
             the
             greatest
             freedom
             ,
             may
             be
             as
             certain
             ,
             and
             as
             certainly
             known
             ,
             as
             the
             rising
             of
             the
             Sun.
             Now
             if
             that
             which
             is
             done
             freely
             ,
             may
             be
             certain
             ;
             and
             that
             which
             is
             certain
             ,
             may
             be
             certainly
             known
             ;
             then
             the
             certainty
             of
             God's
             Fore-knowledge
             only
             proves
             the
             certainty
             ,
             but
             not
             
             the
             necessity
             of
             the
             Event
             :
             And
             then
             God
             may
             fore-know
             all
             Events
             ,
             and
             yet
             lay
             no
             necessity
             on
             mankind
             to
             do
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             wicked
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             thing
             ,
             fore-knowledge
             lays
             no
             greater
             necessity
             upon
             that
             which
             is
             fore-known
             ,
             than
             knowledge
             does
             upon
             that
             which
             is
             known
             ;
             for
             fore-knowledge
             is
             nothing
             but
             knowledge
             ;
             and
             knowledge
             is
             not
             the
             cause
             of
             the
             thing
             which
             is
             known
             ,
             much
             less
             the
             necessary
             cause
             of
             it
             .
             We
             certainly
             know
             at
             what
             time
             the
             Sun
             will
             rise
             and
             sit
             every
             day
             in
             the
             year
             ,
             but
             our
             knowledge
             is
             not
             the
             cause
             of
             the
             Sun
             's
             rising
             or
             sitting
             :
             Nay
             ,
             in
             many
             cases
             ,
             in
             proportion
             to
             our
             knowledg
             of
             men
             ,
             we
             may
             with
             great
             certainty
             foretel
             what
             they
             will
             do
             ,
             and
             how
             they
             will
             behave
             themselves
             in
             such
             or
             such
             circumstances
             ;
             and
             did
             we
             perfectly
             know
             them
             ,
             we
             should
             rarely
             ,
             if
             ever
             mistake
             ;
             for
             though
             men
             act
             freely
             ,
             they
             do
             not
             act
             arbitrarily
             ,
             but
             there
             is
             always
             some
             byass
             upon
             their
             minds
             ,
             which
             inclines
             and
             draws
             them
             ;
             and
             the
             more
             confirmed
             habits
             men
             have
             of
             Vertue
             or
             Vice
             ,
             the
             more
             certainly
             and
             steadily
             they
             act
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             certainly
             we
             may
             know
             them
             ,
             without
             making
             them
             either
             vertuous
             or
             vicious
             .
          
           
             Now
             could
             we
             certainly
             know
             what
             all
             men
             would
             do
             ,
             before
             they
             do
             it
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             evident
             ,
             that
             this
             would
             neither
             make
             ,
             nor
             prove
             them
             to
             be
             necessary
             Agents
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             though
             the
             perfection
             of
             the
             Divine
             Knowledge
             is
             such
             ,
             as
             to
             know
             our
             thoughts
             afar
             off
             ,
             before
             we
             think
             them
             ,
             yet
             this
             does
             not
             make
             us
             think
             such
             Thoughts
             ,
             nor
             do
             such
             Actions
             .
          
           
             How
             God
             can
             foreknow
             things
             to
             come
             ,
             even
             such
             Events
             as
             depend
             upon
             the
             most
             free
             and
             contingent
             Causes
             ,
             we
             cannot
             tell
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             not
             incredible
             that
             Infinite
             Knowledge
             should
             do
             this
             ,
             when
             Wise
             men
             ,
             whose
             Knowledge
             is
             so
             very
             imperfect
             ,
             can
             with
             such
             great
             probability
             ,
             almost
             to
             the
             degree
             of
             certainty
             ,
             foresee
             many
             Events
             ,
             which
             depend
             also
             upon
             free
             and
             contingent
             Causes
             :
             And
             if
             we
             
             will
             allow
             ,
             that
             God's
             Praescience
             is
             owing
             to
             the
             perfection
             of
             his
             Knowledge
             ,
             then
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             that
             it
             neither
             makes
             ,
             nor
             proves
             any
             fatal
             necessity
             of
             Events
             .
             If
             we
             say
             indeed
             ,
             as
             some
             men
             do
             ,
             that
             God
             foreknows
             all
             things
             ,
             because
             he
             has
             absolutely
             decreed
             whatever
             shall
             come
             to
             pass
             ,
             this
             I
             grant
             does
             infer
             a
             fatal
             necessity
             ;
             and
             yet
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             God's
             Fore-knowledge
             ,
             but
             his
             Decree
             ,
             which
             creates
             the
             necessity
             :
             All
             things
             ,
             upon
             this
             Supposition
             ,
             are
             necessary
             ,
             not
             because
             God
             foreknows
             them
             ,
             but
             because
             by
             his
             unalterable
             Decrees
             he
             has
             made
             them
             necessary
             ;
             he
             foreknows
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             necessary
             ,
             but
             does
             not
             make
             them
             necessary
             by
             foreknowing
             them
             ;
             but
             if
             this
             were
             the
             truth
             of
             the
             case
             ,
             God's
             Praescience
             ,
             considered
             only
             as
             fore-knowing
             ,
             would
             be
             no
             greater
             perfection
             of
             knowledge
             ,
             than
             men
             have
             ,
             who
             can
             certainly
             fore-know
             what
             they
             certainly
             intend
             to
             do
             ,
             and
             it
             seems
             God
             can
             do
             no
             more
             .
             But
             thus
             much
             we
             learn
             from
             these
             mens
             Confession
             ,
             That
             Foreknowledge
             ,
             in
             its
             own
             nature
             ,
             lays
             no
             necessity
             upon
             Human
             Actions
             ;
             that
             if
             God
             can
             fore-know
             ,
             what
             he
             has
             not
             absolutely
             and
             peremptorily
             decreed
             ,
             how
             certain
             soever
             such
             Events
             may
             be
             ,
             his
             Fore-knowledge
             does
             not
             make
             them
             necessary
             .
             And
             therefore
             we
             cannot
             prove
             the
             necessity
             of
             all
             Events
             from
             God's
             Fore-knowledge
             ,
             till
             we
             have
             first
             proved
             ,
             that
             God
             can
             foreknow
             nothing
             but
             what
             is
             necessary
             :
             That
             is
             in
             truth
             ,
             That
             there
             is
             no
             such
             Perfection
             as
             Praescience
             belonging
             to
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             ;
             for
             to
             foreknow
             things
             in
             a
             Decree
             ,
             or
             only
             in
             necessary
             Causes
             ,
             is
             no
             more
             that
             perfection
             of
             Knowledge
             ,
             which
             we
             call
             Praescience
             ,
             than
             it
             is
             Praescience
             in
             us
             ,
             to
             know
             what
             we
             intend
             to
             do
             to
             morrow
             ,
             or
             that
             the
             Sun
             will
             rise
             to
             morrow
             .
             But
             that
             God's
             Fore-knowledge
             is
             not
             owing
             to
             a
             necessity
             of
             the
             Event
             ,
             and
             therefore
             cannot
             prove
             any
             such
             necessity
             ,
             is
             evident
             from
             hence
             ,
             That
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             which
             attributes
             this
             Fore-knowledge
             to
             God
             ,
             does
             also
             assert
             the
             liberty
             of
             Human
             
             Actions
             ,
             charges
             mens
             Sins
             and
             final
             Ruin
             on
             themselves
             ,
             sets
             before
             them
             Life
             and
             Death
             ,
             Blessing
             and
             Cursing
             ,
             as
             I
             observed
             before
             :
             Now
             how
             difficult
             soever
             it
             may
             be
             to
             reconcile
             Praescience
             and
             Liberty
             ,
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             that
             Necessity
             and
             Liberty
             can
             never
             be
             reconciled
             ;
             and
             therefore
             if
             men
             act
             freely
             ,
             they
             do
             not
             act
             necessarily
             ;
             and
             if
             God
             does
             foreknow
             what
             men
             will
             do
             ,
             and
             yet
             men
             act
             freely
             ,
             then
             it
             is
             certain
             that
             God
             foreknows
             what
             men
             will
             freely
             do
             :
             That
             is
             ,
             That
             Foreknowledge
             is
             not
             owing
             to
             the
             necessity
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             perfection
             of
             Knowledge
             :
             And
             this
             is
             enough
             to
             satisfy
             all
             Christians
             ,
             who
             cannot
             reason
             nicely
             about
             these
             matters
             ,
             that
             this
             Argument
             from
             Praescience
             to
             prove
             the
             necessity
             of
             Human
             Actions
             ,
             and
             consequently
             to
             charge
             mens
             Sins
             upon
             God
             ,
             must
             be
             fallacious
             and
             deceitful
             ,
             because
             the
             Scripture
             teaches
             the
             Fore-knowledge
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             yet
             charges
             the
             guilt
             of
             mens
             Sins
             upon
             themselves
             :
             And
             if
             we
             believe
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             we
             must
             believe
             both
             these
             ;
             and
             then
             we
             must
             confess
             ,
             that
             Praescience
             does
             not
             destroy
             Liberty
             .
          
           
             2dly
             ,
             Another
             Objection
             against
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             is
             this
             ;
             That
             God
             does
             not
             only
             foreknow
             ,
             but
             decrees
             such
             Events
             ,
             as
             are
             brought
             to
             pass
             by
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             ;
             and
             therefore
             at
             least
             in
             such
             Cases
             ,
             he
             must
             decree
             mens
             Sins
             too
             .
             We
             have
             a
             famous
             Example
             of
             this
             in
             the
             Crucifixion
             of
             our
             Saviour
             :
             Never
             was
             there
             a
             more
             wicked
             Action
             committed
             ,
             and
             yet
             St.
             Peter
             tells
             the
             Iews
             ,
             that
             this
             was
             the
             effect
             of
             God's
             Counsel
             and
             Decrees
             .
             
               Him
               ,
               being
               delivered
               by
               the
               determinate
               counsel
               and
               foreknowledge
               of
               God
               ,
               ye
               have
               taken
               ,
               and
               by
               wicked
               hands
               have
               crucified
               and
               slain
               ,
            
             2.
             
             Acts
             23.
             
          
           
             But
             if
             we
             consider
             the
             words
             carefully
             ,
             this
             very
             Text
             will
             answer
             the
             Objection
             .
             For
             what
             does
             St.
             Peter
             say
             was
             done
             
               by
               the
               determinate
               counsel
               and
               foreknowledge
               of
               God
               ?
            
             Did
             they
             
               take
               him
               ,
               and
               by
               wicked
               hands
               crucify
               and
               slay
               him
               by
               the
               determinate
               counsel
               and
               foreknowledge
               of
               
               God
               ?
            
             This
             is
             not
             said
             ;
             but
             he
             was
             delivered
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             put
             into
             their
             power
             ,
             
               by
               the
               determinate
               counsel
               and
               fore-knowledge
               of
               God
               ,
            
             and
             then
             they
             took
             him
             ,
             and
             with
             wicked
             hands
             slew
             him
             :
             And
             then
             we
             must
             observe
             ,
             that
             here
             are
             two
             distinct
             Acts
             of
             God
             relating
             to
             this
             Event
             ;
             
               The
               determinate
               counsel
            
             ,
             and
             
               the
               fore-knowledge
               of
               God.
            
             The
             Will
             or
             Counsel
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             he
             had
             fore-ordain'd
             ,
             and
             praedetermined
             ,
             the
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             was
             ,
             that
             Christ
             should
             die
             an
             Expiatory
             Sacrifice
             for
             the
             Sins
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             which
             was
             a
             work
             of
             such
             stupendious
             Wisdom
             ,
             Goodness
             ,
             Holiness
             and
             Justice
             ,
             that
             nothing
             could
             more
             become
             God
             ,
             than
             such
             Counsels
             and
             Decrees
             .
             But
             then
             by
             his
             Infinite
             Praescience
             and
             Foreknowledge
             he
             saw
             by
             what
             means
             this
             would
             be
             done
             ,
             if
             he
             thought
             fit
             to
             permit
             it
             ;
             viz.
             by
             the
             Treachery
             of
             Iudas
             ,
             by
             the
             Malice
             of
             the
             Scribes
             and
             Pharisees
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             Compliance
             of
             the
             Roman
             Powers
             ;
             and
             this
             he
             determined
             to
             permit
             ,
             and
             to
             deliver
             him
             up
             into
             their
             hands
             ;
             the
             certain
             effect
             of
             which
             would
             be
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             take
             him
             ,
             and
             with
             wicked
             hands
             crucify
             him
             ,
             and
             slay
             him
             .
             So
             that
             though
             God
             did
             decree
             ,
             that
             Christ
             should
             die
             ,
             yet
             he
             did
             not
             decree
             ,
             that
             Judas
             should
             betray
             him
             ,
             or
             that
             the
             Scribes
             and
             Pharises
             ,
             and
             
               Pontius
               Pilate
            
             should
             condemn
             and
             crucify
             him
             ;
             but
             this
             he
             foresaw
             ,
             and
             this
             he
             decreed
             to
             permit
             ,
             and
             to
             accomplish
             his
             own
             Wise
             Counsels
             for
             the
             Salvation
             of
             mankind
             by
             such
             Wicked
             Instruments
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             nothing
             in
             all
             this
             unworthy
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             unbecoming
             the
             Holiness
             of
             his
             Providence
             .
             And
             thus
             it
             is
             with
             reference
             to
             all
             other
             Events
             ,
             which
             are
             decreed
             by
             God
             ;
             He
             never
             decrees
             any
             thing
             but
             what
             is
             holy
             and
             good
             ;
             and
             though
             he
             many
             times
             accomplishes
             his
             Wise
             Decrees
             by
             the
             Wickedness
             and
             Sins
             of
             men
             ,
             yet
             he
             never
             decrees
             their
             Sins
             ;
             but
             by
             his
             foresight
             and
             wonderful
             Wisdom
             ,
             so
             disposes
             and
             orders
             things
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             their
             Sins
             ,
             which
             they
             freely
             and
             resolvedly
             commit
             ,
             and
             which
             nothing
             but
             an
             irresistible
             Power
             could
             hinder
             
             them
             from
             committing
             ,
             serve
             the
             Wise
             and
             Gracious
             ends
             of
             his
             Providence
             .
             This
             is
             Wisdom
             too
             wonderful
             for
             us
             ;
             but
             thus
             we
             know
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             and
             thus
             the
             Scripture
             assure
             us
             it
             is
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             Another
             pretence
             for
             charging
             God
             with
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             ,
             is
             from
             some
             obscure
             expressions
             of
             Scripture
             ;
             which
             ,
             when
             expounded
             to
             a
             strict
             literal
             sense
             ,
             as
             some
             men
             expound
             them
             ,
             seem
             to
             attribute
             to
             God
             some
             kind
             of
             Causality
             and
             Efficiency
             in
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             .
          
           
             But
             unless
             we
             will
             make
             the
             Scripture
             contradict
             it self
             ,
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             that
             those
             few
             Texts
             ,
             which
             seem
             to
             make
             God
             the
             Author
             of
             Sin
             ,
             are
             misunderstood
             :
             Because
             not
             only
             some
             few
             particular
             Texts
             ,
             but
             all
             the
             natural
             Notions
             we
             have
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             very
             nature
             and
             design
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             three
             parts
             of
             the
             Bible
             ,
             either
             directly
             ,
             or
             by
             necessary
             consequence
             ,
             prove
             the
             contrary
             .
             And
             supposing
             then
             ,
             that
             we
             could
             give
             no
             tolerable
             account
             of
             such
             Texts
             ,
             is
             it
             not
             more
             reasonable
             to
             conclude
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             only
             our
             ignorance
             of
             the
             Eastern
             Language
             and
             Phrase
             ,
             which
             makes
             them
             obscure
             and
             difficult
             to
             us
             ,
             than
             to
             expound
             them
             to
             such
             a
             sense
             ,
             as
             contradicts
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Bible
             ?
          
           
             But
             I
             do
             not
             intend
             this
             for
             an
             Answer
             ,
             or
             as
             some
             will
             call
             it
             an
             Evasion
             ,
             but
             shall
             consider
             these
             Texts
             particularly
             .
             And
             the
             first
             place
             relates
             to
             God's
             hardening
             
             Pharaoh's
             heart
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             not
             let
             the
             People
             of
             Israel
             go
             ,
             notwithstanding
             all
             the
             signs
             and
             wonders
             which
             Moses
             wrought
             in
             
               Egypt
               :
               4.
               
               Exod.
            
             21.
             
             Where
             God
             expresly
             tells
             Moses
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             
               harden
               Pharaoh's
               heart
            
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             Story
             it self
             ,
             it
             is
             several
             times
             expressed
             ,
             that
             
               God
               did
               harden
               Pharaoh's
               heart
            
             ;
             and
             he
             who
             hardens
             the
             heart
             ,
             seems
             to
             be
             the
             efficient
             Cause
             of
             all
             those
             Sins
             ,
             which
             such
             a
             hard
             heart
             commits
             .
          
           
             Now
             rightly
             to
             understand
             this
             ,
             which
             has
             given
             so
             much
             trouble
             to
             Divines
             ,
             there
             are
             many
             things
             to
             be
             considered
             .
          
           
           
             Hardness
             of
             heart
             is
             a
             Metaphorical
             expression
             ,
             and
             signifies
             such
             a
             firmness
             and
             obstinacy
             of
             temper
             or
             resolution
             ,
             as
             will
             yield
             to
             no
             motives
             or
             perswasions
             ,
             that
             will
             no
             more
             receive
             any
             impressions
             ,
             than
             a
             hard
             and
             impenetrable
             Rock
             .
             And
             therefore
             to
             harden
             the
             heart
             ,
             is
             to
             give
             it
             such
             a
             stiffness
             and
             obstinacy
             ,
             as
             will
             not
             yield
             .
             But
             then
             there
             are
             several
             ways
             of
             hardening
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             and
             some
             of
             them
             very
             Innocent
             and
             Holy
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Just
             ;
             and
             before
             we
             charge
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             upon
             this
             account
             ,
             we
             must
             know
             in
             what
             way
             God
             hardens
             :
             immediately
             to
             infuse
             into
             mens
             hearts
             an
             unrelenting
             hardness
             and
             obstinacy
             in
             a
             sinful
             course
             ,
             is
             inconsistent
             with
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             would
             in
             the
             most
             proper
             sense
             make
             God
             the
             Author
             of
             Sin
             ;
             but
             though
             God
             says
             ,
             he
             would
             harden
             Pharaoh
             ;
             he
             does
             not
             say
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             infuse
             hardness
             into
             
             Pharaoh's
             heart
             .
          
           
             For
             we
             may
             observe
             ,
             That
             men
             who
             have
             first
             hardened
             themselves
             ,
             take
             the
             most
             innocent
             occasions
             to
             grow
             harder
             ;
             nay
             ,
             are
             hardened
             by
             such
             usage
             ,
             as
             would
             either
             break
             or
             soften
             other
             men
             :
             And
             those
             who
             treat
             them
             in
             such
             a
             manner
             ,
             as
             their
             wicked
             hearts
             abuse
             to
             harden
             themselves
             ,
             may
             be
             said
             to
             harden
             them
             ;
             as
             in
             common
             speech
             ,
             we
             charge
             those
             with
             undoing
             and
             hardening
             their
             Children
             and
             Servants
             ,
             who
             have
             spoiled
             them
             by
             too
             much
             indulgence
             ,
             or
             by
             too
             great
             severity
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             the
             account
             that
             Origen
             gives
             of
             it
             .
             And
             indeed
             when
             men
             are
             said
             to
             harden
             themselves
             ,
             as
             Pharaoh
             is
             often
             said
             
               to
               harden
               his
               own
               heart
            
             ,
             and
             yet
             God
             is
             said
             to
             harden
             them
             ;
             there
             can
             be
             no
             other
             account
             given
             of
             it
             but
             this
             ,
             that
             men
             take
             occasion
             from
             what
             God
             does
             ;
             take
             occasion
             ,
             where
             no
             occasion
             was
             given
             ,
             to
             harden
             themselves
             ,
             as
             St.
             Paul
             observes
             the
             Iews
             did
             from
             God's
             patience
             and
             long-suffering
             ,
             2.
             
             
               Rom
               ▪
               4
               ,
               5.
               
               Or
               despisest
               thou
               the
               riches
               of
               his
               goodness
               ,
               and
               forbearance
               ,
               and
               long
               suffering
               ;
               not
               knowing
               that
               the
               goodness
               of
               God
               leadeth
               thee
               to
               repentance
            
             ;
             i.e.
             should
             
             lead
             thee
             to
             repentance
             ,
             not
             harden
             thee
             in
             Sin
             ,
             though
             it
             have
             another
             effect
             through
             thy
             own
             wickedness
             .
             
               But
               after
               thy
               hardness
               and
               impenitent
               heart
               ,
            
             growest
             more
             hard
             and
             impenitent
             by
             God's
             forbearance
             ,
             
               and
               treasurest
               up
               unto
               thy self
               wrath
               against
               the
               day
               of
               wrath
               and
               the
               revelation
               of
               the
               righteous
               judgment
               of
               God.
            
             And
             thus
             God
             hardened
             Pharaoh
             ,
             or
             thus
             Pharaoh
             took
             occasion
             to
             harden
             himself
             ,
             from
             those
             Judgments
             which
             ought
             to
             have
             softened
             him
             ;
             and
             God
             foreseeing
             that
             this
             would
             be
             the
             effect
             of
             it
             ,
             says
             ,
             I
             will
             harden
             
             Pharaoh's
             heart
             ;
             not
             ,
             I
             will
             infuse
             hardness
             into
             him
             ,
             but
             ,
             I
             will
             do
             such
             things
             as
             I
             certainly
             know
             his
             hard
             and
             wicked
             heart
             will
             improve
             into
             new
             occasions
             ,
             and
             new
             degrees
             of
             hardness
             .
             For
             it
             is
             no
             reason
             either
             for
             God
             or
             men
             to
             forbear
             doing
             what
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Goodness
             direct
             to
             be
             done
             ,
             because
             hardened
             Sinners
             will
             harden
             themselves
             the
             more
             by
             it
             .
             And
             that
             this
             is
             the
             truth
             of
             the
             case
             appears
             from
             the
             whole
             Story
             .
          
           
             That
             which
             hardened
             Pharaoh
             ,
             and
             made
             him
             so
             resolved
             not
             to
             part
             with
             Israel
             ,
             was
             the
             great
             advantage
             he
             made
             of
             their
             Service
             and
             Bondage
             ,
             which
             made
             him
             impatient
             to
             think
             of
             sending
             away
             a
             people
             ,
             which
             were
             so
             useful
             to
             him
             .
             To
             conquer
             this
             obstinate
             humour
             God
             sends
             Moses
             to
             deliver
             
               Israel
               with
               a
               mighty
               arm
               ,
               and
               out-stretched
               hand
               .
               Moses
            
             wrought
             such
             mighty
             Wonders
             ,
             and
             inflicted
             such
             miraculous
             and
             terrible
             Judgments
             on
             Egypt
             ,
             as
             any
             one
             would
             have
             thought
             the
             most
             proper
             means
             ,
             not
             to
             have
             hardened
             ,
             but
             to
             have
             broken
             and
             subdued
             the
             most
             hardened
             hearts
             ;
             but
             this
             had
             a
             contrary
             effect
             upon
             a
             hardened
             Pharaoh
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             visible
             what
             it
             was
             that
             hardened
             him
             .
          
           
             Some
             of
             these
             Signs
             and
             Wonders
             were
             imitated
             by
             the
             Magicians
             ,
             as
             turning
             their
             Rods
             into
             Serpents
             ,
             and
             Water
             into
             Blood
             ,
             and
             bringing
             Frogs
             upon
             the
             Land
             ;
             and
             upon
             this
             he
             hardened
             his
             heart
             ;
             though
             the
             Plague
             of
             Frogs
             was
             so
             grievous
             ,
             that
             it
             made
             him
             somewhat
             
             relent
             ,
             and
             promise
             to
             let
             the
             People
             go
             ,
             and
             Sacrifice
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             if
             the
             Frogs
             might
             be
             removed
             ;
             but
             then
             God's
             goodness
             in
             removing
             this
             Plague
             hardened
             him
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             expresly
             observed
             ,
             That
             
               when
               Pharaoh
               saw
               there
               was
               respite
               ,
               he
               hardened
               his
               heart
               ,
               8.
               
               Exod.
            
             15.
             
             And
             thus
             it
             was
             in
             the
             succeeding
             Judgments
             ;
             while
             any
             judgment
             was
             upon
             him
             ,
             he
             yielded
             ,
             and
             promised
             fair
             to
             let
             the
             people
             go
             ;
             that
             had
             any
             one
             of
             those
             Judgments
             continued
             on
             him
             till
             he
             had
             parted
             with
             Israel
             ,
             he
             had
             certainly
             sent
             them
             away
             long
             before
             ;
             but
             when
             he
             saw
             one
             Judgment
             removed
             after
             another
             ,
             he
             thought
             there
             would
             be
             an
             end
             of
             them
             at
             last
             ,
             and
             it
             were
             better
             to
             endure
             a
             while
             than
             to
             part
             with
             Israel
             ;
             and
             thus
             God
             hardened
             his
             heart
             ,
             and
             he
             hardened
             his
             own
             heart
             ;
             till
             the
             Death
             of
             all
             the
             First-born
             put
             him
             ,
             and
             his
             Servants
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             People
             into
             such
             a
             terrible
             fright
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             glad
             to
             get
             rid
             of
             Israel
             to
             save
             their
             own
             Lives
             .
          
           
             And
             to
             compleat
             all
             ,
             God
             still
             hardened
             
             Pharaoh's
             heart
             to
             pursue
             after
             Israel
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             overthrow
             him
             and
             all
             his
             Host
             in
             the
             Red
             Sea
             :
             And
             for
             that
             end
             ,
             
               God
               led
               the
               people
               about
               through
               the
               way
               of
               the
               wilderness
               of
               the
               red
               sea
               ,
               that
               Pharaoh
               might
               say
               ,
               They
               are
               intangled
               in
               the
               land
               ,
               the
               wilderness
               hath
               shut
               them
               in
               :
               and
               it
               was
               told
               the
               king
               of
               Egypt
               ,
               that
               the
               people
               fled
               :
               and
               the
               heart
               of
               Pharaoh
               and
               of
               his
               servants
               was
               turned
               against
               the
               people
               ;
               and
               they
               said
               ,
               Why
               have
               we
               done
               this
               ,
               that
               we
               have
               let
               Israel
               go
               from
               serving
               us
               ?
               14.
               
               Exod.
            
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5.
             
             The
             report
             of
             their
             flying
             ,
             and
             the
             apprehension
             of
             their
             being
             intangled
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             made
             Pharaoh
             and
             his
             Servants
             quickly
             forget
             what
             they
             had
             suffered
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             think
             of
             nothing
             but
             the
             loss
             of
             the
             Service
             of
             Israel
             ,
             which
             hardened
             them
             to
             a
             new
             pursuit
             ,
             and
             was
             ordered
             by
             God
             to
             that
             end
             ,
             that
             
               he
               might
               be
               honoured
               upon
               Pharaoh
               ,
               and
               upon
               all
               his
               Host.
            
             This
             is
             the
             account
             the
             Scripture
             gives
             us
             of
             God's
             hardening
             
             Pharaoh's
             heart
             ,
             which
             contains
             nothing
             that
             unbecomes
             
             a
             Wise
             and
             a
             Holy
             Being
             .
             For
             though
             it
             can
             never
             become
             a
             Holy
             God
             to
             infuse
             hardness
             into
             mens
             hearts
             ;
             yet
             when
             men
             have
             hardened
             themselves
             ,
             and
             will
             abuse
             all
             the
             Wise
             methods
             of
             Providence
             to
             harden
             themselves
             ,
             and
             are
             now
             ripe
             for
             destruction
             ,
             it
             very
             much
             becomes
             a
             Just
             and
             Righteous
             God
             ,
             to
             exercise
             them
             with
             such
             Providences
             as
             he
             knows
             will
             still
             harden
             them
             ,
             till
             they
             make
             themselves
             such
             infamous
             examples
             of
             Wickedness
             ,
             as
             may
             deserve
             a
             more
             glorious
             and
             exemplary
             Vengeance
             :
             Which
             is
             another
             thing
             to
             be
             considered
             in
             the
             case
             of
             Pharaoh
             ,
             and
             very
             necessary
             to
             the
             full
             understanding
             this
             difficult
             case
             of
             God's
             hardening
             mens
             hearts
             .
          
           
             God
             had
             peremptorily
             decreed
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             deliver
             Israel
             ,
             but
             to
             punish
             Egypt
             ,
             both
             King
             and
             People
             for
             the
             cruel
             oppression
             of
             Israel
             .
             And
             therefore
             he
             might
             without
             any
             more
             solemnity
             have
             destroyed
             Pharaoh
             ,
             his
             People
             ,
             and
             Land
             ,
             and
             have
             carried
             Israel
             out
             of
             Egypt
             with
             a
             mighty
             hand
             :
             But
             when
             they
             had
             deserved
             to
             be
             Punished
             and
             Destroyed
             ,
             and
             God
             had
             resolved
             to
             Punish
             them
             ,
             the
             manner
             of
             their
             Punishment
             was
             at
             the
             free
             disposal
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ;
             and
             therefore
             he
             chose
             to
             Punish
             them
             in
             such
             a
             way
             ,
             as
             might
             make
             the
             Glory
             and
             Power
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             known
             to
             the
             World.
             And
             this
             is
             the
             very
             account
             which
             God
             himself
             gives
             ,
             why
             he
             took
             such
             a
             course
             with
             Pharaoh
             ,
             as
             he
             foresaw
             would
             harden
             and
             confirm
             him
             in
             his
             resolutions
             of
             not
             parting
             with
             Israel
             ,
             when
             he
             could
             have
             forced
             him
             at
             the
             expence
             of
             fewer
             Miracles
             to
             have
             sent
             them
             away
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             so
             pleased
             .
             
               I
               will
               harden
               Pharaoh's
               heart
               ,
               and
               multiply
               my
               signs
               and
               wonders
               in
               the
               land
               of
               Egypt
               .
               But
               Pharaoh
               shall
               not
               hearken
               unto
               you
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               lay
               my
               hand
               upon
               Egypt
               ,
               and
               bring
               forth
               mine
               armies
               ,
               and
               my
               people
               the
               children
               of
               Israel
               out
               of
               the
               land
               of
               Egypt
               by
               great
               judgments
               .
               And
               the
               Egyptians
               shall
               know
               that
               I
               am
               the
               Lord
               ,
               when
               I
               stretch
               forth
               my
               hand
               upon
               Egypt
               ,
               and
               bring
               out
               the
               children
               of
               Israel
               from
               among
               them
               ,
               7.
               
               Exod.
            
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5.
             
             
             The
             same
             thing
             he
             tells
             
               Pharaoh
               .
               I
               will
               at
               this
               time
               send
               all
               my
               plagues
               upon
               thy
               heart
               ,
               and
               upon
               thy
               servants
               ,
               and
               upon
               thy
               people
               ,
               that
               thou
               mayest
               know
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               none
               like
               me
               in
               all
               the
               earth
               .
               For
               now
               I
               will
               stretch
               out
               my
               hand
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               smite
               thee
               and
               thy
               people
               with
               pestilence
               ,
               and
               thou
               shalt
               be
               cut
               off
               from
               the
               earth
               .
               And
               in
               very
               deed
               for
               this
               cause
               have
               I
               raised
               thee
               up
               ,
            
             have
             all
             this
             time
             preserved
             thee
             ,
             and
             not
             cut
             thee
             off
             ,
             
               for
               to
               shew
               in
               thee
               my
               power
               ,
               and
               that
               my
               name
               may
               be
               declared
               throughout
               all
               the
               earth
               ,
               9.
               
               Exod.
            
             14
             ,
             15
             ,
             16.
             
             And
             this
             reason
             God
             gives
             why
             he
             hardened
             
             Pharaoh's
             heart
             to
             pursue
             
               Israel
               ,
               I
               will
               be
               honoured
               upon
               Pharaoh
               and
               upon
               all
               his
               host
               ,
               that
               the
               Egyptians
               may
               know
               ,
               that
               I
               am
               the
               Lord
               ,
               14.
               
               Exod.
            
             4.
             
             This
             is
             diligently
             to
             be
             observed
             to
             vindicate
             the
             Holiness
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             .
             For
             though
             God
             infuses
             no
             hardness
             into
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             yet
             if
             he
             exercise
             them
             with
             such
             Providences
             ,
             as
             he
             foresees
             will
             harden
             them
             ,
             and
             does
             this
             with
             an
             intention
             and
             design
             to
             harden
             them
             ;
             this
             signifies
             his
             Will
             to
             harden
             them
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             moral
             Efficiency
             in
             using
             hardening
             Providences
             ,
             as
             will
             as
             certainly
             harden
             them
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             had
             infused
             hardness
             into
             them
             .
             And
             this
             makes
             little
             difference
             ,
             whether
             God
             hardens
             men
             by
             external
             Providences
             ,
             or
             by
             an
             internal
             Operation
             on
             their
             minds
             ;
             when
             he
             intends
             such
             Providences
             to
             harden
             them
             ,
             and
             knows
             that
             they
             will
             effectually
             do
             it
             .
          
           
             Now
             I
             readily
             grant
             ,
             that
             tho
             God
             infused
             no
             hardness
             into
             
             Pharaoh's
             heart
             ,
             nor
             did
             any
             thing
             which
             unbecomes
             a
             holy
             God
             to
             do
             ;
             yet
             he
             did
             intend
             to
             harden
             him
             ,
             and
             did
             intend
             to
             harden
             him
             on
             purpose
             to
             multiply
             his
             Judgments
             on
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             to
             destroy
             him
             and
             all
             his
             Host
             in
             the
             
               Red
               Sea
            
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             so
             plainly
             expressed
             ,
             that
             we
             cannot
             deny
             it
             .
             Nay
             ,
             I
             readily
             grant
             ,
             that
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             would
             be
             justly
             chargeable
             with
             mens
             Sins
             ,
             did
             he
             without
             any
             respect
             to
             the
             merit
             and
             desert
             of
             the
             Persons
             ,
             by
             such
             insensible
             methods
             betray
             them
             into
             sin
             ,
             with
             an
             intention
             
             to
             harden
             them
             :
             For
             what
             man
             is
             there
             of
             such
             a
             firm
             and
             constant
             vertue
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             able
             to
             resist
             all
             Temptations
             ,
             which
             a
             long
             series
             of
             Providences
             ,
             chosen
             and
             directed
             for
             that
             purpose
             by
             a
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ,
             could
             bring
             him
             into
             ?
          
           
             But
             yet
             when
             men
             have
             sinned
             themselves
             into
             such
             a
             hardened
             state
             ,
             as
             to
             deserve
             to
             be
             destroyed
             ;
             and
             when
             God
             is
             so
             far
             provoked
             by
             their
             Sins
             ,
             as
             to
             resolve
             to
             destroy
             them
             ,
             it
             becomes
             the
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             the
             Justice
             of
             God
             ,
             without
             any
             impeachment
             of
             his
             Holiness
             ,
             to
             harden
             men
             by
             external
             Events
             and
             Appearances
             ;
             not
             in
             Sin
             ,
             which
             can
             never
             become
             a
             Holy
             God
             ,
             but
             in
             such
             ruinous
             Courses
             as
             their
             own
             wicked
             hearts
             betray
             them
             to
             ,
             and
             as
             will
             bring
             inevitable
             ruin
             on
             them
             .
             And
             this
             is
             the
             true
             resolution
             on
             this
             Case
             ;
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             God
             never
             hardens
             any
             men
             till
             they
             have
             deserved
             ,
             and
             he
             is
             resolved
             to
             destroy
             them
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             then
             he
             does
             not
             harden
             them
             in
             Sin
             ,
             but
             in
             such
             Ruinous
             Counsels
             as
             their
             own
             Sins
             betray
             them
             to
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             That
             all
             this
             is
             done
             ,
             not
             by
             the
             natural
             ,
             or
             moral
             efficacy
             ,
             but
             by
             their
             own
             wicked
             abuse
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             To
             compleat
             all
             ,
             When
             God
             has
             thus
             determined
             to
             destroy
             any
             Person
             ,
             or
             People
             ,
             he
             many
             times
             inflicts
             on
             them
             a
             penal
             blindness
             and
             infatuation
             ,
             not
             to
             see
             the
             things
             which
             concern
             their
             peace
             .
          
           
             These
             four
             Particulars
             contain
             a
             full
             and
             easy
             account
             of
             this
             perplext
             Doctrine
             of
             God's
             hardening
             mens
             hearts
             ;
             and
             therefore
             I
             shall
             speak
             distinctly
             ,
             but
             briefly
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             God
             never
             hardens
             men
             ,
             till
             they
             have
             deserved
             ,
             and
             he
             is
             resolved
             ,
             to
             destroy
             them
             .
             This
             must
             be
             laid
             as
             
             the
             foundation
             of
             all
             ;
             for
             by
             what
             means
             soever
             God
             hardens
             men
             ,
             how
             innocent
             soever
             they
             may
             appear
             ,
             if
             he
             intends
             to
             harden
             them
             ,
             not
             because
             they
             deserve
             ,
             and
             he
             has
             determined
             to
             destroy
             them
             ,
             but
             only
             that
             they
             may
             deserve
             to
             be
             destroyed
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             may
             with
             some
             fair
             appearance
             of
             Justice
             destroy
             them
             ;
             it
             would
             be
             impossible
             to
             satisfy
             equal
             and
             impartial
             Judges
             of
             the
             Justice
             and
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             :
             But
             if
             men
             have
             hardened
             themselves
             in
             Sin
             beyond
             all
             the
             ordinary
             methods
             of
             recovery
             ,
             and
             have
             so
             provoked
             a
             good
             and
             merciful
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             gives
             them
             over
             to
             ruin
             and
             destruction
             ;
             then
             by
             what
             means
             soever
             they
             are
             hardened
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             directly
             sinful
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             just
             reason
             to
             question
             either
             the
             Justice
             ,
             or
             Goodness
             ,
             or
             Holiness
             of
             God
             ,
             upon
             this
             account
             .
             For
             when
             men
             have
             sinned
             to
             that
             degree
             ,
             as
             to
             deserve
             immediate
             destruction
             ,
             and
             to
             provoke
             God
             to
             pass
             a
             final
             Sentence
             on
             them
             ;
             God
             may
             either
             immediately
             destroy
             them
             ,
             or
             keep
             them
             in
             that
             hardened
             state
             ,
             like
             condemned
             Malefactors
             reserved
             in
             Chains
             ,
             for
             a
             more
             publick
             and
             solemn
             Execution
             .
             And
             this
             is
             all
             that
             is
             meant
             by
             God's
             hardening
             men
             ,
             and
             this
             all
             mankind
             must
             allow
             to
             be
             just
             and
             holy
             .
          
           
             This
             was
             the
             case
             of
             Pharaoh
             and
             the
             Egyptians
             ,
             who
             had
             so
             grievously
             oppressed
             Israel
             ,
             that
             God
             was
             resolved
             to
             punish
             them
             for
             it
             :
             And
             therefore
             he
             sent
             Moses
             to
             inflict
             a
             great
             many
             Miraculous
             Judgments
             on
             them
             ,
             not
             intending
             thereby
             to
             convince
             Pharaoh
             ,
             who
             had
             hardened
             himself
             against
             the
             power
             of
             Miracles
             to
             convince
             him
             ,
             and
             whom
             he
             had
             resolved
             to
             destroy
             ;
             but
             only
             to
             lay
             Egypt
             waste
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             a
             signal
             Vengeance
             upon
             that
             Cruel
             Persecutor
             ,
             by
             overthrowing
             him
             and
             his
             Host
             in
             the
             
               Red
               Sea
            
             :
             And
             therefore
             he
             so
             ordered
             the
             execution
             of
             these
             Judgments
             ,
             that
             the
             hardened
             heart
             of
             Pharaoh
             should
             grow
             more
             hardened
             by
             them
             .
          
           
           
             Thus
             when
             God
             had
             determined
             to
             cut
             off
             Ahab
             ,
             as
             his
             grievous
             Sins
             had
             long
             before
             deserved
             ,
             he
             intended
             to
             harden
             him
             to
             go
             up
             to
             
               Ramoth
               Gilead
            
             ,
             and
             fall
             there
             ;
             and
             for
             that
             purpose
             suffered
             a
             lying
             Spirit
             to
             enter
             into
             his
             Prophets
             to
             encourage
             the
             King
             in
             that
             Fatal
             Expedition
             ;
             and
             as
             God
             had
             foretold
             ,
             they
             did
             prevail
             against
             Micaiah
             the
             Prophet
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             who
             plainly
             told
             him
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             fall
             in
             it
             ,
             1
             Kings
             22.
             
          
           
             Thus
             when
             God
             was
             so
             provoked
             with
             the
             Sins
             of
             Iudah
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             resolved
             to
             deliver
             them
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             Chaldaeans
             ,
             who
             should
             destroy
             their
             City
             and
             Temple
             ,
             and
             carry
             them
             captive
             to
             Babylon
             ,
             he
             pronounced
             this
             hardening
             Sentence
             on
             them
             ,
             
               Go
               ,
               and
               tell
               this
               people
               ,
               Hear
               ye
               indeed
               ,
               but
               understand
               not
               ;
               and
               see
               ye
               indeed
               ,
               but
               perceive
               not
               .
               Make
               the
               heart
               of
               this
               people
               fat
               ,
               and
               make
               their
               ears
               heavy
               ,
               and
               shut
               their
               eyes
               ;
               lest
               they
               see
               with
               their
               eyes
               ,
               and
               hear
               with
               their
               ears
               ,
               and
               understand
               with
               their
               hearts
               ,
               and
               convert
               ,
               and
               be
               healed
               .
            
             What
             this
             means
             ,
             ye
             shall
             hear
             more
             hereafter
             ;
             all
             that
             I
             observe
             at
             present
             ,
             is
             ,
             That
             this
             Sentence
             was
             not
             pronounced
             against
             them
             ,
             till
             God
             had
             resolved
             to
             carry
             them
             into
             captivity
             ,
             and
             to
             lay
             their
             City
             and
             Countrey
             desolate
             ,
             as
             the
             Prophet
             tells
             us
             in
             the
             next
             Verse
             .
             
               Then
               ,
               said
               I
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               how
               long
               ?
               And
               he
               answered
               ,
               until
               the
               cities
               be
               wasted
               without
               Inhabitants
               ,
               and
               the
               houses
               without
               man
               ,
               and
               the
               land
               be
               utterly
               desolate
               ,
            
             6.
             
             Isaiah
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             And
             this
             was
             the
             state
             of
             the
             Iews
             in
             our
             Saviour's
             days
             ,
             when
             God
             had
             determined
             the
             final
             destruction
             of
             the
             Iewish
             Nation
             ,
             their
             City
             ,
             Temple
             and
             Polity
             ,
             for
             their
             great
             Sin
             in
             crucifying
             their
             Messias
             ,
             as
             Christ
             tells
             us
             ,
             23.
             
             
               Matth.
               37
               ,
               38
               ,
               39.
               
               O
               Ierusalem
               ,
               Ierusalem
               ,
               Thou
               that
               killest
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               and
               stonest
               them
               that
               are
               sent
               unto
               thee
               ,
               how
               often
               would
               I
               have
               gathered
               thy
               children
               together
               ,
               even
               as
               a
               hen
               gathereth
               her
               chickens
               under
               her
               wings
               ,
               and
               ye
               would
               not
               ?
               Behold
               your
               house
               is
               left
               unto
               you
               desolate
               .
               For
               I
               say
            
             
             unto
             you
             ,
             ye
             shall
             not
             see
             me
             henceforth
             ,
             till
             ye
             shall
             say
             ,
             blessed
             is
             he
             that
             cometh
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             19.
             
             Luke
             41
             ,
             42
             ,
             43
             ,
             44.
             
             And
             when
             he
             came
             near
             he
             beheld
             the
             city
             ,
             and
             wept
             over
             it
             ;
             saying
             ,
             If
             thou
             hadst
             known
             ,
             even
             thou
             ,
             in
             this
             thy
             day
             ,
             the
             things
             which
             belong
             unto
             thy
             peace
             ,
             but
             now
             they
             are
             hid
             from
             thine
             eyes
             .
             For
             the
             days
             shall
             come
             upon
             thee
             ,
             that
             thine
             enemies
             shall
             cast
             a
             trench
             about
             thee
             ,
             and
             compass
             thee
             round
             ,
             and
             keep
             thee
             in
             on
             every
             side
             ;
             and
             shall
             lay
             thee
             even
             with
             the
             ground
             ,
             and
             thy
             children
             within
             thee
             ;
             and
             they
             shall
             not
             leave
             in
             thee
             one
             stone
             upon
             another
             :
             Because
             thou
             knowest
             not
             the
             time
             of
             thy
             visitation
             .
          
           
             Now
             with
             respect
             to
             this
             final
             Sentence
             which
             God
             had
             pronounced
             against
             them
             ,
             though
             he
             delayed
             the
             execution
             of
             it
             for
             forty
             years
             ,
             St.
             Paul
             applies
             to
             them
             the
             Case
             of
             a
             hardened
             Pharaoh
             ,
             whom
             God
             spared
             also
             a
             great
             while
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             them
             ,
             though
             he
             had
             determined
             to
             destroy
             him
             by
             a
             signal
             overthrow
             ;
             
               to
               shew
               his
               power
               ,
               and
               that
               his
               name
               might
               be
               declared
               throughout
               all
               the
               earth
               .
            
             And
             there
             was
             no
             reason
             to
             quarrel
             with
             God
             ,
             though
             he
             delayed
             to
             destroy
             them
             for
             some
             years
             after
             he
             had
             determined
             to
             destroy
             them
             ,
             to
             make
             them
             also
             a
             more
             remarkable
             Example
             of
             a
             just
             Vengeance
             ,
             and
             more
             glorious
             Power
             .
             
               What
               if
               God
               willing
               to
               shew
               his
               wrath
               ,
               and
               to
               make
               his
               power
               known
               ,
               endureth
               with
               much
               long-suffering
               the
               vessels
               of
               wrath
               fitted
               for
               destruction
               ?
            
             That
             is
             ,
             delays
             for
             many
             years
             the
             Execution
             of
             those
             whom
             he
             has
             decreed
             to
             destroy
             for
             their
             great
             sins
             ,
             by
             an
             irreversible
             Sentence
             :
             For
             such
             only
             are
             
               the
               vessels
               of
               wrath
               fitted
               to
               destruction
               ,
            
             9.
             
             Rom.
             17
             ,
             22.
             
             And
             for
             the
             same
             reason
             he
             applies
             to
             them
             the
             Prophesy
             of
             Isaiah
             ,
             concerning
             the
             judicial
             blindness
             and
             deafness
             of
             the
             Iewish
             Nation
             ,
             when
             God
             had
             determined
             to
             deliver
             them
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             King
             of
             Babylon
             ,
             which
             was
             a
             Prophesy
             of
             them
             also
             ,
             and
             received
             its
             full
             accomplishment
             in
             the
             final
             destruction
             of
             Ierusalem
             by
             the
             Romans
             ,
             28.
             
             Acts
             26
             ,
             27.
             
             So
             that
             it
             is
             
             plain
             from
             all
             these
             Examples
             ,
             (
             and
             I
             know
             no
             Example
             in
             all
             the
             Scripture
             to
             the
             contrary
             )
             that
             God
             never
             hardens
             men
             ,
             till
             he
             has
             first
             determined
             to
             punish
             or
             to
             destroy
             them
             :
             And
             I
             shall
             only
             add
             ;
             That
             this
             hardening
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             effect
             of
             God's
             Decree
             to
             punish
             ,
             or
             to
             destroy
             ,
             relates
             only
             to
             some
             Temporal
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             which
             God
             intends
             to
             bring
             on
             them
             ,
             not
             to
             the
             Eternal
             Miseries
             of
             the
             next
             world
             .
             God
             is
             never
             said
             to
             harden
             any
             men
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             eternally
             damn
             them
             ,
             that
             is
             wholly
             owing
             to
             their
             own
             hard
             and
             impenitent
             hearts
             ;
             but
             God
             does
             sometimes
             harden
             men
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             take
             a
             more
             exemplary
             Vengeance
             on
             them
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             which
             serves
             the
             wise
             Ends
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             makes
             his
             Power
             and
             Glory
             known
             .
          
           
             2dly
             ,
             This
             will
             more
             evidently
             appear
             ,
             if
             we
             consider
             ,
             That
             God
             is
             never
             said
             to
             harden
             any
             men
             in
             sin
             ,
             but
             he
             only
             hardens
             and
             confirms
             them
             in
             such
             Ruinous
             Counsels
             as
             will
             bring
             that
             destruction
             on
             them
             ,
             which
             God
             has
             ordained
             and
             determined
             for
             them
             .
             They
             harden
             themselves
             in
             sin
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             wise
             and
             just
             for
             God
             to
             punish
             or
             destroy
             them
             ;
             and
             when
             God
             resolves
             to
             do
             so
             ,
             then
             sometimes
             he
             hardens
             them
             in
             such
             Courses
             as
             will
             bring
             a
             Terrible
             Vengeance
             on
             them
             .
          
           
             I
             need
             instance
             only
             in
             the
             Case
             of
             Pharaoh
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             most
             express
             Text
             we
             have
             for
             God's
             hardening
             men
             .
             Now
             what
             did
             God
             harden
             Pharaoh
             in
             ?
             Did
             he
             harden
             him
             against
             believing
             Moses
             ,
             and
             those
             Miracles
             which
             he
             wrought
             in
             the
             Name
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ?
             No
             such
             matter
             ;
             there
             is
             no
             such
             thing
             said
             ;
             but
             he
             hardened
             him
             not
             to
             let
             the
             People
             go
             .
          
           
             Pharaoh
             hardened
             himself
             against
             believing
             Moses
             ,
             and
             the
             Miracles
             he
             wrought
             ,
             against
             owning
             and
             submitting
             to
             the
             Power
             and
             Sovereign
             Authority
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ;
             though
             when
             he
             felt
             the
             Judgments
             inflicted
             on
             him
             ,
             they
             were
             so
             uneasy
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             him
             relent
             ,
             and
             to
             promise
             to
             send
             Israel
             away
             :
             But
             his
             great
             concernment
             was
             ,
             how
             to
             
             keep
             Israel
             ,
             and
             to
             get
             rid
             of
             these
             Plagues
             ;
             and
             his
             firm
             Resolution
             was
             never
             to
             part
             with
             Israel
             ,
             as
             long
             as
             he
             had
             any
             hopes
             that
             he
             might
             keep
             them
             safely
             .
             Now
             though
             it
             was
             indeed
             a
             very
             great
             evil
             to
             disbelieve
             Moses
             ,
             and
             to
             disobey
             God's
             Command
             ,
             attested
             and
             confirmed
             by
             Miracles
             ;
             yet
             separated
             from
             this
             ,
             it
             was
             no
             moral
             evil
             not
             to
             part
             with
             Israel
             ,
             who
             had
             now
             been
             the
             Subjects
             of
             Egypt
             for
             above
             Two
             hundred
             years
             And
             therefore
             when
             the
             Dispute
             was
             not
             about
             believing
             and
             obeying
             God
             and
             Moses
             ,
             which
             Pharaoh
             had
             no
             regard
             to
             ,
             but
             only
             whether
             he
             should
             let
             Israel
             go
             to
             avoid
             these
             Plagues
             which
             he
             suffered
             for
             their
             sake
             ;
             though
             God
             did
             not
             harden
             him
             in
             his
             infidelity
             and
             disobedience
             ,
             yet
             he
             did
             harden
             him
             against
             parting
             with
             Israel
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             he
             hardened
             him
             not
             in
             sin
             ,
             for
             the
             infidelity
             and
             disobedience
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             only
             sinfulness
             of
             it
             ,
             was
             wholly
             his
             own
             ;
             but
             he
             hardened
             him
             in
             the
             most
             Ruinous
             Counsel
             he
             could
             possibly
             have
             taken
             ,
             which
             would
             bring
             new
             Plagues
             on
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             end
             in
             his
             own
             final
             Ruin.
             
          
           
             This
             was
             the
             case
             of
             Ahab
             ,
             God
             did
             resolve
             to
             send
             him
             to
             
               Ramoth
               Gilead
            
             to
             fall
             there
             ,
             and
             suffered
             a
             lying
             Spirit
             to
             enter
             into
             the
             Mouths
             of
             his
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             to
             harden
             him
             in
             that
             expedition
             ,
             against
             the
             Prophetick
             Threatnings
             of
             Micaiah
             ;
             that
             all
             things
             considered
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             said
             ,
             that
             God
             perswaded
             ,
             and
             that
             God
             hardened
             Ahab
             to
             go
             to
             
               Ramoth
               Gilead
            
             .
             Now
             suppose
             this
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             not
             to
             harden
             him
             in
             Sin
             ;
             for
             it
             was
             no
             Sin
             to
             go
             to
             Fight
             against
             
               Ramoth
               Gilead
            
             ;
             but
             it
             was
             only
             to
             harden
             him
             in
             a
             dangerous
             attempt
             ,
             and
             which
             God
             intended
             should
             be
             fatal
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             A
             great
             many
             Instances
             of
             this
             nature
             may
             be
             given
             ,
             where
             God
             hardens
             men
             in
             such
             courses
             as
             shall
             ,
             and
             are
             intended
             by
             God
             to
             prove
             either
             a
             very
             sore
             punishment
             to
             them
             ,
             or
             their
             utter
             Ruin
             ;
             but
             there
             is
             no
             one
             instance
             can
             be
             given
             of
             Gods
             persuading
             ,
             or
             tempting
             ,
             or
             hardening
             
             men
             in
             any
             thing
             ,
             which
             is
             in
             its
             own
             nature
             evil
             .
             And
             were
             this
             well
             considered
             ,
             it
             would
             answer
             and
             shame
             a
             great
             many
             ignorant
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             .
          
           
             3dly
             ,
             But
             we
             must
             farther
             observe
             ,
             That
             when
             God
             does
             thus
             harden
             men
             in
             Ruinous
             Counsels
             ,
             on
             purpose
             to
             punish
             or
             destroy
             them
             ,
             he
             does
             nothing
             which
             has
             either
             any
             natural
             or
             moral
             efficacy
             to
             harden
             them
             ;
             but
             by
             their
             own
             wickedness
             they
             abuse
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             to
             harden
             themselves
             .
             This
             I
             have
             particularly
             shewn
             in
             the
             Case
             of
             Pharaoh
             :
             Those
             Signs
             and
             Wonders
             which
             God
             wrought
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             that
             undeniable
             Proof
             that
             they
             were
             sent
             by
             God
             ,
             in
             that
             they
             were
             inflicted
             and
             removed
             at
             the
             word
             of
             Moses
             ,
             and
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             in
             removing
             one
             Judgment
             after
             another
             at
             his
             request
             ,
             would
             have
             convinced
             and
             softned
             other
             men
             ,
             but
             hardened
             him
             .
          
           
             St.
             Paul
             tell
             us
             ,
             That
             the
             natural
             end
             and
             use
             of
             God's
             Patience
             and
             Long-suffering
             is
             to
             lead
             us
             to
             repentance
             ;
             and
             therefore
             when
             it
             hardens
             some
             men
             in
             sinful
             and
             destructive
             Courses
             ,
             as
             we
             too
             often
             see
             it
             does
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             reason
             to
             charge
             this
             on
             the
             Patience
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             on
             the
             Wickedness
             of
             men
             .
          
           
             God
             permitted
             a
             lying
             Spirit
             to
             enter
             into
             Ahab's
             Prophets
             to
             persuade
             him
             to
             go
             against
             Ramoth-Gilead
             ;
             and
             though
             God
             might
             very
             justly
             have
             left
             him
             in
             the
             hands
             of
             those
             False
             Prophets
             of
             his
             own
             making
             and
             chusing
             ,
             yet
             he
             sends
             his
             own
             Prophet
             Micaiah
             ,
             whom
             all
             Israel
             knew
             to
             be
             the
             Lord's
             Prophet
             ,
             to
             assure
             him
             ,
             That
             if
             he
             went
             against
             Ramoth-Gilead
             ,
             he
             should
             perish
             there
             .
             And
             therefore
             God
             did
             not
             deceive
             Ahab
             ,
             but
             he
             deceived
             himself
             ,
             by
             preferring
             the
             Prophets
             of
             Baal
             before
             the
             Lord's
             Prophet
             ,
             which
             was
             owing
             to
             his
             own
             wicked
             Idolatrous
             heart
             .
          
           
             God
             never
             deceives
             or
             hardens
             any
             men
             by
             the
             external
             Events
             and
             Appearances
             of
             Providence
             ,
             but
             those
             ,
             whose
             own
             lusts
             and
             wicked
             hearts
             deceive
             and
             harden
             them
             .
          
           
           
             There
             is
             always
             enough
             ,
             even
             in
             those
             Providences
             ,
             which
             men
             abuse
             to
             harden
             themselves
             ,
             to
             have
             reclaimed
             and
             softened
             them
             ,
             if
             they
             would
             have
             made
             a
             wise
             use
             of
             it
             .
             And
             when
             men
             have
             sinned
             themselves
             into
             such
             a
             hardened
             state
             as
             to
             forfeit
             the
             protection
             of
             Providence
             ;
             God
             may
             do
             what
             is
             wise
             ,
             and
             just
             ,
             and
             holy
             ,
             though
             he
             knows
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             abuse
             it
             to
             their
             own
             ruin
             ,
             and
             intends
             to
             bring
             ruin
             on
             them
             by
             it
             .
             And
             it
             is
             a
             glorious
             vindication
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             Holiness
             of
             God
             ,
             when
             all
             the
             world
             shall
             see
             ,
             that
             such
             mens
             ruin
             is
             wholly
             owing
             to
             themselves
             ,
             to
             their
             wicked
             abuse
             of
             all
             those
             wise
             and
             gracious
             Methods
             ,
             which
             would
             have
             reclaimed
             and
             saved
             them
             ,
             if
             they
             would
             have
             been
             reclaimed
             ,
             and
             saved
             .
          
           
             4thly
             ,
             
               To
               understand
               the
               full
               and
               comprehensive
               notion
               of
               God's
               hardening
               men
               ,
               we
               must
               observe
               farther
               ,
               That
               when
               God
               has
               been
               so
               far
               provoked
               ,
               as
               to
               resolve
               the
               final
               destruction
               of
               any
               Person
               ,
               or
               People
               ,
               he
               many
               times
               inflicts
               on
               them
               a
               judicial
               blindness
               and
               infatuation
               ,
               which
               betrays
               them
               to
               such
               foolish
               Counsels
               ,
               as
               must
               inevitably
               prove
               their
               ruin
               .
               That
               God
               many
               times
               does
               this
               ,
               the
               Scripture
               witnesseth
               ,
            
             He
             leadeth
             counsellors
             away
             spoiled
             ,
             and
             maketh
             the
             judges
             fools
             .
             He
             removeth
             away
             the
             speech
             of
             the
             trusty
             
               (
               in
               whose
               Counsel
               men
               used
               to
               confide
               )
            
             and
             taketh
             away
             the
             understanding
             of
             the
             aged
             .
             He
             taketh
             away
             the
             heart
             of
             the
             chief
             of
             the
             people
             of
             the
             earth
             ,
             and
             causeth
             them
             to
             wander
             in
             a
             wilderness
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             no
             way
             .
             
               That
               is
               ,
               entangles
               and
               perplexes
               their
               Counsels
               .
            
             They
             grope
             in
             the
             dark
             without
             light
             ,
             and
             he
             maketh
             them
             to
             stagger
             like
             a
             drunken
             man
             :
             
               To
               reel
               from
               one
               Resolution
               to
               another
               ,
               in
               great
               uncertainty
               what
               to
               do
            
             ;
             12.
             
             Iob
             17
             ,
             20
             ,
             24
             ,
             25.
             
             Thus
             19.
             
             Isaiah
             11
             ,
             12
             ,
             13
             ,
             14.
             
             Surely
             the
             princes
             of
             Zoan
             are
             fools
             ,
             the
             counsel
             of
             the
             wise
             counsellors
             of
             Pharaoh
             is
             become
             bruitish
             .
             How
             say
             ye
             unto
             Pharaoh
             ,
             I
             am
             the
             son
             of
             the
             wise
             ,
             the
             son
             of
             ancient
             kings
             ?
             Where
             are
             they
             ?
             where
             are
             thy
             wise
             men
             ?
             
             and
             let
             them
             tell
             thee
             now
             ,
             and
             let
             them
             know
             what
             the
             Lord
             of
             Host
             hath
             purposed
             upon
             Egypt
             .
             The
             princes
             of
             Zoan
             are
             become
             fools
             ,
             the
             princes
             of
             Noph
             are
             deceived
             ;
             they
             have
             also
             seduced
             Egypt
             ,
             even
             they
             that
             are
             the
             stay
             of
             the
             tribes
             thereof
             .
             The
             Lord
             hath
             mingled
             a
             perverse
             spirit
             in
             the
             midst
             thereof
             ,
             and
             they
             have
             caused
             Egypt
             to
             err
             in
             every
             work
             thereof
             ,
             as
             a
             drunken
             man
             staggereth
             in
             his
             vomit
             .
          
           
             We
             have
             a
             plain
             Example
             of
             this
             in
             Absalom
             ,
             whom
             God
             resolved
             to
             punish
             for
             his
             Rebellion
             against
             David
             ,
             his
             King
             and
             Father
             ;
             David
             had
             prayed
             ,
             that
             God
             would
             turn
             
               the
               counsel
               of
               Ahitophel
               into
               foolishness
            
             ;
             and
             accordingly
             God
             so
             ordered
             it
             ,
             as
             to
             defeat
             the
             good
             Counsel
             of
             Ahitophel
             by
             the
             Advice
             of
             Hushai
             .
             And
             the
             reason
             of
             it
             is
             given
             ;
             
               For
               the
               Lord
               had
               appointed
               to
               defeat
               the
               good
               counsel
               of
               Ahitophel
               ,
               to
               the
               intent
               that
               the
               Lord
               might
               bring
               evil
               upon
               Absalom
               ,
            
             2
             Sam.
             17.
             14.
             
          
           
             This
             makes
             men
             as
             hard
             as
             they
             are
             blind
             ;
             they
             mistake
             their
             true
             interest
             ,
             flatter
             themselves
             with
             vain
             hopes
             ,
             run
             themselves
             into
             the
             most
             apparent
             and
             inevitable
             dangers
             ,
             without
             seeing
             them
             themselves
             ,
             though
             every
             body
             else
             sees
             them
             :
             And
             something
             of
             this
             nature
             we
             must
             own
             in
             
             Pharaoh's
             Case
             :
             For
             without
             such
             an
             infatuation
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             to
             conceive
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             have
             persisted
             so
             long
             in
             his
             Resolution
             not
             to
             part
             with
             Israel
             ,
             though
             it
             were
             to
             the
             utter
             ruin
             and
             desolation
             of
             his
             Countrey
             ;
             much
             less
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             have
             pursued
             them
             into
             the
             
               Red
               Sea
            
             ,
             whose
             fluid
             Walls
             threatned
             him
             with
             immediate
             destruction
             .
          
           
             
               And
               this
               I
               take
               to
               be
               that
               blindness
               which
               God
               threatens
               against
            
             Iudah
             ,
             6.
             
             Isaiah
             9
             ,
             10.
             
             Go
             and
             tell
             this
             people
             ,
             Hear
             ye
             indeed
             ,
             but
             understand
             not
             ;
             and
             see
             ye
             indeed
             ,
             but
             perceive
             not
             .
             Make
             the
             heart
             of
             this
             people
             fat
             ,
             and
             make
             their
             ears
             heavy
             ,
             and
             shut
             their
             eyes
             ;
             lest
             they
             see
             with
             their
             eyes
             ,
             and
             hear
             with
             their
             ears
             ,
             and
             understand
             with
             their
             hearts
             ,
             and
             convert
             ,
             and
             be
             healed
             .
             
               For
               here
               is
               a
               double
               blindness
               taken
               notice
               of
               in
               the
               Text
               ;
               one
               which
               they
               brought
               upon
               
               themselves
               ,
               another
               which
               God
               threatens
               to
               inflict
               on
               them
               .
            
             They
             did
             hear
             ,
             but
             not
             understand
             ;
             they
             did
             see
             ,
             but
             not
             perceive
             :
             
               that
               is
               ,
               They
               stopt
               their
               own
               ears
               ,
               and
               shut
               their
               own
               eyes
               ,
               against
               all
               the
               Adomonitions
               and
               Reproofs
               of
               God's
               Prophets
               :
               For
               thus
               our
               Saviour
               expounds
               it
               ,
               as
               their
               own
               act
               ,
               and
               wilful
               voluntary
               blindness
               .
            
             13.
             
             Matth.
             14
             ,
             15.
             
             And
             in
             them
             is
             fulfilled
             the
             prophesy
             of
             Isaiah
             ;
             
               (
               for
               a
               Prophesy
               it
               was
               ,
               as
               it
               concerned
               the
            
             Iews
             
               in
               our
               Saviour's
               days
               ,
               though
               it
               was
               a
               description
               of
               the
               actual
               deafness
               and
               blindness
               of
               the
            
             Iews
             
               in
               the
               Prophet's
               days
            
             )
             which
             saith
             ,
             By
             hearing
             ye
             shall
             hear
             ,
             and
             shall
             not
             understand
             ;
             and
             seeing
             ye
             shall
             see
             ,
             and
             shall
             not
             perceive
             .
             For
             this
             peoples
             heart
             is
             waxed
             gross
             ,
             and
             their
             ears
             are
             dull
             of
             hearing
             ,
             and
             their
             eyes
             have
             they
             closed
             ,
             lest
             at
             any
             time
             they
             should
             see
             with
             their
             eyes
             ,
             and
             hear
             with
             their
             ears
             ,
             and
             understand
             with
             their
             heart
             ,
             and
             should
             be
             converted
             ,
             and
             I
             should
             heal
             them
             .
             
               And
               thus
               St.
            
             Paul
             
               represents
               it
            
             ,
             28.
             
             Acts
             26
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             This
             is
             their
             sinful
             blindness
             and
             deafness
             ,
             which
             is
             wholly
             owing
             to
             themselves
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             punishment
             of
             which
             God
             threatens
             them
             with
             a
             penal
             and
             judicial
             blindness
             .
             For
             when
             God
             commands
             the
             Prophet
             
               to
               make
               their
               heart
               fat
               ,
               and
               their
               ears
               heavy
               ,
               and
               to
               shut
               their
               eyes
               ,
            
             it
             can
             signify
             nothing
             else
             but
             his
             passping
             a
             final
             Decree
             and
             Sentence
             of
             Blindness
             and
             Deafness
             on
             them
             :
             Not
             such
             a
             Blindness
             ,
             as
             should
             betray
             them
             to
             ,
             and
             harden
             them
             in
             sin
             ;
             God
             may
             leave
             men
             in
             such
             a
             state
             of
             Blindness
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             wilfully
             blinded
             and
             hardened
             themselves
             ,
             but
             he
             never
             inflicts
             it
             :
             But
             such
             a
             Blindness
             ,
             as
             would
             betray
             them
             into
             that
             ruin
             and
             destruction
             whcih
             God
             had
             so
             justly
             decreed
             for
             them
             :
             For
             this
             Blindness
             and
             Deafness
             which
             was
             inflicted
             on
             them
             in
             the
             Prophet's
             days
             ,
             was
             in
             order
             to
             their
             Captivity
             in
             Babylon
             ,
             and
             the
             destruciton
             of
             their
             City
             and
             Temple
             by
             the
             Chaldaeans
             ;
             that
             in
             our
             Saviour's
             days
             was
             in
             order
             to
             their
             final
             destruction
             by
             the
             Romans
             ;
             and
             our
             Saviour
             tells
             us
             what
             kind
             of
             Blindness
             was
             inflicted
             
             on
             them
             ;
             that
             
               the
               things
               belonging
               to
               their
               peace
               ,
            
             which
             would
             preserve
             their
             Nation
             from
             being
             destroyed
             ,
             
               were
               now
               hid
               from
               their
               eyes
               ,
            
             19.
             
             Luke
             42
             And
             the
             Story
             verifies
             this
             :
             For
             certainly
             never
             was
             there
             a
             greater
             infatuation
             upon
             any
             People
             ,
             than
             upon
             the
             Iews
             at
             both
             times
             ;
             who
             forced
             both
             the
             Chaldaeans
             and
             Romans
             to
             destroy
             them
             ,
             whether
             they
             would
             or
             no
             ;
             and
             when
             they
             intended
             no
             such
             thing
             .
             And
             many
             Examples
             there
             are
             of
             such
             a
             judicial
             Blindness
             and
             Infatuation
             in
             every
             Age
             of
             the
             world
             :
             There
             are
             seldom
             any
             great
             and
             remarkable
             Calamities
             ,
             which
             befall
             any
             persons
             ,
             especially
             Nations
             ,
             but
             By-standers
             see
             ,
             how
             they
             undo
             themselves
             by
             their
             own
             stupid
             wilfulness
             and
             folly
             :
             As
             has
             been
             long
             since
             observed
             .
             
               Quos
               perdere
               vult
               Iupiter
               ,
               Prius
               dementat
               .
            
             That
             God
             first
             blinds
             and
             infatuates
             those
             ,
             whom
             he
             intends
             to
             destroy
             .
             And
             this
             is
             what
             the
             Scripture
             means
             by
             hardening
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             and
             blinding
             their
             eyes
             ,
             as
             I
             hope
             appears
             from
             what
             I
             have
             now
             discoursed
             ;
             and
             no
             man
             has
             any
             reason
             to
             quarrel
             either
             with
             the
             Justice
             or
             Holiness
             of
             God
             upon
             this
             account
             .
             But
             we
             have
             all
             great
             reason
             to
             take
             warning
             by
             these
             Examples
             ,
             lest
             we
             provoke
             God
             so
             long
             by
             our
             sins
             ,
             by
             our
             own
             wilful
             blindness
             and
             hardness
             ,
             that
             he
             inflict
             this
             judicial
             Blindness
             on
             us
             ,
             that
             he
             shut
             our
             eyes
             not
             to
             see
             the
             things
             that
             belong
             to
             our
             peace
             ;
             whcih
             we
             have
             so
             many
             sad
             symptoms
             of
             already
             among
             us
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             time
             to
             take
             warning
             .
             Nothing
             can
             be
             more
             just
             ,
             than
             for
             God
             to
             harden
             those
             men
             to
             their
             own
             ruin
             ,
             who
             harden
             themselves
             against
             his
             fear
             :
             So
             to
             blind
             those
             ,
             who
             will
             not
             see
             ,
             nor
             regard
             their
             Duty
             ,
             as
             to
             mistake
             their
             Interest
             too
             .
             And
             the
             only
             way
             to
             prevent
             such
             a
             judicial
             Hardness
             and
             Infatuation
             ,
             is
             to
             reverence
             God
             ,
             to
             have
             respect
             to
             all
             his
             Commandments
             ;
             in
             the
             first
             place
             to
             take
             care
             of
             our
             Duty
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             commit
             our
             ways
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             in
             a
             secure
             dependance
             on
             his
             Providence
             .
          
           
           
             There
             are
             several
             other
             Texts
             of
             Scripture
             alledged
             to
             this
             purpose
             ,
             to
             charge
             God
             with
             the
             sins
             of
             men
             ;
             but
             they
             will
             receive
             a
             shorter
             Answer
             .
             As
             ,
          
           
             2dly
             ,
             Those
             Texts
             which
             ascribe
             what
             is
             done
             by
             the
             sins
             of
             men
             to
             God's
             doing
             .
             But
             the
             Answer
             to
             this
             is
             plain
             ;
             for
             God
             can
             and
             does
             bring
             to
             pass
             a
             great
             many
             wise
             and
             holy
             Designs
             by
             the
             sins
             of
             men
             ,
             without
             being
             the
             Author
             of
             their
             sins
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             only
             the
             Event
             which
             is
             attributed
             to
             God
             ,
             not
             the
             Sin
             ,
             whereby
             such
             Events
             are
             brought
             to
             pass
             .
             This
             will
             appear
             at
             the
             first
             view
             by
             considering
             some
             of
             these
             Texts
             .
          
           
             
             Ioseph's
             Brethren
             sold
             him
             to
             the
             Ishmaelites
             ,
             who
             carried
             him
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             where
             God
             advanced
             him
             to
             
             Pharaoh's
             Throne
             .
             Ioseph
             tells
             his
             Brethren
             ,
             That
             though
             they
             sold
             him
             ,
             it
             was
             God
             that
             sent
             him
             before
             them
             into
             Egypt
             to
             preserve
             their
             lives
             :
             
               So
               now
               it
               was
               not
               you
               that
               sent
               me
               hither
               ,
               but
               God
               ,
            
             45.
             
             Gen.
             5
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             
             Ioseph
             does
             not
             say
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             from
             God
             that
             his
             Brethren
             sold
             him
             ;
             this
             was
             their
             own
             Act
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             wickedness
             of
             it
             was
             their
             own
             ;
             but
             it
             was
             God
             who
             sent
             him
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             which
             his
             Brethren
             never
             thought
             of
             ,
             nor
             intended
             ,
             their
             only
             concern
             being
             to
             get
             rid
             of
             him
             ;
             and
             when
             God
             did
             that
             ,
             which
             they
             never
             intended
             to
             do
             ,
             that
             may
             well
             be
             said
             to
             be
             God's
             doings
             ,
             who
             permitted
             their
             wickedness
             ,
             and
             made
             use
             of
             it
             to
             accomplish
             his
             own
             wise
             Counsels
             :
             as
             he
             tells
             his
             Brethren
             ;
             
               As
               for
               you
               ,
               ye
               thought
               evil
               against
               me
               ,
               but
               God
               meant
               it
               unto
               good
               ,
               to
               bring
               to
               pass
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               this
               day
               ,
               to
               save
               much
               people
               alive
               ,
            
             50.
             
             Gen.
             20.
             
          
           
             When
             Iob
             was
             plundered
             by
             the
             Sabaeans
             ,
             and
             Chaldaeans
             ,
             he
             attributes
             it
             to
             God.
             
               The
               Lord
               gave
               ,
               and
               the
               Lord
               hath
               taken
               away
               ,
            
             1.
             
             Job
             21.
             
             And
             so
             must
             all
             men
             say
             ,
             who
             believe
             a
             Providence
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             good
             or
             evil
             that
             happens
             to
             us
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             whoever
             be
             the
             immediate
             Instruments
             of
             it
             ,
             is
             ordered
             and
             disposed
             by
             God
             ;
             but
             Iob
             does
             not
             therefore
             
             attribute
             the
             wickedness
             of
             the
             Sabaeans
             and
             the
             Chaldaeans
             to
             God
             :
             as
             if
             God
             could
             not
             govern
             and
             over-rule
             the
             wickedness
             of
             Men
             ,
             and
             Devils
             ,
             without
             being
             the
             Author
             of
             their
             wickdness
             .
          
           
             When
             David
             
               had
               committed
               that
               great
               sin
               ,
               in
               defiling
            
             Vriah
             
               's
               Wife
               ,
               and
               contriving
               his
               murther
               ;
               God
               threatens
               him
               by
               the
               Prophet
            
             Nathan
             :
             I
             will
             raise
             up
             evil
             against
             thee
             out
             of
             thine
             own
             house
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             take
             thy
             wives
             before
             thine
             eyes
             ,
             and
             give
             them
             unto
             thy
             neighbour
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             lie
             with
             thy
             wives
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             this
             sun
             :
             For
             thou
             didst
             it
             secretly
             ,
             but
             I
             will
             do
             this
             thing
             before
             all
             Israel
             ,
             and
             before
             the
             sun
             ,
             2
             
               Sam.
               12.
               11
               ,
               12.
               which
               we
               know
            
             Absalom
             
               accordingly
               did
               by
               the
               Advice
               of
            
             Ahitophel
             ,
             16.
             chap.
             20
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Now
             that
             God
             did
             inflict
             this
             punishment
             upon
             David
             ,
             is
             plain
             from
             the
             Text
             ;
             but
             that
             he
             either
             instigated
             Ahitophel
             to
             give
             this
             Counsel
             ,
             or
             Absolom
             to
             take
             it
             ,
             is
             not
             said
             :
             And
             if
             God
             could
             inflict
             this
             punishment
             on
             David
             without
             having
             any
             hand
             in
             the
             sin
             ,
             it
             is
             no
             reflection
             on
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             .
             All
             that
             God
             expresly
             says
             he
             would
             do
             in
             the
             case
             ,
             was
             to
             put
             
             David's
             Wives
             into
             
             Absalom's
             power
             ;
             
               I
               will
               take
               thy
               wives
               before
               thine
               eyes
               ,
               and
               give
               them
               unto
               thy
               neighbour
            
             ;
             and
             then
             foretells
             what
             the
             effect
             of
             this
             would
             be
             ,
             and
             what
             he
             intended
             to
             permit
             for
             his
             punishment
             ;
             
               He
               shall
               lie
               with
               thy
               wives
               in
               the
               sight
               of
               this
               sun
               .
            
             There
             was
             no
             evil
             in
             so
             ordering
             the
             matter
             ,
             that
             when
             David
             fled
             ,
             he
             should
             leave
             his
             Wives
             behind
             him
             ,
             which
             put
             them
             into
             
             Absalom's
             power
             ;
             and
             then
             God
             foresaw
             what
             Counsel
             Ahitophel
             would
             give
             ,
             and
             how
             ready
             Absalom
             would
             be
             to
             take
             it
             ,
             unless
             he
             hindered
             it
             ,
             which
             he
             decreed
             not
             to
             do
             in
             punishment
             of
             
             David's
             Adultary
             .
             And
             thus
             to
             order
             the
             permission
             for
             such
             an
             end
             ,
             though
             it
             has
             nothing
             of
             the
             guilt
             of
             the
             sin
             ,
             yet
             entitles
             God
             to
             the
             event
             ,
             considered
             as
             a
             punishment
             ;
             upon
             which
             account
             ,
             God
             may
             be
             said
             to
             
               do
               this
               before
               all
               Israel
               ,
               and
               before
               the
               sun
               .
            
          
           
           
             Thus
             when
             Shimei
             cursed
             David
             as
             he
             fled
             from
             
               Ierusalem
               ;
               David
            
             takes
             notice
             of
             God's
             hand
             in
             it
             ;
             and
             would
             no
             suffer
             Abishai
             to
             cut
             him
             off
             :
             
               Let
               him
               Curse
               ,
               because
               the
               Lord
               hath
               said
               unto
               him
               ,
               curse
               David
               ,
            
             2
             Sam.
             16.
             10.
             
             But
             evey
             one
             sees
             ,
             that
             this
             must
             be
             a
             figurative
             expression
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             not
             true
             in
             the
             literal
             sense
             ;
             God
             never
             commanded
             Shimei
             to
             curse
             David
             ,
             nor
             did
             David
             believe
             in
             a
             literal
             sense
             that
             he
             did
             ;
             for
             then
             he
             would
             not
             have
             imputed
             the
             guilt
             of
             it
             to
             him
             :
             Whereas
             we
             know
             ,
             though
             he
             had
             sworn
             to
             Shimei
             at
             his
             return
             ,
             when
             he
             came
             to
             meet
             him
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             not
             put
             him
             to
             death
             ,
             yet
             he
             left
             it
             in
             his
             dying
             Charge
             to
             
               Solomon
               ,
               not
               to
               hold
               him
               guiltless
               ,
            
             1
             Kings
             2.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
             But
             when
             David
             said
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               hath
               bidden
               him
               curse
            
             ;
             all
             that
             he
             meant
             by
             it
             ,
             or
             could
             mean
             by
             it
             ,
             is
             no
             more
             but
             this
             ,
             That
             the
             sad
             Calamity
             which
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             had
             brought
             on
             him
             by
             the
             Rebellion
             of
             his
             Son
             Absalom
             ,
             had
             given
             free
             scope
             to
             
             Shimei's
             old
             and
             inveterate
             hatred
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             as
             effectually
             let
             loose
             his
             reviling
             Tongue
             ,
             as
             if
             God
             had
             in
             express
             words
             commanded
             him
             to
             curse
             David
             :
             And
             therefore
             he
             patiently
             submits
             to
             this
             ,
             as
             part
             of
             his
             punishment
             ,
             and
             a
             very
             inconsiderable
             part
             ,
             when
             compared
             with
             the
             Rebellion
             of
             his
             Son
             Absalom
             ,
             which
             gave
             this
             confidence
             to
             Shimei
             to
             curse
             his
             King.
             
               Behold
               my
               son
               ,
               which
               came
               forth
               of
               my
               bowels
               ,
               seeketh
               my
               life
               ;
               how
               much
               more
               now
               may
               this
               Benjamite
               do
               it
               ?
            
             10.
             v.
             This
             is
             no
             more
             than
             what
             David
             elsewhere
             complains
             of
             ,
             That
             God
             had
             made
             him
             the
             song
             of
             the
             Drunkards
             :
             For
             Bad
             men
             will
             take
             all
             the
             advantages
             which
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             gives
             them
             ,
             to
             reproach
             and
             scorn
             ,
             and
             persecute
             the
             Good
             ;
             there
             needs
             no
             other
             command
             for
             this
             ,
             but
             a
             fair
             opportunity
             to
             do
             it
             .
          
           
             Some
             object
             God's
             giving
             power
             to
             Satan
             ,
             first
             over
             the
             Goods
             ,
             and
             then
             over
             the
             Body
             of
             Iob
             ,
             excepting
             his
             life
             :
             And
             God's
             permitting
             a
             lying
             Spirit
             to
             enter
             into
             
             Ahab's
             Prophets
             to
             persuade
             him
             to
             go
             up
             to
             Ramoth-Gilead
             :
             But
             
             wherein
             the
             Objection
             lies
             ,
             I
             cannot
             tell
             ;
             for
             ,
             I
             suppose
             ,
             they
             will
             not
             say
             ,
             That
             God
             by
             permitting
             the
             Devil
             to
             hurt
             ,
             and
             to
             deceive
             ,
             made
             him
             a
             malicious
             and
             lying
             Spirit
             .
             Those
             are
             very
             unreasonable
             Objectors
             ,
             who
             will
             not
             allow
             God
             to
             make
             use
             of
             the
             Ministry
             of
             wicked
             Spirits
             to
             wise
             and
             good
             ends
             ,
             without
             charging
             him
             with
             their
             sins
             too
             .
          
           
             
               But
               God
               himself
               tell
               us
               ,
               That
               when
               a
               Prophet
               is
               deceived
               ,
               he
               hath
               deceived
               him
               ;
               now
               how
               is
               it
               reconcilable
               with
               the
               Holiness
               of
               his
               Nature
               or
               Providence
               to
               deceive
               ?
               14.
               
               Ezek.
            
             9.
             
             And
             if
             the
             prophet
             be
             deceived
             ,
             when
             he
             hath
             spoken
             a
             thing
             ,
             I
             the
             Lord
             have
             deceived
             that
             prophet
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             stretch
             out
             my
             hand
             upon
             him
             ,
             and
             will
             destroy
             him
             from
             the
             midst
             of
             my
             people
             Israel
             .
          
           
             Now
             to
             this
             it
             is
             commonly
             answered
             ,
             That
             God
             permits
             a
             Lying
             Spirit
             to
             possess
             such
             Prophets
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             in
             the
             Case
             of
             Ahab
             ;
             for
             he
             only
             speaks
             here
             of
             the
             Prophets
             of
             Baal
             such
             Prophets
             ,
             as
             he
             would
             cut
             off
             for
             their
             Lying
             Prophesies
             ;
             and
             how
             does
             it
             unbecome
             God
             to
             give
             up
             the
             Worshippers
             of
             Evil
             Spirits
             ,
             their
             Priests
             and
             Prophets
             ,
             to
             be
             inspired
             and
             deceived
             by
             them
             ?
             No
             true
             Worshipper
             of
             God
             was
             under
             any
             temptation
             to
             be
             deceived
             by
             them
             ,
             because
             they
             were
             not
             the
             Prophets
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             God
             had
             always
             his
             own
             Prophets
             among
             them
             ,
             to
             warn
             them
             against
             such
             lying
             Prophesies
             :
             Nay
             ,
             it
             was
             the
             fault
             of
             these
             Prophets
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             deceived
             themselves
             ;
             for
             they
             did
             know
             ,
             that
             they
             did
             not
             receive
             their
             Prophesies
             from
             the
             Lord
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             Heathen
             Idols
             ,
             or
             that
             they
             were
             their
             own
             Inventions
             ;
             and
             when
             they
             chose
             to
             worship
             strange
             gods
             ,
             and
             to
             consult
             their
             Oracles
             ,
             or
             to
             divine
             out
             of
             their
             own
             hearts
             ,
             they
             chose
             to
             be
             deceived
             ;
             and
             therefore
             God
             threatens
             ,
             
               They
               shall
               bear
               the
               punishment
               of
               their
               iniquity
               ;
               the
               punishment
               of
               the
               prophet
               shall
               be
               even
               as
               the
               punishment
               of
               him
               that
               seeketh
               unto
               him
            
             10.
             v.
             We
             have
             a
             large
             account
             of
             these
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             severe
             Judgments
             
             denounced
             against
             them
             .
             13.
             
             Ezek.
             who
             are
             said
             
               to
               prophesy
               out
               of
               their
               own
               hearts
               ,
            
             and
             to
             
               follow
               their
               own
               spirits
            
             ,
             when
             they
             
               had
               seen
               nothing
            
             ;
             to
             
               see
               a
               vain
               vision
            
             ,
             and
             
               speak
               a
               lying
               divination
            
             ;
             and
             sometimes
             to
             attribute
             it
             to
             God
             too
             ,
             they
             say
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               saith
               it
               ,
               albeit
               I
               have
               not
               spoken
               .
            
          
           
             Now
             this
             Character
             the
             Prophet
             Ezekiel
             gives
             of
             these
             Lying
             Prophets
             ,
             inclines
             me
             to
             a
             very
             different
             sense
             of
             these
             words
             ,
             which
             seems
             plain
             and
             easy
             :
             Not
             that
             God
             deceived
             them
             to
             prophesy
             Lies
             ,
             but
             that
             God
             deceived
             them
             in
             the
             event
             :
             They
             deceived
             themselves
             into
             
               vain
               visions
            
             ;
             either
             by
             giving
             themselves
             over
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             which
             betrayed
             them
             to
             the
             delusions
             of
             wicked
             Spirits
             ,
             or
             by
             heating
             their
             Imaginations
             into
             Enthusiastick
             Frensies
             ,
             and
             prophesying
             their
             own
             Hopes
             and
             Politick
             Guesses
             ,
             which
             is
             called
             ,
             
               prophesying
               out
               of
               their
               own
               hearts
               ,
            
             and
             
               following
               their
               own
               spirits
            
             ;
             and
             then
             God
             deceived
             all
             their
             Hopes
             and
             Expectations
             ,
             by
             bringing
             those
             evils
             on
             them
             ,
             which
             they
             with
             great
             assurance
             and
             confidence
             said
             ,
             should
             never
             come
             .
             And
             the
             words
             plainly
             favour
             this
             sense
             :
             God
             does
             not
             say
             ,
             
               If
               a
               prophet
               be
               deceived
               to
               speak
               a
               thing
               ,
               I
               the
               Lord
               have
               deceived
               him
               :
            
             But
             
               if
               a
               prophet
               be
               deceived
               ,
               when
               he
               hath
               spoken
               a
               thing
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             if
             the
             event
             does
             not
             answer
             his
             Prediction
             ▪
             
               I
               have
               deceived
               him
            
             ,
             or
             confuted
             his
             vain
             Lying
             Prophesy
             :
             And
             how
             would
             God
             deceive
             him
             ?
             that
             immediately
             follows
             ,
             
               I
               will
               stretch
               out
               my
               hand
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               will
               destroy
               him
               from
               the
               midst
               of
               my
               people
               Israel
               ;
               and
               they
               shall
               bear
               the
               punishment
               of
               their
               iniquity
               ,
            
             both
             Prophets
             and
             People
             .
             This
             did
             effectually
             deceive
             them
             ,
             as
             being
             a
             terrible
             confutation
             of
             their
             Prophesies
             ,
             and
             what
             God
             expresly
             threatened
             :
             
               Because
               they
               have
               seduced
               my
               people
               ,
               saying
               ,
               peace
               ,
               and
               there
               was
               no
               peace
               ,
            
             13.
             
             Ezek.
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10.
             
             This
             is
             what
             God
             attributes
             to
             himself
             ,
             as
             his
             peculiar
             Prerogative
             and
             Glory
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             
               He
               that
               frustrateth
               the
               tokens
               of
               the
               seers
               ,
               and
               maketh
               diviners
               mad
            
             ;
             by
             deceiving
             them
             in
             the
             events
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             confuting
             their
             Prophesies
             
             by
             his
             Judgments
             .
             44.
             
             Isaiah
             25.
             as
             he
             expresly
             threatned
             against
             these
             lying
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             Diviners
             ,
             3.
             
             Micah
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7.
             which
             is
             a
             plain
             Comment
             upon
             this
             Text.
             
          
           
             As
             for
             what
             is
             objected
             about
             
             David's
             numbering
             the
             People
             ,
             it
             is
             hardly
             worth
             naming
             ,
             
               ●
               Sam.
               24.
               
               ●
            
             .
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             
               The
               anger
               of
               the
               Lord
               was
               kindled
               against
               Israel
               ,
               and
               he
               moved
               David
               against
               them
               ,
               to
               say
               ,
               Go
               ,
               number
               the
               people
               .
            
             But
             in
             1
             Chron.
             21.
             1.
             it
             is
             expresly
             said
             ,
             
               That
               Satan
               stood
               up
               against
               Israel
               ,
               and
               provoked
               David
               to
               number
               Israel
               .
            
             From
             whence
             we
             learn
             in
             what
             sense
             this
             is
             attributed
             to
             God
             ,
             when
             Satan
             was
             the
             immediate
             Tempter
             ;
             only
             because
             God
             ,
             in
             anger
             against
             Israel
             ,
             suffered
             Satan
             to
             tempt
             David
             to
             number
             them
             .
          
           
             
               But
               that
               is
               more
               considerable
               ,
               that
               is
               objected
               from
               St.
            
             Paul
             
               concerning
               the
               Heathens
               ,
               whom
               God
               delivered
               up
               to
               all
               manner
               of
               Wickedness
               in
               punishment
               of
               their
               Idolatry
               .
            
             They
             changed
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             incorruptible
             God
             into
             an
             image
             made
             like
             to
             corruptible
             man
             ,
             and
             to
             birds
             ▪
             and
             four-footed
             beasts
             ,
             and
             creeping
             things
             ;
             wherefore
             God
             also
             gave
             them
             up
             to
             uncleanness
             ,
             through
             the
             lusts
             of
             their
             own
             hearts
             ,
             to
             dishonour
             their
             own
             bodies
             between
             themselves
             —
             And
             for
             this
             cause
             God
             gave
             them
             up
             to
             vile
             affections
             —
             And
             even
             as
             they
             did
             not
             like
             to
             retain
             God
             in
             their
             knowledge
             ,
             God
             gave
             them
             over
             to
             a
             reprobate
             mind
             ,
             to
             do
             those
             things
             which
             are
             not
             convenient
             ,
             being
             filled
             with
             all
             unrighteousness
             ,
             fornication
             ,
             wickedness
             ,
             covetousness
             ,
             
               &c.
               
               Now
               is
               not
               this
               a
               Reflection
               on
               the
               Holiness
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               because
               Men
               are
               guilty
               of
               one
               Sin
               ,
               he
               delivers
               them
               up
               to
               all
               other
               Sins
               ?
               For
               can
               a
               Holy
               God
               punish
               Sin
               with
               Sin
               ?
               Can
               he
               who
               hates
               all
               Wickedness
               ,
               contribute
               any
               thing
               to
               make
               Men
               more
               wicked
               than
               otherwise
               they
               would
               be
               ?
            
          
           
             But
             in
             answer
             to
             this
             ,
             we
             need
             only
             consider
             ,
             what
             is
             meant
             by
             God's
             
               giving
               them
               up
               to
               all
               uncleanness
               ,
               and
               to
               a
               
               reprobate
               mind
            
             ;
             which
             signifies
             no
             positive
             Act
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             only
             his
             leaving
             them
             in
             the
             Power
             and
             Management
             of
             those
             Evil
             Spirits
             whom
             they
             idolatrously
             worshipped
             :
             For
             most
             of
             these
             Vices
             ,
             to
             which
             God
             is
             said
             to
             give
             them
             up
             ,
             were
             the
             necessary
             Effects
             of
             their
             Idolatry
             ;
             were
             the
             sacred
             Rites
             and
             Mysteries
             of
             their
             Religious
             Worship
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             would
             worship
             such
             Gods
             ,
             they
             must
             worship
             them
             ,
             as
             they
             would
             be
             worshipped
             :
             And
             this
             corrupted
             the
             Lives
             and
             Manners
             of
             Men
             ,
             and
             destroy'd
             all
             the
             Notions
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             and
             then
             they
             were
             prepared
             for
             any
             Wickedness
             ,
             which
             their
             own
             vicious
             Inclinations
             ,
             and
             the
             Circumstances
             of
             their
             Condition
             and
             Fortune
             ,
             or
             those
             wicked
             Spirits
             could
             tempt
             them
             to
             .
             This
             very
             Account
             we
             find
             in
             the
             Book
             of
             Wisdom
             ,
             
             where
             we
             have
             such
             another
             Catalogue
             of
             Vices
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostle
             here
             gives
             us
             ,
             charged
             upon
             their
             Idolatry
             ,
             as
             the
             natural
             Effects
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             Now
             if
             Men
             will
             worship
             such
             Gods
             ,
             as
             delight
             in
             Uncleanness
             and
             Impurity
             ,
             and
             all
             manner
             of
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             who
             will
             be
             worshipped
             with
             the
             most
             infamous
             Vices
             ,
             to
             the
             utmost
             Reproach
             and
             Contempt
             of
             Human
             Nature
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             avoiding
             it
             ,
             but
             that
             their
             Religion
             must
             corrupt
             their
             Lives
             ;
             they
             give
             themselves
             up
             to
             the
             Worship
             of
             Evil
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             God
             leaves
             them
             in
             their
             Hands
             ;
             for
             who
             should
             have
             the
             Government
             of
             them
             ,
             but
             the
             gods
             they
             worship
             ?
             They
             reproach
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             by
             vile
             and
             sensible
             Representations
             ,
             and
             God
             gives
             them
             up
             to
             vile
             Affections
             ,
             to
             dishonour
             their
             own
             Natures
             :
             They
             corrupt
             the
             natural
             Notions
             they
             have
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             God
             gives
             them
             up
             to
             a
             Reprobate
             mind
             ,
             not
             to
             distinguish
             between
             Good
             and
             Evil.
             
          
           
             The
             Devil
             had
             erected
             a
             Kingdom
             of
             Darkness
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             God
             thought
             fit
             for
             some
             time
             to
             permit
             it
             ,
             till
             he
             sent
             his
             own
             Son
             
               to
               destroy
               the
               Works
               of
               the
               Devil
            
             ;
             and
             those
             who
             gave
             themselves
             up
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             became
             
             his
             Slaves
             and
             Vassals
             ,
             for
             he
             is
             
               the
               Prince
               of
               the
               Power
               of
               the
               Air
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               that
               ruleth
               in
               the
               Children
               of
               Disobedience
            
             ;
             And
             this
             is
             God's
             giving
             them
             up
             to
             vile
             Affections
             ,
             his
             casting
             them
             out
             of
             his
             Protection
             ,
             when
             they
             had
             first
             renounced
             him
             ,
             and
             giving
             them
             up
             to
             the
             Power
             of
             wicked
             Spirits
             ,
             to
             whom
             they
             had
             given
             themselves
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             here
             is
             no
             other
             Objection
             against
             the
             Holiness
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             that
             there
             is
             a
             Devil
             ,
             who
             is
             a
             very
             impure
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             affects
             Divine
             Honour
             to
             be
             
               the
               god
               of
               this
               World
            
             ;
             and
             that
             God
             suffers
             him
             to
             govern
             those
             who
             worship
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             seduce
             them
             into
             all
             the
             Wickedness
             of
             a
             Diabolical
             Nature
             :
             And
             yet
             that
             barbarous
             Tyranny
             ,
             which
             the
             Devil
             exercised
             over
             his
             Votaries
             ;
             that
             impure
             ,
             flagitious
             Worship
             ,
             which
             he
             instituted
             ,
             and
             that
             Excess
             of
             Wickedness
             ,
             wherewith
             he
             corrupted
             the
             Lives
             of
             Men
             ,
             was
             the
             most
             effectual
             way
             to
             convince
             Mankind
             ,
             what
             sort
             of
             gods
             they
             worshipped
             ;
             and
             did
             make
             the
             wiser
             Heathens
             asham'd
             of
             their
             gods
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             Worship
             ;
             and
             as
             Learning
             and
             Civility
             increased
             ,
             they
             reformed
             their
             Worship
             ,
             and
             allegoriz'd
             away
             their
             gods
             ,
             which
             disposed
             them
             for
             the
             more
             ready
             Reception
             of
             that
             Holy
             Religion
             ,
             which
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             preach'd
             to
             the
             World.
             Wickedness
             is
             its
             own
             Punishment
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             proves
             its
             own
             Cure
             ;
             and
             God
             could
             not
             have
             inflicted
             a
             more
             Just
             Punishment
             upon
             the
             Idolatrous
             World
             ,
             than
             to
             deliver
             them
             up
             to
             the
             Tyranny
             of
             those
             wicked
             Spirits
             whom
             they
             worshipped
             ;
             and
             there
             was
             not
             a
             more
             likely
             way
             to
             convince
             men
             of
             their
             fatal
             Error
             ,
             than
             those
             inhuman
             and
             impious
             Rites
             of
             Worship
             ,
             and
             that
             Excess
             of
             Wickedness
             which
             their
             Idolatry
             betray'd
             them
             to
             ,
             which
             was
             enough
             to
             make
             Human
             Nature
             start
             and
             fly
             back
             .
          
           
             
               The
               like
               objection
               is
               made
               from
               the
               Antichristian
               State
               ;
               the
               appearance
            
             of
             the
             Man
             of
             sin
             ,
             whose
             coming
             is
             after
             the
             working
             of
             satan
             ,
             with
             all
             power
             ,
             and
             signs
             ,
             and
             lying
             
             wonders
             ,
             and
             with
             all
             deceivableness
             of
             unrighteousness
             in
             them
             that
             perish
             ,
             because
             they
             received
             not
             the
             love
             of
             the
             truth
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             be
             saved
             :
             And
             for
             this
             cause
             God
             shall
             send
             them
             strong
             delusions
             ,
             that
             they
             shold
             believe
             a
             lie
             :
             That
             they
             all
             might
             be
             damned
             ,
             who
             believed
             not
             the
             truth
             ,
             but
             had
             pleasure
             in
             unrighteousness
             ,
             1
             Thess.
             2.
             9.
             10
             ,
             11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             Now
             what
             can
             be
             more
             just
             than
             this
             ,
             for
             God
             to
             suffer
             the
             Devil
             to
             blind
             those
             men
             who
             will
             not
             see
             ?
             To
             deceive
             those
             
               with
               signs
               and
               lying
               wonders
               ,
               and
               all
               deceivableness
               of
               unrighteousness
            
             ;
             who
             
               do
               not
               love
               the
               trath
               ,
               but
               have
               pleasure
               in
               unrighteousness
            
             ;
             who
             endeavour
             to
             deceive
             themselves
             ,
             and
             desire
             to
             be
             deceived
             ?
             For
             this
             is
             all
             that
             is
             meant
             ,
             
               by
               sending
               them
               strong
               delusions
               to
               believe
               a
               lie
            
             ;
             that
             God
             suffers
             
               the
               Man
               of
               sin
            
             to
             erect
             his
             Kingdom
             
               after
               the
               working
               of
               Satan
               ,
               with
               all
               power
               ,
               and
               signs
               ,
               and
               lying
               wonders
               .
            
             When
             men
             are
             in
             love
             with
             their
             Sins
             ,
             and
             therefore
             do
             not
             love
             the
             Truth
             ,
             because
             it
             discovers
             and
             reproves
             their
             Sins
             ,
             they
             are
             out
             of
             the
             protection
             of
             Gods
             Grace
             ,
             and
             are
             delivered
             up
             to
             the
             Cheats
             and
             Impostures
             of
             Crafty
             Men
             ,
             or
             of
             Wicked
             Spirits
             .
             This
             is
             the
             rule
             and
             method
             of
             God's
             Grace
             ;
             he
             forces
             truth
             on
             no
             man
             ;
             but
             those
             who
             love
             the
             truth
             ,
             shall
             find
             it
             .
             Those
             
               who
               cry
               after
               knowledge
               ,
               aud
               lift
               up
               their
               voice
               for
               understanding
               ;
               who
               seek
               her
               as
               silver
               ,
               and
               search
               for
               her
               as
               for
               hid
               treasures
               ;
               they
               shall
               understand
               the
               fear
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               find
               the
               knowledge
               of
               God
               ,
            
             2.
             
             Prov.
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5.
             
             But
             if
             men
             wilfully
             shut
             their
             own
             eyes
             against
             the
             light
             ,
             God
             suffers
             
               the
               God
               of
               this
               world
            
             to
             blind
             them
             ;
             as
             St.
             Paul
             teaches
             ,
             2
             
               Cor.
               4.
               3
               ,
               4.
               
               But
               if
               our
               gospel
               be
               hid
               ,
               it
               is
               hid
               to
               them
               that
               are
               lost
               ;
               in
               whom
               the
               god
               of
               this
               world
               hath
               blinded
               the
               minds
               of
               them
               which
               belive
               not
               ,
               lest
               the
               light
               of
               the
               glorious
               gospel
               of
               Christ
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               image
               of
               God
               ,
               should
               shine
               unto
               them
               .
            
             Which
             should
             make
             us
             all
             afraid
             of
             prejudice
             ,
             and
             the
             love
             of
             this
             world
             ,
             which
             bar
             up
             the
             mind
             against
             truth
             ,
             and
             by
             degrees
             betray
             us
             to
             a
             judicial
             blindness
             .
          
           
           
             There
             are
             some
             other
             Texts
             ,
             which
             do
             indeed
             attribute
             the
             supreme
             Disposal
             of
             all
             Human
             Actions
             to
             God
             ,
             but
             without
             charging
             his
             Providence
             with
             mens
             sins
             .
             16.
             
             Prov.
             9.
             
             
               A
               mans
               heart
               deviseth
               his
               ways
               ,
               but
               the
               Lord
               directeth
               his
               steps
               .
               19.
               21.
               
               There
               are
               many
               devices
               in
               a
               mans
               heart
               ,
               nevertheless
               the
               counsel
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               that
               shall
               stand
               .
            
             20.
             24.
             
             
               Mans
               goings
               are
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               how
               then
               can
               a
               man
               understand
               his
               own
               ways
               ?
            
             The
             meaning
             of
             which
             is
             ,
             that
             men
             advise
             ,
             and
             deliberate
             ,
             and
             choose
             freely
             ,
             what
             they
             intend
             to
             do
             ,
             but
             when
             they
             come
             to
             action
             ,
             they
             can
             do
             nothing
             ,
             they
             can
             bring
             nothing
             to
             pass
             ,
             but
             what
             God
             will
             :
             God
             can
             change
             their
             Counsels
             ,
             or
             can
             disappoint
             them
             when
             they
             are
             ripe
             for
             action
             ,
             or
             can
             make
             what
             they
             do
             ,
             serve
             quite
             another
             end
             than
             what
             they
             intended
             .
             Now
             this
             only
             proves
             what
             I
             have
             already
             observed
             ,
             That
             the
             Issues
             and
             Events
             of
             all
             things
             are
             in
             God's
             hands
             ,
             as
             they
             must
             be
             ,
             if
             he
             governs
             the
             World
             :
             Men
             may
             choose
             what
             they
             please
             ,
             but
             they
             shall
             do
             only
             what
             God
             sees
             fit
             ,
             and
             what
             he
             orders
             for
             wise
             ends
             .
             God
             does
             not
             act
             immediately
             ,
             but
             makes
             use
             of
             Natural
             causes
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             Ministries
             of
             men
             ,
             both
             good
             and
             bad
             men
             :
             Men
             choose
             and
             act
             freely
             ,
             and
             pursue
             their
             own
             Designs
             and
             Imaginations
             ,
             and
             therefore
             the
             moral
             Good
             or
             Evil
             of
             the
             action
             is
             their
             own
             ;
             and
             God
             does
             as
             freely
             with
             unsearchable
             Wisdom
             over-rule
             all
             Events
             ,
             which
             are
             therefore
             God's
             doing
             as
             well
             as
             mens
             ,
             being
             directed
             by
             him
             to
             serve
             the
             wise
             ends
             of
             Providence
             ,
             in
             rewarding
             or
             punishing
             Men
             or
             Nations
             as
             they
             deserve
             .
          
           
             Thus
             I
             have
             ,
             as
             briefly
             as
             I
             could
             ,
             examined
             most
             of
             those
             Texts
             ,
             which
             have
             been
             thought
             to
             attribute
             to
             God
             some
             kind
             of
             Causality
             and
             Efficiency
             in
             the
             Sins
             of
             Men
             ;
             and
             I
             hope
             have
             made
             it
             appear
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             such
             thing
             intended
             in
             them
             ;
             And
             for
             the
             conclusion
             of
             this
             Argument
             concerning
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             I
             shall
             only
             add
             some
             few
             Practical
             Inferences
             by
             way
             of
             Application
             .
          
           
           
             1.
             
             Not
             to
             attribute
             our
             own
             ,
             or
             other
             Mens
             sins
             to
             God.
             
               Let
               no
               man
               say
               ,
               when
               he
               is
               tempted
               ,
               I
               am
               tempted
               of
               God
               ;
               for
               God
               cannot
               be
               tempted
               with
               evil
               ,
               neither
               tempteth
               he
               any
               man.
               But
               every
               man
               is
               tempted
               ,
               when
               he
               is
               drawn
               away
               of
               his
               own
               lust
               ,
               and
               enticed
               ,
            
             1.
             
             James
             13
             ,
             14.
             
             This
             is
             absolutely
             necessary
             to
             be
             observed
             ;
             for
             without
             it
             there
             is
             an
             end
             of
             all
             Religion
             .
             If
             God
             can
             influence
             mens
             Minds
             to
             wicked
             Purposes
             and
             Counsels
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             he
             should
             hate
             Wickedness
             ,
             or
             be
             so
             Holy
             as
             many
             Holy
             men
             are
             ,
             who
             would
             no
             more
             incline
             or
             tempt
             other
             men
             to
             sin
             ,
             than
             they
             would
             sin
             themselves
             :
             And
             who
             will
             hate
             sin
             ,
             or
             think
             that
             God
             will
             love
             him
             ever
             the
             less
             for
             being
             a
             Sinner
             ,
             who
             believes
             this
             ?
             If
             God
             want
             the
             Sins
             of
             Men
             to
             accomplish
             his
             own
             Counsels
             ,
             they
             must
             either
             be
             very
             unholy
             Counsels
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             accomplished
             without
             the
             Sins
             of
             Men
             ,
             or
             he
             must
             be
             a
             weak
             or
             unskilful
             Being
             ,
             which
             is
             down-right
             Blasphemy
             ;
             for
             a
             wise
             and
             powerful
             Being
             can
             do
             whatever
             is
             Wise
             and
             Holy
             without
             the
             Sins
             of
             Men.
             It
             is
             excellent
             Wisdom
             indeed
             ,
             when
             men
             do
             and
             will
             Sin
             ,
             for
             God
             to
             accomplish
             his
             own
             wise
             and
             gracious
             Counsels
             by
             their
             Sins
             ;
             but
             to
             incline
             ,
             or
             tempt
             ,
             or
             over-rule
             ,
             or
             determine
             men
             to
             sin
             ,
             on
             purpose
             to
             serve
             himself
             by
             their
             Sins
             ,
             this
             would
             be
             a
             just
             Impeachment
             both
             of
             his
             Holiness
             ,
             his
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             his
             Power
             ;
             and
             a
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             neither
             Holy
             ,
             Wise
             ,
             nor
             Powerful
             ,
             would
             be
             no
             very
             fit
             Object
             of
             Religious
             worship
             .
          
           
             To
             say
             that
             God
             decrees
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             for
             his
             own
             Glory
             ,
             to
             magnifie
             his
             Mercy
             and
             Justice
             ,
             in
             saving
             some
             few
             ,
             and
             in
             condemning
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             Mankind
             to
             eternal
             Miseries
             ,
             is
             so
             sensless
             a
             Representation
             both
             of
             the
             Glory
             ,
             of
             the
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Justice
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             destroys
             the
             very
             Notion
             of
             all
             .
          
           
             For
             if
             Man
             be
             a
             meer
             Machine
             ,
             who
             moves
             as
             he
             is
             moved
             ,
             how
             can
             he
             deserve
             either
             Well
             or
             Ill
             ?
             Necessity
             destroys
             the
             very
             Notion
             of
             Vertue
             or
             Vice
             ,
             both
             which
             
             suppose
             a
             free
             Choise
             and
             Election
             ;
             and
             if
             ther
             be
             no
             Vertue
             nor
             Vice
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             Rewards
             nor
             Punishments
             ;
             and
             then
             there
             is
             no
             place
             neither
             for
             Justice
             nor
             Mercy
             ;
             and
             then
             God
             can
             neither
             glorify
             his
             Mercy
             ,
             nor
             his
             Justice
             ,
             in
             forgiving
             Sins
             ,
             or
             in
             punishing
             the
             Sinner
             .
          
           
             How
             can
             any
             man
             ,
             who
             believes
             that
             he
             is
             over-ruled
             by
             God
             to
             do
             all
             the
             Evil
             he
             does
             ,
             ever
             be
             a
             true
             Penitent
             ,
             or
             heartily
             beg
             God's
             Pardon
             ,
             or
             reverence
             his
             Judgments
             ,
             or
             endeavour
             to
             do
             better
             ?
             All
             Religion
             is
             founded
             in
             this
             Persuasion
             ,
             That
             God
             hates
             every
             thing
             that
             is
             wicked
             ;
             for
             if
             there
             be
             no
             Essential
             difference
             between
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             pretence
             for
             Religion
             ;
             and
             if
             God
             makes
             none
             ,
             there
             is
             none
             ;
             and
             if
             he
             can
             be
             the
             Author
             of
             what
             is
             Evil
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             of
             what
             is
             Good
             ,
             he
             makes
             no
             difference
             between
             them
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             The
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             teacheth
             us
             never
             to
             do
             any
             Evil
             to
             serve
             Providence
             ,
             under
             pretext
             of
             doing
             some
             great
             Good
             by
             it
             ,
             which
             we
             think
             may
             be
             acceptable
             to
             God.
             God
             never
             needs
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             can
             never
             approve
             them
             ,
             whatever
             good
             ends
             they
             are
             intended
             to
             serve
             .
             God
             indeed
             does
             many
             times
             bring
             Good
             out
             of
             Evil
             ,
             but
             he
             allows
             no
             Man
             
               to
               do
               evil
               ,
               that
               good
               may
               come
               :
            
             This
             St.
             Paul
             rejects
             with
             the
             greatest
             abhorrence
             ,
             and
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             such
             mens
             
               Damnation
               is
               just
               ,
               3.
               
               Rom.
            
             8.
             for
             it
             is
             the
             greatest
             contradiction
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             to
             do
             evil
             in
             order
             to
             do
             good
             ;
             for
             how
             can
             a
             Man
             ,
             who
             can
             for
             any
             reason
             be
             persuaded
             to
             do
             evil
             ,
             be
             a
             hearty
             and
             zealous
             lover
             of
             Goodness
             ?
             It
             is
             certain
             ,
             that
             he
             who
             does
             any
             evil
             ,
             does
             not
             heartily
             love
             that
             goodness
             to
             which
             the
             evil
             he
             does
             is
             opposed
             ;
             and
             he
             who
             does
             not
             heartily
             love
             all
             goodness
             ,
             is
             a
             hearty
             lover
             of
             none
             :
             There
             is
             no
             reconciling
             good
             and
             evil
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             you
             can
             reconcile
             contradictions
             ;
             a
             good
             man
             will
             love
             and
             do
             that
             which
             
             is
             good
             ,
             and
             an
             evil
             man
             will
             do
             that
             which
             is
             evil
             ;
             and
             though
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             can
             bring
             good
             out
             of
             evil
             ,
             yet
             evil
             is
             not
             ,
             and
             cannot
             be
             the
             natural
             cause
             of
             good
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             Darkness
             can
             be
             the
             cause
             of
             Light
             ;
             and
             therefore
             a
             Good
             Design
             can
             never
             justify
             a
             Bad
             Action
             :
             For
             that
             Bad
             Actions
             should
             do
             good
             ,
             is
             contrary
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             Bad
             Actions
             ;
             and
             whatever
             men
             may
             intend
             ,
             I
             'm
             sure
             no
             man
             can
             alter
             the
             nature
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             therefore
             can
             never
             justify
             himself
             in
             doing
             evil
             that
             good
             may
             come
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             certain
             ,
             a
             Wise
             and
             Holy
             God
             requires
             no
             such
             thing
             of
             us
             ;
             and
             though
             he
             very
             often
             brings
             about
             great
             and
             admirable
             Designs
             by
             mens
             Sins
             ,
             yet
             no
             man
             knows
             how
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             nor
             knows
             when
             God
             will
             do
             it
             ;
             nor
             did
             ever
             any
             man
             ,
             who
             ventured
             upon
             sin
             in
             order
             to
             do
             some
             greater
             good
             ,
             ever
             do
             the
             good
             he
             intended
             ,
             though
             many
             times
             he
             runs
             himself
             into
             more
             and
             greater
             sins
             than
             ever
             he
             intended
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             I
             dare
             boldly
             say
             ,
             That
             no
             man
             ever
             deliberately
             ventured
             upon
             a
             known
             sin
             to
             do
             some
             greater
             good
             by
             it
             ,
             but
             there
             was
             always
             some
             base
             worldly
             Interest
             at
             the
             bottom
             ,
             coloured
             over
             with
             a
             pretence
             of
             doing
             good
             ,
             either
             to
             deceive
             the
             world
             ,
             or
             sometimes
             to
             deceive
             their
             own
             Consciences
             .
             The
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             among
             whom
             there
             are
             those
             who
             teach
             and
             practise
             this
             Doctrine
             ,
             are
             an
             undeniable
             Example
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             we
             have
             had
             too
             many
             sad
             Examples
             of
             it
             nearer
             home
             .
          
           
             This
             seems
             to
             me
             one
             reason
             ,
             why
             those
             Prophesies
             which
             concern
             future
             Ages
             ,
             are
             generally
             so
             obscure
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             knows
             when
             ,
             nor
             how
             they
             shall
             be
             fulfilled
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             may
             be
             tempted
             to
             any
             sin
             to
             serve
             Providence
             ,
             and
             to
             fulfil
             Prophesies
             .
             As
             obscure
             as
             these
             Prophesies
             are
             ,
             yet
             we
             see
             some
             heated
             Enthusiasts
             very
             forward
             to
             venture
             on
             any
             thing
             to
             fulfil
             Prophesies
             ,
             to
             pull
             down
             Antichrist
             ,
             to
             set
             up
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Christ
             ,
             especially
             when
             they
             hope
             to
             
             set
             up
             themselves
             with
             him
             :
             But
             God
             conceals
             Times
             and
             Seasons
             from
             us
             ;
             and
             though
             he
             many
             times
             fulfils
             Prophesies
             by
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             ,
             yet
             he
             allows
             no
             man
             to
             sin
             to
             fulfil
             Prophesies
             .
             And
             therefore
             never
             lets
             us
             know
             when
             ,
             nor
             by
             what
             means
             Prohesies
             shall
             be
             fulfilled
             .
             Let
             us
             lay
             down
             this
             as
             a
             certain
             Principle
             ,
             That
             God
             needs
             not
             our
             Sins
             ;
             and
             that
             we
             can
             never
             please
             him
             by
             doing
             evil
             ,
             whatever
             the
             Event
             be
             :
             He
             makes
             use
             of
             the
             Sins
             of
             men
             to
             serve
             his
             Providence
             ,
             but
             he
             will
             punish
             them
             for
             their
             Sins
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
          
           
             The
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             THE
             next
             Inquiry
             is
             concerning
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             :
             Though
             methinks
             it
             is
             a
             more
             proper
             Subject
             for
             our
             devout
             Meditations
             ,
             than
             for
             our
             Inquiries
             ;
             for
             we
             need
             not
             look
             far
             to
             seek
             for
             proofs
             and
             demonstrations
             of
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             .
             
               The
               earth
               is
               full
               of
               the
               goodness
               of
               the
               Lord
               :
            
             We
             see
             ,
             and
             feel
             ,
             and
             taste
             it
             every
             day
             ;
             we
             owe
             our
             being
             ,
             our
             preservation
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             comforts
             of
             our
             lives
             to
             it
             .
             There
             is
             not
             so
             mean
             ,
             nor
             so
             miserable
             a
             Creature
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             but
             can
             bear
             its
             testimony
             to
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             :
             Nay
             ,
             if
             you
             would
             pardon
             the
             harshness
             of
             the
             expression
             ,
             I
             would
             venture
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             is
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             Plagues
             and
             Torments
             of
             Hell
             ;
             I
             mean
             ,
             the
             remembrance
             of
             God's
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             their
             wicked
             and
             ungrateful
             abuse
             of
             it
             .
             This
             is
             that
             Worm
             that
             never
             dieth
             ,
             those
             sharp
             Reflections
             men
             make
             on
             their
             Ingratitude
             and
             Folly
             ,
             in
             making
             themselves
             miserable
             by
             affronting
             that
             Goodness
             which
             would
             have
             made
             them
             happy
             .
          
           
             Whatever
             other
             Objections
             fome
             wanton
             and
             sporting
             Wits
             make
             against
             Providence
             ,
             one
             would
             think
             it
             impossible
             that
             any
             man
             who
             lives
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             and
             feels
             what
             he
             enjoys
             himself
             ,
             and
             sees
             what
             a
             bountiful
             provision
             is
             made
             for
             all
             Creatures
             ,
             should
             question
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             by
             which
             
               he
               lives
               ,
               moves
               ,
               and
               has
               his
               being
               .
            
             We
             should
             think
             him
             an
             extraordinary
             Benefactor
             ,
             who
             did
             the
             thousandth
             part
             for
             us
             of
             what
             God
             does
             ,
             and
             should
             not
             challenge
             his
             goodness
             ,
             though
             he
             did
             some
             things
             which
             we
             did
             not
             like
             ,
             or
             did
             not
             understand
             ;
             but
             Atheism
             is
             founded
             in
             Ingratitude
             ;
             and
             unless
             God
             humour
             them
             ,
             
             as
             well
             as
             do
             them
             good
             ,
             he
             is
             no
             God
             for
             them
             .
             Nay
             ,
             I
             cannot
             but
             observe
             here
             ,
             the
             perverse
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             ungrateful
             Temper
             of
             Atheists
             ;
             when
             they
             dispute
             against
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             then
             God
             is
             much
             too
             good
             for
             them
             ;
             though
             he
             give
             us
             Examples
             enow
             of
             his
             Severity
             against
             Sin
             ,
             yet
             his
             Patience
             and
             Long-suffering
             to
             some
             few
             Prosperous
             Sinners
             ,
             is
             thought
             a
             sufficient
             Argument
             ,
             that
             God
             is
             not
             just
             ,
             or
             that
             he
             does
             not
             govern
             the
             world
             :
             When
             they
             dispute
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             then
             God
             is
             not
             good
             enough
             for
             them
             :
             Though
             they
             see
             innumerable
             Instances
             of
             Goodness
             in
             the
             government
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             yet
             this
             is
             not
             owing
             to
             a
             Good
             God
             ,
             but
             to
             Good
             Fortune
             ,
             because
             they
             think
             they
             see
             some
             of
             the
             careless
             and
             irregular
             Strokes
             of
             Chance
             and
             Fortune
             intermixt
             with
             it
             ,
             in
             the
             many
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             of
             life
             .
             Now
             it
             is
             impossible
             for
             God
             himself
             to
             answer
             these
             two
             Objections
             ,
             to
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             these
             men
             ;
             and
             that
             ,
             I
             think
             ,
             is
             a
             sufficient
             answer
             to
             them
             both
             .
             For
             should
             God
             vindicate
             his
             Justice
             to
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             these
             men
             ,
             by
             punishing
             in
             this
             world
             every
             sin
             that
             is
             committed
             according
             to
             its
             desert
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             very
             little
             room
             for
             the
             exercise
             of
             Goodness
             :
             If
             every
             man
             must
             suffer
             as
             much
             as
             he
             sins
             ,
             the
             very
             best
             men
             will
             be
             great
             Sufferers
             ,
             much
             greater
             Sufferers
             than
             any
             of
             them
             now
             are
             ,
             tho
             their
             Sufferings
             are
             made
             another
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ;
             and
             there
             will
             be
             as
             many
             formidable
             Examples
             of
             Misery
             ,
             as
             there
             are
             Atheists
             and
             Profligate
             Sinners
             ,
             and
             this
             would
             be
             an
             unanswerable
             Objection
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ;
             for
             how
             good
             soever
             God
             might
             be
             ,
             if
             he
             must
             punish
             every
             sin
             ,
             he
             has
             no
             opportunity
             to
             shew
             his
             Goodness
             :
             And
             on
             the
             other
             hand
             ,
             should
             God
             be
             as
             good
             as
             these
             men
             would
             have
             him
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             that
             to
             prove
             himself
             good
             ,
             he
             should
             not
             inflict
             any
             Evils
             or
             Calamities
             on
             men
             ,
             whatever
             their
             Sins
             or
             Provocations
             are
             ;
             that
             whereas
             God
             planted
             Paradise
             only
             for
             man
             in
             innocence
             ,
             the
             whole
             world
             should
             be
             now
             a
             Paradise
             ,
             
             though
             there
             is
             not
             an
             innocent
             man
             in
             it
             ;
             this
             would
             be
             as
             unanswerable
             an
             Objection
             against
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             :
             So
             that
             these
             men
             have
             taken
             care
             always
             to
             have
             an
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ;
             for
             according
             to
             their
             Notions
             of
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             God
             cannot
             be
             both
             ;
             which
             is
             a
             certain
             demonstration
             ,
             that
             they
             mistake
             the
             true
             Notion
             of
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ;
             they
             are
             both
             great
             and
             excellent
             Vertues
             ;
             both
             are
             essential
             to
             the
             Idea
             of
             God
             ;
             both
             are
             necessary
             to
             the
             good
             government
             of
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             therefore
             both
             of
             them
             must
             be
             very
             consistent
             and
             reconcilable
             with
             each
             other
             ,
             both
             in
             Notion
             and
             Practise
             .
          
           
             I
             have
             already
             vindicated
             the
             Justice
             of
             God's
             Providence
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             no
             great
             difficulty
             in
             vindicating
             his
             Goodness
             ,
             the
             Objections
             against
             which
             are
             founded
             in
             plain
             and
             evident
             Mistakes
             ,
             and
             therefore
             will
             receive
             an
             easy
             Answer
             .
             And
             I
             shall
             first
             consider
             what
             the
             Mistakes
             are
             ,
             and
             then
             particularly
             answer
             the
             Objections
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             As
             for
             the
             first
             ,
             The
             Mistakes
             either
             relate
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             God's
             Goodness
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             and
             Government
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Mistakes
             concerning
             God's
             Goodness
             :
             And
             the
             fundamental
             Mistake
             is
             this
             ,
             That
             men
             consider
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             absolutely
             ,
             without
             relation
             to
             the
             Nature
             ,
             Quality
             ,
             or
             Desert
             of
             the
             Subjects
             ,
             who
             are
             to
             receive
             good
             .
             They
             contemplate
             Goodness
             in
             its
             abstracted
             Idea
             and
             Notion
             ;
             and
             whatever
             they
             conceive
             belongs
             to
             the
             most
             Perfect
             Goodness
             ,
             that
             they
             expect
             from
             God
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             this
             world
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             do
             not
             find
             it
             ,
             they
             conclude
             ,
             that
             the
             world
             is
             not
             governed
             by
             a
             Good
             Providence
             .
             As
             for
             instance
             .
          
           
           
             It
             is
             certainly
             an
             Act
             of
             the
             most
             Perfect
             Goodness
             to
             make
             all
             Creatures
             happy
             ;
             not
             to
             suffer
             any
             Miseries
             to
             enter
             into
             the
             world
             ;
             that
             there
             be
             nothing
             to
             deface
             the
             Beauty
             ,
             or
             to
             disturb
             the
             Harmony
             of
             it
             :
             No
             lamentable
             Sights
             ,
             nor
             doleful
             Complaints
             ,
             to
             move
             our
             pity
             ,
             nor
             to
             terrify
             us
             with
             the
             melancholy
             presages
             of
             our
             own
             Sufferings
             ,
             nor
             to
             make
             frightful
             impressions
             on
             us
             of
             a
             Severe
             and
             Inexorable
             Deity
             .
             Could
             they
             see
             such
             a
             world
             as
             this
             ,
             they
             would
             thankfully
             own
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             securely
             rejoyce
             in
             it
             :
             But
             this
             world
             ,
             wherein
             we
             live
             ,
             gives
             us
             a
             very
             different
             prospect
             ;
             we
             see
             a
             great
             many
             Miserable
             people
             ,
             and
             feel
             a
             great
             many
             Miseries
             our selves
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             expect
             and
             fear
             a
             great
             many
             more
             ;
             and
             how
             unlike
             is
             this
             world
             ,
             to
             what
             we
             should
             have
             imagined
             the
             world
             to
             have
             been
             ,
             had
             we
             never
             seen
             it
             ,
             but
             only
             heard
             of
             a
             world
             made
             and
             governed
             by
             Infinite
             and
             Perfect
             Goodness
             ?
             Indeed
             all
             the
             Objections
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             do
             ultimately
             resolve
             into
             this
             :
             That
             the
             world
             is
             not
             so
             happy
             as
             a
             Good
             God
             can
             make
             it
             ,
             and
             therefore
             a
             Good
             Providence
             does
             not
             govern
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             a
             plain
             Answer
             to
             this
             will
             enable
             any
             man
             to
             answer
             all
             the
             rest
             .
          
           
             And
             the
             Answer
             to
             this
             is
             short
             and
             plain
             ;
             That
             Infinite
             and
             Perfect
             Goodness
             will
             do
             all
             the
             good
             which
             can
             be
             wisely
             done
             ,
             but
             not
             all
             the
             good
             which
             men
             may
             expect
             from
             Infinite
             Goodness
             ;
             for
             the
             external
             exercise
             of
             Goodness
             must
             not
             bear
             proportion
             to
             the
             Infinite
             Fulness
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             State
             ,
             Condition
             ,
             and
             Capacities
             of
             Creatures
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             must
             not
             measure
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             merely
             by
             External
             Events
             ,
             which
             may
             sometimes
             be
             very
             calamitous
             ;
             but
             by
             that
             proportion
             such
             Events
             bear
             to
             the
             State
             and
             Deserts
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             or
             of
             particular
             men
             in
             this
             world
             .
             The
             best
             man
             in
             the
             world
             does
             not
             think
             himself
             bound
             to
             do
             all
             the
             good
             he
             can
             to
             every
             one
             he
             meets
             ;
             he
             will
             make
             a
             
             difference
             between
             a
             Child
             and
             a
             Servant
             ,
             between
             a
             Friend
             and
             an
             Enemy
             ,
             between
             a
             Good
             and
             a
             Bad
             man
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             must
             a
             Good
             Prince
             and
             a
             Good
             Magistrate
             do
             so
             ;
             and
             much
             more
             must
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             Supream
             and
             Soveraign
             Lord
             of
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             We
             shall
             better
             understand
             this
             ,
             if
             we
             view
             Man
             in
             his
             several
             States
             ,
             and
             observe
             how
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             suits
             it self
             to
             those
             different
             States
             .
          
           
             The
             Divine
             Goodness
             made
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             made
             Man
             ;
             and
             hence
             we
             may
             take
             our
             estimate
             what
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             is
             ,
             and
             what
             it
             can
             ,
             and
             will
             do
             ,
             when
             Goodness
             freely
             exerts
             it self
             ,
             without
             any
             external
             impediment
             to
             set
             bounds
             to
             it
             .
          
           
             And
             if
             we
             believe
             the
             History
             of
             the
             Creation
             ,
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             displayed
             it self
             in
             a
             most
             beautiful
             and
             glorious
             Scene
             ;
             the
             New-made
             World
             ,
             and
             the
             new-created
             Man
             ,
             were
             as
             perfect
             and
             happy
             ,
             as
             the
             perfect
             Ideas
             of
             their
             Natures
             in
             the
             Divine
             Mind
             .
             This
             was
             the
             World
             which
             God
             made
             ;
             such
             a
             happy
             world
             ,
             as
             it
             became
             Perfect
             Goodness
             to
             make
             ;
             and
             hence
             we
             learn
             what
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             is
             ,
             and
             what
             it
             would
             always
             do
             ;
             for
             when
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             made
             the
             World
             ,
             he
             made
             it
             what
             he
             would
             have
             it
             be
             .
          
           
             But
             Man
             did
             not
             continue
             what
             God
             had
             made
             him
             :
             He
             sinned
             ,
             and
             by
             Sin
             brought
             Death
             and
             Misery
             into
             the
             world
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             though
             we
             do
             not
             now
             see
             such
             a
             happy
             state
             of
             things
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             hence
             conclude
             ,
             that
             the
             world
             is
             not
             governed
             by
             Perfect
             Goodness
             ,
             but
             that
             a
             perfect
             state
             of
             Ease
             and
             Happiness
             in
             this
             world
             does
             neither
             become
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             nor
             is
             good
             for
             Sinners
             ;
             and
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             conclude
             this
             ,
             not
             only
             because
             God
             made
             Innocent
             man
             happy
             ,
             but
             because
             he
             has
             prepared
             a
             much
             greater
             Happiness
             for
             Good
             men
             in
             the
             next
             world
             :
             Which
             shews
             that
             the
             change
             is
             not
             in
             God
             ,
             but
             in
             Men
             :
             He
             made
             man
             happy
             at
             first
             ,
             and
             he
             will
             make
             Good
             men
             
             perfectly
             happy
             hereafter
             ;
             but
             though
             he
             be
             always
             the
             same
             ,
             as
             good
             now
             as
             he
             was
             when
             he
             at
             first
             made
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             as
             he
             will
             be
             ,
             when
             he
             shall
             reward
             all
             Good
             men
             in
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             the
             Just
             ;
             yet
             the
             degenerate
             state
             of
             Mankind
             requires
             such
             a
             mixture
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             as
             we
             now
             see
             ,
             and
             feel
             ,
             and
             complain
             of
             in
             this
             world
             .
          
           
             For
             it
             is
             a
             very
             different
             case
             ,
             to
             see
             Goodness
             acting
             alone
             ,
             and
             pursuing
             its
             own
             gracious
             Inclinations
             ,
             and
             to
             see
             it
             limited
             and
             confined
             by
             Justice
             ,
             which
             must
             be
             the
             case
             when
             Mankind
             are
             Sinners
             .
             For
             then
             Goodness
             cannot
             do
             what
             is
             absolutely
             best
             ,
             but
             what
             is
             best
             in
             such
             Cases
             ;
             and
             when
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             are
             reconcilable
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             in
             a
             probation
             State
             ,
             there
             Wisdom
             must
             prescribe
             the
             temperament
             .
          
           
             Justice
             requires
             the
             punishment
             of
             Sinners
             ,
             but
             Goodness
             is
             inclined
             to
             spare
             ,
             and
             Wisdom
             judges
             when
             ,
             and
             in
             what
             manner
             ,
             it
             is
             fit
             to
             punish
             ,
             or
             to
             spare
             .
             An
             Incurable
             Sinner
             is
             the
             Object
             of
             strict
             and
             rigorous
             Justice
             ;
             a
             Corrigible
             Sinner
             is
             the
             Object
             both
             of
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ;
             his
             Sin
             deserves
             correction
             and
             punishment
             ;
             but
             that
             he
             is
             corrigible
             ,
             makes
             him
             the
             Object
             of
             Patience
             and
             Discipline
             :
             And
             this
             we
             must
             suppose
             to
             be
             the
             difference
             between
             the
             Case
             of
             Apostate
             Angels
             ,
             and
             of
             Fallen
             Man
             ,
             and
             therefore
             Justice
             immediately
             seized
             on
             those
             Apostate
             Spirits
             ;
             but
             God
             in
             infinite
             goodness
             promised
             a
             Saviour
             to
             Mankind
             .
          
           
             This
             makes
             the
             present
             state
             of
             Mankind
             in
             this
             world
             to
             be
             a
             state
             of
             Trial
             and
             Discipline
             ;
             to
             reclaim
             and
             reform
             Sinners
             by
             the
             various
             methods
             of
             Grace
             and
             Providence
             ;
             and
             this
             changes
             both
             the
             very
             Notion
             and
             Exercise
             of
             God's
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             for
             we
             must
             expect
             no
             more
             of
             either
             ,
             than
             what
             a
             state
             of
             Trial
             and
             Discipline
             will
             allow
             .
          
           
           
             The
             not
             considering
             this
             distinction
             between
             Absolute
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             ,
             and
             the
             goodness
             and
             justice
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             has
             been
             the
             occasion
             of
             all
             those
             Objections
             which
             have
             been
             made
             both
             against
             the
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             We
             must
             confess
             ,
             that
             the
             World
             is
             not
             so
             happy
             ,
             as
             Perfect
             ,
             and
             Absolute
             ,
             and
             Unconfined
             Goodness
             could
             make
             it
             ;
             nor
             are
             all
             Sinners
             so
             miserable
             ,
             as
             Strict
             and
             Absolute
             Justice
             could
             make
             them
             ;
             but
             this
             signifies
             no
             more
             ,
             than
             that
             Heaven
             and
             Hell
             are
             not
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             as
             no
             man
             ever
             pretended
             they
             were
             ;
             and
             yet
             Strict
             and
             Rigorous
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Perfect
             and
             Absolute
             Goodness
             ,
             where-ever
             they
             are
             exercised
             ,
             must
             make
             Hell
             and
             Heaven
             .
             But
             this
             Life
             is
             a
             Middle-state
             between
             both
             ;
             and
             as
             men
             behave
             themselves
             here
             ,
             so
             they
             shall
             have
             their
             Portions
             ,
             either
             in
             Heaven
             or
             Hell
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             of
             God
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             is
             of
             a
             different
             nature
             from
             that
             Goodness
             or
             Justice
             which
             is
             exercised
             in
             Heaven
             or
             Hell
             ,
             proportioned
             to
             the
             state
             of
             Discipline
             and
             Trial
             in
             this
             Life
             .
          
           
             Goodness
             indeed
             has
             the
             predominant
             government
             ,
             and
             Justice
             is
             only
             the
             Minister
             of
             Goodness
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             as
             it
             must
             be
             in
             a
             state
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             when
             Corrections
             as
             well
             as
             Favours
             are
             intended
             for
             good
             .
             To
             put
             Man
             into
             a
             state
             of
             Probation
             and
             Trial
             ,
             to
             recover
             that
             Immortality
             he
             had
             lost
             ,
             was
             an
             Act
             of
             great
             Goodness
             ;
             and
             whatever
             severe
             Methods
             are
             used
             to
             reform
             Sinners
             ,
             is
             as
             great
             an
             expression
             of
             Goodness
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             to
             force
             and
             to
             compel
             them
             to
             be
             happy
             ;
             as
             it
             is
             to
             cut
             off
             a
             Hand
             ,
             or
             a
             Leg
             ,
             to
             preserve
             Life
             :
             And
             if
             we
             will
             but
             allow
             this
             World
             to
             be
             a
             state
             of
             Trial
             and
             Discipline
             for
             another
             World
             ,
             and
             wisely
             consider
             ,
             not
             what
             pure
             ,
             simple
             ,
             and
             absolute
             Goodness
             ,
             but
             what
             the
             goodness
             of
             Discipline
             requires
             ,
             it
             will
             give
             us
             an
             easy
             answer
             to
             all
             the
             Objections
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
           
             1.
             
             As
             first
             ,
             The
             Goodness
             of
             God
             in
             a
             state
             of
             Discipline
             will
             not
             admit
             of
             a
             compleat
             and
             perfect
             Happiness
             in
             this
             World
             ;
             for
             that
             is
             no
             state
             of
             Discipline
             .
             Good
             men
             themselves
             ,
             were
             they
             as
             happy
             in
             this
             World
             as
             they
             could
             wish
             ,
             would
             not
             be
             very
             fond
             of
             another
             World
             ,
             nor
             learn
             those
             mortifying
             and
             self-denying
             Vertues
             which
             are
             necessary
             to
             prepare
             them
             for
             a
             Spiritual
             Life
             :
             And
             Bad
             men
             would
             grow
             more
             in
             love
             with
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             sin
             on
             without
             check
             and
             controul
             :
             The
             Miseries
             and
             Afflictions
             of
             this
             Life
             wean
             Good
             men
             from
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             lay
             great
             restraints
             upon
             Bad
             men
             ;
             which
             justifies
             both
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             in
             those
             many
             Miseries
             which
             Mankind
             suffer
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             But
             yet
             the
             goodness
             of
             God
             in
             a
             state
             of
             Discipline
             requires
             ,
             That
             this
             World
             should
             be
             so
             tolerable
             a
             place
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             Life
             desirable
             ;
             his
             own
             glory
             is
             concerned
             in
             this
             ;
             for
             no
             man
             would
             believe
             ,
             that
             the
             World
             was
             made
             ,
             or
             is
             governed
             by
             a
             good
             God
             ,
             were
             there
             no
             visible
             and
             sensible
             Testimonies
             of
             a
             kind
             and
             good
             Providence
             :
             But
             though
             God
             cursed
             the
             Earth
             for
             the
             Sin
             of
             man
             ,
             yet
             he
             has
             not
             defaced
             the
             Characters
             of
             his
             own
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             but
             still
             
               the
               invisible
               things
               of
               God
               from
               the
               creation
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               are
               clearly
               seen
               ,
               being
               understood
               by
               the
               things
               that
               are
               made
               ,
               even
               his
               eternal
               power
               and
               Godhead
               ,
            
             1.
             
             Rom.
             20.
             and
             in
             the
             most
             Degenerate
             state
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             
               God
               left
               not
               himself
               without
               a
               witness
               ,
               giving
               them
               rain
               from
               heaven
               ,
               and
               fruitful
               seasons
               ,
               filling
               their
               hearts
               with
               food
               and
               gladness
               .
            
             What
             dreadful
             Apprehensions
             would
             this
             give
             Mankind
             of
             God
             ,
             were
             this
             World
             nothing
             else
             but
             a
             Scene
             of
             Trouble
             and
             Misery
             ?
             What
             encouragement
             would
             this
             be
             to
             Sinners
             to
             repent
             and
             reform
             ?
             What
             hopes
             could
             they
             reasonably
             conceive
             of
             Pardon
             and
             Forgiveness
             ,
             had
             they
             no
             experience
             of
             God's
             goodness
             and
             patience
             towards
             Sinners
             ?
             What
             place
             would
             there
             be
             for
             the
             exercise
             of
             Moral
             or
             Christian
             Vertues
             ,
             of
             Faith
             ,
             and
             
             Hope
             ,
             and
             Trust
             in
             God
             ,
             of
             Self-denial
             ,
             and
             a
             Contempt
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             were
             not
             this
             World
             a
             very
             tolerably
             happy
             place
             ,
             though
             a
             changeable
             Scene
             ?
             A
             state
             of
             Discipline
             must
             neither
             be
             a
             state
             of
             perfect
             Happiness
             ,
             nor
             Misery
             ,
             but
             an
             interchangeable
             Scene
             of
             very
             agreeable
             Pleasures
             ,
             and
             tolerable
             Evils
             ,
             sufficient
             to
             exercise
             the
             Vertues
             ,
             and
             to
             correct
             the
             Vices
             of
             Mankind
             :
             And
             this
             I
             take
             the
             State
             of
             this
             Life
             to
             be
             ;
             so
             happy
             ,
             that
             few
             men
             are
             so
             miserable
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             weary
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             yet
             so
             intermixt
             with
             Troubles
             ,
             as
             to
             exercise
             the
             Vertues
             of
             Good
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             correct
             the
             wicked
             :
             And
             this
             is
             what
             becomes
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             to
             do
             for
             us
             in
             a
             state
             of
             Discipline
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             Goodness
             of
             God
             seems
             to
             require
             ,
             That
             in
             such
             a
             mixt
             and
             changeable
             Scene
             ,
             there
             should
             be
             some
             remarkable
             difference
             made
             between
             the
             Good
             and
             the
             Bad
             ;
             for
             the
             design
             of
             Providence
             in
             a
             state
             of
             trial
             ,
             is
             to
             encourage
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             to
             deter
             men
             from
             Sin
             ;
             and
             therefore
             there
             ought
             to
             be
             such
             a
             visible
             difference
             made
             ,
             as
             may
             be
             sufficient
             ,
             if
             men
             will
             wisely
             consider
             things
             ,
             to
             encourage
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             restrain
             the
             wicked
             .
          
           
             I
             do
             not
             mean
             ,
             that
             all
             Good
             men
             should
             be
             Happy
             and
             Prosperous
             ,
             and
             all
             Bad
             men
             Miserable
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             external
             Fortune
             ;
             for
             a
             state
             of
             Discipline
             will
             not
             allow
             this
             :
             All
             good
             men
             cannot
             bear
             a
             prosperous
             Fortune
             ,
             and
             some
             bad
             men
             may
             grow
             better
             by
             it
             ,
             or
             may
             be
             fit
             instruments
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             such
             a
             visible
             distinction
             between
             all
             good
             and
             bad
             men
             ,
             belongs
             to
             the
             Day
             of
             Judgment
             ,
             not
             to
             a
             state
             of
             trial
             ,
             and
             therefore
             we
             see
             this
             is
             not
             done
             ;
             and
             bad
             men
             ,
             who
             have
             the
             least
             reason
             to
             complain
             of
             it
             ,
             make
             it
             an
             objection
             against
             Providence
             .
          
           
             But
             though
             Providence
             many
             times
             seems
             to
             make
             little
             difference
             between
             good
             and
             bad
             men
             ,
             as
             to
             external
             Events
             ,
             yet
             God
             very
             often
             takes
             care
             to
             expound
             his
             Providences
             ,
             which
             makes
             a
             very
             visible
             difference
             between
             them
             .
          
           
           
             Natural
             Conscience
             is
             one
             of
             God's
             Interpreters
             of
             Providence
             ,
             which
             terrifies
             bad
             men
             with
             a
             sense
             of
             Guilt
             ,
             when
             they
             suffer
             ,
             and
             threatens
             them
             with
             a
             more
             terrible
             Vengeance
             ,
             but
             supports
             good
             men
             under
             their
             Sufferings
             with
             better
             hopes
             ;
             that
             bad
             men
             suffer
             like
             Malefactors
             ,
             with
             Rage
             ,
             and
             Fear
             ,
             and
             Despair
             ;
             good
             men
             with
             Patience
             ,
             and
             Submission
             ,
             and
             joyful
             Expectations
             of
             a
             reward
             .
          
           
             All
             the
             promises
             of
             Scripture
             are
             made
             to
             Good
             men
             ;
             and
             all
             the
             threatnings
             of
             it
             denounced
             against
             Bad
             men
             ;
             and
             this
             expounds
             Providence
             ;
             for
             this
             assures
             good
             men
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             good
             they
             receive
             ,
             is
             the
             Effect
             of
             God's
             care
             and
             goodness
             to
             them
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             Evils
             they
             suffer
             ,
             are
             either
             his
             fatherly
             Correction
             ,
             or
             the
             trial
             and
             exercise
             of
             their
             Vertues
             ;
             but
             that
             the
             Prosperity
             of
             Bad
             men
             is
             only
             the
             effect
             of
             God's
             Patience
             ,
             or
             to
             make
             them
             Instruments
             of
             his
             Providence
             ;
             and
             that
             their
             Sufferings
             are
             the
             punishment
             of
             their
             Sins
             ,
             and
             the
             Fore-runners
             of
             Future
             Vengeance
             ,
             except
             they
             repent
             .
             And
             when
             we
             know
             this
             ,
             it
             makes
             a
             vast
             difference
             between
             the
             Prosperity
             and
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             Good
             and
             Bad
             men
             ;
             and
             because
             this
             is
             not
             always
             visible
             in
             external
             Events
             ,
             God
             has
             taken
             care
             to
             reveal
             it
             to
             us
             .
          
           
             But
             God
             has
             made
             this
             very
             visible
             in
             most
             of
             the
             ordinary
             Calamities
             of
             life
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             natural
             effects
             of
             Sin
             ;
             of
             Intemperance
             ,
             Luxury
             ,
             Lust
             ,
             Pride
             ,
             Passion
             ,
             Covetousness
             ,
             Idleness
             and
             Prodigality
             ;
             most
             of
             those
             Evils
             which
             Bad
             men
             suffer
             ,
             are
             owing
             to
             such
             Vices
             ,
             and
             all
             these
             Good
             men
             escape
             ;
             and
             sometimes
             their
             Vertues
             advance
             them
             to
             Riches
             and
             Honours
             ;
             and
             when
             they
             don't
             ,
             yet
             they
             make
             them
             contented
             and
             pleased
             :
             But
             when
             Wickedness
             makes
             men
             great
             ,
             it
             commonly
             makes
             them
             a
             mark
             for
             Envy
             ,
             and
             advances
             them
             to
             tumble
             them
             down
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             though
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             does
             not
             always
             make
             a
             difference
             between
             Good
             and
             Bad
             men
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             
             external
             Fortunes
             ,
             yet
             sometimes
             God
             makes
             a
             very
             remarkable
             difference
             between
             them
             :
             Gives
             such
             signal
             Demonstrations
             of
             his
             Anger
             against
             Bad
             men
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             Care
             and
             Protection
             of
             the
             Good
             ,
             that
             it
             forces
             men
             to
             acknowledge
             ;
             
               Verily
               there
               is
               a
               reward
               for
               the
               righteous
               ;
               verily
               he
               is
               a
               God
               that
               judgeth
               in
               the
               earth
               ,
            
             58.
             
             Psal.
             11.
             
             And
             a
             few
             such
             Examples
             as
             these
             (
             though
             both
             Sacred
             and
             Prophane
             Story
             furnish
             us
             with
             very
             many
             )
             are
             sufficient
             to
             make
             as
             visible
             a
             distinction
             between
             the
             Good
             and
             the
             Bad
             ,
             as
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             in
             this
             World
             requires
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             But
             yet
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             in
             a
             state
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             will
             not
             allow
             of
             greater
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             than
             are
             necessary
             to
             the
             good
             government
             of
             the
             World
             :
             For
             this
             is
             a
             state
             of
             Discipline
             and
             Government
             ,
             not
             of
             Judgment
             .
             Good
             men
             must
             suffer
             no
             more
             than
             what
             will
             encrease
             their
             Vertue
             ,
             not
             prove
             a
             temptation
             to
             sin
             :
             
               The
               rod
               of
               the
               wicked
               must
               not
               always
               rest
               on
               the
               lot
               of
               the
               righteous
               ,
               lest
               he
               also
               put
               forth
               his
               hand
               unto
               iniquity
               .
            
             The
             Sufferings
             of
             Bad
             men
             ,
             who
             are
             in
             a
             curable
             state
             ,
             must
             be
             only
             proportioned
             to
             their
             cure
             ,
             unless
             the
             evil
             of
             the
             Example
             requires
             a
             severer
             punishment
             to
             warn
             other
             Sinners
             .
             As
             for
             hardened
             and
             incorrigible
             Sinners
             ,
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             is
             not
             concerned
             for
             them
             ,
             but
             he
             may
             serve
             his
             Providence
             on
             them
             as
             he
             pleases
             ;
             either
             by
             making
             them
             the
             Ministers
             of
             his
             Justice
             ,
             to
             execute
             such
             a
             terrible
             Vengeance
             on
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             none
             but
             such
             hardened
             Sinners
             would
             execute
             ;
             or
             by
             making
             them
             the
             lasting
             Monuments
             of
             his
             own
             Vengeance
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             a
             hardened
             and
             incorrigible
             Pharaoh
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             for
             the
             great
             good
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             a
             state
             of
             Discipline
             requires
             such
             Examples
             .
             And
             such
             Sinners
             are
             fit
             to
             be
             made
             Examples
             of
             :
             And
             all
             such
             Severities
             as
             these
             are
             very
             reconcilable
             with
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             in
             a
             state
             of
             Discipline
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             The
             Goodness
             of
             God
             in
             a
             state
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             not
             only
             allows
             ,
             but
             requires
             great
             patience
             ,
             long-suffering
             ,
             and
             
             goodness
             to
             Sinners
             :
             For
             this
             is
             necessary
             to
             reclaim
             Sinners
             ,
             to
             give
             them
             time
             for
             repentance
             ,
             and
             to
             invite
             and
             encourage
             them
             to
             repent
             by
             all
             the
             arts
             and
             methods
             of
             Goodness
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             overawe
             them
             by
             Judgments
             and
             Severities
             .
             Promises
             are
             as
             necessary
             to
             reform
             Sinners
             as
             Threatnings
             ;
             for
             Hope
             is
             as
             powerful
             a
             Principle
             as
             Fear
             ;
             and
             Love
             and
             Goodness
             work
             more
             kindly
             upon
             Ingenuous
             minds
             ,
             and
             melt
             those
             ,
             whom
             Judgments
             cannot
             bow
             ,
             nor
             break
             .
             Thus
             a
             kind
             Parent
             deals
             with
             a
             Prodigal
             Son
             ,
             tries
             him
             with
             kindness
             as
             well
             as
             severity
             ;
             and
             thus
             God
             deals
             with
             Sinners
             .
             He
             is
             good
             to
             the
             Evil
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Good
             ;
             and
             maketh
             his
             Sun
             to
             shine
             ,
             and
             his
             Rain
             to
             fall
             upon
             the
             Just
             ,
             and
             upon
             the
             Unjust
             :
             And
             this
             is
             such
             goodness
             as
             is
             proper
             only
             for
             a
             state
             of
             Discipline
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             The
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             even
             in
             a
             state
             of
             Discipline
             requires
             ,
             that
             there
             should
             be
             a
             great
             deal
             more
             good
             than
             evil
             in
             the
             world
             :
             For
             since
             Goodness
             governs
             the
             World
             ,
             even
             in
             this
             state
             ,
             the
             Good
             must
             be
             predominant
             ;
             that
             notwithstanding
             all
             the
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             there
             are
             ,
             it
             may
             still
             be
             very
             visible
             ,
             that
             the
             World
             is
             governed
             by
             a
             Good
             God.
             That
             this
             is
             so
             ,
             I
             think
             ,
             I
             need
             not
             prove
             ,
             for
             we
             all
             see
             ,
             and
             feel
             it
             .
             The
             Evils
             that
             are
             in
             the
             World
             bear
             no
             proportion
             at
             all
             to
             the
             Good
             :
             There
             are
             some
             few
             Examples
             of
             miserable
             people
             ,
             but
             the
             generality
             of
             Mankind
             are
             very
             happy
             ;
             and
             even
             these
             miserable
             people
             have
             great
             allays
             of
             their
             Miseries
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             take
             an
             estimate
             of
             their
             whole
             Lives
             ,
             have
             a
             much
             greater
             share
             of
             Good
             than
             Evil.
             
          
           
             The
             Judgments
             of
             God
             are
             sometimes
             very
             terrible
             ,
             but
             they
             come
             but
             seldom
             :
             For
             a
             years
             Plague
             or
             Famine
             ,
             we
             enjoy
             some
             Ages
             of
             Health
             and
             Plenty
             .
             And
             the
             Ruins
             and
             Desolations
             of
             War
             are
             recompenced
             and
             forgot
             by
             a
             more
             Lasting
             and
             Flourishing
             Peace
             .
             But
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             moves
             in
             a
             constant
             and
             uniform
             round
             ,
             visits
             all
             Parts
             and
             Corners
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             as
             the
             Sun
             does
             with
             its
             Light
             and
             
             Heat
             :
             That
             considering
             how
             little
             Mankind
             deserves
             of
             God
             in
             this
             Corrupt
             and
             Degenerate
             State
             ;
             how
             highly
             they
             provoke
             him
             every
             day
             ,
             and
             how
             constantly
             and
             universally
             he
             does
             good
             to
             them
             ,
             instead
             of
             complaining
             of
             the
             many
             Evils
             that
             are
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             admire
             the
             Patience
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             to
             Sinners
             .
          
           
             This
             I
             take
             to
             be
             a
             true
             Account
             of
             the
             Nature
             and
             Exercise
             of
             God's
             Goodness
             ,
             as
             it
             respects
             a
             State
             of
             Discipline
             ;
             and
             so
             it
             must
             be
             considered
             in
             the
             government
             of
             this
             World
             ;
             and
             then
             all
             the
             Objections
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             vanish
             of
             themselves
             :
             Though
             this
             World
             be
             not
             so
             happy
             ,
             as
             Perfect
             and
             Absolute
             Goodness
             can
             make
             it
             ,
             yet
             God
             abounds
             in
             all
             the
             Expressions
             of
             Goodness
             ,
             which
             a
             State
             of
             Trial
             and
             Discipline
             will
             allow
             ,
             which
             is
             all
             that
             we
             can
             reasonably
             expect
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             God
             can
             wisely
             do
             for
             us
             in
             this
             State.
             
          
           
             2dly
             .
             Especially
             if
             we
             consider
             in
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             what
             the
             true
             notion
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             is
             in
             a
             State
             of
             Discipline
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             another
             occasion
             of
             most
             Objections
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ;
             That
             men
             consider
             Human
             Nature
             absolutely
             ,
             and
             appeal
             to
             their
             Senses
             for
             the
             Notions
             and
             Differences
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             without
             any
             regard
             to
             the
             present
             State
             of
             Human
             Nature
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             by
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             they
             mean
             only
             Natural
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ;
             such
             as
             Pleasure
             or
             Pain
             ,
             a
             State
             of
             Ease
             and
             Rest
             ,
             or
             of
             Trouble
             ,
             and
             Labour
             ,
             and
             Difficulty
             ,
             Riches
             or
             Poverty
             ,
             Honour
             or
             Disgrace
             ,
             and
             measure
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             by
             the
             Natural
             Good
             or
             Evil
             that
             is
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             if
             Mankind
             and
             particular
             men
             be
             happy
             and
             prosperous
             ,
             then
             God
             does
             good
             ,
             and
             they
             will
             acknowledge
             that
             Providence
             is
             good
             ;
             if
             they
             be
             afflicted
             ,
             this
             is
             very
             evil
             ,
             and
             therefore
             an
             Objection
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             .
             But
             does
             not
             every
             man
             know
             the
             difference
             between
             the
             good
             of
             the
             End
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             of
             the
             Means
             ?
             The
             End
             is
             
             Happiness
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             good
             of
             Nature
             ;
             and
             therefore
             whatever
             is
             the
             Happiness
             ,
             or
             any
             part
             of
             the
             Happiness
             of
             Man
             ,
             is
             the
             good
             of
             Nature
             ;
             the
             good
             of
             the
             End
             is
             that
             which
             is
             good
             to
             make
             men
             happy
             ;
             and
             the
             more
             effectual
             it
             is
             to
             promote
             our
             Happiness
             ,
             the
             greater
             Good
             it
             is
             ,
             tho
             it
             may
             be
             a
             great
             Natural
             Evil
             ;
             and
             whatever
             will
             hinder
             or
             destroy
             our
             Happiness
             ,
             is
             a
             great
             Evil
             ,
             though
             it
             may
             be
             a
             great
             Natural
             Good.
             In
             all
             such
             Cases
             things
             are
             good
             or
             evil
             with
             respect
             to
             their
             End
             ,
             or
             to
             their
             Natural
             or
             Moral
             Consequences
             :
             When
             we
             are
             in
             health
             ,
             that
             is
             good
             Food
             which
             is
             pleasant
             and
             wholsome
             ,
             and
             will
             preserve
             health
             ;
             but
             the
             same
             Diet
             may
             be
             very
             hurtful
             ,
             and
             fatal
             ,
             when
             we
             are
             sick
             .
             Indulgence
             or
             Severity
             to
             Children
             is
             either
             good
             or
             evil
             ,
             in
             proportion
             to
             their
             Tempers
             and
             Inclinations
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             apt
             either
             to
             corrupt
             their
             Manners
             ,
             or
             to
             train
             them
             up
             to
             Piety
             and
             Vertue
             .
             And
             therefore
             when
             we
             speak
             of
             Discipline
             and
             Government
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             true
             notion
             of
             God's
             Providence
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             consider
             so
             much
             what
             is
             naturally
             good
             and
             evil
             ,
             as
             what
             the
             state
             of
             those
             is
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             Subjects
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             what
             is
             good
             for
             them
             in
             such
             a
             State
             ;
             for
             how
             many
             Natural
             Evils
             soever
             there
             are
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             the
             Evils
             of
             Afflictions
             and
             Judgments
             ,
             of
             Plague
             ,
             and
             Famine
             ,
             and
             Sword
             ,
             if
             such
             Severities
             be
             good
             for
             Mankind
             ,
             it
             is
             as
             great
             an
             argument
             of
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             to
             inflict
             them
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             for
             a
             Parent
             ,
             or
             a
             Prince
             ,
             to
             reclaim
             and
             reform
             his
             Children
             ,
             or
             his
             Subjects
             ,
             by
             great
             Severities
             :
             And
             an
             easy
             and
             prosperous
             State
             ,
             when
             the
             Wickedness
             of
             Mankind
             require
             severe
             Restraints
             ,
             is
             no
             more
             an
             Act
             of
             Kindness
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             than
             the
             fond
             Indulgence
             of
             Parents
             is
             to
             disobedient
             Children
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             this
             takes
             away
             the
             very
             foundation
             of
             this
             Objection
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             .
             The
             principal
             Objection
             is
             ,
             That
             there
             are
             a
             great
             many
             Evils
             and
             Miseries
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             we
             grant
             it
             ;
             but
             then
             we
             say
             ,
             That
             
             God
             is
             very
             good
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             that
             these
             Natural
             Evils
             ,
             tho
             they
             are
             grievous
             ,
             are
             not
             Evils
             to
             us
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             ,
             and
             are
             intended
             for
             our
             good
             :
             We
             can
             neither
             prove
             ,
             nor
             disprove
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             merely
             by
             external
             Events
             ,
             especially
             with
             respect
             to
             particular
             men
             :
             For
             Prosperity
             is
             not
             always
             good
             for
             us
             ,
             nor
             is
             Affliction
             always
             for
             our
             hurt
             ;
             God
             may
             make
             some
             men
             prosperous
             in
             his
             Anger
             ;
             and
             chastise
             others
             in
             great
             love
             and
             goodness
             ;
             and
             this
             I
             take
             to
             be
             the
             meaning
             of
             the
             Wise-man
             ,
             9.
             
             Eccl.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             
               No
               man
               knoweth
               either
               love
               or
               hatred
               by
               all
               that
               is
               before
               them
               .
               For
               all
               things
               come
               alike
               to
               all
               ;
               there
               is
               one
               event
               to
               the
               righteous
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               wicked
               ;
               to
               the
               good
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               clean
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               unclean
               ;
               to
               him
               that
               sacrificeth
               ,
               and
               to
               him
               that
               sacrificeth
               not
               ;
               as
               is
               the
               good
               ,
               so
               is
               the
               sinner
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               sweareth
               ,
               as
               he
               that
               feareth
               an
               oath
               :
            
             Which
             does
             not
             signify
             that
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             makes
             no
             difference
             between
             Good
             and
             Bad
             men
             ;
             for
             God
             does
             love
             Good
             men
             ,
             and
             hate
             the
             Wicked
             ;
             and
             his
             Providence
             makes
             a
             great
             difference
             between
             them
             ;
             though
             this
             difference
             is
             not
             always
             visible
             in
             external
             Events
             :
             For
             when
             the
             same
             Event
             happens
             to
             both
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             a
             Natural
             Good
             or
             Evil
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             an
             Act
             of
             Favour
             to
             Good
             men
             ,
             and
             of
             Judgment
             to
             the
             Wicked
             ;
             For
             external
             Prosperity
             and
             Adversity
             in
             a
             State
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             may
             either
             be
             good
             or
             evil
             ;
             and
             may
             be
             good
             for
             one
             ,
             when
             at
             the
             same
             time
             it
             is
             evil
             to
             another
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             may
             make
             a
             difference
             ,
             when
             the
             external
             Event
             makes
             none
             .
             The
             Wise-man
             confesses
             ,
             
               This
               is
               an
               evil
               among
               all
               things
               that
               are
               done
               under
               the
               Sun
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               one
               event
               unto
               all
               :
            
             Bad
             men
             ,
             who
             look
             no
             farther
             than
             external
             Events
             ,
             make
             a
             very
             bad
             use
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             conclude
             that
             God
             makes
             no
             difference
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             none
             made
             :
             And
             thus
             
               the
               heart
               of
               the
               sons
               of
               men
               is
               full
               of
               evil
               ,
               and
               madness
               is
               in
               their
               heart
               while
               they
               live
               ,
               and
               after
               that
               they
               go
               to
               the
               dead
               ,
            
             3.
             v.
             But
             those
             who
             consider
             wisely
             ,
             see
             no
             reason
             from
             external
             
             Events
             ,
             from
             such
             a
             promiscuous
             distribution
             of
             good
             and
             evil
             ,
             either
             to
             deny
             a
             Providence
             ,
             or
             the
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ;
             since
             good
             and
             evil
             in
             this
             State
             are
             not
             in
             the
             things
             themselves
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             End
             for
             which
             they
             are
             intended
             ,
             and
             which
             they
             serve
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             of
             great
             consequence
             rightly
             to
             understand
             this
             matter
             ,
             to
             give
             us
             a
             firm
             persuasion
             of
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             even
             when
             he
             corrects
             and
             punishes
             ,
             and
             to
             cure
             our
             discontent
             at
             the
             Prosperity
             of
             the
             Wicked
             ;
             and
             therefore
             I
             shall
             briefly
             represent
             to
             you
             the
             State
             of
             Mankind
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             what
             is
             good
             in
             such
             a
             State.
             
          
           
             Man
             has
             sinned
             ,
             and
             Man
             must
             die
             ;
             but
             God
             has
             in
             infinite
             goodness
             to
             Mankind
             sent
             his
             own
             Son
             into
             the
             World
             to
             save
             Sinners
             ,
             who
             by
             death
             hath
             destroyed
             him
             who
             had
             the
             power
             of
             Death
             ,
             that
             is
             the
             Devil
             ,
             and
             hath
             brought
             Life
             and
             Immortality
             to
             light
             by
             the
             Gospel
             .
             This
             removes
             the
             Scene
             of
             Happiness
             from
             this
             World
             to
             the
             next
             ,
             and
             makes
             this
             present
             Life
             only
             a
             State
             of
             Probation
             for
             Eternity
             :
             If
             we
             obey
             the
             Laws
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             imitate
             his
             Example
             ,
             he
             has
             promised
             to
             raise
             us
             again
             ,
             when
             our
             dead
             Bodies
             are
             putrified
             in
             the
             Grave
             ,
             into
             Immortal
             Life
             ;
             but
             has
             threatned
             all
             the
             Miseries
             of
             an
             Eternal
             Death
             against
             Incorrigible
             Sinners
             ;
             so
             that
             the
             greatest
             good
             that
             God
             or
             Man
             can
             do
             for
             us
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             is
             by
             all
             the
             wise
             methods
             of
             Discipline
             and
             Government
             ,
             to
             prepare
             us
             for
             the
             Happiness
             of
             the
             next
             ;
             and
             to
             preserve
             us
             from
             those
             Eternal
             Miseries
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             the
             portion
             of
             Sinners
             .
             Tho
             there
             are
             thousands
             of
             foolish
             Sinners
             who
             never
             consider
             this
             ,
             yet
             all
             Mankind
             agree
             ,
             that
             that
             is
             best
             for
             us
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             which
             will
             make
             us
             eternally
             happy
             in
             the
             next
             ;
             and
             that
             is
             a
             very
             great
             Evil
             which
             will
             betray
             us
             to
             Eternal
             Miseries
             .
             There
             are
             a
             great
             many
             Infidels
             who
             believe
             neither
             a
             Heaven
             ,
             nor
             a
             Hell
             ,
             but
             yet
             these
             very
             Infidels
             are
             not
             so
             void
             of
             common
             Sense
             ,
             as
             to
             deny
             ,
             supposing
             there
             were
             a
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             a
             Hell
             ,
             that
             to
             be
             the
             best
             
             Condition
             for
             us
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             whatever
             it
             be
             upon
             other
             accounts
             ,
             which
             will
             carry
             us
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             keep
             us
             out
             of
             Hell.
             
          
           
             Now
             if
             this
             be
             the
             Case
             ,
             there
             cannot
             be
             so
             great
             Evils
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             but
             what
             may
             be
             good
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             therefore
             may
             be
             an
             expression
             of
             God's
             Goodness
             to
             us
             :
             For
             if
             Pain
             and
             Sickness
             ,
             Poverty
             and
             Disgrace
             ,
             wean
             us
             from
             this
             World
             ,
             subdue
             our
             Lusts
             ,
             make
             us
             Good
             men
             ,
             and
             qualify
             us
             for
             Eternal
             Rewards
             ;
             though
             they
             are
             great
             Afflictions
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             very
             good
             ,
             as
             the
             way
             ,
             though
             a
             rough
             and
             difficult
             way
             ,
             to
             Happiness
             .
          
           
             That
             prosperity
             does
             oftentimes
             corrupt
             mens
             Lives
             and
             Manners
             ,
             make
             them
             proud
             ,
             and
             sensual
             ,
             regardless
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             so
             fond
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             that
             they
             never
             care
             to
             think
             of
             another
             ;
             and
             that
             Afflictions
             and
             Adversity
             has
             many
             times
             a
             quite
             contrary
             effect
             to
             make
             men
             serious
             and
             considerate
             ,
             to
             possess
             them
             with
             an
             awe
             and
             reverence
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             correct
             and
             reform
             Bad
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             exercise
             the
             Graces
             and
             Vertues
             of
             the
             Good
             ,
             both
             the
             Reason
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             the
             Experience
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             may
             satisfy
             us
             ▪
             That
             this
             is
             what
             God
             designs
             in
             those
             Afflictions
             and
             Sufferings
             he
             brings
             on
             Mankind
             ,
             the
             Scripture
             every
             where
             assures
             us
             ;
             and
             the
             natural
             conclusion
             from
             hence
             is
             ,
             That
             Afflictions
             are
             not
             evil
             ,
             nor
             any
             Objection
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             :
             If
             they
             prove
             evil
             to
             us
             ,
             it
             is
             our
             own
             fault
             ,
             for
             God
             designs
             them
             for
             good
             .
             As
             the
             Apostle
             expresly
             tells
             us
             ,
             
             
               That
               all
               things
               work
               together
               for
               good
               to
               them
               that
               love
               God
               :
               And
               whom
               the
               Lord
               loveth
               ,
               he
               chasteneth
               ,
               and
               scourgeth
               every
               son
               whom
               he
               receiveth
               ;
               if
               ye
               endure
               chastening
               ,
               God
               dealeth
               with
               you
               as
               with
               sons
               ;
               for
               what
               son
               is
               he
               ,
               whom
               the
               father
               chasteneth
               not
               ?
               but
               if
               ye
               be
               without
               chastisement
               ,
               whereof
               all
               are
               partakers
               ,
               then
               are
               ye
               bastards
               ,
               and
               not
               sons
               ,
            
             21.
             
             Hebr.
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             This
             then
             must
             be
             our
             great
             care
             ,
             to
             rectify
             our
             Notions
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             to
             withdraw
             our
             minds
             from
             
             Sense
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             call
             every
             thing
             good
             that
             is
             pleasant
             ,
             nor
             every
             thing
             evil
             that
             is
             afflicting
             ;
             this
             distinction
             the
             Heathen
             Poet
             long
             since
             observed
             ,
             and
             gives
             it
             as
             a
             Reason
             ,
             and
             a
             very
             wise
             and
             good
             Reason
             it
             is
             ,
             why
             we
             should
             entirely
             give
             up
             our selves
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             leave
             him
             to
             chuse
             our
             Condition
             for
             us
             .
             
               Nam
               pro
               jucundis
               aptissima
               quaeque
               dabunt
               Dii
               .
               That
               though
               God
               will
               not
               always
               give
               us
               those
               things
               which
               are
               most
               pleasant
               ,
               he
               will
               give
               us
               what
               is
               most
               profitable
               for
               us
               .
            
             And
             if
             we
             judge
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             not
             by
             Sense
             ,
             nor
             by
             external
             Appearances
             ,
             but
             by
             that
             spiritual
             good
             they
             do
             ,
             or
             are
             intended
             to
             do
             us
             ,
             in
             making
             us
             Good
             men
             here
             ,
             and
             happy
             hereafter
             ;
             men
             may
             ,
             if
             they
             so
             please
             ,
             as
             reasonably
             quarrel
             with
             the
             great
             Ease
             and
             Prosperity
             which
             so
             many
             enjoy
             ,
             as
             with
             the
             Afflictions
             which
             others
             suffer
             ;
             for
             Prosperity
             does
             oftner
             corrupt
             mens
             Manners
             ,
             and
             betray
             them
             to
             Sin
             and
             Folly
             ,
             than
             Afflictions
             do
             ;
             Good
             men
             themselves
             can
             hardly
             bear
             a
             prosperous
             State
             ,
             nor
             resist
             the
             Temptations
             and
             Flatteries
             of
             Ease
             and
             Pleasure
             ;
             whereas
             Afflictions
             many
             times
             reform
             Bad
             men
             ,
             and
             make
             Good
             men
             better
             ,
             as
             the
             Psalmist
             himself
             owns
             ;
             
               It
               is
               good
               for
               me
               that
               I
               have
               been
               afflicted
               ;
               for
               before
               I
               was
               afflicted
               ,
               I
               went
               astray
               ,
               but
               since
               I
               have
               learned
               to
               keep
               thy
               laws
               .
            
             And
             if
             both
             Prosperity
             and
             Adversity
             may
             be
             either
             for
             our
             good
             or
             hurt
             ,
             and
             when
             they
             are
             so
             ,
             we
             cannot
             always
             tell
             ,
             we
             must
             leave
             this
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             commit
             our selves
             to
             his
             Care
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             who
             knows
             us
             better
             than
             we
             know
             our selves
             ,
             and
             knows
             what
             is
             best
             for
             us
             .
          
           
             But
             this
             may
             seem
             to
             start
             a
             new
             and
             more
             difficult
             Objection
             ;
             That
             if
             we
             must
             not
             judge
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             by
             external
             and
             sensible
             Events
             ,
             we
             can
             have
             no
             sensible
             Proofs
             of
             the
             Goodness
             or
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             .
             As
             we
             cannot
             object
             the
             external
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             that
             are
             in
             the
             World
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ;
             so
             neither
             can
             we
             prove
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             from
             those
             external
             and
             sensible
             Blessings
             which
             God
             bestows
             upon
             Mankind
             :
             
             So
             that
             Religion
             gains
             nothing
             by
             this
             ;
             it
             silences
             indeed
             the
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             ,
             but
             it
             also
             destroys
             the
             Proofs
             of
             a
             Good
             and
             Just
             Providence
             .
             The
             Answer
             to
             this
             Objection
             will
             give
             us
             a
             truer
             notion
             and
             understanding
             of
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             For
             though
             we
             cannot
             know
             love
             or
             hatred
             merely
             by
             external
             Events
             ,
             yet
             this
             does
             not
             destroy
             the
             natural
             good
             or
             evil
             of
             things
             ,
             nor
             the
             Justice
             or
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             in
             doing
             good
             ,
             or
             in
             sending
             his
             Plagues
             and
             Judgments
             on
             the
             World.
             Natural
             Good
             and
             Evil
             are
             the
             Instruments
             and
             Methods
             of
             Discipline
             ;
             Good
             men
             are
             encouraged
             and
             rewarded
             in
             this
             World
             by
             some
             external
             and
             natural
             Blessings
             ,
             and
             Bad
             men
             are
             restrained
             and
             governed
             by
             some
             natural
             Evils
             ;
             and
             the
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             of
             God
             in
             doing
             good
             ,
             and
             in
             punishing
             ,
             make
             these
             external
             Blessings
             and
             Punishments
             the
             Methods
             of
             Discipline
             ;
             which
             could
             have
             no
             efficacy
             in
             them
             either
             to
             encourage
             Good
             men
             ,
             or
             to
             reform
             the
             Wicked
             ,
             but
             as
             they
             are
             the
             visible
             significations
             of
             God's
             Favour
             or
             displeasure
             ;
             and
             therefore
             such
             external
             Blessings
             and
             Punishments
             are
             evident
             Proofs
             of
             the
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             or
             else
             they
             could
             not
             be
             the
             Methods
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             nor
             have
             any
             moral
             efficacy
             upon
             Mankind
             .
          
           
             But
             yet
             when
             these
             Acts
             of
             Goodness
             or
             Justice
             are
             made
             the
             Methods
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             not
             intended
             as
             the
             proper
             Rewards
             or
             Punishments
             of
             Vertue
             or
             Vice
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             always
             confined
             to
             Good
             or
             Bad
             men
             ,
             and
             therefore
             are
             not
             certain
             and
             visible
             Marks
             of
             God's
             Love
             or
             Hatred
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             an
             Act
             of
             Goodness
             in
             God
             to
             do
             good
             to
             the
             Evil
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Good
             :
             To
             the
             Good
             it
             is
             a
             mark
             of
             his
             Favour
             ,
             and
             an
             incitement
             to
             a
             more
             perfect
             Vertue
             ;
             to
             the
             Evil
             ,
             an
             expression
             of
             his
             Patience
             ,
             and
             an
             invitation
             to
             Repentance
             ;
             but
             when
             he
             is
             good
             both
             to
             the
             Evil
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Good
             ,
             the
             mere
             external
             Event
             can
             make
             no
             difference
             .
             The
             external
             Good
             may
             be
             the
             same
             ,
             and
             God
             is
             good
             to
             
             both
             ,
             and
             intends
             good
             to
             both
             ,
             but
             yet
             has
             not
             equal
             favour
             to
             both
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             an
             Act
             of
             Justice
             in
             God
             to
             punish
             ,
             and
             to
             correct
             Sin
             ,
             and
             both
             Good
             and
             Bad
             men
             many
             times
             feel
             the
             same
             Severities
             ;
             to
             correct
             and
             chastise
             the
             Follies
             ,
             and
             to
             quicken
             and
             inflame
             the
             Devotions
             of
             Good
             men
             ;
             and
             to
             over-awe
             and
             terrify
             Bad
             men
             with
             the
             sense
             of
             God's
             Anger
             ,
             and
             the
             fears
             of
             Vengeance
             :
             This
             is
             to
             be
             just
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             good
             to
             both
             ,
             as
             great
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             as
             it
             is
             to
             reform
             Bad
             men
             ;
             and
             to
             make
             Good
             men
             better
             ,
             tho
             the
             external
             Events
             of
             Providence
             in
             such
             Cases
             make
             little
             distinction
             between
             them
             :
             We
             see
             in
             all
             these
             Instances
             manifest
             Proofs
             both
             of
             the
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             though
             Prosperity
             is
             not
             always
             a
             Blessing
             ,
             nor
             Afflictions
             always
             evil
             .
             They
             are
             always
             indeed
             in
             themselves
             Natural
             Goods
             and
             Evils
             ,
             and
             therefore
             are
             the
             proper
             Exercise
             of
             a
             Natural
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             ;
             but
             with
             respect
             to
             Moral
             Ends
             ,
             to
             that
             influence
             they
             have
             upon
             the
             direction
             and
             government
             of
             our
             Lives
             ,
             what
             is
             naturally
             good
             ,
             may
             prove
             a
             great
             evil
             to
             us
             ;
             and
             what
             is
             naturally
             evil
             ,
             may
             do
             us
             the
             greatest
             good
             ;
             and
             then
             we
             must
             confess
             ,
             That
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             must
             not
             be
             measured
             merely
             by
             the
             natural
             good
             or
             evil
             of
             external
             Events
             ,
             but
             by
             such
             a
             mixture
             and
             temperament
             of
             good
             and
             evil
             ,
             as
             is
             best
             fitted
             to
             govern
             men
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             them
             happy
             in
             the
             next
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             There
             is
             another
             Mistake
             about
             the
             Nature
             of
             Government
             ,
             and
             what
             Goodness
             is
             required
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             World.
             Now
             the
             Universal
             Lord
             and
             Sovereign
             of
             the
             World
             must
             not
             only
             take
             care
             of
             particular
             Creatures
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             good
             of
             the
             whole
             :
             And
             this
             in
             some
             Cases
             may
             make
             the
             greatest
             and
             most
             terrible
             Acts
             of
             Severity
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             enough
             to
             afright
             and
             astonish
             the
             World
             ,
             Acts
             of
             the
             greatest
             Goodness
             and
             Mercy
             too
             ;
             which
             will
             vindicate
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             when
             
             God
             seems
             to
             be
             most
             severe
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             forgot
             all
             Goodness
             and
             Compassion
             .
             As
             to
             explain
             this
             in
             some
             particular
             Cases
             .
          
           
             
               The
               good
               government
               of
               the
               World
               requires
               the
               defence
               and
               protection
               of
               Mankind
               from
               violent
               and
               unjust
               Oppressions
               ;
               and
               the
               most
               exemplary
               Vengeance
               executed
               upon
               such
               private
               or
               publick
               Oppressors
               ,
               is
               a
               great
               Act
               of
               Goodness
               ,
               and
               a
               great
               deliverance
               to
               the
               Oppressed
               .
               136.
               
            
             Psalm
             ,
             the
             Psalmist
             
               exhorts
               us
            
             ,
             To
             give
             thanks
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             for
             he
             is
             good
             ,
             for
             his
             mercy
             endureth
             for
             ever
             .
             
               And
               among
               other
               Expressions
               of
               the
               Divine
               Goodness
               and
               Mercy
               ,
               he
               mentions
               the
               Plagues
               of
            
             Egypt
             ,
             
               and
               the
               Deliverance
               of
            
             Israel
             
               by
               the
               overthrow
               of
            
             Pharaoh
             
               in
               the
            
             Red-Sea
             ;
             To
             him
             ,
             that
             smote
             Egypt
             in
             their
             first-born
             ;
             for
             his
             mercy
             endureth
             for
             ever
             .
             And
             brought
             out
             Israel
             from
             among
             them
             ,
             for
             his
             mercy
             endureth
             for
             ever
             .
             With
             a
             strong
             hand
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             stretched-out
             arm
             ,
             for
             his
             mercy
             endureth
             for
             ever
             .
             To
             him
             which
             divided
             the
             Red-sea
             into
             parts
             ,
             for
             his
             mercy
             ,
             &c.
             and
             made
             Israel
             to
             pass
             through
             the
             midst
             of
             it
             —
             but
             over-threw
             Pharaoh
             and
             his
             host
             in
             the
             Red-sea
             ;
             for
             his
             mercy
             ,
             &c.
             
             To
             him
             who
             smote
             great
             kings
             —
             and
             slew
             famous
             kings
             ,
             Sihon
             king
             of
             the
             Amorites
             —
             and
             Og
             the
             king
             of
             Bashan
             —
             and
             gave
             their
             land
             for
             an
             heritage
             ,
             even
             for
             an
             heritage
             to
             Israel
             his
             servant
             ;
             for
             his
             mercy
             endureth
             for
             ever
             .
          
           
             This
             ought
             to
             be
             well
             considered
             ,
             before
             we
             object
             the
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             which
             befall
             Bad
             men
             ,
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             .
             For
             there
             are
             few
             Bad
             men
             who
             suffer
             any
             Remarkable
             Vengeance
             ,
             but
             that
             their
             Sufferings
             are
             a
             great
             kindness
             and
             deliverance
             to
             others
             ,
             and
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             to
             the
             Publick
             ,
             in
             breaking
             their
             Power
             ,
             or
             taking
             them
             out
             of
             the
             World.
             And
             in
             all
             such
             Cases
             the
             Psalmist
             has
             taught
             us
             a
             very
             proper
             Hymn
             ;
             
               I
               will
               sing
               of
               mercy
               and
               judgment
               ,
               unto
               thee
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               will
               I
               sing
               ,
               101.
               
            
             Psal.
             1.
             
          
           
           
             Thus
             the
             good
             government
             of
             the
             World
             requires
             some
             great
             and
             lasting
             Examples
             of
             God's
             Justice
             and
             Vengeance
             against
             Sin
             :
             And
             as
             terrible
             as
             such
             Examples
             are
             ,
             they
             are
             a
             great
             publick
             Good
             to
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             Some
             few
             such
             Examples
             as
             these
             will
             serve
             to
             warn
             an
             Age
             ,
             nay
             many
             succeeding
             Ages
             and
             Generations
             of
             men
             ;
             which
             prevents
             the
             more
             frequent
             Executions
             of
             Vengeance
             ,
             and
             justifies
             the
             Patience
             and
             Long-suffering
             of
             God
             to
             Sinners
             .
          
           
             If
             such
             Examples
             in
             any
             measure
             reform
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             God
             intends
             they
             should
             ,
             it
             makes
             this
             World
             a
             much
             happier
             place
             ;
             for
             the
             better
             men
             are
             ,
             the
             less
             hurt
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             good
             they
             will
             do
             ;
             and
             the
             less
             evil
             there
             is
             committed
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             the
             less
             Mankind
             will
             suffer
             ;
             and
             the
             greater
             Blessings
             God
             will
             bestow
             on
             them
             .
          
           
             And
             though
             there
             be
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             Wickedness
             committed
             in
             the
             World
             after
             such
             Terrible
             Warnings
             as
             these
             ,
             God
             may
             exercise
             great
             Patience
             and
             Forbearance
             towards
             Sinners
             ,
             without
             the
             least
             blemish
             to
             his
             Holiness
             or
             Justice
             :
             For
             such
             Frightful
             Executions
             convince
             the
             World
             of
             God's
             Justice
             ;
             and
             when
             God
             has
             publickly
             vindicated
             the
             Honour
             of
             his
             Justice
             ,
             he
             may
             try
             gentler
             Methods
             ,
             and
             glorify
             his
             Mercy
             and
             Patience
             towards
             Sinners
             :
             And
             thus
             God
             punishes
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             spare
             ;
             is
             sometimes
             very
             terrible
             in
             his
             Judgments
             ,
             to
             prevent
             the
             necessity
             of
             striking
             often
             ,
             that
             Sinners
             may
             have
             sufficient
             warning
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             may
             be
             good
             to
             Sinners
             ,
             without
             encouraging
             them
             in
             sin
             .
          
           
             Thus
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             Old
             World
             by
             a
             Deluge
             of
             Water
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             past
             being
             reformed
             ,
             is
             a
             warning
             to
             all
             Sinners
             as
             long
             as
             this
             World
             lasts
             ,
             and
             is
             a
             publick
             and
             standing
             Confutation
             of
             Atheism
             ;
             of
             such
             
               Scoffers
               ,
               as
               say
               ,
               where
               is
               the
               promise
               of
               his
               coming
               ?
               for
               since
               the
               fathers
               fell
               asleep
               ,
               all
               things
               continue
               as
               they
               were
               from
               the
               beginning
               of
               the
               creation
               :
            
             The
             constant
             and
             regular
             course
             of
             Nature
             ,
             
             without
             any
             Supernatural
             Changes
             and
             Revolutions
             ,
             tempts
             men
             to
             think
             that
             there
             is
             no
             God
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             who
             changes
             Times
             and
             Seasons
             ;
             but
             this
             St.
             Peter
             tells
             us
             ,
             is
             visibly
             confuted
             by
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             Old
             World
             ;
             for
             
               this
               they
               are
               willingly
               ignorant
               of
               ,
               that
               by
               the
               word
               of
               God
               the
               heavens
               were
               of
               old
               ,
               and
               the
               earth
               standing
               out
               of
               the
               water
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               water
               ,
               whereby
               the
               world
               ,
               that
               then
               was
               ,
               being
               overflowed
               with
               water
               ,
               perished
               :
            
             And
             this
             is
             reason
             enough
             to
             fear
             and
             expect
             what
             God
             has
             threatned
             ,
             That
             this
             present
             World
             shall
             be
             burnt
             by
             fire
             .
             
               But
               the
               heavens
               and
               the
               earth
               ,
               which
               are
               now
               ,
               by
               the
               same
               word
               are
               kept
               in
               store
               ,
               reserved
               unto
               fire
               against
               the
               day
               of
               judgment
               ,
               and
               perdition
               of
               ungodly
               men
               ,
            
             2
             Peter
             3.
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7.
             
             Such
             Destructions
             as
             these
             can
             be
             attributed
             to
             no
             Natural
             Causes
             ;
             but
             the
             same
             Word
             which
             made
             the
             World
             ,
             destroyed
             the
             Old
             World
             by
             Water
             ,
             and
             will
             destroy
             this
             by
             Fire
             ,
             which
             makes
             it
             a
             visible
             Demonstration
             of
             the
             Power
             and
             Justice
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             
               The
               destruction
               of
            
             Sodom
             and
             Gomorrah
             
               by
               Fire
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               is
               not
               only
               a
               general
               Warning
               to
               Sinners
               ,
               but
               an
               Example
               of
               a
               Divine
               Vengeance
               against
               all
               Uncleanness
               ,
               and
               Unnatural
               Lusts.
               As
               St.
            
             Iude
             
               tells
               us
            
             :
             Even
             as
             Sodom
             and
             Gomorrah
             ,
             and
             the
             cities
             about
             them
             ,
             in
             like
             manner
             ,
             giving
             themselves
             over
             to
             fornication
             ,
             and
             going
             after
             strange
             flesh
             ,
             are
             set
             forth
             for
             an
             example
             ,
             suffering
             the
             vengeance
             of
             eternal
             fire
             ,
             v.
             7.
             
          
           
             Thus
             the
             Destruction
             of
             Ierusalem
             by
             the
             Romans
             ,
             which
             was
             attended
             with
             the
             most
             terrible
             Circumstances
             that
             we
             ever
             meet
             with
             in
             Story
             ,
             is
             a
             lasting
             Confutation
             of
             Infidelity
             ,
             and
             a
             glorious
             Testimony
             to
             Christ
             ,
             and
             his
             Religion
             :
             So
             that
             most
             of
             the
             terrible
             Examples
             of
             God's
             Vengeance
             ,
             how
             terrible
             soever
             they
             were
             to
             those
             who
             suffered
             ,
             are
             Acts
             of
             great
             Goodness
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             therefore
             belong
             to
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Government
             ;
             by
             some
             severe
             Executions
             to
             protect
             and
             defend
             the
             Innocent
             ,
             
             and
             reclaim
             other
             Offenders
             ,
             without
             the
             necessity
             of
             terrifying
             the
             World
             in
             every
             Age
             with
             such
             repeated
             Severities
             .
          
           
             Nay
             we
             may
             observe
             farther
             ,
             That
             when
             the
             World
             is
             grown
             very
             corrupt
             and
             degenerate
             ,
             and
             such
             Sinners
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             suffered
             to
             continue
             in
             it
             ,
             will
             certainly
             propagate
             their
             Atheism
             ,
             Infidelity
             and
             Lewdness
             to
             all
             Posterity
             ;
             it
             is
             great
             Goodness
             to
             all
             succeeding
             Generations
             ,
             to
             cleanse
             the
             World
             of
             its
             impure
             Inhabitants
             by
             some
             great
             Destruction
             ;
             by
             Sword
             ,
             or
             Plague
             ,
             or
             Famine
             ,
             to
             lessen
             the
             number
             of
             Sinners
             ,
             and
             to
             possess
             those
             who
             escape
             ,
             with
             a
             greater
             awe
             and
             reverence
             of
             God's
             Judgments
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             to
             observe
             but
             one
             thing
             more
             ;
             Many
             times
             these
             terrible
             Shakings
             and
             Convulsions
             of
             the
             World
             are
             intended
             by
             God
             to
             open
             some
             new
             and
             more
             glorious
             Scene
             of
             Providence
             .
             Thus
             it
             was
             in
             the
             Four
             Empires
             which
             preyed
             upon
             each
             other
             ,
             and
             were
             at
             last
             swallowed
             up
             by
             the
             Roman
             Powers
             ;
             though
             they
             made
             great
             Destructions
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             yet
             they
             carried
             Learning
             and
             Civility
             into
             Barbarous
             Countreys
             ,
             that
             the
             general
             State
             of
             the
             World
             was
             much
             the
             better
             for
             it
             ,
             and
             Mankind
             the
             better
             disposed
             to
             receive
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             which
             then
             began
             to
             be
             preached
             by
             Christ
             ,
             and
             his
             Apostles
             .
          
           
             But
             this
             is
             enough
             to
             satisfy
             us
             ,
             what
             little
             reason
             there
             is
             to
             impeach
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             upon
             account
             of
             those
             many
             Evils
             which
             Mankind
             suffer
             :
             If
             we
             consider
             what
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             requires
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             what
             is
             good
             for
             us
             in
             a
             State
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             what
             is
             necessary
             to
             the
             good
             government
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             neither
             our
             own
             ,
             nor
             other
             mens
             Sufferings
             ,
             will
             tempt
             us
             to
             question
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             I
             proceed
             now
             particularly
             to
             examine
             those
             Objections
             which
             are
             made
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             :
             Which
             are
             reduced
             to
             these
             two
             .
          
           
           
             1.
             
             The
             many
             Miseries
             which
             are
             in
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             2
             God's
             Unequal
             Care
             of
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             or
             the
             unequal
             distribution
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             particular
             Men
             ,
             and
             publick
             Societies
             .
          
           
             What
             I
             have
             already
             said
             contains
             a
             sufficient
             Answer
             to
             all
             this
             ;
             but
             it
             will
             not
             be
             amiss
             for
             our
             more
             abundant
             Satisfaction
             ,
             to
             consider
             some
             things
             more
             largely
             and
             particularly
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             I
             shall
             begin
             with
             the
             many
             Miseries
             of
             Human
             Life
             .
             Now
             this
             Objection
             relates
             either
             to
             the
             being
             of
             any
             Miseries
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             number
             ,
             nature
             ,
             and
             quality
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             As
             for
             the
             first
             ;
             Some
             will
             not
             allow
             God
             to
             be
             good
             ,
             while
             there
             are
             any
             Miseries
             in
             the
             World
             :
             For
             ,
             say
             they
             ,
             a
             good
             God
             should
             not
             suffer
             any
             Miseries
             to
             enter
             into
             the
             World
             :
             This
             I
             observed
             ,
             and
             answered
             before
             ;
             That
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             must
             bear
             proportion
             to
             the
             Nature
             ,
             Qualities
             ,
             and
             Deserts
             of
             Creatures
             ;
             and
             since
             Man
             ,
             who
             was
             created
             innocent
             and
             happy
             ,
             forfeited
             his
             original
             Happiness
             by
             Sin
             ,
             we
             must
             now
             consider
             ,
             not
             what
             Absolute
             ,
             Unconfined
             Goodness
             would
             do
             ;
             but
             what
             becomes
             a
             State
             of
             Discipline
             ;
             what
             is
             good
             for
             Sinners
             ,
             and
             for
             a
             Corrupt
             and
             Degenerate
             World
             ;
             and
             this
             will
             abundantly
             justify
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             in
             all
             the
             Evils
             which
             Mankind
             suffer
             ,
             as
             you
             have
             already
             heard
             .
          
           
             But
             this
             will
             not
             satisfy
             some
             men
             ;
             for
             their
             great
             quarrel
             is
             ,
             That
             God
             made
             such
             a
             Creature
             ,
             as
             could
             sin
             ,
             and
             be
             miserable
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             That
             God
             created
             Angels
             and
             Men
             ;
             that
             he
             endowed
             them
             with
             Reason
             and
             Understanding
             ,
             and
             a
             liberty
             of
             Choice
             ;
             for
             such
             Creatures
             as
             can
             chuse
             ,
             may
             chuse
             wrong
             .
             But
             this
             is
             not
             an
             Objection
             against
             the
             
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             but
             against
             the
             goodness
             of
             the
             Creation
             ;
             and
             if
             it
             proves
             any
             thing
             ,
             it
             proves
             ,
             that
             God
             ought
             not
             to
             have
             made
             the
             World
             ;
             for
             if
             Goodness
             would
             not
             allow
             him
             to
             make
             a
             Reasonable
             Creature
             ,
             who
             might
             make
             himself
             miserable
             ;
             Wisdom
             would
             not
             allow
             him
             to
             make
             a
             World
             without
             any
             Reasonable
             Creatures
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             I
             confess
             ,
             I
             am
             at
             a
             great
             loss
             to
             know
             how
             they
             would
             lay
             their
             Objection
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             bear
             upon
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             what
             they
             intend
             by
             it
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             done
             :
             For
             let
             us
             consider
             wherein
             Creating
             Goodness
             consists
             .
          
           
             Does
             the
             goodness
             of
             a
             Maker
             require
             any
             more
             of
             him
             ,
             than
             to
             make
             all
             things
             according
             to
             perfect
             and
             excellent
             Ideas
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             them
             as
             perfect
             as
             their
             Ideas
             are
             ?
             What
             is
             it
             then
             they
             find
             fault
             with
             in
             God's
             making
             Angels
             and
             Men
             ?
             Is
             not
             the
             Idea
             of
             a
             Reasonable
             Being
             ,
             and
             a
             Free
             Agent
             ,
             the
             Idea
             of
             an
             Excellent
             and
             Happy
             Creature
             ?
             Are
             there
             any
             greater
             Perfections
             ,
             than
             Knowledge
             ,
             and
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             Understanding
             ,
             and
             Liberty
             of
             Choice
             ?
             Is
             there
             any
             Happiness
             like
             the
             Happiness
             of
             a
             Reasonable
             Nature
             ?
             Nay
             ,
             is
             there
             any
             thing
             that
             deserves
             the
             name
             of
             Happiness
             besides
             this
             ?
             Will
             you
             call
             Senseless
             Matter
             ,
             nay
             ,
             will
             you
             call
             Beasts
             happy
             ?
             And
             is
             the
             only
             Idea
             of
             a
             Happy
             Nature
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             a
             reasonable
             Objection
             against
             Creating
             Goodness
             ?
          
           
             If
             then
             there
             be
             no
             fault
             to
             be
             found
             in
             the
             Idea
             of
             a
             Reasonable
             Creature
             ,
             was
             there
             any
             defect
             in
             the
             Workmanship
             ?
             Did
             not
             God
             make
             Men
             and
             Angels
             as
             perfect
             as
             their
             Ideas
             ?
             and
             give
             them
             all
             the
             happiness
             which
             belonged
             to
             their
             Natures
             ?
             If
             he
             did
             not
             ,
             this
             would
             have
             been
             a
             great
             fault
             in
             their
             Creation
             ;
             if
             he
             did
             ,
             Creating
             Goodness
             has
             done
             all
             that
             belonged
             to
             it
             to
             do
             .
          
           
             But
             I
             would
             gladly
             know
             whence
             they
             have
             this
             Notion
             of
             Creating
             Goodness
             ,
             that
             it
             must
             make
             no
             Creature
             which
             can
             make
             it self
             miserable
             ?
             Justice
             is
             as
             essential
             to
             the
             notion
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             as
             Goodness
             ;
             and
             yet
             it
             is
             impossible
             that
             
             Justice
             should
             belong
             to
             the
             Idea
             of
             God
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             irreconcilable
             with
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             to
             make
             such
             Creatures
             who
             may
             deserve
             well
             or
             ill
             :
             For
             Justice
             respects
             Merit
             ,
             and
             consists
             in
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             will
             not
             suffer
             him
             to
             make
             a
             Creature
             ,
             which
             shall
             deserve
             either
             to
             be
             rewarded
             or
             punished
             ;
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             cannot
             both
             of
             them
             belong
             to
             the
             Idea
             of
             a
             God.
             
          
           
             But
             what
             pretence
             is
             there
             for
             any
             man
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             because
             the
             Devil
             and
             his
             Angels
             fell
             from
             their
             first
             happy
             State
             ,
             therefore
             God
             was
             not
             good
             in
             creating
             the
             Angelical
             Nature
             ?
             or
             because
             so
             many
             men
             sin
             ,
             and
             make
             themselves
             miserable
             ,
             therefore
             God
             is
             not
             good
             in
             creating
             Man
             ?
             when
             there
             are
             so
             many
             myriads
             of
             Blessed
             Angels
             and
             Saints
             eternally
             happy
             in
             the
             vision
             and
             fruition
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             those
             who
             are
             not
             so
             ,
             are
             miserable
             only
             by
             their
             own
             fault
             .
             Not
             to
             have
             made
             a
             Happy
             Nature
             ,
             had
             been
             a
             just
             blemish
             to
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             ;
             to
             make
             Happy
             Creatures
             ,
             though
             they
             make
             themselves
             miserable
             ,
             is
             none
             ;
             no
             more
             than
             it
             is
             to
             make
             a
             Free
             Agent
             ,
             who
             alone
             is
             capable
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             who
             alone
             can
             make
             himself
             miserable
             .
             None
             but
             a
             Reasonable
             Nature
             is
             capable
             of
             any
             great
             Happiness
             ;
             and
             to
             make
             a
             Reasonable
             Creature
             without
             liberty
             of
             Choice
             ,
             and
             consequently
             without
             a
             possibility
             of
             sinning
             ,
             and
             being
             miserable
             ,
             is
             a
             contradiction
             :
             For
             what
             does
             Reason
             serve
             for
             ,
             but
             to
             direct
             our
             Choice
             ?
             And
             indeed
             all
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             greatest
             Pleasures
             of
             Human
             Nature
             ,
             result
             from
             this
             Liberty
             ,
             that
             we
             chuse
             well
             ,
             when
             we
             might
             have
             chose
             ill
             ;
             and
             if
             it
             becomes
             a
             Good
             God
             to
             make
             a
             Happy
             Nature
             ,
             it
             becomes
             him
             to
             make
             a
             Reasonable
             and
             Free
             Agent
             ,
             though
             many
             such
             Creatures
             may
             make
             themselves
             miserable
             .
          
           
             But
             suppose
             we
             could
             not
             answer
             this
             Objection
             ,
             That
             God
             has
             made
             such
             Creatures
             ,
             as
             both
             could
             ,
             and
             do
             make
             
             themselves
             miserable
             ,
             what
             is
             it
             they
             intend
             by
             it
             ?
             Would
             they
             prove
             ,
             that
             God
             did
             not
             make
             the
             World
             ,
             because
             he
             made
             Angels
             and
             Men
             ,
             some
             of
             whom
             have
             made
             themselves
             Devils
             ?
             those
             who
             are
             Saints
             and
             Angels
             still
             shall
             answer
             this
             Objection
             ,
             when
             any
             man
             has
             confidence
             enough
             seriously
             to
             make
             it
             .
             Or
             would
             they
             prove
             ,
             That
             God
             does
             not
             govern
             the
             World
             with
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             ,
             because
             he
             has
             made
             such
             Creatures
             ,
             as
             by
             the
             good
             or
             ill
             use
             of
             their
             Liberty
             ,
             make
             themselves
             the
             Subjects
             of
             both
             ?
             There
             is
             no
             other
             Answer
             necessary
             to
             that
             ,
             but
             only
             to
             ask
             ,
             What
             place
             there
             could
             be
             for
             a
             Governing
             Providence
             ,
             were
             there
             no
             Creatures
             who
             could
             deserve
             well
             or
             ill
             ?
          
           
             But
             this
             is
             enough
             in
             answer
             to
             an
             Objection
             ,
             which
             no
             considering
             man
             would
             seriously
             make
             :
             The
             more
             considerable
             Objection
             relates
             to
             the
             many
             Evils
             and
             Miseries
             that
             are
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             the
             only
             Objection
             which
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             true
             ,
             could
             have
             any
             weight
             in
             it
             ,
             is
             ,
             That
             the
             Miseries
             of
             this
             Life
             are
             so
             many
             ,
             so
             great
             ,
             and
             so
             universal
             ,
             that
             they
             overballance
             the
             Pleasures
             and
             Comforts
             of
             it
             ;
             that
             a
             wise
             man
             would
             rather
             chuse
             not
             to
             be
             ,
             than
             to
             live
             in
             this
             World.
             And
             though
             the
             generality
             of
             Mankind
             are
             of
             another
             mind
             ,
             and
             therefore
             need
             no
             answer
             to
             this
             ,
             yet
             they
             think
             they
             have
             the
             Scripture
             on
             their
             side
             .
             For
             the
             Wise-man
             ,
             4.
             
             Eccl.
             2
             ,
             3.
             tells
             us
             ;
             
               Wherefore
               I
               praised
               the
               dead
               ,
               which
               are
               already
               dead
               ,
               more
               than
               the
               living
               ,
               which
               are
               yet
               alive
               :
               Yea
               better
               is
               he
               than
               both
               they
               ,
               who
               hath
               not
               yet
               been
               ,
               who
               hath
               not
               seen
               the
               evil
               work
               that
               is
               done
               under
               the
               sun
               .
            
          
           
             This
             at
             first
             view
             looks
             like
             a
             very
             sharp
             Satyr
             upon
             Human
             Life
             ;
             that
             it
             is
             better
             to
             die
             than
             to
             live
             ;
             and
             that
             not
             to
             live
             at
             all
             ,
             is
             better
             than
             either
             :
             And
             were
             this
             universally
             true
             ,
             it
             were
             a
             vain
             thing
             to
             think
             of
             vindicating
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             in
             the
             government
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             which
             has
             nothing
             good
             or
             desirable
             in
             it
             .
             That
             
             this
             is
             not
             the
             meaning
             of
             the
             words
             ,
             we
             may
             certainly
             conclude
             from
             those
             many
             Promises
             which
             are
             made
             to
             Good
             men
             in
             this
             Life
             ;
             and
             God
             would
             not
             promise
             Good
             men
             what
             is
             worth
             nothing
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             Explication
             of
             this
             Text
             will
             contribute
             very
             much
             to
             the
             understanding
             this
             whole
             matter
             ;
             and
             therefore
             I
             shall
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             Shew
             you
             ,
             That
             this
             is
             not
             universally
             true
             ,
             nor
             intended
             to
             be
             so
             understood
             by
             the
             Wise-man
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             better
             to
             die
             ,
             or
             not
             to
             be
             ,
             than
             it
             is
             to
             live
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Shew
             you
             in
             what
             sense
             the
             Wise-man
             meant
             this
             ,
             viz.
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             many
             Miseries
             and
             Calamities
             ,
             which
             some
             Ages
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             which
             some
             men
             in
             all
             Ages
             are
             exposed
             to
             :
             And
             how
             this
             also
             is
             to
             be
             understood
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             this
             is
             not
             universally
             true
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             better
             to
             die
             ,
             or
             not
             to
             be
             born
             ,
             than
             it
             is
             to
             live
             .
             This
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             was
             taught
             by
             some
             of
             the
             Ancient
             Philosophers
             and
             Poets
             in
             too
             general
             terms
             ;
             That
             the
             first
             best
             thing
             is
             not
             to
             be
             born
             ;
             and
             the
             next
             ,
             to
             die
             quickly
             ;
             but
             no
             body
             believed
             them
             ;
             for
             most
             men
             felt
             it
             otherwise
             :
             That
             
               light
               is
               sweet
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               a
               pleasant
               thing
               for
               the
               eyes
               to
               behold
               the
               sun
               ,
            
             11.
             
             Eccl.
             7.
             
             There
             is
             a
             sense
             indeed
             ,
             wherein
             this
             may
             be
             true
             .
             If
             we
             acknowledge
             ,
             that
             this
             Life
             in
             its
             greatest
             glory
             and
             perfection
             is
             the
             most
             imperfect
             state
             that
             a
             Reasonable
             Soul
             can
             live
             in
             ,
             as
             most
             certainly
             it
             is
             ;
             then
             those
             Philosophers
             who
             did
             believe
             that
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             lived
             and
             acted
             before
             they
             were
             born
             into
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             were
             thrust
             into
             these
             Bodies
             in
             punishment
             for
             what
             they
             had
             done
             amiss
             in
             a
             former
             state
             ,
             had
             reason
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             the
             best
             thing
             is
             not
             to
             be
             born
             ;
             for
             upon
             this
             Supposition
             ,
             it
             is
             best
             for
             them
             to
             continue
             in
             that
             State
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             come
             into
             this
             World
             ;
             and
             if
             when
             they
             die
             ,
             they
             return
             
             to
             their
             Original
             State
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             the
             next
             best
             thing
             for
             them
             is
             ,
             to
             die
             quickly
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             most
             probable
             that
             this
             was
             their
             secret
             meaning
             in
             it
             .
             For
             if
             we
             only
             consider
             the
             Advantages
             and
             Disadvantages
             of
             Life
             ,
             in
             ordinary
             Cases
             Life
             is
             very
             desirable
             ;
             so
             desirable
             ,
             that
             it
             makes
             Death
             the
             King
             of
             Terrors
             .
          
           
             It
             would
             be
             a
             great
             Reproach
             to
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             were
             this
             Life
             so
             contemptible
             ,
             or
             so
             calamitous
             a
             State
             ,
             that
             it
             were
             more
             desirable
             not
             to
             be
             ,
             than
             to
             live
             in
             this
             World
             ;
             but
             no
             man
             yet
             ever
             made
             Life
             an
             objection
             against
             Providence
             ,
             though
             we
             know
             they
             do
             ,
             the
             Miseries
             and
             Calamities
             of
             Life
             .
             Men
             may
             make
             themselves
             miserable
             without
             any
             reproach
             to
             Providence
             ;
             and
             most
             of
             the
             Miseries
             that
             are
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             are
             owing
             to
             mens
             own
             fault
             or
             folly
             ;
             but
             had
             God
             made
             Life
             it self
             so
             contemptible
             or
             miserable
             a
             state
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             worse
             than
             not
             being
             ,
             this
             had
             been
             an
             unanswerable
             Objection
             .
          
           
             I
             'm
             sure
             we
             are
             very
             ungrateful
             to
             Almighty
             God
             ,
             if
             we
             do
             not
             acknowledge
             that
             bountiful
             provision
             which
             he
             has
             made
             for
             the
             Happiness
             of
             Mankind
             in
             this
             World.
             For
             what
             is
             wanting
             on
             God's
             part
             to
             make
             Man
             as
             happy
             as
             he
             can
             be
             here
             ?
             We
             want
             no
             Sense
             which
             is
             useful
             to
             Life
             ,
             we
             want
             no
             Objects
             to
             gratify
             those
             Senses
             ;
             and
             which
             is
             very
             considerable
             ,
             the
             most
             useful
             ,
             and
             necessary
             ,
             and
             delightful
             Objects
             ,
             are
             most
             common
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             Mankind
             pretty
             equally
             share
             in
             .
             There
             is
             not
             such
             a
             mighty
             difference
             ,
             as
             some
             men
             imagine
             ,
             between
             the
             Poor
             and
             the
             Rich
             :
             In
             pomp
             ,
             and
             shew
             ,
             and
             opinion
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             great
             deal
             ,
             but
             little
             as
             to
             the
             true
             Pleasures
             and
             Satisfactions
             of
             Life
             :
             They
             enjoy
             the
             same
             Earth
             ,
             and
             Air
             ,
             and
             Heavens
             ;
             hunger
             and
             thirst
             makes
             the
             Poor
             man's
             Meat
             and
             Drink
             as
             pleasant
             and
             refreshing
             as
             all
             the
             Varieties
             which
             cover
             a
             Rich
             man's
             Table
             ;
             and
             the
             Labour
             of
             a
             Poor
             man
             is
             more
             healthful
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             more
             pleasant
             too
             ,
             than
             the
             Ease
             and
             Softness
             of
             the
             Rich
             ;
             to
             be
             sure
             much
             more
             
             easy
             than
             the
             Cares
             and
             Solicitudes
             ,
             the
             Pride
             and
             Ambition
             ,
             Discontents
             ,
             and
             Envyings
             ,
             and
             Emulations
             ,
             which
             commonly
             attend
             an
             Exalted
             Fortune
             .
          
           
             These
             indeed
             at
             best
             are
             but
             mean
             Pleasures
             ,
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             Sense
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             lowest
             Pleasures
             a
             Reasonable
             Soul
             is
             capable
             of
             ;
             but
             yet
             they
             are
             so
             entertaining
             ,
             that
             the
             generality
             of
             Mankind
             think
             it
             worth
             living
             to
             enjoy
             them
             ,
             nay
             most
             men
             know
             little
             of
             any
             other
             Pleasures
             but
             these
             ;
             and
             as
             philosophically
             as
             some
             may
             despise
             the
             Body
             and
             all
             it's
             Pleasures
             in
             words
             ;
             there
             are
             but
             a
             very
             few
             who
             can
             live
             above
             the
             Body
             ,
             and
             all
             its
             Pleasures
             ,
             while
             they
             live
             in
             it
             .
             But
             how
             mean
             soever
             these
             Pleasures
             be
             ,
             it
             is
             certain
             they
             make
             Mankind
             ,
             notwithstanding
             all
             the
             common
             allays
             they
             meet
             with
             ,
             not
             only
             patient
             of
             living
             ,
             but
             desirous
             to
             live
             .
          
           
             And
             yet
             there
             are
             more
             Noble
             and
             Divine
             Pleasures
             which
             men
             may
             enjoy
             in
             this
             World
             ;
             such
             as
             gratify
             the
             nobler
             Faculties
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             Wisdom
             and
             Knowledg
             ,
             of
             Vertue
             and
             Religion
             ;
             to
             know
             and
             worship
             God
             ,
             to
             contemplate
             the
             Art
             ,
             and
             Beauty
             ,
             and
             Perfection
             of
             his
             Works
             ;
             and
             to
             do
             good
             to
             men
             .
             These
             indeed
             are
             Pleasures
             that
             do
             not
             make
             us
             very
             fond
             of
             this
             Body
             ,
             nor
             of
             this
             World
             ;
             for
             they
             do
             not
             arise
             from
             the
             Body
             ,
             nor
             are
             they
             confined
             to
             this
             World.
             We
             have
             reason
             to
             hope
             ,
             that
             when
             we
             get
             loose
             from
             these
             Bodies
             ,
             our
             Intellectual
             Faculties
             will
             be
             vastly
             improved
             ;
             that
             we
             shall
             know
             God
             after
             another
             manner
             than
             we
             now
             do
             ;
             and
             discover
             new
             and
             brighter
             Glories
             ,
             which
             are
             concealed
             from
             Mortal
             Eyes
             ;
             but
             yet
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             Knowledge
             ,
             and
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             Religion
             in
             this
             World
             are
             very
             great
             and
             ravishing
             ,
             and
             therefore
             we
             either
             do
             ,
             or
             may
             enjoy
             at
             present
             such
             Pleasures
             ,
             as
             make
             Life
             very
             desirable
             :
             Were
             there
             no
             other
             ,
             nor
             happier
             State
             after
             this
             ,
             yet
             it
             were
             very
             desirable
             to
             come
             into
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             live
             as
             long
             as
             we
             can
             here
             ,
             to
             enjoy
             the
             Pleasures
             and
             Satisfactions
             which
             may
             be
             enjoyed
             
             in
             this
             Life
             :
             And
             though
             we
             know
             there
             is
             a
             happier
             Life
             after
             this
             ,
             yet
             there
             is
             so
             much
             to
             be
             enjoyed
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             as
             generally
             makes
             even
             Good
             men
             very
             well
             contented
             to
             stay
             here
             as
             long
             as
             God
             pleases
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             But
             still
             we
             must
             confess
             ,
             That
             though
             men
             may
             live
             very
             happily
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             yet
             there
             may
             be
             such
             a
             state
             of
             things
             ,
             as
             ,
             if
             we
             only
             compare
             the
             sensible
             Advantages
             and
             Disadvantages
             of
             Life
             ,
             may
             make
             Death
             much
             more
             desirable
             than
             life
             .
             
               I
               praised
               the
               dead
               ,
               which
               are
               already
               dead
               ,
               more
               than
               the
               living
               ,
               which
               are
               yet
               alive
               .
            
          
           
             For
             the
             understanding
             of
             which
             we
             must
             consider
             ,
             That
             this
             is
             one
             of
             those
             Sayings
             which
             must
             not
             be
             strictly
             and
             Philosophically
             examined
             ,
             nor
             stretched
             to
             the
             utmost
             sense
             the
             words
             will
             bear
             ;
             it
             has
             some
             truth
             ,
             and
             something
             of
             Figure
             and
             Rhetorick
             in
             it
             ,
             as
             many
             of
             our
             Common
             and
             Proverbial
             Speeches
             have
             ,
             which
             must
             be
             expounded
             to
             a
             qualified
             sense
             .
          
           
             We
             must
             observe
             then
             ,
             That
             the
             design
             of
             this
             whole
             Book
             of
             Ecclesiastes
             is
             not
             to
             put
             us
             out
             of
             conceit
             with
             Life
             ,
             but
             to
             cure
             our
             vain
             Expectations
             of
             a
             compleat
             and
             perfect
             Happiness
             in
             this
             World
             ;
             to
             convince
             us
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             such
             thing
             to
             be
             found
             in
             mere
             external
             Enjoyments
             ,
             which
             are
             nothing
             but
             
               vanity
               and
               vexation
               of
               spirit
            
             .
             And
             the
             end
             of
             all
             this
             is
             ,
             not
             to
             make
             us
             weary
             of
             Life
             ,
             but
             to
             teach
             us
             to
             moderate
             our
             love
             to
             present
             things
             ,
             and
             to
             seek
             for
             Happiness
             in
             the
             practise
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             in
             the
             knowledge
             and
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             hopes
             of
             a
             better
             Life
             :
             For
             this
             is
             the
             application
             of
             all
             .
             
               Let
               us
               hear
               the
               conclusion
               of
               the
               whole
               matter
               ;
               fear
               God
               ,
               and
               keep
               his
               commandments
               ,
               for
               this
               is
               the
               whole
               of
               man
               :
            
             Not
             only
             his
             Duty
             ,
             but
             his
             Happiness
             too
             ;
             
               For
               God
               shall
               bring
               every
               work
               into
               judgment
               ,
               with
               every
               secret
               thing
               ,
               whether
               it
               be
               good
               ,
               or
               whether
               it
               be
               evil
               ,
            
             12.
             
             Eccl.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Among
             other
             Arguments
             to
             prove
             how
             vain
             it
             is
             to
             expect
             a
             compleat
             Happiness
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             the
             Wise-man
             instances
             
             in
             the
             many
             Oppressions
             and
             Sufferings
             which
             men
             are
             liable
             to
             ,
             and
             which
             sometimes
             befall
             them
             ,
             which
             may
             be
             so
             sore
             and
             grievous
             ,
             and
             make
             Life
             so
             uneasy
             and
             troublesome
             ,
             as
             may
             tempt
             men
             ,
             who
             only
             consult
             their
             own
             sensible
             satisfaction
             ,
             to
             prefer
             Death
             before
             Life
             :
             And
             this
             seems
             to
             be
             all
             that
             the
             Wise-man
             means
             ,
             That
             we
             may
             live
             in
             such
             a
             troublesome
             and
             tempestuous
             state
             of
             things
             ,
             that
             the
             mere
             ▪
             external
             Enjoyments
             of
             this
             Life
             ,
             cannot
             recompence
             the
             Troubles
             of
             it
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             all
             that
             his
             Design
             required
             him
             to
             prove
             ,
             The
             vanity
             of
             all
             external
             Enjoyments
             .
             And
             if
             ever
             the
             Case
             be
             such
             ,
             That
             a
             Wise-man
             would
             chuse
             rather
             to
             leave
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             to
             leave
             all
             these
             Enjoyments
             behind
             him
             ,
             than
             to
             endure
             the
             Troubles
             and
             Calamities
             wherewith
             they
             are
             attended
             ,
             they
             are
             vain
             indeed
             .
             But
             this
             does
             not
             prove
             ,
             That
             a
             Wise-man
             ought
             to
             despise
             Life
             for
             the
             Troubles
             of
             it
             ;
             that
             he
             should
             chuse
             to
             run
             out
             of
             the
             World
             to
             be
             eased
             of
             its
             Troubles
             ;
             or
             that
             a
             Wise-man
             ,
             notwithstanding
             all
             these
             Troubles
             ,
             cannot
             make
             himself
             easy
             and
             happy
             in
             it
             ;
             and
             consequently
             it
             does
             not
             prove
             ,
             That
             a
             Wise-man
             in
             such
             Cases
             should
             prefer
             Death
             before
             Life
             ,
             though
             it
             may
             reasonably
             enough
             cure
             his
             fondness
             for
             Life
             ,
             and
             make
             him
             welcome
             Death
             ,
             whenever
             God
             pleases
             to
             send
             it
             .
             Let
             us
             then
             briefly
             consider
             these
             things
             .
             And
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             Let
             us
             take
             a
             view
             of
             those
             Troubles
             and
             Disorders
             which
             may
             make
             a
             Wise-man
             willing
             to
             part
             with
             all
             the
             external
             Enjoyments
             and
             Pleasures
             of
             Life
             to
             be
             rid
             of
             the
             Troubles
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             make
             him
             think
             those
             men
             happy
             ,
             who
             are
             escaped
             out
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             or
             are
             not
             yet
             come
             into
             it
             .
          
           
             King
             Solomon
             the
             Preacher
             gives
             us
             two
             Accounts
             of
             this
             ;
             the
             first
             before
             ,
             the
             second
             immediatly
             after
             this
             Text.
             In
             the
             1st
             Verse
             he
             tells
             us
             ;
             
               So
               I
               returned
               ,
               and
               considered
               all
               the
               oppressions
               that
               are
               done
               under
               the
               sun
               ,
               and
               
               beheld
               the
               tears
               of
               such
               as
               were
               oppressed
               ,
               and
               they
               had
               no
               comforter
               ;
               and
               on
               the
               side
               of
               their
               oppressors
               there
               was
               power
               ,
               but
               they
               had
               no
               comforter
               .
            
             And
             hence
             he
             concludes
             ,
             
               Wherefore
               I
               praised
               the
               dead
               ,
               that
               are
               already
               dead
               ,
               more
               than
               the
               living
               ,
               who
               are
               yet
               alive
               .
            
             Which
             signifies
             the
             Publick
             Oppressions
             either
             of
             the
             Supream
             Power
             ,
             or
             of
             Subordinate
             Magistrates
             :
             The
             Second
             relates
             to
             Private
             Factions
             ,
             Envyings
             ,
             Emulations
             ,
             which
             many
             times
             make
             Life
             as
             uneasy
             as
             the
             Publick
             Miscarriages
             of
             Government
             .
             
               Again
               ,
               I
               considered
               all
               travel
               ,
               and
               every
               right
               work
               ,
               that
               for
               this
               a
               man
               is
               envied
               of
               his
               neighbour
               :
               This
               is
               also
               vanity
               ,
               and
               vexation
               of
               spirit
               ,
            
             v.
             4.
             
             These
             two
             contain
             most
             of
             those
             Evils
             in
             them
             ,
             which
             disturb
             and
             distract
             Human
             Life
             ;
             but
             I
             shall
             not
             discourse
             this
             matter
             according
             to
             Rules
             of
             Art
             and
             Method
             ,
             but
             shall
             beg
             leave
             to
             give
             you
             a
             short
             view
             of
             such
             a
             state
             of
             things
             ,
             as
             might
             make
             a
             man
             ,
             who
             consults
             only
             his
             own
             ease
             ,
             very
             contented
             to
             slip
             out
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             to
             leave
             foolish
             Mortals
             to
             end
             the
             scuffle
             as
             well
             as
             they
             can
             .
          
           
             When
             a
             Kingdom
             is
             in
             a
             strong
             Convulsion
             ,
             assaulted
             by
             powerful
             Enemies
             abroad
             ,
             and
             divided
             by
             busy
             and
             restless
             Factions
             at
             home
             ;
             when
             men
             live
             in
             perpetual
             fear
             and
             suspence
             ,
             know
             not
             what
             to
             call
             their
             own
             ,
             nor
             how
             long
             they
             shall
             enjoy
             it
             ;
             when
             some
             men
             think
             themselves
             bound
             in
             conscience
             to
             ruin
             themselves
             ,
             their
             Countrey
             ,
             and
             their
             Religion
             ;
             others
             will
             sacrifice
             their
             Countrey
             ,
             and
             consequently
             themselves
             too
             ,
             to
             private
             Ambitions
             ,
             Resentments
             ,
             or
             Revenge
             ;
             and
             try
             their
             Fortune
             over
             again
             in
             some
             new
             Changes
             and
             Revolutions
             of
             Government
             .
             When
             such
             publick
             Disputes
             as
             these
             influence
             all
             Inferior
             Societies
             ,
             and
             as
             sometimes
             they
             have
             done
             ,
             corrupt
             Publick
             Justice
             ,
             dissolve
             the
             most
             Intimate
             Friendships
             ,
             make
             Conversation
             uneasy
             or
             dangerous
             ,
             set
             every
             man's
             Sword
             ,
             or
             which
             is
             almost
             as
             fatal
             ,
             every
             man's
             Tongue
             against
             his
             Brother
             ;
             when
             no
             man's
             Fame
             ,
             no
             
             man's
             Life
             is
             secure
             ;
             but
             a
             Slandering
             Tongue
             may
             blast
             one
             ,
             and
             a
             Perjured
             Tongue
             destroy
             the
             other
             :
             When
             Zeal
             and
             Faction
             make
             Characters
             of
             men
             ,
             disposes
             of
             Life
             ,
             of
             Honour
             ,
             of
             Estates
             ,
             and
             Religion
             it self
             serves
             for
             little
             else
             but
             to
             inspire
             men
             with
             Zeal
             and
             Faction
             :
             When
             we
             cannot
             live
             in
             the
             World
             without
             seeing
             ,
             or
             hearing
             ,
             or
             feeling
             ten
             thousand
             Villanies
             that
             are
             committed
             in
             it
             ,
             what
             should
             make
             any
             man
             fond
             of
             Life
             ?
             why
             should
             we
             not
             come
             to
             good
             Old
             
             Simeon's
             
               Nunc
               dimittis
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               now
               lettest
               thou
               thy
               servant
               depart
               in
               peace
               .
            
             Such
             a
             troublesome
             state
             of
             things
             in
             this
             World
             must
             needs
             make
             all
             considering
             men
             think
             of
             a
             better
             ,
             and
             as
             glad
             to
             get
             out
             of
             this
             ,
             as
             a
             Mariner
             is
             to
             recover
             the
             Haven
             after
             a
             violent
             Storm
             at
             Sea.
             Thus
             I
             say
             it
             must
             be
             ,
             if
             we
             consider
             only
             the
             present
             Advantages
             or
             Disadvantages
             of
             Life
             ;
             for
             perpetual
             Fears
             and
             Cares
             ,
             Strife
             and
             Contention
             ,
             Oppression
             ,
             Injustice
             ,
             Defamation
             ,
             &c.
             destroy
             the
             Ease
             and
             Security
             of
             Life
             ,
             and
             the
             Freedom
             and
             Pleasure
             of
             Conversation
             ,
             without
             which
             all
             the
             other
             Pleasures
             of
             Life
             are
             very
             tastless
             .
          
           
             And
             here
             I
             cannot
             but
             bewail
             the
             Folly
             and
             Distraction
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             who
             are
             fond
             of
             Life
             ,
             and
             impatiently
             thirst
             after
             Happiness
             ,
             but
             will
             not
             suffer
             either
             themselves
             or
             others
             to
             live
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             happy
             .
             Who
             bite
             and
             devour
             each
             other
             ,
             and
             by
             their
             ungoverned
             Passions
             raise
             such
             Hurricanes
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             Ease
             ,
             or
             Rest
             ,
             or
             Happiness
             to
             be
             found
             ,
             but
             in
             a
             Grave
             ,
             or
             in
             a
             Charnel-house
             :
             
               Where
               the
               wicked
               cease
               from
               troubling
               ,
               and
               where
               the
               weary
               be
               at
               rest
               ,
               where
               the
               prisoners
               rest
               together
               ;
               they
               hear
               not
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               oppressor
               ,
               the
               small
               and
               great
               are
               there
               ,
               and
               the
               servant
               is
               free
               from
               his
               master
               ,
            
             3.
             
             Job
             17
             ,
             18
             ,
             19.
             
          
           
             Did
             men
             consider
             what
             it
             is
             to
             live
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             happy
             ,
             it
             would
             convince
             them
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             nothing
             in
             this
             World
             worth
             purchasing
             with
             Eternal
             Discontents
             ,
             Envyings
             ,
             Emulations
             ,
             Jealousies
             ,
             Fears
             ,
             with
             doing
             all
             the
             Mischiefs
             and
             Injuries
             we
             can
             ,
             and
             with
             suffering
             all
             the
             
             Injuries
             which
             others
             can
             do
             ;
             nay
             ,
             indeed
             it
             is
             wonderful
             to
             me
             ,
             that
             mens
             own
             sense
             and
             feeling
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             not
             be
             at
             the
             pains
             to
             reason
             the
             matter
             ,
             does
             not
             convince
             them
             of
             this
             .
             To
             live
             ,
             is
             not
             merely
             to
             be
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             happy
             ;
             and
             to
             be
             happy
             does
             not
             signify
             merely
             to
             have
             ,
             but
             to
             enjoy
             ;
             and
             to
             enjoy
             ,
             requires
             an
             easy
             ,
             serene
             ,
             undisturbed
             mind
             ,
             which
             can
             relish
             what
             it
             has
             ,
             and
             extract
             its
             true
             pleasure
             and
             satisfaction
             .
             The
             security
             of
             Life
             ,
             the
             easiness
             and
             freedom
             of
             Conversation
             ,
             when
             we
             fear
             no
             Spies
             upon
             our
             Words
             and
             Actions
             ,
             no
             Malicious
             Eye
             ,
             no
             Slandering
             Tongue
             ;
             when
             our
             Lives
             are
             spent
             in
             the
             exchange
             of
             good
             Offices
             ,
             in
             the
             Endearments
             and
             Caresses
             of
             Friendship
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             in
             mutual
             Civilities
             and
             Respects
             ;
             this
             is
             to
             live
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             happy
             .
             A
             very
             little
             of
             what
             is
             external
             ,
             will
             make
             such
             a
             state
             as
             this
             happy
             ,
             which
             all
             the
             Power
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Riches
             of
             the
             World
             cannot
             do
             ;
             when
             to
             get
             ,
             or
             keep
             it
             ,
             divides
             the
             Hearts
             and
             the
             Interests
             of
             men
             ,
             ferments
             their
             Passions
             ,
             destroys
             Friendships
             ,
             and
             all
             mutual
             Trust
             and
             Confidence
             ,
             cantons
             and
             crumbles
             Human
             Societies
             into
             Parties
             and
             Factions
             ,
             and
             animates
             them
             with
             a
             bitter
             Zeal
             and
             Rage
             ,
             to
             reproach
             and
             vilify
             ,
             supplant
             and
             undermine
             each
             other
             ;
             if
             this
             be
             to
             be
             happy
             ,
             or
             the
             way
             to
             Happiness
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             it
             is
             time
             to
             seek
             for
             Happiness
             out
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             And
             yet
             this
             is
             no
             reason
             for
             a
             wise
             and
             good
             man
             to
             despise
             or
             abhor
             life
             ,
             much
             less
             to
             force
             his
             passage
             out
             of
             this
             World.
             There
             is
             no
             difficulty
             in
             persuading
             the
             generality
             of
             Mankind
             to
             live
             ,
             notwithstanding
             all
             the
             Troubles
             and
             Calamities
             they
             meet
             with
             .
             The
             love
             of
             life
             is
             natural
             and
             strong
             ,
             and
             reconciles
             men
             to
             great
             Miseries
             before
             they
             desire
             that
             death
             should
             ease
             them
             .
             Self-murther
             is
             so
             unnatural
             a
             Sin
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             now-a-days
             thought
             reason
             enough
             to
             prove
             any
             man
             distracted
             ;
             we
             have
             too
             many
             sad
             Examples
             what
             a
             disturbed
             Imagination
             will
             do
             ,
             if
             that
             must
             pass
             for
             Natural
             Distraction
             ;
             but
             we
             seldom
             
             or
             never
             hear
             ,
             that
             mere
             external
             Sufferings
             ,
             how
             severe
             soever
             ,
             tempt
             men
             to
             kill
             themselves
             .
             The
             Stoicks
             themselves
             ,
             whose
             Principle
             it
             was
             to
             break
             their
             Prison
             ,
             when
             they
             found
             themselves
             uneasy
             ,
             very
             rarely
             put
             it
             into
             practise
             :
             Nature
             was
             too
             strong
             for
             their
             Philosophy
             ;
             and
             though
             their
             Philosophy
             allowed
             them
             to
             die
             when
             they
             pleased
             ,
             Nature
             taught
             them
             to
             live
             as
             long
             as
             they
             could
             ;
             and
             we
             see
             that
             they
             seldom
             thought
             themselves
             miserable
             enough
             to
             die
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             no
             danger
             then
             of
             frightning
             men
             out
             of
             this
             World
             by
             the
             Troubles
             and
             Calamities
             of
             it
             ;
             that
             I
             need
             not
             concern
             my self
             with
             such
             fears
             ;
             but
             yet
             ,
             without
             contradicting
             Solomon
             ,
             to
             vindicate
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             support
             and
             encourage
             Good
             men
             ,
             I
             shall
             briefly
             shew
             you
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             very
             desirable
             for
             a
             Good
             man
             to
             live
             on
             ,
             and
             that
             a
             Wise
             and
             Good
             man
             may
             live
             very
             happily
             ,
             notwithstanding
             all
             the
             Troubles
             and
             Difficulties
             ,
             which
             he
             may
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             must
             encounter
             in
             this
             World.
             For
             Difficulties
             are
             a
             glorious
             Scene
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             Vertue
             as
             can
             conquer
             Difficulties
             ,
             has
             its
             Rewards
             ,
             its
             Pleasures
             and
             Satisfactions
             even
             in
             this
             Life
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             very
             necessary
             that
             good
             men
             should
             live
             in
             very
             bad
             times
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             reprieve
             a
             wicked
             World
             ,
             that
             God
             may
             not
             utterly
             destroy
             it
             ,
             as
             he
             once
             did
             in
             the
             days
             of
             Noah
             ,
             when
             all
             Flesh
             had
             corrupted
             its
             ways
             ;
             but
             also
             to
             season
             Human
             Conversation
             ,
             to
             give
             check
             to
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             to
             revive
             the
             practice
             of
             Vertue
             by
             some
             great
             and
             bright
             Examples
             ,
             and
             to
             redress
             those
             Violences
             and
             Injuries
             which
             are
             done
             under
             the
             Sun
             ,
             at
             least
             to
             struggle
             and
             contend
             with
             a
             Corrupt
             Age
             ,
             which
             will
             put
             some
             stop
             to
             the
             growing
             Evil
             ,
             and
             scatter
             such
             Seeds
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             as
             will
             spring
             up
             in
             time
             .
             It
             is
             an
             Argument
             of
             God's
             care
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             Antidotes
             grow
             in
             the
             neighbourhood
             of
             Poisons
             ;
             that
             the
             most
             Degenerate
             Ages
             have
             some
             excellent
             men
             ,
             who
             seem
             to
             be
             made
             on
             purpose
             for
             such
             a
             
             time
             ,
             to
             stem
             the
             torrent
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             some
             ease
             to
             the
             Miseries
             of
             Mankind
             :
             And
             would
             it
             become
             such
             men
             ,
             when
             the
             World
             so
             much
             needs
             them
             ,
             to
             get
             out
             of
             it
             ,
             if
             they
             could
             ?
             to
             chuse
             the
             quiet
             and
             silent
             Retirements
             of
             Woods
             and
             Deserts
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             Grave
             ,
             to
             avoid
             the
             trouble
             of
             serving
             God
             ,
             or
             doing
             good
             to
             Men
             ?
             Great
             Minds
             cannot
             do
             this
             ;
             Vertue
             is
             made
             for
             Difficulties
             ,
             and
             grows
             stronger
             and
             brighter
             for
             such
             Trials
             ;
             it
             lays
             a
             mighty
             obligation
             on
             Mankind
             to
             serve
             the
             Publick
             good
             with
             labour
             and
             danger
             ;
             to
             purchase
             the
             Ease
             ,
             and
             Liberty
             ,
             and
             Security
             of
             their
             Countrey
             ,
             at
             the
             price
             of
             their
             own
             Ease
             ,
             and
             the
             utmost
             hazard
             of
             their
             Lives
             and
             Fortunes
             ;
             to
             oppose
             a
             hardened
             ,
             and
             laborious
             ,
             and
             unwearied
             Vertue
             against
             Zeal
             and
             Faction
             ,
             and
             not
             like
             Issachar
             ,
             to
             crouch
             between
             two
             Burthens
             ,
             and
             cry
             rest
             is
             good
             .
             And
             it
             is
             a
             mighty
             pleasure
             to
             a
             Vertuous
             mind
             to
             feel
             its
             own
             strength
             ,
             to
             contend
             with
             Difficulties
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             Vertue
             and
             Prudence
             directs
             ,
             with
             an
             unbroken
             mind
             ;
             it
             is
             always
             pleasant
             to
             do
             good
             ,
             but
             yet
             it
             has
             the
             sweeter
             relish
             ,
             the
             dearer
             we
             pay
             for
             it
             .
             This
             is
             a
             Pleasure
             above
             all
             the
             Ease
             and
             Luxury
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             it
             not
             only
             sweetens
             all
             the
             Troubles
             of
             Life
             ,
             but
             turns
             them
             into
             Triumphs
             ;
             to
             endeavour
             to
             bear
             up
             a
             sinking
             World
             ,
             though
             he
             should
             at
             last
             be
             crush'd
             in
             the
             Ruins
             of
             it
             ,
             will
             make
             the
             very
             Ruins
             he
             sinks
             under
             ,
             an
             Illustrious
             Monument
             of
             his
             Vertue
             :
             To
             do
             all
             that
             a
             Wise
             and
             Good
             man
             ought
             to
             do
             ,
             without
             regard
             to
             his
             own
             Ease
             ,
             to
             save
             a
             Sinking
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             will
             make
             him
             fall
             with
             pleasure
             ,
             and
             perpetuate
             his
             Memory
             with
             Honour
             ;
             for
             in
             spight
             of
             Envy
             and
             Detraction
             ,
             Vertue
             will
             always
             be
             honourable
             in
             the
             Grave
             .
             But
             I
             cannot
             enlarge
             on
             these
             things
             ,
             and
             therefore
             shall
             give
             you
             the
             result
             of
             all
             I
             have
             said
             in
             two
             or
             three
             Observations
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             though
             the
             Troubles
             and
             Calamities
             ,
             which
             we
             often
             meet
             with
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             do
             not
             prove
             Life
             to
             be
             
             a
             contemptible
             State
             ,
             or
             worse
             than
             not
             being
             ;
             yet
             they
             do
             prove
             Life
             to
             be
             a
             very
             Imperfect
             State
             ;
             that
             the
             mere
             Sensible
             Pleasures
             and
             Advantages
             of
             Life
             ,
             together
             with
             these
             great
             allays
             ,
             are
             but
             vanity
             ,
             and
             vexation
             of
             spirit
             .
             Wise
             men
             see
             ,
             that
             there
             can
             be
             no
             compleat
             Happiness
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             is
             vain
             to
             expect
             it
             ;
             for
             how
             can
             this
             World
             make
             us
             happy
             ,
             which
             ,
             though
             it
             has
             its
             Pleasures
             ,
             has
             its
             Troubles
             ,
             and
             Cares
             ,
             and
             Disappointments
             too
             ;
             is
             an
             insecure
             and
             mutable
             State
             ,
             exposed
             to
             Chance
             and
             Accident
             ,
             to
             the
             Lusts
             and
             Passions
             of
             men
             ;
             is
             always
             chequered
             with
             Prosperous
             and
             Adverse
             Events
             ,
             has
             always
             a
             mixture
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             the
             Evil
             is
             the
             prevailing
             Ingredient
             ?
             And
             therefore
             though
             the
             natural
             love
             of
             Life
             ,
             and
             the
             many
             Sweets
             and
             Comforts
             of
             it
             reconcile
             very
             miserable
             people
             to
             living
             ,
             yet
             a
             wise
             man
             sees
             no
             reason
             to
             be
             fond
             of
             this
             State
             ,
             much
             less
             to
             dream
             of
             perfect
             and
             lasting
             Happiness
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             The
             many
             Troubles
             we
             are
             exposed
             to
             ,
             plainly
             prove
             ,
             That
             there
             is
             no
             Happiness
             to
             be
             had
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             practice
             of
             Vertue
             .
             It
             was
             a
             vain
             brag
             of
             the
             Stoicks
             ,
             That
             Vertue
             alone
             could
             make
             a
             man
             happy
             ;
             that
             their
             Wise-man
             could
             be
             perfectly
             happy
             in
             
             Phalaris's
             Bull
             ;
             for
             Vertue
             is
             not
             Meat
             ,
             and
             Drink
             ,
             and
             Clothes
             ,
             can't
             cure
             Bodily
             Pain
             and
             Sickness
             ,
             nor
             satisfy
             the
             Appetites
             and
             Desires
             of
             the
             Body
             ;
             and
             while
             a
             Wise
             man
             lives
             in
             a
             mortal
             Body
             ,
             he
             must
             feel
             the
             wants
             and
             pains
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             to
             be
             in
             want
             and
             pain
             ,
             is
             not
             happiness
             .
             But
             yet
             thus
             much
             is
             certainly
             true
             ,
             That
             nothing
             can
             make
             a
             man
             happy
             in
             this
             World
             without
             the
             practise
             of
             Vertue
             ;
             and
             that
             when
             we
             must
             encounter
             with
             the
             Troubles
             and
             Difficulties
             of
             Life
             ,
             nothing
             can
             give
             us
             any
             degree
             of
             Ease
             and
             Satisfaction
             but
             the
             practice
             of
             Vertue
             .
             We
             may
             meet
             with
             such
             Troubles
             as
             will
             sowre
             all
             our
             other
             Enjoyments
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             unable
             to
             bear
             up
             our
             spirits
             ,
             which
             sink
             under
             their
             own
             weight
             ,
             under
             the
             disorders
             of
             their
             own
             Passions
             :
             
             Are
             tormented
             with
             Fears
             ,
             with
             Disappointments
             ,
             with
             Envy
             ,
             with
             Rage
             ;
             and
             when
             they
             cannot
             bear
             themselves
             ,
             can
             bear
             nothing
             else
             ,
             nor
             relish
             their
             wonted
             Pleasures
             :
             But
             you
             have
             already
             heard
             ,
             that
             Vertue
             has
             its
             proper
             Pleasures
             in
             the
             greatest
             Difficulties
             ;
             inspires
             us
             with
             prudent
             Counsels
             to
             disintangle
             our selves
             ;
             animates
             us
             with
             courage
             and
             bravery
             to
             resist
             the
             Evil
             ,
             or
             to
             bear
             it
             ;
             sweetens
             our
             Labours
             with
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             great
             and
             generous
             Actions
             for
             the
             Publick
             Good
             ;
             keeps
             our
             own
             Passions
             under
             government
             ,
             and
             triumphs
             over
             an
             adverse
             Fortune
             ,
             by
             raising
             the
             mind
             above
             it
             .
             By
             such
             helps
             as
             these
             a
             Good
             man
             may
             enjoy
             some
             competent
             measure
             of
             Ease
             and
             Satisfaction
             in
             the
             worst
             Condition
             ;
             but
             when
             such
             Troubles
             surprise
             a
             mind
             unarmed
             and
             unfortified
             with
             Vertue
             ,
             unable
             to
             resist
             ,
             and
             unable
             to
             bear
             ,
             we
             may
             then
             with
             great
             truth
             and
             reason
             apply
             this
             Text
             to
             him
             ;
             
               I
               praised
               the
               dead
               ,
               who
               are
               already
               dead
               ,
               more
               than
               the
               living
               ,
               who
               are
               yet
               alive
               .
            
             Were
             the
             state
             of
             this
             World
             always
             easy
             and
             prosperous
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             little
             need
             of
             Passive
             Vertues
             ,
             though
             Vertue
             in
             general
             is
             always
             necessary
             to
             make
             men
             happy
             ;
             but
             all
             men
             must
             be
             sensible
             how
             necessary
             Passive
             and
             Suffering
             Vertues
             are
             for
             an
             inconstant
             ,
             troublesome
             and
             suffering
             state
             ,
             which
             is
             always
             in
             some
             degree
             the
             state
             of
             this
             World
             ;
             and
             that
             will
             convince
             those
             who
             will
             consider
             it
             ,
             how
             necessary
             the
             practice
             of
             Vertue
             is
             to
             make
             men
             happy
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             Though
             the
             Troubles
             of
             this
             Life
             are
             no
             reason
             why
             a
             Good
             man
             should
             hasten
             his
             escape
             out
             of
             this
             World
             before
             his
             time
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             a
             very
             good
             reason
             to
             make
             him
             contented
             to
             leave
             this
             World
             ,
             whenever
             God
             calls
             him
             out
             of
             it
             .
             For
             though
             Vertue
             will
             sweeten
             Labours
             and
             Difficulties
             ,
             yet
             no
             man
             would
             chuse
             always
             to
             live
             in
             a
             state
             of
             War.
             Ease
             and
             rest
             is
             very
             pleasant
             and
             refreshing
             after
             labour
             ;
             Though
             a
             Prince
             be
             glorious
             in
             the
             Field
             ,
             covered
             with
             dust
             and
             sweat
             ,
             and
             sprinkled
             with
             
             the
             Bloud
             of
             his
             Enemies
             ,
             yet
             the
             Triumphs
             of
             a
             secure
             and
             quiet
             Throne
             are
             greater
             and
             more
             desirable
             .
             And
             this
             makes
             the
             Grave
             too
             in
             some
             degree
             acceptable
             after
             the
             toils
             and
             labours
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             that
             
               there
               the
               weary
               are
               at
               rest
            
             ;
             especially
             since
             this
             Rest
             is
             not
             a
             state
             of
             insensibility
             ;
             for
             all
             the
             Labours
             and
             Difficulties
             of
             a
             Vertuous
             Life
             are
             infinitely
             to
             be
             preferred
             before
             the
             ease
             and
             rest
             of
             knowing
             ,
             and
             feeling
             ,
             and
             being
             sensible
             of
             nothing
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             rest
             of
             a
             Stone
             ,
             and
             of
             things
             without
             life
             ,
             not
             the
             rest
             of
             a
             Man.
             But
             
               they
               rest
               from
               their
               labours
               ,
               and
               their
               works
               follow
               them
            
             ;
             they
             rest
             in
             a
             peaceful
             and
             secure
             enjoyment
             of
             Endless
             Happiness
             ;
             they
             rest
             from
             all
             the
             Labours
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             enjoy
             its
             Rewards
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             a
             sufficient
             justification
             of
             Providence
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             present
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             of
             Life
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             what
             exactly
             becomes
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             in
             this
             World
             ;
             such
             a
             mixt
             State
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             as
             may
             wean
             us
             from
             the
             tempting
             Vanities
             of
             this
             Life
             ,
             and
             convince
             us
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             perfect
             Happiness
             to
             be
             found
             here
             ,
             which
             is
             necessary
             to
             raise
             our
             hearts
             above
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             to
             set
             our
             Affections
             upon
             things
             above
             ,
             which
             is
             an
             Eternal
             State
             of
             perfect
             Ease
             and
             Rest
             :
             And
             since
             Religion
             and
             Vertue
             is
             necessary
             to
             our
             Future
             Happiness
             ,
             nothing
             can
             be
             better
             for
             us
             than
             such
             a
             state
             of
             things
             as
             shall
             make
             Vertue
             necessary
             to
             our
             present
             Happiness
             ;
             and
             since
             we
             must
             leave
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             Death
             is
             the
             King
             of
             Terrors
             ,
             whatever
             reconciles
             us
             to
             Death
             ,
             and
             makes
             it
             easy
             ,
             may
             be
             reckoned
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             pleasures
             and
             securities
             of
             Human
             Life
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             In
             answer
             to
             this
             Objection
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             from
             those
             many
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             that
             are
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             ,
             That
             most
             of
             the
             Evils
             of
             Human
             Life
             are
             owing
             to
             mens
             own
             wickedness
             and
             folly
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             very
             unreasonable
             to
             make
             those
             Evils
             
             an
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ,
             which
             men
             wilfully
             bring
             upon
             themselves
             .
             Thus
             the
             Wise-man
             long
             since
             stated
             this
             Question
             ,
             
               The
               foolishness
               of
               man
               perverteth
               his
               ways
               ,
               and
               his
               heart
               fretteth
               against
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             19.
             
             Prov.
             3.
             
             Men
             make
             themselves
             miserable
             ,
             and
             then
             reproach
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             with
             their
             Miseries
             :
             And
             therefore
             I
             shall
             briefly
             shew
             you
             ,
             that
             Mankind
             undo
             themselves
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             Evils
             which
             men
             bring
             upon
             themselves
             ,
             are
             no
             reasonable
             Objection
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             first
             is
             a
             very
             proper
             Subject
             for
             a
             Satyr
             against
             the
             Folly
             and
             Wickedness
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             but
             needs
             no
             proof
             .
             If
             we
             take
             a
             survey
             of
             the
             many
             Miseries
             of
             Human
             Life
             ,
             and
             resolve
             them
             into
             their
             immediate
             and
             natural
             Causes
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             ,
             that
             most
             men
             take
             great
             care
             to
             leave
             very
             little
             for
             God
             to
             do
             in
             the
             punishment
             of
             Wickedness
             in
             this
             World.
             
          
           
             There
             are
             but
             two
             visible
             Causes
             of
             all
             the
             Miseries
             that
             are
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             either
             the
             Disorders
             of
             Nature
             ,
             or
             the
             Wickedness
             of
             Men
             :
             By
             the
             Disorders
             of
             Nature
             ,
             I
             mean
             unseasonable
             Weather
             ,
             Earthquakes
             ,
             excessive
             Heat
             or
             Cold
             ,
             great
             Droughts
             ,
             or
             immoderate
             Rains
             ,
             Thunders
             ,
             Lightnings
             ,
             Storms
             and
             Tempests
             ,
             which
             occasion
             Famines
             and
             Plagues
             ,
             great
             Sickness
             ,
             or
             a
             great
             Mortality
             ;
             these
             may
             very
             reasonably
             be
             attributed
             to
             the
             more
             immediate
             Hand
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             directs
             and
             governs
             Nature
             ;
             but
             besides
             that
             in
             such
             Cases
             ,
             the
             visible
             Corruption
             of
             Mankind
             justifies
             such
             Severities
             ;
             how
             rarely
             do
             these
             happen
             ,
             and
             how
             few
             suffer
             by
             them
             ,
             in
             comparison
             with
             those
             many
             and
             constant
             Evils
             which
             the
             wickedness
             of
             men
             every
             day
             bring
             upon
             themselves
             ,
             and
             others
             .
             For
             most
             of
             the
             other
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             of
             life
             are
             visibly
             owing
             to
             mens
             Sins
             .
             Bodily
             Sickness
             ,
             sharp
             and
             painful
             Distempers
             ,
             which
             shorten
             mens
             lives
             ,
             or
             make
             them
             miserable
             ,
             are
             the
             common
             effects
             of
             Intemperance
             ,
             Luxury
             ,
             or
             Wantonness
             ;
             
             Children
             inherit
             the
             Diseases
             of
             their
             Parents
             ,
             and
             come
             into
             the
             World
             only
             to
             cry
             and
             die
             ,
             or
             to
             struggle
             some
             few
             years
             in
             the
             very
             Kingdom
             and
             Territories
             of
             Death
             ;
             and
             to
             languish
             under
             those
             mortal
             Wounds
             which
             they
             received
             with
             the
             first
             beginnings
             of
             life
             .
          
           
             Another
             great
             evil
             is
             Poverty
             ,
             which
             many
             men
             bring
             upon
             themselves
             by
             Idleness
             ,
             or
             Prodigality
             ,
             and
             some
             expensive
             Vices
             :
             It
             is
             not
             in
             every
             man's
             power
             by
             the
             greatest
             Prudence
             and
             Industry
             to
             make
             himself
             rich
             ;
             for
             
               time
               and
               chance
               happeneth
               to
               them
               all
            
             ;
             but
             in
             ordinary
             Cases
             Prudence
             and
             Industry
             ,
             joined
             with
             a
             religious
             regard
             for
             God
             and
             his
             Providence
             ,
             will
             preserve
             a
             man
             from
             the
             pressing
             Wants
             and
             Necessities
             of
             Poverty
             .
             Others
             ,
             who
             do
             not
             make
             themselves
             poor
             by
             their
             own
             Sins
             ,
             are
             many
             times
             reduced
             to
             great
             poverty
             by
             the
             Sins
             of
             other
             men
             ;
             by
             Injustice
             ,
             and
             Oppression
             ,
             and
             Violence
             ;
             by
             the
             Miseries
             and
             Calamities
             of
             War
             ,
             which
             brings
             a
             thousand
             Evils
             with
             it
             ;
             which
             makes
             many
             helpless
             Widows
             and
             Orphans
             ,
             deprives
             men
             of
             their
             Patrons
             and
             Benefactors
             ,
             drives
             others
             from
             their
             plentiful
             Fortunes
             ,
             to
             seek
             their
             Bread
             in
             a
             strange
             Land
             ;
             plunders
             Poor
             and
             Rich
             ;
             lays
             a
             flourishing
             Countrey
             desolate
             ;
             puts
             a
             stop
             to
             Trade
             ;
             makes
             Provisions
             dear
             ,
             and
             leaves
             no
             work
             for
             the
             Poor
             .
          
           
             Some
             others
             are
             reduced
             to
             Poverty
             more
             immediately
             by
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             without
             their
             own
             fault
             :
             Those
             who
             have
             no
             other
             support
             but
             their
             daily
             labour
             ,
             are
             quickly
             pinched
             by
             a
             long
             and
             Expensive
             Sickness
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             Infirmities
             of
             Age
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             loss
             of
             their
             Eyes
             ,
             or
             Hands
             ,
             or
             Legs
             ;
             others
             are
             undone
             by
             Fire
             ,
             or
             Shipwrecks
             ,
             or
             the
             various
             Accidents
             of
             Trade
             ,
             which
             the
             most
             wary
             and
             cautious
             men
             cannot
             escape
             ;
             but
             besides
             ,
             that
             there
             are
             few
             of
             these
             in
             comparison
             with
             the
             throngs
             and
             crowds
             of
             Idle
             ,
             Prodigal
             ,
             Self-made
             Poor
             ;
             God
             has
             made
             provision
             for
             all
             such
             Cases
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             shall
             suffer
             extreme
             want
             ,
             by
             commanding
             the
             Rich
             especially
             ,
             to
             supply
             
             the
             want
             of
             such
             Poor
             ,
             who
             are
             properly
             God's
             Poor
             ,
             or
             the
             Poor
             of
             God's
             making
             ;
             and
             commanding
             this
             under
             the
             penalty
             of
             their
             Eternal
             Salvation
             ,
             and
             the
             forfeiture
             of
             their
             own
             Estates
             ,
             if
             they
             prove
             unjust
             and
             unfaithful
             Stewards
             :
             So
             that
             though
             God
             makes
             some
             men
             poor
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             fault
             of
             other
             men
             if
             they
             suffer
             want
             .
             The
             poverty
             they
             suffer
             is
             owing
             to
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ;
             the
             wants
             and
             miseries
             they
             suffer
             ,
             are
             owing
             to
             the
             Sins
             ,
             to
             the
             Uncharitableness
             of
             Men
             :
             For
             though
             the
             World
             be
             unequally
             divided
             ,
             of
             which
             more
             presently
             ,
             yet
             there
             is
             enough
             to
             supply
             the
             wants
             of
             all
             the
             Creatures
             that
             are
             in
             it
             ;
             and
             God
             never
             intended
             that
             any
             of
             his
             Creatures
             should
             want
             necessaries
             ;
             that
             one
             man's
             plenty
             and
             abundance
             should
             cause
             another
             man
             to
             starve
             :
             And
             thus
             it
             is
             in
             most
             of
             the
             other
             miseries
             of
             life
             ;
             it
             is
             the
             sin
             and
             the
             folly
             of
             Mankind
             which
             makes
             them
             miserable
             ,
             which
             is
             so
             obvious
             to
             every
             one
             ,
             who
             will
             consider
             it
             ,
             that
             I
             need
             not
             expatiate
             on
             every
             particular
             .
             I
             believe
             there
             is
             no
             man
             but
             will
             confess
             ,
             that
             were
             all
             men
             good
             and
             vertuous
             ,
             this
             World
             would
             be
             a
             very
             happy
             place
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             practice
             of
             moral
             and
             sociable
             Vertues
             would
             make
             Mankind
             happy
             ,
             it
             is
             no
             hard
             matter
             to
             guess
             ,
             what
             it
             is
             that
             disturbs
             the
             Peace
             and
             Happiness
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             2dly
             .
             Let
             us
             now
             consider
             ,
             how
             unreasonable
             it
             is
             to
             reproach
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             with
             those
             Evils
             and
             Miseries
             which
             Mankind
             bring
             upon
             themselves
             .
             And
             laying
             down
             this
             as
             a
             Principle
             ,
             that
             most
             men
             make
             themselves
             miserable
             ,
             it
             is
             very
             easy
             to
             defend
             and
             justify
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             For
             these
             Evils
             ,
             which
             men
             complain
             of
             ,
             are
             not
             justly
             chargeable
             upon
             Providence
             ;
             and
             therefore
             are
             un
             unreasonable
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             .
             God
             does
             not
             bring
             these
             Evils
             upon
             Mankind
             ,
             but
             men
             bring
             them
             upon
             themselves
             .
             Supposing
             the
             nature
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             the
             nature
             of
             man
             to
             be
             ,
             what
             they
             now
             
             are
             ,
             and
             that
             men
             lived
             just
             as
             they
             now
             do
             ,
             there
             must
             be
             the
             same
             Miseries
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             there
             now
             are
             ,
             though
             there
             were
             no
             Providence
             .
             Though
             God
             did
             not
             interpose
             in
             the
             government
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             yet
             Intemperance
             ,
             Luxury
             and
             Lust
             ,
             would
             destroy
             mens
             health
             ;
             Sloth
             ,
             and
             Prodigality
             ,
             and
             expensive
             Vices
             ,
             would
             make
             men
             poor
             ;
             Pride
             ,
             Ambition
             and
             Revenge
             ,
             would
             make
             Quarrels
             ,
             raise
             Wars
             ,
             and
             bring
             all
             the
             Calamities
             of
             War
             upon
             the
             World
             ;
             if
             there
             were
             no
             Providence
             ,
             thus
             it
             must
             be
             ;
             for
             excessive
             eating
             and
             drinking
             will
             oppress
             Nature
             ;
             and
             those
             who
             will
             take
             no
             honest
             pains
             to
             get
             Money
             ,
             or
             will
             spend
             what
             they
             have
             upon
             their
             lusts
             ,
             must
             be
             poor
             ;
             and
             those
             who
             will
             quarrel
             and
             fight
             ,
             must
             take
             what
             follows
             ;
             these
             evils
             are
             not
             owing
             to
             Providence
             ,
             because
             Providence
             does
             not
             bring
             them
             ;
             no
             more
             than
             Providence
             makes
             men
             wicked
             :
             Men
             make
             themselves
             wicked
             ,
             and
             wickedness
             makes
             them
             miserable
             ;
             and
             we
             may
             as
             well
             charge
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             with
             all
             the
             wickedness
             of
             men
             ,
             as
             with
             those
             miseries
             which
             their
             own
             wickedness
             brings
             upon
             them
             .
          
           
             Now
             since
             most
             of
             those
             evils
             which
             are
             in
             the
             World
             are
             not
             justly
             chargeable
             upon
             Providence
             ,
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             is
             very
             visible
             in
             those
             very
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             which
             Mankind
             suffer
             .
             For
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             God
             has
             in
             ordinary
             Cases
             put
             it
             into
             every
             man's
             power
             to
             preserve
             himself
             from
             most
             of
             the
             greatest
             evils
             and
             miseries
             of
             life
             ,
             even
             from
             all
             those
             which
             men
             bring
             upon
             themselves
             by
             their
             own
             sins
             .
             What
             could
             be
             done
             more
             than
             this
             for
             a
             reasonable
             Creature
             ,
             to
             make
             it
             his
             own
             choice
             ,
             and
             to
             put
             it
             into
             his
             own
             power
             ,
             whether
             he
             will
             be
             happy
             or
             miserable
             ?
             God
             has
             ,
             not
             only
             in
             his
             Laws
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             nature
             of
             things
             ,
             set
             before
             us
             life
             and
             death
             ,
             happiness
             and
             misery
             :
             All
             men
             see
             what
             the
             visible
             and
             natural
             punishments
             of
             Sin
             are
             ,
             and
             have
             a
             natural
             aversion
             
             to
             those
             evils
             ,
             and
             may
             avoid
             them
             if
             they
             will
             ;
             this
             is
             a
             plain
             proof
             ,
             not
             only
             of
             the
             Holiness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             as
             I
             observed
             before
             ,
             in
             deterring
             men
             from
             sin
             by
             those
             natural
             evils
             which
             attend
             it
             ,
             but
             also
             of
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             by
             shewing
             men
             a
             plain
             and
             natural
             method
             ,
             how
             to
             avoid
             the
             miseries
             of
             life
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             themselves
             easy
             and
             happy
             .
             Let
             the
             most
             Sceptical
             Objector
             against
             Providence
             consider
             with
             himself
             ,
             what
             God
             could
             have
             done
             more
             to
             prevent
             the
             miseries
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             without
             changing
             the
             nature
             of
             man
             ,
             or
             the
             nature
             of
             things
             .
             To
             have
             laid
             a
             necessity
             upon
             man
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             never
             chuse
             ,
             nor
             do
             any
             thing
             which
             will
             bring
             these
             evils
             on
             him
             ,
             had
             been
             to
             change
             his
             nature
             ,
             to
             destroy
             the
             free
             exercise
             of
             his
             Reason
             ,
             and
             the
             liberty
             of
             choice
             ;
             and
             yet
             men
             cannot
             live
             as
             they
             do
             ,
             and
             escape
             these
             miseries
             ,
             unless
             all
             Nature
             be
             changed
             .
             We
             must
             have
             other
             kind
             of
             Bodies
             than
             we
             have
             ,
             or
             our
             Meat
             and
             Drink
             must
             have
             other
             vertues
             and
             qualities
             ,
             to
             bear
             the
             disorders
             and
             excesses
             of
             intemperance
             and
             lust
             ,
             without
             feeling
             the
             inconveniences
             of
             it
             .
             Fire
             must
             not
             burn
             ,
             nor
             Water
             drown
             ,
             if
             Wine
             must
             not
             inflame
             ,
             nor
             a
             flood
             of
             indigested
             Liquors
             extinguish
             the
             vital
             heat
             .
             The
             whole
             World
             must
             be
             a
             Paradise
             ,
             and
             bring
             forth
             fruit
             of
             it self
             ,
             and
             all
             things
             must
             be
             possessed
             in
             common
             ,
             or
             the
             idle
             ,
             slothful
             ,
             prodigal
             Sinners
             must
             be
             poor
             .
             Our
             Bodies
             must
             be
             invulnerable
             and
             immortal
             ,
             or
             there
             must
             be
             no
             instruments
             of
             death
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             or
             men
             ,
             who
             quarrel
             ,
             will
             fight
             ,
             and
             kill
             one
             another
             .
             It
             is
             impossible
             ,
             as
             the
             World
             now
             is
             ,
             to
             separate
             sin
             and
             misery
             ;
             but
             men
             may
             avoid
             misery
             ,
             if
             they
             please
             :
             And
             that
             is
             a
             very
             good
             World
             ,
             and
             a
             good
             God
             that
             made
             such
             a
             World
             ,
             and
             a
             good
             Providence
             ▪
             which
             governs
             the
             World
             ,
             wherein
             men
             may
             make
             themselves
             happy
             ,
             if
             they
             will.
             
          
           
             2dly
             .
             Besides
             this
             ,
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             is
             seen
             in
             hindering
             and
             preventing
             a
             great
             many
             more
             evils
             and
             miseries
             which
             the
             sins
             and
             lusts
             of
             men
             would
             bring
             upon
             
             the
             World
             ,
             were
             they
             not
             under
             the
             restraints
             and
             government
             of
             Providence
             .
             No
             man
             doubts
             ,
             but
             there
             might
             be
             a
             great
             deal
             more
             evil
             and
             misery
             in
             the
             World
             than
             there
             is
             ,
             nor
             that
             many
             bad
             men
             are
             inclined
             to
             do
             a
             great
             deal
             more
             hurt
             than
             they
             do
             ;
             what
             is
             it
             then
             after
             all
             ,
             that
             makes
             the
             World
             so
             tolerable
             a
             place
             ?
             If
             this
             be
             owing
             to
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             great
             argument
             of
             his
             Goodness
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             not
             suffer
             foolish
             Sinners
             to
             make
             themselves
             and
             others
             so
             miserable
             as
             they
             would
             ;
             that
             as
             many
             furious
             Phaetons
             as
             there
             are
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             yet
             all
             in
             flames
             ;
             but
             the
             Moral
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Natural
             World
             ,
             has
             its
             Temperate
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Torrid
             Zones
             ;
             and
             what
             shall
             we
             attribute
             this
             to
             ,
             if
             we
             do
             not
             attibute
             it
             to
             Providence
             ?
             To
             what
             else
             can
             we
             ascribe
             our
             deliverance
             from
             those
             unseen
             Snares
             which
             were
             laid
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             which
             we
             knew
             nothing
             of
             ,
             till
             we
             had
             escaped
             ;
             nay
             ,
             which
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             we
             know
             nothing
             of
             to
             this
             day
             ?
             how
             many
             wicked
             Designs
             prove
             abortive
             ?
             how
             many
             secret
             Plots
             are
             discovered
             ,
             when
             ripe
             for
             execution
             ?
             how
             often
             does
             God
             put
             a
             hook
             into
             the
             nostrils
             of
             the
             proudest
             Tyrants
             ,
             and
             by
             some
             cross
             Accidents
             ,
             or
             by
             weak
             and
             contemptible
             means
             ,
             breaks
             their
             Power
             ,
             and
             humbles
             them
             to
             the
             dust
             ?
             Sacred
             and
             Profane
             Histories
             are
             full
             of
             such
             Examples
             ,
             which
             can
             be
             attributed
             to
             nothing
             else
             but
             a
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             which
             sets
             bounds
             to
             the
             Waves
             of
             the
             Sea
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Rage
             and
             Pride
             of
             men
             .
             The
             Scripture
             teaches
             us
             to
             ascribe
             our
             deliverance
             from
             all
             the
             evils
             we
             escape
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             all
             the
             good
             we
             enjoy
             ,
             to
             a
             Divine
             Providence
             ;
             and
             then
             we
             must
             acknowledge
             ,
             that
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             prevents
             all
             that
             evil
             which
             bad
             men
             would
             do
             ,
             but
             can't
             ;
             and
             who
             knows
             how
             much
             this
             is
             ?
             who
             knows
             how
             much
             evil
             bad
             men
             would
             do
             ,
             had
             they
             no
             restraint
             ?
             that
             we
             have
             much
             more
             reason
             to
             adore
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             for
             restraining
             the
             Lusts
             and
             Passions
             of
             men
             ,
             which
             prevents
             an
             universal
             deluge
             of
             misery
             ,
             than
             complain
             that
             he
             suffers
             so
             many
             miseries
             to
             afflict
             the
             World.
             
          
           
           
             3dly
             .
             Especially
             if
             we
             consider
             in
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             That
             God
             permits
             bad
             men
             to
             do
             no
             more
             hurt
             and
             mischief
             ,
             than
             what
             he
             over-rules
             to
             wise
             and
             good
             purposes
             .
             For
             God
             many
             times
             serves
             the
             wise
             ends
             of
             his
             Providence
             by
             the
             wickedness
             of
             men
             ,
             to
             punish
             the
             wicked
             ,
             and
             to
             chastise
             the
             good
             ;
             to
             exercise
             the
             Graces
             and
             Vertues
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             or
             to
             give
             terrible
             Examples
             of
             his
             Vengeance
             on
             the
             wicked
             ;
             and
             all
             this
             ,
             how
             severe
             soever
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             proves
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             for
             the
             general
             good
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             bad
             men
             should
             be
             punished
             ,
             suppressed
             ,
             destroyed
             ,
             and
             that
             good
             men
             should
             be
             made
             better
             ,
             and
             become
             great
             and
             eminent
             Examples
             of
             Faith
             and
             Patience
             .
             Whatever
             evils
             and
             miseries
             there
             are
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             no
             more
             than
             the
             good
             government
             of
             the
             World
             requires
             ;
             if
             no
             man
             suffers
             any
             more
             than
             what
             he
             deserves
             ,
             or
             than
             what
             will
             do
             himself
             good
             ,
             if
             he
             wisely
             improves
             it
             ;
             or
             will
             do
             others
             good
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             either
             take
             warning
             by
             his
             Sufferings
             ,
             or
             imitate
             his
             Vertues
             ,
             all
             this
             is
             not
             only
             reconcilable
             with
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             but
             is
             an
             eminent
             instance
             of
             it
             ;
             for
             to
             do
             good
             is
             an
             expression
             of
             Goodness
             ,
             though
             the
             ways
             of
             doing
             it
             may
             be
             very
             severe
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             a
             sufficient
             justification
             of
             Providence
             ,
             even
             as
             to
             those
             evils
             which
             God
             himself
             immediately
             inflicts
             upon
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             he
             inflicts
             no
             more
             ,
             nor
             greater
             evils
             ,
             than
             what
             are
             for
             the
             good
             government
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             observed
             before
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             much
             more
             so
             with
             reference
             to
             those
             evils
             which
             men
             bring
             upon
             themselves
             ;
             for
             is
             it
             not
             wonderful
             Goodness
             in
             God
             to
             defend
             us
             from
             our selves
             ,
             to
             qualify
             the
             malignity
             of
             our
             own
             sins
             ,
             to
             suffer
             us
             to
             do
             our selves
             no
             more
             hurt
             ,
             than
             what
             he
             can
             turn
             into
             great
             good
             to
             us
             ,
             if
             we
             consider
             our
             ways
             ,
             and
             learn
             wisdom
             by
             the
             things
             which
             we
             suffer
             ?
             So
             to
             restrain
             bad
             men
             ,
             that
             they
             shall
             hurt
             no
             body
             but
             those
             whom
             God
             thinks
             fit
             to
             punish
             ,
             or
             to
             correct
             ,
             or
             to
             exercise
             with
             some
             severities
             ;
             
             and
             that
             they
             shall
             do
             no
             more
             hurt
             ,
             nor
             hurt
             any
             longer
             than
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             sees
             useful
             to
             these
             ends
             ?
          
           
             Let
             us
             then
             briefly
             review
             this
             Objection
             and
             Answer
             ;
             and
             setting
             aside
             the
             consideration
             of
             God
             and
             his
             Providence
             ,
             let
             us
             suppose
             it
             to
             be
             the
             case
             of
             a
             Father
             .
             And
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             what
             we
             our selves
             would
             allow
             to
             be
             a
             reasonable
             defence
             of
             earthly
             Parents
             ,
             will
             be
             thought
             a
             good
             justification
             of
             God
             and
             his
             Providence
             .
          
           
             Suppose
             then
             a
             Father
             has
             several
             Children
             ,
             whom
             he
             providees
             very
             bountifully
             for
             ;
             and
             sends
             them
             abroad
             into
             the
             World
             in
             such
             hopeful
             circumstances
             ,
             that
             if
             they
             will
             be
             frugal
             ,
             diligent
             and
             vertuous
             ,
             they
             may
             live
             happily
             ,
             and
             increase
             their
             Fortunes
             :
             Should
             such
             Children
             turn
             Prodigals
             ,
             and
             waste
             their
             Estates
             in
             rioting
             and
             luxury
             ,
             destroy
             their
             health
             ,
             and
             suffer
             all
             the
             miseries
             of
             sickness
             and
             poverty
             ;
             would
             any
             man
             blame
             their
             good
             Father
             for
             this
             ;
             and
             would
             not
             such
             a
             good
             man
             think
             himself
             much
             injured
             ,
             should
             he
             be
             accused
             of
             unkindness
             and
             severity
             to
             his
             Children
             ,
             only
             because
             after
             all
             the
             kindness
             he
             could
             show
             them
             ,
             they
             have
             made
             themselves
             miserable
             ?
             especially
             if
             we
             suppose
             this
             kind
             Father
             to
             keep
             such
             a
             watchful
             eye
             over
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             such
             prudent
             and
             effectual
             care
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             suffer
             them
             utterly
             to
             undo
             themselves
             ,
             to
             make
             their
             condition
             hopeless
             and
             desperate
             ,
             but
             only
             to
             let
             them
             feel
             the
             smart
             of
             their
             own
             folly
             ,
             to
             bring
             them
             to
             more
             sober
             thoughts
             ,
             not
             to
             perish
             under
             it
             ,
             till
             there
             is
             no
             hope
             left
             of
             reclaiming
             them
             .
             What
             could
             a
             kind
             Father
             do
             more
             for
             Prodigals
             ,
             unless
             you
             would
             have
             him
             maintain
             them
             in
             their
             luxury
             and
             lewdness
             ,
             which
             a
             wise
             and
             good
             Father
             can't
             do
             ?
             He
             brought
             none
             of
             these
             miseries
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             kindness
             to
             let
             them
             smart
             under
             them
             ,
             to
             prevent
             their
             undoing
             as
             long
             as
             he
             can
             ;
             he
             turns
             the
             miseries
             they
             bring
             upon
             themselves
             only
             into
             a
             state
             of
             discipline
             ;
             he
             suffers
             them
             to
             injure
             one
             another
             to
             make
             them
             all
             sensible
             of
             their
             folly
             ;
             and
             those
             who
             are
             past
             recovery
             ,
             
             he
             makes
             Examples
             of
             greater
             Severities
             to
             reform
             the
             rest
             :
             If
             this
             would
             be
             thought
             a
             kind
             ,
             merciful
             ,
             and
             wise
             Conduct
             in
             earthly
             Parents
             ,
             apply
             it
             to
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             you
             have
             an
             answer
             to
             most
             of
             the
             miseries
             of
             Human
             Life
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             In
             answer
             to
             this
             Objection
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             from
             the
             many
             evils
             and
             miseries
             that
             are
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             we
             may
             consider
             further
             ,
             That
             as
             most
             of
             these
             evils
             are
             owing
             to
             our
             own
             ,
             or
             to
             other
             mens
             sins
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             we
             our selves
             who
             give
             the
             sting
             to
             them
             all
             :
             As
             many
             external
             Calamities
             as
             there
             are
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             as
             the
             present
             state
             of
             this
             World
             requires
             there
             should
             be
             in
             it
             ;
             God
             has
             made
             abundant
             provision
             for
             the
             support
             of
             good
             men
             under
             them
             .
             It
             is
             not
             always
             in
             our
             power
             to
             avoid
             many
             of
             the
             Sufferings
             and
             Calamities
             of
             life
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             our
             own
             fault
             if
             we
             sink
             under
             them
             .
             Natural
             Courage
             and
             strength
             of
             mind
             ,
             the
             powers
             of
             Reason
             ,
             and
             a
             wise
             consideration
             of
             the
             nature
             of
             things
             ,
             the
             belief
             of
             a
             Good
             Providence
             ,
             which
             takes
             care
             of
             us
             ,
             and
             orders
             all
             things
             for
             our
             good
             ,
             and
             the
             certain
             hopes
             of
             immortal
             life
             ,
             will
             support
             good
             men
             under
             their
             sufferings
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             light
             and
             easy
             :
             And
             if
             God
             enable
             us
             to
             bear
             our
             sufferings
             ,
             and
             to
             enjoy
             our selves
             under
             them
             ,
             to
             possess
             our
             Souls
             in
             patience
             ,
             and
             to
             rejoyce
             in
             hope
             ;
             though
             we
             may
             suffer
             ,
             we
             are
             not
             miserable
             ;
             and
             Sufferings
             without
             misery
             are
             no
             formidable
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             ;
             this
             is
             like
             the
             Bush
             ,
             that
             was
             on
             fire
             ,
             but
             was
             not
             burnt
             ,
             a
             signal
             token
             of
             the
             Divine
             Presence
             and
             Favour
             ,
             and
             that
             can
             be
             no
             objection
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             .
             What
             is
             merely
             external
             ,
             may
             afflict
             a
             good
             man
             ,
             but
             cannot
             make
             him
             miserable
             ;
             for
             no
             man
             is
             miserable
             ,
             whose
             mind
             is
             easy
             and
             chearful
             ,
             full
             of
             great
             hopes
             ,
             and
             supported
             with
             Divine
             Joys
             .
             But
             the
             disorders
             of
             our
             Passions
             make
             us
             miserable
             ,
             and
             make
             us
             sink
             under
             external
             Sufferings
             .
             
             An
             immoderate
             love
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             Pride
             ,
             Ambition
             ,
             Covetousness
             ,
             Anger
             ,
             Hatred
             ,
             Revenge
             ,
             make
             every
             Condition
             uneasy
             ,
             and
             any
             great
             Sufferings
             intolerable
             .
             It
             is
             this
             that
             makes
             Poverty
             and
             Disgrace
             ,
             the
             loss
             of
             Estate
             and
             Honours
             ,
             the
             Frowns
             of
             Princes
             ,
             and
             the
             Clamours
             of
             the
             People
             ,
             such
             unsufferable
             Evils
             ,
             which
             a
             wise
             and
             good
             man
             cannot
             only
             bear
             ,
             but
             modestly
             despise
             .
             It
             is
             this
             that
             terrifies
             us
             with
             the
             least
             approach
             of
             danger
             ,
             and
             distracts
             us
             with
             fear
             ,
             and
             care
             ,
             and
             solicitude
             ,
             and
             with
             all
             the
             imaginary
             evils
             ,
             and
             frightful
             appearances
             ,
             which
             a
             scared
             fancy
             can
             raise
             in
             the
             dark
             .
             Especially
             when
             guilt
             makes
             men
             afraid
             ,
             and
             look
             upon
             every
             misfortune
             ,
             disappointment
             ,
             affliction
             ,
             as
             a
             token
             of
             the
             Divine
             Vengeance
             ,
             and
             a
             terrible
             presage
             of
             the
             endless
             miseries
             of
             the
             next
             life
             .
          
           
             External
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             they
             are
             good
             ,
             can
             be
             no
             objection
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             they
             are
             good
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             is
             concerned
             in
             them
             ,
             for
             they
             are
             permitted
             and
             ordered
             by
             God
             for
             wise
             and
             good
             ends
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             do
             not
             prove
             good
             to
             us
             ,
             it
             is
             our
             own
             fault
             ,
             who
             will
             not
             be
             made
             better
             by
             them
             .
          
           
             Whatever
             men
             suffer
             ,
             if
             their
             sufferings
             do
             not
             make
             them
             miserable
             ,
             this
             is
             no
             just
             reproach
             to
             Providence
             ;
             for
             God
             may
             be
             very
             good
             to
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             whatever
             they
             suffer
             ,
             while
             they
             can
             suffer
             ,
             and
             be
             happy
             ;
             not
             perfectly
             and
             compleatly
             happy
             ,
             which
             admits
             of
             no
             sufferings
             ,
             but
             such
             a
             degree
             of
             self-enjoyment
             ,
             as
             reconciles
             external
             Sufferings
             with
             inward
             peace
             ,
             contentment
             ,
             patience
             ,
             hope
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             happiness
             of
             a
             suffering
             state
             ,
             and
             a
             much
             greater
             happiness
             than
             the
             most
             prosperous
             Fortune
             without
             it
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             be
             not
             thus
             happy
             under
             all
             our
             Sufferings
             ,
             it
             is
             our
             own
             fault
             .
          
           
           
             Thus
             the
             Wise-man
             tells
             us
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             not
             so
             much
             external
             Sufferings
             (
             which
             is
             all
             that
             can
             be
             charged
             upon
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             )
             which
             makes
             men
             miserable
             ,
             but
             the
             inward
             guilt
             and
             disorders
             of
             their
             own
             minds
             ;
             
             18.
             
             
               Prov.
               14.
               
               The
               spirit
               of
               a
               man
               will
               sustain
               his
               infirmity
               ,
               but
               a
               wounded
               spirit
               who
               can
               bear
               ?
            
             And
             if
             all
             that
             God
             inflicts
             on
             us
             may
             be
             born
             ,
             our
             misery
             is
             owing
             to
             our selves
             .
             But
             I
             have
             so
             particularly
             discoursed
             this
             upon
             another
             occasion
             ,
             that
             I
             shall
             enlarge
             no
             farther
             on
             it
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             Another
             Objection
             against
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             ,
             is
             God's
             partial
             and
             unequal
             care
             of
             his
             Creatures
             ;
             and
             I
             confess
             Partiality
             is
             a
             very
             great
             Objection
             ,
             both
             against
             Justice
             ,
             and
             an
             Universal
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             such
             the
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             must
             be
             .
          
           
             The
             foundation
             of
             the
             Objection
             is
             this
             :
             That
             there
             are
             very
             different
             ranks
             and
             conditions
             of
             men
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             Rich
             and
             Poor
             ,
             High
             and
             Low
             ,
             Princes
             and
             Subjects
             ,
             and
             a
             great
             many
             degrees
             of
             Power
             ,
             and
             Honour
             ,
             and
             Riches
             ,
             and
             Poverty
             ;
             and
             we
             cannot
             say
             ,
             that
             God
             deals
             equally
             by
             all
             these
             men
             ,
             whose
             Fortunes
             are
             so
             very
             unequal
             :
             But
             there
             is
             no
             great
             difficulty
             in
             answering
             this
             .
             For
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Goodness
             of
             Providence
             consists
             in
             consulting
             the
             general
             good
             and
             happiness
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             of
             particular
             men
             in
             subordination
             to
             the
             good
             of
             the
             whole
             ;
             and
             this
             fully
             answers
             the
             Objection
             :
             For
             though
             there
             are
             too
             many
             who
             are
             not
             well
             satisfied
             with
             their
             own
             Station
             ,
             and
             never
             will
             be
             ,
             unless
             they
             could
             be
             uppermost
             ;
             yet
             I
             dare
             appeal
             to
             any
             man
             of
             common
             sense
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             not
             most
             for
             the
             good
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             that
             there
             should
             be
             very
             different
             Ranks
             and
             Orders
             of
             men
             in
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             There
             is
             not
             any
             one
             thing
             more
             necessary
             to
             the
             happiness
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             than
             good
             Government
             ;
             and
             yet
             there
             could
             be
             no
             Government
             in
             an
             equality
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             nothing
             
             makes
             such
             an
             inequality
             like
             an
             unequal
             Fortune
             .
             Were
             all
             men
             equally
             rich
             and
             great
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             neither
             Subjects
             ,
             nor
             Servants
             ;
             for
             no
             man
             will
             chuse
             to
             be
             a
             Subject
             or
             a
             Servant
             ,
             who
             has
             an
             equal
             title
             to
             be
             a
             Lord
             and
             Master
             .
             And
             then
             no
             man
             could
             be
             rich
             and
             great
             ,
             which
             are
             only
             comparative
             terms
             ;
             and
             which
             is
             worse
             than
             that
             ,
             no
             man
             could
             be
             safe
             .
             And
             if
             an
             inequality
             in
             mens
             Fortunes
             be
             as
             necessary
             as
             Government
             ,
             that
             is
             a
             sufficient
             justification
             of
             Providence
             ,
             for
             Humane
             Societies
             cannot
             subsist
             without
             it
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             And
             yet
             it
             is
             a
             very
             great
             mistake
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             the
             Happiness
             of
             men
             differ
             as
             much
             as
             their
             Fortunes
             do
             ;
             that
             a
             Prince
             is
             as
             much
             happier
             ,
             as
             he
             is
             greater
             than
             his
             Subjects
             ;
             for
             all
             the
             World
             knows
             ,
             that
             Happiness
             is
             not
             entailed
             on
             Riches
             ,
             and
             Power
             ,
             and
             Secular
             Honours
             ;
             as
             they
             have
             their
             advantages
             ,
             so
             they
             have
             very
             troublesome
             and
             sowre
             allays
             ;
             and
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             upon
             a
             true
             estimate
             of
             things
             ,
             as
             different
             a
             show
             and
             appearance
             as
             men
             make
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             they
             are
             pretty
             equal
             as
             to
             true
             Enjoyments
             .
             There
             is
             very
             little
             difference
             in
             eating
             and
             drinking
             ,
             while
             we
             have
             wherewithal
             to
             satisfy
             Nature
             ;
             for
             Appetite
             makes
             every
             thing
             delicious
             ;
             and
             the
             hard
             Labour
             of
             a
             Poor
             man
             is
             much
             more
             tolerable
             than
             Gout
             and
             Stone
             ,
             and
             those
             sharp
             or
             languishing
             Diseases
             ,
             which
             so
             commonly
             attend
             the
             Softness
             and
             Luxury
             of
             the
             Rich
             ;
             and
             as
             for
             Opinion
             and
             Fancy
             it self
             ,
             which
             creates
             the
             greatest
             difference
             ,
             every
             Rank
             of
             men
             make
             a
             Scene
             among
             themselves
             ,
             and
             every
             man
             finds
             something
             to
             value
             himself
             upon
             :
             That
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             there
             is
             nothing
             wherein
             all
             Mankind
             are
             so
             equal
             ,
             as
             in
             Self-love
             ,
             and
             Self-flattery
             ,
             and
             a
             value
             for
             themselves
             ;
             that
             though
             there
             are
             many
             men
             who
             would
             change
             Fortunes
             with
             others
             ,
             there
             are
             few
             that
             would
             change
             themselves
             ;
             and
             the
             difference
             of
             Fortunes
             is
             very
             inconsiderable
             ,
             while
             every
             man
             is
             so
             well
             satisfied
             with
             himself
             .
          
           
           
             3dly
             .
             This
             inequality
             of
             Fortunes
             is
             for
             the
             great
             good
             of
             all
             Ranks
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             serves
             a
             great
             many
             wise
             Ends
             of
             Providence
             .
             It
             makes
             some
             men
             industrious
             to
             provide
             for
             themselves
             and
             Families
             ;
             it
             inspires
             others
             with
             emulation
             to
             raise
             their
             Fortunes
             ;
             it
             gives
             life
             and
             spirit
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             makes
             it
             a
             busy
             Scene
             of
             Action
             ,
             to
             keep
             what
             they
             have
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             new
             acquisitions
             ;
             to
             excel
             their
             Equals
             ,
             and
             rival
             those
             above
             them
             ;
             And
             though
             through
             the
             folly
             and
             wickedness
             of
             men
             ,
             this
             occasions
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             mischief
             ,
             yet
             the
             World
             would
             be
             a
             very
             dull
             place
             without
             it
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             no
             encouragement
             ,
             no
             reward
             for
             Vertue
             ;
             Providence
             it self
             would
             have
             very
             little
             to
             do
             ;
             for
             the
             visible
             Rewards
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             Punishment
             of
             Wickedness
             ,
             is
             in
             the
             change
             of
             mens
             Fortunes
             ;
             when
             Industry
             ,
             Prudence
             ,
             and
             Vertue
             ,
             advance
             men
             of
             a
             low
             Condition
             to
             the
             greatest
             Places
             of
             Trust
             and
             Honour
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             to
             a
             plentiful
             and
             splendid
             Station
             ;
             and
             Prodigality
             ,
             Luxury
             ,
             and
             Impiety
             ,
             bring
             Misery
             ,
             Poverty
             ,
             and
             Contempt
             ,
             upon
             Rich
             and
             Noble
             Families
             ;
             Such
             Revolutions
             as
             these
             are
             great
             Examples
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             inequality
             of
             mens
             Fortunes
             is
             so
             far
             from
             being
             an
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ,
             that
             there
             could
             be
             little
             visible
             Exercise
             either
             of
             the
             Goodness
             or
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             without
             it
             .
          
           
             I
             cannot
             without
             some
             indignation
             reflect
             upon
             the
             baseness
             and
             ingratitude
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             who
             live
             ,
             and
             move
             ,
             and
             have
             their
             being
             in
             God
             ;
             who
             know
             how
             little
             they
             deserve
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             feel
             every
             day
             how
             many
             blessings
             they
             receive
             from
             him
             ,
             and
             yet
             seem
             never
             better
             pleased
             ,
             than
             when
             they
             can
             find
             ,
             or
             ignorantly
             invent
             ,
             some
             plausible
             Pretence
             to
             reproach
             his
             Goodness
             ;
             the
             Sense
             of
             all
             Mankind
             confutes
             such
             Objections
             ;
             and
             I
             should
             not
             have
             thought
             it
             worth
             the
             while
             to
             answer
             them
             ,
             were
             it
             not
             a
             great
             satisfaction
             ,
             and
             of
             great
             use
             ,
             to
             contemplate
             the
             Divine
             
             Goodness
             even
             on
             the
             darkest
             side
             of
             Providence
             :
             Which
             will
             teach
             us
             a
             patient
             and
             thankful
             submission
             to
             God
             under
             all
             our
             Sufferings
             ,
             inable
             us
             to
             bear
             them
             ,
             and
             direct
             us
             how
             to
             prevent
             ,
             or
             remove
             them
             ;
             and
             give
             us
             a
             more
             transporting
             admiration
             of
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             ,
             when
             we
             see
             it
             ,
             like
             the
             Sun
             ,
             break
             through
             the
             blackest
             Clouds
             .
             If
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             conquer
             the
             Sins
             ,
             the
             Perverseness
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             shines
             through
             all
             those
             Miseries
             which
             foolish
             Sinners
             every
             day
             bring
             upon
             themselves
             ;
             how
             good
             is
             God
             ,
             when
             his
             Goodness
             flows
             with
             an
             undisturbed
             ,
             uninterrupted
             Current
             !
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             The
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             THE
             Unsearchableness
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ,
             as
             I
             observed
             above
             ,
             
             is
             a
             very
             good
             reason
             ,
             why
             we
             should
             not
             judge
             or
             censure
             such
             mysterious
             Passages
             of
             Providence
             as
             we
             cannot
             comprehend
             ;
             but
             yet
             it
             becomes
             us
             to
             take
             notice
             of
             ,
             and
             to
             admire
             that
             wonderful
             Wisdom
             which
             is
             visible
             in
             the
             government
             of
             Mankind
             .
             
               We
               cannot
               by
               searching
               find
               out
               God
               ,
               we
               cannot
               find
               out
               the
               Almighty
               to
               perfection
               :
               it
               is
               as
               high
               as
               heaven
               ,
               what
               canst
               thou
               do
               ?
               deeper
               than
               hell
               ,
               what
               canst
               thou
               know
               ?
               the
               measure
               thereof
               is
               longer
               than
               the
               earth
               ,
               and
               broader
               than
               the
               sea
               ,
            
             11.
             
             Job
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9.
             
             But
             though
             we
             cannot
             discover
             all
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             we
             can
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             the
             Creation
             ,
             yet
             we
             may
             discover
             enough
             to
             satisfy
             us
             ,
             that
             the
             World
             is
             governed
             as
             well
             as
             made
             with
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             :
             When
             we
             contemplate
             God
             ,
             it
             is
             like
             losing
             our selves
             in
             a
             boundless
             prospect
             ,
             where
             we
             see
             a
             great
             many
             Glories
             and
             Beauties
             ,
             but
             cannot
             see
             to
             the
             end
             of
             it
             .
             We
             may
             discover
             admirable
             and
             surprizing
             Wisdom
             in
             that
             little
             we
             see
             of
             Providence
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             already
             briefly
             observed
             upon
             several
             Occasions
             ;
             but
             we
             know
             so
             little
             of
             what
             has
             been
             done
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             by
             what
             means
             it
             was
             done
             ,
             and
             what
             ends
             it
             served
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             no
             wonder
             if
             we
             have
             as
             imperfect
             a
             view
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ,
             as
             we
             have
             of
             the
             History
             of
             the
             World.
             But
             yet
             whoever
             diligently
             applies
             his
             mind
             to
             the
             study
             of
             Providence
             ,
             will
             see
             reason
             to
             admire
             a
             great
             many
             Events
             ,
             which
             careless
             Observers
             make
             objections
             against
             Providence
             ;
             which
             will
             be
             of
             such
             great
             use
             to
             confirm
             us
             in
             the
             belief
             of
             a
             Providence
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             us
             a
             profound
             veneration
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ,
             that
             I
             shall
             venture
             to
             make
             
             some
             little
             Essay
             of
             this
             nature
             ,
             which
             though
             I
             am
             sensible
             must
             fall
             infinitely
             short
             of
             the
             dignity
             of
             the
             Subject
             ,
             yet
             will
             suggest
             some
             very
             useful
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             shew
             us
             the
             most
             delightful
             and
             profitable
             way
             of
             studying
             Histories
             ,
             and
             Providence
             .
             And
             to
             do
             this
             in
             the
             best
             manner
             I
             can
             ,
             I
             shall
          
           
             1.
             
             Consider
             some
             great
             Events
             recorded
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             which
             are
             as
             it
             it
             were
             the
             Hinges
             of
             Providence
             ,
             whereon
             the
             various
             Scenes
             of
             Providence
             turned
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             I
             shall
             take
             notice
             of
             some
             other
             visible
             Marks
             and
             Characters
             of
             Wisdom
             in
             the
             more
             common
             Events
             of
             Providence
             ,
             especially
             such
             as
             are
             made
             objections
             against
             Providence
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Some
             great
             Events
             recorded
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             which
             gave
             a
             new
             face
             of
             things
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             opened
             new
             Scenes
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             
               The
               state
               of
               Innocence
               ,
               wherein
               man
               was
               created
               ,
               was
               a
               state
               of
               perfect
               Happiness
               .
               There
               was
               no
               death
               ,
               no
               sickness
               ,
               no
               labour
               ,
               or
               sorrow
               ;
               but
               the
               fall
               of
               man
               made
               a
               very
               great
               change
               in
               this
               visible
               Creation
               :
               Man
               himself
               became
               mortal
               ,
               and
               was
               condemned
               to
               an
               industrious
               and
               laborious
               life
               ;
               according
               to
               that
               Sentence
            
             ;
             Cursed
             is
             the
             ground
             for
             thy
             sake
             ;
             in
             sorrow
             shalt
             thou
             eat
             of
             it
             all
             the
             days
             of
             thy
             life
             ;
             Thorns
             also
             and
             thistles
             shall
             it
             bring
             forth
             to
             thee
             ;
             and
             thou
             shalt
             eat
             the
             herb
             of
             the
             field
             :
             In
             the
             sweat
             of
             thy
             face
             shalt
             thou
             eat
             bread
             ,
             till
             thou
             return
             unto
             the
             ground
             ;
             for
             out
             of
             it
             wast
             thou
             taken
             :
             For
             dust
             thou
             art
             ,
             and
             unto
             dust
             thou
             shalt
             return
             ,
             3.
             
             Gen.
             17
             ,
             18
             ,
             19.
             
          
           
             This
             was
             a
             very
             severe
             Sentence
             ,
             which
             deprived
             man
             of
             Immortality
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             easy
             and
             happy
             life
             of
             Paradise
             ;
             condemned
             him
             to
             labour
             and
             sorrow
             while
             he
             lived
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             return
             unto
             dust
             ;
             and
             yet
             the
             Wisdom
             as
             well
             as
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             is
             very
             visible
             in
             it
             ;
             it
             was
             not
             fit
             
             that
             when
             man
             had
             sinned
             ,
             
             he
             should
             be
             immortal
             in
             this
             World
             ;
             and
             an
             industrious
             and
             laborious
             life
             is
             the
             best
             and
             happiest
             state
             for
             fallen
             man
             ,
             
             as
             I
             have
             elsewhere
             shown
             at
             large
             .
          
           
             We
             know
             little
             more
             than
             this
             of
             the
             Antediluvian
             World
             ,
             till
             we
             hear
             of
             the
             general
             corruption
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             
               That
               the
               earth
               was
               filled
               with
               violence
               ,
               for
               all
               flesh
               had
               corrupted
               his
               way
               upon
               the
               earth
            
             ;
             insomuch
             ,
             
               that
               it
               repented
               the
               Lord
               that
               he
               had
               made
               man
               upon
               the
               earth
               ,
               and
               it
               grieved
               him
               at
               his
               heart
               ,
            
             6.
             
             Gen.
             This
             was
             so
             universal
             a
             Corruption
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             but
             one
             righteous
             Family
             left
             ,
             only
             Noah
             ,
             and
             his
             three
             Sons
             ;
             and
             therefore
             God
             resolved
             to
             sweep
             them
             all
             away
             with
             an
             universal
             Deluge
             ,
             excepting
             that
             one
             righteous
             Family
             ,
             whom
             he
             preserved
             in
             the
             Ark
             ,
             which
             he
             appointed
             Noah
             to
             prepare
             for
             that
             purpose
             .
          
           
             The
             justice
             of
             this
             no
             man
             can
             dispute
             ;
             for
             if
             all
             Flesh
             corrupt
             its
             ways
             ,
             God
             may
             as
             justly
             destroy
             a
             whole
             world
             of
             Sinners
             ,
             as
             he
             can
             punish
             ,
             or
             cut
             off
             any
             one
             single
             Sinner
             .
             But
             that
             which
             I
             am
             now
             concerned
             for
             ,
             is
             to
             shew
             the
             wonderful
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             in
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             Old
             World
             by
             a
             deluge
             of
             Water
             ;
             and
             rightly
             to
             understand
             this
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             the
             several
             Circumstances
             of
             the
             Story
             ,
             and
             what
             God
             intended
             by
             it
             .
          
           
             Now
             though
             that
             wicked
             Generation
             of
             men
             deserved
             to
             be
             destroyed
             ,
             yet
             God
             did
             not
             intend
             to
             put
             a
             final
             end
             to
             this
             World
             ,
             nor
             to
             cut
             off
             the
             whole
             Race
             of
             all
             Mankind
             ,
             but
             to
             raise
             a
             new
             Generation
             of
             men
             from
             a
             Righteous
             Seed
             ;
             and
             to
             make
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             Old
             World
             a
             standing
             Warning
             ,
             and
             a
             visible
             Lesson
             of
             Righteousness
             to
             the
             New
             :
             And
             a
             few
             Observations
             will
             satisfy
             us
             ,
             that
             nothing
             could
             be
             more
             wisely
             designed
             for
             this
             purpose
             :
          
           
             1.
             
             Let
             us
             consider
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             in
             destroying
             the
             Old
             World
             without
             the
             utter
             destruction
             of
             Mankind
             .
             It
             was
             too
             soon
             to
             put
             a
             final
             end
             to
             the
             World
             
             which
             he
             had
             so
             lately
             made
             ,
             without
             reproaching
             his
             own
             Wisdom
             in
             making
             it
             .
             There
             had
             been
             very
             little
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Government
             yet
             seen
             ,
             but
             one
             Act
             ,
             and
             that
             concluding
             in
             all
             disorder
             and
             confusion
             ;
             and
             had
             God
             left
             off
             here
             ,
             and
             put
             a
             final
             end
             to
             the
             Race
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             it
             had
             been
             but
             a
             very
             ill
             spectacle
             to
             the
             Angelical
             World
             ,
             to
             see
             a
             whole
             Species
             of
             Reasonable
             Beings
             so
             soon
             destroyed
             .
             The
             Old
             Serpent
             ,
             who
             deceived
             our
             first
             Parents
             ,
             would
             have
             gloried
             in
             his
             Voctory
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             utterly
             spoiled
             and
             ruined
             the
             best
             part
             of
             this
             visible
             Creation
             ,
             and
             even
             forced
             God
             to
             destroy
             the
             most
             excellent
             Creature
             he
             had
             made
             on
             Earth
             .
             But
             God
             had
             threatned
             the
             Serpent
             ,
             that
             the
             Seed
             of
             the
             Woman
             should
             break
             his
             head
             ,
             and
             therefore
             the
             whole
             Posterity
             of
             Eve
             must
             not
             be
             destroyed
             ,
             but
             a
             Righteous
             Seed
             must
             be
             preserved
             to
             new-people
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             But
             besides
             this
             ,
             The
             destruction
             of
             the
             Old
             World
             being
             intended
             as
             a
             warning
             to
             the
             New
             ,
             it
             was
             necessary
             there
             should
             be
             some
             living
             Witnesses
             ,
             both
             of
             the
             destruction
             and
             the
             resurrection
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             to
             assure
             their
             Posterity
             of
             what
             they
             had
             seen
             ,
             and
             to
             preserve
             the
             memory
             of
             it
             to
             all
             Generations
             .
             Of
             which
             more
             presently
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             The
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             was
             very
             visible
             in
             delaying
             so
             terrible
             an
             Execution
             till
             there
             was
             no
             remedy
             .
             To
             destroy
             a
             World
             carries
             great
             horror
             with
             it
             ,
             and
             makes
             a
             frightful
             representation
             of
             God
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             qualified
             with
             all
             the
             most
             tender
             and
             softning
             Circumstances
             .
             And
             I
             cannot
             think
             of
             any
             thing
             that
             can
             justify
             Providence
             in
             it
             (
             excepting
             the
             last
             Judgment
             ,
             when
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             thinks
             fit
             to
             put
             a
             final
             end
             to
             this
             World
             )
             but
             the
             irrecoverable
             state
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             the
             absolute
             necessity
             of
             some
             new
             methods
             of
             reforming
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             And
             therefore
             God
             delayed
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             Old
             World
             ,
             till
             all
             Flesh
             had
             corrupted
             his
             ways
             ,
             and
             there
             was
             but
             one
             Righteous
             Family
             left
             ,
             which
             must
             be
             in
             danger
             of
             being
             corrupted
             too
             by
             the
             universal
             wickedness
             
             of
             the
             Age.
             However
             ,
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             That
             though
             Noah
             might
             have
             preserved
             his
             own
             Integrity
             ,
             and
             have
             taught
             his
             own
             Family
             that
             Fear
             and
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
             yet
             he
             could
             do
             no
             good
             upon
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             he
             was
             a
             Preacher
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             but
             his
             Sermons
             had
             no
             effect
             :
             It
             is
             generally
             concluded
             by
             the
             Ancients
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             an
             hundred
             years
             in
             building
             the
             Ark
             ,
             and
             all
             this
             while
             he
             gave
             visible
             warning
             to
             them
             of
             the
             approaching
             Deluge
             :
             Now
             when
             it
             was
             impossible
             by
             any
             ordinary
             means
             to
             put
             a
             stop
             to
             the
             wickedness
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             what
             remained
             but
             to
             destroy
             that
             corrupt
             and
             incurable
             Generation
             ,
             and
             to
             preserve
             righteous
             Noah
             and
             his
             Sons
             ,
             to
             propagate
             a
             new
             Generation
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             train
             them
             up
             in
             the
             fear
             and
             worship
             of
             God
             ?
             Had
             he
             delayed
             a
             little
             longer
             ,
             the
             whole
             World
             might
             have
             been
             corrupt
             ,
             without
             one
             righteous
             man
             in
             it
             ;
             and
             then
             he
             must
             either
             have
             maintained
             or
             preserved
             a
             World
             of
             Atheists
             and
             profligate
             Sinners
             ,
             or
             must
             have
             destroyed
             them
             all
             :
             But
             it
             more
             became
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ,
             when
             Religion
             was
             reduced
             to
             one
             Family
             ,
             to
             defer
             Vengeance
             no
             longer
             ,
             while
             he
             had
             one
             righteous
             Family
             to
             save
             ,
             to
             preserve
             the
             Race
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             to
             restore
             lost
             Piety
             and
             Vertue
             to
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             3dly
             .
             The
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             in
             destroying
             the
             Old
             World
             is
             very
             visible
             in
             the
             manner
             of
             doing
             it
             .
          
           
             1st
             .
             For
             first
             it
             was
             a
             Miraculous
             and
             Supernatural
             Destruction
             ,
             and
             therefore
             an
             undeniable
             evidence
             of
             the
             Power
             and
             Providence
             of
             God.
             There
             are
             no
             visible
             Causes
             in
             Nature
             to
             do
             this
             ,
             and
             therefore
             it
             must
             be
             done
             by
             a
             Power
             Superior
             to
             Nature
             .
          
           
             Some
             men
             think
             it
             sufficient
             to
             disparage
             the
             Mosaical
             Account
             of
             the
             Deluge
             ,
             if
             they
             can
             prove
             the
             natural
             impossibility
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             others
             ,
             who
             profess
             to
             believe
             the
             Story
             ,
             think
             themselves
             much
             concerned
             to
             give
             a
             Philosophical
             Account
             of
             it
             ,
             without
             having
             recourse
             to
             Miracles
             ,
             
             and
             a
             Supernatural
             Power
             ,
             which
             they
             say
             unbecomes
             Philosophers
             :
             But
             if
             it
             unbecomes
             Philosophers
             to
             believe
             Miracles
             ,
             I
             doubt
             they
             will
             think
             it
             very
             much
             below
             them
             to
             be
             Christians
             ,
             which
             no
             man
             can
             be
             ,
             who
             does
             not
             believe
             Miracles
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             will
             allow
             of
             Miracles
             in
             any
             case
             ,
             methinks
             they
             should
             make
             no
             scruple
             to
             attribute
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             World
             to
             a
             Miraculous
             and
             Supernatural
             Power
             .
          
           
             The
             comfort
             is
             ,
             the
             truth
             of
             the
             Story
             does
             not
             depend
             upon
             any
             Philosophical
             Hypothesis
             ;
             we
             do
             not
             believe
             ,
             that
             the
             whole
             World
             was
             drowned
             ,
             because
             we
             can
             tell
             by
             what
             Natural
             Causes
             it
             might
             be
             drowned
             ,
             but
             because
             Moses
             has
             recorded
             it
             in
             his
             Writings
             ,
             who
             ,
             we
             know
             ,
             was
             Divinely
             inspired
             :
             And
             we
             know
             also
             ,
             that
             there
             has
             been
             no
             satisfactory
             account
             given
             yet
             from
             the
             Principles
             of
             Nature
             and
             Philosophy
             ,
             how
             the
             whole
             World
             could
             be
             drowned
             ;
             at
             least
             none
             that
             will
             agree
             with
             the
             Mosaical
             History
             ,
             either
             of
             the
             Creation
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             Deluge
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             better
             to
             have
             no
             Account
             ,
             than
             such
             an
             Account
             as
             confutes
             Moses
             ,
             could
             any
             such
             be
             given
             ;
             for
             this
             confutes
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             discredits
             the
             Story
             it self
             ,
             for
             which
             we
             have
             no
             Authentick
             Authority
             ,
             when
             the
             Authority
             of
             Moses
             is
             lost
             .
             But
             indeed
             it
             is
             no
             service
             to
             Religion
             to
             seek
             after
             Natural
             Causes
             for
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             any
             more
             than
             it
             is
             to
             resolve
             the
             making
             of
             the
             World
             into
             Natural
             Causes
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             great
             good
             nature
             in
             men
             to
             own
             a
             God
             ,
             if
             they
             can
             make
             and
             destroy
             a
             World
             without
             him
             ;
             there
             can
             be
             no
             such
             thing
             as
             natural
             Causes
             ,
             till
             the
             World
             is
             made
             ,
             and
             every
             thing
             endowed
             with
             its
             Natural
             Vertues
             and
             Powers
             ,
             and
             united
             into
             a
             regular
             frame
             ,
             with
             a
             mutual
             dependance
             and
             connexion
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             a
             vain
             thing
             to
             talk
             of
             making
             the
             World
             by
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             demonstrable
             ,
             that
             there
             can
             be
             no
             Natural
             Causes
             till
             the
             World
             is
             made
             :
             And
             it
             is
             as
             certain
             ,
             that
             Nature
             must
             move
             unnaturally
             ,
             and
             be
             put
             into
             an
             universal
             
             disorder
             ,
             before
             the
             World
             can
             be
             destroyed
             ;
             for
             while
             Natural
             Causes
             keep
             their
             Natural
             Course
             ,
             they
             will
             preserve
             ,
             not
             destroy
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             World
             is
             not
             owing
             to
             Natural
             Causes
             ,
             but
             to
             praeternatural
             Disorders
             ;
             and
             what
             Philosophy
             can
             give
             an
             account
             of
             that
             ?
             What
             can
             put
             Nature
             into
             such
             an
             universal
             disorder
             ,
             but
             the
             same
             Divine
             Power
             which
             put
             it
             into
             order
             ,
             and
             gave
             Laws
             to
             it
             ?
          
           
             And
             this
             is
             what
             God
             intended
             in
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             Old
             World
             ,
             to
             give
             a
             visible
             and
             lasting
             proof
             of
             his
             Being
             and
             Providence
             to
             the
             New
             ,
             by
             such
             a
             Miraculous
             Deluge
             ,
             as
             could
             be
             attributed
             to
             no
             other
             Cause
             ,
             but
             a
             Divine
             Vengeance
             .
          
           
             That
             universal
             Corruption
             of
             Mankind
             would
             persuade
             us
             ,
             that
             the
             very
             belief
             and
             notion
             of
             a
             God
             was
             lost
             among
             them
             ;
             or
             if
             it
             be
             hard
             to
             conceive
             how
             that
             should
             be
             ,
             when
             the
             World
             by
             computation
             was
             not
             Seventeen
             hundred
             years
             old
             ,
             and
             Lamech
             ,
             Noah's
             Father
             ,
             lived
             fifty
             years
             with
             Adam
             himself
             ,
             that
             it
             seems
             impossible
             that
             the
             Tradition
             of
             God's
             creating
             the
             World
             should
             have
             been
             lost
             in
             so
             short
             a
             time
             ;
             yet
             at
             least
             they
             could
             have
             no
             sense
             of
             God's
             Justice
             and
             Providence
             ;
             they
             could
             not
             believe
             that
             God
             took
             any
             notice
             of
             their
             Actions
             ,
             or
             would
             execute
             such
             a
             terrible
             Vengeance
             on
             them
             for
             their
             sins
             .
             We
             do
             not
             read
             of
             any
             one
             Act
             of
             Judgment
             which
             God
             exercised
             before
             the
             Flood
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             not
             improbable
             ,
             that
             his
             sparing
             Cain
             ,
             when
             he
             had
             killed
             his
             Brother
             Abel
             ,
             might
             encourage
             them
             with
             hopes
             of
             impunity
             ,
             whatever
             wickedness
             they
             committed
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             saw
             it
             necessary
             to
             put
             an
             end
             to
             the
             Old
             ,
             and
             to
             begin
             the
             New
             World
             with
             a
             visible
             demonstration
             of
             his
             Power
             and
             Justice
             ,
             to
             teach
             men
             the
             fear
             ,
             and
             reverence
             ,
             and
             worship
             of
             that
             God
             ,
             who
             not
             only
             made
             the
             World
             ,
             but
             has
             once
             destroyed
             it
             ,
             and
             therefore
             can
             destroy
             it
             again
             ,
             with
             all
             its
             wicked
             Inhabitants
             ,
             whenever
             he
             pleases
             .
          
           
           
             Now
             to
             make
             this
             a
             lasting
             proof
             of
             God's
             Power
             and
             Justice
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             evident
             beyond
             all
             contradiction
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             God's
             doing
             ,
             and
             therefore
             it
             was
             necessary
             that
             God
             should
             destroy
             the
             world
             in
             so
             miraculous
             a
             manner
             ,
             as
             could
             be
             attributed
             to
             no
             other
             Cause
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             the
             true
             Spirit
             of
             Atheism
             and
             Infidelity
             to
             attribute
             nothing
             to
             God
             ,
             which
             they
             can
             ascribe
             to
             any
             visible
             Cause
             .
          
           
             Had
             all
             Mankind
             ,
             excepting
             Noah
             and
             his
             Sons
             ,
             been
             destroyed
             by
             Plague
             ,
             or
             Famine
             ,
             or
             Wild
             Beasts
             ,
             though
             such
             a
             general
             destruction
             would
             have
             convinced
             Wise
             and
             Reasonable
             men
             ,
             that
             the
             Hand
             ,
             and
             the
             Vengeance
             of
             God
             was
             in
             it
             ;
             yet
             if
             we
             may
             judge
             of
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             by
             the
             wonderful
             improvements
             in
             Wit
             and
             Philosophy
             which
             our
             Modern
             Atheists
             have
             made
             ,
             they
             would
             think
             scorn
             to
             attribute
             Plague
             ,
             or
             Famine
             ,
             or
             such
             like
             evil
             Accidents
             to
             God
             ,
             though
             all
             Mankind
             were
             destroyed
             by
             them
             .
             But
             when
             they
             hear
             of
             a
             World
             drowned
             ,
             and
             know
             not
             where
             to
             find
             water
             to
             drown
             it
             ,
             without
             a
             miraculous
             dissolution
             of
             Nature
             ;
             they
             must
             either
             laugh
             at
             the
             Story
             ,
             which
             men
             in
             their
             wits
             can't
             well
             do
             ,
             or
             they
             must
             believe
             a
             God
             and
             a
             Providence
             .
             But
             whatever
             shift
             the
             Infidels
             of
             our
             Age
             may
             make
             to
             disbelieve
             the
             Universal
             Deluge
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             confessed
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             a
             very
             wise
             and
             most
             effectual
             means
             to
             convince
             that
             new
             Generation
             of
             men
             ,
             while
             the
             uncorrupted
             Tradition
             of
             the
             Deluge
             was
             preserved
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             The
             Wisdom
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             was
             seen
             in
             destroying
             that
             wicked
             Generation
             of
             men
             ,
             without
             destroying
             the
             Earth
             .
             God
             did
             not
             intend
             to
             put
             a
             final
             end
             to
             the
             Race
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             but
             the
             Earth
             was
             to
             be
             again
             inhabited
             by
             a
             new
             Generation
             ;
             and
             a
             Deluge
             of
             Waters
             was
             best
             fitted
             to
             this
             purpose
             ,
             which
             did
             no
             hurt
             to
             the
             Earth
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             dried
             up
             again
             ,
             but
             rather
             moistened
             and
             impregnated
             it
             with
             new
             Seeds
             and
             Principles
             of
             life
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             but
             two
             ways
             we
             know
             of
             to
             destroy
             this
             Earth
             ,
             either
             by
             Water
             or
             Fire
             ;
             it
             has
             already
             been
             destroyed
             
             by
             Water
             ,
             and
             will
             be
             destroyed
             by
             Fire
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             enough
             to
             satisfy
             any
             man
             ,
             that
             this
             is
             not
             Accident
             ,
             but
             a
             Wise
             Design
             ,
             to
             consider
             ,
             that
             a
             Deluge
             of
             Water
             was
             made
             use
             of
             to
             purge
             and
             reform
             the
             World
             ,
             but
             Fire
             is
             reserved
             for
             the
             final
             destruction
             of
             it
             .
             Whereas
             ,
             had
             this
             Order
             been
             inverted
             ,
             as
             it
             might
             have
             been
             ,
             had
             it
             been
             mere
             Chance
             ,
             it
             is
             evident
             that
             the
             Earth
             could
             neither
             have
             been
             preserved
             from
             Fire
             ,
             nor
             utterly
             destroyed
             by
             Water
             ,
             without
             a
             perpetual
             Deluge
             .
             A
             Deluge
             of
             Water
             does
             not
             destroy
             the
             Earth
             ,
             nor
             make
             it
             uninhabitable
             after
             the
             Deluge
             ceases
             ;
             but
             Fire
             destroys
             the
             Frame
             and
             Constitution
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             melts
             all
             into
             one
             confused
             mass
             ;
             there
             is
             some
             defence
             against
             a
             Deluge
             ,
             Noah
             and
             his
             Sons
             were
             preserved
             in
             the
             Ark
             ,
             to
             people
             the
             New
             World
             ;
             but
             there
             is
             no
             defence
             against
             Flames
             ;
             the
             whole
             Earth
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             wicked
             Inhabitants
             of
             it
             ,
             must
             burn
             together
             :
             And
             this
             is
             one
             wise
             Reason
             ,
             why
             God
             chose
             to
             drown
             the
             World
             ,
             not
             to
             burn
             it
             ,
             because
             the
             end
             of
             all
             things
             was
             not
             yet
             come
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             There
             is
             great
             variety
             of
             Wisdom
             to
             be
             observed
             in
             God's
             preserving
             Noah
             and
             his
             Sons
             in
             the
             Ark
             from
             perishing
             by
             Water
             .
          
           
             For
             first
             ,
             as
             I
             observed
             before
             ,
             this
             was
             very
             necessary
             to
             preserve
             the
             Race
             of
             Mankind
             to
             new-people
             the
             World
             ,
             which
             much
             more
             became
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ,
             than
             to
             have
             created
             man
             a-new
             .
             When
             
               all
               flesh
               had
               corrupted
               his
               ways
               ,
            
             it
             became
             God
             to
             try
             new
             Methods
             of
             reforming
             the
             World
             ;
             for
             this
             opens
             new
             and
             surprizing
             Scenes
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             displays
             such
             a
             multifarious
             Wisdom
             in
             the
             government
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             as
             is
             much
             more
             wonderful
             than
             the
             Creation
             of
             a
             New
             World
             would
             be
             :
             But
             had
             God
             destroyed
             the
             whole
             Race
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             created
             a
             new
             Man
             to
             inhabit
             the
             New
             World
             ,
             this
             would
             have
             argued
             some
             defect
             in
             the
             first
             Creation
             ;
             for
             there
             can
             be
             no
             pretence
             for
             destroying
             Man
             to
             make
             him
             again
             ,
             but
             a
             design
             to
             
             make
             him
             better
             ;
             to
             correct
             that
             in
             a
             second
             trial
             ,
             which
             Experience
             had
             discovered
             to
             be
             faulty
             in
             the
             first
             :
             But
             though
             the
             wisdom
             of
             Government
             will
             admit
             of
             various
             Trials
             and
             Experiments
             ,
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Creation
             wont
             :
             The
             Government
             of
             free
             Agents
             must
             be
             accommodated
             to
             their
             Natures
             ,
             and
             Dispositions
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             what
             God
             made
             them
             ,
             but
             to
             what
             they
             make
             themselves
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             Methods
             of
             Government
             must
             change
             ,
             as
             men
             change
             themselves
             ;
             but
             the
             Natures
             of
             all
             things
             are
             made
             only
             by
             God
             ,
             and
             if
             there
             be
             any
             fault
             in
             them
             ,
             it
             is
             chargeable
             upon
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ;
             and
             to
             make
             Man
             ,
             and
             destroy
             him
             ,
             and
             make
             him
             again
             ,
             would
             argue
             a
             great
             fault
             somewhere
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             I
             observed
             also
             before
             ,
             That
             to
             make
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             Old
             World
             of
             any
             use
             to
             propagate
             Religion
             and
             Piety
             in
             the
             New
             ,
             it
             was
             necessary
             that
             some
             Inhabitants
             of
             the
             Old
             World
             should
             survive
             the
             Deluge
             ,
             to
             be
             Witnesses
             of
             that
             Terrible
             Destruction
             .
          
           
             Had
             no
             man
             survived
             ,
             though
             God
             should
             have
             created
             man
             a-new
             ,
             that
             new
             Generation
             of
             men
             could
             have
             known
             nothing
             of
             the
             Deluge
             ,
             but
             by
             Revelation
             ;
             whereas
             God
             intended
             a
             sensible
             proof
             of
             his
             Power
             and
             Providence
             ,
             which
             Mankind
             wanted
             .
          
           
             Besides
             that
             Revelation
             ,
             which
             we
             may
             suppose
             God
             made
             to
             Adam
             of
             the
             Creation
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             his
             own
             sense
             ,
             that
             he
             himself
             was
             but
             just
             then
             made
             ,
             and
             was
             the
             first
             and
             the
             only
             man
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             there
             are
             such
             visible
             Marks
             of
             a
             Divine
             Wisdom
             and
             Power
             in
             the
             frame
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             one
             would
             think
             should
             be
             sufficient
             to
             convince
             men
             ,
             that
             the
             World
             was
             made
             ,
             and
             is
             preserved
             ,
             and
             governed
             by
             God
             ;
             and
             yet
             because
             no
             man
             saw
             the
             World
             made
             ,
             neither
             Reason
             ,
             nor
             Revelation
             can
             persuade
             some
             men
             that
             God
             made
             the
             World.
             And
             is
             it
             reasonable
             then
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             when
             there
             are
             no
             remaining
             signs
             of
             a
             Deluge
             left
             ,
             the
             belief
             of
             a
             Deluge
             should
             for
             any
             long
             time
             
             have
             prevailed
             in
             the
             world
             without
             any
             living
             Witnesses
             ,
             who
             saw
             the
             Deluge
             ,
             though
             we
             should
             suppose
             God
             to
             have
             revealed
             it
             to
             new-created
             man
             ?
             No
             man
             could
             see
             the
             Creation
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             because
             the
             world
             must
             be
             made
             before
             man
             was
             made
             to
             live
             in
             it
             ;
             but
             though
             no
             man
             saw
             the
             world
             made
             ,
             there
             were
             some
             who
             saw
             the
             destruction
             which
             the
             Deluge
             made
             ,
             which
             was
             as
             visible
             a
             proof
             of
             the
             Divine
             Power
             ,
             and
             a
             much
             greater
             proof
             of
             a
             Just
             and
             Righteous
             Providence
             .
             No
             man
             who
             believes
             that
             God
             destroyed
             the
             Old
             World
             with
             a
             Deluge
             of
             Water
             ,
             can
             doubt
             whether
             God
             made
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             governs
             it
             ;
             and
             for
             this
             the
             New
             World
             had
             the
             testimony
             of
             Eye-witnesses
             ,
             which
             is
             as
             sensible
             a
             proof
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             and
             a
             Providence
             ,
             as
             we
             can
             possibly
             have
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             The
             preservation
             of
             Noah
             and
             his
             Sons
             in
             the
             Ark
             ,
             was
             an
             evident
             proof
             ,
             that
             this
             Deluge
             was
             sent
             by
             God
             :
             God
             fore-warned
             Noah
             of
             it
             an
             hundred
             years
             before
             it
             came
             ,
             and
             commanded
             him
             to
             prepare
             an
             Ark
             ,
             and
             gave
             him
             directions
             how
             to
             make
             it
             .
             Thus
             much
             is
             certain
             ,
             That
             Noah
             did
             know
             of
             it
             before-hand
             ,
             and
             prepared
             an
             Ark
             ,
             which
             remained
             as
             a
             visible
             Testimony
             of
             the
             Flood
             to
             future
             Generations
             .
             Now
             there
             being
             no
             Natural
             Causes
             of
             the
             Flood
             ,
             there
             could
             be
             no
             Natural
             Prognosticks
             of
             it
             .
             Our
             Saviour
             himself
             observes
             ,
             That
             there
             were
             not
             the
             least
             Symptoms
             of
             any
             such
             thing
             ,
             till
             Noah
             entred
             into
             the
             Ark
             ;
             and
             therefore
             Noah
             had
             no
             other
             way
             of
             knowing
             this
             ,
             but
             by
             Revelation
             ;
             and
             it
             was
             so
             incredible
             a
             thing
             in
             it self
             ,
             that
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             would
             not
             believe
             him
             ,
             though
             he
             warned
             them
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             they
             saw
             that
             he
             believed
             it
             himself
             ,
             by
             his
             preparing
             an
             Ark
             for
             his
             own
             safety
             .
             And
             if
             we
             believe
             the
             Account
             that
             Moses
             gives
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             some
             of
             all
             sorts
             of
             Living
             Creatures
             ,
             both
             the
             Beasts
             of
             the
             Field
             ,
             and
             the
             Fowls
             of
             the
             Air
             ,
             were
             preserved
             with
             Noah
             in
             the
             Ark
             (
             as
             we
             must
             believe
             ,
             if
             we
             believe
             the
             Universal
             Deluge
             ,
             unless
             we
             will
             say
             ,
             that
             God
             
             new-made
             all
             Living
             Creatures
             after
             the
             Flood
             )
             what
             account
             can
             be
             given
             of
             this
             ,
             that
             some
             of
             all
             sorts
             ,
             in
             such
             numbers
             as
             God
             had
             appointed
             ,
             and
             had
             prepared
             reception
             for
             ,
             should
             come
             of
             their
             own
             accord
             to
             Noah
             ,
             when
             he
             was
             ready
             to
             enter
             into
             the
             Ark
             ,
             had
             they
             not
             been
             led
             thither
             by
             a
             Divine
             Hand
             ?
          
           
             4thly
             .
             The
             preservation
             of
             Noah
             and
             his
             Sons
             in
             the
             Ark
             did
             not
             only
             prove
             ,
             that
             the
             Deluge
             was
             sent
             by
             God
             ,
             but
             was
             a
             plain
             Evidence
             for
             what
             reason
             God
             sent
             such
             a
             Terrible
             Judgment
             ;
             viz.
             To
             put
             an
             end
             to
             that
             wicked
             Generation
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             new-people
             the
             world
             with
             a
             Righteous
             Seed
             .
             This
             Reason
             God
             gave
             to
             Noah
             ,
             and
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             thing
             speaks
             it
             .
             For
             when
             all
             the
             wicked
             Inhabitants
             of
             the
             world
             were
             destroyed
             ,
             and
             not
             one
             escaped
             the
             Deluge
             ,
             but
             only
             that
             one
             Righteous
             Family
             ,
             which
             had
             escaped
             the
             Corruptions
             of
             the
             Age
             too
             ,
             and
             that
             preserved
             by
             the
             peculiar
             Order
             and
             Direction
             of
             God
             ,
             this
             is
             a
             visible
             Judgment
             upon
             all
             the
             wicked
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             and
             makes
             a
             visible
             distinction
             between
             Good
             and
             Bad
             men
             .
             When
             such
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             befall
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             may
             be
             resolved
             into
             Natural
             or
             Moral
             Causes
             ,
             as
             Plagues
             ,
             and
             Famines
             ,
             and
             Wars
             ,
             Fires
             ,
             and
             Earthquakes
             ;
             and
             it
             may
             be
             Good
             and
             Bad
             men
             share
             pretty
             equally
             in
             the
             publick
             Misfortunes
             ;
             Atheists
             and
             Infidels
             will
             not
             allow
             these
             Evils
             to
             be
             inflicted
             by
             God
             ,
             much
             less
             to
             be
             the
             punishment
             of
             Sin
             ,
             when
             they
             make
             no
             visible
             distinction
             between
             the
             good
             and
             the
             bad
             ;
             but
             the
             Universal
             Deluge
             was
             both
             a
             Supernatural
             and
             a
             distinguishing
             Judgment
             ;
             none
             but
             God
             could
             thus
             destroy
             the
             Earth
             ,
             and
             none
             but
             the
             wicked
             were
             destroyed
             ;
             and
             therefore
             this
             is
             an
             undiable
             demonstration
             of
             the
             Justice
             and
             Righteousness
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             hates
             wickedness
             ,
             and
             will
             punish
             wicked
             men
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             some
             other
             Marks
             of
             Excellent
             Wisdom
             in
             the
             Universal
             Deluge
             ,
             which
             I
             shall
             only
             name
             ,
             because
             ,
             tho
             they
             are
             worth
             observing
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             of
             less
             moment
             as
             to
             my
             present
             Design
             .
          
           
           
             As
             the
             Deluge
             was
             to
             be
             a
             lasting
             proof
             of
             a
             Just
             Providence
             to
             the
             New
             World
             ;
             and
             as
             you
             have
             heard
             ,
             was
             upon
             all
             accounts
             admirably
             fitted
             to
             that
             purpose
             ;
             so
             we
             may
             reasonably
             suppose
             ,
             that
             when
             it
             came
             ,
             it
             convinced
             that
             wicked
             Generation
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             brought
             them
             to
             repentance
             ,
             which
             it
             gave
             them
             some
             time
             for
             ;
             and
             though
             it
             could
             not
             save
             them
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             who
             knows
             ,
             but
             that
             a
             sudden
             repentance
             upon
             such
             a
             sudden
             conviction
             might
             obtain
             mercy
             for
             them
             in
             the
             next
             .
             Noah
             was
             a
             Preacher
             of
             Righteousness
             ;
             he
             had
             often
             reproved
             them
             for
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             threatned
             them
             with
             a
             Deluge
             ,
             but
             they
             would
             not
             believe
             him
             ,
             though
             they
             saw
             him
             preparing
             the
             Ark
             ;
             but
             when
             they
             saw
             the
             Flood
             come
             ,
             they
             knew
             then
             the
             meaning
             of
             it
             ,
             from
             what
             Noah
             had
             often
             told
             them
             ;
             and
             this
             must
             needs
             convince
             them
             of
             the
             terrible
             Justice
             and
             Vengeance
             of
             God
             :
             And
             the
             gradual
             increase
             of
             the
             Flood
             gave
             them
             some
             time
             to
             repent
             in
             ,
             and
             to
             beg
             God's
             pardon
             ;
             and
             I
             'm
             sure
             this
             makes
             a
             glorious
             representation
             both
             of
             the
             Goodness
             and
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             in
             the
             most
             terrible
             Judgment
             that
             ever
             was
             executed
             upon
             the
             world
             ,
             if
             we
             had
             sufficient
             reason
             to
             believe
             ,
             as
             there
             want
             not
             some
             fair
             appearances
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             God
             intended
             the
             Deluge
             as
             well
             to
             convince
             and
             save
             all
             that
             could
             be
             brought
             to
             repentance
             in
             the
             Old
             World
             ,
             as
             to
             reform
             the
             New.
             
          
           
             Thus
             since
             God
             had
             determined
             to
             destroy
             that
             wicked
             Generation
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             preserve
             only
             Noah
             and
             his
             three
             Sons
             ;
             to
             destroy
             the
             Earth
             by
             a
             Deluge
             ,
             and
             to
             shut
             up
             Noah
             in
             the
             Ark
             ,
             was
             as
             great
             ,
             or
             a
             greater
             mercy
             to
             Noah
             ,
             than
             his
             preservation
             was
             :
             Let
             us
             suppose
             ,
             that
             instead
             of
             drowning
             the
             world
             ,
             God
             had
             at
             once
             destroyed
             all
             Mankind
             by
             Plague
             ,
             or
             Thunder
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             or
             some
             other
             sudden
             stroke
             ,
             excepting
             Noah
             and
             his
             Sons
             ,
             who
             should
             be
             Eye-witnesses
             of
             this
             Terrible
             Execution
             ,
             and
             live
             to
             see
             the
             Earth
             covered
             with
             dead
             Bodies
             ,
             and
             none
             left
             to
             bury
             them
             ;
             and
             their
             Cities
             lie
             waste
             and
             desolate
             
             without
             Inhabitants
             ;
             who
             can
             conceive
             ,
             what
             the
             horror
             of
             such
             a
             sight
             would
             have
             been
             ?
             who
             would
             have
             been
             contented
             to
             live
             in
             such
             a
             world
             ,
             to
             converse
             only
             with
             the
             Images
             of
             Death
             ,
             and
             with
             noisome
             Carkasses
             ?
             But
             God
             in
             great
             mercy
             shut
             up
             Noah
             in
             the
             Ark
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             not
             see
             the
             Terror
             and
             Consternation
             of
             Sinners
             when
             the
             Flood
             came
             ;
             and
             he
             washed
             away
             all
             their
             dead
             Bodies
             into
             the
             Caverns
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             with
             all
             the
             marks
             and
             signs
             of
             their
             Old
             Habitations
             ,
             that
             when
             Noah
             came
             out
             of
             the
             Ark
             ,
             he
             saw
             nothing
             but
             a
             new
             and
             a
             beautiful
             World
             ;
             nothing
             to
             disturb
             his
             imagination
             ,
             no
             marks
             or
             remains
             of
             that
             Terrible
             Vengeance
             .
          
           
             This
             indeed
             destroyed
             all
             other
             living
             Creatures
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Sinners
             ,
             excepting
             those
             that
             were
             in
             the
             Ark
             with
             Noah
             ;
             but
             this
             ,
             I
             suppose
             ,
             is
             no
             great
             objection
             against
             Providence
             ,
             that
             the
             Creatures
             ,
             which
             were
             made
             for
             man's
             use
             ,
             were
             destroyed
             with
             man
             ,
             since
             God
             preserved
             some
             of
             each
             Kind
             for
             a
             new
             increase
             ;
             and
             yet
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             was
             very
             visible
             in
             this
             ;
             for
             had
             the
             World
             been
             full
             of
             Beasts
             ,
             when
             there
             were
             but
             four
             men
             in
             it
             ,
             the
             whole
             Earth
             would
             quickly
             have
             been
             possessed
             by
             Wild
             and
             Savage
             Creatures
             ,
             which
             would
             have
             made
             it
             a
             very
             unsafe
             habitation
             for
             men
             .
          
           
             To
             conclude
             this
             Argument
             ,
             the
             sum
             of
             it
             in
             short
             is
             this
             :
             When
             the
             wickedness
             of
             Mankind
             was
             grown
             universal
             and
             incurable
             ,
             it
             became
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             to
             put
             an
             end
             to
             that
             Corrupt
             State
             ,
             and
             to
             propagate
             a
             new
             Race
             of
             men
             from
             a
             Righteous
             Stock
             ;
             and
             to
             take
             the
             most
             effectual
             course
             to
             possess
             them
             with
             a
             lasting
             belief
             of
             his
             Being
             and
             Providence
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             religious
             awe
             of
             his
             Justice
             and
             Power
             :
             To
             this
             end
             he
             destroyed
             the
             Old
             World
             with
             a
             Deluge
             of
             Water
             ,
             and
             preserved
             Noah
             and
             his
             Sons
             in
             the
             Ark
             ;
             which
             had
             all
             the
             advantages
             imaginable
             to
             deter
             men
             from
             sin
             ,
             which
             brought
             a
             Deluge
             upon
             the
             Old
             
             World
             ;
             and
             to
             encourage
             the
             practise
             of
             true
             Piety
             and
             Vertue
             ,
             which
             preserved
             Noah
             from
             the
             Common
             Ruin.
             
          
           
             We
             see
             in
             this
             Example
             ,
             that
             numbers
             are
             no
             defence
             against
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             ,
             and
             therefore
             no
             security
             to
             Sinners
             ;
             when
             
               all
               flesh
               had
               corrupted
               his
               ways
               ,
            
             God
             destroyed
             them
             all
             ;
             nay
             we
             see
             ,
             that
             the
             more
             wickedness
             prevails
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             the
             nearer
             it
             is
             to
             destruction
             ;
             that
             the
             great
             multitude
             of
             Sinners
             is
             so
             far
             from
             being
             a
             reasonable
             temptation
             and
             encouragement
             to
             sin
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             a
             fair
             warning
             to
             considering
             men
             ,
             to
             separate
             and
             distinguish
             themselves
             from
             a
             wicked
             world
             by
             an
             exemplary
             Vertue
             ,
             that
             God
             may
             distinguish
             them
             also
             ,
             when
             he
             comes
             to
             Judgment
             ,
             which
             an
             universal
             corruption
             of
             manners
             shews
             to
             be
             very
             near
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             a
             dangerous
             thing
             to
             sin
             with
             a
             multitude
             ,
             when
             the
             multitude
             of
             Sinners
             will
             hasten
             Vengeance
             .
          
           
             Here
             we
             see
             ,
             that
             though
             Sinners
             may
             be
             very
             secure
             ,
             they
             are
             never
             safe
             ;
             as
             our
             Saviour
             observes
             ,
             it
             was
             
               in
               the
               days
               of
               Noah
               ,
               they
               were
               eating
               and
               drinking
               ;
               marrying
               ,
               and
               giving
               in
               marriages
               ,
               until
               the
               day
               that
               Noah
               went
               into
               the
               Ark
               ,
               and
               knew
               not
               until
               the
               flood
               came
               ,
               and
               took
               them
               all
               away
               ,
            
             24.
             
             Matth.
             37
             ,
             38
             ,
             39.
             
             God
             may
             delay
             punishment
             a
             great
             while
             ,
             and
             seem
             to
             take
             no
             notice
             of
             what
             is
             done
             below
             ,
             till
             Sinners
             begin
             to
             think
             ,
             
             that
             he
             is
             
               such
               a
               one
               as
               themselves
            
             ;
             but
             their
             Judgment
             all
             this
             while
             
               neither
               slumbers
               ,
               nor
               sleeps
            
             ;
             there
             may
             be
             the
             greatest
             Calm
             ,
             and
             the
             serenest
             days
             ,
             before
             the
             most
             terrible
             Earthquakes
             ;
             and
             the
             longer
             God
             has
             kept
             silence
             ,
             the
             more
             reason
             have
             we
             to
             expect
             a
             severe
             and
             surprizing
             Vengeance
             ;
             which
             makes
             the
             
             Psalmist's
             Advice
             in
             such
             Cases
             very
             seasonable
             :
             
             
               Now
               consider
               this
               ,
               ye
               that
               forget
               God
               ,
               lest
               I
               tear
               you
               in
               pieces
               ,
               and
               there
               be
               none
               to
               deliver
               .
            
          
           
             And
             who
             would
             be
             afraid
             ,
             or
             be
             ashamed
             of
             
             Noah's
             singularity
             ,
             to
             be
             good
             alone
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             the
             single
             Example
             of
             Piety
             and
             Vertue
             ,
             that
             remembers
             ,
             that
             he
             alone
             with
             his
             three
             Sons
             ,
             were
             saved
             from
             the
             Deluge
             ?
             and
             he
             that
             would
             
             be
             a
             Noah
             in
             the
             Ark
             ,
             must
             be
             a
             Noah
             in
             a
             wicked
             World.
             
          
           
             But
             this
             is
             sufficient
             to
             justify
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             as
             to
             
             Noah's
             Flood
             ,
             which
             put
             an
             end
             to
             the
             Old
             World
             ;
             and
             now
             let
             us
             take
             a
             view
             of
             the
             New.
             
          
           
             Notwithstanding
             that
             late
             terrible
             Example
             of
             God's
             Power
             and
             Justice
             in
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             Old
             World
             ,
             that
             new
             Generation
             of
             men
             began
             to
             grow
             very
             corrupt
             ;
             as
             God
             foresaw
             they
             would
             ,
             but
             resolved
             to
             try
             some
             new
             methods
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             drown
             the
             world
             any
             more
             :
             When
             Noah
             had
             offered
             a
             Burnt-offering
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             
               of
               every
               clean
               beast
               ,
               and
               of
               every
               clean
               fowl
               ,
            
             after
             his
             coming
             out
             of
             the
             Ark
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               smelled
               a
               sweet
               savour
               ;
               and
               the
               Lord
               said
               in
               his
               heart
               ,
               I
               will
               not
               again
               curse
               the
               ground
               any
               more
               for
               man's
               sake
               ;
               for
               the
               imagination
               of
               man's
               heart
               is
               evil
               from
               his
               youth
               :
               Neither
               will
               I
               again
               smite
               any
               more
               every
               living
               thing
               ,
               as
               I
               have
               done
               ,
            
             8.
             
             Gen.
             20
             ,
             21.
             
          
           
             The
             first
             Exploit
             we
             hear
             of
             them
             ,
             was
             their
             building
             the
             Tower
             of
             Babel
             ;
             which
             Story
             is
             so
             briefly
             related
             by
             Moses
             ,
             that
             we
             cannot
             give
             a
             perfect
             account
             of
             the
             Reasons
             and
             Circumstances
             of
             it
             .
             The
             most
             probable
             Account
             seems
             to
             be
             this
             ;
             that
             Nimrod
             the
             Son
             of
             Cush
             ,
             and
             Grandson
             of
             Ham
             ,
             in
             which
             Line
             True
             Religion
             and
             Piety
             first
             decayed
             ,
             affecting
             an
             Universal
             Empire
             ,
             to
             prevent
             the
             dispersion
             of
             the
             People
             ,
             persuaded
             them
             to
             build
             a
             magnificent
             Seat
             for
             his
             Empire
             ,
             which
             should
             be
             a
             center
             of
             Union
             for
             them
             ,
             at
             what
             distance
             soever
             they
             should
             be
             forced
             to
             remove
             :
             That
             the
             whole
             Earth
             should
             be
             but
             one
             Kingdom
             ,
             and
             Babel
             the
             Royal
             Palace
             .
             Had
             this
             Design
             succeeded
             ,
             the
             whole
             world
             would
             have
             been
             but
             one
             People
             ,
             and
             the
             Universal
             Monarchy
             in
             the
             Line
             of
             Ham
             ,
             which
             would
             quickly
             have
             endangered
             as
             general
             a
             corruption
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             as
             there
             was
             before
             the
             Flood
             .
          
           
             Let
             us
             then
             consider
             what
             Course
             God
             took
             to
             prevent
             this
             ,
             and
             the
             excellent
             wisdom
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             we
             have
             
             an
             account
             of
             ,
             11.
             
             Genes
             .
             7
             ,
             8.
             
             That
             
               God
               confounded
               their
               language
               ,
               so
               that
               they
               could
               not
               understand
               one
               another's
               speech
            
             ;
             and
             by
             this
             means
             ,
             
               scattered
               them
               abroad
               from
               thence
               upon
               the
               face
               of
               all
               the
               earth
               ,
               and
               they
               left
               off
               to
               build
               the
               city
               .
            
             Now
             not
             to
             take
             notice
             ,
             that
             this
             was
             the
             most
             ready
             way
             to
             people
             the
             whole
             Earth
             ,
             even
             the
             remotest
             Corners
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             was
             for
             the
             great
             good
             of
             Mankind
             ;
             found
             them
             work
             to
             do
             ,
             forced
             them
             upon
             the
             invention
             of
             Ingenious
             Arts
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             benefit
             of
             Trade
             and
             Commerce
             ,
             made
             every
             Country
             ,
             which
             was
             not
             wanting
             to
             it self
             ,
             a
             little
             World
             ,
             and
             every
             part
             to
             enjoy
             all
             the
             pleasures
             and
             advantages
             of
             the
             whole
             :
             I
             say
             ,
             besides
             this
             ,
             it
             was
             the
             most
             likely
             way
             that
             could
             be
             used
             at
             that
             time
             ,
             to
             prevent
             the
             Universal
             Corruption
             of
             Mankind
             .
             For
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             This
             separated
             the
             Families
             of
             Sem
             and
             Iaphet
             from
             the
             Family
             of
             Ham
             ,
             where
             the
             Infection
             was
             already
             begun
             ;
             and
             would
             have
             spread
             apace
             by
             the
             advantage
             of
             Power
             and
             Empire
             .
             When
             Cain
             had
             slain
             his
             Brother
             Abel
             ,
             God
             sent
             him
             away
             out
             of
             
             Adam's
             Family
             ,
             that
             his
             presence
             and
             Example
             might
             do
             no
             hurt
             ;
             and
             if
             by
             
               the
               daughters
               of
               men
            
             in
             6.
             
             Genes
             .
             we
             understand
             ,
             as
             some
             good
             Expositors
             do
             ,
             those
             who
             descended
             of
             Cain
             ;
             and
             by
             
               the
               sons
               of
               God
            
             ,
             the
             Posterity
             of
             Seth
             ,
             in
             whose
             Family
             the
             Worship
             of
             the
             True
             God
             was
             preserved
             ,
             we
             may
             observe
             ,
             that
             Moses
             dates
             the
             general
             Corruption
             of
             Mankind
             from
             the
             union
             of
             these
             two
             Families
             ;
             When
             
               the
               sons
               of
               God
               saw
               the
               daughters
               of
               men
               ,
               that
               they
               were
               fair
               ,
               and
               took
               them
               wives
               of
               all
               which
               they
               chose
               .
            
             And
             had
             the
             Universal
             Empire
             been
             established
             in
             the
             Family
             of
             Ham
             ,
             and
             the
             Posterity
             of
             Sem
             and
             Iaphet
             been
             brought
             into
             subjection
             to
             them
             ,
             as
             they
             must
             in
             a
             short
             time
             have
             been
             ,
             what
             less
             could
             have
             been
             expected
             from
             such
             a
             Union
             and
             Government
             ,
             but
             another
             Antediluvian
             corruption
             of
             all
             Flesh
             ?
          
           
             This
             dispersion
             then
             was
             necessary
             to
             prevent
             a
             general
             Corruption
             ;
             but
             we
             see
             in
             the
             Example
             of
             Cain
             ,
             that
             a
             
             meer
             local
             separation
             is
             no
             security
             ,
             for
             they
             may
             come
             together
             again
             ,
             as
             the
             Sons
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Daughters
             of
             men
             in
             process
             of
             time
             did
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
          
           
             2dly
             .
             The
             most
             lasting
             dispersion
             and
             separation
             is
             by
             a
             confusion
             of
             Languages
             ,
             which
             hinders
             all
             intercourse
             and
             communication
             ;
             at
             least
             till
             there
             be
             a
             remedy
             found
             against
             it
             by
             learning
             each
             other's
             Language
             ,
             which
             was
             a
             work
             of
             time
             ,
             and
             was
             never
             likely
             to
             be
             so
             general
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             the
             means
             of
             a
             common
             intercourse
             .
             This
             effectually
             divided
             them
             at
             first
             ,
             and
             would
             always
             keep
             Nations
             divided
             ,
             till
             Foreign
             Arms
             should
             give
             new
             Laws
             ,
             and
             a
             new
             Language
             to
             a
             Conquered
             People
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             I
             observe
             farther
             ,
             That
             the
             more
             divisions
             of
             Languages
             were
             made
             ,
             and
             the
             greater
             the
             dispersion
             was
             ,
             the
             greater
             security
             was
             it
             against
             a
             general
             Corruption
             ;
             which
             is
             a
             reason
             not
             only
             for
             separating
             the
             Family
             of
             Ham
             from
             the
             Families
             of
             Sem
             and
             Iaphet
             ,
             but
             for
             separating
             them
             from
             each
             other
             ,
             and
             dividing
             them
             into
             smaller
             Bodies
             :
             For
             the
             more
             Divisions
             there
             are
             ,
             whatever
             part
             were
             infected
             ,
             the
             less
             could
             the
             Corruption
             spread
             ,
             when
             there
             was
             no
             communication
             between
             them
             .
          
           
             4thly
             .
             This
             also
             divided
             Mankind
             into
             several
             little
             Independent
             Monarchies
             ,
             under
             the
             government
             of
             the
             Heads
             of
             their
             several
             Families
             ;
             which
             kept
             all
             Mankind
             under
             a
             stricter
             government
             ,
             than
             if
             the
             whole
             world
             had
             been
             one
             great
             Empire
             ,
             which
             would
             have
             proved
             a
             Tyrannical
             Domination
             ,
             but
             could
             have
             taken
             little
             care
             of
             the
             Manners
             of
             Subjects
             ;
             especially
             if
             the
             Government
             it self
             was
             corrupt
             ,
             the
             whole
             world
             must
             be
             corrupt
             with
             it
             .
             But
             when
             so
             many
             distinct
             Societies
             were
             formed
             ,
             this
             gave
             them
             distinct
             Interests
             ,
             and
             made
             their
             Laws
             and
             Customs
             ,
             the
             very
             humour
             and
             genius
             of
             the
             People
             ,
             so
             different
             from
             each
             other
             ,
             as
             would
             keep
             them
             distinct
             :
             And
             this
             would
             necessarily
             occasion
             mutual
             Emulations
             and
             Jealousies
             to
             rival
             their
             Neighbours
             in
             Riches
             and
             Power
             ;
             and
             this
             cannot
             
             be
             done
             without
             wise
             Laws
             ,
             and
             a
             strict
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             the
             encouragement
             of
             Labour
             and
             Industry
             ,
             of
             liberal
             Arts
             ,
             and
             all
             social
             Vertues
             ,
             and
             the
             suppression
             of
             such
             Vices
             ,
             as
             weaken
             Government
             ,
             and
             emasculate
             mens
             Spirits
             :
             This
             effect
             we
             know
             in
             a
             great
             measure
             it
             had
             ,
             as
             we
             learn
             from
             the
             most
             early
             Accounts
             of
             the
             Graecian
             Commonwealths
             ,
             where
             we
             meet
             with
             so
             many
             excellent
             Laws
             ,
             and
             such
             great
             Examples
             of
             Frugality
             ,
             Temperance
             ,
             Fortitude
             ,
             and
             a
             generous
             love
             of
             their
             Country
             ,
             which
             may
             in
             a
             great
             measure
             be
             attributed
             to
             their
             mutual
             Emulations
             ,
             which
             taught
             them
             prudence
             and
             justice
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             and
             forced
             on
             them
             the
             exercise
             of
             many
             Civil
             and
             Military
             Vertues
             .
          
           
             It
             had
             indeed
             been
             more
             for
             the
             peace
             and
             quiet
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             all
             Mankind
             had
             been
             but
             one
             People
             ,
             and
             one
             Kingdom
             ,
             without
             divided
             Interests
             and
             Governments
             ;
             but
             such
             a
             profound
             state
             of
             ease
             is
             apt
             to
             loosen
             the
             Rains
             of
             Government
             ,
             and
             to
             corrupt
             mens
             minds
             with
             sloth
             and
             luxury
             ;
             and
             therefore
             is
             no
             more
             fit
             for
             a
             corrupt
             and
             degenerate
             State
             ,
             than
             it
             would
             have
             been
             ,
             that
             the
             Earth
             should
             have
             brought
             forth
             Fruit
             of
             it self
             without
             Humane
             Labour
             and
             Industry
             .
             But
             Jealousies
             and
             Emulations
             ,
             the
             necessity
             of
             defending
             themselves
             against
             Potent
             Neighbours
             ,
             or
             the
             ambition
             to
             equal
             ,
             or
             to
             outdo
             them
             ,
             restrains
             publick
             Vices
             ,
             and
             is
             a
             spur
             to
             Verture
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             occasion
             of
             many
             Miseries
             to
             Mankind
             ,
             of
             all
             the
             Calamities
             and
             Desolations
             of
             War
             ,
             and
             therefore
             we
             must
             consider
             ,
          
           
             5thly
             .
             That
             this
             is
             so
             far
             from
             being
             an
             Objection
             against
             Providence
             ,
             while
             God
             keeps
             the
             Sword
             in
             his
             own
             hand
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             an
             admirable
             Instrument
             of
             Government
             ,
             and
             a
             signal
             demonstration
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             .
          
           
             God
             had
             promised
             ,
             that
             
               he
               would
               not
               again
               any
               more
               smite
               every
               living
               thing
               ,
               as
               he
               had
               done
               ,
            
             8.
             
             Genes
             .
             21.
             
             And
             yet
             
             Mankind
             could
             not
             be
             governed
             without
             some
             restraints
             and
             punishments
             ;
             and
             it
             did
             not
             become
             God
             to
             punish
             Men
             and
             Nations
             ,
             as
             often
             as
             they
             deserved
             it
             ,
             by
             an
             immediate
             hand
             ;
             and
             what
             then
             could
             be
             more
             wisely
             designed
             ,
             than
             so
             to
             order
             it
             ,
             that
             if
             Men
             and
             Nations
             were
             wicked
             ,
             they
             should
             scourge
             and
             punish
             one
             another
             ?
          
           
             By
             this
             means
             God
             can
             chastise
             two
             wicked
             Nations
             by
             each
             other's
             Swords
             ,
             without
             destroying
             either
             :
             He
             can
             so
             lessen
             their
             Numbers
             ,
             and
             exhaust
             their
             Treasures
             ,
             and
             impoverish
             their
             Countries
             ,
             as
             to
             force
             them
             to
             peace
             ,
             and
             to
             reduce
             them
             to
             a
             laborious
             and
             frugal
             life
             ,
             which
             will
             cure
             the
             wantonness
             and
             luxury
             of
             Plenty
             and
             Ease
             .
          
           
             If
             a
             Nation
             be
             grown
             incurably
             wicked
             ,
             he
             can
             by
             this
             means
             destroy
             them
             ,
             without
             embroiling
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             ;
             he
             can
             carry
             them
             captive
             into
             Foreign
             Countries
             ,
             or
             make
             them
             Slaves
             at
             home
             ,
             and
             subject
             them
             to
             the
             Yoke
             of
             a
             Conqueror
             ,
             who
             shall
             correct
             them
             ,
             and
             teach
             them
             better
             .
          
           
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             The
             dispersion
             of
             Mankind
             by
             the
             confusion
             of
             Languages
             ,
             which
             divided
             them
             into
             distinct
             Societies
             ,
             Kingdoms
             ,
             and
             Commonweals
             ,
             opened
             a
             new
             Scene
             of
             Providence
             ,
             with
             all
             the
             variety
             of
             Wisdom
             in
             the
             government
             of
             the
             world
             .
             The
             Judgment
             it self
             was
             miraculous
             ,
             and
             as
             plain
             an
             evidence
             of
             the
             Divine
             Power
             ,
             as
             the
             Deluge
             it self
             ;
             for
             to
             new
             form
             a
             mind
             ,
             to
             erace
             all
             its
             old
             Ideas
             of
             words
             and
             sounds
             ,
             and
             to
             imprint
             new
             ones
             on
             it
             in
             an
             instant
             ,
             shews
             such
             a
             superior
             Power
             over
             Nature
             ,
             as
             none
             but
             the
             Author
             of
             Nature
             has
             ;
             and
             they
             must
             have
             been
             very
             stupid
             ,
             if
             this
             did
             not
             renew
             and
             fix
             the
             impression
             of
             a
             Divine
             Power
             and
             Providence
             .
             But
             the
             dispersion
             which
             this
             confusion
             of
             Languages
             occasioned
             ,
             and
             the
             division
             of
             Mankind
             into
             distinct
             Societies
             ,
             made
             the
             Exercise
             of
             many
             Moral
             ,
             Civil
             ,
             and
             Military
             Vertues
             as
             necessary
             as
             their
             own
             Prosperity
             and
             Preservation
             :
             And
             if
             this
             had
             not
             so
             universal
             an
             effect
             as
             might
             have
             been
             expected
             ,
             
             yet
             it
             prevented
             an
             Universal
             Corruption
             ,
             and
             had
             a
             good
             effect
             in
             many
             Countries
             ,
             and
             by
             turns
             in
             most
             ;
             that
             the
             world
             never
             wanted
             Examples
             of
             States
             and
             Kingdoms
             which
             increased
             and
             flourished
             under
             a
             prudent
             and
             vertuous
             Government
             ,
             nor
             of
             the
             ruin
             of
             flourishing
             States
             by
             Idleness
             ,
             Luxury
             ,
             Injustice
             ,
             Oppression
             ,
             which
             weakened
             and
             divided
             them
             at
             home
             ,
             and
             made
             them
             an
             easy
             prey
             to
             their
             provoked
             ,
             or
             to
             their
             ambitious
             Neighbours
             .
          
           
             But
             though
             the
             state
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             to
             some
             moral
             Vertues
             ,
             and
             good
             Order
             and
             Government
             ,
             was
             much
             bettered
             by
             this
             means
             ,
             yet
             Mankind
             generally
             declined
             to
             Idolatry
             ;
             that
             the
             Knowledge
             and
             Worship
             of
             the
             one
             Supream
             God
             was
             in
             danger
             of
             being
             utterly
             lost
             ,
             and
             the
             lives
             of
             men
             to
             be
             corrupted
             by
             the
             impure
             and
             filthy
             Rites
             and
             Mysteries
             of
             their
             Religion
             .
             This
             required
             a
             new
             and
             more
             effectual
             remedy
             ,
             and
             brings
             me
             to
             consider
             a
             new
             and
             wonderful
             Design
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             for
             reforming
             the
             World
             :
             I
             mean
             his
             chusing
             Abraham
             and
             his
             Posterity
             to
             be
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             whom
             he
             would
             govern
             in
             so
             visible
             a
             manner
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             world
             might
             know
             and
             fear
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             a
             large
             Argument
             ,
             and
             full
             of
             Mysterious
             Wisdom
             ;
             but
             my
             principal
             intention
             at
             present
             is
             to
             consider
             it
             with
             relation
             to
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             how
             wisely
             it
             was
             designed
             by
             God
             to
             give
             some
             check
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             to
             preserve
             the
             Worship
             of
             the
             True
             God
             ,
             at
             least
             in
             Israel
             ,
             from
             whence
             in
             time
             it
             might
             be
             restored
             again
             ,
             when
             lost
             in
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             It
             has
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             a
             very
             strange
             appearance
             at
             first
             ,
             that
             God
             should
             reject
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             neglect
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             chuse
             but
             one
             Family
             out
             of
             all
             the
             world
             to
             place
             his
             name
             among
             them
             :
             
               Is
               God
               the
               God
               of
               the
               Iews
               only
               ,
               is
               he
               not
               also
               of
               the
               Gentiles
               ?
            
             3.
             
             Rom.
             29.
             
             This
             the
             Vainglorious
             Iew
             imagined
             ,
             who
             despised
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             reprobated
             by
             God
             ;
             but
             the
             Apostle
             abhors
             the
             
             thoughts
             of
             it
             ,
             
               yes
               ,
               of
               the
               Gentiles
               also
            
             ;
             and
             St.
             Peter
             was
             at
             length
             convinced
             by
             a
             Vision
             ,
             That
             
               God
               was
               no
               respecter
               of
               persons
               ;
               but
               in
               every
               nation
               ,
               he
               that
               feareth
               him
               ,
               and
               worketh
               righteousness
               ,
               is
               accepted
               with
               him
               ,
            
             10.
             
             Acts
             34
             ,
             35.
             
             Thus
             it
             was
             from
             the
             beginning
             ,
             though
             the
             Iews
             did
             not
             think
             so
             ;
             and
             the
             Apostles
             themselves
             at
             first
             could
             not
             easily
             be
             persuaded
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             yet
             how
             could
             any
             man
             entertain
             honourable
             thoughts
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             could
             conceive
             him
             so
             partial
             in
             his
             Favours
             ,
             as
             to
             confine
             the
             peculiar
             Expressions
             of
             his
             Love
             to
             one
             Nation
             ,
             without
             any
             appearing
             concernment
             what
             became
             of
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             ?
             But
             if
             this
             was
             ,
             and
             was
             intended
             by
             God
             ,
             for
             the
             general
             good
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             was
             admirably
             fitted
             to
             cure
             Idolatry
             ,
             and
             to
             restore
             the
             Worship
             of
             the
             one
             Supream
             God
             ,
             it
             gives
             us
             a
             new
             and
             more
             glorious
             prospect
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             .
             And
             to
             represent
             this
             as
             advantagiously
             as
             I
             can
             ,
             I
             shall
             first
             give
             you
             a
             general
             view
             of
             this
             admirable
             Design
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ,
             which
             will
             enable
             us
             the
             better
             to
             understand
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             a
             more
             intelligible
             and
             sensible
             account
             of
             the
             various
             Providences
             of
             God
             towards
             Israel
             .
          
           
             
               Now
               we
               must
               consider
               the
               world
               at
               that
               time
               as
               over-run
               with
               Idolatry
               ,
               as
               we
               may
               easily
               conclude
               ,
               when
            
             Abraham
             
               's
               Family
               is
               charged
               with
               it
               ;
               as
            
             Ioshua
             
               told
               the
               People
               of
            
             Israel
             at
             Shechem
             ;
             Thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             God
             of
             Israel
             ,
             Your
             fathers
             dwelt
             on
             the
             other
             side
             of
             the
             flood
             in
             old
             time
             ,
             even
             Terah
             the
             father
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             and
             the
             father
             of
             Nachor
             ,
             and
             they
             served
             other
             Gods
             ,
             24.
             
             Joshua
             2.
             
          
           
             Now
             all
             men
             must
             confess
             ,
             That
             it
             became
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             to
             restore
             and
             preserve
             the
             Faith
             and
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             keep
             it
             alive
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             it
             might
             in
             time
             ,
             though
             by
             slow
             degrees
             ,
             prevail
             over
             Idolatry
             ,
             and
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Darkness
             ,
             and
             reduce
             Mankind
             to
             their
             natural
             obedience
             and
             subjection
             to
             God.
             and
             since
             Experience
             had
             proved
             ,
             that
             neither
             the
             Creation
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             nor
             the
             Universal
             Deluge
             ,
             nor
             the
             Confusion
             
             of
             Languages
             ,
             could
             preserve
             the
             belief
             of
             one
             Supream
             God
             ,
             the
             Maker
             and
             Governour
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             but
             the
             New
             World
             was
             as
             universally
             over-run
             with
             Polytheism
             and
             Idolatry
             ,
             as
             the
             Old
             World
             was
             with
             Violence
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             very
             dispersion
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             their
             division
             into
             distinct
             Kingdoms
             and
             Societies
             ,
             which
             was
             a
             good
             remedy
             against
             some
             other
             Immoralities
             ,
             had
             probably
             occasioned
             a
             multiplicity
             of
             Gods
             ,
             while
             every
             Nation
             desired
             a
             God
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             a
             King
             of
             their
             own
             ,
             to
             protect
             and
             defend
             them
             ;
             I
             say
             ,
             this
             shews
             what
             absolute
             necessity
             there
             was
             ,
             that
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             should
             find
             out
             some
             more
             effectual
             and
             lasting
             means
             to
             convince
             the
             world
             of
             the
             Power
             and
             Providence
             of
             one
             Supream
             God
             :
             What
             other
             effectual
             means
             God
             might
             have
             chose
             for
             this
             purpose
             ,
             does
             not
             belong
             to
             us
             to
             inquire
             ;
             but
             it
             becomes
             us
             very
             much
             ,
             to
             contemplate
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             in
             hat
             method
             which
             he
             did
             take
             to
             reclaim
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             Now
             the
             way
             God
             took
             was
             this
             .
             He
             chose
             Abraham
             and
             his
             Posterity
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             whom
             he
             governed
             in
             as
             visible
             a
             manner
             ,
             as
             any
             Temporal
             Prince
             governs
             his
             Subjects
             :
             He
             forbad
             them
             to
             own
             any
             other
             God
             besides
             himself
             ,
             and
             separated
             them
             from
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             by
             peculiar
             Laws
             and
             Ceremonies
             of
             Worship
             ,
             to
             secure
             them
             from
             the
             Idolatrous
             Practises
             of
             their
             Neighbours
             :
             He
             made
             himself
             known
             ,
             and
             distinguished
             himself
             from
             all
             other
             Country
             Gods
             ,
             by
             the
             name
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ,
             the
             God
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             and
             Isaac
             and
             Iacob
             ;
             not
             that
             he
             was
             only
             the
             God
             of
             that
             Nation
             ,
             as
             other
             Nations
             had
             their
             peculiar
             Gods
             ,
             but
             the
             God
             of
             the
             whole
             world
             ,
             though
             he
             was
             known
             and
             worshipped
             only
             in
             Israel
             ;
             and
             by
             this
             Name
             he
             triumphed
             over
             all
             the
             Heathen
             Gods
             ,
             and
             wrought
             such
             Signs
             and
             Wonders
             ,
             as
             might
             have
             convinced
             all
             men
             ,
             if
             they
             would
             have
             been
             convinced
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             no
             God
             but
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ;
             none
             like
             him
             ,
             none
             that
             could
             be
             compared
             to
             him
             .
          
           
           
             Consider
             then
             ,
             what
             more
             sensible
             proof
             the
             world
             could
             possibly
             have
             of
             one
             Supream
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             Sovereign
             Providence
             ,
             than
             to
             see
             a
             whole
             Nation
             worshipping
             this
             one
             Supream
             God
             ;
             which
             at
             least
             would
             not
             suffer
             them
             to
             be
             wholly
             ignorant
             of
             such
             a
             Being
             ,
             but
             was
             a
             just
             reason
             to
             examine
             their
             natural
             Notions
             of
             a
             Deity
             ,
             and
             the
             Pretences
             of
             their
             several
             Gods.
             Especially
             when
             they
             see
             this
             Nation
             planted
             in
             a
             particular
             Countrey
             allotted
             them
             by
             their
             God
             ;
             and
             the
             old
             wicked
             Inhabitants
             destroyed
             ,
             and
             driven
             out
             from
             before
             them
             ,
             by
             such
             a
             series
             of
             Miracles
             ,
             as
             were
             an
             undeniable
             Evidence
             of
             such
             a
             Divine
             Power
             ,
             as
             all
             the
             Gods
             of
             these
             Countries
             were
             not
             able
             to
             oppose
             .
             And
             that
             this
             Nation
             received
             their
             Laws
             both
             for
             Worship
             ,
             and
             Polity
             ,
             and
             Conversation
             ,
             immediately
             from
             God
             ,
             were
             govern'd
             by
             men
             appointed
             by
             God
             ,
             and
             directed
             in
             all
             great
             Affairs
             by
             Divine
             Oracles
             and
             Prophets
             ,
             with
             such
             a
             certainty
             of
             event
             ,
             as
             never
             failed
             :
             That
             while
             they
             adhered
             to
             the
             Worship
             of
             this
             One
             Supream
             God
             ,
             they
             were
             always
             prosperous
             ,
             as
             he
             promised
             they
             should
             be
             ;
             but
             when
             they
             declined
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             and
             worshipped
             the
             Gods
             of
             the
             Countries
             round
             about
             them
             ,
             then
             they
             were
             either
             oppressed
             by
             their
             Enemies
             at
             home
             ,
             or
             carried
             captive
             into
             Foreign
             Countries
             .
             This
             was
             a
             visible
             proof
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             a
             God
             in
             Israel
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             God
             as
             would
             admit
             of
             no
             other
             Gods
             ,
             nor
             allow
             them
             to
             worship
             any
             other
             ,
             but
             punished
             them
             severely
             whenever
             they
             did
             ;
             and
             all
             their
             other
             Gods
             could
             not
             help
             them
             ,
             nor
             deliver
             them
             out
             of
             his
             hands
             .
          
           
             This
             gave
             sufficient
             notice
             to
             the
             World
             of
             the
             Glory
             and
             Power
             of
             the
             God
             Israel
             ;
             but
             some
             will
             still
             be
             apt
             to
             ask
             ,
             Why
             God
             did
             not
             as
             sensibly
             manifest
             himself
             to
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             to
             Israel
             ?
             why
             he
             had
             not
             his
             Oracles
             and
             Prophets
             in
             other
             Nations
             ?
             and
             they
             may
             ,
             if
             they
             please
             ,
             as
             reasonably
             ask
             ,
             why
             he
             does
             not
             immediately
             inspire
             every
             particular
             man
             with
             a
             Supernatural
             
             Knowledge
             ,
             and
             force
             the
             Belief
             of
             his
             Being
             and
             Providence
             upon
             their
             Minds
             ?
             Or
             why
             he
             did
             not
             by
             a
             Miraculous
             Power
             convert
             the
             old
             wicked
             World
             ,
             but
             destroyed
             them
             all
             ,
             and
             preserved
             only
             that
             one
             Righteous
             Family
             ,
             which
             had
             escaped
             the
             general
             Corruption
             ?
          
           
             For
             much
             like
             this
             was
             the
             state
             of
             mankind
             with
             respect
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             when
             God
             called
             Abraham
             out
             of
             Vr
             of
             the
             Chaldees
             :
             there
             was
             not
             one
             Nation
             left
             ,
             that
             worshipped
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             ,
             and
             him
             only
             ;
             nay
             ,
             not
             one
             Family
             ;
             
             for
             Terah
             ,
             Abraham's
             Father
             ,
             was
             an
             Idolater
             ,
             and
             probably
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Family
             ,
             excepting
             Abraham
             ;
             for
             tho
             he
             be
             not
             expresly
             excepted
             in
             the
             Text
             ,
             yet
             neither
             is
             he
             necessarily
             included
             ;
             and
             God's
             commanding
             him
             to
             leave
             his
             Countrey
             ,
             
             and
             his
             Kindred
             ,
             and
             his
             Father's
             House
             ,
             and
             his
             ready
             Compliance
             with
             this
             Command
             ,
             is
             reason
             to
             believe
             that
             he
             was
             the
             only
             person
             in
             the
             Family
             who
             had
             preserved
             himself
             from
             all
             Idolatrous
             Worship
             :
             However
             ,
             it
             appears
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             a
             man
             of
             that
             extraordinary
             Piety
             and
             Virtue
             ,
             and
             so
             easily
             curable
             if
             he
             had
             been
             an
             Idolater
             ,
             that
             God
             thought
             him
             the
             fittest
             Person
             to
             reveal
             himself
             to
             ,
             and
             to
             begin
             a
             new
             Reformation
             of
             the
             World.
             And
             therefore
             as
             in
             the
             days
             of
             Noah
             God
             destroyed
             all
             that
             wicked
             Generation
             of
             men
             by
             the
             Flood
             ,
             and
             only
             preserved
             Noah
             and
             his
             Sons
             to
             new
             people
             the
             earth
             ,
             and
             to
             instil
             the
             Seeds
             and
             Principles
             of
             Piety
             and
             Virtue
             into
             their
             Posterity
             ;
             so
             the
             New
             world
             being
             now
             universally
             corrupted
             by
             Idolatry
             ,
             and
             God
             having
             promised
             Noah
             never
             again
             to
             destroy
             every
             living
             thing
             ,
             as
             he
             had
             done
             ,
             he
             takes
             another
             course
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             manner
             creates
             a
             new
             People
             to
             be
             the
             Worshippers
             of
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             ,
             and
             in
             them
             to
             make
             his
             own
             Glory
             and
             Power
             known
             to
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             chose
             Abraham
             ,
             a
             man
             of
             admirable
             Faith
             and
             Piety
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             Father
             of
             this
             new
             people
             ,
             which
             should
             descend
             from
             his
             loins
             in
             his
             Old
             Age
             ,
             not
             by
             the
             mere
             Powers
             of
             Nature
             ,
             but
             by
             Faith
             in
             God's
             Promise
             ,
             11.
             
             Heb.
             11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
           
             The
             plain
             state
             then
             of
             the
             Case
             is
             this
             ;
             When
             that
             new
             Generation
             of
             men
             had
             universally
             corrupted
             themselves
             with
             Idolatry
             ,
             notwithstanding
             all
             the
             means
             God
             had
             used
             to
             possess
             them
             with
             a
             lasting
             sense
             of
             his
             Being
             and
             Providence
             ,
             God
             gives
             them
             up
             to
             their
             wilful
             Blindness
             ,
             and
             leaves
             them
             to
             the
             Cheats
             and
             Impostures
             of
             those
             wicked
             Spirits
             whom
             they
             had
             made
             their
             Gods
             ,
             till
             he
             could
             recover
             them
             from
             this
             Apostacy
             by
             such
             Methods
             as
             were
             agreeable
             to
             Human
             Nature
             ,
             and
             became
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             .
             The
             most
             effectual
             way
             to
             do
             this
             ,
             was
             to
             establish
             his
             Worship
             in
             some
             one
             Nation
             ,
             which
             should
             be
             a
             visible
             Proof
             both
             of
             the
             Unity
             of
             the
             Godhead
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             Divine
             Providence
             ;
             and
             because
             there
             was
             no
             such
             Nation
             then
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             he
             made
             a
             Nation
             on
             purpose
             ,
             and
             allotted
             them
             a
             Countrey
             to
             dwell
             in
             ,
             and
             signalized
             them
             by
             extraordinary
             Providences
             ,
             as
             the
             Worshippers
             of
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God.
             This
             was
             a
             kind
             of
             a
             new
             beginning
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             which
             did
             not
             put
             an
             end
             to
             the
             Idolatrous
             World
             ,
             as
             
             Noah's
             Flood
             put
             an
             end
             to
             that
             wicked
             Generation
             ,
             but
             yet
             did
             propagate
             a
             new
             Generation
             of
             men
             in
             it
             ,
             who
             should
             in
             time
             put
             an
             end
             to
             that
             Universal
             Idolatry
             ,
             and
             make
             a
             new
             World
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             is
             a
             new
             Advance
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             made
             towards
             the
             Recovery
             of
             Mankind
             .
             When
             Adam
             had
             sinned
             ,
             he
             and
             his
             whole
             Posterity
             became
             mortal
             ,
             and
             were
             condemned
             to
             a
             laborious
             life
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             sweat
             of
             their
             brows
             they
             should
             eat
             their
             bread
             ;
             which
             was
             the
             best
             Preservative
             against
             the
             Temptations
             of
             Ease
             ,
             and
             Sloth
             ,
             and
             Luxury
             :
             When
             notwithstanding
             this
             ,
             
               all
               flesh
               had
               corrupted
               his
               ways
               ,
            
             God
             destroyed
             that
             wicked
             Generation
             with
             an
             Universal
             Deluge
             ,
             and
             thereby
             gave
             a
             signal
             demonstration
             of
             his
             Power
             and
             Justice
             to
             the
             New
             World
             :
             When
             this
             new
             Generation
             of
             men
             grew
             corrupt
             ,
             God
             confounded
             their
             Language
             ,
             and
             dispersed
             them
             over
             the
             face
             of
             the
             whole
             earth
             ,
             and
             formed
             them
             into
             distinct
             Bodies
             
             and
             Societies
             ,
             which
             prevented
             a
             general
             corruption
             of
             Manners
             ,
             taught
             them
             Civil
             Justice
             and
             many
             Moral
             Virtues
             ,
             which
             were
             necessary
             to
             the
             Support
             and
             Defence
             of
             Human
             Societies
             ;
             but
             when
             they
             all
             declined
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             which
             would
             endanger
             a
             new
             and
             universal
             Corruption
             of
             Manners
             ,
             by
             those
             impure
             Ceremonies
             with
             which
             wicked
             Spirits
             would
             chuse
             to
             be
             worshipped
             ,
             some
             new
             and
             more
             effectual
             means
             were
             to
             be
             used
             to
             cure
             this
             evil
             .
             The
             Universal
             Deluge
             ,
             and
             the
             Confusion
             of
             Languages
             ,
             had
             so
             abundantly
             convinced
             them
             of
             a
             Divine
             Power
             and
             Providence
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             no
             such
             Creature
             as
             an
             Atheist
             known
             among
             them
             ,
             till
             their
             ridiculous
             Idolatries
             in
             worshipping
             the
             meanest
             Creatures
             ,
             and
             Viler
             men
             ,
             with
             ludicrous
             or
             abominable
             Rites
             ,
             tempted
             some
             men
             of
             Wit
             and
             Thought
             rather
             to
             own
             no
             God
             ,
             than
             such
             Gods
             as
             the
             Heathens
             worshipped
             :
             but
             tho
             these
             extraordinary
             Events
             were
             a
             manifest
             Proof
             of
             a
             Divine
             Power
             and
             Providence
             ,
             yet
             it
             seems
             they
             were
             not
             thought
             so
             express
             and
             direct
             a
             Proof
             of
             the
             Unity
             of
             the
             Godhead
             ,
             at
             least
             not
             a
             sufficient
             Argument
             against
             the
             Worship
             of
             Inferior
             Deities
             ,
             whom
             they
             supposed
             intrusted
             with
             the
             immediate
             Care
             of
             particular
             Countries
             .
             And
             how
             could
             God
             give
             a
             more
             sensible
             demonstration
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             That
             he
             would
             not
             allow
             the
             paying
             Divine
             Honours
             to
             any
             but
             himself
             ,
             than
             by
             raising
             up
             a
             new
             People
             ,
             distinguished
             and
             separated
             from
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             by
             the
             sole
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             ,
             and
             owned
             by
             him
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             by
             as
             distinguishing
             Providences
             ;
             for
             this
             not
             only
             proves
             a
             Divine
             Power
             and
             Providence
             ,
             but
             that
             there
             is
             but
             One
             God
             whom
             we
             ought
             to
             worship
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             may
             satisfy
             us
             ,
             That
             God
             is
             not
             so
             partial
             in
             his
             Favours
             ,
             as
             to
             prefer
             one
             Nation
             before
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             ;
             for
             they
             were
             no
             Nation
             nor
             People
             when
             God
             chose
             them
             ;
             for
             God
             entred
             into
             Covenant
             with
             Abraham
             and
             his
             Seed
             ,
             when
             there
             was
             none
             but
             himself
             ;
             but
             when
             
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             were
             Idolaters
             ,
             God
             promised
             to
             multiply
             
             Abraham's
             Seed
             into
             a
             great
             Nation
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             them
             his
             own
             peculiar
             People
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             he
             made
             a
             New
             People
             and
             Nation
             ,
             in
             great
             kindness
             to
             mankind
             ,
             to
             preserve
             the
             Knowledge
             and
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             ,
             and
             by
             degrees
             to
             extirpate
             Idolatry
             out
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             But
             besides
             this
             ,
             it
             was
             one
             of
             the
             peculiar
             Privileges
             of
             the
             Iews
             ,
             
             
               That
               to
               them
               were
               committed
               the
               Oracles
               of
               God
            
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             it
             was
             for
             the
             great
             good
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             these
             Divine
             Oracles
             ,
             a
             System
             of
             Laws
             both
             for
             Religious
             Worship
             ,
             and
             Civil
             Conversation
             ,
             should
             be
             deposited
             somewhere
             ;
             for
             their
             Idolatry
             did
             every
             day
             corrupt
             the
             Manners
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             was
             likely
             in
             time
             to
             destroy
             all
             the
             Natural
             Notions
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ;
             which
             made
             a
             Written
             Law
             necessary
             ,
             from
             whence
             men
             might
             learn
             their
             Duty
             whenever
             they
             pleased
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             evident
             these
             Laws
             could
             be
             given
             to
             no
             other
             People
             but
             the
             Iews
             ,
             who
             alone
             acknowledged
             and
             worshipped
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             :
             For
             it
             is
             not
             to
             be
             conceived
             ,
             That
             God
             should
             give
             Laws
             to
             Idolaters
             ,
             who
             did
             not
             own
             and
             worship
             him
             for
             their
             God
             ,
             or
             that
             they
             should
             receive
             Laws
             from
             him
             .
             And
             tho
             these
             Laws
             were
             immediately
             given
             only
             to
             the
             Iews
             ,
             because
             there
             was
             no
             other
             Nation
             at
             that
             time
             which
             owned
             and
             worshipped
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             ,
             yet
             as
             the
             Knowledge
             and
             Worship
             of
             God
             prevailed
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             so
             these
             Laws
             would
             be
             of
             more
             universal
             use
             ;
             as
             we
             see
             it
             is
             even
             to
             this
             day
             :
             Nay
             ,
             even
             while
             Idolatry
             prevailed
             ,
             the
             Writings
             of
             Moses
             and
             the
             Prophets
             very
             much
             reformed
             the
             Pagan
             Philosophy
             ,
             gave
             them
             better
             Notions
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             Religious
             Worship
             ,
             and
             more
             Divine
             Rules
             of
             Life
             ,
             as
             is
             visible
             in
             the
             Philosophy
             of
             Pythagoras
             and
             Plato
             ,
             who
             are
             generally
             thought
             to
             have
             learnt
             some
             of
             their
             best
             Notions
             from
             their
             Conversation
             with
             Iewish
             Priests
             .
             But
             yet
             the
             Question
             is
             not
             ,
             What
             
             use
             the
             World
             did
             make
             of
             this
             ?
             But
             ,
             What
             use
             they
             might
             have
             made
             of
             it
             ?
             And
             whether
             ,
             as
             the
             state
             of
             the
             world
             then
             was
             ,
             any
             thing
             could
             be
             more
             wisely
             designed
             ,
             than
             to
             preserve
             the
             Knowledge
             and
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             True
             God
             ,
             and
             a
             System
             of
             Divine
             Laws
             ,
             in
             a
             Nation
             raised
             up
             on
             purpose
             to
             season
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             to
             preserve
             it
             from
             an
             universal
             Apostacy
             .
          
           
             But
             God
             had
             a
             more
             glorious
             Design
             than
             all
             this
             ,
             in
             entring
             into
             Covenant
             with
             Abraham
             ,
             and
             chusing
             his
             Seed
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             :
             He
             had
             promised
             ,
             That
             
               the
               seed
               of
               the
               woman
               should
               break
               the
               serpents
               head
            
             ;
             which
             contains
             the
             Promise
             of
             the
             Messias
             ,
             who
             in
             the
             fulness
             of
             time
             was
             to
             appear
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             destroy
             the
             works
             of
             the
             Devil
             :
             And
             this
             is
             the
             Covenant
             which
             God
             made
             with
             
               Abraham
               ,
               That
               in
               his
               seed
               all
               the
               nations
               of
               the
               earth
               should
               be
               blessed
               .
            
             It
             was
             not
             fitting
             ,
             that
             the
             Messias
             and
             Saviour
             of
             the
             World
             should
             descend
             from
             Idolaters
             ;
             and
             that
             when
             he
             came
             into
             the
             world
             ,
             he
             should
             find
             no
             Worshippers
             of
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             in
             it
             ;
             and
             therefore
             God
             entred
             into
             Covenant
             with
             Abraham
             ,
             who
             seems
             to
             have
             been
             the
             only
             Man
             of
             that
             Age
             who
             was
             free
             from
             Idolatry
             ,
             and
             promises
             to
             multiply
             his
             Seed
             ,
             and
             to
             preserve
             his
             Name
             and
             Worship
             among
             them
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             Messias
             should
             descend
             from
             his
             Loins
             .
          
           
             And
             if
             we
             consider
             what
             necessary
             Preparations
             were
             required
             for
             the
             coming
             of
             the
             Messias
             ,
             and
             for
             his
             reception
             in
             the
             world
             when
             he
             should
             appear
             ,
             it
             will
             satisfy
             us
             how
             wisely
             this
             was
             designed
             by
             God.
             The
             Appearance
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             in
             the
             world
             was
             very
             surprizing
             ,
             and
             it
             could
             not
             be
             thought
             that
             any
             one
             who
             made
             such
             Pretences
             ,
             should
             find
             credit
             ,
             unless
             the
             world
             had
             before-hand
             been
             prepared
             to
             expect
             him
             ,
             and
             had
             some
             Infallible
             Marks
             and
             Characters
             whereby
             to
             know
             him
             when
             he
             came
             .
             And
             this
             was
             the
             principal
             end
             of
             all
             the
             Types
             ,
             and
             Figures
             ,
             and
             Prophesies
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             to
             contain
             the
             
             Promises
             and
             Predictions
             of
             the
             Messias
             ,
             and
             the
             Characters
             whereby
             to
             know
             him
             .
          
           
             The
             Temple
             it self
             ,
             and
             the
             whole
             Temple-Worship
             ,
             was
             little
             more
             than
             Types
             and
             Figures
             of
             Christ
             ,
             of
             his
             Incarnation
             ,
             or
             living
             among
             men
             in
             an
             Earthly
             Tabernacle
             ,
             of
             his
             Priesthood
             and
             Sacrifice
             ,
             his
             Death
             ,
             and
             Resurrection
             ,
             and
             Ascension
             into
             Heaven
             ,
             there
             to
             intercede
             for
             us
             at
             God's
             Right
             Hand
             ,
             as
             the
             High-Priest
             entred
             once
             a
             Year
             into
             the
             Holy
             of
             Holies
             .
             Now
             this
             could
             not
             have
             been
             done
             ,
             had
             not
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             had
             a
             Temple
             ,
             and
             Priesthood
             ,
             and
             Sacrifices
             on
             earth
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             a
             People
             peculiarly
             devoted
             to
             his
             Worship
             and
             Service
             ;
             for
             the
             Temples
             ,
             and
             Priests
             ,
             and
             Sacrifices
             of
             Idols
             ,
             could
             not
             be
             Types
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             came
             to
             confound
             all
             the
             Pagan
             Gods
             ,
             and
             their
             Idolatrous
             Worship
             .
             Thus
             there
             could
             have
             been
             no
             Prophesies
             of
             Christ
             ,
             had
             there
             been
             no
             Prophets
             of
             the
             True
             God
             ;
             and
             these
             Prophecies
             would
             have
             met
             with
             little
             Credit
             ,
             had
             they
             been
             found
             in
             Idols
             Temples
             .
             So
             that
             God's
             chusing
             the
             Posterity
             of
             Abraham
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             was
             not
             only
             necessary
             to
             preserve
             the
             Knowledge
             and
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             True
             God
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             but
             also
             to
             receive
             and
             to
             convey
             down
             to
             Future
             Ages
             with
             an
             unquestionable
             Authority
             ,
             all
             the
             Types
             and
             Prophecies
             of
             the
             Messias
             .
          
           
             This
             gives
             us
             a
             general
             View
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ,
             in
             that
             Covenant
             God
             made
             with
             Abraham
             and
             his
             Posterity
             ;
             and
             this
             will
             enable
             us
             to
             discover
             the
             wonderful
             Wisdom
             of
             all
             the
             various
             Dispensations
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             towards
             the
             Iewish
             Nation
             ;
             which
             will
             be
             both
             so
             useful
             and
             entertaining
             a
             Meditation
             ,
             that
             I
             cannot
             pass
             it
             over
             without
             some
             short
             Remarks
             .
          
           
             Now
             God
             having
             chosen
             the
             Posterity
             of
             Abraham
             to
             be
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             on
             purpose
             to
             make
             them
             a
             visible
             Confutation
             of
             Idolatry
             ,
             and
             to
             establish
             and
             propagate
             the
             Knowledge
             and
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             in
             
             the
             world
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             effect
             this
             ,
             Four
             things
             were
             manifestly
             necessary
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             it
             should
             be
             visible
             to
             all
             that
             knew
             them
             ,
             that
             God
             had
             chosen
             Israel
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             it
             should
             be
             as
             visible
             ,
             That
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             is
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             ,
             the
             Maker
             and
             Sovereign
             Lord
             of
             the
             whole
             World.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             That
             the
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             should
             be
             preserved
             entire
             among
             them
             ;
             or
             that
             if
             they
             did
             decline
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             they
             should
             be
             visibly
             punished
             for
             it
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             That
             the
             Fame
             of
             this
             People
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             God
             ,
             should
             by
             degrees
             be
             known
             over
             all
             the
             earth
             .
          
           
             Now
             not
             to
             take
             notice
             of
             the
             Mystical
             Reasons
             of
             God's
             Providences
             towards
             Israel
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             very
             large
             and
             nice
             Argument
             ,
             and
             not
             so
             proper
             to
             my
             present
             Design
             ;
             if
             most
             of
             the
             Remarkable
             Providences
             wherewith
             they
             were
             exercised
             ,
             did
             manifestly
             serve
             some
             one
             or
             more
             of
             these
             ends
             ,
             we
             have
             a
             visible
             Reason
             of
             them
             ,
             not
             only
             sufficient
             to
             justify
             Providence
             ,
             but
             to
             give
             us
             a
             ravishing
             Prospect
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             begin
             with
             the
             Removal
             of
             Iacob
             and
             his
             Family
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             the
             Occasion
             of
             which
             is
             well
             known
             ,
             but
             the
             Reason
             of
             it
             is
             not
             so
             well
             considered
             .
             For
             it
             may
             seem
             strange
             ,
             that
             when
             God
             had
             promised
             Abraham
             to
             bestow
             the
             Land
             of
             Canaan
             on
             his
             Posterity
             for
             an
             Inheritance
             ,
             he
             should
             remove
             them
             out
             of
             the
             Land
             of
             Canaan
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             there
             to
             continue
             many
             years
             under
             grievous
             Oppression
             ,
             before
             he
             thought
             fit
             to
             deliver
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             them
             Possession
             of
             the
             Promised
             Land.
             
          
           
             But
             to
             understand
             the
             wise
             Design
             of
             this
             ,
             we
             must
             remember
             ,
             That
             God
             was
             to
             give
             a
             visible
             Demonstration
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             chosen
             Israel
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             and
             given
             them
             the
             Land
             of
             Canaan
             for
             their
             Inheritance
             ;
             
             and
             it
             was
             not
             so
             agreeable
             to
             this
             Design
             ,
             that
             they
             should
             increase
             insensibly
             in
             Canaan
             ,
             and
             by
             degrees
             dispossess
             the
             old
             Inhabitants
             ;
             for
             there
             had
             been
             nothing
             singular
             and
             remarkable
             in
             this
             ;
             and
             therefore
             they
             were
             to
             be
             a
             great
             Nation
             ,
             before
             God
             so
             publickly
             and
             visibly
             owned
             them
             for
             his
             People
             ,
             and
             visibly
             bestowed
             an
             Inheritance
             on
             them
             ;
             and
             it
             was
             necessary
             they
             should
             have
             some
             place
             to
             encrease
             and
             multiply
             in
             ,
             till
             God
             thought
             fit
             to
             transplant
             them
             into
             the
             Promised
             Land
             :
             For
             this
             purpose
             God
             chose
             the
             Land
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             sent
             Ioseph
             before-hand
             thither
             ,
             and
             advanced
             him
             to
             
             Pharaoh's
             Throne
             ,
             to
             prepare
             a
             Reception
             for
             them
             :
             And
             a
             very
             quiet
             and
             easy
             Retreat
             they
             found
             there
             for
             many
             years
             ,
             till
             Ioseph
             was
             dead
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             good
             offices
             he
             had
             done
             both
             for
             King
             and
             People
             forgot
             ,
             and
             the
             prodigious
             encrease
             of
             Israel
             made
             the
             Kings
             of
             Egypt
             jealous
             of
             their
             Numbers
             and
             Power
             ;
             and
             then
             they
             began
             to
             oppress
             that
             People
             with
             hard
             labour
             and
             cruel
             bondage
             ,
             till
             the
             time
             appointed
             for
             their
             Deliverance
             was
             come
             .
          
           
             This
             Oppression
             of
             Israel
             may
             seem
             a
             very
             severe
             Providence
             ;
             but
             there
             were
             some
             very
             Wise
             Ends
             it
             served
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             To
             make
             the
             People
             willing
             to
             leave
             Egypt
             ,
             where
             they
             suffered
             such
             hard
             Bondage
             ;
             for
             whoever
             observes
             how
             ready
             they
             were
             upon
             all
             occasions
             to
             talk
             of
             returning
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             how
             they
             longed
             after
             the
             Onions
             ,
             and
             Garlick
             ,
             and
             Flesh-pots
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             notwithstanding
             all
             the
             hardships
             they
             suffered
             there
             ,
             will
             be
             apt
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             had
             they
             enjoyed
             Ease
             and
             Prosperity
             ,
             all
             the
             Miracles
             which
             Moses
             wrought
             would
             no
             more
             have
             persuaded
             Israel
             to
             have
             left
             Egypt
             ,
             than
             they
             could
             persuade
             Pharaoh
             to
             let
             them
             go
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             The
             Advantage
             Pharaoh
             made
             of
             the
             Service
             of
             Israel
             ,
             made
             him
             obstinately
             resolve
             not
             to
             part
             with
             them
             ;
             and
             his
             cruel
             Oppression
             made
             it
             very
             just
             for
             God
             to
             punish
             
             him
             ,
             and
             all
             Egypt
             with
             him
             ;
             and
             this
             occasioned
             all
             those
             Signs
             and
             Wonders
             which
             God
             wrought
             in
             Egypt
             by
             the
             hands
             of
             Moses
             ,
             whereby
             he
             visibly
             owned
             Israel
             for
             his
             People
             ,
             and
             made
             his
             own
             Power
             and
             Glory
             known
             .
          
           
             3dly
             .
             The
             great
             proneness
             of
             Israel
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             even
             when
             God
             had
             delivered
             them
             out
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             is
             too
             plain
             a
             proof
             ,
             that
             they
             had
             learnt
             the
             Egyptian
             Idolatries
             while
             they
             lived
             there
             ;
             the
             Golden
             Calf
             being
             ,
             as
             some
             Learned
             Men
             ,
             not
             without
             reason
             ,
             conclude
             ,
             an
             imitation
             of
             the
             Egyptian
             Apis
             :
             And
             this
             made
             it
             very
             just
             for
             God
             to
             punish
             their
             Egyptian
             Idolatry
             with
             an
             Egyptian
             Bondage
             ;
             especially
             considering
             ,
             that
             this
             was
             the
             most
             likely
             way
             to
             give
             check
             to
             their
             Idolatry
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             them
             hate
             the
             Egyptian
             Gods
             like
             their
             Egyptian
             Task-masters
             ,
             and
             to
             remember
             the
             God
             of
             their
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             his
             Promise
             and
             Covenant
             to
             bestow
             the
             Land
             of
             Canaan
             on
             them
             .
          
           
             4thly
             .
             The
             Oppression
             of
             Israel
             in
             Egypt
             was
             an
             effectual
             means
             to
             keep
             them
             a
             distinct
             and
             separate
             People
             .
             This
             was
             absolutely
             necessary
             ,
             when
             God
             had
             chosen
             them
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             that
             they
             should
             be
             preserved
             from
             incorporating
             with
             any
             other
             People
             ;
             and
             this
             God
             took
             early
             care
             of
             ,
             by
             placing
             them
             by
             themselves
             in
             the
             Land
             of
             Goshen
             ;
             where
             they
             grew
             up
             into
             a
             distinct
             Body
             from
             Egypt
             ,
             which
             made
             Pharaoh
             so
             jealous
             of
             them
             ,
             when
             they
             began
             to
             multiply
             ;
             
             and
             that
             made
             him
             oppress
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             oppression
             preserved
             the
             distinction
             ,
             which
             a
             kind
             and
             friendly
             usage
             might
             in
             time
             have
             destroyed
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             rarely
             seen
             that
             two
             People
             can
             live
             amicably
             together
             in
             the
             same
             Countrey
             ,
             and
             under
             the
             same
             Prince
             ,
             without
             mingling
             and
             incorporating
             with
             each
             other
             ,
             till
             they
             forget
             all
             distinction
             between
             Nations
             and
             Families
             .
          
           
             
               These
               are
               wise
               Reasons
               why
               God
               suffered
               the
               hard
               Bondage
               of
            
             Israel
             in
             Egypt
             ;
             
               and
               those
               mighty
               Signs
               and
               Wonders
               which
               God
               wrought
               in
            
             Egypt
             ,
             
               were
               the
               most
               effectual
               means
               both
               to
               convince
               the
            
             Israelites
             
               of
               God's
               peculiar
               care
               of
               them
               ,
               
               and
               to
               convince
               the
               world
               ,
               that
            
             Israel
             
               was
               God's
               peculiar
               People
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               God
               of
            
             Israel
             
               was
               the
               Supream
               Lord
               and
               Governor
               of
               the
               World.
               This
               account
               God
               himself
               gives
               of
               it
               ,
            
             6.
             
             Exod.
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             
             Wherefore
             say
             unto
             the
             children
             of
             Israel
             ,
             I
             am
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             bring
             you
             out
             from
             under
             the
             burthens
             of
             the
             Egyptians
             —
             And
             I
             will
             take
             you
             to
             me
             for
             a
             people
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             be
             to
             you
             a
             God
             :
             And
             ye
             shall
             know
             that
             I
             am
             the
             Lord
             your
             God
             ,
             which
             bringeth
             you
             out
             from
             under
             the
             burthens
             of
             the
             Egyptians
             .
             
               And
               as
               for
               the
            
             Egyptians
             ,
             
               God
               tells
            
             Moses
             ,
             I
             will
             harden
             Pharaoh's
             heart
             ,
             and
             multiply
             my
             signs
             and
             my
             wonders
             in
             the
             Land
             of
             Egypt
             .
             But
             Pharaoh
             shall
             not
             hearken
             unto
             you
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             lay
             my
             hand
             upon
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             bring
             forth
             mine
             armies
             ,
             and
             my
             people
             the
             children
             of
             Israel
             ,
             out
             of
             the
             land
             of
             Egypt
             by
             great
             judgments
             .
             And
             the
             Egyptians
             shall
             know
             that
             I
             am
             the
             Lord
             ,
             when
             I
             stretch
             forth
             my
             hand
             upon
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             bring
             out
             the
             children
             of
             Israel
             from
             among
             them
             ,
             7.
             
             Exod.
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             This
             is
             the
             first
             time
             we
             read
             of
             such
             Signs
             and
             Wonders
             as
             these
             ;
             and
             probably
             they
             are
             the
             first
             Miracles
             of
             this
             nature
             that
             ever
             were
             wrought
             ;
             and
             it
             becomes
             us
             to
             contemplate
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             in
             it
             ;
             for
             the
             wisdom
             of
             Miracles
             ,
             and
             the
             surprize
             and
             wonder
             of
             them
             ,
             are
             two
             very
             different
             things
             .
             Miracles
             offer
             violence
             to
             the
             order
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             would
             be
             no
             commendation
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ,
             should
             we
             consider
             them
             as
             Causes
             ,
             not
             as
             Signs
             :
             It
             would
             be
             a
             reproach
             to
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             God
             wrought
             all
             those
             Miracles
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             because
             he
             could
             not
             have
             punished
             the
             Egyptians
             ,
             nor
             have
             delivered
             Israel
             without
             them
             ;
             for
             it
             would
             argue
             a
             great
             defect
             in
             the
             ordinary
             methods
             of
             Government
             ,
             if
             God
             could
             not
             at
             any
             time
             save
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             punish
             and
             destroy
             the
             wicked
             without
             a
             Miracle
             .
             God
             can
             do
             whatever
             he
             pleases
             by
             the
             wise
             direction
             and
             government
             of
             natural
             and
             moral
             Causes
             ,
             and
             therefore
             does
             not
             work
             Miracles
             because
             he
             needs
             them
             to
             supply
             the
             defects
             of
             natural
             
             Powers
             ,
             but
             to
             bear
             testimony
             to
             his
             own
             Being
             and
             Providence
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             authority
             to
             his
             Ministers
             and
             Prophets
             ;
             and
             we
             must
             learn
             the
             wisdom
             of
             this
             from
             the
             state
             and
             condition
             of
             the
             world
             at
             that
             time
             .
          
           
             Mankind
             at
             that
             time
             were
             so
             far
             from
             being
             Atheists
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             worship
             any
             thing
             ,
             the
             meanest
             and
             most
             contemptible
             Creatures
             ,
             rather
             than
             have
             no
             God
             ;
             and
             they
             were
             so
             sensible
             how
             much
             they
             stood
             in
             need
             of
             a
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             that
             one
             God
             would
             not
             serve
             them
             ,
             but
             they
             wanted
             as
             many
             Gods
             ,
             not
             only
             as
             there
             were
             Nations
             ,
             but
             as
             they
             had
             wants
             to
             supply
             .
             This
             was
             a
             great
             corruption
             of
             the
             Light
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             those
             Notions
             of
             One
             Supream
             God
             imprinted
             on
             our
             minds
             ,
             and
             proclaimed
             by
             the
             whole
             visible
             Creation
             ;
             but
             yet
             was
             so
             universal
             and
             so
             prevailing
             ,
             that
             their
             wisest
             Philosophers
             ,
             who
             had
             better
             notions
             of
             the
             Deity
             ,
             were
             not
             able
             to
             resist
             the
             Torrent
             ,
             and
             durst
             not
             openly
             oppose
             the
             Worship
             of
             those
             Countrey
             Gods
             ,
             for
             fear
             of
             a
             popular
             Rage
             and
             Fury
             .
          
           
             Now
             when
             neither
             the
             Light
             of
             Nature
             ,
             nor
             the
             Works
             of
             Creation
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             common
             Providence
             ,
             could
             secure
             the
             belief
             and
             worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supream
             God
             ;
             what
             remained
             but
             for
             God
             to
             make
             some
             more
             sensible
             manifestation
             of
             himself
             to
             the
             world
             ?
             and
             let
             any
             man
             consider
             ,
             what
             more
             effectual
             way
             could
             have
             been
             taken
             to
             convince
             men
             of
             the
             Divine
             Power
             and
             Providence
             ,
             than
             by
             Miracles
             ,
             especially
             such
             Miracles
             as
             are
             for
             the
             deliverance
             and
             protection
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             punishment
             and
             overthrow
             of
             the
             wicked
             .
          
           
             When
             the
             Corruption
             of
             Mankind
             is
             such
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             not
             learn
             from
             Nature
             ;
             there
             is
             no
             way
             of
             teaching
             them
             ,
             but
             by
             something
             which
             is
             supernatural
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             beautiful
             ,
             and
             regular
             ,
             and
             uniform
             Order
             of
             Nature
             will
             not
             convince
             men
             that
             there
             is
             a
             God
             ,
             at
             least
             not
             that
             there
             is
             One
             Supream
             God
             ,
             who
             made
             ,
             and
             who
             governs
             
             this
             World
             ,
             Miracles
             will.
             Those
             who
             will
             not
             believe
             that
             the
             World
             was
             made
             ,
             or
             had
             any
             Wise
             and
             Intelligent
             Cause
             ,
             must
             confess
             ,
             that
             Miracles
             have
             a
             Cause
             ,
             because
             they
             see
             them
             produced
             ;
             and
             that
             that
             Cause
             is
             not
             Nature
             ,
             because
             they
             see
             them
             produced
             without
             any
             Natural
             Cause
             ,
             or
             against
             the
             Laws
             of
             Nature
             ;
             nor
             Chance
             and
             Accident
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             done
             at
             the
             command
             of
             a
             Free
             Agent
             ,
             at
             the
             word
             of
             a
             man
             ;
             as
             all
             the
             Signs
             and
             Wonders
             in
             Egypt
             were
             wrought
             at
             the
             word
             of
             Moses
             ,
             whose
             word
             had
             no
             natural
             vertue
             and
             efficacy
             in
             it
             to
             work
             Wonders
             .
             And
             therefore
             Miracles
             certainly
             prove
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             an
             Invisible
             ,
             Intelligent
             Cause
             ,
             who
             ,
             if
             he
             did
             not
             make
             the
             World
             ,
             could
             have
             made
             it
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             pleased
             ;
             for
             whoever
             can
             in
             any
             one
             instance
             act
             without
             ,
             or
             against
             Nature
             ,
             can
             create
             Nature
             too
             ;
             For
             to
             do
             any
             thing
             which
             Nature
             cannot
             do
             ,
             is
             in
             that
             particular
             to
             make
             Nature
             ;
             and
             he
             who
             can
             make
             Nature
             in
             one
             instance
             ,
             can
             do
             so
             in
             all
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             a
             good
             reason
             to
             believe
             ,
             that
             the
             World
             was
             made
             ,
             when
             we
             know
             that
             there
             is
             a
             Cause
             that
             can
             make
             the
             World
             :
             And
             that
             Superior
             Power
             he
             exercises
             over
             Nature
             ,
             proves
             that
             he
             both
             can
             ,
             and
             does
             govern
             the
             World
             ;
             for
             he
             has
             the
             supream
             and
             absolute
             Government
             of
             Nature
             ,
             who
             can
             ,
             when
             he
             pleases
             ,
             give
             new
             powers
             to
             it
             ,
             or
             suspend
             and
             reverse
             its
             Laws
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             Miracles
             are
             a
             Supernatural
             Proof
             of
             a
             Divine
             Power
             and
             Providence
             ;
             and
             no
             man
             who
             believes
             that
             there
             ever
             was
             a
             true
             Miracle
             wrought
             ,
             can
             be
             an
             Atheist
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             no
             wonder
             that
             Atheists
             are
             such
             professed
             Enemies
             to
             the
             belief
             of
             Miracles
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             a
             great
             wonder
             that
             they
             can
             persuade
             themselves
             to
             reject
             all
             those
             Authentick
             Relations
             we
             have
             of
             Miracles
             ,
             both
             from
             the
             Law
             of
             Moses
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             most
             credible
             Histories
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             [
             if
             we
             look
             upon
             them
             as
             no
             more
             than
             Histories
             ]
             and
             have
             obtained
             the
             most
             universal
             belief
             .
             Especially
             this
             is
             very
             unaccountable
             in
             
             those
             men
             who
             pretend
             to
             Deism
             ,
             to
             acknowledge
             a
             God
             who
             made
             the
             World
             ;
             for
             cannot
             that
             God
             who
             made
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             made
             Nature
             ,
             act
             without
             ,
             or
             above
             ,
             or
             against
             Nature
             ,
             when
             he
             pleases
             ?
             And
             may
             it
             not
             become
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             to
             do
             this
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             necessary
             for
             the
             more
             abundant
             conviction
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             who
             are
             sunk
             into
             Atheism
             or
             Idolatry
             ?
             when
             Signs
             and
             Wonders
             are
             necessary
             to
             awaken
             men
             into
             the
             sense
             and
             belief
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             Providence
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             case
             in
             the
             days
             of
             Moses
             ;
             or
             to
             give
             Authority
             to
             Prophets
             to
             declare
             and
             reveal
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             to
             men
             ,
             which
             was
             a
             reason
             for
             Miracles
             as
             long
             as
             God
             thought
             fit
             to
             make
             any
             new
             and
             publick
             Revelations
             of
             his
             Will
             ;
             when
             it
             is
             as
             reasonable
             and
             credible
             ,
             that
             God
             ,
             who
             can
             ,
             when
             he
             pleases
             ,
             should
             some
             times
             work
             Miracles
             ;
             as
             it
             is
             that
             he
             should
             take
             care
             to
             preserve
             the
             knowledge
             of
             himself
             ,
             and
             his
             Will
             ,
             and
             to
             restore
             it
             when
             it
             is
             lost
             ;
             or
             to
             make
             such
             new
             discoveries
             of
             his
             Grace
             ,
             as
             the
             fallen
             state
             of
             Mankind
             requires
             ;
             when
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             the
             thing
             it self
             is
             so
             credible
             ,
             and
             so
             worthy
             of
             God
             ,
             what
             reasonable
             pretence
             can
             there
             be
             for
             rejecting
             Miracles
             ,
             for
             which
             we
             have
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             best
             attested
             History
             in
             the
             World
             ?
          
           
             But
             Atheism
             was
             not
             the
             Disease
             of
             that
             Age
             ,
             which
             had
             run
             into
             the
             other
             Extreme
             of
             Polytheism
             and
             Idolatry
             ;
             and
             therefore
             though
             Miracles
             do
             prove
             the
             Being
             and
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             Miracles
             of
             Moses
             were
             principally
             intended
             to
             prove
             the
             Glory
             and
             Power
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ;
             that
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             is
             the
             One
             Supream
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             had
             chosen
             Israel
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ;
             and
             this
             he
             did
             by
             doing
             such
             things
             as
             no
             other
             God
             could
             do
             ;
             such
             as
             made
             the
             Egyptian
             Magicians
             confess
             ,
             
             that
             it
             was
             
               the
               Finger
               of
               God
            
             ;
             and
             what
             more
             effectual
             way
             could
             be
             taken
             to
             convince
             the
             world
             of
             One
             Supream
             God
             ,
             than
             such
             visible
             demonstrations
             of
             an
             Absolute
             and
             Soveraign
             Power
             superior
             to
             all
             ?
             Those
             who
             worshipped
             a
             plurality
             of
             Gods
             ,
             either
             
             had
             no
             notion
             of
             One
             Supream
             God
             ,
             whose
             Power
             ruleth
             over
             all
             ;
             or
             if
             they
             had
             ,
             yet
             they
             believed
             that
             this
             Supream
             God
             had
             committed
             the
             care
             and
             government
             of
             Mankind
             to
             inferior
             Deities
             ,
             whom
             they
             therefore
             worshipped
             with
             Divine
             Honours
             ,
             as
             the
             Disposers
             of
             their
             Lives
             and
             Fortunes
             ;
             and
             either
             paid
             no
             worship
             to
             the
             Supream
             God
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             more
             general
             practice
             ;
             or
             worshipped
             their
             Country-gods
             together
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             the
             most
             frequent
             ,
             most
             solemn
             and
             pompous
             Worship
             .
             Now
             such
             great
             and
             wonderful
             Works
             as
             these
             ,
             which
             none
             of
             their
             Country-gods
             could
             do
             ,
             was
             an
             evident
             proof
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             a
             Power
             ,
             and
             therefore
             a
             God
             above
             them
             all
             ,
             whom
             all
             Mankind
             ought
             to
             fear
             and
             worship
             .
             This
             convinc'd
             Nebuchadnezzar
             of
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ,
             when
             he
             had
             delivered
             
               Shadrach
               ,
               Meshach
            
             and
             Abed-nego
             from
             the
             fiery
             Furnace
             ;
             
             he
             made
             a
             Decree
             ,
             
               That
               every
               people
               ,
               nation
               and
               langage
               which
               spake
               amiss
               against
               the
               God
               of
               Shadrach
               ,
               Meshach
               ,
               and
               Abed-nego
               ,
               shall
               be
               cut
               in
               pieces
               ,
               and
               their
               houses
               shall
               be
               made
               a
               dunghill
               ,
               because
               there
               is
               no
               other
               God
               that
               can
               deliver
               after
               this
               sort
               .
            
             Thus
             when
             God
             had
             delivered
             Daniel
             from
             the
             Lion's
             Den
             ,
             Darius
             made
             a
             Decree
             ,
             
             
               That
               in
               every
               dominion
               of
               his
               kingdom
               men
               should
               tremble
               and
               fear
               before
               the
               God
               of
               Daniel
               :
               For
               he
               is
               the
               living
               God
               ,
               and
               stedfast
               for
               ever
               ,
               and
               his
               kingdom
               that
               which
               shall
               not
               be
               destroyed
               ,
               and
               his
               dominion
               shall
               be
               even
               unto
               the
               end
               .
               He
               delivereth
               and
               rescueth
               ,
               and
               worketh
               signs
               and
               wonders
               in
               heaven
               ,
               and
               in
               earth
               ,
               who
               hath
               delivered
               Daniel
               from
               ihe
               power
               of
               the
               lions
               .
            
          
           
             Both
             these
             Kings
             were
             convinced
             by
             these
             great
             and
             wonderful
             Works
             ,
             that
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             was
             the
             Supream
             God
             ;
             but
             
             Nebuchadnezzar's
             Decree
             only
             forbids
             men
             to
             blaspheme
             God
             ,
             Darius
             seems
             to
             command
             all
             People
             to
             worship
             him
             ;
             for
             
               to
               tremble
               and
               fear
               before
               him
               ,
            
             signifies
             a
             religious
             veneration
             ;
             but
             neither
             of
             them
             appointed
             any
             solemn
             Worship
             to
             be
             paid
             him
             ,
             much
             less
             did
             they
             forbid
             the
             Worship
             of
             any
             other
             Gods.
             
          
           
           
             But
             a
             little
             consideration
             would
             have
             carried
             them
             farther
             ;
             for
             those
             mighty
             Works
             which
             proved
             a
             Power
             superior
             to
             all
             Gods
             ,
             proved
             a
             Sovereign
             Providence
             too
             ;
             that
             this
             Supream
             God
             had
             not
             so
             committed
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             world
             to
             any
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             inferior
             Deities
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             reserved
             the
             supream
             disposal
             of
             all
             things
             in
             his
             own
             hands
             ;
             
             as
             Nebuchadnezzar
             was
             convinced
             ,
             that
             
               His
               dominion
               is
               an
               everlasting
               dominion
               ,
               and
               his
               kingdom
               is
               from
               generation
               to
               generation
               ;
               and
               all
               the
               inhabitants
               of
               the
               earth
               are
               reputed
               as
               nothing
               ;
               and
               he
               doth
               according
               to
               his
               will
               in
               the
               army
               of
               heaven
               ,
               and
               among
               the
               inhabitants
               of
               the
               earth
               ,
               and
               none
               can
               stay
               his
               hand
               ,
               or
               say
               unto
               him
               ,
               What
               dost
               thou
               ?
            
             This
             cut
             off
             all
             reasonable
             Pretences
             of
             paying
             Divine
             Worship
             to
             their
             Country-goods
             ;
             for
             if
             there
             be
             a
             Superior
             Power
             and
             Providence
             over
             them
             ,
             at
             most
             they
             could
             be
             only
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Divine
             Will
             ,
             and
             therefore
             could
             have
             no
             title
             to
             Divine
             Honours
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             Ministers
             of
             State
             have
             to
             the
             Royal
             Dignity
             :
             And
             it
             was
             very
             reasonable
             to
             conclude
             this
             ,
             when
             they
             saw
             that
             this
             Supream
             God
             would
             not
             suffer
             Israel
             ,
             whom
             he
             had
             chosen
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             to
             worship
             any
             other
             God
             besides
             himself
             :
             This
             was
             not
             unknown
             to
             the
             Egyptians
             ,
             but
             was
             more
             manifest
             in
             After-ages
             ,
             when
             God
             so
             severely
             punished
             them
             for
             their
             Idolatry
             ;
             and
             was
             made
             evident
             to
             Nebuchadnezzar
             and
             Darius
             ,
             when
             God
             delivered
             
               Shadrach
               ,
               Meshach
            
             ,
             and
             Abednego
             ,
             out
             of
             the
             fiery
             Furnace
             ,
             who
             refused
             to
             worship
             the
             Golden
             Image
             which
             he
             had
             set
             up
             ;
             and
             delivered
             Daniel
             from
             the
             power
             of
             the
             Lions
             ,
             when
             he
             was
             cast
             into
             the
             Lions
             Den
             for
             praying
             to
             his
             God.
             This
             shews
             the
             strange
             power
             of
             Prejudice
             and
             Custom
             ;
             but
             yet
             we
             must
             confess
             ,
             that
             this
             was
             wisely
             designed
             by
             God
             for
             the
             cure
             of
             Polytheism
             and
             Idolatry
             .
          
           
             Having
             thus
             vindicated
             and
             explained
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ,
             both
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             removal
             of
             Israel
             out
             
             of
             the
             Land
             of
             Canaan
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             the
             hard
             bondage
             they
             suffered
             there
             ;
             and
             their
             deliverance
             out
             of
             Egypt
             with
             a
             mighty
             hand
             ,
             and
             out-stretched
             arm
             ,
             with
             Signs
             ,
             and
             Wonders
             ,
             and
             Miracles
             ;
             let
             us
             now
             follow
             them
             into
             the
             Wilderness
             .
          
           
             God
             having
             chose
             Israel
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             and
             delivered
             them
             out
             of
             Egypt
             ;
             before
             he
             shewed
             them
             openly
             to
             the
             world
             under
             such
             a
             peculiar
             Character
             ,
             it
             was
             necessary
             first
             to
             form
             their
             Manners
             ;
             to
             take
             care
             that
             they
             should
             own
             him
             for
             their
             God
             ,
             and
             behave
             themselves
             as
             it
             became
             so
             glorious
             a
             Relation
             :
             this
             could
             not
             be
             done
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             where
             they
             were
             oppressed
             by
             hard
             bondage
             ;
             and
             therefore
             God
             first
             leads
             them
             into
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             remote
             from
             the
             conversation
             of
             all
             other
             People
             ,
             and
             upon
             all
             accounts
             a
             fit
             place
             both
             to
             instruct
             and
             try
             them
             .
             I
             do
             not
             intend
             ,
             as
             I
             said
             before
             ,
             to
             inquire
             into
             the
             Mystical
             Reasons
             of
             those
             various
             Providences
             with
             which
             God
             exercised
             them
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             to
             which
             our
             Saviour
             and
             his
             Apostles
             so
             often
             refer
             ,
             and
             which
             they
             apply
             to
             the
             Gospel-state
             ;
             but
             shall
             only
             consider
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             external
             and
             visible
             conduct
             of
             that
             People
             ,
             to
             make
             them
             fit
             to
             be
             owned
             before
             all
             the
             World
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             .
          
           
             They
             had
             lived
             two
             hundred
             years
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             were
             tinctur'd
             with
             the
             Idolatries
             ,
             and
             had
             learnt
             the
             corrupt
             Manners
             of
             that
             People
             ,
             and
             had
             all
             that
             meanness
             and
             stupidity
             ,
             and
             perverseness
             of
             humour
             ,
             that
             a
             state
             of
             Servitude
             and
             Bondage
             is
             apt
             to
             create
             ;
             of
             which
             we
             have
             too
             many
             visible
             Instances
             in
             their
             behaviour
             towards
             Moses
             .
             All
             this
             was
             to
             be
             corrected
             before
             their
             entrance
             into
             Canaan
             ,
             which
             will
             give
             us
             the
             reasons
             of
             some
             very
             wonderful
             Providences
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             remarkable
             thing
             to
             this
             purpose
             to
             be
             observed
             ,
             is
             God's
             delivering
             the
             Law
             to
             them
             with
             all
             the
             most
             formidable
             Solemnities
             ,
             in
             an
             audible
             Voice
             from
             
             Mount
             Sinai
             :
             Which
             Moses
             tells
             them
             was
             such
             a
             thing
             as
             was
             never
             known
             before
             ,
             
             
               since
               the
               day
               that
               God
               created
               man
               upon
               the
               earth
               :
               Did
               ever
               people
               hear
               the
               voice
               of
               God
               speaking
               out
               of
               the
               midst
               of
               the
               fire
               ,
               as
               thou
               hast
               heard
               ,
               and
               live
               ?
            
             And
             the
             use
             Moses
             makes
             of
             it
             is
             very
             natural
             ,
             to
             confirm
             them
             in
             the
             Belief
             and
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supream
             God.
             
             
               Vnto
               thee
               it
               was
               shewed
               ,
               that
               thou
               mightest
               know
               that
               the
               Lord
               he
               is
               God
               ,
            
             
             
               there
               is
               none
               else
               besides
               him
               .
               Out
               of
               heaven
               he
               made
               thee
               to
               hear
               his
               voice
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               instruct
               thee
               ;
               and
               upon
               earth
               he
               shewed
               thee
               his
               great
               fire
               ,
               and
               thou
               heardest
               his
               words
               out
               of
               the
               midst
               of
               the
               fire
               .
               
               —
               Know
               therefore
               this
               day
               ,
               and
               consider
               it
               in
               thine
               heart
               ,
               that
               the
               Lord
               is
               God
               in
               heaven
               above
               ,
               and
               upon
               the
               earth
               beneath
               ;
               there
               is
               none
               else
               .
            
             For
             what
             can
             convince
             men
             that
             there
             is
             One
             Supream
             God
             ,
             if
             such
             a
             terrible
             Appearance
             as
             that
             on
             Mount
             Sinai
             ,
             and
             the
             Law
             delivered
             in
             an
             audible
             Voice
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             will
             not
             convince
             them
             ?
             Numa
             pretended
             to
             receive
             his
             Laws
             from
             the
             Goddess
             Aegeria
             ,
             as
             some
             other
             Lawgivers
             pretended
             to
             do
             the
             like
             ,
             but
             no
             man
             knew
             any
             thing
             of
             it
             but
             themselves
             ;
             but
             here
             a
             whole
             Nation
             heard
             God
             speak
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             saw
             such
             an
             Awful
             Appearance
             upon
             the
             Mount
             ,
             as
             made
             Moses
             himself
             fear
             and
             tremble
             .
             I
             desire
             any
             man
             to
             tell
             me
             ,
             how
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             a
             Pure
             Invisible
             Mind
             ,
             could
             possibly
             give
             a
             more
             visible
             Demonstration
             of
             his
             Presence
             and
             Power
             ?
             I
             desire
             the
             Wittiest
             and
             most
             Philosophical
             Atheists
             ,
             only
             for
             Experiment
             sake
             ,
             to
             suppose
             the
             Truth
             of
             that
             Relation
             which
             Moses
             gives
             us
             of
             this
             matter
             ;
             and
             that
             they
             themselves
             had
             been
             present
             at
             Mount
             Sinai
             ,
             had
             seen
             the
             Smoke
             and
             Fire
             cover
             the
             Mountain
             ,
             had
             heard
             the
             Thunder
             and
             the
             Trumpet
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             a
             Voice
             delivering
             the
             Law
             with
             an
             unimitable
             Terror
             and
             Majesty
             ,
             what
             would
             they
             then
             have
             thought
             of
             this
             ?
             Or
             what
             farther
             evidence
             would
             they
             have
             desired
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             God
             who
             spoke
             to
             them
             ?
             This
             could
             be
             no
             Dream
             ,
             nor
             melancholy
             Apparition
             ,
             or
             
             disturbed
             Fancy
             ,
             for
             they
             had
             timely
             notice
             of
             it
             three
             days
             before
             ,
             and
             were
             commanded
             to
             sanctify
             themselves
             to
             meet
             their
             God
             ;
             and
             if
             a
             whole
             Nation
             had
             been
             imposed
             on
             after
             such
             fair
             Warning
             ,
             it
             had
             been
             as
             great
             a
             Prodigy
             and
             Miracle
             ,
             as
             the
             Appearance
             on
             Mount
             Sinai
             ,
             and
             would
             have
             argued
             some
             Divine
             and
             Supernatural
             Infatuation
             ,
             and
             that
             would
             have
             proved
             a
             God.
             
          
           
             This
             then
             was
             as
             visible
             a
             Demonstration
             as
             could
             be
             given
             of
             the
             Presence
             ,
             and
             Power
             ,
             and
             Majesty
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             rejected
             all
             other
             gods
             from
             any
             share
             in
             his
             Worship
             ,
             and
             declares
             himself
             to
             be
             the
             Maker
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             ;
             for
             I
             'm
             sure
             the
             Wit
             of
             man
             cannot
             invent
             a
             more
             effectual
             Conviction
             than
             this
             .
          
           
             Let
             us
             then
             consider
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             in
             this
             ,
             both
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             Israelites
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             .
          
           
             
               He
               that
               cometh
               to
               God
               ,
               must
               believe
               that
               he
               is
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               is
               a
               rewarder
               of
               them
               that
               diligently
               seek
               him
               .
            
             And
             therefore
             when
             God
             intended
             to
             restore
             his
             own
             Worship
             again
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             Israel
             a
             Pattern
             and
             Example
             of
             it
             to
             the
             rest
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             it
             was
             necessary
             to
             give
             them
             as
             visible
             and
             ocular
             a
             demonstration
             of
             the
             Power
             and
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             possible
             for
             Creatures
             to
             have
             .
             When
             the
             whole
             World
             was
             over-run
             with
             Idolatry
             ,
             and
             the
             Israelites
             themselves
             so
             strongly
             inclined
             to
             it
             ,
             nothing
             less
             than
             such
             an
             Appearance
             from
             Mount
             Sinai
             was
             likely
             to
             establish
             the
             Faith
             and
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             ;
             and
             we
             see
             that
             this
             it self
             could
             very
             hardly
             do
             it
             ;
             for
             immediately
             after
             they
             had
             heard
             God
             speak
             to
             them
             ,
             while
             Moses
             was
             in
             the
             Mount
             ,
             they
             made
             them
             a
             Golden
             Calf
             ,
             and
             worshipped
             it
             ;
             and
             as
             soon
             as
             they
             mingled
             with
             any
             other
             people
             ,
             they
             joined
             in
             their
             Idolatrous
             Worship
             ;
             a
             sad
             Example
             of
             which
             we
             have
             in
             their
             worship
             of
             
               Baal
               .
               Peor
               ,
               25.
               
               Numb
               .
            
             But
             this
             was
             the
             highest
             evidence
             God
             could
             then
             give
             them
             of
             his
             Power
             and
             Glory
             ;
             
             and
             it
             did
             in
             time
             prevail
             ;
             and
             in
             them
             all
             Mankind
             who
             know
             their
             Story
             ,
             have
             a
             visible
             demonstration
             of
             One
             Supreme
             God.
             
          
           
             
               But
               not
               to
               insist
               on
               every
               Particular
               ,
               which
               would
               be
               endless
               ;
               it
               may
               seem
               strange
               ,
               that
               when
               God
               brought
            
             Israel
             
               out
               of
            
             Egypt
             
               to
               give
               them
               Possession
               of
               the
               Promised
               Land
               ,
               he
               should
               make
               them
               wander
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               forty
               years
               ,
               till
               all
               that
               generation
               of
               men
               which
               came
               out
               of
            
             Egypt
             
               were
               dead
               ,
               excepting
            
             Ioshua
             and
             Caleb
             .
             
               The
               Apostle
               to
               the
            
             Hebrews
             
               gives
               us
               the
               general
               Account
               of
               this
               matter
               ,
            
             3.
             
             Heb.
             7.
             to
             the
             end
             ;
             
               which
               resolves
               it
               into
               their
               Idolatry
               and
               Infidelity
               .
            
             Wherefore
             as
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             saith
             ,
             To
             day
             if
             ye
             will
             hear
             his
             voice
             ,
             harden
             not
             your
             hearts
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             provocation
             ,
             in
             the
             day
             of
             temptation
             in
             the
             wilderness
             ;
             when
             your
             fathers
             tempted
             me
             ,
             proved
             me
             ,
             and
             saw
             my
             works
             forty
             years
             .
             Wherefore
             I
             was
             grieved
             with
             that
             generation
             ,
             and
             said
             ,
             They
             do
             alway
             err
             in
             their
             heart
             ,
             and
             they
             have
             not
             known
             my
             ways
             ;
             so
             I
             sware
             in
             my
             wrath
             ,
             They
             shall
             not
             enter
             into
             my
             rest
             .
             
               Which
               he
               makes
               an
               admonition
               to
               Christians
               ,
            
             Take
             heed
             ,
             brethren
             ,
             lest
             there
             be
             in
             any
             of
             you
             an
             evil
             heart
             of
             unbelief
             ,
             in
             departing
             from
             the
             living
             God
             ;
             
               that
               is
               ,
               in
               forsaking
               the
               True
               God
               ,
               and
               declining
               to
               Idolatry
               ,
               as
               the
            
             Israelites
             
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               did
            
             .
             And
             to
             whom
             sware
             he
             ,
             that
             they
             should
             not
             enter
             into
             his
             rest
             ,
             but
             to
             them
             that
             believed
             not
             ?
             So
             we
             see
             ,
             that
             they
             could
             not
             enter
             in
             ,
             because
             of
             unbelief
             .
          
           
             The
             plain
             state
             of
             the
             Case
             is
             this
             ;
             That
             Generation
             of
             men
             which
             came
             out
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             remembred
             the
             Customs
             and
             Practices
             of
             that
             People
             ,
             were
             so
             strangely
             addicted
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             Signs
             and
             Wonders
             they
             saw
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             in
             the
             Red-Sea
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             could
             not
             perfectly
             cure
             them
             ;
             but
             whenever
             they
             had
             opportunity
             ,
             they
             joined
             themselves
             to
             the
             Heathen
             gods
             ,
             ate
             of
             their
             Sacrifices
             ,
             and
             bowed
             themselves
             before
             them
             ;
             that
             had
             these
             men
             gone
             into
             Canaan
             ,
             which
             was
             then
             a
             Land
             of
             Idolaters
             ,
             they
             would
             certainly
             have
             worshipped
             
             their
             gods
             ,
             instead
             of
             destroying
             them
             ,
             and
             have
             mingled
             themselves
             with
             the
             People
             of
             the
             Land
             ,
             and
             have
             learnt
             their
             Manners
             :
             for
             they
             who
             so
             often
             tempted
             God
             ,
             and
             disobeyed
             Moses
             ,
             while
             they
             were
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             in
             expectation
             of
             the
             Promised
             Land
             ,
             what
             would
             they
             have
             done
             ,
             had
             they
             been
             once
             possessed
             of
             it
             ?
             So
             that
             to
             have
             given
             that
             Generation
             of
             men
             Possession
             of
             Canaan
             ,
             would
             not
             have
             answered
             God's
             orginal
             Design
             in
             chusing
             Israel
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ;
             for
             in
             all
             likelihood
             they
             would
             have
             proved
             a
             Nation
             of
             Idolaters
             ,
             like
             the
             other
             Nations
             round
             about
             them
             :
             And
             therefore
             God
             deferred
             the
             final
             Accomplishment
             of
             his
             Promise
             ,
             till
             that
             Generation
             was
             all
             dead
             ,
             and
             a
             new
             Generation
             sprung
             up
             which
             knew
             not
             Egypt
             ,
             nor
             had
             conversed
             with
             Idolatrous
             Nations
             ,
             but
             had
             seen
             the
             Wonders
             of
             God
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             and
             had
             learnt
             his
             Statutes
             and
             Judgments
             ,
             and
             were
             sufficiently
             warned
             by
             the
             Example
             of
             their
             Fathers
             ,
             whose
             Carcasses
             fell
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             to
             fear
             and
             reverence
             the
             Lord
             Iehovah
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             him
             their
             Trust.
             This
             is
             the
             very
             Account
             the
             Scripture
             gives
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             thus
             accordingly
             it
             proved
             ;
             for
             that
             new
             Generation
             of
             men
             were
             never
             charged
             with
             Idolatry
             ;
             but
             we
             are
             expresly
             told
             ,
             That
             
               Israel
               served
               the
               Lord
               all
               the
               days
               of
               Ioshua
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               days
               of
               the
               Elders
               that
               overlived
               Ioshua
               ,
               and
               which
               had
               known
               all
               the
               works
               of
               the
               Lord
               that
               he
               had
               done
               for
               Israel
               ,
            
             24.
             
             Josh.
             31.
             
          
           
             All
             this
             ,
             we
             see
             ,
             was
             designed
             by
             God
             with
             admirable
             Wisdom
             ,
             to
             make
             his
             own
             Glory
             and
             Power
             known
             ,
             and
             to
             publish
             his
             Choice
             of
             Israel
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             and
             to
             prepare
             them
             for
             himself
             ,
             and
             to
             establish
             his
             Name
             and
             Worship
             among
             them
             :
             And
             now
             God
             had
             made
             them
             fit
             Inhabitants
             of
             the
             Land
             of
             Promise
             ,
             without
             any
             longer
             delay
             he
             gives
             them
             the
             actual
             Possession
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             therefore
             let
             us
             now
             follow
             them
             into
             the
             Land
             of
             Canaan
             .
          
           
           
             The
             History
             of
             the
             Wars
             of
             Canaan
             is
             sufficiently
             known
             ;
             which
             presents
             us
             with
             new
             Wonders
             and
             Miracles
             ,
             not
             inferior
             to
             those
             which
             God
             wrought
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             
               Red
               Sea
            
             ;
             for
             God
             so
             visibly
             fought
             the
             Battels
             of
             Israel
             ,
             that
             they
             and
             all
             the
             world
             might
             know
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             he
             that
             gave
             them
             possession
             of
             that
             good
             Land
             ,
             and
             drove
             out
             those
             wicked
             Inhabitants
             before
             them
             ;
             which
             declared
             his
             Glory
             ,
             and
             made
             his
             Power
             known
             :
             And
             what
             I
             have
             already
             discoursed
             concerning
             the
             Wonders
             and
             Miracles
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             is
             equally
             applicable
             to
             this
             ,
             and
             I
             need
             add
             no
             more
             .
             Let
             us
             then
             consider
             Israel
             in
             possession
             of
             the
             Land
             of
             Promise
             :
             And
             there
             are
             but
             two
             things
             more
             I
             shall
             observe
             in
             the
             Iewish
             History
             till
             the
             coming
             of
             our
             Saviour
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Their
             frequent
             Relapses
             into
             Idolatry
             ,
             for
             which
             they
             were
             as
             frequently
             and
             severely
             punished
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Their
             Captivities
             and
             Dispersions
             among
             the
             Nations
             ,
             whereby
             God
             made
             himself
             and
             his
             Laws
             more
             universally
             known
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             
               As
               for
               the
               first
               ,
               nothing
               could
               be
               more
               directly
               contrary
               to
               God's
               original
               Intention
               ,
               in
               chusing
               the
               Posterity
               of
            
             Abraham
             
               for
               his
               peculiar
               People
               ,
               than
               their
               falling
               into
               Idolatry
               ;
               and
               yet
               God
               foresaw
               ,
               that
               this
               they
               would
               do
               ,
               and
               threatens
               to
               punish
               them
               severely
               when
               they
               did
               ;
               which
               is
               the
               subject
               of
            
             Moses
             
               his
               Prophetick
               Song
            
             ,
             32.
             
             Deut.
             
               and
               the
               whole
               History
               of
               the
            
             Iewish
             
               Nation
               may
               satisfy
               us
               ,
               that
               though
               God
               many
               times
               spared
               them
               when
               they
               were
               guilty
               of
               other
               great
               Sins
               ,
               yet
               they
               never
               fell
               into
               Idolatry
               ,
               but
               Vengeance
               soon
               pursued
               them
               ;
               and
               they
               were
               either
               oppressed
               by
               their
               Enemies
               at
               home
               ,
               or
               carried
               Captive
               into
               Foreign
               Countries
               .
               When
            
             Ioshua
             
               was
               dead
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               Generation
               which
            
             Ioshua
             
               led
               into
            
             Canaan
             ;
             There
             arose
             another
             generation
             after
             them
             that
             knew
             not
             the
             Lord
             ,
             nor
             yet
             
             the
             works
             which
             he
             had
             done
             for
             Israel
             :
             
               And
               they
               soon
               declined
               to
               Idolatry
               ,
            
             and
             served
             Baalim
             ;
             they
             forsook
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             served
             Baal
             and
             Ashtaroth
             ,
             2.
             
             Judges
             10
             ,
             11
             ,
             12
             ,
             &c.
             
               And
               what
               follows
               gives
               us
               a
               summary
               account
               of
               God's
               dealings
               with
               them
               all
               the
               time
               of
               the
               Judges
               .
            
             And
             the
             anger
             of
             the
             Lord
             was
             hot
             against
             Israel
             ,
             and
             he
             delivered
             them
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             spoilers
             that
             spoiled
             them
             ,
             and
             he
             sold
             them
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             their
             enemies
             round
             about
             them
             :
             Whithersoever
             they
             went
             out
             ,
             the
             hand
             of
             the
             Lord
             was
             against
             them
             for
             evil
             ,
             as
             the
             Lord
             had
             said
             ,
             and
             as
             the
             Lord
             had
             sworn
             unto
             them
             ;
             and
             they
             were
             greatly
             distressed
             .
             Nevertheless
             the
             Lord
             raised
             up
             Iudges
             ,
             which
             delivered
             them
             out
             of
             the
             hand
             of
             those
             that
             spoiled
             them
             .
             And
             yet
             they
             would
             not
             hearken
             unto
             their
             Iudges
             ,
             but
             they
             went
             a
             whoring
             after
             other
             gods
             ,
             and
             bowed
             themselves
             unto
             them
             :
             They
             turned
             quickly
             out
             of
             the
             way
             that
             their
             fathers
             walked
             in
             ,
             obeying
             the
             commandments
             of
             the
             Lord
             ;
             but
             they
             did
             not
             so
             .
             And
             when
             the
             Lord
             raised
             them
             up
             Iudges
             ,
             then
             the
             Lord
             was
             with
             the
             Iudge
             ,
             and
             delivered
             them
             out
             of
             the
             hands
             of
             their
             enemies
             all
             the
             days
             of
             the
             Iudge
             .
             (
             For
             it
             repented
             the
             Lord
             because
             of
             their
             groanings
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             them
             that
             oppressed
             them
             ,
             and
             vexed
             them
             )
             .
             And
             it
             came
             to
             pass
             when
             the
             Iudge
             was
             dead
             ,
             that
             they
             returned
             ,
             and
             corrupted
             themselves
             more
             than
             their
             fathers
             ,
             in
             following
             other
             gods
             to
             serve
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             bow
             down
             unto
             them
             ;
             they
             ceased
             not
             from
             their
             own
             doings
             ,
             and
             from
             their
             stubborn
             way
             .
          
           
             
               For
               this
               reason
               ,
               as
               it
               follows
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               God
               resolved
            
             not
             to
             drive
             out
             any
             from
             before
             them
             of
             the
             nations
             which
             Ioshua
             left
             when
             he
             died
             .
             
               God
               had
               promised
            
             to
             put
             out
             those
             nations
             by
             little
             and
             little
             ,
             not
             consume
             them
             at
             once
             ,
             lest
             the
             beast
             of
             the
             field
             should
             increase
             upon
             them
             ,
             7.
             
             
               Deut
               22.
               
               But
               withal
            
             ,
             Ioshua
             
               assured
               them
               ,
               That
            
             if
             they
             did
             in
             any-wise
             go
             back
             ,
             
               that
               is
               ,
               relapse
               into
               Idolatry
               ,
            
             and
             cleave
             unto
             the
             remnant
             of
             those
             nations
             ,
             even
             those
             which
             remain
             among
             you
             ,
             which
             Ioshua
             
               had
               not
               driven
               out
            
             ;
             know
             for
             a
             certainty
             that
             the
             Lord
             your
             God
             will
             no
             more
             drive
             out
             any
             of
             these
             nations
             
             from
             before
             you
             ;
             but
             they
             shall
             be
             snares
             and
             traps
             unto
             you
             ,
             and
             scourges
             in
             your
             sides
             ,
             and
             thorns
             in
             your
             eyes
             ,
             until
             ye
             perish
             from
             off
             this
             good
             land
             which
             the
             Lord
             your
             God
             hath
             given
             you
             ,
             23.
             
             
               Joshua
               12
               ,
               13.
               
               And
               thus
               accordingly
               God
               dealt
               with
               them
               ;
               for
               he
               left
            
             the
             five
             lords
             of
             the
             Philistines
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Canaanites
             ,
             and
             the
             Sidonians
             ,
             and
             the
             Hivites
             ,
             that
             dwelt
             in
             mount
             Lebanon
             ,
             from
             mount
             Baal-Hermon
             ,
             unto
             the
             entring
             in
             of
             Hamath
             ;
             and
             they
             were
             to
             prove
             Israel
             by
             them
             ,
             to
             know
             whether
             they
             would
             hearken
             unto
             the
             commandments
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             which
             he
             commanded
             their
             fathers
             by
             the
             hand
             of
             Moses
             ,
             3.
             
             Judges
             1
             ,
             —
             4.
             
          
           
             This
             was
             a
             wise
             provision
             God
             made
             to
             correct
             and
             punish
             Israel
             ,
             whenever
             they
             should
             decline
             to
             Idolatry
             ;
             for
             these
             Idolatrous
             Nations
             ,
             who
             still
             lived
             among
             them
             ,
             or
             round
             about
             them
             ,
             were
             not
             more
             ready
             to
             tempt
             them
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             than
             they
             were
             to
             oppress
             and
             afflict
             them
             ,
             when
             God
             thought
             fit
             to
             chastise
             Israel
             :
             The
             whole
             Book
             of
             Iudges
             is
             a
             manifest
             proof
             of
             this
             ;
             and
             the
             Story
             is
             so
             well
             known
             ,
             that
             I
             need
             not
             insist
             on
             Particulars
             :
             Let
             us
             then
             briefly
             contemplate
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             in
             those
             severe
             Judgments
             God
             executed
             on
             Israel
             for
             their
             frequent
             Idolatries
             .
             God
             had
             chosen
             Israel
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             Worshippers
             of
             the
             One
             Supream
             God
             ,
             and
             a
             visible
             confutation
             of
             the
             Heathen
             Idolatries
             ;
             but
             their
             great
             propensity
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             after
             all
             the
             Signs
             and
             Wonders
             which
             God
             wrought
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Red-Sea
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             and
             in
             giving
             them
             possession
             of
             the
             promised
             Land
             ,
             did
             threaten
             the
             final
             Apostacy
             of
             Israel
             ,
             which
             would
             have
             defeated
             God's
             wise
             and
             gracious
             Design
             in
             chusing
             them
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             .
             For
             had
             they
             turned
             Idolaters
             like
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Nations
             ,
             the
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supream
             God
             had
             been
             totally
             lost
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             To
             prevent
             this
             ,
             God
             never
             suffered
             their
             Idolatries
             for
             any
             long
             time
             to
             escape
             unpunished
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             would
             understand
             the
             true
             reason
             of
             this
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             consider
             
             these
             Judgments
             merely
             as
             the
             punishment
             of
             their
             Idolatries
             ,
             but
             as
             the
             wise
             Methods
             of
             Providence
             to
             preserve
             his
             own
             Worship
             among
             them
             notwithstanding
             their
             Idolatrous
             Inclinations
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             his
             Name
             ,
             and
             Power
             ,
             and
             Glory
             ,
             known
             to
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             The
             whole
             world
             were
             Idolaters
             ;
             but
             God
             did
             not
             punish
             other
             Nations
             for
             their
             Idolatry
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             Israel
             ;
             which
             shews
             ,
             that
             the
             punishment
             of
             Israel
             was
             not
             merely
             for
             the
             punishment
             of
             Idolatry
             ,
             but
             for
             the
             cure
             of
             it
             .
             For
             God
             having
             chosen
             Israel
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             the
             world
             was
             to
             learn
             from
             them
             ,
             from
             their
             Examples
             ,
             and
             from
             their
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             ,
             the
             knowledge
             and
             worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supream
             God.
             And
             could
             there
             be
             a
             more
             sensible
             confutation
             of
             Idolatry
             ,
             than
             to
             see
             a
             Nation
             which
             had
             been
             visibly
             consecrated
             to
             the
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supream
             God
             ,
             as
             visibly
             punished
             ,
             whenever
             they
             declined
             to
             Idolatry
             ?
          
           
             That
             new
             generation
             which
             sprung
             up
             after
             the
             days
             of
             Ioshua
             ,
             who
             had
             not
             seen
             God's
             Wonders
             in
             Egypt
             and
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             nor
             known
             the
             Wars
             of
             Canaan
             ,
             soon
             forgot
             the
             God
             of
             their
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             wanted
             some
             new
             experiments
             of
             God's
             Power
             and
             Presence
             among
             them
             ;
             and
             whenever
             they
             declined
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             God
             took
             care
             they
             should
             not
             want
             them
             ,
             though
             they
             paid
             very
             dear
             for
             them
             ;
             for
             he
             delivered
             them
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             their
             Enemies
             ,
             and
             brought
             many
             evils
             on
             them
             ,
             till
             they
             should
             remember
             the
             God
             of
             their
             Fathers
             :
             This
             account
             God
             himself
             gives
             of
             it
             ,
             31.
             
             
               Deut.
               16
               ,
               17.
               
               And
               the
               Lord
               said
               unto
               Moses
               ,
               Behold
               thou
               shalt
               sleep
               with
               thy
               fathers
               ,
               and
               this
               people
               will
               rise
               up
               ,
               and
               go
               a
               whoring
               after
               the
               gods
               of
               the
               strangers
               ,
               whither
               they
               go
               to
               be
               amongst
               them
               ,
               and
               will
               forsake
               me
               ,
               and
               break
               my
               covenant
               which
               I
               have
               made
               with
               them
               .
               Then
               my
               anger
               shall
               be
               kindled
               against
               them
               in
               that
               day
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               forsake
               them
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               hide
               my
               face
               from
               them
               ,
               and
               they
               shall
               be
               devoured
               ,
               and
               many
               evils
               and
               troubles
               shall
               befal
               them
               ,
               so
               that
               
               they
               will
               say
               in
               that
               day
               ,
               Are
               not
               these
               evils
               come
               upon
               us
               because
               the
               Lord
               our
               God
               is
               not
               amongst
               us
               ?
            
             This
             the
             Psalmist
             tells
             us
             was
             the
             effect
             of
             such
             Judgments
             ,
             though
             not
             always
             so
             lasting
             as
             it
             ought
             to
             have
             been
             .
             
               When
               he
               slew
               them
               ,
               then
               they
               sought
               him
               ,
               and
               returned
               and
               enquired
               early
               after
               God
               ;
               and
               they
               remembred
               that
               God
               was
               their
               rock
               ,
               and
               the
               high
               God
               their
               redeemer
               ,
            
             78.
             
             Psal.
             34
             ,
             35.
             
          
           
             By
             these
             means
             God
             made
             them
             sensible
             of
             his
             Justice
             and
             Power
             ,
             and
             reclaim'd
             them
             from
             their
             Idolatries
             ,
             and
             restored
             his
             own
             Worship
             among
             them
             ;
             for
             they
             certainly
             knew
             by
             the
             threatnings
             of
             their
             own
             Law
             ,
             for
             what
             reasons
             they
             were
             thus
             punish'd
             ;
             and
             indeed
             their
             own
             experience
             was
             sufficient
             to
             satisfie
             them
             in
             this
             ;
             for
             they
             no
             sooner
             forsook
             the
             God
             of
             their
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             worshipped
             others
             gods
             ,
             but
             they
             were
             Oppressed
             by
             their
             Enemies
             ;
             and
             when
             they
             repented
             of
             their
             Idolatries
             ,
             and
             returned
             to
             God
             ,
             he
             raised
             up
             Saviours
             and
             Deliverers
             who
             vanquished
             their
             Enemies
             ,
             and
             restored
             them
             to
             Liberty
             and
             Peace
             :
             Especially
             since
             those
             wonderful
             Deliverances
             which
             God
             wrought
             for
             them
             by
             the
             hands
             of
             their
             Judges
             ,
             gave
             that
             Generation
             of
             men
             ,
             which
             knew
             not
             the
             Wars
             of
             Canaan
             ,
             new
             and
             visible
             proofs
             of
             God's
             Power
             and
             Presence
             among
             them
             .
             And
             we
             know
             what
             effect
             this
             Discipline
             had
             :
             It
             did
             not
             wholly
             prevent
             their
             Idolatries
             ,
             which
             they
             were
             very
             prone
             to
             ,
             when
             the
             memory
             of
             such
             Judgments
             was
             worn
             out
             by
             a
             long
             Peace
             and
             Prosperity
             ;
             but
             then
             the
             repetition
             of
             such
             Judgments
             ,
             as
             they
             repeated
             their
             Provocations
             ,
             joined
             with
             the
             admonitions
             of
             their
             Prophets
             ,
             whom
             God
             raised
             up
             in
             several
             Ages
             ,
             did
             generally
             bring
             them
             to
             Repentance
             ,
             and
             restore
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             amongst
             them
             ;
             till
             at
             last
             the
             Ten
             Tribes
             grew
             incurable
             ,
             and
             were
             therefore
             utterly
             rejected
             by
             God
             ,
             and
             carried
             into
             a
             perpetual
             Captivity
             ,
             never
             to
             return
             more
             into
             their
             own
             Land
             ;
             and
             Iudah
             ,
             who
             would
             not
             take
             warning
             by
             the
             Punishment
             of
             Israel
             ,
             was
             carried
             Captive
             
             into
             Babylon
             for
             Seventy
             years
             ;
             which
             so
             perfectly
             cured
             their
             Idolatry
             ,
             that
             we
             hear
             no
             more
             complaints
             of
             that
             after
             their
             return
             from
             Captivity
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             answered
             God's
             design
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             if
             they
             had
             never
             been
             guilty
             of
             Idolatry
             :
             For
             notwithstanding
             their
             several
             relapses
             into
             Idolatry
             ,
             it
             was
             well
             known
             that
             Israel
             was
             Consecrated
             to
             the
             Worship
             of
             the
             Lord
             Iehovah
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             Nations
             round
             about
             were
             witnesses
             of
             God's
             Judgments
             against
             Israel
             when
             they
             forsook
             the
             Lord
             their
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             Happy
             and
             Prosperous
             State
             while
             they
             kept
             his
             Covenant
             ;
             it
             was
             a
             convincing
             proof
             of
             the
             Power
             and
             Justice
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ,
             especially
             when
             they
             should
             see
             the
             Ten
             Tribes
             utterly
             rooted
             out
             for
             their
             Idolatry
             ,
             and
             Iudah
             carried
             Captive
             into
             Babylon
             ,
             and
             the
             City
             and
             Temple
             of
             Ierusalem
             destroyed
             ,
             and
             the
             Land
             laid
             waste
             and
             desolate
             without
             Inhabitants
             ;
             the
             Justice
             and
             Power
             of
             God
             in
             driving
             them
             out
             of
             their
             Land
             ,
             would
             then
             be
             as
             much
             taken
             notice
             of
             ,
             as
             his
             wonderful
             Providence
             in
             Delivering
             them
             out
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             placing
             them
             in
             that
             good
             Land
             ,
             was
             ;
             as
             God
             himself
             tells
             Solomon
             in
             answer
             to
             his
             Prayer
             at
             the
             Dedication
             of
             the
             Temple
             :
             2
             
               Cor.
               7.
               19
               ,
               20
               ,
               21
               ,
               22.
               
               But
               if
               ye
               turn
               away
               and
               forsake
               my
               statutes
               and
               my
               commandments
               which
               I
               have
               set
               before
               you
               ,
               and
               shall
               go
               and
               serve
               other
               gods
               and
               worship
               them
               :
               Then
               will
               I
               pluck
               them
               up
               by
               the
               roots
               out
               of
               my
               land
               which
               I
               have
               given
               them
               ;
               and
               this
               house
               which
               I
               have
               sanctified
               for
               my
               name
               ,
               will
               I
               cast
               out
               of
               my
               sight
               ,
               and
               will
               make
               it
               to
               be
               a
               proverb
               ,
               and
               a
               by-word
               among
               all
               nations
               :
               And
               this
               house
               which
               is
               high
               ,
               shall
               be
               an
               astonishment
               to
               every
               one
               that
               passeth
               by
               it
               ;
               so
               that
               he
               shall
               say
               ,
               Why
               hath
               the
               Lord
               done
               thus
               unto
               this
               land
               ,
               and
               unto
               this
               house
               ?
               And
               it
               shall
               be
               answered
               ,
               Because
               they
               forsook
               the
               Lord
               God
               of
               their
               fathers
               ,
               which
               brought
               them
               forth
               out
               of
               the
               land
               of
               Egypt
               ,
               and
               laid
               hold
               on
               other
               gods
               ,
               and
               worshipped
               them
               ,
               and
               served
               them
               ;
               therefore
               hath
               he
               brought
               all
               this
               evil
               upon
               them
               .
            
          
           
           
             For
             we
             must
             observe
             ,
             That
             God
             had
             as
             well
             chose
             the
             Land
             of
             Canaan
             to
             be
             the
             Seat
             of
             his
             Worship
             ,
             as
             Israel
             to
             be
             his
             Worshippers
             ;
             and
             the
             Inheritance
             of
             the
             Land
             of
             Canaan
             was
             bestowed
             on
             them
             ,
             in
             vertue
             of
             God's
             Covenant
             to
             be
             their
             God
             ,
             and
             they
             to
             be
             his
             People
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             that
             they
             should
             worship
             no
             other
             Gods
             besides
             him
             :
             And
             the
             breach
             of
             Covenant
             on
             their
             part
             by
             declining
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             was
             a
             Forfeiture
             of
             their
             Right
             to
             the
             Promised
             Land
             ;
             and
             the
             proper
             Punishment
             of
             it
             was
             ,
             either
             Oppression
             at
             home
             ,
             which
             made
             them
             servants
             and
             strangers
             in
             their
             own
             Land
             ,
             or
             Captivity
             in
             Foreign
             Countries
             ;
             and
             this
             was
             so
             publickly
             known
             ,
             that
             when
             any
             such
             evils
             befel
             Israel
             ,
             the
             Nations
             round
             about
             were
             able
             to
             give
             the
             Reason
             of
             it
             ,
             
               Because
               they
               forsook
               the
               Lord
               God
               of
               their
               fathers
               .
            
             So
             that
             the
             very
             Oppression
             and
             Captivity
             of
             Israel
             ,
             published
             the
             Supreme
             Power
             and
             Glory
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ,
             who
             is
             a
             Jealous
             God
             ,
             and
             will
             admit
             of
             no
             Partners
             in
             Worship
             ;
             but
             when
             his
             own
             People
             
               forsake
               him
               ,
               and
               serve
               strange
               gods
               in
               the
               land
            
             which
             he
             had
             given
             them
             ,
             and
             separated
             to
             his
             own
             Worship
             ,
             he
             makes
             them
             
               serve
               strangers
               in
               a
               land
               which
               is
               not
               theirs
               ,
            
             5.
             
             Jer.
             19.
             
          
           
             2dly
             .
             These
             Captivities
             and
             Dispersions
             of
             Israel
             ,
             especially
             the
             long
             Captivity
             of
             Iudah
             in
             Babylon
             ,
             served
             other
             ends
             besides
             the
             Punishment
             and
             the
             Cure
             of
             their
             Idolatry
             ;
             for
             into
             what
             Country
             soever
             they
             were
             carried
             Captive
             ,
             they
             carried
             the
             Knowledg
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             along
             with
             them
             .
          
           
             While
             they
             lived
             at
             home
             in
             their
             own
             Countrey
             ,
             and
             had
             little
             Commerce
             with
             any
             other
             people
             ,
             the
             very
             Name
             of
             Israel
             was
             known
             only
             to
             their
             Neighbours
             ;
             and
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             could
             be
             known
             no
             farther
             than
             Israel
             was
             :
             But
             when
             they
             were
             carried
             Captive
             to
             Babylon
             ,
             and
             dispersed
             through
             all
             the
             Provinces
             of
             that
             vast
             Empire
             ;
             this
             spread
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             God
             too
             ,
             who
             by
             many
             wonderful
             Providences
             owned
             these
             Captives
             for
             
             his
             People
             ,
             and
             made
             the
             Heathens
             see
             and
             confess
             his
             Glory
             and
             Power
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             better
             to
             understand
             this
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             that
             wise
             Preparation
             God
             made
             for
             it
             in
             those
             great
             Revolutions
             of
             States
             and
             Empires
             which
             began
             about
             this
             time
             .
          
           
             To
             prevent
             the
             general
             Corruption
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             as
             I
             observed
             before
             ,
             God
             confounded
             their
             Languages
             ,
             and
             thereby
             separated
             them
             from
             each
             other
             ,
             and
             formed
             them
             into
             several
             distinct
             Independent
             Societies
             and
             Kingdoms
             ;
             which
             was
             an
             effectual
             means
             to
             prevent
             the
             spreading
             of
             the
             Infection
             ,
             and
             to
             force
             them
             to
             the
             practice
             of
             a
             great
             many
             Moral
             and
             Political
             Virtues
             :
             But
             when
             the
             whole
             world
             was
             corrupted
             by
             Idolatry
             ,
             and
             God
             saw
             a
             proper
             season
             to
             begin
             a
             Reformation
             ,
             to
             make
             the
             Cure
             more
             easy
             and
             universal
             ,
             it
             was
             necessary
             to
             establish
             a
             more
             general
             Communication
             among
             mankind
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             most
             effectual
             means
             to
             spread
             a
             Wholesome
             as
             well
             as
             a
             Pestilential
             Contagion
             :
             And
             since
             Commerce
             and
             Traffick
             was
             not
             so
             general
             in
             those
             days
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             now
             ,
             there
             was
             no
             such
             ready
             way
             to
             do
             this
             ,
             as
             by
             Force
             of
             Arms
             ,
             which
             united
             a
             great
             many
             Kingdoms
             and
             Nations
             into
             one
             ;
             which
             besides
             all
             other
             advantages
             ,
             conveyed
             the
             knowledge
             of
             all
             memorable
             Actions
             into
             all
             parts
             of
             the
             Empire
             .
          
           
             Now
             in
             the
             beginning
             of
             these
             great
             Empires
             (
             for
             tho
             the
             Assyrian
             Monarchy
             began
             long
             before
             ,
             yet
             Nebuchadnezzar
             was
             
               the
               Golden
               Head
            
             of
             that
             Image
             which
             represented
             the
             Four
             Monarchies
             )
             God
             carried
             Iudah
             Captive
             into
             Babylon
             ,
             
             and
             thereby
             made
             himself
             known
             to
             be
             the
             Supreme
             and
             Sovereign
             Lord
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             over
             all
             the
             Babylonish
             Empire
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             occasion
             God
             took
             to
             make
             himself
             known
             in
             Babylon
             ,
             was
             
             Nebuchadnezzar's
             Dream
             ,
             which
             he
             had
             forgot
             ;
             and
             none
             of
             the
             Magicians
             ,
             or
             Astrologers
             ,
             or
             Sorcerers
             ,
             of
             Chaldaeans
             ,
             could
             shew
             the
             King
             his
             Dream
             ,
             much
             less
             
             tell
             him
             the
             Interpretation
             of
             it
             ;
             but
             Daniel
             did
             both
             ;
             which
             made
             Nebuchadnezzar
             acknowledge
             to
             
               Daniel
               ,
               Of
               a
               truth
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               your
               God
               is
               a
               God
               of
               gods
               ,
               and
               a
               Lord
               of
               kings
               ,
               and
               a
               revealer
               of
               secrets
               ,
               since
               thou
               couldst
               reveal
               this
               secret
               ,
            
             2.
             
             Dan.
             47.
             
             And
             this
             advanced
             Daniel
             to
             great
             Authority
             :
             for
             the
             King
             
               made
               him
               ruler
               over
               the
               whole
               province
               of
               Babylon
               ,
               and
               chief
               of
               the
               governors
               over
               all
               the
               Wise
               men
               of
               Babylon
               .
            
             And
             we
             need
             not
             doubt
             but
             he
             used
             his
             Authority
             ,
             especially
             among
             the
             Wise-men
             of
             Babylon
             ,
             who
             had
             the
             greatest
             influence
             upon
             others
             ,
             to
             propagate
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             among
             them
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             Reign
             of
             the
             same
             King
             ,
             God
             magnified
             his
             Power
             in
             the
             Preservation
             of
             
               Shadrach
               ,
               Meshach
            
             ,
             and
             Abednego
             ,
             from
             the
             Fiery
             Furnace
             ;
             which
             occasioned
             a
             Decree
             that
             gave
             great
             advantage
             to
             the
             Iews
             ,
             and
             disposed
             all
             men
             to
             think
             very
             honourably
             of
             their
             God
             ;
             
               That
               every
               people
               ,
               nation
               ,
               and
               language
               ,
               which
               speak
               any
               thing
               amiss
               against
               the
               God
               of
               Shadrach
               ,
               Meshach
               ,
               and
               Abed-nego
               ,
               shall
               be
               cut
               in
               pieces
               ,
               and
               their
               houses
               shall
               be
               made
               a
               dunghil
               ,
               because
               there
               is
               no
               other
               God
               that
               can
               deliver
               after
               this
               sort
               ,
            
             3.
             
             Dan.
             28
             ,
             29.
             
             And
             that
             experience
             Nebuchadnezzar
             had
             of
             the
             Power
             and
             Justice
             of
             God
             in
             his
             own
             person
             ,
             extorted
             from
             him
             as
             devout
             Praises
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             as
             Orthodox
             a
             Confession
             of
             his
             Faith
             in
             him
             ,
             as
             any
             Iew
             could
             have
             made
             ,
             4
             Dan.
             
          
           
             Thus
             in
             the
             Reign
             of
             Belshazzar
             ,
             who
             with
             his
             Princes
             ,
             his
             Wives
             ,
             and
             Concubines
             ,
             drank
             Wine
             out
             of
             the
             Golden
             Vessels
             of
             the
             Temple
             ,
             God
             gave
             a
             Glorious
             Testimony
             to
             himself
             by
             a
             Hand-writing
             on
             the
             Wall
             ,
             which
             as
             Daniel
             expounded
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             Event
             that
             very
             Night
             confirmed
             ,
             foretold
             the
             immediate
             Overthrow
             of
             his
             Empire
             by
             the
             Medes
             and
             Persians
             :
             This
             was
             a
             very
             sudden
             Vengeance
             for
             their
             Idolatrous
             Revels
             ,
             and
             the
             Profanation
             of
             the
             Holy
             Vessels
             of
             the
             Temple
             ,
             as
             Daniel
             very
             freely
             acquainted
             the
             King
             ,
             5
             Dan.
             And
             tho
             his
             Advancement
             
             by
             Belshazzar
             ,
             who
             made
             him
             the
             Third
             Ruler
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             was
             but
             of
             a
             very
             short
             continuance
             ,
             the
             King
             being
             slain
             that
             Night
             ;
             yet
             it
             so
             recommended
             him
             to
             Darius
             ,
             who
             began
             the
             Second
             Monarchy
             of
             the
             Medes
             and
             Persians
             ,
             that
             he
             advanced
             Daniel
             to
             the
             same
             or
             greater
             Honour
             and
             Power
             ,
             he
             being
             made
             the
             first
             of
             the
             Three
             Presidents
             who
             had
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             Hundred
             and
             Twenty
             Princes
             whom
             Darius
             set
             over
             the
             whole
             Kingdom
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             beginning
             of
             this
             New
             Monarchy
             ,
             God
             gave
             a
             fresh
             Demonstration
             of
             his
             Power
             ,
             in
             delivering
             Daniel
             from
             the
             Lyons
             Den
             ;
             for
             which
             reason
             Darius
             made
             a
             Decree
             ,
             
               That
               in
               every
               dominion
               of
               his
               kingdom
               ,
               men
               fear
               and
               tremble
               before
               the
               God
               of
               Daniel
               ,
            
             6.
             
             Dan.
             25
             ,
             26
             ,
             27.
             
             So
             that
             by
             the
             Captivity
             of
             Iudah
             ,
             God
             made
             himself
             known
             over
             all
             the
             Babylonian
             and
             Persian
             Monarchy
             ;
             and
             this
             disposed
             Cyrus
             ,
             the
             Seventy
             Years
             of
             their
             Captivity
             being
             accomplished
             ,
             to
             give
             them
             liberty
             to
             return
             into
             their
             own
             Country
             ,
             and
             to
             publish
             a
             Decree
             for
             the
             Rebuilding
             the
             City
             and
             Temple
             of
             Ierusalem
             .
          
           
             But
             still
             to
             preserve
             the
             knowledge
             of
             God
             among
             them
             ,
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             so
             ordered
             it
             ,
             that
             when
             all
             had
             liberty
             to
             return
             ,
             great
             numbers
             stayed
             behind
             in
             Babylon
             ,
             where
             they
             freely
             professed
             and
             exercised
             their
             Religion
             ;
             which
             together
             with
             the
             Civil
             Dependance
             of
             the
             Iewish
             State
             on
             the
             Persian
             Monarchy
             ,
             preserved
             a
             constant
             Correspondence
             and
             Intercourse
             between
             them
             ;
             and
             that
             preserved
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Iews
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             God.
             
          
           
             The
             Grecian
             Empire
             ,
             which
             put
             an
             end
             to
             the
             Persian
             ,
             made
             the
             God
             of
             the
             Iews
             still
             more
             known
             to
             the
             world
             :
             
               Alexander
               the
               Great
            
             came
             to
             Ierusalem
             ,
             treated
             the
             Iews
             with
             great
             kindness
             ,
             consulted
             the
             Records
             of
             their
             Prophets
             ,
             offered
             Sacrifices
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             not
             only
             confirmed
             their
             old
             ,
             but
             granted
             new
             Privileges
             to
             them
             :
             And
             thus
             God
             became
             known
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             the
             Babylonian
             and
             Persian
             ,
             
             but
             to
             the
             Grecian
             Monarchy
             :
             And
             when
             after
             
             Alexander's
             Death
             the
             Empire
             was
             divided
             ,
             this
             caused
             a
             new
             dispersion
             of
             the
             Iews
             ,
             especially
             into
             Syria
             and
             
               Egypt
               :
               Ptolomy
            
             the
             King
             of
             Egypt
             having
             surprized
             Ierusalem
             ,
             carried
             great
             Numbers
             of
             them
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             having
             entertained
             a
             kind
             opinion
             of
             them
             there
             ,
             employed
             them
             in
             his
             Armies
             and
             Garisons
             ,
             and
             made
             them
             Citizens
             of
             Alexandria
             ;
             his
             Son
             
               Ptolomy
               Philadelphus
            
             procured
             the
             Translation
             of
             their
             Law
             into
             Greek
             ,
             which
             was
             a
             new
             Publication
             of
             their
             Religion
             ;
             and
             after
             this
             ,
             Onias
             Built
             a
             Temple
             in
             Egypt
             in
             all
             things
             like
             to
             that
             of
             Ierusalem
             ,
             where
             they
             Worshipped
             God
             according
             to
             the
             Rites
             of
             the
             Jewish
             Law
             ;
             that
             God
             was
             now
             as
             much
             known
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             as
             he
             was
             in
             Iudaea
             .
          
           
             And
             to
             let
             pass
             a
             great
             many
             other
             things
             which
             contributed
             very
             much
             to
             propagate
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             in
             the
             World
             :
             To
             compleat
             all
             ,
             the
             Power
             and
             Oppressions
             of
             the
             Assyrian
             Monarchs
             forced
             the
             Iews
             to
             pray
             the
             Alliance
             and
             Assistance
             of
             the
             Romans
             ,
             which
             ended
             ,
             as
             such
             powerfull
             Alliances
             very
             often
             do
             ,
             in
             their
             Subjection
             to
             the
             Roman
             Powers
             ,
             who
             first
             Governed
             them
             by
             Kings
             and
             Tetrarchs
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             reduced
             them
             into
             a
             Roman
             Province
             .
             And
             thus
             the
             Iews
             ,
             and
             their
             God
             ,
             and
             their
             Religion
             ,
             became
             known
             over
             all
             the
             Roman
             Empire
             .
             These
             Four
             successive
             Monarchies
             ,
             did
             gradually
             encrease
             and
             spread
             the
             knowledge
             of
             One
             Supream
             God
             over
             all
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             thereby
             prepared
             the
             way
             for
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             the
             Messias
             ,
             that
             Kingdom
             which
             the
             Prophet
             Daniel
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               the
               God
               of
               heaven
               would
               set
               up
               ,
               which
               should
               never
               be
               destroyed
               ,
            
             2.
             
             Dan.
             44.
             
          
           
             For
             the
             better
             to
             understand
             this
             ,
             we
             must
             observe
             ,
             that
             though
             the
             knowledge
             of
             God
             made
             no
             publick
             Reformation
             of
             the
             Pagan
             Idolatries
             ,
             yet
             it
             greatly
             disposed
             men
             to
             receive
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             when
             it
             should
             be
             Preached
             to
             them
             :
             
             it
             visibly
             reformed
             their
             Philosophy
             ,
             and
             gave
             them
             the
             Notion
             of
             One
             Supreme
             Being
             ,
             as
             is
             evident
             from
             the
             Poets
             and
             Philosophers
             of
             those
             Ages
             ,
             though
             they
             still
             Worshipped
             their
             Countrey
             gods
             ;
             it
             gave
             them
             some
             obscure
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Iewish
             Prophecies
             concerning
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             the
             Messias
             ,
             and
             raised
             an
             expectation
             even
             among
             the
             Romans
             of
             some
             great
             Prince
             who
             was
             to
             rise
             in
             the
             East
             ,
             as
             Tacitus
             observes
             .
             And
             though
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             did
             not
             reform
             Nations
             ,
             yet
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             believe
             ,
             that
             it
             made
             a
             great
             many
             private
             Converts
             ,
             who
             secretly
             forsook
             the
             Idolatries
             of
             their
             Countries
             ,
             and
             Worshipped
             the
             only
             True
             God.
             It
             is
             reasonable
             to
             think
             it
             should
             do
             so
             ;
             and
             we
             must
             confess
             it
             was
             wisely
             designed
             by
             God
             for
             that
             purpose
             ,
             and
             some
             few
             examples
             of
             this
             kind
             ,
             which
             we
             know
             ,
             may
             satisfie
             us
             ,
             that
             there
             were
             many
             more
             .
          
           
             On
             the
             Famous
             Day
             of
             Pentecost
             ,
             when
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             descended
             on
             the
             Apostles
             in
             a
             Visible
             appearance
             of
             
               cloven
               tongues
               like
               as
               of
               fire
               ,
            
             there
             were
             at
             Ierusalem
             great
             Numbers
             ,
             not
             only
             of
             Iews
             ,
             but
             of
             Proselytes
             out
             of
             every
             Nation
             .
             
               Parthians
               ,
               and
               Medes
               ,
               and
               Elamites
               ,
               and
               the
               dwellers
               in
               Mesopotamia
               ,
               and
               in
               Iudaea
               ,
               and
               Cappadocia
               ,
               in
               Pontus
               and
               Asia
               ,
               Phrygia
               and
               Pamphilia
               ,
               in
               Egypt
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               parts
               of
               Lybia
               about
               Cyrene
               ,
               and
               strangers
               of
               Rome
               ,
               Iews
               and
               Proselytes
               ,
               Cretes
               and
               Arabians
               ,
            
             2.
             
             Acts
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11.
             
             Whether
             these
             were
             Circumcised
             or
             Uncircumcised
             Proselites
             ,
             is
             not
             said
             ;
             but
             Proselites
             they
             were
             out
             of
             all
             these
             Nations
             ,
             who
             came
             up
             at
             the
             Feast
             to
             Worship
             at
             Ierusalem
             ;
             from
             whence
             we
             learn
             ,
             that
             the
             dispersion
             of
             the
             Iews
             into
             all
             Nations
             made
             great
             Numbers
             of
             Proselites
             ,
             who
             either
             undertook
             the
             observation
             of
             the
             Mosaical
             Law
             by
             Circumcision
             ,
             and
             became
             Iews
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             renounced
             all
             the
             Heathen
             Idolatries
             ,
             and
             worshipped
             no
             other
             God
             but
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             .
          
           
             The
             number
             of
             these
             last
             seems
             to
             have
             been
             much
             
             greater
             than
             that
             of
             Circumcised
             Proselites
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             believe
             some
             Learned
             men
             ,
             there
             is
             frequent
             mention
             made
             of
             them
             in
             Scripture
             under
             the
             names
             of
             
               worshipping
               Greeks
               ,
               and
               devout
               men
               ,
               and
               those
               which
               feared
               God.
            
             When
             Saint
             Paul
             preached
             at
             Thessalonica
             ,
             there
             consorted
             with
             Paul
             and
             
               Silas
               of
               the
               devout
               Greeks
               a
               great
               multitude
               ,
            
             17.
             
             Acts
             24.
             
             The
             very
             name
             of
             Greeks
             proves
             them
             to
             be
             Gentiles
             ,
             not
             Iews
             ,
             who
             are
             always
             distinguished
             from
             each
             other
             ;
             and
             that
             they
             were
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             devout
             or
             worshipping
             Greeks
             ,
             proves
             that
             they
             were
             the
             Worshippers
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ;
             for
             that
             Title
             is
             never
             given
             in
             Scripture
             to
             Idolaters
             ,
             and
             their
             frequenting
             the
             Iewish
             Synagogue
             sufficiently
             proves
             it
             ;
             for
             no
             Gentiles
             resorted
             thither
             ,
             but
             those
             who
             worshipped
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             .
             Of
             this
             number
             was
             
               Lydia
               ,
               16.
               
               Acts
            
             14.
             and
             Cornelius
             the
             Roman
             Centurion
             ,
             who
             was
             not
             only
             
               a
               devout
               man
            
             ,
             and
             one
             
               who
               feared
               God
            
             himself
             ,
             but
             all
             his
             Family
             were
             so
             too
             ,
             10.
             
             Acts
             2.
             and
             the
             Eunuch
             ,
             8.
             
             Acts
             27.
             and
             almost
             in
             every
             place
             where
             St.
             Paul
             preached
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             we
             find
             great
             numbers
             of
             these
             worshipping
             Gentiles
             ;
             at
             Thessalonica
             and
             Philippi
             ,
             as
             you
             have
             seen
             ,
             at
             
               Corinth
               ,
               18.
               
               Acts
            
             4.
             at
             Antioch
             of
             Pisidia
             ,
             13.
             
             Acts
             43.
             and
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             conclude
             ,
             that
             thus
             it
             was
             in
             other
             places
             ;
             which
             shews
             what
             a
             great
             effect
             the
             dispersion
             of
             the
             Iews
             into
             all
             these
             Countries
             had
             in
             making
             Proselites
             ,
             some
             to
             the
             Iewish
             Religion
             ,
             but
             many
             more
             to
             the
             Worship
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ;
             which
             prepared
             them
             to
             receive
             the
             Gospel
             when
             is
             was
             preached
             to
             them
             :
             For
             they
             were
             the
             Worshippers
             of
             the
             True
             God
             ,
             and
             were
             instructed
             in
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             as
             appears
             from
             their
             frequenting
             the
             Iewish
             Synagogues
             ,
             and
             therefore
             were
             in
             expectation
             of
             the
             Messias
             ,
             and
             were
             capable
             of
             understanding
             the
             Scripture
             Proofs
             of
             the
             Christian
             Faith.
             It
             is
             certain
             the
             first
             Gentile
             Converts
             were
             of
             this
             sort
             of
             men
             ,
             who
             more
             readily
             embraced
             the
             Faith
             ,
             than
             the
             Iews
             themselves
             ;
             for
             they
             had
             all
             the
             preparations
             for
             Christianity
             which
             the
             Iews
             had
             ,
             but
             
             none
             of
             their
             Prejudices
             :
             neither
             a
             fondness
             for
             their
             Ceremonial
             Worship
             ,
             nor
             for
             the
             Temporal
             Kingdom
             of
             the
             Messias
             .
             
             And
             therefore
             a
             very
             Learned
             man
             expounds
             that
             Text
             ,
             13.
             
             
               Acts
               48.
               
               As
               many
               as
               were
               ordained
               to
               eternal
               life
               ,
               believed
               ,
            
             of
             these
             devout
             and
             worshipping
             Gentiles
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             ready
             disposed
             and
             prepared
             to
             receive
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Eternal
             Life
             by
             Christ
             Jesus
             .
          
           
             And
             thus
             we
             are
             come
             to
             the
             days
             of
             Christ
             ,
             whose
             appearance
             in
             the
             world
             was
             the
             last
             and
             most
             effectual
             means
             God
             used
             for
             the
             recovery
             of
             Mankind
             ;
             to
             consider
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             in
             the
             Redemption
             of
             the
             world
             by
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             relates
             to
             the
             wisdom
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             not
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             therefore
             does
             not
             concern
             my
             present
             Argument
             ;
             but
             if
             we
             take
             a
             brief
             review
             of
             what
             I
             have
             said
             ,
             we
             may
             the
             better
             understand
             in
             what
             sense
             Christ
             is
             said
             to
             come
             in
             
               the
               fulness
               of
               time
            
             ;
             for
             he
             came
             as
             soon
             as
             the
             world
             was
             prepared
             to
             receive
             him
             .
             For
             I
             would
             desire
             any
             man
             ,
             who
             complains
             that
             the
             coming
             of
             Christ
             was
             too
             long
             delayed
             ,
             to
             tell
             me
             in
             what
             sooner
             period
             it
             had
             been
             proper
             for
             him
             to
             appear
             ?
          
           
             In
             every
             Age
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             already
             shewn
             ,
             God
             took
             the
             wisest
             methods
             that
             the
             Condition
             of
             Mankind
             would
             at
             that
             time
             allow
             to
             reform
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             if
             Christ
             appeared
             at
             such
             a
             time
             ,
             as
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             saw
             most
             fit
             and
             proper
             for
             his
             appearance
             ,
             he
             appeared
             as
             soon
             as
             he
             could
             ,
             if
             we
             will
             allow
             God
             to
             dispense
             his
             Grace
             and
             Favours
             wisely
             .
             That
             he
             did
             so
             ,
             no
             man
             can
             doubt
             who
             believes
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             :
             But
             my
             business
             at
             present
             is
             to
             give
             you
             a
             fair
             representation
             of
             all
             those
             wise
             Advances
             God
             made
             to
             this
             last
             compleating
             and
             stupendious
             Act
             of
             Grace
             and
             Love.
             
          
           
             God
             had
             promised
             our
             first
             Parents
             immediately
             upon
             the
             Fall
             ,
             That
             
               the
               seed
               of
               the
               woman
               should
               break
               the
               serpent's
               head
            
             ;
             and
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             Promise
             all
             truly
             good
             men
             were
             saved
             by
             Christ
             from
             the
             beginning
             of
             the
             world
             :
             
             But
             the
             more
             to
             recommend
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             in
             the
             Incarnation
             and
             Death
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             it
             seems
             very
             congruous
             to
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ,
             that
             all
             other
             Methods
             should
             be
             first
             tried
             for
             the
             reforming
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             before
             the
             coming
             of
             Christ
             ;
             and
             that
             he
             should
             come
             in
             such
             a
             time
             when
             the
             world
             was
             best
             prepared
             to
             receive
             Him
             ;
             and
             as
             little
             as
             we
             understand
             of
             the
             unsearchable
             Counsels
             of
             God
             ,
             it
             may
             satisfy
             us
             ,
             that
             upon
             both
             these
             accounts
             Christ
             appeared
             in
             
               the
               fulness
               of
               time
            
             .
          
           
             When
             
               all
               flesh
               had
               corrupted
               his
               ways
               ,
            
             and
             there
             was
             but
             one
             Righteous
             Family
             left
             ,
             the
             only
             probable
             means
             of
             restoring
             Piety
             and
             Vertue
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             was
             to
             destroy
             all
             that
             Wicked
             Generation
             of
             Men
             ,
             and
             to
             preserve
             that
             Righteous
             Family
             to
             new-people
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             When
             that
             New
             Generation
             began
             to
             corrupt
             themselves
             ,
             God
             separated
             them
             from
             each
             other
             by
             confounding
             their
             Languages
             ;
             and
             formed
             them
             into
             distinct
             Societies
             and
             Kingdoms
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             most
             effectual
             way
             to
             stop
             the
             Infection
             ,
             and
             to
             force
             on
             them
             the
             practise
             of
             many
             Moral
             and
             Civil
             Vertues
             .
          
           
             When
             notwithstanding
             this
             ,
             they
             all
             declined
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             God
             chose
             Abraham
             and
             his
             Posterity
             to
             be
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             to
             preserve
             the
             Faith
             and
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supream
             God
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             he
             gave
             them
             his
             Laws
             ,
             committed
             to
             them
             the
             Types
             and
             Prophecies
             of
             the
             Messias
             ,
             and
             punished
             them
             very
             severely
             when
             they
             worshipped
             any
             other
             Gods
             ;
             sent
             them
             into
             captivity
             ,
             and
             by
             various
             Providences
             scattered
             them
             almost
             over
             the
             face
             of
             the
             whole
             Earth
             ,
             and
             thereby
             propagated
             the
             knowledge
             of
             himself
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             Laws
             ;
             and
             the
             Prophecies
             of
             the
             Messias
             made
             numerous
             Proselites
             to
             the
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supream
             God
             ,
             and
             
               made
               ready
               a
               people
               prepared
               for
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             and
             then
             Christ
             came
             :
             And
             what
             sooner
             time
             you
             fix
             on
             for
             the
             appearance
             of
             Christ
             ,
             you
             will
             find
             it
             ,
             either
             before
             God
             had
             tried
             all
             other
             Methods
             for
             the
             reforming
             
             the
             world
             ,
             or
             before
             the
             world
             was
             prepared
             for
             the
             receiving
             of
             Christ.
             
          
           
             And
             having
             thus
             ,
             in
             the
             best
             manner
             I
             could
             ,
             represented
             to
             you
             the
             wonderful
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             from
             the
             beginning
             of
             the
             World
             to
             the
             appearance
             of
             Christ
             in
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             in
             some
             of
             the
             most
             remarkable
             Events
             which
             have
             happened
             ,
             I
             shall
             here
             break
             off
             ;
             for
             though
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             is
             not
             less
             wonderful
             in
             those
             various
             Events
             which
             have
             happened
             to
             the
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             yet
             that
             is
             so
             large
             a
             Subject
             ,
             and
             the
             Accounts
             of
             many
             things
             so
             imperfect
             or
             doubtful
             ,
             that
             I
             shall
             leave
             it
             to
             men
             of
             greater
             leisure
             ,
             and
             better
             skill
             and
             judgment
             in
             Secular
             and
             Ecclesiastical
             Story
             .
             But
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             that
             imperfect
             Account
             I
             have
             now
             given
             ,
             will
             teach
             you
             to
             reverence
             ,
             not
             to
             censure
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ;
             for
             if
             we
             ,
             who
             understand
             so
             little
             of
             God's
             ways
             ,
             can
             see
             such
             Excellent
             Wisdom
             in
             them
             ,
             what
             unsearchable
             depths
             and
             mysteries
             of
             Wisdom
             are
             there
             which
             we
             can't
             discover
             !
          
           
             But
             yet
             to
             compleat
             the
             Iewish
             History
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             the
             Scripture-account
             goes
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             necessary
             to
             take
             notice
             of
             the
             final
             Destruction
             of
             Ierusalem
             by
             the
             Romans
             ,
             which
             put
             an
             end
             to
             their
             State
             and
             Government
             ,
             and
             dispersed
             them
             into
             so
             many
             different
             Countries
             ;
             for
             it
             seems
             very
             surprizing
             ,
             that
             God
             should
             cast
             off
             his
             People
             ,
             who
             were
             in
             Covenant
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             whom
             the
             Promises
             of
             the
             Messias
             were
             peculiarly
             made
             ,
             so
             soon
             after
             the
             appearance
             of
             the
             Messias
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             And
             therefore
             to
             vindicate
             both
             the
             truth
             and
             faithfulness
             of
             God's
             Promise
             to
             Abraham
             ,
             and
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             his
             Providence
             in
             the
             final
             overthrow
             and
             dispersion
             of
             the
             Iewish
             Nation
             ,
             we
             must
             distinguish
             ,
             as
             St.
             Paul
             frequently
             does
             ,
             especially
             in
             Rom.
             9.
             between
             the
             Carnal
             and
             the
             Spiritual
             Seed
             of
             Abraham
             ;
             the
             Children
             of
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             and
             the
             Children
             of
             the
             Promise
             :
             Those
             who
             descended
             from
             Abraham
             by
             Carnal
             Generation
             ,
             and
             those
             who
             were
             the
             
             Children
             of
             Abraham
             by
             faith
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             3.
             
             Galat.
             26
             ,
             29.
             
          
           
             The
             Carnal
             Posterity
             of
             Abraham
             were
             chosen
             by
             God
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             to
             preserve
             his
             own
             Name
             and
             Worship
             among
             them
             ;
             and
             for
             this
             purpose
             they
             were
             to
             be
             a
             distinct
             Nation
             ,
             separated
             from
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             had
             the
             Land
             of
             Canaan
             given
             them
             to
             live
             in
             ;
             and
             they
             were
             to
             continue
             so
             till
             the
             coming
             of
             the
             Messias
             ,
             according
             to
             
             Iacob's
             Prophesy
             ,
             
               The
               scepter
               shall
               not
               depart
               from
               Iudah
               ,
               nor
               a
               Law-giver
               from
               between
               his
               feet
               ,
               until
               Shiloh
               come
               ,
               and
               to
               him
               shall
               the
               gathering
               of
               the
               people
               be
               ,
            
             49.
             
             Genes
             .
             10.
             
          
           
             But
             the
             Blessings
             of
             the
             Messias
             were
             promised
             only
             to
             the
             Spiritual
             Seed
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             as
             St.
             Paul
             proves
             ,
             9.
             
             
               Rom.
               3.
               
               Gal.
            
             That
             is
             to
             all
             those
             ,
             whether
             Iews
             or
             Gentiles
             ,
             who
             believe
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             ;
             for
             Christ
             was
             the
             true
             promised
             Seed
             ,
             and
             in
             Christ
             are
             all
             the
             Promises
             of
             God
             ,
             Yea
             and
             Amen
             ;
             and
             therefore
             nothing
             but
             faith
             in
             Christ
             can
             entitle
             us
             to
             the
             Promise
             of
             Abraham
             ;
             as
             the
             Apostle
             in
             these
             places
             confirms
             by
             several
             Arguments
             ,
             which
             I
             cannot
             now
             insist
             on
             .
          
           
             Now
             if
             we
             thus
             distinguish
             between
             
             Abraham's
             Carnal
             and
             Spiritual
             Seed
             ,
             and
             those
             Promises
             which
             belong
             to
             
             Abraham's
             Carnal
             Posterity
             ,
             and
             those
             which
             peculiarly
             belong
             to
             his
             Spiritual
             Seed
             ,
             there
             will
             appear
             no
             great
             difficulty
             in
             God's
             destroying
             the
             City
             and
             Temple
             of
             Ierusalem
             ,
             and
             dispersing
             the
             Iews
             into
             all
             parts
             of
             the
             Earth
             .
          
           
             God
             had
             accomplished
             what
             he
             intended
             by
             the
             Carnal
             Posterity
             of
             Abraham
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             he
             had
             preserved
             and
             propagated
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             One
             True
             God
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             prepared
             men
             to
             receive
             Christ
             ,
             when
             he
             should
             be
             preached
             to
             them
             ;
             and
             now
             Christ
             was
             come
             ,
             the
             Spiritual
             Covenant
             took
             place
             ;
             which
             was
             not
             confined
             to
             
             Abraham's
             Carnal
             Posterity
             ,
             but
             extended
             to
             all
             that
             believed
             in
             Christ
             all
             the
             world
             over
             :
             So
             that
             God
             had
             no
             
             longer
             any
             one
             Nation
             for
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             but
             those
             only
             were
             his
             peculiar
             People
             ,
             whatever
             Nation
             they
             were
             of
             ,
             who
             believe
             in
             Jesus
             .
          
           
             The
             Iews
             then
             considered
             as
             
             Abraham's
             Carnal
             Posterity
             ,
             were
             God's
             peculiar
             People
             no
             longer
             ;
             nor
             did
             God's
             Promise
             oblige
             him
             to
             preserve
             them
             a
             distinct
             Nation
             any
             longer
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             might
             now
             as
             justly
             destroy
             them
             as
             any
             other
             Nation
             ,
             if
             they
             deserved
             it
             ;
             and
             certainly
             the
             Crucifixion
             of
             their
             Messias
             ,
             and
             their
             obstinate
             Infidelity
             did
             deserve
             it
             .
             And
             when
             they
             had
             thus
             justly
             deserved
             a
             final
             Excision
             ,
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             had
             admirable
             Ends
             to
             serve
             by
             it
             .
          
           
             This
             gave
             a
             glorious
             Testimony
             to
             Christ
             and
             his
             Religion
             in
             that
             terrible
             Vengeance
             which
             befel
             his
             Murtherers
             which
             Christ
             himself
             had
             so
             expresly
             and
             punctually
             foretold
             ,
             That
             no
             man
             ,
             who
             knew
             what
             he
             had
             foretold
             with
             so
             many
             particular
             circumstances
             ,
             could
             be
             ignorant
             ,
             why
             Ierusalem
             was
             destroyed
             .
          
           
             The
             obstinate
             Infidelity
             of
             the
             Iews
             ,
             who
             blasphemed
             the
             Name
             ,
             and
             persecuted
             the
             Disciples
             of
             Christ
             ,
             did
             in
             some
             degree
             hinder
             the
             progress
             of
             the
             Gospel
             among
             the
             Gentiles
             ;
             but
             the
             Destruction
             of
             Ierusalem
             ,
             and
             the
             miraculous
             Preservation
             of
             the
             Christians
             ,
             was
             so
             visible
             a
             Testimony
             to
             Christianity
             ,
             and
             delivered
             the
             Christian
             Church
             from
             such
             bitter
             and
             implacable
             Enemies
             ,
             that
             the
             Gospel
             had
             a
             freer
             passage
             ,
             and
             prevailed
             mightily
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             And
             the
             Dispersion
             of
             the
             Iews
             into
             all
             Countries
             ,
             as
             before
             it
             spread
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             the
             One
             True
             God
             ,
             so
             now
             it
             made
             them
             unwilling
             Witnesses
             to
             Christianity
             ,
             as
             being
             the
             visible
             triumph
             of
             the
             Crucified
             Jesus
             .
          
           
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             When
             all
             Mankind
             were
             Idolaters
             ,
             God
             chose
             the
             Posterity
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             and
             multiplied
             them
             into
             a
             great
             Nation
             ,
             to
             preserve
             and
             propagate
             the
             Knowledge
             and
             Worship
             of
             the
             One
             Supreme
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             prepare
             men
             to
             receive
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             which
             would
             in
             time
             extirpate
             
             all
             Pagan
             Idolatries
             .
             Wen
             Christ
             was
             come
             ,
             and
             the
             Gospel
             preached
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             God
             rejected
             that
             Nation
             for
             their
             Infidelity
             ,
             and
             by
             that
             means
             gave
             a
             freer
             passage
             to
             the
             Gospel
             among
             the
             Gentiles
             ;
             and
             St.
             Paul
             intimates
             ,
             That
             the
             time
             will
             come
             ,
             when
             the
             Sincere
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Exemplary
             Piety
             of
             the
             Christian
             Church
             shall
             contribute
             as
             much
             to
             the
             Conversion
             of
             the
             Iews
             ,
             as
             they
             formerly
             did
             to
             the
             Conversion
             of
             the
             Gentiles
             ;
             for
             this
             seems
             to
             be
             the
             sum
             of
             the
             Apostle's
             reasoning
             ,
             with
             which
             I
             shall
             conclude
             this
             Argument
             .
             11.
             
             Rom.
             30
             ,
             &c.
             
               For
               as
               ye
               in
               times
               past
               have
               not
               believed
               God
               ,
               yet
               now
               have
               obtained
               mercy
               through
               their
               unbelief
               ;
               Even
               so
               have
               these
               also
               now
               not
               believed
               ,
               that
               through
               your
               mercy
               ,
               they
               also
               may
               obtain
               mercy
               ;
               for
               God
               hath
               concluded
               them
               all
               in
               unbelief
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               have
               mercy
               upon
               all
               .
               O
               the
               depth
               of
               the
               riches
               both
               of
               the
               wisdom
               and
               knowledge
               of
               God!
               how
               unsearchable
               are
               his
               judgments
               ,
               and
               his
               ways
               past
               finding
               out
               !
            
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Let
             us
             now
             consider
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             in
             some
             more
             common
             and
             ordinary
             Events
             ,
             especially
             such
             as
             are
             made
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             .
             I
             have
             already
             upon
             other
             Occasions
             taken
             notice
             of
             several
             things
             of
             this
             nature
             ;
             but
             it
             will
             give
             us
             a
             more
             transporting
             sense
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ,
             to
             see
             as
             much
             of
             it
             as
             we
             can
             in
             one
             view
             .
          
           
             In
             general
             ,
             whoever
             considers
             what
             it
             is
             to
             govern
             a
             World
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             care
             of
             all
             the
             Creatures
             that
             are
             in
             it
             ,
             must
             confess
             it
             to
             be
             a
             work
             of
             Infinite
             and
             Incomprehensible
             Wisdom
             .
          
           
             The
             Epicureans
             for
             this
             reason
             rejected
             a
             Providence
             ,
             because
             they
             thought
             it
             too
             much
             trouble
             for
             their
             gods
             ,
             full
             of
             care
             ,
             solicitude
             ,
             and
             distraction
             ,
             to
             observe
             all
             that
             is
             done
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             to
             over-rule
             and
             determine
             all
             Events
             ,
             as
             Wisdom
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             should
             direct
             ;
             and
             indeed
             nothing
             less
             than
             an
             Infinite
             Mind
             can
             do
             
             this
             ,
             which
             sees
             all
             things
             at
             one
             view
             ,
             judges
             infallibly
             at
             first
             sight
             ,
             and
             orders
             all
             things
             with
             a
             powerful
             thought
             .
          
           
             But
             my
             chief
             design
             at
             present
             is
             ,
             to
             shew
             you
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             in
             some
             particular
             Cases
             ,
             which
             either
             are
             not
             sufficiently
             observed
             ,
             or
             not
             rightly
             understood
             .
          
           
             Some
             of
             the
             great
             Objections
             against
             Providence
             are
             the
             troublesome
             and
             tempestuous
             state
             of
             this
             world
             ;
             the
             uncertainty
             of
             all
             Events
             ;
             the
             fickleness
             and
             inconstancy
             of
             Human
             Affairs
             ;
             the
             promiscuous
             dispensation
             of
             the
             good
             and
             evil
             things
             of
             this
             life
             both
             to
             good
             and
             to
             bad
             men
             :
             And
             I
             have
             already
             vindicated
             ,
             not
             only
             the
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             but
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             upon
             these
             accounts
             ;
             by
             shewing
             what
             wise
             ends
             God
             serves
             by
             them
             ,
             and
             what
             a
             wise
             use
             we
             may
             make
             of
             such
             Providences
             .
             And
             therefore
             the
             principal
             thing
             I
             shall
             now
             insist
             on
             ,
             shall
             be
             some
             of
             those
             wise
             Methods
             God
             uses
             in
             Rewards
             and
             Punishments
             ;
             wherein
             the
             great
             Wisdom
             of
             Government
             consists
             :
             And
             I
             shall
             briefly
             mention
             some
             few
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             God
             rewards
             and
             punishes
             men
             in
             their
             Posterity
             :
             This
             is
             so
             plainly
             taught
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             that
             it
             will
             admit
             of
             no
             dispute
             ;
             though
             some
             men
             venture
             to
             dispute
             the
             Justice
             ,
             at
             least
             of
             one
             part
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             God
             should
             
               visit
               the
               sins
               of
               the
               Fathers
               upon
               the
               Children
            
             ;
             which
             the
             Iews
             objected
             against
             God
             in
             that
             Prophane
             Proverb
             ,
             
               the
               Fathers
               have
               eaten
               sower
               grapes
               ,
               and
               the
               Childrens
               teeth
               are
               set
               an
               edge
               ,
            
             18.
             
             Ezek.
             and
             by
             the
             answer
             God
             there
             makes
             ,
             we
             may
             learn
             in
             what
             sence
             God
             threatens
             to
             punish
             the
             Posterity
             of
             Bad
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             reward
             the
             Posterity
             of
             Good
             men
             ,
             for
             their
             Fathers
             sakes
             ;
             which
             does
             not
             extend
             to
             the
             other
             World
             ,
             where
             every
             man
             shall
             be
             Judged
             according
             to
             his
             own
             Works
             ,
             and
             
               the
               soul
               that
               sinneth
               ,
               it
               shall
               dye
            
             ;
             and
             as
             to
             this
             World
             ,
             where
             we
             may
             allow
             more
             to
             the
             Sovereignty
             of
             Providence
             without
             impeaching
             the
             
             Divine
             Justice
             ;
             yet
             God
             assures
             us
             ,
             that
             a
             Righteous
             Son
             shall
             not
             be
             punished
             merely
             because
             he
             had
             a
             Wicked
             Father
             ;
             nor
             a
             Wicked
             Son
             be
             rewarded
             ,
             merely
             because
             he
             had
             a
             Righteous
             Father
             ;
             for
             thus
             much
             the
             words
             must
             signifie
             ,
             if
             they
             relate
             to
             this
             Life
             ,
             as
             they
             certainly
             do
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             a
             Future
             State.
             
          
           
             Now
             if
             neither
             a
             Righteous
             Son
             shall
             suffer
             for
             the
             Wickedness
             of
             his
             Father
             ,
             nor
             a
             Wicked
             Son
             receive
             the
             rewards
             of
             his
             Father's
             Vertue
             ;
             this
             can
             afford
             no
             pretence
             to
             impeach
             the
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             ;
             but
             it
             gives
             occasion
             to
             inquire
             in
             what
             sence
             God
             is
             said
             to
             visit
             the
             Sins
             of
             the
             Fathers
             upon
             their
             Children
             ,
             and
             to
             Bless
             and
             Prosper
             the
             Posterity
             of
             Good
             men
             for
             their
             sakes
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             As
             for
             the
             First
             :
             If
             God
             does
             not
             punish
             a
             Righteous
             Son
             for
             the
             sins
             of
             his
             Father
             ,
             then
             
               to
               visit
               the
               iniquities
               of
               the
               Father
               upon
               the
               Children
               ,
            
             must
             be
             confined
             only
             to
             such
             Children
             as
             inherit
             the
             Vices
             ,
             and
             imitate
             the
             Wickedness
             of
             their
             Parents
             :
             That
             is
             ,
             God
             has
             threatened
             to
             punish
             the
             Wicked
             Children
             of
             Wicked
             Parents
             .
          
           
             This
             ,
             you
             'll
             say
             ,
             has
             nothing
             extraordinary
             in
             it
             ;
             for
             God
             has
             threatned
             to
             punish
             all
             Wicked
             men
             ,
             whatever
             their
             Parents
             are
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             are
             punished
             only
             because
             they
             are
             Wicked
             ,
             How
             is
             this
             
               to
               visit
               the
               iniquities
               of
               their
               Fathers
               on
               them
               ?
            
             But
             the
             Answer
             of
             this
             seems
             as
             obvious
             as
             the
             Objection
             ;
             that
             the
             Wicked
             Children
             of
             Wicked
             Parents
             shall
             be
             more
             certainly
             ,
             and
             more
             severely
             punished
             ,
             than
             other
             Bad
             men
             ordinarily
             are
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             As
             for
             the
             certainty
             of
             their
             punishment
             :
             We
             know
             a
             great
             many
             Bad
             men
             very
             often
             escape
             the
             Divine
             Vengeance
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             for
             all
             Wicked
             men
             are
             not
             punished
             here
             as
             their
             Wickedness
             deserves
             :
             The
             Justice
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             already
             observed
             ,
             does
             not
             require
             a
             sudden
             and
             hasty
             Execution
             :
             Bad
             men
             may
             be
             
             prosperous
             many
             years
             ,
             and
             be
             severely
             punished
             at
             last
             ;
             or
             may
             be
             prosperous
             all
             their
             Lives
             ,
             and
             go
             down
             to
             their
             Graves
             in
             peace
             ,
             and
             only
             Answer
             for
             their
             Wickedness
             in
             the
             next
             World
             :
             But
             then
             God
             threatens
             that
             a
             more
             speedy
             Vengeance
             shall
             overtake
             their
             Posterity
             ,
             if
             they
             are
             Wicked
             ;
             that
             God
             will
             then
             remember
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             the
             wicked
             Children
             of
             wicked
             Parents
             ,
             and
             not
             exercise
             the
             same
             Patience
             and
             Long-suffering
             to
             them
             :
             And
             this
             is
             in
             a
             proper
             sence
             to
             
               visit
               the
               iniquities
               of
               their
               Fathers
               on
               them
            
             ;
             for
             though
             they
             are
             punished
             only
             for
             their
             own
             sins
             ,
             yet
             the
             iniquities
             of
             their
             Fathers
             are
             the
             reason
             why
             God
             punishes
             them
             in
             this
             world
             for
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             makes
             them
             the
             Examples
             of
             his
             Justice
             ,
             while
             other
             men
             as
             wicked
             as
             themselves
             escape
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             As
             for
             the
             severity
             of
             their
             punishments
             :
             No
             man
             shall
             be
             punished
             more
             than
             his
             own
             sins
             deserve
             ;
             but
             yet
             the
             wicked
             Children
             of
             wicked
             Parents
             may
             be
             ,
             and
             very
             often
             are
             ,
             punished
             more
             severely
             than
             other
             Wicked
             men
             .
          
           
             God
             does
             not
             punish
             all
             Bad
             men
             alike
             :
             For
             the
             punishments
             of
             this
             life
             are
             more
             properly
             acts
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             than
             acts
             of
             Judgment
             ;
             and
             therefore
             are
             not
             proportioned
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             Crime
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             circumstances
             and
             condition
             of
             the
             Person
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Wise
             ends
             of
             Government
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             wicked
             Children
             of
             wicked
             Parents
             are
             punished
             ,
             though
             for
             their
             own
             sins
             ,
             yet
             the
             more
             severely
             for
             their
             Fathers
             sake
             ;
             this
             is
             to
             bear
             the
             iniquity
             of
             their
             Fathers
             .
             To
             understand
             this
             ,
             we
             must
             observe
             that
             the
             Scripture
             takes
             notice
             of
             a
             certain
             
               measure
               of
               iniquity
            
             ,
             which
             is
             filling
             up
             from
             one
             Generation
             to
             another
             ,
             till
             a
             last
             it
             makes
             a
             Nation
             ,
             or
             Family
             ,
             ripe
             for
             destruction
             ;
             and
             although
             those
             persons
             on
             whom
             this
             final
             Vengeance
             falls
             ,
             suffer
             no
             more
             than
             their
             own
             personal
             Sins
             deserved
             ;
             yet
             because
             the
             sins
             of
             former
             Generations
             ,
             which
             they
             equal
             or
             out
             do
             ,
             make
             it
             time
             for
             God
             utterly
             to
             destroy
             them
             ;
             the
             punishments
             due
             to
             the
             sins
             of
             many
             
             Ages
             and
             Generations
             ,
             are
             all
             said
             to
             fall
             upon
             them
             .
             This
             account
             our
             Saviour
             gives
             of
             the
             Destruction
             of
             
               Ierusalem
               ,
               23.
               
               Matt.
               29
               ,
               30
               ,
               31
               ,
               32
               ,
               34
               ,
               35
               ,
               36.
               
               Wo
               unto
               you
               Scribes
               and
               Pharisees
               ,
               Hypocrites
               ;
               because
               ye
               build
               the
               tombs
               of
               the
               prophets
               ,
               and
               garnish
               the
               sepulchres
               of
               the
               righteous
               ,
               and
               say
               ,
               if
               we
               had
               been
               in
               the
               days
               of
               our
               fathers
               ,
               we
               would
               not
               have
               been
               partakers
               with
               them
               in
               the
               blood
               of
               the
               prophets
               .
               Wherefore
               ye
               be
               witnesses
               unto
               your selves
               ,
               that
               ye
               are
               the
               children
               of
               them
               which
               killed
               the
               prophets
               ;
               fill
               ye
               up
               then
               the
               measure
               of
               your
               fathers
               sins
               .
               —
               Wherefore
               behold
               ,
               I
               send
               unto
               you
               prophets
               ,
               and
               wise
               men
               ,
               and
               scribes
               ,
               and
               some
               of
               them
               shall
               ye
               kill
               and
               crucifie
               ,
               and
               some
               of
               them
               shall
               ye
               scourge
               in
               your
               synagogues
               ,
               and
               persecute
               them
               from
               city
               to
               city
               .
               That
               upon
               you
               may
               come
               all
               the
               righteous
               blood
               shed
               upon
               the
               earth
               ,
               from
               the
               blood
               of
               Abel
               to
               the
               blood
               of
               Zacharias
               Son
               of
               Barachias
               ,
               whom
               ye
               slew
               between
               the
               temple
               and
               the
               altar
               .
            
             God
             may
             wait
             with
             patience
             upon
             a
             wicked
             Nation
             ,
             or
             a
             wicked
             Family
             ,
             but
             when
             they
             sin
             on
             from
             one
             Generation
             to
             another
             ,
             it
             all
             aggravates
             the
             account
             ;
             and
             when
             God
             sees
             it
             time
             to
             punish
             ,
             makes
             the
             punishment
             very
             severe
             ,
             or
             final
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             
               The
               Righteous
               Posterity
               of
               good
               men
               are
               rewarded
               also
               for
               their
               Fathers
               sake
               ;
               for
            
             he
             sheweth
             mercy
             to
             thousands
             of
             them
             that
             love
             him
             ,
             and
             keep
             his
             commandments
             .
          
           
             A
             Wicked
             Son
             may
             receive
             a
             great
             many
             Temporal
             Blessings
             from
             God
             ,
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             a
             Righteous
             Father
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             evident
             from
             Scripture
             ,
             that
             God
             shews
             great
             Favour
             ,
             and
             exercises
             great
             Patience
             to
             bad
             men
             ,
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             the
             good
             ;
             but
             the
             Promise
             is
             made
             only
             to
             the
             Righteous
             Seed
             of
             Good
             men
             ;
             for
             tho
             it
             does
             not
             unbecome
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             to
             shew
             favour
             to
             bad
             men
             ,
             especially
             when
             it
             is
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             the
             righteous
             ,
             which
             makes
             it
             the
             reward
             and
             encouragement
             of
             Vertue
             ;
             yet
             it
             does
             not
             seem
             fitting
             to
             make
             any
             general
             Promise
             of
             favour
             to
             them
             ,
             which
             would
             be
             an
             Encouragement
             of
             Vice.
             
          
           
           
             The
             Righteous
             Seed
             then
             of
             Good
             men
             shall
             be
             blessed
             ;
             but
             so
             shall
             the
             Righteous
             Seed
             of
             Wicked
             men
             be
             ,
             and
             what
             peculiar
             Priviledge
             is
             this
             to
             the
             Good
             ?
             I
             answer
             ;
             When
             God
             promises
             to
             bless
             the
             Righteous
             Posterity
             of
             Good
             men
             ,
             if
             it
             contain
             any
             thing
             peculiar
             ,
             which
             God
             has
             not
             so
             expresly
             promised
             to
             other
             good
             men
             ,
             it
             must
             signify
             a
             more
             certain
             and
             a
             more
             lasting
             Prosperity
             in
             this
             world
             .
             All
             good
             men
             are
             not
             prosperous
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             nor
             has
             God
             any
             where
             promised
             that
             they
             shall
             be
             so
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             all
             wicked
             men
             are
             visibly
             punished
             here
             ;
             but
             as
             God
             visits
             the
             Iniquities
             of
             the
             Fathers
             upon
             their
             Children
             ,
             by
             executing
             a
             more
             speedy
             Vengeance
             on
             the
             Wicked
             Children
             of
             Wicked
             Parents
             ;
             so
             the
             Righteous
             Children
             of
             Righteous
             Parents
             shall
             be
             more
             certainly
             prosperous
             than
             other
             good
             men
             ;
             and
             the
             more
             uninterrupted
             successions
             there
             are
             of
             such
             Righteous
             Parents
             and
             Righteous
             Children
             ,
             the
             deeper
             root
             they
             shall
             take
             ,
             and
             be
             
               like
               a
               tree
               planted
               by
               the
               rivers
               of
               waters
               ,
               that
               bringeth
               forth
               his
               fruit
               in
               his
               season
               ;
               his
               leaf
               also
               shall
               not
               wither
               ,
               and
               what
               soever
               he
               doth
               shall
               prosper
               ,
            
             1.
             
             Psal.
             3.
             
          
           
             This
             may
             suffice
             for
             a
             short
             Representation
             of
             this
             case
             ;
             and
             as
             it
             is
             thus
             stated
             ,
             it
             is
             manifest
             ,
             That
             there
             is
             no
             Injustice
             in
             it
             ;
             let
             us
             then
             consider
             what
             Wise
             Ends
             it
             serves
             ,
             both
             with
             respect
             to
             Parents
             and
             to
             Children
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Justification
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             As
             to
             Parents
             :
             If
             they
             have
             any
             Natural
             Affection
             to
             their
             Children
             ,
             this
             is
             a
             very
             powerful
             Argument
             to
             restrain
             them
             from
             Vice
             ,
             and
             to
             excite
             them
             to
             Virtue
             .
             Most
             of
             the
             Labour
             and
             Toil
             which
             men
             undergo
             ,
             is
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             their
             Children
             ,
             to
             provide
             for
             them
             while
             they
             live
             ,
             and
             to
             leave
             them
             in
             easy
             and
             happy
             Circumstances
             when
             they
             dye
             ;
             to
             raise
             and
             perpetuate
             a
             Family
             ,
             and
             to
             secure
             them
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             it
             is
             possible
             ,
             from
             all
             adverse
             events
             .
             But
             how
             successful
             soever
             Bad
             men
             may
             be
             in
             raising
             an
             Estate
             ,
             they
             
             build
             upon
             a
             Sandy
             Foundation
             ,
             and
             leave
             a
             very
             perishing
             Inheritance
             to
             their
             Children
             ;
             especially
             if
             they
             raise
             an
             Estate
             by
             Injustice
             and
             Oppression
             ,
             by
             defrauding
             God
             and
             the
             Poor
             of
             their
             Portion
             ,
             which
             many
             times
             makes
             it
             moulder
             away
             in
             the
             hands
             even
             of
             a
             Righteous
             Heir
             .
             The
             more
             prosperous
             a
             wicked
             man
             is
             ,
             the
             more
             likely
             is
             his
             Posterity
             to
             be
             miserable
             ,
             if
             he
             propagate
             his
             Vices
             to
             them
             ;
             for
             God
             will
             at
             one
             time
             or
             other
             reckon
             with
             wicked
             Families
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             men
             ;
             and
             that
             will
             be
             a
             Terrible
             Account
             ,
             when
             
               the
               wickedness
               of
               his
               father
               shall
               be
               remembred
               before
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               the
               sin
               of
               his
               mother
               shall
               not
               be
               blotted
               out
               ,
            
             109.
             
             Psal.
             14.
             
          
           
             And
             what
             an
             Encouragement
             is
             this
             to
             Good
             men
             ,
             tho
             they
             themselves
             should
             be
             unfortunate
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             know
             ,
             That
             their
             Posterity
             shall
             reap
             the
             Rewards
             of
             their
             Virtue
             ;
             that
             if
             their
             Children
             should
             be
             wicked
             ,
             there
             is
             some
             reason
             to
             hope
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             more
             gently
             used
             ,
             and
             it
             may
             be
             receive
             many
             Temporal
             Blessings
             for
             their
             sakes
             ;
             but
             if
             they
             be
             Righteous
             ,
             they
             shall
             then
             take
             root
             ,
             and
             flourish
             in
             the
             earth
             ;
             that
             the
             little
             which
             the
             Righteous
             man
             hath
             righteously
             got
             ,
             shall
             prove
             a
             better
             ,
             a
             more
             lasting
             and
             increasing
             Inheritance
             ,
             than
             the
             Riches
             of
             many
             wicked
             ;
             and
             that
             a
             Liberal
             Charity
             ,
             which
             some
             men
             think
             is
             to
             defraud
             their
             Children
             ,
             shall
             prove
             like
             Seed
             sown
             in
             the
             earth
             ,
             which
             repays
             all
             with
             a
             plentiful
             Harvest
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             certain
             ,
             were
             this
             firmly
             believed
             ,
             and
             well
             considered
             ,
             it
             would
             lay
             the
             greatest
             obligation
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             both
             on
             Bad
             and
             Good
             men
             to
             take
             care
             of
             the
             Religious
             and
             Vertuous
             Education
             of
             their
             Children
             :
             The
             only
             way
             wicked
             men
             have
             to
             cut
             off
             the
             intail
             of
             Misery
             from
             their
             Families
             ,
             and
             to
             secure
             their
             Children
             from
             that
             Vengeance
             which
             their
             own
             sins
             have
             deserved
             ,
             is
             to
             train
             them
             up
             in
             Piety
             and
             Vertue
             ;
             and
             the
             only
             way
             Good
             men
             have
             to
             intitle
             their
             Children
             to
             those
             Temporal
             Blessings
             ,
             
             wherewith
             God
             thinks
             fit
             to
             reward
             their
             Vertues
             upon
             their
             Posterity
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             best
             Inheritance
             they
             can
             leave
             them
             ,
             is
             to
             make
             them
             Good.
             The
             wicked
             Children
             of
             wicked
             Parents
             ,
             have
             their
             own
             and
             their
             Fathers
             sins
             to
             hasten
             and
             increase
             their
             punishments
             ;
             and
             the
             Righteous
             Children
             of
             Righteous
             Parents
             ,
             have
             their
             own
             and
             their
             Fathers
             Vertues
             to
             secure
             and
             to
             augment
             their
             rewards
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             As
             for
             Children
             :
             What
             greater
             obligation
             than
             this
             could
             be
             laid
             on
             them
             to
             avoid
             the
             evil
             Examples
             ,
             and
             to
             imitate
             the
             Vertues
             of
             their
             Parents
             ?
             The
             Wickedness
             of
             their
             Fathers
             makes
             it
             more
             dangerous
             for
             them
             to
             be
             wicked
             ;
             for
             when
             wickedness
             is
             intail'd
             ,
             the
             punishment
             of
             wickedness
             is
             intail'd
             too
             ;
             and
             the
             longer
             Judgment
             has
             been
             delayed
             ,
             the
             nearer
             it
             is
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             severe
             it
             is
             like
             to
             be
             .
             The
             wicked
             Son
             of
             a
             wicked
             Father
             ,
             cannot
             promise
             himself
             to
             escape
             so
             well
             as
             his
             Father
             did
             ,
             because
             his
             Father's
             sins
             ,
             which
             he
             imitates
             ,
             calls
             for
             a
             more
             speedy
             Vengeance
             on
             him
             ;
             either
             to
             put
             a
             stop
             to
             wickedness
             ,
             or
             to
             root
             out
             a
             wicked
             Family
             ,
             and
             to
             pull
             down
             the
             Leprous
             house
             :
             But
             what
             an
             encouragement
             is
             it
             to
             the
             Children
             of
             Righteous
             Parents
             to
             imitate
             their
             Vertues
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             inherit
             all
             the
             Blessings
             of
             their
             Fathers
             ?
             We
             think
             it
             a
             great
             advantage
             for
             Children
             to
             inherit
             the
             fruits
             of
             their
             Parents
             Industry
             ;
             but
             to
             inherit
             the
             rewards
             of
             their
             Vertues
             is
             much
             greater
             :
             And
             this
             none
             but
             vertuous
             Children
             can
             do
             .
             A
             Prodigal
             Son
             may
             inherit
             the
             Estate
             of
             an
             Industrious
             Father
             ,
             but
             can't
             keep
             it
             ;
             but
             a
             wicked
             Son
             of
             a
             vertuous
             Father
             forfeits
             his
             Inheritance
             .
          
           
             And
             though
             some
             Good
             men
             meet
             with
             very
             little
             ,
             or
             with
             no
             reward
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             nay
             suffer
             very
             severely
             for
             their
             Vertue
             ;
             this
             is
             no
             discouragement
             to
             their
             Children
             ,
             but
             gives
             them
             reasonoble
             hopes
             to
             expect
             the
             more
             :
             For
             an
             exemplary
             Vertue
             shall
             have
             its
             reward
             at
             one
             time
             
             or
             other
             ,
             even
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             Father
             had
             it
             not
             ,
             the
             Son
             ,
             and
             the
             Son's
             Son
             through
             all
             the
             Line
             of
             a
             vertuous
             Succession
             shall
             ;
             when
             Good
             men
             suffer
             ,
             or
             miss
             of
             the
             rewards
             of
             Vertue
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             they
             have
             the
             greater
             rewards
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             their
             Children
             on
             Earth
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             To
             reward
             Good
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             punish
             the
             Wicked
             in
             their
             Posterity
             ,
             better
             answers
             the
             Wise
             ends
             of
             Providence
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             than
             the
             Personal
             rewards
             and
             punishments
             of
             every
             particular
             Good
             and
             Bad
             man.
             I
             have
             already
             observed
             ,
             that
             there
             are
             very
             wise
             Reasons
             why
             some
             Bad
             men
             should
             be
             Prosperous
             ,
             and
             some
             Good
             men
             Afflicted
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             and
             since
             this
             world
             is
             not
             the
             place
             of
             Judgment
             ,
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             does
             not
             require
             that
             every
             Good
             or
             Bad
             man
             should
             be
             rewarded
             according
             to
             his
             works
             ;
             but
             yet
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             Providence
             does
             require
             ,
             that
             Vertue
             should
             be
             rewarded
             ,
             and
             Vice
             punished
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             such
             degrees
             ,
             and
             in
             such
             a
             manner
             ,
             as
             shall
             lay
             all
             reasonable
             restraints
             on
             the
             Lusts
             and
             Vices
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             encourage
             their
             Vertues
             .
             Now
             Vertue
             is
             rewarded
             ,
             and
             Vice
             punished
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             rewarded
             or
             punished
             ,
             if
             not
             in
             the
             Persons
             ,
             yet
             in
             the
             Posterity
             of
             Good
             or
             Bad
             men
             ;
             which
             leaves
             room
             for
             the
             tryal
             of
             the
             Faith
             and
             Patience
             of
             Good
             men
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             exercise
             of
             God's
             Goodness
             and
             Patience
             to
             sinners
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             Ministries
             of
             Bad
             men
             in
             the
             service
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             yet
             very
             effectually
             discourages
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             encourages
             Vertue
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             Another
             instance
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             is
             ,
             That
             God
             very
             often
             punishes
             sin
             with
             sin
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             with
             sins
             of
             the
             same
             kind
             .
             Our
             daily
             observation
             may
             furnish
             us
             with
             examples
             enow
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             are
             visible
             and
             publickly
             known
             ;
             and
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             there
             are
             few
             Sinners
             but
             know
             some
             which
             concern
             themselves
             ,
             which
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             does
             not
             know
             :
             Thus
             God
             punished
             the
             Murther
             and
             Adultery
             of
             David
             ,
             with
             the
             
             Incest
             and
             Rebellion
             of
             his
             Son
             Absolom
             ;
             and
             thus
             Oppression
             is
             often
             punished
             with
             Oppression
             ,
             Adultery
             with
             Adultery
             ,
             Murther
             with
             Murther
             ,
             and
             Wicked
             men
             are
             made
             Plagues
             and
             Scourges
             to
             each
             other
             .
          
           
             And
             God
             thinks
             it
             no
             dishonour
             to
             the
             Holiness
             of
             his
             Providence
             to
             attribute
             all
             such
             retributions
             to
             himself
             ;
             for
             God
             can
             serve
             the
             Wise
             ends
             of
             his
             Providence
             by
             the
             sins
             of
             men
             ,
             without
             contributing
             to
             their
             sins
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             there
             is
             not
             a
             fitter
             Punishment
             in
             the
             world
             for
             Sinners
             ,
             than
             to
             suffer
             the
             Evils
             they
             do
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             to
             be
             punished
             by
             the
             very
             sins
             which
             they
             commit
             .
          
           
             Nothing
             more
             sensibly
             convinces
             them
             of
             a
             Just
             Providence
             than
             this
             ;
             nothing
             can
             give
             them
             a
             more
             just
             abhorrence
             of
             their
             sins
             ,
             than
             to
             feel
             the
             evils
             and
             mischiefs
             of
             them
             ▪
             nothing
             can
             more
             awaken
             and
             rouse
             their
             Consciences
             ,
             than
             to
             suffer
             the
             Evils
             which
             they
             have
             done
             .
             And
             one
             would
             reasonably
             think
             ,
             nothing
             should
             make
             them
             more
             afraid
             to
             do
             any
             Evil
             ,
             which
             they
             are
             unwilling
             to
             suffer
             :
             So
             that
             nothing
             could
             better
             serve
             the
             Wise
             ends
             of
             Providence
             to
             convince
             men
             of
             a
             Divine
             Nemisis
             and
             Vengeance
             ,
             to
             give
             them
             an
             abhorrence
             of
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             them
             afraid
             to
             commit
             them
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Another
             instance
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             ,
             is
             in
             so
             often
             disappointing
             both
             our
             hopes
             and
             fears
             .
             When
             we
             are
             in
             the
             greatest
             expectation
             of
             some
             great
             good
             ,
             either
             we
             are
             disappointed
             in
             what
             we
             expected
             ,
             or
             if
             we
             have
             what
             we
             wished
             for
             ,
             it
             does
             not
             answer
             our
             expectations
             ;
             we
             find
             our selves
             deceived
             in
             our
             enjoyments
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             had
             been
             better
             for
             us
             if
             we
             had
             been
             without
             them
             .
             And
             when
             we
             are
             terrified
             with
             the
             apprehensions
             of
             some
             great
             evil
             which
             is
             just
             ready
             to
             fall
             on
             us
             ,
             either
             the
             evil
             does
             not
             come
             as
             we
             feared
             ,
             or
             it
             proves
             no
             Evil
             ,
             but
             a
             very
             great
             Good
             to
             us
             .
             This
             is
             so
             often
             every
             man's
             case
             ,
             that
             I
             need
             only
             appeal
             to
             your
             own
             Observations
             for
             the
             proof
             of
             it
             .
          
           
           
             Now
             what
             more
             effectual
             way
             could
             God
             take
             to
             convince
             us
             ,
             that
             we
             live
             in
             the
             dark
             ,
             and
             know
             not
             what
             is
             good
             for
             our selves
             ;
             that
             we
             disturb
             our
             minds
             with
             vain
             hopes
             ,
             and
             with
             as
             vain
             fears
             ;
             that
             it
             becomes
             us
             to
             leave
             all
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             depend
             securely
             on
             his
             Providence
             ,
             who
             over-rules
             all
             things
             with
             a
             Sovereign
             Will
             :
             That
             this
             is
             the
             only
             way
             to
             be
             easy
             and
             safe
             ;
             to
             chuse
             nothing
             for
             our selves
             ,
             not
             to
             prescribe
             to
             Providence
             ,
             but
             to
             do
             our
             duty
             ,
             and
             then
             quietly
             expect
             what
             God
             will
             do
             .
          
           
             Is
             it
             possible
             there
             should
             be
             a
             happier
             temper
             of
             mind
             than
             this
             ?
             more
             honourable
             for
             God
             ,
             or
             more
             secure
             for
             our selves
             ?
             Does
             any
             thing
             more
             become
             Creatures
             ?
             Is
             there
             any
             more
             perfect
             act
             of
             Religion
             ,
             than
             to
             depend
             entirely
             on
             God
             ,
             without
             hopes
             or
             fears
             ,
             in
             a
             perfect
             resignation
             to
             his
             Will
             ,
             with
             a
             full
             assurance
             of
             his
             protection
             ?
             And
             could
             Providence
             more
             effectually
             convince
             us
             of
             this
             ,
             than
             to
             let
             us
             see
             by
             every
             days
             experience
             ,
             how
             apt
             we
             are
             to
             be
             mistaken
             ,
             and
             to
             chuse
             ill
             for
             our selves
             ;
             that
             our
             wishes
             and
             desires
             ,
             were
             they
             answered
             ,
             would
             very
             often
             undo
             us
             ;
             and
             that
             we
             are
             saved
             and
             made
             happy
             by
             what
             we
             feared
             ?
             and
             why
             then
             should
             we
             desire
             ,
             why
             should
             we
             fear
             any
             longer
             ?
             let
             us
             do
             our
             duty
             ,
             and
             mind
             our
             own
             business
             ,
             and
             leave
             God
             to
             take
             care
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             allot
             our
             portion
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             4thly
             ,
             We
             may
             observe
             also
             ,
             that
             God
             very
             often
             defers
             the
             deliverance
             of
             Good
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             punishment
             of
             the
             Wicked
             to
             the
             utmost
             extremity
             .
          
           
             When
             Wicked
             Tyrants
             and
             Oppressors
             are
             at
             the
             heighth
             of
             their
             Pride
             and
             Glory
             ,
             and
             Good
             men
             are
             reduced
             to
             a
             hopeless
             state
             ,
             beyond
             the
             visible
             relief
             of
             any
             Human
             Power
             .
             This
             was
             the
             case
             of
             Israel
             in
             Egypt
             ,
             when
             God
             sent
             Moses
             to
             deliver
             them
             with
             a
             Mighty
             Hand
             ,
             and
             an
             outstretched
             Arm.
             This
             was
             several
             times
             their
             case
             in
             the
             days
             of
             the
             Iudges
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             oppressed
             by
             their
             Enemies
             ,
             and
             God
             raised
             up
             Saviours
             and
             Deliverers
             for
             them
             :
             
             Thus
             it
             was
             in
             the
             days
             of
             Hezekiah
             ,
             when
             God
             in
             one
             night
             destroyed
             the
             mighty
             Army
             of
             the
             Assyrians
             :
             Thus
             it
             was
             in
             Queen
             
             Hester's
             days
             ,
             when
             that
             Wicked
             Haman
             had
             conspired
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             Iewish
             Nation
             :
             And
             there
             want
             not
             Examples
             of
             it
             in
             Christian
             Story
             :
             Never
             was
             there
             a
             fiercer
             Persecution
             of
             Christians
             ,
             than
             when
             God
             advanced
             Constantine
             to
             the
             Throne
             ,
             and
             not
             only
             restored
             Peace
             to
             the
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             but
             made
             Christianity
             the
             Religion
             of
             the
             Empire
             .
             And
             if
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             consists
             in
             giving
             us
             wise
             Instructions
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             this
             furnishes
             us
             with
             many
             .
          
           
             When
             things
             are
             reduced
             to
             that
             extremity
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             past
             Human
             relief
             ,
             it
             makes
             it
             visible
             to
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             God's
             doing
             .
             Where
             there
             is
             Force
             against
             Force
             ,
             and
             Counsels
             against
             Counsels
             ,
             though
             Providence
             determines
             the
             Event
             ,
             Human
             Power
             and
             Counsels
             very
             often
             monopolize
             the
             Glory
             ,
             and
             leave
             God
             out
             ;
             but
             when
             God
             does
             that
             ,
             which
             men
             are
             so
             far
             from
             being
             able
             to
             do
             ,
             that
             they
             can't
             think
             it
             possible
             to
             be
             done
             ,
             this
             awakens
             a
             sense
             of
             an
             Invisible
             Power
             ,
             and
             makes
             the
             Divine
             Glory
             and
             Providence
             known
             to
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             When
             God
             exposes
             his
             own
             Church
             and
             People
             to
             such
             a
             suffering
             state
             ,
             and
             threatens
             them
             with
             Final
             Ruin
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             severe
             Summons
             to
             repentance
             ,
             and
             warns
             them
             not
             to
             trust
             in
             vain
             words
             ,
             crying
             ,
             
               The
               Temple
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               the
               Temple
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             ;
             for
             God
             will
             purge
             his
             own
             House
             ,
             and
             no
             External
             Relation
             or
             Priviledges
             shall
             secure
             us
             from
             Vengeance
             ,
             if
             we
             walk
             not
             
               worthy
               of
               that
               holy
               vocation
               wherewith
               we
               are
               called
               .
            
          
           
             But
             such
             Deliverances
             as
             these
             give
             us
             great
             reason
             never
             to
             despair
             ;
             they
             teach
             us
             ,
             That
             no
             case
             is
             desperate
             ,
             when
             God
             will
             save
             ;
             and
             therefore
             the
             less
             expectation
             we
             at
             any
             time
             have
             of
             Human
             Succors
             ,
             the
             more
             earnestly
             ought
             we
             to
             implore
             the
             Divine
             Protection
             ,
             and
             learn
             to
             live
             upon
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Trust
             in
             God.
             
          
           
           
             When
             Good
             men
             are
             reduced
             to
             such
             Extremities
             ,
             it
             makes
             them
             more
             fervent
             and
             importunate
             in
             their
             Prayers
             ,
             more
             serious
             in
             their
             Repentance
             ,
             more
             sensible
             how
             much
             they
             stand
             in
             need
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             such
             surprizing
             and
             unexpected
             Deliverances
             inflame
             their
             Devotions
             ,
             make
             their
             Praises
             and
             Thanksgivings
             more
             hearty
             and
             sincere
             ;
             which
             gives
             great
             glory
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             betters
             their
             own
             minds
             .
          
           
             5thly
             ,
             The
             sudden
             Revolutions
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             the
             various
             and
             unexpected
             Changes
             of
             mens
             Fortunes
             ,
             which
             is
             thought
             one
             great
             Calamity
             of
             Human
             Life
             ,
             is
             intended
             by
             God
             to
             instruct
             us
             in
             some
             necessary
             and
             excellent
             parts
             of
             Wisdom
             .
          
           
             Some
             Crafty
             Politicians
             ,
             like
             Mariners
             ,
             steer
             their
             course
             as
             the
             Wind
             blows
             ,
             and
             change
             as
             it
             changes
             .
             They
             have
             no
             other
             Rule
             for
             their
             Actions
             ,
             but
             to
             guess
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             they
             can
             ,
             where
             their
             advantage
             or
             safety
             lies
             ;
             but
             Providence
             very
             often
             disappoints
             them
             in
             this
             ,
             by
             such
             hasty
             changes
             ,
             and
             short
             turns
             ,
             as
             make
             them
             giddy
             ;
             and
             this
             teaches
             us
             to
             act
             by
             Rule
             ,
             not
             by
             a
             politick
             foresight
             of
             Events
             ;
             our
             Rule
             can
             never
             deceive
             us
             ;
             what
             is
             just
             ,
             and
             right
             ,
             and
             true
             ,
             is
             always
             safe
             ;
             but
             our
             Politicks
             may
             ,
             for
             things
             may
             not
             go
             as
             we
             expect
             .
          
           
             The
             various
             changes
             of
             mens
             Fortunes
             teach
             us
             to
             treat
             all
             men
             with
             great
             humanity
             ;
             not
             to
             be
             insolent
             when
             we
             are
             prosperous
             ;
             nor
             to
             despise
             our
             Inferiors
             ,
             for
             we
             know
             not
             what
             they
             ,
             nor
             we
             may
             be
             ,
             before
             we
             die
             .
             Civility
             ▪
             and
             modesty
             of
             conversation
             is
             always
             safe
             ,
             but
             pride
             and
             insolence
             may
             create
             us
             Enemies
             ,
             who
             may
             in
             time
             ,
             how
             mean
             soever
             they
             are
             at
             present
             ,
             be
             able
             to
             return
             our
             insolence
             .
          
           
             The
             Divine
             Providence
             so
             orders
             Human
             Affairs
             ,
             as
             to
             teach
             us
             most
             of
             the
             wisest
             Rules
             of
             Human
             Life
             ,
             both
             for
             our
             Religious
             and
             Civil
             Conversation
             ;
             and
             this
             I
             take
             to
             be
             a
             manifest
             proof
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
           
             6thly
             ,
             
               The
               Wisdom
               of
               Providence
               is
               often
               seen
               in
               the
               wise
               mixture
               and
               temperament
               of
               Mercy
               and
               Judgment
               ;
               when
               he
               corrects
               ,
               but
               not
               destroys
               ;
               humbles
               ,
               but
               does
               not
               cast
               down
               ;
               when
               he
               makes
               us
               sensible
               of
               his
               displeasure
               ,
               and
               gives
               us
               just
               reason
               to
               fear
               ,
               but
               without
               despair
               ;
               when
               ,
               as
               the
            
             Psalmist
             speaks
             ,
             He
             lifts
             up
             ,
             and
             casts
             down
             ;
             
               keeps
               us
               under
               the
               discipline
               of
               hopes
               and
               fears
               ,
               and
               tries
               our
               Faith
               and
               Patience
               ,
               and
               Submission
               ,
               and
               both
               threatens
               and
               invites
               us
               to
               repentance
               ,
               by
               the
               interchangeable
               Scenes
               of
               prosperous
               and
               adverse
               Events
               .
               Thus
               the
            
             Psalmist
             
               tells
               us
               it
               is
               with
               good
               men
               .
            
             The
             steps
             of
             a
             good
             man
             are
             ordered
             by
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             he
             delighteth
             in
             his
             way
             ;
             though
             he
             fall
             ,
             he
             shall
             not
             utterly
             be
             cast
             down
             ,
             for
             the
             Lord
             upholdeth
             him
             with
             his
             hand
             ,
             37.
             
             
               Psal.
               23
               ,
               24.
               
               Thus
            
             94.
             
             Psal
             14
             ,
             15.
             
             For
             the
             Lord
             will
             not
             cast
             off
             his
             people
             ,
             neither
             will
             he
             forsake
             his
             inheritance
             ;
             but
             judgment
             shall
             return
             unto
             righteousness
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             upright
             in
             heart
             shall
             follow
             it
             .
             
               And
               he
               proves
               this
               by
               his
               own
               Experience
               .
            
             Vnless
             the
             Lord
             had
             been
             my
             help
             ,
             my
             soul
             had
             almost
             dwelt
             in
             silence
             .
             When
             I
             said
             ,
             my
             feet
             slippeth
             ,
             thy
             mercy
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             held
             me
             up
             ,
             17
             ,
             18
             ,
             
               Verses
               .
               An
               Example
               of
               this
               ye
               have
            
             27.
             
             Isaiah
             .
             Hath
             he
             smitten
             them
             ,
             
               that
               is
            
             Israel
             ,
             as
             he
             smote
             those
             that
             smote
             him
             ?
             
               He
               smote
            
             Israel
             ,
             
               but
               not
               as
               he
               smote
               the
               Enemies
               of
            
             Israel
             ;
             Or
             is
             he
             slain
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             slaughter
             of
             them
             that
             are
             slain
             by
             him
             ?
             In
             measure
             when
             it
             shooteth
             forth
             wilt
             thou
             debate
             with
             it
             ?
             He
             stayeth
             his
             rough
             wind
             ,
             in
             the
             day
             of
             his
             east
             wind
             .
             
               This
               is
               to
               sing
               to
               God
               of
               Mercy
               ,
               and
               of
               Judgment
               ;
               to
               learn
               righteousness
               by
               the
               things
               which
               we
               suffer
               ,
               but
               still
               to
               trust
               in
               his
               help
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             IX
             .
          
           
             Concerning
             those
             Duties
             which
             we
             owe
             to
             Providence
             .
          
           
             I
             Have
             now
             finished
             what
             I
             intended
             with
             relation
             to
             the
             Nature
             and
             Justification
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             all
             that
             remains
             is
             to
             explain
             and
             enforce
             those
             Duties
             which
             we
             owe
             to
             Providence
             .
          
           
             Natural
             Religion
             is
             founded
             on
             the
             belief
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             and
             a
             Providence
             ;
             for
             if
             there
             be
             no
             God
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             Object
             of
             our
             Worship
             ;
             if
             there
             be
             no
             Providence
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             Reason
             for
             our
             Worship
             .
             But
             a
             God
             ,
             that
             made
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             takes
             care
             of
             all
             the
             Creatures
             that
             are
             in
             it
             ,
             deserves
             the
             Praises
             and
             Adorations
             of
             all
             .
             A
             God
             ,
             who
             neither
             made
             the
             world
             ,
             nor
             governs
             it
             ,
             is
             nothing
             to
             us
             ;
             we
             have
             no
             relation
             to
             him
             ,
             he
             has
             nothing
             to
             do
             with
             us
             ,
             nor
             we
             with
             him
             ;
             but
             a
             God
             in
             whom
             
               we
               live
               ,
               and
               move
               ,
               and
               have
               our
               being
               ,
            
             is
             the
             Supream
             Object
             of
             our
             love
             ,
             and
             fear
             ,
             and
             reverence
             ,
             and
             hope
             and
             trust
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             those
             religious
             and
             devout
             Affections
             ,
             which
             are
             due
             to
             our
             Maker
             and
             Soveraign
             Lord.
             
          
           
             This
             is
             so
             plain
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             enough
             to
             name
             it
             ;
             but
             the
             nature
             and
             extent
             of
             those
             Duties
             which
             we
             owe
             to
             Providence
             deserves
             a
             more
             particular
             consideration
             .
          
           
             As
             to
             instance
             in
             some
             of
             the
             chief
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             To
             take
             notice
             of
             the
             Hand
             of
             God
             in
             every
             thing
             that
             befalls
             us
             ;
             to
             attribute
             all
             the
             Evils
             we
             suffer
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             good
             things
             we
             enjoy
             ,
             to
             his
             Soveraign
             Will
             and
             Appointment
             :
             This
             is
             the
             foundation
             of
             all
             the
             other
             Duties
             which
             we
             owe
             to
             Providence
             ;
             and
             the
             general
             neglect
             of
             this
             makes
             us
             defective
             in
             all
             the
             rest
             .
          
           
           
             Now
             if
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             has
             the
             absolute
             government
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             you
             must
             confess
             it
             your
             duty
             to
             take
             notice
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             to
             acknowledge
             God
             in
             every
             thing
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             only
             applying
             the
             general
             Doctrine
             of
             Providence
             to
             particular
             Events
             ;
             without
             which
             particular
             application
             the
             general
             belief
             of
             a
             Providence
             will
             and
             can
             have
             no
             effect
             upon
             us
             .
          
           
             The
             Psalmist
             complains
             of
             those
             wicked
             men
             ,
             
               who
               regard
               not
               the
               works
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               nor
               the
               operation
               of
               his
               hands
               ,
               28.
               
               Psal.
            
             5.
             
             And
             a
             great
             many
             such
             there
             are
             ,
             who
             have
             a
             general
             notion
             and
             belief
             of
             a
             Providence
             ,
             but
             take
             no
             notice
             of
             what
             God
             does
             ,
             or
             take
             no
             notice
             of
             God
             in
             what
             is
             done
             .
             Most
             men
             are
             too
             apt
             to
             attribute
             all
             Events
             to
             the
             immediate
             and
             visible
             Causes
             ;
             and
             though
             at
             other
             times
             they
             will
             own
             a
             God
             and
             a
             Providence
             ,
             yet
             as
             to
             particular
             Events
             ,
             take
             as
             little
             notice
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             had
             nothing
             to
             do
             in
             it
             .
             Such
             a
             belief
             of
             Providence
             as
             this
             ,
             is
             of
             no
             use
             at
             all
             in
             Religion
             ;
             it
             neither
             gives
             glory
             to
             God
             ,
             nor
             has
             any
             influence
             upon
             the
             government
             of
             our
             lives
             .
          
           
             But
             if
             we
             will
             own
             Providence
             to
             the
             true
             ends
             and
             purposes
             of
             Religion
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             content
             our selves
             with
             a
             general
             belief
             of
             God's
             governing
             the
             world
             ,
             but
             whatever
             our
             state
             and
             condition
             be
             ,
             or
             whatever
             extraordinary
             good
             or
             evil
             happens
             to
             us
             ,
             we
             must
             receive
             all
             as
             from
             the
             Hand
             of
             God.
             If
             we
             are
             poor
             ,
             we
             must
             own
             this
             to
             be
             God's
             will
             and
             appointment
             that
             we
             should
             be
             poor
             ;
             if
             we
             be
             rich
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             God's
             Blessing
             which
             maketh
             rich
             ;
             if
             we
             lose
             our
             Estates
             by
             Injustice
             and
             Oppression
             ,
             we
             must
             acknowledge
             ,
             as
             Iob
             did
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               gave
               ,
               and
               the
               Lord
               hath
               taken
               away
               :
            
             And
             whatever
             Evils
             and
             Miseries
             befall
             us
             ,
             we
             must
             say
             with
             good
             old
             
               Eli
               ,
               It
               is
               the
               Lord
               ,
               let
               him
               do
               what
               seemeth
               him
               good
               .
            
             Or
             with
             
               David
               ,
               I
               was
               dumb
               ,
               and
               opened
               not
               my
               mouth
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               thy
               doings
               .
            
          
           
           
             Without
             believing
             God's
             government
             of
             all
             Events
             ,
             we
             deny
             a
             particular
             Providence
             ;
             and
             unless
             at
             the
             very
             time
             ,
             when
             any
             good
             or
             evil
             befals
             us
             ,
             we
             see
             and
             acknowledge
             God's
             hand
             in
             it
             ,
             we
             can
             have
             no
             present
             affecting
             sense
             of
             his
             Providence
             :
             All
             such
             Acts
             of
             Providence
             are
             lost
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             our
             taking
             no
             notice
             of
             them
             can
             lose
             them
             ;
             God
             loses
             the
             glory
             of
             his
             Goodness
             ,
             Mercy
             ,
             Patience
             ,
             or
             Justice
             ,
             and
             we
             lose
             those
             Divine
             Comforts
             and
             Supports
             ,
             or
             those
             Spiritual
             Instructions
             and
             Admonitions
             ,
             which
             a
             due
             sense
             and
             acknowledgment
             of
             Providence
             would
             have
             furnished
             us
             with
             .
          
           
             And
             therefore
             let
             us
             accustom
             our selves
             in
             all
             Events
             ,
             in
             the
             first
             place
             to
             take
             notice
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             Providence
             ;
             which
             will
             teach
             us
             how
             to
             behave
             our selves
             in
             all
             Circumstances
             ,
             and
             how
             to
             make
             the
             best
             and
             wisest
             use
             of
             whatever
             happens
             ;
             and
             it
             was
             necessary
             to
             premise
             this
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             in
             vain
             to
             teach
             men
             their
             duty
             to
             Providence
             ,
             till
             they
             have
             learnt
             to
             attribute
             all
             particular
             Events
             to
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             to
             live
             under
             a
             constant
             sense
             and
             regard
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             2dly
             ,
             When
             we
             have
             thus
             affected
             our
             minds
             with
             a
             just
             sense
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             in
             every
             thing
             that
             befalls
             us
             ,
             we
             must
             in
             the
             next
             place
             take
             care
             to
             compose
             our
             Souls
             to
             a
             quiet
             and
             humble
             submission
             to
             the
             Sovereign
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             of
             God
             in
             all
             things
             .
          
           
             All
             men
             confess
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             our
             duty
             to
             submit
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             if
             all
             the
             Events
             of
             Providence
             are
             God's
             doings
             ,
             and
             what
             God
             does
             is
             his
             Will
             ,
             as
             the
             Scripture
             assures
             us
             it
             is
             ,
             and
             Reason
             tells
             us
             it
             must
             be
             ,
             unless
             God
             does
             any
             thing
             against
             his
             own
             Will
             ,
             then
             we
             must
             submit
             to
             the
             Providential
             Will
             of
             God
             in
             all
             Events
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             the
             Commanding
             Will
             of
             God
             in
             obeying
             his
             Laws
             .
          
           
             The
             Soveraign
             Authority
             and
             Dominion
             of
             God
             requires
             this
             of
             us
             ;
             for
             we
             are
             his
             ,
             and
             he
             may
             dispose
             of
             our
             Condition
             and
             Fortune
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             he
             pleases
             .
             The
             
             Absolute
             Power
             of
             God
             makes
             it
             both
             prudent
             and
             necessary
             ;
             
             
               For
               who
               hath
               hardened
               himself
               against
               him
               ,
               and
               prospered
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             against
             his
             Providential
             Will
             ;
             for
             that
             whole
             Dispute
             is
             about
             Providence
             :
             And
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             makes
             it
             both
             reasonable
             ,
             and
             our
             interest
             ,
             to
             submit
             to
             him
             ;
             for
             all
             his
             Providences
             ,
             how
             severe
             soever
             they
             may
             appear
             ,
             are
             ordered
             for
             the
             good
             of
             those
             who
             do
             submit
             to
             him
             .
             So
             that
             it
             is
             our
             duty
             to
             submit
             ,
             because
             he
             is
             our
             Soveraign
             Lord
             ;
             whether
             we
             will
             submit
             or
             no
             ,
             we
             must
             suffer
             his
             Will
             ,
             because
             we
             cannot
             resist
             his
             Power
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             no
             danger
             in
             submitting
             to
             God
             ,
             for
             he
             will
             consult
             our
             present
             and
             future
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             do
             better
             for
             us
             ,
             than
             we
             could
             chuse
             for
             our selves
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             plain
             enough
             ;
             but
             that
             which
             I
             principally
             intend
             ,
             is
             to
             consider
             the
             nature
             and
             various
             acts
             of
             that
             Submission
             which
             we
             owe
             to
             Providence
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             Providential
             Will
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             I
             shall
             distinctly
             inquire
             ,
             what
             submission
             we
             owe
             to
             Providence
             under
             all
             the
             Evils
             ,
             Afflictions
             ,
             and
             Calamities
             of
             life
             ,
             and
             in
             those
             several
             states
             ,
             conditions
             ,
             and
             relations
             of
             life
             ,
             which
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             placeth
             us
             in
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             What
             submission
             we
             owe
             to
             Providence
             under
             all
             the
             Sufferings
             and
             Afflictions
             which
             we
             meet
             with
             in
             this
             world
             .
             I
             do
             not
             mention
             a
             happy
             and
             prosperous
             Fortune
             ,
             for
             it
             requires
             no
             great
             submission
             to
             be
             prosperous
             ,
             this
             is
             what
             all
             men
             desire
             and
             chuse
             ;
             but
             to
             submit
             ,
             is
             to
             make
             our
             own
             Wills
             ,
             and
             Desires
             ,
             and
             Fears
             ,
             and
             Aversions
             ,
             and
             natural
             Passions
             and
             Affections
             ,
             stoop
             and
             yield
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             there
             is
             no
             occasion
             for
             ,
             but
             in
             a
             suffering
             and
             afflicted
             state
             .
          
           
             Now
             when
             we
             suffer
             such
             things
             as
             are
             very
             grievous
             to
             flesh
             and
             blood
             ,
             submission
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             does
             not
             require
             that
             we
             should
             not
             feel
             our
             Sufferings
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             not
             be
             afflicted
             with
             them
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             not
             
             complain
             of
             them
             ;
             for
             to
             submit
             to
             God
             is
             not
             to
             put
             off
             the
             sense
             and
             passions
             of
             human
             Nature
             ;
             it
             does
             not
             alter
             the
             nature
             of
             things
             ,
             nor
             our
             opinions
             about
             them
             :
             Afflictions
             are
             afflictions
             still
             ,
             and
             will
             be
             felt
             ,
             and
             though
             we
             must
             bear
             them
             in
             submission
             to
             God
             ,
             yet
             we
             must
             bear
             them
             as
             Afflictions
             can
             be
             born
             ,
             and
             as
             human
             Nature
             can
             bear
             them
             ;
             with
             pain
             ,
             and
             grief
             ,
             and
             reluctancy
             ,
             with
             sighs
             ,
             and
             groans
             ,
             and
             complaints
             ,
             with
             vehement
             and
             importunate
             desires
             and
             Prayers
             to
             God
             and
             man
             to
             help
             and
             deliver
             us
             .
          
           
             We
             have
             frequent
             examples
             of
             this
             in
             Scripture
             :
             The
             Psalms
             of
             David
             as
             they
             abound
             with
             all
             dutifull
             Expressions
             of
             Reverence
             and
             Submission
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ;
             so
             they
             are
             very
             full
             of
             complaints
             and
             of
             the
             most
             passionate
             sense
             of
             Sufferings
             represented
             so
             as
             to
             be
             felt
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             strain
             of
             moving
             Eloquence
             ,
             as
             not
             Art
             ,
             but
             Afflicted
             Nature
             teaches
             .
             But
             we
             have
             one
             Example
             above
             all
             others
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             the
             Example
             of
             our
             Saviour
             Christ
             ,
             who
             suffered
             with
             Fear
             and
             Reluctancy
             ,
             and
             with
             earnest
             Prayers
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
             
               If
               it
               be
               possible
               ,
               let
               this
               cup
               pass
               from
               me
               .
            
          
           
             The
             truth
             is
             ,
             the
             greater
             our
             fears
             ,
             and
             sorrows
             ,
             and
             aversions
             are
             ,
             the
             greater
             is
             our
             submission
             to
             God
             :
             it
             may
             be
             thought
             a
             great
             weakness
             of
             Nature
             to
             be
             so
             much
             afraid
             of
             our
             Sufferings
             ;
             but
             it
             argues
             the
             greater
             strength
             of
             Faith
             ,
             and
             is
             a
             more
             glorious
             Victory
             over
             self
             ,
             to
             make
             our
             very
             fears
             and
             aversions
             submit
             to
             the
             Divine
             Will
             ;
             for
             the
             more
             what
             we
             suffer
             is
             against
             our
             own
             will
             ,
             the
             greater
             is
             our
             submission
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God.
             Submission
             to
             God
             does
             not
             consist
             in
             courage
             and
             fortitude
             of
             mind
             to
             bear
             Sufferings
             ,
             which
             men
             may
             have
             without
             any
             sense
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             which
             the
             profoundest
             Reverence
             for
             God
             will
             not
             always
             teach
             us
             ;
             but
             he
             submits
             ,
             who
             receives
             the
             Bitter
             Cup
             and
             drinks
             it
             ,
             though
             with
             a
             Trembling
             heart
             and
             hand
             .
          
           
           
             This
             ought
             to
             be
             observed
             for
             the
             comfort
             of
             those
             who
             have
             a
             very
             Devout
             sense
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             Reverence
             for
             his
             Judgments
             ,
             but
             betray
             great
             weakness
             of
             Mind
             ,
             and
             disorders
             of
             Passions
             under
             their
             Sufferings
             ;
             who
             are
             very
             impatient
             of
             Pain
             ,
             and
             have
             such
             soft
             and
             tender
             Passions
             ,
             that
             every
             Affliction
             galls
             them
             ,
             and
             when
             they
             reflect
             upon
             these
             Disorders
             ,
             this
             creates
             new
             and
             greater
             Troubles
             to
             them
             ;
             for
             they
             conclude
             ,
             that
             all
             this
             is
             want
             of
             a
             due
             Submission
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             :
             But
             Religion
             was
             never
             intended
             to
             extinguish
             the
             Sense
             and
             Affections
             of
             Nature
             ,
             to
             reconcile
             us
             to
             Pain
             ,
             or
             to
             make
             all
             things
             indifferent
             to
             us
             ;
             and
             while
             there
             is
             any
             thing
             that
             we
             love
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             grievous
             to
             part
             with
             it
             ;
             and
             while
             there
             is
             any
             thing
             that
             we
             fear
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             grievous
             to
             suffer
             it
             .
             Religion
             will
             rectify
             our
             Opinions
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             cure
             our
             fondnesses
             ,
             and
             set
             bounds
             to
             our
             Passions
             ;
             but
             when
             all
             these
             flattering
             ,
             or
             frightful
             disguises
             are
             removed
             ,
             which
             magnified
             the
             Good
             or
             Evil
             that
             is
             in
             things
             ,
             yet
             Good
             and
             Evil
             they
             are
             ,
             and
             will
             excite
             in
             us
             either
             troublesome
             or
             delightful
             Passions
             ;
             and
             this
             will
             exercise
             our
             Submission
             to
             God
             ,
             to
             part
             with
             what
             we
             love
             ,
             and
             to
             suffer
             what
             we
             fear
             ;
             and
             were
             not
             this
             the
             case
             ,
             there
             were
             no
             use
             of
             Submission
             .
          
           
             To
             explain
             this
             in
             a
             few
             words
             ,
             let
             us
             consider
             how
             that
             man
             must
             suffer
             ,
             who
             suffers
             with
             Submission
             to
             God
             ;
             and
             that
             is
             the
             Submission
             which
             we
             owe
             to
             Providence
             .
             Now
             a
             man
             who
             suffers
             with
             Submission
             ,
             must
             not
             reproach
             and
             censure
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             but
             think
             and
             speak
             honourably
             of
             God
             ,
             how
             hardly
             soever
             he
             deals
             with
             him
             ;
             he
             may
             complain
             of
             what
             he
             suffers
             both
             to
             God
             and
             men
             ,
             but
             he
             must
             not
             complain
             of
             God
             :
             This
             was
             
             Iob's
             Behaviour
             ;
             
               Naked
               came
               I
               out
               of
               my
               mother's
               womb
               ,
               and
               naked
               shall
               I
               return
               thither
               :
               the
               Lord
               gave
               ,
               and
               the
               Lord
               hath
               taken
               away
               ,
               and
               blessed
               be
               the
               name
               of
               the
               Lord
               :
               in
               all
               this
               Iob
               sinned
               not
               ,
               nor
               charged
               God
               foolishly
               ,
            
             I
             Job
             21
             ,
             
             22.
             
             And
             the
             Prophet
             David
             was
             an
             Example
             of
             the
             like
             Submission
             ;
             
               I
               was
               dumb
               ,
               I
               opened
               not
               my
               mouth
               ,
               because
               thou
               didst
               it
               ,
            
             39.
             
             Psalm
             9.
             
             He
             submitted
             silently
             and
             patiently
             as
             to
             God's
             hand
             ,
             opened
             not
             his
             mouth
             against
             God
             ,
             though
             he
             complains
             of
             the
             Wickedness
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             severity
             of
             his
             Sufferings
             ;
             
               Deliver
               me
               from
               all
               my
               transgressions
               ,
               make
               me
               not
               the
               reproach
               of
               the
               foolish
               :
               remove
               thy
               stroke
               away
               from
               me
               ;
               I
               am
               consumed
               by
               the
               blow
               of
               thine
               hand
               ,
            
             8
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             To
             reproach
             and
             revile
             Providence
             ,
             to
             fret
             against
             God
             ,
             or
             as
             
             Iob's
             Wife
             advised
             him
             ,
             to
             curse
             God
             ,
             to
             be
             weary
             of
             his
             Government
             ,
             and
             impatient
             to
             think
             that
             we
             cannot
             resist
             ,
             and
             cast
             off
             so
             uneasy
             a
             yoke
             ;
             this
             is
             directly
             contrary
             to
             Submission
             .
             Such
             men
             suffer
             God's
             Will
             because
             they
             cannot
             help
             it
             ;
             but
             they
             would
             Rebel
             if
             they
             could
             ;
             those
             who
             are
             so
             outragious
             against
             what
             God
             does
             ,
             and
             so
             impatiently
             angry
             with
             God
             for
             doing
             it
             ,
             only
             want
             power
             to
             stay
             his
             hand
             ,
             and
             to
             pull
             him
             from
             his
             Throne
             .
          
           
             Submission
             to
             God
             ,
             is
             the
             Submission
             of
             our
             Wills
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             :
             Now
             though
             no
             man
             can
             absolutely
             chuse
             sufferings
             ;
             for
             suffering
             is
             a
             natural
             Evil
             ,
             and
             therefore
             not
             the
             object
             of
             a
             free
             choice
             ;
             yet
             men
             may
             chuse
             suffering
             against
             the
             natural
             byass
             and
             inclination
             of
             their
             own
             wills
             in
             Subjection
             to
             the
             will
             of
             God
             :
             Of
             this
             our
             Saviour
             is
             a
             great
             Example
             ,
             who
             express'd
             a
             great
             aversion
             against
             suffering
             ,
             Prayed
             earnestly
             ,
             
               Father
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               possible
               ,
               let
               this
               cup
               pass
               from
               me
               ,
               nevertheless
               ,
               not
               my
               will
               ,
               but
               thy
               will
               be
               done
               ,
            
             Our
             own
             wills
             will
             draw
             back
             and
             recoil
             at
             suffering
             ;
             
               For
               no
               affliction
               is
               for
               the
               present
               joyous
               but
               grievous
            
             ;
             but
             yet
             a
             will
             that
             is
             subject
             to
             God
             ,
             will
             deny
             it self
             ,
             and
             chuse
             that
             God's
             will
             should
             take
             place
             ;
             And
             this
             is
             our
             Submission
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             in
             suffering
             ;
             yet
             how
             uneasie
             soever
             it
             be
             to
             us
             ,
             we
             are
             so
             far
             from
             complaining
             against
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             would
             not
             have
             it
             otherwise
             when
             
             God
             sees
             fit
             it
             should
             be
             so
             ;
             that
             though
             we
             do
             not
             ,
             and
             cannot
             chuse
             sufferings
             ,
             yet
             we
             chuse
             that
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             should
             be
             done
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             to
             suffer
             .
          
           
             Another
             act
             of
             Submission
             to
             God
             ,
             is
             when
             we
             wait
             patiently
             on
             God
             ,
             till
             he
             think
             fit
             to
             deliver
             us
             ;
             when
             notwithstanding
             all
             we
             suffer
             ,
             our
             hope
             ,
             and
             trust
             ,
             and
             dependance
             is
             still
             on
             God.
             To
             submit
             to
             God
             ,
             is
             to
             submit
             in
             Faith
             and
             Hope
             ,
             to
             submit
             as
             to
             the
             Corrections
             and
             Discipline
             of
             a
             Father
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             impossible
             for
             any
             man
             to
             submit
             without
             Hope
             ,
             as
             impossible
             as
             it
             is
             to
             be
             contented
             with
             final
             Ruin.
             When
             we
             cast
             off
             our
             Hope
             in
             God
             ,
             there
             is
             an
             end
             of
             our
             Submission
             ,
             then
             we
             shall
             come
             to
             that
             desperate
             conclusion
             ,
             
               Behold
               ,
               this
               evil
               is
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               why
               should
               I
               wait
               on
               the
               Lord
               any
               longer
               ,
            
             2
             Kings
             6.
             33.
             
             But
             never
             was
             there
             a
             greater
             expression
             of
             Submission
             than
             that
             of
             
               Iob
               ,
               Though
               he
               slay
               me
               ,
               yet
               will
               I
               trust
               in
               him
               :
               —
               he
               also
               shall
               be
               my
               salvation
               ,
               for
               a
               hypocrite
               shall
               not
               come
               before
               him
               ,
            
             13.
             
             Job
             15
             ,
             16.
             
             This
             the
             Psalmist
             has
             fully
             express'd
             27.
             
             
               Psalm
               13
               ,
               14.
               
               I
               had
               fainted
               unless
               I
               had
               believed
               to
               see
               the
               goodness
               of
               the
               Lord
               in
               the
               land
               of
               living
               .
               Wait
               on
               the
               Lord
               ,
               be
               of
               good
               courage
               ,
               and
               he
               shall
               strengthen
               thine
               heart
               :
               wait
               I
               say
               on
               the
               Lord.
            
             To
             Hope
             in
             the
             Mercy
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             even
             when
             he
             strikes
             ,
             to
             wait
             Patiently
             till
             he
             will
             be
             Gracious
             ,
             to
             make
             our
             complaints
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             expect
             our
             Deliverance
             and
             Salvation
             only
             from
             him
             ;
             this
             is
             to
             Submit
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             make
             his
             Will
             our
             Will
             ,
             to
             attend
             all
             the
             motions
             of
             his
             Providence
             ,
             as
             patiently
             and
             diligently
             as
             a
             Servant
             does
             the
             commands
             of
             his
             Lord
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             elegantly
             represented
             ,
             123.
             
             
               Psalm
               1
               ,
               2.
               
               Vnto
               thee
               lift
               I
               up
               mine
               eyes
               ,
               O
               thou
               that
               dwellest
               in
               the
               heavens
               !
               Behold
               !
               as
               the
               eyes
               of
               servants
               look
               upon
               the
               hand
               of
               their
               masters
               ,
               and
               as
               the
               eyes
               of
               a
               maiden
               unto
               the
               hand
               of
               her
               mistress
               ;
               so
               our
               eyes
               wait
               upon
               the
               Lord
               our
               God
               ,
               until
               that
               he
               have
               mercy
               upon
               us
               .
            
          
           
           
             This
             is
             that
             Submission
             which
             we
             owe
             to
             Providence
             ,
             under
             all
             the
             Evils
             and
             Calamities
             of
             Life
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             would
             make
             this
             Submission
             easy
             and
             chearful
             ,
             we
             must
             possess
             our
             Souls
             with
             a
             firm
             perswasion
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             :
             We
             must
             not
             look
             upon
             him
             a
             meer
             Soveraign
             and
             Arbitrary
             Lord
             ;
             for
             to
             submit
             to
             meer
             Arbitrary
             Will
             and
             Power
             ,
             is
             ,
             and
             will
             be
             ,
             very
             grievous
             ;
             but
             we
             must
             represent
             God
             to
             our
             minds
             under
             a
             more
             lovely
             and
             charming
             Character
             ,
             as
             the
             Universal
             Parent
             ,
             who
             has
             a
             tender
             and
             compassionate
             regard
             for
             all
             his
             Creatures
             ;
             
               Who
               does
               not
               afflict
               willingly
               ,
               nor
               grieve
               the
               children
               of
               men
               ;
               who
               corrects
               us
               for
               our
               profit
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               be
               partakers
               of
               his
               holiness
            
             ;
             and
             proportions
             the
             severity
             of
             his
             Discipline
             ,
             either
             to
             the
             ends
             of
             Publick
             Government
             ,
             or
             to
             our
             Spiritual
             wants
             :
             Such
             an
             Idea
             of
             Providence
             as
             this
             ,
             will
             reconcile
             us
             even
             to
             Sufferings
             ,
             when
             we
             know
             they
             are
             good
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             intended
             for
             our
             good
             :
             When
             we
             know
             that
             it
             is
             a
             kind
             hand
             which
             strikes
             ,
             we
             shall
             kiss
             the
             Rod
             ,
             and
             submit
             to
             Correction
             with
             as
             equal
             a
             mind
             ,
             as
             we
             do
             to
             the
             prescription
             of
             a
             Physician
             ,
             how
             severe
             the
             methods
             of
             cure
             are
             .
             Were
             our
             minds
             thoroughly
             possessed
             with
             this
             belief
             ,
             how
             easy
             would
             it
             make
             us
             under
             some
             of
             the
             most
             severest
             trials
             .
             Nothing
             indeed
             can
             make
             pain
             easy
             ,
             for
             that
             is
             matter
             of
             sense
             ;
             but
             a
             good
             perswasion
             of
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             will
             fortify
             our
             minds
             to
             bear
             it
             ;
             and
             that
             is
             much
             the
             same
             thing
             ,
             whether
             our
             pains
             be
             less
             ,
             or
             our
             minds
             stronger
             .
             But
             as
             for
             other
             Afflictions
             ,
             which
             depend
             very
             much
             upon
             Opinion
             ,
             and
             afflict
             us
             more
             or
             less
             ,
             as
             we
             apprehend
             them
             ,
             a
             firm
             belief
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             inflicts
             them
             on
             us
             ,
             will
             in
             a
             great
             measure
             cure
             the
             pain
             and
             trouble
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             We
             have
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             lost
             some
             part
             of
             our
             Estates
             ,
             a
             dear
             Friend
             ,
             or
             near
             Relation
             ;
             a
             Child
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             an
             only
             Child
             ,
             but
             all
             these
             are
             uncertain
             Comforts
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             case
             is
             doubtful
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             good
             for
             us
             ,
             or
             not
             ;
             we
             
             ought
             in
             all
             reason
             to
             acquiesce
             in
             the
             Divine
             Will
             ,
             and
             conclude
             ,
             that
             is
             best
             for
             us
             which
             God
             does
             ;
             because
             he
             is
             infinitely
             wiser
             than
             we
             are
             ,
             and
             more
             concerned
             for
             our
             happiness
             ,
             if
             we
             will
             make
             a
             wise
             use
             of
             his
             Providence
             ,
             than
             we
             our selves
             are
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             this
             will
             teach
             us
             an
             implicit
             faith
             in
             God
             beyond
             our
             own
             prospect
             of
             things
             ;
             though
             we
             can
             no
             more
             guess
             the
             reasons
             of
             our
             Sufferings
             ,
             than
             Iob
             could
             ;
             yet
             while
             we
             believe
             God
             to
             be
             wise
             and
             good
             ,
             we
             are
             secure
             ;
             a
             wise
             God
             can
             never
             mistake
             ,
             and
             a
             good
             God
             will
             consult
             our
             happiness
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             reason
             enough
             in
             the
             most
             difficult
             and
             perplext
             cases
             to
             submit
             patiently
             to
             Providence
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             There
             is
             a
             submission
             also
             due
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             several
             states
             ,
             conditions
             ,
             and
             relations
             of
             life
             ,
             which
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             hath
             placed
             us
             in
             .
             We
             can
             no
             more
             chuse
             our
             own
             state
             and
             condition
             of
             life
             ,
             than
             we
             can
             chuse
             ,
             when
             and
             where
             to
             be
             born
             ,
             what
             our
             Parents
             shall
             be
             ,
             how
             they
             shall
             educate
             us
             ,
             and
             dispose
             of
             us
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             what
             success
             we
             shall
             have
             ,
             what
             Friends
             ,
             or
             what
             Enemies
             we
             shall
             meet
             with
             ,
             what
             Changes
             and
             Revolutions
             we
             shall
             see
             ,
             either
             in
             our
             private
             Fortunes
             ,
             or
             in
             publick
             Affairs
             .
             Nothing
             of
             all
             this
             is
             at
             our
             own
             choice
             ,
             and
             therefore
             whatever
             our
             Circumstances
             are
             ,
             any
             farther
             than
             it
             is
             our
             own
             fault
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             imputable
             to
             us
             .
          
           
             Now
             since
             we
             cannot
             chuse
             our
             own
             Fortune
             ,
             nor
             order
             Events
             as
             we
             please
             ,
             the
             only
             submission
             we
             can
             owe
             to
             God
             in
             such
             cases
             ,
             is
             humbly
             to
             acquiesce
             in
             what
             God
             does
             ,
             and
             faithfully
             to
             discharge
             the
             duties
             which
             belong
             to
             that
             state
             ,
             and
             condition
             ,
             and
             circumstances
             of
             life
             ,
             which
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             has
             placed
             us
             in
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             to
             submit
             to
             the
             Providential
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             submit
             to
             the
             disposals
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             to
             submit
             to
             God's
             disposal
             ,
             is
             to
             act
             in
             that
             sphere
             and
             station
             which
             
             Providence
             assigns
             us
             ,
             and
             to
             comply
             with
             the
             Laws
             of
             it
             .
             And
             thus
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             not
             the
             rule
             of
             our
             Actions
             ,
             yet
             may
             change
             our
             duty
             ,
             and
             must
             do
             so
             ,
             as
             it
             changes
             our
             condition
             ;
             for
             every
             condition
             and
             relation
             having
             peculiar
             duties
             belonging
             to
             it
             ,
             our
             duty
             must
             change
             ,
             as
             our
             condition
             does
             .
             The
             duties
             of
             Princes
             and
             Subjects
             ,
             of
             Magistrates
             and
             private
             Men
             ,
             of
             a
             low
             and
             mean
             ,
             and
             of
             an
             exalted
             and
             plentiful
             Fortune
             ,
             of
             Parents
             and
             Children
             ,
             of
             Masters
             and
             Servants
             ,
             are
             of
             a
             very
             different
             nature
             ;
             and
             as
             these
             relations
             change
             ,
             our
             duty
             must
             change
             with
             them
             ;
             and
             when
             we
             conform
             our selves
             to
             our
             condition
             ,
             we
             submit
             to
             Providence
             ,
             which
             gives
             us
             no
             new
             rules
             of
             life
             ;
             but
             may
             impose
             new
             duties
             on
             us
             ,
             by
             putting
             us
             into
             a
             new
             state
             .
          
           
             This
             ought
             to
             be
             carefully
             considered
             ,
             because
             there
             are
             dangerous
             extreams
             on
             both
             sides
             .
             Some
             think
             the
             visible
             appearances
             of
             Providence
             are
             sufficient
             to
             alter
             our
             duty
             without
             changing
             our
             state
             and
             relations
             ;
             that
             the
             Successes
             of
             Providence
             will
             justify
             such
             Actions
             ,
             as
             neither
             the
             Laws
             of
             God
             nor
             men
             will
             justify
             ;
             and
             that
             to
             serve
             Providence
             ,
             when
             a
             fair
             opportunity
             is
             put
             into
             their
             hands
             ,
             they
             may
             dispence
             with
             the
             most
             known
             and
             unquestionable
             duties
             :
             Others
             have
             such
             a
             just
             abhorrence
             of
             this
             ,
             which
             overturns
             all
             Divine
             and
             Human
             Laws
             ,
             that
             they
             run
             into
             the
             contrary
             extream
             ;
             and
             for
             fear
             of
             allowing
             that
             Providence
             can
             change
             our
             duty
             ,
             and
             alter
             the
             nature
             of
             good
             and
             evil
             ,
             they
             will
             not
             allow
             ,
             that
             Providence
             can
             so
             much
             as
             change
             our
             relations
             and
             state
             of
             life
             ,
             and
             with
             such
             a
             change
             of
             our
             condition
             ,
             change
             our
             duty
             :
             For
             no
             man
             can
             deny
             ,
             but
             that
             if
             our
             condition
             and
             relations
             are
             changed
             ,
             our
             duty
             must
             change
             too
             .
          
           
             To
             give
             a
             plain
             Example
             of
             this
             .
             When
             Saul
             pursued
             David
             ,
             and
             God
             delivered
             Saul
             into
             
             David's
             hands
             while
             he
             was
             asleep
             in
             the
             Cave
             ;
             
               The
               men
               of
               David
               said
               unto
               
               him
               ,
               behold
               the
               day
               of
               which
               the
               Lord
               said
               unto
               thee
               ,
               Behold
               I
               will
               deliver
               thine
               enemy
               into
               thine
               hand
               ,
               that
               thou
               mayst
               do
               to
               him
               ,
               as
               it
               shall
               seem
               good
               to
               thee
               .
            
             Here
             is
             an
             Argument
             from
             Providence
             to
             justify
             
             David's
             killing
             Saul
             ,
             whom
             God
             had
             so
             wonderfully
             delivered
             into
             his
             hands
             ;
             but
             David
             did
             not
             think
             that
             Providence
             would
             justify
             him
             against
             a
             Divine
             Law
             ;
             Providence
             gave
             him
             an
             opportunity
             to
             kill
             Saul
             ,
             but
             the
             Divine
             Law
             forbad
             him
             to
             take
             it
             ;
             for
             Saul
             was
             his
             King
             still
             ,
             and
             he
             was
             his
             Subject
             .
             And
             therefore
             
               He
               said
               unto
               his
               men
               ,
               the
               Lord
               forbid
               that
               I
               should
               do
               this
               thing
               unto
               my
               Master
               ,
               the
               Lords
               anointed
               ,
               to
               stretch
               forth
               my
               hand
               against
               him
               ,
               seeing
               he
               is
               the
               Lord
               's
               anointed
               ,
            
             1
             Sam.
             24.
             4
             ,
             6.
             
             The
             same
             Answer
             David
             gave
             to
             Abishai
             ,
             when
             he
             found
             Saul
             the
             second
             time
             sleeping
             in
             the
             Trench
             ,
             
               And
               Abishai
               said
               to
               David
               ,
               God
               hath
               delivered
               thine
               enemy
               into
               thine
               hand
               this
               day
               ;
               now
               therefore
               let
               me
               smite
               him
               ,
               I
               pray
               thee
               ,
               with
               the
               spear
               ,
               even
               to
               the
               earth
               at
               once
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               not
               smite
               him
               the
               second
               time
               .
               And
               David
               said
               to
               Abishai
               ,
               destroy
               him
               not
               ;
               for
               who
               can
               stretch
               forth
               his
               hand
               against
               the
               Lord's
               anointed
               ,
               and
               be
               guiltless
               ?
            
             1
             Sam.
             26.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
             Providence
             had
             not
             unkinged
             Saul
             ,
             nor
             made
             David
             King
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             it
             had
             not
             altered
             the
             relation
             ,
             and
             therefore
             could
             not
             absolve
             him
             from
             the
             duties
             of
             his
             relation
             ,
             from
             those
             duties
             which
             a
             Subject
             owes
             to
             his
             Prince
             ,
             and
             therefore
             could
             not
             justify
             the
             killing
             him
             .
          
           
             This
             shews
             ,
             that
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             can't
             alter
             the
             Rules
             of
             Action
             ,
             without
             altering
             our
             Condition
             ,
             and
             Relations
             ,
             and
             Circumstances
             of
             Life
             ;
             and
             where
             it
             does
             so
             ,
             it
             must
             of
             necessity
             change
             our
             Duty
             ;
             for
             different
             Relations
             and
             Conditions
             require
             different
             Duties
             :
             When
             a
             man
             of
             a
             Servant
             becomes
             a
             Master
             ,
             or
             of
             a
             Subject
             a
             Prince
             ,
             his
             Duties
             and
             Obligations
             must
             change
             with
             his
             Relations
             ,
             for
             such
             relative
             Duties
             are
             annexed
             to
             Relations
             ,
             and
             belong
             to
             particular
             persons
             ,
             only
             as
             invested
             with
             such
             Relations
             ;
             and
             as
             the
             person
             changes
             his
             Relations
             ,
             so
             the
             
             Duties
             he
             owes
             ,
             and
             the
             Duties
             which
             are
             owing
             to
             him
             ,
             must
             change
             likewise
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             vain
             pretence
             in
             this
             case
             to
             set
             up
             the
             Laws
             of
             God
             against
             our
             submission
             to
             Providence
             ;
             for
             we
             do
             not
             oppofe
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             against
             his
             Laws
             .
             The
             Laws
             of
             God
             prescribe
             us
             the
             Rules
             of
             our
             Duty
             in
             all
             Conditions
             and
             Circumstances
             of
             Life
             ;
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             chuses
             our
             condition
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             that
             directs
             us
             what
             Laws
             we
             are
             to
             observe
             ,
             what
             Duties
             we
             owe
             ,
             and
             to
             whom
             :
             So
             that
             there
             is
             and
             can
             be
             no
             dispute
             about
             the
             Rules
             of
             Duty
             ;
             the
             Duties
             of
             all
             Conditions
             and
             Relations
             are
             fixt
             and
             certain
             ;
             the
             only
             dispute
             that
             can
             be
             ,
             is
             this
             ,
             Whether
             ,
             when
             our
             Condition
             and
             Relations
             are
             changed
             ,
             they
             are
             changed
             by
             God
             ?
             and
             whether
             we
             must
             submit
             to
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             in
             such
             a
             Change
             ,
             by
             what
             means
             soever
             such
             a
             Change
             is
             brought
             about
             ?
             If
             all
             the
             private
             and
             publick
             changes
             of
             mens
             state
             and
             condition
             are
             directed
             and
             governed
             by
             God
             ,
             and
             are
             his
             Will
             and
             Doings
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             already
             proved
             ;
             if
             we
             must
             submit
             to
             Providence
             ,
             we
             must
             submit
             to
             that
             state
             and
             condition
             which
             Providence
             places
             us
             in
             :
             For
             there
             is
             no
             other
             way
             of
             submitting
             to
             Providence
             .
          
           
             And
             since
             we
             cannot
             chuse
             our
             own
             Fortune
             ,
             much
             less
             govern
             Kingdoms
             and
             Empires
             ;
             since
             God
             keeps
             all
             these
             Events
             in
             his
             own
             hands
             ,
             it
             would
             be
             very
             hard
             ,
             if
             we
             must
             not
             submit
             to
             the
             condition
             which
             Providence
             chuses
             for
             us
             ;
             that
             when
             God
             allots
             us
             our
             condition
             ,
             it
             should
             be
             unlawful
             for
             us
             to
             do
             what
             our
             condition
             requires
             to
             be
             done
             :
             For
             if
             our
             present
             condition
             and
             circumstances
             of
             life
             do
             not
             determine
             our
             duty
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             ever
             to
             know
             what
             our
             duty
             is
             .
          
           
             But
             there
             are
             some
             material
             Questions
             concerning
             our
             submission
             to
             Providence
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             our
             several
             states
             and
             conditions
             of
             life
             ,
             which
             deserve
             to
             be
             considered
             .
          
           
           
             1.
             
             As
             first
             ,
             Whether
             it
             be
             consistent
             with
             our
             submission
             to
             Providence
             ,
             to
             endeavour
             to
             better
             our
             Fortune
             ,
             and
             to
             change
             our
             state
             of
             life
             .
             Now
             this
             there
             can
             be
             no
             doubt
             of
             in
             general
             ,
             though
             I
             fear
             many
             men
             are
             to
             blame
             in
             it
             .
             Submission
             to
             Providence
             does
             not
             forbid
             a
             poor
             man
             to
             enrich
             himself
             ,
             when
             he
             can
             do
             it
             by
             honest
             and
             prudent
             Arts
             ;
             for
             though
             God
             allots
             every
             man
             his
             portion
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             yet
             he
             has
             reserved
             to
             himself
             a
             liberty
             of
             changing
             mens
             Fortunes
             ,
             as
             they
             deserve
             ,
             and
             as
             he
             sees
             fit
             .
             That
             it
             often
             is
             so
             ,
             experience
             tells
             us
             ;
             we
             see
             men
             rise
             from
             low
             and
             mean
             beginnings
             to
             great
             riches
             ,
             and
             honour
             ,
             and
             power
             ;
             and
             since
             God
             has
             not
             forbid
             any
             man
             to
             advance
             his
             Fortune
             by
             honest
             means
             ,
             submission
             to
             Providence
             does
             not
             stake
             a
             man
             down
             to
             the
             low
             and
             mean
             beginnings
             of
             life
             .
             This
             is
             the
             present
             reward
             and
             encouragement
             of
             diligence
             ,
             prudence
             ,
             and
             vertue
             ;
             That
             
               the
               diligent
               hand
               maketh
               rich
               ;
               that
               a
               man
               who
               is
               diligent
               in
               his
               business
               ,
               shall
               stand
               before
               princes
               ,
            
             
             
               and
               shall
               not
               stand
               before
               mean
               men
               .
               That
               the
               merchandise
               of
               wisdom
               is
               better
               than
               the
               merchandise
               of
               silver
               ,
               and
               the
               gain
               thereof
               than
               fine
               gold
               :
               That
               length
               of
               days
               is
               in
               her
               right
               hand
               ,
               and
               in
               her
               left
               riches
               and
               honours
               .
            
             Providence
             gives
             us
             many
             Examples
             of
             this
             nature
             to
             encourage
             all
             mens
             Industry
             and
             Vertue
             ,
             which
             ,
             whether
             it
             advance
             their
             Fortunes
             or
             no
             ,
             will
             make
             their
             lives
             easy
             and
             happy
             ,
             and
             better
             their
             minds
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             useful
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             a
             credit
             to
             a
             low
             Fortune
             ;
             which
             may
             be
             better
             for
             them
             than
             to
             change
             their
             station
             :
             Nay
             sometimes
             we
             see
             men
             of
             a
             noble
             and
             sprightly
             genius
             come
             into
             the
             world
             in
             such
             mean
             circumstances
             ,
             that
             they
             can
             hardly
             peep
             above
             the
             Horizon
             ;
             but
             by
             degrees
             they
             ascend
             ,
             and
             grow
             brighter
             ,
             and
             shine
             with
             a
             Meridian
             luster
             ,
             as
             if
             their
             obscure
             beginnings
             were
             intended
             on
             purpose
             to
             inspirit
             the
             lower
             end
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             to
             shew
             what
             Industry
             and
             Vertue
             can
             do
             .
          
           
           
             But
             though
             submission
             to
             Providence
             does
             not
             hinder
             us
             from
             using
             all
             honest
             endeavours
             to
             better
             our
             Fortune
             ;
             yet
             it
             makes
             us
             easy
             and
             contented
             in
             a
             low
             Fortune
             ,
             patient
             of
             disappointments
             ,
             and
             not
             envious
             at
             the
             better
             Successes
             ,
             and
             greater
             Prosperity
             of
             others
             ,
             especially
             of
             those
             who
             were
             our
             equals
             .
             All
             which
             signifies
             no
             more
             ,
             than
             quietly
             and
             submissively
             to
             suffer
             God
             to
             dispose
             of
             our
             own
             and
             of
             other
             mens
             Fortunes
             ,
             as
             he
             pleases
             .
             We
             may
             like
             some
             other
             condition
             better
             than
             our
             own
             ,
             but
             submission
             to
             Providence
             will
             make
             us
             easy
             and
             contented
             with
             what
             we
             have
             ;
             because
             it
             is
             God's
             Will
             ,
             and
             what
             he
             orders
             for
             us
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             believe
             well
             of
             God
             ,
             we
             must
             believe
             that
             it
             is
             good
             for
             us
             .
             We
             may
             endeavour
             to
             increase
             our
             Estate
             ,
             and
             get
             a
             little
             higher
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             but
             if
             our
             endeavours
             want
             success
             ,
             we
             must
             take
             it
             patiently
             ,
             and
             wait
             God's
             time
             ,
             and
             be
             contented
             to
             tarry
             where
             we
             are
             ,
             if
             he
             does
             not
             think
             fit
             to
             advance
             us
             ;
             and
             not
             repine
             if
             he
             advance
             others
             before
             and
             above
             us
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             God's
             will
             to
             advance
             them
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             not
             his
             will
             to
             advance
             us
             ,
             and
             he
             has
             wise
             Reasons
             for
             both
             ,
             and
             we
             ought
             to
             acquiesce
             in
             his
             Will
             with
             an
             implicit
             faith
             .
          
           
             We
             may
             endeavour
             to
             better
             our
             Fortune
             ,
             but
             we
             must
             not
             force
             our selves
             upwards
             ,
             must
             not
             be
             restless
             or
             vehement
             in
             our
             desires
             ;
             must
             use
             no
             base
             or
             wicked
             Arts
             to
             make
             our selves
             great
             .
             This
             is
             not
             to
             submit
             to
             God
             ,
             but
             to
             carve
             out
             our
             own
             Fortune
             ,
             without
             any
             reverence
             to
             the
             Laws
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Providence
             of
             God.
             Nothing
             will
             content
             such
             men
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             rich
             and
             great
             ,
             and
             they
             will
             boggle
             at
             nothing
             that
             will
             make
             them
             so
             ;
             God
             sometimes
             suffers
             such
             men
             to
             prosper
             ,
             but
             they
             do
             not
             prosper
             in
             submission
             to
             Providence
             ;
             but
             if
             I
             may
             so
             speak
             ,
             they
             commit
             a
             rape
             upon
             Providence
             ;
             and
             Providence
             deals
             with
             them
             accordingly
             ,
             and
             makes
             them
             the
             sport
             of
             Fortune
             :
             When
             they
             have
             taken
             a
             great
             leap
             ,
             it
             tosses
             them
             up
             ,
             and
             keeps
             them
             hovering
             a-while
             in
             the
             Air
             ,
             and
             then
             flings
             them
             
             down
             into
             irrecoverable
             and
             unpitied
             Ruin.
             Though
             no
             men
             can
             advance
             themselves
             whether
             God
             will
             or
             no
             ,
             because
             all
             Events
             are
             in
             God's
             hands
             ;
             yet
             when
             men
             advance
             themselves
             by
             sin
             ,
             the
             means
             of
             their
             advancement
             is
             their
             own
             ,
             not
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ;
             but
             submission
             to
             Providence
             requires
             us
             quietly
             and
             contentedly
             to
             keep
             our
             station
             ,
             till
             God
             sees
             fit
             to
             advance
             us
             ,
             at
             his
             own
             time
             ,
             and
             in
             his
             own
             way
             .
          
           
             2dly
             ,
             What
             submission
             is
             due
             to
             God
             in
             the
             changes
             of
             our
             Fortune
             and
             Condition
             ,
             and
             that
             whether
             it
             be
             from
             low
             to
             high
             ,
             or
             from
             high
             to
             low
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             first
             ,
             There
             are
             few
             men
             who
             find
             any
             difficulty
             in
             submitting
             to
             Providence
             ,
             when
             it
             advances
             them
             to
             a
             higher
             station
             ;
             but
             some
             few
             such
             there
             are
             ,
             who
             love
             their
             ease
             and
             retirement
             ,
             and
             the
             conversation
             of
             their
             Friends
             ,
             and
             the
             security
             of
             a
             private
             life
             ,
             before
             noisy
             greatness
             ,
             and
             the
             endless
             Fatigues
             of
             Publick
             Ministries
             ;
             who
             had
             rather
             enjoy
             themselves
             ,
             and
             be
             Masters
             of
             their
             own
             time
             ,
             and
             thoughts
             ,
             and
             actions
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             admired
             and
             flattered
             Slaves
             ,
             to
             be
             envied
             by
             some
             ,
             to
             be
             courted
             by
             others
             ,
             to
             be
             Servants
             to
             all
             ;
             to
             be
             exposed
             to
             Censorious
             Tongues
             ,
             to
             the
             Frowns
             of
             Princes
             ,
             to
             the
             Emulations
             of
             their
             Equals
             ,
             and
             to
             all
             the
             changes
             and
             vicissitudes
             of
             Fortune
             .
             It
             is
             not
             often
             that
             men
             of
             this
             temper
             are
             in
             any
             great
             danger
             of
             such
             troublesome
             Honours
             ;
             there
             are
             enow
             that
             snatch
             at
             them
             before
             they
             are
             offered
             ,
             to
             secure
             those
             who
             have
             no
             mind
             to
             have
             them
             ;
             but
             sometimes
             this
             does
             happen
             ,
             and
             then
             it
             is
             matter
             of
             duty
             and
             conscience
             for
             men
             to
             sacrifice
             their
             own
             ease
             and
             private
             satisfactions
             ,
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             Countrey
             :
             And
             it
             would
             be
             as
             great
             a
             fault
             obstinately
             to
             decline
             such
             Services
             ,
             as
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             call
             them
             to
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             vanity
             and
             ambition
             to
             affect
             them
             ;
             for
             God
             has
             a
             right
             to
             the
             Services
             of
             all
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             and
             may
             imploy
             them
             in
             what
             station
             
             he
             pleases
             ;
             then
             we
             may
             certainly
             conclude
             ,
             that
             Providence
             chuses
             our
             station
             for
             us
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             what
             we
             did
             not
             ,
             and
             would
             not
             chuse
             for
             our selves
             .
          
           
             2dly
             ,
             But
             the
             greater
             and
             more
             common
             difficulty
             is
             in
             submitting
             to
             the
             other
             Change
             ,
             from
             a
             high
             to
             a
             low
             Fortune
             .
             There
             are
             many
             who
             suffer
             such
             a
             change
             as
             this
             ,
             though
             most
             of
             them
             may
             thank
             their
             own
             Lusts
             and
             Vices
             for
             it
             ;
             but
             there
             are
             very
             few
             who
             submit
             to
             it
             .
             I
             do
             not
             only
             mean
             ,
             that
             they
             do
             not
             bear
             such
             a
             change
             of
             Fortune
             with
             that
             patience
             and
             submission
             ,
             which
             is
             due
             to
             the
             Divine
             Will
             ,
             when
             this
             change
             is
             manifestly
             owing
             to
             Providence
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             their
             own
             fault
             ;
             but
             that
             they
             will
             not
             submit
             to
             their
             condition
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             not
             submit
             to
             be
             poor
             ,
             when
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             has
             made
             them
             so
             .
             Some
             men
             ,
             if
             they
             meet
             with
             misfortunes
             ,
             will
             be
             sure
             to
             make
             their
             Creditors
             pay
             for
             it
             ,
             and
             be
             their
             own
             Carvers
             too
             ,
             and
             raise
             an
             Estate
             out
             of
             forced
             and
             Knavish
             Compositions
             .
             Others
             ,
             though
             they
             are
             very
             poor
             ,
             will
             not
             submit
             to
             the
             state
             of
             Poverty
             ,
             will
             not
             bring
             their
             minds
             to
             their
             condition
             ;
             they
             cannot
             stoop
             to
             the
             mean
             and
             frugal
             and
             industrious
             life
             of
             Poverty
             :
             They
             have
             always
             lived
             well
             and
             easily
             ,
             and
             they
             expect
             to
             live
             still
             as
             they
             have
             lived
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             maintained
             according
             to
             their
             quality
             ,
             and
             the
             figure
             they
             have
             formerly
             made
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             they
             cannot
             work
             ,
             but
             to
             beg
             they
             are
             not
             ashamed
             ,
             though
             a
             truly
             great
             mind
             would
             prefer
             the
             meanest
             employment
             before
             it
             ;
             for
             that
             is
             no
             dishonour
             to
             any
             man
             ,
             to
             live
             by
             his
             own
             industry
             ,
             when
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             has
             brought
             him
             low
             .
             All
             that
             I
             have
             now
             to
             say
             ,
             is
             only
             this
             ,
             that
             when
             men
             are
             reduced
             to
             poverty
             ,
             submission
             to
             Providence
             requires
             that
             they
             should
             submit
             to
             their
             condition
             ,
             imitate
             the
             humility
             ,
             and
             modesty
             ,
             frugality
             ,
             and
             industry
             of
             poor
             men
             ,
             and
             not
             expect
             to
             live
             still
             ,
             as
             rich
             men
             do
             ;
             for
             charity
             was
             never
             intended
             for
             the
             rich
             ,
             nor
             to
             excuse
             the
             industry
             of
             the
             poor
             .
          
           
           
             There
             is
             indeed
             great
             regard
             to
             be
             had
             to
             the
             honour
             of
             mens
             birth
             and
             character
             :
             Those
             who
             have
             any
             humanity
             must
             needs
             be
             very
             tenderly
             and
             compassionately
             affected
             to
             see
             men
             of
             great
             honour
             reduced
             to
             want
             ,
             or
             forced
             to
             mean
             and
             servile
             Employments
             to
             supply
             their
             wants
             ;
             and
             we
             owe
             so
             much
             to
             the
             modesty
             of
             Human
             Nature
             ,
             and
             to
             a
             sense
             of
             Honour
             ,
             to
             be
             as
             ready
             to
             defend
             some
             men
             from
             meanness
             ,
             as
             others
             from
             want
             ;
             but
             yet
             submission
             to
             Providence
             requires
             all
             men
             to
             comply
             with
             their
             condition
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             their
             rank
             and
             character
             ,
             and
             the
             rules
             of
             decency
             will
             permit
             :
             That
             a
             man
             has
             been
             once
             rich
             ,
             is
             no
             reason
             why
             he
             should
             not
             work
             ,
             or
             find
             out
             some
             honest
             ,
             though
             mean
             way
             of
             living
             ,
             when
             he
             grows
             poor
             .
             This
             is
             certain
             ,
             Those
             who
             do
             not
             submit
             to
             the
             condition
             which
             Providence
             has
             put
             them
             into
             ,
             and
             behave
             themselves
             as
             that
             conditon
             requires
             ,
             do
             not
             submit
             to
             Providence
             ;
             and
             therefore
             if
             Providence
             make
             us
             poor
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             not
             how
             we
             lived
             when
             we
             were
             rich
             ,
             but
             how
             it
             becomes
             a
             poor
             man
             to
             live
             .
          
           
             3dly
             ,
             There
             is
             another
             very
             material
             question
             ,
             How
             far
             we
             must
             submit
             to
             Providence
             ;
             but
             the
             answer
             is
             very
             plain
             ,
             We
             must
             submit
             as
             far
             as
             the
             condition
             Providence
             puts
             us
             into
             requires
             our
             submission
             .
             Providence
             creates
             no
             new
             duty
             ,
             but
             by
             putting
             us
             into
             new
             circumstances
             ;
             and
             what
             the
             circumstances
             we
             are
             in
             make
             our
             duty
             ,
             that
             is
             our
             submission
             to
             Providence
             ,
             and
             we
             owe
             no
             other
             submission
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             instance
             ;
             If
             a
             Thief
             breaks
             open
             my
             House
             ,
             or
             robs
             me
             upon
             the
             Road
             ,
             submission
             to
             Providence
             does
             not
             hinder
             me
             from
             pursuing
             and
             taking
             him
             ,
             and
             recovering
             my
             own
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             bringing
             him
             to
             punishment
             ,
             if
             I
             can
             ;
             for
             my
             being
             robbed
             ,
             lays
             no
             obligation
             upon
             me
             patiently
             to
             lose
             what
             is
             unjustly
             taken
             away
             ,
             if
             I
             have
             any
             honest
             way
             left
             of
             recovering
             it
             ;
             nor
             of
             suffering
             such
             a
             Criminal
             to
             escape
             ,
             if
             I
             can
             bring
             him
             to
             punishment
             .
             And
             thus
             it
             is
             in
             all
             the
             Injuries
             we
             receive
             from
             men
             ;
             though
             we
             
             must
             own
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             in
             whatever
             we
             suffer
             ,
             yet
             submission
             to
             Providence
             requires
             no
             more
             of
             us
             ,
             than
             what
             the
             Laws
             of
             God
             and
             men
             require
             in
             such
             circumstances
             ,
             and
             therefore
             allows
             us
             to
             right
             our selves
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             the
             Laws
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Laws
             of
             men
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             just
             and
             equal
             ,
             will
             allow
             us
             .
             But
             if
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             should
             put
             us
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             our
             Enemies
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             necessary
             to
             contract
             with
             them
             for
             our
             Lives
             and
             Liberties
             ,
             we
             must
             humbly
             submit
             to
             Providence
             ,
             which
             brought
             us
             into
             this
             necessity
             ,
             and
             religiously
             observe
             our
             Contracts
             ,
             how
             disadvantageous
             soever
             they
             are
             ;
             because
             Providence
             has
             now
             altered
             our
             condition
             ,
             and
             brought
             us
             under
             new
             obligations
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             the
             usual
             way
             whereby
             God
             brings
             about
             the
             great
             Changes
             and
             Revolutions
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             by
             such
             Power
             as
             forces
             a
             compliance
             ,
             and
             translates
             Kingdoms
             and
             Empires
             ;
             and
             though
             nothing
             is
             more
             grievous
             than
             unjust
             force
             ,
             yet
             Nature
             teaches
             men
             to
             submit
             ,
             when
             they
             cannot
             resist
             ;
             and
             Power
             will
             absolve
             us
             from
             all
             former
             obligations
             ,
             unless
             in
             such
             cases
             as
             we
             are
             expresly
             commanded
             by
             God
             not
             to
             submit
             to
             Power
             ,
             though
             we
             sacrifice
             our
             lives
             for
             it
             ;
             and
             I
             know
             no
             such
             case
             ,
             but
             the
             true
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Profession
             of
             our
             Faith
             in
             Christ.
             We
             may
             defend
             our selves
             against
             private
             Injuries
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             Law
             and
             Justice
             will
             defend
             us
             ;
             we
             may
             resist
             unjust
             and
             usurping
             Powers
             ,
             as
             long
             as
             we
             can
             resist
             ;
             but
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             which
             governs
             the
             world
             ,
             makes
             it
             lawful
             to
             submit
             ,
             when
             we
             cannot
             resist
             ;
             and
             when
             by
             such
             submissions
             new
             Kingdoms
             are
             erected
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             become
             the
             Subjects
             of
             new
             Powers
             ,
             then
             Providence
             has
             changed
             our
             Relations
             ,
             and
             made
             it
             our
             duty
             to
             submit
             .
          
           
             4thly
             ,
             There
             is
             another
             Inquiry
             also
             of
             great
             moment
             ,
             how
             our
             submission
             to
             Providence
             under
             all
             our
             Sufferings
             and
             Changes
             of
             Fortune
             ,
             requires
             us
             to
             behave
             our selves
             towards
             men
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             Causes
             and
             Instruments
             of
             such
             
             Misfortunes
             .
             For
             if
             it
             be
             the
             will
             of
             God
             that
             we
             should
             suffer
             such
             things
             ,
             why
             should
             we
             be
             angry
             with
             the
             men
             who
             do
             them
             ?
             why
             should
             we
             punish
             them
             ?
             why
             should
             we
             revenge
             our selves
             of
             them
             ?
             when
             they
             only
             execute
             the
             Divine
             Counsels
             ,
             and
             do
             what
             God
             saw
             fit
             that
             we
             should
             suffer
             .
             Does
             not
             Ioseph
             thus
             excuse
             his
             Brethren
             for
             selling
             him
             into
             Egypt
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             God
             who
             sent
             him
             thither
             :
             And
             does
             not
             David
             for
             this
             reason
             forbear
             his
             revenge
             on
             
               Shimei
               ,
               Let
               him
               curse
               ,
               for
               God
               hath
               said
               unto
               him
               ,
               Curse
               David
               ?
            
          
           
             But
             the
             answer
             to
             this
             is
             short
             and
             plain
             ,
             that
             God's
             over-ruling
             mens
             wickedness
             to
             serve
             wise
             and
             good
             ends
             ,
             does
             not
             excuse
             their
             wickedness
             ,
             nor
             excuse
             them
             from
             the
             just
             punishments
             of
             their
             wickedness
             ;
             the
             sin
             is
             their
             own
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             wisely
             ordered
             by
             God
             for
             our
             trial
             or
             correction
             ;
             but
             the
             wise
             Government
             of
             God
             makes
             no
             change
             in
             the
             nature
             of
             mens
             Actions
             ,
             nor
             in
             their
             Deserts
             :
             God
             himself
             will
             punish
             their
             wickedness
             ,
             though
             he
             serves
             wise
             ends
             by
             it
             ,
             and
             has
             commanded
             men
             to
             do
             so
             ;
             for
             no
             man
             sins
             by
             the
             will
             of
             God
             ,
             though
             no
             man
             suffers
             any
             thing
             but
             by
             God's
             will.
             
          
           
             But
             yet
             Submission
             to
             Providence
             will
             greatly
             mitigate
             our
             Resentments
             ,
             and
             calm
             our
             Passions
             ,
             and
             keep
             them
             within
             the
             bounds
             of
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             .
             When
             we
             consider
             ,
             that
             whatever
             we
             suffer
             is
             appointed
             for
             us
             by
             God
             ;
             that
             how
             wicked
             soever
             men
             are
             ,
             we
             can
             suffer
             nothing
             by
             their
             wickedness
             ,
             but
             what
             God
             for
             wise
             Reasons
             sees
             fit
             we
             should
             suffer
             ;
             this
             will
             satisfy
             us
             that
             we
             are
             more
             concerned
             with
             God
             than
             with
             men
             ;
             that
             tho
             Men
             be
             the
             Rod
             wherewith
             we
             are
             scourged
             ,
             it
             is
             God
             that
             strikes
             ;
             and
             a
             Reverence
             for
             the
             Divine
             Judgments
             will
             make
             us
             take
             less
             notice
             of
             the
             Instruments
             of
             our
             sufferings
             .
          
           
             In
             short
             ,
             Submission
             to
             Providence
             leaves
             us
             nothing
             to
             be
             angry
             with
             men
             for
             ,
             but
             their
             own
             wickedness
             ;
             that
             
             we
             suffer
             ,
             tho
             we
             suffer
             by
             their
             wickedness
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             not
             so
             much
             their
             doings
             as
             God's
             ,
             who
             orders
             these
             sufferings
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             without
             whose
             Order
             and
             Appointment
             no
             man
             can
             hurt
             us
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             must
             not
             be
             angry
             with
             men
             for
             our
             sufferings
             ,
             but
             reverence
             God
             :
             Whatever
             their
             Personal
             Hatred
             ,
             or
             Malice
             ,
             or
             Revenge
             be
             ,
             how
             much
             soever
             they
             intend
             or
             desire
             to
             do
             us
             hurt
             ,
             we
             may
             securely
             despise
             them
             ,
             as
             out
             of
             their
             reach
             ,
             for
             we
             are
             in
             the
             hands
             of
             God
             :
             And
             if
             our
             Sufferings
             are
             not
             owing
             to
             men
             ,
             any
             otherwise
             than
             as
             Instruments
             in
             God's
             hands
             ,
             why
             should
             we
             be
             angry
             with
             men
             for
             what
             we
             suffer
             ?
             Why
             should
             we
             revenge
             our
             Sufferings
             on
             them
             ,
             when
             we
             suffer
             by
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ?
             We
             may
             be
             angry
             at
             their
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             at
             their
             ill
             will
             to
             us
             ,
             but
             humbly
             submit
             to
             our
             Sufferings
             ,
             as
             the
             Will
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             Now
             I
             need
             not
             say
             ,
             how
             this
             will
             calm
             and
             temper
             our
             Passions
             ,
             because
             it
             leaves
             so
             little
             of
             self
             in
             our
             Anger
             and
             Resentments
             ;
             let
             men
             be
             as
             angry
             with
             Wickedness
             as
             they
             please
             ,
             and
             punish
             it
             as
             it
             deserves
             ,
             this
             is
             a
             Virtuous
             Anger
             ,
             and
             never
             transports
             men
             to
             excess
             ;
             it
             is
             self-love
             which
             inflames
             our
             Anger
             ,
             and
             sharpens
             our
             Revenge
             ;
             not
             that
             such
             Wickedness
             is
             committed
             ,
             but
             that
             we
             are
             the
             Sufferers
             by
             it
             ;
             for
             men
             are
             never
             so
             angry
             in
             another
             man's
             Cause
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             in
             their
             own
             ,
             tho
             the
             Wickedness
             ,
             the
             Affront
             ,
             the
             Injury
             is
             the
             same
             ;
             but
             Personal
             Injuries
             and
             Affronts
             are
             most
             provoking
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             we
             love
             our Selves
             more
             than
             we
             hate
             Wickedness
             ,
             when
             our
             Anger
             is
             excessive
             .
          
           
             But
             now
             if
             men
             have
             nothing
             to
             do
             with
             us
             ,
             nor
             we
             with
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             case
             of
             Suffering
             ;
             if
             all
             this
             be
             ordered
             and
             appointed
             by
             God
             ,
             here
             is
             little
             room
             for
             Personal
             Resentments
             ;
             for
             that
             we
             suffer
             by
             their
             Wickedness
             ,
             is
             God's
             doings
             ,
             and
             therefore
             we
             have
             nothing
             to
             be
             angry
             with
             them
             for
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             are
             wicked
             ;
             and
             then
             tho
             our
             own
             Sufferings
             will
             give
             us
             a
             greater
             sense
             and
             abhorrence
             
             of
             their
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             make
             us
             more
             personally
             concerned
             to
             punish
             it
             ;
             yet
             our
             Passions
             will
             be
             more
             gentle
             and
             easy
             ,
             the
             more
             we
             attribute
             our
             Sufferings
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             less
             to
             Men.
             
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Another
             Duty
             we
             owe
             to
             Providence
             is
             ,
             An
             entire
             Trust
             and
             Dependance
             on
             God.
             The
             state
             of
             a
             Creature
             is
             all
             Dependance
             ;
             and
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Hope
             ,
             and
             Trust
             ,
             are
             the
             Virtues
             of
             a
             dependant
             state
             ,
             and
             can
             in
             reason
             have
             no
             other
             Object
             but
             that
             Being
             on
             whom
             we
             depend
             ,
             the
             great
             Creator
             and
             Governor
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             
               in
               whom
               we
               live
               ,
               move
               ,
               and
               have
               our
               being
               .
            
             All
             other
             Dependancies
             are
             vain
             ,
             because
             none
             else
             can
             help
             us
             ;
             but
             God
             has
             all
             Events
             in
             his
             hands
             ,
             he
             can
             help
             us
             ,
             if
             he
             pleases
             ;
             and
             he
             will
             help
             us
             ,
             if
             we
             trust
             in
             him
             .
          
           
             The
             Scripture
             abounds
             with
             Exhortations
             to
             trust
             in
             God
             ,
             with
             promises
             to
             those
             who
             do
             trust
             in
             him
             ,
             with
             Examples
             of
             God's
             Care
             and
             Protection
             of
             those
             good
             men
             ,
             who
             make
             him
             their
             only
             Hope
             and
             Trust
             ;
             but
             yet
             the
             Duty
             it self
             needs
             some
             Explication
             ,
             and
             therefore
             I
             shall
             consider
             the
             Nature
             of
             this
             Hope
             and
             Trust
             ,
             and
             what
             are
             the
             various
             Acts
             of
             it
             ,
             or
             wherein
             the
             Exercise
             of
             it
             consists
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Nature
             of
             this
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Hope
             ,
             and
             Trust
             in
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             .
             What
             it
             is
             to
             hope
             ,
             and
             trust
             ,
             and
             depend
             on
             God
             or
             Men
             ,
             we
             all
             know
             and
             feel
             ;
             but
             the
             Question
             is
             ,
             What
             it
             is
             we
             must
             trust
             God
             for
             ,
             and
             how
             far
             we
             must
             depend
             on
             him
             ?
             For
             must
             we
             believe
             ,
             That
             God
             will
             do
             every
             thing
             for
             us
             ,
             which
             we
             trust
             in
             him
             to
             do
             ?
             If
             ,
             suppose
             ,
             we
             have
             a
             Child
             or
             a
             Friend
             dangerously
             sick
             ,
             must
             we
             firmly
             believe
             that
             God
             will
             spare
             their
             lives
             ,
             and
             restore
             their
             health
             ,
             if
             we
             trust
             in
             him
             to
             do
             it
             ?
             Must
             a
             Merchant
             confidently
             expect
             a
             safe
             and
             advantageous
             Voyage
             ,
             if
             he
             trust
             in
             God
             for
             it
             ?
             Has
             God
             any
             where
             
             promised
             to
             give
             us
             whatever
             we
             trust
             in
             him
             for
             ?
             Or
             does
             the
             Nature
             and
             Reason
             of
             Providence
             infer
             any
             such
             thing
             ?
             And
             yet
             what
             does
             Trust
             in
             God
             signify
             ,
             if
             we
             must
             not
             depend
             on
             him
             for
             those
             good
             things
             which
             we
             want
             ,
             and
             desire
             ,
             and
             trust
             him
             for
             ?
             What
             do
             all
             the
             Promises
             made
             to
             Hope
             and
             Trust
             in
             God
             signify
             ,
             if
             they
             give
             us
             no
             security
             that
             we
             shall
             obtain
             our
             Desires
             of
             God
             ?
             Nay
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             how
             can
             any
             man
             hope
             and
             trust
             in
             God
             ,
             when
             he
             has
             no
             assurance
             that
             he
             shall
             obtain
             what
             he
             hopes
             for
             ?
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             such
             thoughts
             as
             these
             make
             most
             men
             so
             distrustful
             of
             Providence
             ,
             that
             tho
             they
             talk
             of
             trusting
             in
             God
             ,
             they
             trust
             in
             him
             without
             hope
             ,
             or
             any
             comfortable
             expectations
             ,
             unless
             they
             have
             some
             more
             visible
             assurances
             to
             rely
             on
             .
             This
             makes
             most
             mens
             hopes
             ebb
             and
             flow
             ,
             as
             their
             external
             circumstances
             change
             ;
             if
             they
             are
             prosperous
             ,
             and
             have
             great
             numbers
             of
             Friends
             ,
             and
             have
             their
             Enemies
             at
             their
             feet
             ,
             then
             they
             are
             full
             of
             hope
             ,
             and
             can
             trust
             securely
             in
             God
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             the
             means
             of
             helping
             themselves
             in
             their
             own
             hands
             ,
             and
             see
             no
             body
             that
             can
             hurt
             them
             ;
             but
             if
             their
             condition
             be
             perplext
             and
             calamitous
             ,
             and
             they
             see
             no
             prospect
             of
             human
             relief
             ,
             their
             spirits
             sink
             ,
             and
             as
             much
             as
             they
             talk
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             Trusting
             in
             God
             ,
             they
             find
             no
             support
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             To
             understand
             this
             aright
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             our
             own
             Peace
             and
             Security
             is
             so
             nearly
             concerned
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             ,
             That
             our
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Hope
             ,
             and
             Trust
             in
             God
             ,
             must
             either
             rely
             on
             the
             Word
             and
             Promise
             of
             God
             ;
             or
             on
             the
             general
             Belief
             and
             Assurance
             of
             his
             Care
             of
             us
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Goodness
             and
             Justice
             of
             his
             Providence
             ;
             as
             to
             trust
             in
             men
             ,
             is
             either
             to
             trust
             their
             Promise
             or
             their
             Friendship
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             As
             for
             the
             first
             ,
             we
             may
             and
             ought
             securely
             to
             rely
             on
             the
             Promises
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             they
             reach
             ,
             for
             
               he
               who
               hath
               promised
               ,
               is
               able
               also
               to
               perform
               .
            
             But
             then
             we
             must
             have
             a
             care
             of
             expounding
             Temporal
             Promises
             to
             a
             larger
             
             sense
             than
             God
             intended
             ,
             or
             than
             Providence
             ordinarily
             makes
             good
             ,
             which
             calls
             the
             Truth
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             his
             Providence
             ,
             into
             question
             ,
             and
             discourages
             our
             Faith
             and
             Trust
             in
             God
             ;
             when
             we
             see
             Events
             not
             to
             answer
             God's
             Promises
             ,
             nor
             our
             Expectations
             .
          
           
             To
             state
             this
             matter
             plainly
             ,
             we
             must
             proceed
             by
             degrees
             ,
             and
             distinguish
             between
             the
             Promises
             made
             to
             States
             and
             Kingdoms
             ,
             and
             to
             Private
             and
             Single
             Men
             ,
             or
             rather
             to
             men
             in
             their
             private
             and
             single
             capacities
             .
          
           
             Most
             of
             the
             Temporal
             Promises
             under
             the
             Law
             of
             Moses
             ,
             concerned
             the
             Publick
             State
             of
             the
             Iewish
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ;
             that
             if
             they
             walked
             in
             the
             Laws
             and
             Statutes
             of
             God
             ,
             he
             would
             bless
             them
             with
             great
             Plenty
             and
             Peace
             ,
             or
             give
             them
             Victory
             over
             their
             Enemies
             :
             That
             he
             would
             have
             respect
             unto
             them
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             fruitful
             and
             multiply
             them
             ,
             and
             establish
             his
             Covenant
             with
             them
             ,
             26.
             
             Lev.
             which
             are
             Publick
             and
             National
             Blessings
             :
             And
             tho
             there
             is
             a
             great
             difference
             between
             the
             Iewish
             and
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             Temporal
             Promises
             ,
             yet
             there
             does
             not
             seem
             to
             be
             any
             great
             difference
             between
             a
             Christian
             Nation
             ,
             and
             the
             Iewish
             State.
             When
             a
             Nation
             has
             embraced
             Christianity
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             is
             incorporated
             into
             the
             State
             ,
             and
             true
             Religion
             and
             Vertue
             is
             encouraged
             ,
             and
             Vice
             suppressed
             ;
             such
             a
             Religious
             Nation
             has
             a
             title
             to
             all
             the
             National
             Blessings
             which
             God
             promised
             to
             the
             Iewish
             Nation
             ,
             if
             they
             observed
             his
             Laws
             ;
             for
             
             Solomon's
             Observation
             is
             universally
             true
             ,
             
               That
               righteousness
               exalteth
               a
               nation
               ,
               but
               sin
               is
               the
               reproach
               of
               any
               people
               :
            
             And
             excepting
             what
             was
             typical
             in
             the
             Iewish
             State
             ,
             there
             is
             much
             the
             same
             reason
             for
             God
             to
             protect
             and
             bless
             a
             Religious
             Christian
             Nation
             ;
             viz.
             for
             the
             publick
             encouragement
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             reward
             of
             a
             National
             Piety
             and
             Vertue
             ;
             and
             therefore
             as
             the
             Christian
             Church
             inherits
             all
             those
             Spiritual
             Blessings
             which
             were
             typified
             in
             the
             Iewish
             Church
             ;
             so
             a
             Christian
             Nation
             succeeds
             to
             all
             those
             Temporal
             Promises
             
             which
             were
             made
             to
             the
             Iewish
             State
             ,
             or
             else
             all
             these
             Promises
             of
             the
             Law
             would
             be
             of
             no
             use
             to
             us
             now
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             these
             National
             Promises
             we
             may
             securely
             rely
             on
             as
             to
             their
             utmost
             extent
             and
             signification
             ;
             and
             I
             am
             satisfied
             ,
             there
             cannot
             be
             one
             Example
             given
             ,
             wherein
             these
             Promises
             have
             failed
             :
             God
             has
             oftentimes
             suffered
             a
             wicked
             Nation
             to
             be
             prosperous
             to
             scourge
             their
             wicked
             Neighbours
             ,
             but
             he
             never
             suffers
             a
             truly
             righteous
             and
             religious
             Nation
             to
             be
             oppressed
             .
          
           
             Now
             the
             largest
             and
             most
             comprehensive
             Promises
             in
             Scripture
             are
             of
             this
             nature
             ,
             such
             as
             concern
             the
             publick
             state
             of
             Kingdoms
             and
             Nations
             ;
             but
             even
             in
             the
             most
             flourishing
             state
             of
             the
             Iewish
             Church
             the
             case
             of
             particular
             men
             was
             very
             different
             ;
             some
             bad
             men
             were
             prosperous
             ,
             and
             good
             men
             afflicted
             ;
             and
             therefore
             those
             Promises
             which
             concern
             good
             men
             in
             their
             private
             and
             single
             capacities
             ,
             must
             be
             more
             cautiously
             expounded
             to
             a
             more
             restrained
             and
             limited
             sense
             ,
             accommodated
             to
             the
             different
             states
             and
             conditions
             of
             good
             men
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             and
             to
             their
             different
             attainments
             in
             Vertue
             .
             As
             for
             example
             .
          
           
             When
             Solomon
             tells
             us
             of
             Wisdom
             ,
             
               Length
               of
               days
               is
               in
               her
               right
               hand
               ,
               and
               in
               her
               left
               riches
               and
               honour
               ,
            
             3.
             
             Prov.
             16.
             
             Will
             any
             man
             expound
             this
             to
             signify
             ,
             That
             all
             wise
             men
             ,
             who
             are
             truly
             religious
             and
             prudent
             ,
             shall
             live
             till
             old
             age
             ,
             and
             attain
             to
             riches
             and
             honours
             ?
             Did
             God
             then
             intend
             that
             there
             should
             be
             no
             different
             ranks
             and
             degrees
             of
             men
             in
             the
             world
             ?
             that
             there
             should
             be
             no
             poor
             men
             as
             well
             as
             rich
             ?
             or
             did
             he
             intend
             that
             no
             poor
             men
             should
             be
             wise
             ?
             Wisdom
             indeed
             will
             advance
             a
             Prince
             to
             great
             riches
             and
             honour
             ,
             as
             Solomon
             tells
             us
             his
             Father
             David
             instructed
             him
             ;
             
               He
               taught
               me
               also
               ,
               and
               said
               unto
               me
               ,
               Let
               thine
               heart
               retain
               my
               words
               ,
               keep
               my
               commandments
               ,
               and
               live
               .
               Get
               wisdom
               ,
               get
               understanding
               :
               Forget
               her
               not
               ,
               neither
               decline
               from
               the
               words
               of
               my
               mouth
               .
               Forsake
               her
               not
               ,
               and
               she
               shall
               preserve
               thee
               ;
               love
               her
               ,
               and
               she
               shall
               keep
               thee
               .
               Wisdom
               is
               
               the
               principal
               thing
               ,
               therefore
               get
               wisdom
               ;
               and
               with
               all
               thy
               getting
               get
               understanding
               .
               Exalt
               her
               ,
               and
               she
               shall
               promote
               thee
               ;
               she
               shall
               bring
               thee
               to
               honour
               when
               thou
               dost
               embrace
               her
               ;
               she
               shall
               give
               to
               thine
               head
               an
               ornament
               of
               grace
               ,
               a
               crown
               of
               glory
               shall
               she
               deliver
               to
               thee
               ,
            
             4.
             
             Prov.
             4
             —
             9.
             
             This
             was
             the
             best
             Advice
             that
             could
             be
             given
             to
             a
             young
             Prince
             to
             make
             him
             rich
             and
             great
             ;
             for
             religious
             Wisdom
             will
             certainly
             advance
             him
             beyond
             all
             the
             Politicks
             of
             Machiavel
             ;
             and
             if
             Solomon
             ,
             in
             imitation
             of
             his
             Father
             David
             ,
             directs
             his
             Instructions
             to
             his
             Children
             ,
             and
             particularly
             to
             that
             Son
             who
             was
             to
             inherit
             his
             Throne
             ,
             as
             he
             himself
             seems
             to
             intimate
             ,
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             
             Verses
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             conclude
             ,
             that
             because
             he
             tells
             his
             Son
             ,
             that
             Wisdom
             will
             make
             him
             a
             glorious
             Prince
             ,
             that
             therefore
             Wisdom
             will
             advance
             all
             men
             to
             riches
             and
             honour
             :
             Wisdom
             will
             give
             a
             lustre
             even
             to
             poverty
             it self
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             advances
             the
             poor
             to
             riches
             and
             honours
             ,
             and
             encreases
             the
             riches
             and
             honours
             of
             the
             Rich
             and
             Honourable
             ;
             but
             we
             must
             not
             always
             expect
             this
             ,
             much
             less
             pretend
             a
             promise
             for
             it
             ;
             for
             there
             always
             were
             ,
             and
             always
             will
             be
             ,
             poor
             wise
             men
             .
          
           
             Thus
             when
             the
             Wiseman
             tells
             us
             ,
             That
             
               the
               hand
               of
               the
               diligent
               maketh
               rich
               ,
            
             10.
             
             Prov.
             4.
             
             And
             
               seest
               thou
               a
               man
               diligent
               in
               his
               business
               ,
               he
               shall
               stand
               before
               kings
               ,
               he
               shall
               not
               stand
               before
               mean
               men
               ,
            
             22.
             
             Prov.
             29.
             
             No
             man
             can
             think
             ,
             that
             the
             meaning
             is
             ,
             that
             every
             diligent
             man
             shall
             be
             rich
             ;
             for
             there
             are
             such
             mean
             Employments
             ,
             as
             can
             never
             raise
             an
             Estate
             by
             the
             greatest
             industry
             ;
             much
             less
             can
             we
             think
             ,
             that
             diligence
             in
             such
             mean
             Employments
             shall
             make
             men
             known
             to
             Princes
             ;
             or
             that
             all
             diligent
             men
             ,
             whatever
             their
             Employment
             or
             Profession
             be
             ,
             shall
             serve
             Kings
             :
             This
             is
             impossible
             in
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             thing
             ,
             and
             therefore
             cannot
             be
             the
             meaning
             of
             these
             Promises
             .
             And
             yet
             such
             kind
             of
             Promises
             as
             these
             ,
             signify
             a
             great
             deal
             for
             the
             encouragement
             of
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             Industry
             ,
             and
             Vertue
             ;
             not
             that
             every
             wise
             ,
             and
             prudent
             ,
             and
             diligent
             man
             shall
             be
             rich
             and
             honourable
             ,
             
             but
             that
             every
             man
             shall
             find
             the
             rewards
             of
             Religion
             and
             Vertue
             proportioned
             to
             his
             capacities
             and
             state
             of
             life
             ;
             and
             that
             this
             is
             God's
             way
             of
             promoting
             men
             ,
             when
             he
             advances
             them
             in
             favour
             ,
             and
             good-will
             to
             them
             ;
             and
             therefore
             this
             is
             the
             only
             way
             wherein
             we
             must
             expect
             the
             blessing
             and
             protection
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             
               But
               then
               there
               are
               some
               Promises
               which
               are
               equally
               made
               to
               all
               good
               men
               ,
               and
               they
               are
               a
               sure
               foundation
               of
               our
               hope
               and
               trust
               ,
               if
               we
               be
               truly
               good
               men
               ,
               in
               all
               conditions
               .
               As
               that
               God
            
             will
             never
             leave
             them
             ,
             nor
             forsake
             them
             ,
             13.
             
             
               Hebr.
               5.
               
               That
               he
               will
               always
               take
               care
               of
               them
               ,
               as
               a
               Father
               takes
               care
               of
               his
               Children
               .
               That
               tho
               he
               may
               not
               think
               fit
               to
               advance
               them
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               yet
               he
               will
               provide
               Food
               and
               Raiment
               for
               them
               ;
               as
               our
               Saviour
               proves
               by
               many
               Arguments
               ,
            
             6.
             
             Matth.
             25
             —
             34.
             
             Take
             no
             thought
             for
             your
             life
             ,
             what
             ye
             shall
             eat
             ,
             or
             what
             ye
             shall
             drink
             ,
             nor
             yet
             for
             your
             bodies
             ,
             what
             ye
             shall
             put
             on
             ;
             is
             not
             the
             life
             more
             than
             meat
             ,
             and
             the
             body
             than
             raiment
             ?
             
               and
               will
               not
               that
               God
               ,
               who
               has
               given
               us
               our
               Lives
               ,
               and
               our
               Bodies
               ,
               give
               us
               what
               is
               absolutely
               necessary
               for
               their
               support
               ?
            
             Behold
             the
             fowls
             of
             the
             air
             ,
             they
             sow
             not
             ,
             neither
             do
             they
             reap
             ,
             nor
             gather
             into
             barns
             ,
             yet
             your
             heavenly
             father
             feedeth
             them
             ;
             are
             ye
             not
             much
             better
             than
             they
             ?
             —
             Therefore
             take
             no
             thought
             ,
             saying
             ,
             what
             shall
             we
             eat
             ,
             or
             what
             shall
             we
             drink
             ,
             or
             wherewith
             shall
             we
             be
             cloathed
             ?
             (
             for
             after
             all
             these
             things
             do
             the
             Gentiles
             seek
             )
             for
             your
             heavenly
             father
             knoweth
             ye
             have
             need
             of
             all
             these
             things
             .
             But
             seek
             ye
             first
             the
             kingdom
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             righteousness
             ,
             and
             all
             these
             things
             shall
             be
             added
             unto
             you
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             an
             absolute
             Promise
             ,
             and
             gives
             absolute
             security
             to
             good
             men
             ;
             that
             if
             they
             take
             care
             to
             serve
             God
             ,
             God
             will
             take
             care
             to
             feed
             and
             cloath
             them
             ,
             either
             by
             blessing
             their
             ordinary
             prudence
             and
             industry
             ,
             or
             when
             that
             fails
             ,
             by
             extraordinary
             Providences
             ,
             by
             providing
             for
             them
             without
             their
             care
             or
             labour
             ,
             as
             he
             feeds
             the
             Fowls
             of
             the
             Air
             ,
             who
             neither
             sow
             ,
             nor
             reap
             :
             And
             to
             name
             but
             one
             Promise
             more
             ,
             
             which
             is
             our
             security
             in
             all
             conditions
             ;
             St.
             Paul
             assures
             us
             ,
             
               That
               all
               things
               work
               together
               for
               good
               to
               them
               that
               love
               God
               ,
               8.
               
               Rom.
            
             28.
             which
             is
             such
             a
             general
             security
             ,
             as
             is
             a
             foundation
             for
             an
             universal
             hope
             in
             God
             :
             That
             though
             we
             cannot
             know
             in
             every
             particular
             case
             ,
             what
             God
             will
             do
             for
             us
             ,
             yet
             we
             certainly
             know
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             order
             all
             things
             for
             our
             good
             .
          
           
             Thus
             far
             we
             have
             the
             Promises
             of
             God
             to
             trust
             to
             ;
             That
             God
             will
             always
             take
             care
             of
             us
             ,
             and
             in
             particular
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             provide
             Food
             and
             Raiment
             for
             us
             ,
             which
             is
             all
             that
             he
             has
             absolutely
             promised
             to
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             is
             all
             that
             our
             Saviour
             allows
             us
             absolutely
             to
             pray
             for
             ;
             
               Give
               us
               this
               day
               our
               daily
               bread
               :
            
             And
             this
             ,
             good
             men
             ,
             whose
             faith
             does
             not
             fail
             ,
             but
             against
             all
             discouragements
             trust
             securely
             in
             God's
             provision
             ,
             may
             ordinarily
             expect
             from
             God
             ,
             even
             in
             an
             afflicted
             and
             persecuted
             state
             ,
             where
             Famine
             it self
             is
             not
             the
             persecution
             ;
             for
             I
             dare
             not
             extend
             this
             so
             far
             as
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             no
             good
             man
             shall
             ever
             die
             of
             want
             ;
             for
             some
             extraordinary
             Cases
             are
             always
             excepted
             out
             of
             the
             most
             general
             and
             absolute
             Promises
             relating
             to
             this
             life
             ,
             and
             reserved
             to
             the
             government
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             .
             But
             good
             men
             may
             have
             Food
             and
             Raiment
             ,
             and
             yet
             be
             exposed
             to
             many
             inconveniences
             and
             sufferings
             ;
             and
             therefore
             for
             our
             farther
             security
             we
             are
             assured
             ,
             
               That
               all
               things
               shall
               work
               together
               for
               good
               to
               them
               that
               love
               God.
               
            
          
           
             2.
             
             And
             this
             brings
             me
             to
             consider
             ,
             what
             it
             is
             to
             trust
             in
             God
             in
             particular
             cases
             ,
             when
             we
             have
             no
             particular
             promises
             what
             God
             will
             do
             for
             us
             in
             such
             cases
             ,
             but
             only
             a
             general
             assurance
             of
             God's
             care
             of
             us
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             ,
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             of
             his
             Providence
             .
             We
             must
             particularly
             trust
             in
             God
             for
             our
             daily
             Provisions
             ,
             for
             our
             preservation
             from
             any
             present
             evils
             which
             threaten
             us
             ;
             for
             the
             success
             of
             our
             undertakings
             in
             all
             the
             particular
             Actions
             and
             Concernments
             of
             our
             lives
             ;
             but
             what
             can
             such
             a
             particular
             trust
             mean
             ,
             or
             what
             foundation
             is
             there
             for
             it
             ,
             when
             we
             
             have
             no
             particular
             promises
             ,
             that
             God
             will
             protect
             or
             succeed
             us
             in
             such
             particular
             cases
             ?
             and
             notwithstanding
             God's
             care
             of
             us
             ,
             and
             the
             Justice
             and
             Goodness
             of
             his
             Providence
             ,
             he
             may
             not
             answer
             our
             expectations
             in
             such
             cases
             ,
             but
             may
             order
             things
             quite
             otherwise
             than
             we
             desire
             ?
          
           
             Now
             this
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             were
             an
             unanswerable
             difficulty
             ,
             did
             a
             particular
             trust
             in
             God
             signify
             a
             firm
             belief
             and
             persuasion
             ,
             that
             God
             will
             do
             that
             particular
             thing
             which
             I
             rely
             and
             depend
             on
             him
             for
             ;
             for
             no
             man
             can
             have
             any
             reason
             to
             believe
             this
             ,
             or
             in
             this
             sense
             to
             trust
             in
             God
             without
             an
             express
             Promise
             ,
             or
             some
             private
             Revelation
             :
             Now
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             there
             are
             no
             such
             particular
             Promises
             ,
             which
             we
             can
             with
             any
             reason
             apply
             to
             our selves
             ,
             contained
             in
             Scripture
             ;
             and
             private
             Enthusiasms
             are
             a
             dangerous
             pretence
             ;
             the
             dreams
             of
             Self-love
             ,
             and
             the
             Visions
             of
             an
             heated
             Imagination
             .
          
           
             I
             grant
             ,
             that
             under
             the
             Law
             there
             were
             such
             particular
             Promises
             ,
             and
             particular
             Revelations
             made
             to
             good
             men
             ,
             which
             were
             a
             sure
             foundation
             for
             a
             particular
             faith
             and
             trust
             in
             God
             ,
             as
             to
             some
             particular
             Events
             ;
             especially
             as
             to
             the
             Events
             of
             War
             ;
             which
             were
             commonly
             undertaken
             by
             God's
             express
             Command
             ,
             managed
             by
             his
             Direction
             ,
             with
             a
             certain
             promise
             of
             success
             ;
             as
             is
             evident
             in
             the
             Wars
             of
             Moses
             ,
             and
             Ioshua
             ,
             and
             the
             Iudges
             ;
             and
             in
             After-ages
             God
             did
             the
             same
             thing
             ,
             either
             by
             his
             Oracle
             of
             Vrim
             and
             Thummim
             ,
             or
             by
             his
             Prophets
             .
          
           
             But
             there
             is
             no
             such
             thing
             among
             us
             now
             ;
             and
             therefore
             such
             a
             faith
             and
             trust
             in
             God
             we
             cannot
             have
             ,
             nor
             does
             God
             expect
             it
             from
             us
             ;
             we
             have
             nothing
             to
             depend
             on
             as
             to
             the
             certainty
             of
             Events
             ,
             but
             must
             trust
             to
             that
             assurance
             we
             have
             of
             God's
             care
             of
             us
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             of
             his
             Providence
             ,
             and
             therefore
             must
             consider
             what
             trust
             and
             dependence
             that
             is
             which
             we
             owe
             to
             Providence
             .
          
           
           
             Now
             to
             trust
             Providence
             ,
             is
             not
             to
             trust
             in
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             do
             that
             particular
             thing
             for
             us
             which
             we
             desire
             ;
             but
             to
             trust
             our selves
             and
             all
             our
             concernments
             with
             God
             ,
             to
             do
             for
             us
             in
             every
             particular
             case
             which
             we
             recommend
             to
             his
             care
             ,
             what
             he
             sees
             best
             and
             fittest
             for
             us
             in
             such
             cases
             .
          
           
             The
             difference
             between
             these
             two
             is
             very
             plain
             ;
             and
             I
             think
             every
             one
             will
             confess
             ,
             that
             such
             a
             general
             trust
             and
             affiance
             in
             God
             is
             a
             much
             more
             excellent
             vertue
             ,
             and
             does
             much
             more
             honour
             to
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             ,
             than
             merely
             to
             trust
             his
             Promise
             ,
             which
             secures
             us
             of
             the
             Event
             .
             To
             rely
             on
             God
             for
             the
             performance
             of
             his
             Promise
             ,
             does
             honour
             to
             his
             Truth
             and
             Faithfulness
             ;
             but
             to
             trust
             God
             to
             chuse
             our
             condition
             for
             us
             ,
             to
             do
             for
             us
             either
             what
             we
             desire
             ,
             or
             what
             he
             likes
             better
             ;
             argues
             such
             an
             entire
             dependence
             on
             God
             ,
             and
             an
             absolute
             resignation
             to
             his
             Will
             ,
             with
             a
             perfect
             assurance
             of
             his
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             impossible
             a
             Creature
             can
             express
             a
             greater
             veneration
             for
             the
             Divine
             Perfections
             .
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             we
             do
             not
             think
             ,
             that
             any
             man
             does
             us
             so
             much
             honour
             by
             taking
             our
             word
             for
             what
             we
             expresly
             promise
             to
             do
             for
             him
             ,
             as
             that
             man
             does
             ,
             who
             commits
             all
             his
             Concernments
             with
             a
             secure
             confidence
             to
             our
             disposal
             ,
             without
             knowing
             what
             we
             intend
             to
             do
             .
          
           
             But
             for
             a
             more
             particular
             explication
             of
             this
             ,
             let
             us
             consider
             ,
             what
             this
             trust
             in
             God
             signifies
             ,
             and
             what
             security
             it
             gives
             us
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             What
             this
             trust
             in
             God
             signifies
             :
             since
             it
             does
             not
             signify
             an
             assurance
             ,
             that
             God
             will
             do
             what
             we
             desire
             ,
             what
             is
             the
             meaning
             of
             it
             ?
             Now
             this
             signifies
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             all
             the
             Good
             we
             hope
             for
             ,
             or
             expect
             ,
             we
             expect
             from
             God
             alone
             ;
             that
             we
             have
             no
             other
             reliances
             and
             dependences
             but
             only
             on
             God
             :
             though
             we
             justly
             value
             the
             kindness
             of
             our
             Friends
             ,
             and
             the
             Patronage
             and
             Protection
             
             of
             Princes
             and
             powerful
             Favourites
             ,
             and
             thank
             God
             when
             he
             raises
             up
             such
             Friends
             and
             Patrons
             to
             us
             ,
             yet
             our
             entire
             trust
             and
             hope
             is
             in
             God
             :
             That
             since
             we
             know
             that
             all
             Events
             are
             in
             God's
             hands
             ,
             we
             are
             sure
             none
             can
             help
             us
             but
             by
             God's
             appointment
             ,
             and
             we
             desire
             to
             be
             at
             the
             disposal
             of
             none
             but
             God
             ;
             and
             therefore
             in
             Scripture
             our
             trust
             in
             God
             is
             always
             opposed
             to
             our
             trust
             in
             men
             ,
             in
             Princes
             ,
             in
             Human
             Counsels
             ,
             Policy
             ,
             or
             strength
             ;
             
               It
               is
               better
               to
               trust
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               than
               to
               put
               confidence
               in
               man
               ;
               it
               is
               better
               to
               trust
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               than
               to
               put
               confidence
               in
               Princes
               ,
               118.
               
            
             Psalm
             8
             ,
             9
             
               Now
               know
               I
               ,
               that
               the
               Lord
               saveth
               his
               anointed
               ,
               he
               will
               hear
               him
               from
               his
               holy
               heaven
               ,
               with
               the
               saving
               strength
               of
               his
               right
               hand
               .
               Some
               trust
               in
               chariots
               ,
               and
               some
               in
               horses
               ,
               but
               we
               will
               remember
               the
               name
               of
               the
               Lord
               our
               God
               :
               they
               are
               brought
               down
               and
               fallen
               ,
               but
               we
               are
               risen
               and
               stand
               upright
               ,
            
             20.
             
             Psalm
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             
             All
             wise
             men
             are
             greatly
             satisfied
             and
             pleased
             to
             see
             the
             probable
             means
             and
             instruments
             of
             their
             safety
             and
             defence
             ,
             because
             God
             ordinarily
             works
             by
             means
             ;
             but
             Good
             men
             know
             that
             they
             are
             but
             instruments
             in
             God's
             hands
             ,
             and
             no
             Wise
             man
             puts
             his
             trust
             in
             the
             instruments
             ,
             be
             they
             never
             so
             good
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             Workman
             .
             Thus
             much
             our
             trust
             in
             God
             must
             necessarily
             signifie
             ,
             that
             we
             have
             no
             reliance
             but
             only
             on
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             Supreme
             Disposer
             of
             all
             things
             ;
             that
             we
             depend
             as
             entirely
             on
             him
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             were
             no
             second
             and
             intermediate
             Causes
             ,
             which
             are
             to
             be
             employed
             and
             used
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             be
             the
             final
             Objects
             of
             our
             trust
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             Our
             trust
             in
             God
             signifies
             our
             absolute
             dependence
             on
             the
             Wisdom
             ,
             Power
             ,
             and
             Goodness
             of
             God
             to
             take
             care
             of
             us
             :
             It
             is
             a
             committing
             our selves
             to
             God
             ,
             putting
             our selves
             absolutely
             into
             his
             hands
             ,
             with
             a
             full
             persuasion
             that
             he
             will
             do
             what
             we
             desire
             ,
             or
             do
             what
             shall
             be
             better
             for
             us
             ;
             that
             he
             will
             answer
             our
             requests
             ,
             or
             deny
             them
             with
             greater
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             than
             he
             could
             grant
             them
             .
          
           
           
             All
             men
             must
             grant
             that
             this
             is
             a
             perfect
             trust
             in
             God
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             trust
             and
             dependence
             as
             we
             owe
             to
             Providence
             ;
             for
             if
             God
             Govern
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             take
             care
             of
             all
             his
             Creatures
             with
             infinite
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             does
             it
             not
             become
             all
             reasonable
             Creatures
             to
             give
             up
             themselves
             securely
             to
             the
             Government
             of
             Providence
             ?
             If
             we
             believe
             that
             infinite
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             takes
             care
             of
             us
             ,
             what
             need
             we
             know
             any
             more
             ?
             Would
             we
             desire
             any
             thing
             else
             ,
             or
             can
             we
             wish
             for
             any
             thing
             better
             than
             what
             infinite
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             can
             do
             for
             us
             ?
             or
             would
             we
             have
             any
             thing
             which
             infinite
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             does
             not
             think
             fit
             to
             give
             us
             ?
          
           
             This
             indeed
             does
             not
             give
             us
             that
             security
             which
             some
             men
             desire
             ,
             that
             we
             shall
             never
             suffer
             those
             particular
             evils
             which
             we
             fear
             ,
             and
             which
             we
             see
             coming
             upon
             us
             ;
             or
             that
             we
             shall
             obtain
             some
             other
             blessings
             which
             we
             are
             passionately
             fond
             of
             ;
             but
             it
             gives
             us
             a
             much
             better
             security
             than
             this
             ,
             that
             we
             shall
             have
             always
             what
             is
             good
             for
             us
             ;
             which
             is
             more
             than
             we
             can
             promise
             our selves
             ,
             should
             God
             always
             grant
             our
             own
             desires
             .
          
           
             This
             gives
             us
             a
             most
             profound
             rest
             and
             peace
             of
             mind
             ,
             delivers
             us
             from
             all
             careful
             and
             solicitous
             thoughts
             for
             times
             to
             come
             ,
             which
             are
             many
             times
             more
             terrible
             than
             the
             evils
             we
             fear
             ;
             it
             teaches
             us
             to
             do
             our
             Duty
             with
             the
             best
             prudence
             and
             industry
             we
             can
             ,
             but
             to
             leave
             all
             Events
             to
             God's
             disposal
             ;
             to
             make
             known
             our
             requests
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             
               to
               cast
               all
               our
               care
               upon
               him
               ,
               for
               he
               careth
               for
               us
               .
            
             It
             will
             not
             make
             us
             wholly
             unconcerned
             and
             indifferent
             whatever
             happens
             ,
             because
             the
             natures
             of
             things
             are
             not
             equal
             or
             alike
             indifferent
             ;
             Riches
             and
             Poverty
             ,
             Health
             or
             Sickness
             ,
             Honour
             or
             Disgrace
             ,
             War
             or
             Peace
             ,
             Plenty
             or
             Famine
             ,
             cannot
             be
             alike
             indifferent
             to
             any
             man
             who
             has
             his
             senses
             about
             him
             ;
             but
             it
             will
             make
             us
             quiet
             and
             patient
             under
             all
             Events
             ,
             and
             help
             us
             to
             bear
             the
             most
             adverse
             Fortune
             with
             such
             an
             unbroken
             greatness
             of
             mind
             ,
             as
             is
             natural
             to
             a
             firm
             
             and
             stedfast
             Trust
             and
             Hope
             in
             God.
             This
             is
             properly
             to
             trust
             Providence
             ,
             not
             to
             trust
             that
             God
             will
             do
             every
             thing
             for
             us
             which
             we
             desire
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             command
             and
             govern
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             to
             direct
             Providence
             ,
             not
             to
             trust
             it
             ;
             but
             to
             live
             securely
             under
             the
             Care
             and
             Protection
             of
             God
             ,
             without
             disturbing
             our selves
             with
             unknown
             and
             future
             events
             ,
             in
             a
             confident
             assurance
             that
             we
             are
             safe
             and
             happy
             in
             God's
             hands
             .
          
           
             2dly
             .
             Tho
             our
             Trust
             in
             God
             does
             not
             signify
             an
             absolute
             security
             what
             God
             will
             do
             for
             us
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             the
             most
             certain
             way
             to
             obtain
             whatever
             we
             wisely
             and
             reasonably
             desire
             of
             God
             :
             When
             we
             trust
             in
             God
             ,
             he
             reserves
             to
             himself
             a
             liberty
             to
             judge
             whether
             it
             be
             good
             for
             us
             ;
             but
             if
             what
             we
             desire
             be
             good
             for
             us
             ,
             our
             trust
             and
             dependence
             on
             God
             will
             engage
             Providence
             on
             our
             side
             .
          
           
             Trust
             in
             God
             refers
             our
             Causes
             to
             him
             to
             judge
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             to
             do
             what
             he
             sees
             fit
             ;
             and
             we
             have
             God's
             Word
             and
             Promise
             for
             it
             ,
             That
             if
             we
             do
             trust
             in
             him
             ,
             he
             will
             take
             care
             of
             us
             ,
             that
             we
             shall
             want
             nothing
             that
             is
             good
             ,
             and
             shall
             be
             delivered
             from
             all
             evil
             ;
             31.
             
             
               Psal.
               21
               ,
               22.
               
               O
               how
               plentiful
               is
               thy
               goodness
               ,
               which
               thou
               hast
               laid
               up
               for
               them
               that
               fear
               thee
               ,
               and
               that
               thou
               hast
               prepared
               for
               them
               that
               put
               their
               trust
               in
               thee
               before
               the
               sons
               of
               men
               ;
               thou
               shalt
               hide
               them
               privily
               by
               thy
               own
               presence
               ,
               from
               the
               provoking
               of
               all
               men
               ;
               thou
               shalt
               keep
               them
               secretly
               in
               thy
               Tabernacle
               from
               the
               strife
               of
               tongues
               .
            
             Thus
             37.
             
             Psal.
             40
             ,
             41.
             
             
               The
               salvation
               of
               the
               righteous
               cometh
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               who
               is
               also
               their
               strength
               in
               the
               time
               of
               trouble
               .
               And
               the
               Lord
               shall
               stand
               by
               them
               and
               save
               them
               ,
               he
               shall
               deliver
               them
               from
               the
               ungodly
               ,
               and
               shall
               save
               them
               because
               they
               put
               their
               trust
               in
               him
               .
            
             The
             whole
             91
             
               st
               .
               Psalm
            
             is
             so
             plain
             and
             full
             a
             proof
             of
             this
             ,
             that
             I
             need
             name
             no
             more
             :
             To
             trust
             in
             God
             ,
             is
             called
             
               dwelling
               in
               the
               secret
               place
               of
               the
               most
               high
               ,
            
             or
             under
             the
             defence
             and
             protection
             of
             
               the
               most
               high
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             such
             a
             man
             puts
             himself
             under
             God's
             protection
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             does
             so
             ,
             
               shall
               abide
               under
               
               the
               shadow
               of
               the
               Almighty
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             
               he
               shall
               defend
               thee
               under
               his
               wings
               ,
               and
               thou
               shalt
               be
               safe
               under
               his
               feathers
               ;
               his
               faithfulness
               and
               truth
               shall
               be
               thy
               shield
               and
               buckler
               :
            
             And
             the
             Psalmist
             particularly
             reckons
             up
             most
             of
             the
             evils
             which
             are
             incident
             to
             human
             life
             ,
             and
             promises
             security
             against
             them
             all
             ;
             
               Because
               thou
               hast
               made
               the
               Lord
               ,
               which
               is
               my
               refuge
               ,
               even
               the
               most
               high
               ,
               thy
               habitation
               ,
               there
               shall
               no
               evil
               befall
               thee
               ,
               neither
               shall
               any
               plague
               come
               nigh
               thy
               dwelling
               .
            
             This
             Psalm
             indeed
             is
             a
             Prophecy
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             height
             and
             latitude
             of
             the
             expressions
             is
             applicable
             only
             to
             him
             ,
             but
             yet
             it
             gives
             a
             general
             security
             to
             all
             who
             trust
             in
             God
             ,
             of
             Protection
             from
             all
             evil
             .
             This
             no
             man
             can
             promise
             himself
             ,
             who
             does
             not
             trust
             in
             God
             ;
             for
             how
             is
             Providence
             concerned
             for
             them
             who
             expect
             nothing
             from
             it
             ?
             Nay
             ,
             this
             is
             a
             reason
             why
             such
             men
             should
             be
             disappointed
             and
             fall
             into
             misery
             ,
             to
             convince
             them
             that
             God
             does
             govern
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             that
             no
             human
             Strength
             or
             Policy
             can
             save
             them
             :
             But
             Trust
             in
             God
             makes
             us
             the
             Subjects
             and
             the
             Care
             of
             Providence
             ;
             for
             if
             God
             does
             govern
             the
             world
             ,
             none
             so
             much
             deserve
             his
             Protection
             ,
             as
             those
             who
             commit
             themselves
             to
             his
             Care.
             A
             Good
             Man
             will
             not
             deceive
             or
             forsake
             those
             who
             depend
             on
             him
             ,
             much
             less
             will
             a
             Good
             God.
             
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Another
             Duty
             we
             own
             to
             Providence
             ,
             is
             Prayer
             ;
             to
             ask
             of
             God
             all
             those
             Blessings
             and
             Mercies
             which
             we
             need
             .
             The
             universal
             practice
             of
             all
             Nations
             who
             owned
             a
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             Natural
             Impulse
             all
             men
             find
             to
             seek
             to
             God
             in
             their
             distress
             ,
             shews
             what
             the
             sense
             of
             Nature
             is
             ;
             but
             yet
             some
             of
             the
             Ancient
             Philosophers
             were
             much
             puzzled
             how
             to
             reconcile
             Prayer
             with
             their
             Notions
             of
             Necessity
             and
             Fate
             :
             and
             indeed
             ,
             were
             Providence
             nothing
             else
             but
             a
             Necessary
             Chain
             of
             Causes
             ,
             or
             Fixt
             and
             Immutable
             Decrees
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             no
             great
             Encouragement
             to
             Pray
             to
             God
             ,
             who
             upon
             this
             supposition
             cannot
             help
             us
             ,
             no
             more
             
             than
             he
             can
             alter
             Destiny
             and
             Fate
             :
             but
             if
             God
             governs
             the
             world
             with
             as
             great
             Liberty
             and
             Freedom
             as
             a
             wise
             and
             good
             man
             governs
             his
             Family
             ,
             or
             a
             Prince
             governs
             his
             Kingdoms
             ,
             there
             is
             as
             much
             reason
             to
             pray
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             to
             offer
             up
             our
             Petitions
             to
             our
             Parents
             ,
             or
             to
             our
             Prince
             ;
             for
             if
             we
             must
             receive
             all
             from
             God
             ,
             what
             imaginable
             reason
             is
             there
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             not
             ask
             every
             thing
             of
             him
             .
          
           
             But
             it
             will
             be
             necessary
             to
             discourse
             this
             matter
             more
             particularly
             ;
             for
             we
             live
             in
             an
             Age
             wherein
             men
             are
             very
             apt
             to
             reason
             themselves
             out
             of
             all
             Religion
             ,
             and
             to
             form
             such
             Notions
             of
             God
             and
             his
             Providence
             ,
             as
             make
             it
             needless
             ,
             nay
             ,
             absurd
             ,
             to
             worship
             him
             .
          
           
             The
             Apostle
             tells
             us
             ,
             That
             
               he
               that
               cometh
               to
               God
               ,
               must
               believe
               that
               he
               is
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               is
               a
               rewarder
               of
               them
               that
               diligently
               seek
               him
               ,
               11.
               
               Heb.
            
             6.
             
             No
             man
             can
             be
             a
             devout
             Worshipper
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             does
             not
             believe
             that
             there
             is
             a
             God
             to
             worship
             ,
             and
             that
             this
             God
             does
             take
             care
             of
             mankind
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             has
             a
             peculiar
             Favour
             for
             those
             who
             worship
             him
             ;
             that
             he
             is
             
               a
               Rewarder
               of
               them
               that
               diligently
               seek
               him
               :
            
             For
             if
             God
             neither
             take
             any
             care
             of
             us
             ,
             or
             take
             no
             more
             care
             of
             those
             who
             worship
             him
             ,
             than
             of
             those
             who
             do
             not
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             just
             reason
             can
             be
             given
             ,
             why
             any
             man
             should
             worship
             him
             .
             But
             the
             Apostle
             in
             this
             supposes
             ,
             That
             to
             believe
             there
             is
             a
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             governs
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             that
             we
             shall
             be
             the
             better
             for
             worshipping
             ,
             is
             a
             reasonable
             Foundation
             for
             Religious
             Worship
             ;
             and
             therefore
             such
             Notions
             of
             God
             and
             his
             Providence
             ,
             as
             allow
             no
             peculiar
             Rewards
             and
             Benefits
             to
             Worshippers
             ,
             are
             certainly
             False
             ,
             how
             Philosophical
             soever
             they
             may
             appear
             ,
             and
             Impious
             too
             ,
             because
             they
             shut
             all
             Religious
             Worship
             out
             of
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             And
             yet
             some
             men
             can
             by
             no
             means
             understand
             for
             what
             reason
             they
             should
             pray
             to
             God
             :
             they
             comply
             with
             the
             Superstitious
             Customs
             of
             the
             Countrey
             ,
             
             to
             avoid
             Scandal
             and
             Publick
             Censure
             ,
             but
             think
             they
             might
             as
             well
             let
             it
             alone
             ,
             as
             for
             any
             advantage
             they
             hope
             for
             by
             their
             Prayers
             :
             And
             I
             am
             very
             much
             of
             their
             mind
             ,
             that
             they
             had
             as
             good
             not
             be
             present
             at
             Prayers
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             pray
             ;
             for
             no
             man
             can
             pray
             to
             any
             advantage
             ,
             who
             despises
             Prayer
             :
             It
             will
             therefore
             be
             highly
             necessary
             plainly
             to
             state
             this
             matter
             ,
             and
             to
             shew
             you
             ,
          
           
             That
             the
             belief
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             lays
             the
             strongest
             Obligation
             on
             us
             to
             pray
             to
             God.
             
          
           
             The
             Scripture-Proofs
             of
             this
             are
             so
             plain
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             be
             avoided
             ;
             and
             so
             well
             known
             ,
             that
             I
             need
             not
             at
             large
             repeat
             them
             .
             There
             is
             no
             Duty
             we
             are
             more
             frequently
             commanded
             ,
             none
             we
             are
             more
             earnestly
             exhorted
             to
             ,
             than
             to
             pray
             to
             God
             ;
             we
             have
             the
             Examples
             of
             all
             good
             men
             for
             it
             ,
             and
             of
             Christ
             himself
             ,
             who
             spent
             whole
             nights
             in
             Prayer
             ;
             and
             we
             have
             the
             encouragement
             of
             as
             express
             Promises
             as
             any
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             That
             if
             we
             pray
             to
             God
             ,
             he
             will
             hear
             and
             answer
             us
             ;
             which
             is
             all
             the
             Encouragement
             we
             can
             desire
             for
             our
             Prayers
             .
             As
             the
             Psalmist
             speaks
             ;
             
               O
               thou
               that
               hearest
               prayers
               ,
               unto
               thee
               shall
               all
               flesh
               come
               ,
            
             65.
             
             Psal.
             2.
             
             To
             thee
             they
             shall
             pray
             ,
             because
             thou
             hearest
             Prayers
             .
             
               For
               thou
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               art
               good
               ,
               and
               ready
               to
               forgive
               ,
               and
               plenteous
               in
               mercy
               to
               all
               them
               that
               call
               upon
               thee
               .
               In
               the
               day
               of
               my
               trouble
               will
               I
               call
               upon
               thee
               ,
               for
               thou
               wilt
               answer
               me
               ,
            
             86.
             
             Psal.
             5
             ,
             7.
             
             
               The
               Lord
               is
               nigh
               unto
               all
               them
               that
               call
               upon
               him
               ,
               to
               all
               that
               call
               upon
               him
               in
               truth
               .
               He
               will
               fulfil
               the
               desire
               of
               them
               that
               fear
               him
               ;
               he
               also
               will
               hear
               their
               cry
               ,
               and
               will
               save
               them
               ,
               145.
               
               Psal.
            
             18
             ,
             19.
             
             But
             nothing
             can
             be
             more
             express
             than
             our
             Saviour's
             Promise
             ;
             
               Ask
               ,
               and
               it
               shall
               be
               given
               unto
               you
               ;
               seek
               ,
               and
               ye
               shall
               find
               ;
               knock
               ,
               and
               it
               shall
               be
               opened
               unto
               you
               :
               For
               every
               one
               that
               asketh
               ,
               receiveth
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               seeketh
               ,
               findeth
               ;
               and
               to
               him
               that
               knocketh
               ,
               it
               shall
               be
               opened
               ,
               7.
               
               Matt.
               7
               ,
            
             8.
             
          
           
             And
             what
             great
             things
             are
             attributed
             in
             Scripture
             to
             the
             Power
             of
             Prayer
             ?
             St.
             Iames
             assures
             us
             ,
             That
             
               the
               effectual
               
               fervent
               prayer
               of
               the
               righteous
               man
               availeth
               much
            
             ;
             and
             proves
             it
             from
             the
             Example
             of
             Elias
             ,
             who
             
               was
               a
               man
               subject
               to
               like
               passions
               as
               we
               are
               ,
               and
               he
               prayed
               earnestly
               that
               it
               might
               not
               rain
               ,
               and
               it
               rained
               not
               on
               the
               earth
               by
               the
               space
               of
               three
               years
               and
               six
               months
               ;
               and
               he
               prayed
               again
               ,
               and
               the
               heavens
               gave
               rain
               ,
               and
               the
               earth
               brought
               forth
               fruit
               ,
            
             5.
             
             James
             17
             ,
             18.
             
             And
             all
             those
             Wonders
             which
             the
             Apostle
             to
             the
             Hebrews
             attributes
             to
             Faith
             ,
             belong
             to
             this
             Prayer
             of
             Faith
             ,
             11.
             
             
               Heb.
               32
            
             ,
             33
             ,
             34.
             
             For
             this
             reason
             
             Iacob's
             Name
             was
             changed
             into
             Israel
             ,
             when
             he
             wrestled
             all
             night
             with
             the
             Angel
             ,
             and
             would
             not
             let
             him
             go
             ,
             till
             he
             had
             blessed
             him
             ;
             
               Thy
               name
               shall
               be
               called
               no
               more
               Iacob
               ,
               but
               Israel
               ;
               for
               as
               a
               prince
               hast
               thou
               power
               with
               God
               and
               men
               ,
               and
               hast
               prevailed
               ,
            
             32.
             
             Gen.
             28.
             
          
           
             One
             would
             think
             that
             this
             were
             abundantly
             sufficient
             to
             convince
             all
             men
             of
             the
             Duty
             ,
             Necessity
             ,
             and
             Advantages
             of
             Prayer
             ;
             for
             if
             God
             govern
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             we
             must
             expect
             his
             Blessing
             and
             Protection
             only
             in
             answer
             to
             our
             Prayers
             ;
             if
             he
             himself
             makes
             Prayer
             the
             necessary
             Condition
             of
             our
             receiving
             ,
             it
             is
             in
             vain
             to
             dispute
             the
             Philosophy
             of
             it
             ,
             for
             we
             must
             ask
             ,
             if
             we
             will
             receive
             .
             We
             can
             receive
             of
             none
             but
             God
             ,
             and
             he
             has
             promised
             to
             give
             to
             none
             but
             those
             who
             ask
             ;
             and
             therefore
             tho
             we
             may
             receive
             many
             good
             things
             without
             asking
             ,
             as
             God
             does
             good
             both
             to
             the
             evil
             and
             to
             the
             good
             ,
             yet
             we
             can
             never
             be
             secure
             that
             we
             shall
             receive
             ;
             and
             the
             good
             things
             we
             do
             receive
             without
             asking
             ,
             seldom
             prove
             Blessings
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             as
             seldom
             lasting
             .
          
           
             But
             to
             satisfy
             these
             men
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             possible
             ,
             in
             the
             Reasonableness
             and
             Necessity
             of
             this
             Duty
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             them
             a
             true
             Notion
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             let
             us
             briefly
             consider
             their
             Objections
             against
             it
             .
             And
             the
             sum
             of
             all
             is
             this
             ,
             That
             they
             cannot
             conceive
             how
             our
             Prayers
             should
             signify
             any
             thing
             with
             God
             ,
             or
             obtain
             any
             Blessings
             for
             us
             ,
             which
             he
             would
             not
             have
             bestowed
             on
             us
             without
             our
             asking
             .
             To
             be
             good
             and
             vertuous
             ,
             they
             will
             allow
             is
             necessary
             to
             entitle
             us
             to
             the
             Favour
             and
             Protection
             of
             Providence
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             
             reason
             to
             believe
             ,
             that
             God
             will
             do
             good
             to
             good
             men
             ,
             whether
             they
             ask
             or
             not
             ;
             but
             they
             cannot
             see
             for
             what
             wise
             ends
             Prayer
             serves
             ,
             or
             how
             it
             should
             be
             any
             reason
             for
             God
             to
             give
             .
             Does
             not
             God
             know
             our
             wants
             before
             we
             ask
             ?
             Or
             does
             he
             need
             to
             be
             informed
             by
             our
             Prayers
             ,
             what
             we
             would
             have
             him
             do
             for
             us
             ?
             Are
             not
             our
             Wants
             ,
             and
             his
             own
             Essential
             Goodness
             ,
             a
             sufficient
             Motive
             for
             him
             to
             give
             ?
             Or
             does
             he
             want
             to
             be
             intreated
             and
             importuned
             ?
             Which
             would
             argue
             a
             want
             of
             Goodness
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             Can
             God
             be
             moved
             and
             changed
             by
             our
             Prayers
             ,
             to
             alter
             his
             Counsels
             ,
             to
             do
             that
             good
             for
             us
             which
             otherwise
             he
             would
             not
             have
             done
             ,
             or
             to
             divert
             those
             evils
             which
             he
             intended
             to
             have
             brought
             on
             us
             ?
             Which
             represents
             God
             as
             changeable
             as
             man
             ,
             and
             derogates
             from
             the
             Immutability
             of
             his
             Nature
             and
             Counsels
             .
          
           
             Now
             in
             answer
             to
             this
             ,
             let
             us
             consider
             in
             the
             first
             place
             ,
             Whether
             these
             Objections
             do
             not
             prove
             too
             much
             ?
             That
             is
             ,
             Whether
             they
             do
             not
             equally
             destroy
             the
             Reasonableness
             of
             making
             any
             Prayers
             or
             Petitions
             to
             Men
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             God
             ?
          
           
             There
             is
             a
             great
             difference
             indeed
             upon
             this
             account
             ,
             that
             good
             men
             may
             be
             ignorant
             of
             our
             wants
             ,
             and
             may
             need
             to
             be
             informed
             ;
             but
             is
             this
             the
             only
             reason
             of
             asking
             ,
             to
             inform
             men
             of
             our
             wants
             ?
             Does
             any
             good
             man
             think
             himself
             bound
             ,
             tho
             he
             know
             our
             wants
             ,
             to
             supply
             them
             without
             our
             asking
             ?
             Do
             we
             think
             it
             any
             diminution
             to
             any
             man's
             goodness
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             not
             give
             ,
             unless
             he
             be
             asked
             ?
             Good
             men
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             do
             a
             great
             many
             good
             offices
             without
             being
             asked
             ,
             and
             so
             does
             a
             good
             God
             ;
             but
             in
             most
             cases
             they
             think
             it
             very
             reasonable
             to
             be
             asked
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             is
             Pride
             and
             Stomach
             not
             to
             ask
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             reason
             enough
             not
             to
             give
             .
             It
             does
             not
             become
             some
             men
             to
             ask
             ,
             when
             it
             may
             become
             others
             to
             give
             ;
             for
             it
             requires
             some
             Interest
             ,
             and
             some
             pretence
             to
             Favour
             and
             Kindness
             ,
             to
             have
             a
             right
             to
             ask
             ;
             but
             all
             men
             expect
             ,
             that
             those
             who
             
             depend
             on
             them
             ,
             and
             know
             that
             they
             may
             have
             for
             asking
             ,
             should
             ask
             for
             what
             they
             want
             :
             Parents
             expect
             this
             from
             their
             Children
             ,
             and
             a
             Prince
             from
             his
             Subjects
             ;
             and
             will
             see
             their
             wants
             ,
             and
             let
             them
             want
             on
             ,
             till
             they
             think
             fit
             to
             ask
             :
             And
             if
             wise
             and
             good
             men
             expect
             this
             from
             their
             dependants
             ,
             a
             Wise
             and
             Good
             God
             may
             as
             reasonably
             expect
             this
             from
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             who
             have
             their
             whole
             dependance
             on
             him
             :
             For
             let
             any
             man
             shew
             me
             the
             difference
             ;
             if
             it
             be
             consistent
             with
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             to
             expect
             to
             be
             asked
             ,
             why
             may
             not
             a
             Wise
             and
             Good
             God
             expect
             this
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             a
             Wise
             and
             Good
             Man
             ?
          
           
             Thus
             as
             changeable
             as
             men
             are
             in
             their
             Wills
             ,
             and
             Counsels
             ,
             and
             Passions
             ,
             Do
             we
             use
             to
             charge
             any
             man
             with
             fickleness
             and
             inconstancy
             ,
             only
             because
             he
             gives
             when
             he
             is
             ask'd
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             give
             when
             he
             is
             not
             asked
             ?
             That
             is
             ,
             does
             it
             prove
             any
             man
             to
             be
             mutable
             ,
             to
             change
             only
             as
             a
             Wise
             and
             Immutable
             Rule
             requires
             him
             to
             change
             ?
             Such
             uniform
             and
             regular
             changes
             as
             these
             ,
             prove
             an
             Immutability
             of
             Counsels
             ;
             and
             if
             this
             be
             the
             standing
             Rule
             of
             Providence
             ,
             it
             argues
             no
             more
             change
             in
             God
             to
             give
             when
             we
             ask
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             give
             when
             we
             do
             not
             ask
             ,
             than
             it
             is
             to
             punish
             a
             man
             when
             he
             is
             wicked
             ,
             and
             to
             reward
             him
             when
             he
             is
             good
             .
          
           
             The
             Passions
             and
             Affections
             of
             Human
             Nature
             are
             the
             most
             fickle
             and
             inconstant
             things
             ;
             and
             when
             they
             move
             mechanically
             by
             external
             and
             sensible
             impressions
             ,
             either
             against
             Reason
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             without
             it
             ,
             they
             betray
             men
             to
             that
             uneveness
             and
             uncertainty
             in
             all
             their
             actions
             ,
             as
             disparages
             both
             their
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             ;
             for
             when
             they
             do
             good
             by
             such
             blind
             Impulses
             ,
             and
             strong
             and
             heady
             Passions
             ,
             they
             do
             good
             by
             Chance
             ;
             and
             another
             Torrent
             of
             different
             Passions
             may
             do
             as
             much
             hurt
             .
          
           
             But
             yet
             it
             is
             no
             disparagement
             to
             the
             Immutability
             of
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             to
             be
             moved
             by
             Passions
             ,
             when
             Reason
             and
             not
             mere
             sense
             moves
             them
             ;
             for
             Reason
             is
             an
             even
             
             and
             steddy
             Mover
             .
             To
             say
             that
             a
             man's
             Passions
             and
             Affections
             are
             moved
             by
             Reason
             to
             do
             that
             which
             he
             never
             intended
             to
             have
             done
             without
             that
             Reason
             ,
             does
             not
             unbecome
             the
             wisest
             and
             best
             man
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             therefore
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             a
             good
             man
             is
             moved
             by
             Prayers
             ,
             and
             Intreaties
             ,
             and
             Complaints
             ,
             to
             pity
             and
             compassion
             ,
             and
             to
             do
             good
             ,
             contrary
             to
             his
             former
             intentions
             and
             inclinations
             ,
             is
             no
             Reproach
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             Nor
             is
             it
             any
             Reproach
             to
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             and
             Providence
             ,
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             God
             is
             moved
             by
             our
             Prayers
             and
             Intreaties
             to
             do
             that
             for
             us
             ,
             which
             otherwise
             he
             would
             not
             have
             done
             ;
             for
             it
             neither
             unbecomes
             God
             nor
             men
             to
             be
             moved
             by
             Reason
             .
             We
             live
             in
             a
             Critical
             Age
             ,
             which
             will
             not
             allow
             us
             to
             speak
             intelligibly
             of
             God
             ,
             because
             we
             want
             words
             sufficiently
             to
             distinguish
             between
             the
             Motions
             and
             Actings
             of
             the
             Divine
             Mind
             ,
             and
             the
             Passions
             of
             Creatures
             .
             Our
             Conceptions
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             are
             very
             imperfect
             ,
             and
             so
             must
             our
             words
             necessarily
             be
             ,
             and
             therefore
             unless
             you
             will
             venture
             the
             Censure
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             who
             conceal
             their
             Atheism
             under
             a
             Religious
             Silence
             and
             Veneration
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             allow
             any
             thing
             to
             be
             said
             or
             thought
             of
             God
             ,
             for
             fear
             of
             thinking
             and
             speaking
             dishonourably
             of
             him
             ;
             you
             must
             not
             say
             that
             God
             hears
             or
             sees
             ,
             because
             he
             has
             no
             bodily
             ears
             or
             eyes
             ;
             or
             that
             there
             are
             any
             such
             Affections
             in
             God
             as
             Love
             or
             Hatred
             ,
             Joy
             or
             Sorrow
             ,
             Anger
             or
             Repentance
             ,
             Pity
             and
             Compassion
             ,
             because
             those
             sensible
             Commotions
             which
             accompany
             these
             Passions
             in
             men
             ,
             are
             not
             incident
             to
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             .
          
           
             But
             if
             the
             Scripture
             be
             a
             good
             Rule
             both
             of
             believing
             and
             speaking
             ,
             we
             may
             very
             honourably
             say
             that
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             God
             says
             of
             himself
             ,
             and
             believe
             that
             all
             these
             Affections
             are
             in
             God
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             perfect
             and
             excellent
             manner
             as
             becomes
             an
             Infinite
             and
             Eternal
             Mind
             .
             Some
             men
             think
             ,
             that
             the
             Scripture's
             attributing
             Love
             ,
             and
             Joy
             ,
             and
             Delight
             ,
             Hatred
             ,
             Sorrow
             ,
             and
             Compassion
             ,
             to
             God
             ,
             is
             
             no
             better
             reason
             to
             ascribe
             such
             affections
             to
             him
             ,
             than
             it
             is
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             God
             has
             bodily
             Eyes
             ,
             and
             Ears
             ,
             and
             Feet
             ,
             and
             Hands
             ,
             because
             the
             Scripture
             attributes
             them
             also
             to
             God
             :
             But
             there
             is
             a
             wide
             difference
             between
             these
             two
             ;
             for
             the
             Scripture
             has
             taken
             sufficient
             care
             to
             inform
             us
             ,
             that
             God
             is
             an
             infinite
             and
             unbodied
             Spirit
             ,
             without
             Shape
             or
             Figure
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             reason
             to
             believe
             ,
             that
             these
             are
             only
             allusive
             and
             metaphorical
             Expressions
             ,
             which
             represent
             the
             Powers
             by
             the
             Instruments
             of
             the
             Action
             ;
             seeing
             by
             Eyes
             ,
             and
             hearing
             by
             Ears
             ;
             but
             these
             affections
             ,
             which
             are
             attributed
             to
             God
             ,
             are
             not
             Instruments
             ,
             but
             Powers
             ,
             and
             are
             as
             essential
             to
             a
             Mind
             ,
             as
             Wisdom
             and
             Knowledge
             .
             A
             pure
             Mind
             must
             have
             pure
             and
             intellectual
             Affections
             ,
             which
             move
             with
             greater
             strength
             and
             certainty
             ,
             though
             without
             the
             disturbance
             of
             humane
             Passions
             .
             It
             is
             impossible
             to
             conceive
             a
             Mind
             without
             Wisdom
             and
             Knowledge
             ,
             or
             to
             conceive
             Wisdom
             and
             Knowledge
             without
             an
             intellectual
             Approbation
             and
             Abhorrence
             ;
             for
             perfect
             Wisdom
             must
             approve
             and
             disapprove
             ;
             and
             the
             several
             ways
             of
             approving
             or
             disapproving
             ,
             constitute
             the
             several
             Passions
             and
             Affections
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             therefore
             these
             must
             be
             as
             perfect
             in
             God
             as
             Wisdom
             is
             ,
             though
             as
             void
             of
             sensible
             passions
             ,
             as
             a
             pure
             Spirit
             is
             .
          
           
             Now
             ,
             if
             God
             have
             such
             Affections
             as
             these
             ,
             which
             may
             be
             moved
             in
             a
             manner
             suitable
             to
             the
             Divine
             Perfections
             ,
             then
             Prayer
             may
             move
             him
             ,
             and
             prevail
             with
             him
             to
             shew
             Mercy
             and
             Kindness
             :
             Thus
             the
             Scripture
             represents
             it
             ;
             and
             without
             such
             a
             representation
             as
             this
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             reason
             ,
             nor
             foundation
             for
             Prayer
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             shew
             you
             this
             in
             particular
             ,
             how
             God
             has
             been
             moved
             by
             the
             Intercessions
             of
             Good
             men
             to
             change
             his
             Counsels
             ,
             and
             to
             spare
             those
             whom
             he
             had
             threatned
             to
             destroy
             ,
             of
             which
             we
             have
             a
             famous
             Example
             in
             the
             Intercession
             of
             Moses
             for
             Israel
             ,
             when
             they
             had
             made
             the
             Golden
             Calf
             ,
             and
             worshipped
             it
             ,
             
               32
               ▪
               Exod.
            
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             &c.
             
             
             Of
             which
             the
             Psalmist
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               He
               said
               he
               would
               destroy
               them
               ,
               had
               not
               Moses
               his
               chosen
               stood
               before
               him
               in
               the
               breach
               ,
               to
               turn
               away
               his
               wrath
               ,
               lest
               he
               should
               destroy
               them
               .
            
             106.
             
             Psal.
             23.
             
             I
             say
             ,
             not
             to
             insist
             on
             such
             Examples
             now
             ,
             I
             shall
             only
             observe
             ,
             that
             most
             of
             our
             Saviour's
             Arguments
             and
             Parables
             ,
             whereby
             he
             encourageth
             our
             Faith
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             are
             resolved
             into
             this
             principle
             ,
             That
             God
             is
             moved
             by
             our
             Prayers
             in
             some
             Analogy
             and
             Proportion
             as
             men
             are
             ;
             that
             whatever
             effect
             of
             our
             Prayers
             we
             may
             reasonably
             expect
             from
             Wise
             ,
             and
             Kind
             ,
             and
             Good
             men
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             more
             certainly
             expect
             from
             God.
             
          
           
             
               Our
               Saviour
               promises
               ,
               7.
               
               Matth.
            
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10.
             
             Ask
             ,
             and
             it
             shall
             be
             given
             unto
             you
             :
             seek
             ,
             and
             ye
             shall
             find
             :
             knock
             ,
             and
             it
             shall
             be
             opened
             unto
             you
             .
             For
             every
             one
             that
             asketh
             ,
             receiveth
             :
             and
             he
             that
             seeketh
             ,
             findeth
             :
             and
             to
             him
             that
             knocketh
             ,
             it
             shall
             be
             opened
             .
             
               This
               is
               as
               full
               a
               promise
               as
               can
               be
               made
               ;
               and
               yet
               for
               their
               greater
               security
               ,
               he
               proves
               to
               their
               own
               sense
               and
               feeling
               ,
               that
               it
               needs
               must
               be
               so
               :
               We
               know
               and
               feel
               what
               the
               natural
               Kindness
               and
               Tenderness
               of
               Earthly
               Parents
               is
               for
               their
               Children
               ,
               how
               ready
               they
               are
               to
               answer
               all
               their
               reasonable
               requests
               ,
               especially
               when
               it
               is
               for
               the
               supply
               of
               their
               necessary
               wants
               ;
               and
               thus
               he
               assures
               us
               it
               is
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               much
               more
               ,
               because
               there
               is
               no
               comparison
               between
               the
               Kindness
               and
               Tenderness
               of
               Earthly
               Parents
               ,
               and
               the
               Goodness
               of
               God.
            
             What
             man
             is
             there
             of
             you
             ,
             whom
             if
             his
             son
             ask
             bread
             ,
             will
             he
             give
             him
             a
             stone
             ?
             Or
             if
             he
             ask
             fish
             ,
             will
             he
             give
             him
             a
             serpent
             ?
             If
             you
             then
             being
             evil
             ,
             know
             how
             to
             give
             good
             gifts
             unto
             your
             children
             ,
             how
             much
             more
             shall
             your
             Father
             which
             is
             in
             heaven
             ,
             give
             good
             things
             to
             them
             that
             ask
             him
             ?
          
           
             Thus
             our
             Saviour
             represents
             the
             power
             of
             importunity
             by
             the
             parable
             of
             a
             man
             ,
             who
             came
             to
             his
             Friends
             to
             borrow
             some
             Bread
             of
             him
             when
             he
             was
             a
             bed
             ,
             which
             was
             so
             unseasonable
             a
             time
             ,
             as
             made
             it
             troublesome
             and
             uneasy
             ;
             but
             tho
             meer
             Friendship
             could
             not
             prevail
             with
             him
             to
             do
             
             it
             ,
             importunity
             did
             ,
             11.
             
             Luke
             5.
             &c.
             and
             by
             the
             parable
             of
             the
             importunate
             Widow
             ,
             and
             the
             unjust
             Judge
             ,
             who
             tho
             he
             had
             no
             regard
             to
             Justice
             ,
             yet
             was
             conquered
             by
             her
             importunity
             ,
             to
             avenge
             her
             of
             her
             Enemy
             ;
             
               And
               shall
               not
               God
               avenge
               his
               own
               elect
               ,
               which
               cry
               day
               and
               night
               unto
               him
               ,
               tho
               he
               bear
               long
               with
               them
               ?
            
             18.
             
             Luke
             2.
             &c.
             If
             importunity
             will
             prevail
             ,
             where
             neither
             Friendship
             ,
             nor
             the
             love
             of
             Justice
             will
             prevail
             ,
             how
             much
             more
             will
             it
             prevail
             with
             a
             Good
             ,
             and
             Merciful
             ,
             and
             Righteous
             God
             ?
          
           
             Indeed
             most
             of
             our
             Saviour's
             Parables
             proceed
             upon
             that
             likeness
             and
             resemblance
             which
             is
             between
             Human
             Passions
             ,
             and
             the
             Affections
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             certainly
             expect
             that
             from
             God
             ,
             which
             we
             can
             reasonably
             expect
             from
             Wise
             and
             Good
             men
             in
             the
             like
             cases
             ;
             what
             either
             Friendship
             ,
             or
             a
             love
             of
             Virtue
             ,
             or
             Natural
             Affections
             ,
             or
             Interest
             ;
             and
             Relation
             ,
             and
             Private
             Concernment
             will
             do
             ,
             that
             God
             will
             do
             for
             us
             ,
             as
             is
             evident
             in
             the
             Parables
             of
             the
             Lost
             Sheep
             ,
             and
             Lost
             Groat
             ,
             and
             Prodigal
             Son
             ,
             which
             could
             have
             no
             foundation
             ,
             were
             not
             God
             in
             some
             analogy
             moved
             as
             men
             are
             :
             It
             is
             certain
             our
             Saviour
             intended
             we
             should
             understand
             it
             so
             ,
             when
             he
             makes
             it
             the
             reason
             of
             our
             Faith
             and
             Hope
             in
             Prayer
             :
             And
             if
             it
             be
             thus
             ,
             we
             see
             the
             reason
             and
             necessity
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             know
             how
             to
             pray
             to
             God
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             prevail
             ;
             to
             pray
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             we
             would
             in
             the
             like
             cases
             ask
             of
             men
             ,
             with
             the
             same
             Importunity
             ,
             Ardour
             ,
             Vehemence
             ,
             Sorrow
             and
             Contrition
             ,
             Trust
             and
             Dependence
             ;
             for
             what
             will
             prevail
             with
             men
             ,
             will
             much
             more
             prevail
             with
             God.
             
          
           
             And
             indeed
             ,
             there
             are
             very
             wise
             reasons
             ,
             why
             God
             should
             make
             Prayer
             the
             necessary
             Condition
             of
             our
             Receiving
             :
             as
             ,
             that
             his
             Power
             and
             Providence
             may
             be
             universally
             owned
             and
             acknowledged
             by
             Mankind
             ;
             That
             we
             may
             live
             in
             a
             constant
             dependence
             on
             him
             ,
             and
             be
             sensible
             ,
             
             that
             all
             we
             receive
             is
             his
             gift
             ;
             to
             lay
             restraints
             upon
             mens
             ungoverned
             Lusts
             and
             Appetites
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             never
             expect
             success
             without
             Prayer
             ;
             and
             therefore
             may
             never
             dare
             attempt
             any
             thing
             for
             which
             they
             dare
             not
             pray
             .
          
           
             These
             are
             wise
             Reasons
             ,
             why
             God
             should
             not
             give
             ,
             unless
             we
             ask
             ;
             and
             therefore
             if
             we
             believe
             that
             God
             governs
             the
             World
             ,
             it
             is
             our
             Interest
             as
             well
             as
             our
             Duty
             to
             pray
             to
             him
             ;
             for
             we
             have
             no
             Title
             to
             his
             Protection
             without
             it
             .
             Let
             us
             then
             in
             all
             Conditions
             make
             our
             humble
             and
             hearty
             Prayers
             and
             Supplications
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             recommend
             our Selves
             ,
             and
             all
             our
             Concernments
             to
             him
             .
             I
             say
             ,
             in
             all
             Conditions
             ,
             because
             God
             has
             the
             Supreme
             and
             Soveraign
             disposal
             of
             all
             .
             There
             are
             too
             many
             who
             think
             ,
             that
             when
             all
             things
             are
             prosperous
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             Goods
             laid
             up
             for
             many
             years
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             Powerful
             Friends
             ,
             and
             their
             Enemies
             at
             their
             feet
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             great
             need
             then
             to
             pray
             to
             God
             ,
             because
             they
             do
             not
             want
             Him.
             The
             Psalmist
             himself
             was
             tempted
             by
             a
             prosperous
             Fortune
             to
             great
             security
             ;
             
               In
               my
               prosperity
               ,
               I
               said
               ,
               I
               shall
               never
               be
               moved
               .
            
             But
             God
             quickly
             convinced
             him
             ,
             that
             his
             security
             did
             not
             consist
             in
             External
             Supports
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             Divine
             Favour
             ;
             
               Lord
               ,
               by
               thy
               favour
               thou
               hast
               made
               my
               mountain
               to
               stand
               strong
               ;
               thou
               didst
               hide
               thy
               face
               ,
               and
               I
               was
               troubled
               ,
            
             30.
             
             Psalm
             6
             ,
             7.
             
             No
             man
             is
             safe
             but
             in
             God's
             Protection
             ;
             there
             are
             a
             thousand
             unseen
             Accidents
             ,
             and
             surprising
             Events
             ,
             which
             may
             disappoint
             all
             other
             hope
             and
             confidence
             ;
             but
             
               they
               that
               trust
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               shall
               be
               as
               Mount
               Zion
               ,
               which
               cannot
               be
               removed
               ,
               but
               abideth
               for
               ever
               :
               as
               the
               mountains
               are
               round
               about
               Ierusalem
               ,
               so
               the
               Lord
               is
               round
               about
               his
               people
               ,
               henceforth
               for
               ever
               and
               ever
               ,
            
             125.
             
             Psalm
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Others
             think
             it
             to
             as
             little
             purpose
             to
             pray
             ,
             when
             their
             Condition
             is
             desperate
             and
             hopeless
             ;
             when
             they
             can't
             see
             
             how
             God
             can
             save
             them
             without
             a
             Miracle
             ,
             and
             Miracles
             they
             must
             not
             hope
             for
             .
             But
             what
             is
             it
             that
             God
             can't
             do
             ,
             who
             has
             all
             Nature
             at
             his
             command
             ?
             We
             must
             not
             indeed
             expect
             Miracles
             ;
             but
             he
             who
             has
             the
             Absolute
             Government
             of
             the
             Natural
             and
             Moral
             World
             ,
             can
             do
             what
             he
             pleases
             ,
             without
             Miracles
             :
             Nothing
             is
             impossible
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             nothing
             is
             impossible
             to
             him
             that
             believes
             ,
             who
             prays
             to
             God
             in
             Faith
             and
             Hope
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             the
             Example
             of
             our
             Saviour
             teacheth
             us
             something
             more
             than
             this
             ;
             That
             tho
             we
             were
             as
             certain
             that
             God
             would
             not
             deliver
             us
             from
             what
             we
             fear
             ,
             as
             he
             was
             that
             it
             was
             appointed
             for
             him
             by
             God's
             Immutable
             Decree
             and
             Counsel
             ,
             to
             dye
             upon
             the
             Cross
             ;
             yet
             it
             is
             not
             in
             vain
             to
             pray
             as
             he
             did
             ,
             
               O
               my
               father
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               possible
               ,
               let
               this
               cup
               pass
               from
               me
               ;
               nevertheless
               ,
               not
               as
               I
               will
               ,
               but
               as
               thou
               wilt
               .
            
             And
             the
             Apostle
             to
             the
             Hebrews
             tells
             us
             ,
             That
             tho
             God
             did
             not
             deliver
             him
             from
             death
             ,
             yet
             he
             heard
             and
             answered
             his
             Prayers
             :
             
               Who
               in
               the
               days
               of
               his
               flesh
               ,
               when
               he
               had
               offered
               up
               prayers
               and
               supplications
               ,
               with
               strong
               crying
               and
               tears
               ,
               unto
               him
               that
               was
               able
               to
               save
               him
               from
               death
               ,
               and
               was
               heard
               in
               that
               he
               feared
               ,
            
             5.
             
             Heb.
             7.
             
             That
             is
             ,
             tho
             God
             did
             not
             deliver
             him
             from
             Death
             ,
             he
             delivered
             him
             from
             his
             Fears
             ,
             sent
             an
             Angel
             to
             comfort
             him
             ,
             and
             enabled
             him
             to
             endure
             the
             Pain
             ,
             and
             to
             despise
             the
             Shame
             of
             the
             Cross.
             And
             tho
             God
             should
             in
             like
             manner
             afflict
             us
             ,
             or
             we
             should
             have
             great
             reason
             to
             believe
             he
             will
             do
             so
             ;
             yet
             ,
             if
             in
             answer
             to
             our
             Prayers
             and
             Cries
             he
             should
             pull
             out
             the
             Sting
             of
             Afflictions
             ,
             and
             sweeten
             them
             with
             Divine
             Comforts
             ,
             and
             some
             unexpected
             Allays
             ,
             and
             give
             us
             Courage
             and
             Patience
             to
             bear
             them
             ,
             it
             is
             equivalent
             to
             a
             Deliveranee
             ,
             and
             usually
             better
             for
             us
             than
             to
             have
             been
             delivered
             ;
             for
             when
             God
             inflicts
             such
             Punishments
             on
             us
             ,
             even
             when
             he
             mercifully
             hears
             our
             Prayers
             and
             Cries
             ,
             we
             may
             be
             sure
             that
             he
             intends
             it
             for
             some
             great
             good
             to
             us
             ;
             and
             to
             reap
             the
             Benefits
             of
             Afflictions
             ,
             without
             feeling
             the
             Sting
             of
             them
             ,
             
             is
             better
             than
             to
             be
             delivered
             from
             them
             ;
             this
             is
             to
             be
             
               heard
               in
               what
               we
               fear
            
             .
          
           
             This
             may
             satisfy
             us
             as
             to
             the
             Necessity
             and
             Obligation
             of
             this
             Duty
             of
             Prayer
             ;
             and
             what
             great
             Reason
             and
             Encouragement
             we
             have
             in
             all
             conditions
             to
             pray
             to
             God.
             But
             we
             must
             remember
             ,
             That
             Praise
             and
             Thanksgiving
             is
             as
             essential
             a
             part
             of
             the
             Divine
             Worship
             ,
             and
             as
             much
             due
             to
             God's
             Care
             and
             Providence
             over
             us
             ,
             as
             Prayer
             is
             .
          
           
             I
             need
             not
             enlarge
             on
             this
             ,
             because
             all
             Mankind
             acknowledge
             it
             a
             duty
             to
             praise
             our
             Benefactors
             ,
             which
             is
             only
             to
             acknowledg
             from
             whom
             we
             have
             received
             the
             good
             things
             we
             have
             :
             And
             if
             God
             be
             the
             Giver
             of
             all
             good
             things
             to
             us
             ,
             Can
             we
             do
             less
             than
             acknowledge
             that
             we
             receive
             all
             from
             God
             ?
             The
             whole
             Book
             of
             Psalms
             is
             full
             of
             Examples
             of
             this
             kind
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             so
             little
             need
             to
             prove
             this
             to
             be
             a
             Duty
             ,
             that
             every
             man
             who
             is
             sensible
             of
             any
             Kindness
             that
             is
             done
             him
             ,
             can
             no
             more
             avoid
             thanking
             his
             Benefactor
             ,
             than
             rejoicing
             in
             the
             benefit
             he
             has
             received
             .
             It
             is
             not
             only
             matter
             of
             Duty
             ,
             but
             of
             Necessity
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             till
             men
             have
             put
             off
             Human
             Nature
             ,
             and
             lost
             the
             sensations
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             We
             must
             not
             indeed
             conceive
             so
             meanly
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             were
             charmed
             with
             the
             Praises
             of
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             as
             some
             vain
             men
             are
             with
             Popular
             Applause
             :
             A
             Wise
             man
             is
             above
             this
             ;
             much
             more
             God
             :
             A
             man
             who
             knows
             himself
             ,
             thinks
             neither
             the
             better
             nor
             worse
             of
             himself
             for
             Popular
             Praise
             ,
             or
             Reproach
             :
             Praise
             is
             due
             to
             Vertue
             ;
             but
             if
             it
             miss
             of
             it
             ,
             the
             World
             may
             suffer
             by
             it
             ,
             not
             the
             Vertuous
             man
             ,
             if
             he
             have
             that
             command
             of
             his
             Passions
             and
             Resentments
             ,
             as
             a
             Wise
             and
             Good
             man
             ought
             to
             have
             .
             Praise
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             the
             good
             opinion
             of
             other
             men
             concerning
             us
             ;
             and
             Reproach
             their
             ill
             opinion
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             be
             mistaken
             in
             their
             opinions
             ,
             they
             make
             us
             neither
             better
             nor
             worse
             ,
             unless
             we
             make
             our selves
             so
             ;
             but
             the
             World
             may
             
             suffer
             by
             it
             ;
             for
             a
             Good
             man
             when
             he
             is
             unjustly
             reproached
             ,
             tho
             he
             may
             support
             himself
             with
             a
             sense
             of
             his
             Innocence
             and
             Vertue
             ,
             yet
             he
             loses
             the
             Pleasure
             and
             Freedom
             of
             Conversation
             ,
             the
             Authority
             of
             his
             Example
             and
             Counsels
             ,
             and
             many
             Advantages
             and
             Opportunities
             of
             doing
             good
             .
          
           
             To
             apply
             this
             to
             God
             :
             I
             need
             not
             prove
             ,
             that
             so
             Glorious
             and
             Perfect
             a
             Being
             is
             infinitely
             above
             our
             Praises
             ;
             that
             we
             can
             add
             nothing
             to
             Him
             by
             our
             most
             Triumphant
             Hymns
             and
             Hallelujahs
             ,
             any
             otherwise
             than
             as
             He
             sees
             it
             infinitely
             reasonable
             and
             congruous
             for
             the
             happiness
             of
             Creatures
             ,
             and
             a
             great
             instrument
             of
             Providence
             that
             they
             should
             Praise
             him
             :
             God
             suffers
             nothing
             by
             it
             ,
             if
             we
             refuse
             to
             Praise
             him
             ;
             but
             we
             do
             ,
             and
             the
             World
             does
             ;
             and
             he
             has
             no
             other
             satisfaction
             in
             it
             ,
             than
             to
             see
             his
             Creatures
             do
             what
             becomes
             them
             ,
             and
             what
             will
             make
             them
             happy
             .
          
           
             All
             the
             Blessings
             we
             receive
             from
             God
             ,
             especially
             such
             as
             concern
             this
             Life
             ,
             lose
             their
             true
             Taste
             and
             Relish
             without
             Praise
             .
             To
             Contemplate
             and
             Adore
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             ,
             which
             encompasses
             the
             whole
             Creation
             ,
             and
             Dispenses
             His
             Favours
             with
             a
             liberal
             hand
             ,
             is
             a
             more
             transporting
             pleasure
             than
             all
             the
             enjoyments
             of
             the
             World
             can
             give
             us
             .
             Here
             is
             a
             noble
             exercise
             of
             Love
             ,
             and
             Joy
             ,
             and
             Admiration
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             most
             delightful
             Passions
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             as
             far
             above
             the
             pleasures
             of
             Sense
             ,
             as
             a
             man
             excels
             a
             Beast
             .
             This
             makes
             us
             feel
             our selves
             happy
             ,
             not
             only
             in
             what
             we
             at
             present
             have
             ,
             which
             ,
             if
             we
             look
             no
             farther
             than
             intermediate
             Causes
             ,
             is
             very
             uncertain
             ;
             but
             in
             a
             secure
             prospect
             of
             Happiness
             while
             we
             adhere
             to
             God.
             A
             Soul
             which
             is
             ravish'd
             with
             the
             Praises
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             possessed
             with
             a
             lively
             Sense
             of
             his
             Goodness
             ,
             can
             fear
             no
             Evil
             ,
             is
             out
             of
             the
             reach
             of
             solicitous
             cares
             ;
             is
             contented
             in
             every
             condition
             as
             allotted
             him
             by
             God
             ;
             nay
             ,
             is
             patient
             under
             Sufferings
             themselves
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             Corrections
             or
             Discipline
             of
             a
             kind
             Father
             :
             He
             considers
             how
             much
             good
             he
             receives
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             how
             far
             it
             exceeds
             all
             the
             
             Evils
             he
             suffers
             ;
             and
             therefore
             he
             has
             reason
             to
             bless
             God
             still
             ,
             as
             Iob
             did
             ;
             for
             
               shall
               we
               receive
               good
               from
               the
               hand
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               shall
               we
               not
               receive
               evil
               ?
            
             especially
             when
             the
             good
             we
             receive
             ,
             proves
             the
             very
             evils
             we
             suffer
             to
             be
             good
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             inflicted
             by
             a
             good
             God.
             
          
           
             All
             these
             Graces
             and
             Vertues
             are
             owing
             to
             the
             belief
             of
             a
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             and
             cannot
             be
             had
             without
             it
             ;
             they
             belong
             to
             that
             Submission
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             trust
             in
             his
             Providence
             ,
             which
             I
             have
             already
             explained
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             Praise
             and
             Thanksgiving
             which
             awakens
             that
             vigorous
             Sense
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             exercises
             all
             these
             Vertues
             ,
             and
             gives
             us
             the
             ease
             and
             satisfaction
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             Thus
             when
             God
             loses
             his
             Praise
             ,
             we
             lose
             the
             ease
             and
             security
             of
             our
             Lives
             :
             But
             this
             is
             not
             all
             ;
             for
             the
             World
             also
             in
             a
             great
             measure
             loses
             the
             benefit
             and
             advantage
             of
             God's
             Government
             ,
             which
             as
             much
             disappoints
             the
             wise
             designs
             of
             Providence
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             own
             our
             Benefactor
             ,
             is
             to
             lose
             the
             sense
             of
             our
             dependence
             ,
             which
             makes
             all
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             lost
             on
             Sinners
             ;
             for
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             cannot
             affect
             any
             man
             ,
             cannot
             lead
             him
             to
             repentance
             ,
             can
             be
             no
             reason
             ,
             nor
             encouragement
             to
             Vertue
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             owned
             .
          
           
             This
             spoils
             the
             very
             Blessings
             ,
             which
             God
             bestows
             on
             us
             ,
             which
             we
             shall
             never
             use
             to
             our
             own
             happiness
             ,
             without
             owning
             and
             praising
             the
             Giver
             of
             them
             .
             He
             who
             remembers
             that
             he
             receives
             all
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             is
             affected
             with
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             and
             Bounty
             in
             giving
             ,
             will
             use
             the
             good
             things
             he
             receives
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             mind
             and
             intention
             of
             the
             Giver
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             the
             only
             way
             to
             enjoy
             the
             benefit
             of
             the
             gift
             .
          
           
             God
             does
             not
             give
             men
             riches
             meerly
             to
             look
             on
             ,
             or
             to
             imprison
             ,
             or
             to
             spend
             on
             their
             Lusts
             ;
             nor
             advance
             them
             to
             Honours
             ,
             to
             make
             them
             proud
             and
             insolent
             ;
             nor
             give
             them
             a
             large
             Portion
             of
             This
             World
             to
             make
             them
             forget
             the
             Next
             ;
             he
             who
             is
             thankful
             to
             God
             for
             all
             his
             Blessings
             ,
             
             cannot
             do
             this
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             the
             highest
             ingratitude
             to
             affront
             and
             provoke
             God
             with
             the
             abuse
             of
             what
             he
             gives
             ;
             and
             he
             who
             does
             thus
             ,
             loses
             the
             Blessing
             ,
             though
             he
             has
             the
             Gift
             .
             A
             Covetous
             man
             is
             never
             the
             better
             for
             his
             Riches
             ,
             because
             he
             cannot
             use
             them
             ;
             and
             a
             Voluptuous
             man
             is
             much
             the
             worse
             ,
             because
             he
             uses
             them
             to
             his
             own
             hurt
             .
             When
             high
             Places
             and
             Dignities
             make
             men
             Proud
             and
             Insolent
             ,
             it
             forfeits
             the
             Honour
             of
             them
             ;
             and
             he
             who
             forgets
             ,
             and
             by
             forgetting
             loses
             the
             next
             World
             ,
             has
             a
             very
             hard
             purchase
             of
             this
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             such
             men
             do
             not
             only
             disappoint
             God's
             Goodness
             to
             themselves
             ,
             but
             frustrate
             the
             gracious
             designs
             of
             his
             Providence
             in
             making
             them
             the
             Instruments
             and
             Ministers
             of
             his
             Goodness
             to
             others
             .
             For
             those
             who
             take
             no
             notice
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             but
             are
             very
             unthankful
             to
             God
             for
             what
             they
             have
             ,
             are
             so
             far
             from
             doing
             any
             good
             ,
             that
             they
             generally
             do
             great
             mischief
             to
             others
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             themselves
             .
          
           
             Those
             who
             are
             sensible
             that
             they
             receive
             all
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             are
             thankful
             for
             it
             ,
             remember
             that
             they
             are
             but
             God's
             Stewards
             ;
             which
             is
             a
             great
             Honour
             ,
             but
             a
             great
             Trust
             too
             ,
             and
             requires
             Faithfulness
             ;
             in
             thankfulness
             to
             God
             who
             has
             so
             liberally
             provided
             for
             them
             ,
             they
             think
             themselves
             bound
             to
             imitate
             his
             Goodness
             ,
             to
             supply
             the
             Wants
             ,
             and
             undertake
             the
             Patronage
             of
             those
             who
             want
             their
             help
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             judgment
             of
             Prudence
             and
             Charity
             deserve
             it
             .
          
           
             But
             an
             unthankful
             man
             has
             no
             more
             regard
             to
             his
             Fellow
             Creatures
             then
             he
             has
             to
             God
             ;
             a
             Covetous
             man
             ,
             who
             will
             not
             supply
             his
             own
             wants
             ,
             to
             be
             sure
             will
             not
             relieve
             the
             wants
             of
             others
             ;
             and
             if
             a
             Voluptuous
             man
             does
             any
             kindness
             ,
             the
             receivers
             pay
             dear
             for
             it
             ;
             for
             he
             makes
             them
             the
             partners
             or
             instruments
             of
             his
             lusts
             .
             A
             Rich
             Sinner
             helps
             to
             Debauch
             a
             whole
             Neighbourhood
             ,
             and
             a
             powerful
             Sinner
             to
             Oppress
             them
             ;
             and
             the
             daily
             experience
             
             of
             the
             World
             tells
             us
             ,
             what
             mischief
             Riches
             ,
             and
             Honour
             ,
             and
             Power
             ,
             do
             in
             the
             hands
             of
             Wicked
             and
             Unthankful
             men
             .
          
           
             This
             I
             think
             may
             satisfie
             any
             considering
             man
             in
             the
             absolute
             necessity
             of
             Praise
             and
             Thanksgiving
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             only
             such
             an
             acknowledgment
             of
             the
             Divine
             Glory
             as
             becomes
             Creatures
             ,
             but
             is
             necessary
             to
             our
             own
             Happiness
             ,
             to
             our
             wise
             improvement
             of
             the
             Blessings
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             good
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             all
             men
             must
             confess
             ,
             that
             this
             is
             a
             Wise
             and
             Just
             reason
             for
             God
             to
             recal
             his
             Gifts
             ,
             to
             take
             away
             what
             he
             had
             given
             to
             unthankful
             men
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             them
             no
             more
             ,
             not
             only
             because
             they
             disown
             their
             Benefactor
             ,
             but
             because
             they
             abuse
             all
             that
             he
             gives
             them
             to
             their
             own
             ,
             and
             to
             other
             mens
             hurt
             :
             All
             that
             he
             gives
             is
             lost
             on
             them
             ;
             He
             loses
             the
             Praise
             ,
             and
             they
             themselves
             ,
             and
             every
             body
             else
             the
             comfort
             and
             advantage
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             And
             thus
             I
             have
             finished
             this
             Discourse
             of
             Providence
             ;
             whereby
             I
             hope
             it
             will
             appear
             ,
             that
             there
             are
             great
             Reasons
             to
             believe
             a
             Providence
             ,
             that
             the
             Objections
             against
             it
             are
             Ignorant
             Mistakes
             ;
             and
             that
             nothing
             tends
             so
             much
             to
             the
             Ease
             and
             Comfort
             ,
             and
             good
             Government
             of
             our
             Lives
             ,
             as
             to
             acknowledge
             God
             to
             be
             the
             Supreme
             and
             Sovereign
             Lord
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
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           or
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           Nemesis
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             how
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             soever
          
           .
           l.
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           most
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           Books
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           by
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           Reverend
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           the
           Temple
           ,
           and
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
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           Their
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           .
        
         
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           Discourse
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           entituled
           ,
           Papists
           protesting
           against
           Protestant
           Popery
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           Second
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           Reverend
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           Vindication
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           Protestant
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           Church-Unity
           and
           Catholick
           Communion
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           from
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           Charge
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           Agreement
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             ,
             Quarto
          
           .
        
         
           A
           Preservative
           against
           Poperty
           ,
           in
           Two
           Parts
           ,
           with
           the
           Vindication
           ,
           in
           Answer
           to
           the
           Cavils
           of
           
             Lewis
             Salran
          
           ,
           Jesuit
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Discourse
           concerning
           the
           Nature
           ,
           Unity
           ,
           and
           Communion
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           First
           Part
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Lord-Mayor
           ,
           
             November
             4th
             .
             1688.
             
             Quarto
             .
          
        
         
           A
           Vindication
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Holy
           and
           Ever-Blessed
           Trinity
           ,
           and
           the
           Incarnation
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           Second
           Edition
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           The
           Case
           of
           the
           Allegiance
           due
           to
           Sovereign
           Powers
           ,
           Stated
           and
           Resolved
           ,
           according
           to
           Scripture
           ,
           Reason
           ,
           and
           the
           Principles
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           4to
           .
        
         
           A
           Vindication
           of
           the
           Case
           of
           Allegiance
           due
           to
           Sovereign
           Powers
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           at
           Whitehall
           before
           the
           Queen
           on
           the
           17th
           .
           of
           Iune
           ,
           being
           the
           Fast-Day
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Practical
           Discourse
           concerning
           Death
           ;
           in
           Octavo
           ,
           Seventh
           Edition
           ,
           Price
           3
           s.
           In
           Twelves
           ,
           Price
           2
           s.
           
        
         
           A
           Practical
           Discourse
           concerning
           a
           Future
           Judgment
           .
           Third
           Edition
           .
           Octav.
           
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           
             Ian.
             30.
             1692.
             
             Quarto
          
           .
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Queen
           ,
           
             Feb.
             12.
             1692.
             
             Quarto
          
           .
        
         
           The
           Charity
           of
           Lending
           without
           Usury
           ;
           and
           the
           true
           Notion
           of
           Usury
           briefly
           stated
           ;
           in
           a
           Sermon
           before
           the
           Lord
           Mayor
           on
           
             Easter-Tuesday
             ,
             1692.
             
             Quarto
          
           .
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           at
           the
           
           Temple-Church
           ,
           May
           29.
           1692.
           
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Queen
           ,
           
             Iune
             26.
             1692.
             
             Quarto
          
           .
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           at
           the
           Funeral
           of
           the
           Reverend
           Dr.
           Meggot
           ,
           late
           Dean
           of
           
             Winchester
             ,
             Decemb.
          
           10.
           1692.
           
        
         
           An
           Apology
           for
           writing
           against
           Socinians
           ,
           in
           Defence
           of
           the
           Doctrines
           of
           the
           Holy
           Trinity
           and
           Incarnation
           ,
           in
           Answer
           to
           a
           late
           Earnest
           and
           Compassionate
           Suit
           for
           forbearance
           to
           the
           Learned
           Writers
           of
           some
           Controversies
           at
           present
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Discourse
           concerning
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           Printed
           for
           
             Will.
             Rogers
          
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           Books
           lately
           printed
           for
           William
           Rogers
           .
        
         
           SErmons
           and
           Discourses
           ,
           in
           Three
           Volumes
           .
           Octavo
           .
        
         
           The
           Rule
           of
           Faith
           ;
           Or
           ,
           An
           Answer
           to
           the
           Treatise
           of
           Mr.
           
             I.
             Sergeant
          
           .
           Octav.
           
        
         
           A
           Thanksgiving-Sermon
           at
           Lincoln's-Inn
           Chappel
           ,
           1688.
           on
           Ezra
           9.
           13
           ,
           14.
           
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Queen
           ,
           on
           Matth.
           5.
           44.
           
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           King
           and
           Queen
           at
           
             Hampton
             Court
          
           ,
           on
           
             Luke
             10.
          
           42.
           
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Queen
           ,
           on
           Matth.
           25.
           46.
           
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           upon
           a
           Monthly
           Fast
           ;
           on
           Eccles.
           9.
           11.
           
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Lord
           Mayor
           at
           Bow-Church
           ,
           upon
           a
           Monthly
           Fast
           ,
           on
           Ier.
           6.
           8.
           
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Queen
           ,
           on
           Acts
           24.
           16.
           
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Queen
           at
           White-hall
           upon
           the
           Monthly
           Fast
           ,
           Septemb.
           16.
           1691.
           on
           Zech.
           7.
           5.
           
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Queen
           ,
           on
           Psalm
           73.
           25.
           
        
         
           A
           Thanksgiving
           Sermon
           before
           the
           King
           and
           Queen
           at
           
             White-hall
             ,
             Octob.
             27.
             1692.
          
           on
           Ieremiah
           9.
           23
           ,
           24.
           
        
         
           These
           Ten
           in
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Discourse
           against
           Transubstantiation
           ,
           Octavo
           .
           Alone
           .
           Price
           3
           d.
           Stitcht
           .
        
         
           A
           Persuasive
           to
           frequent
           Communion
           in
           the
           Sacrament
           of
           the
           Lord's
           Supper
           .
           Octavo
           stitcht
           3
           d.
           In
           Twelves
           ,
           bound
           ,
           price
           6
           d.
           
        
         
           Sermons
           concerning
           the
           Divinity
           of
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           Octavo
           .
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Queen
           at
           
             White-hall
             ,
             April
          
           9.
           1693.
           concerning
           the
           Sacrifice
           and
           Satisfaction
           of
           Christ
           ,
           on
           Heb.
           9.
           26.
           
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           concerning
           the
           Unity
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           and
           Trinity
           ,
           on
           1
           Tim.
           2.
           5.
           
        
         
           These
           all
           by
           his
           Grace
           ,
           John
           ,
           Lord
           Archbishop
           of
           Canterbury
           .
        
         
           Reflections
           on
           two
           Books
           ,
           the
           one
           Entituled
           ,
           
             The
             Case
             of
             Allegiance
             to
             a
             King
             in
             Possession
             ,
          
           the
           other
           ,
           
             An
             Answer
             to
             Dr.
          
           Sherlock
           
             's
             Case
             of
             Allegiance
             to
             Sovereign
             Powers
          
           ;
           in
           Defence
           of
           the
           Case
           of
           Allegiance
           to
           a
           King
           in
           Possession
           ,
           on
           those
           Parts
           especially
           wherein
           the
           Author
           endeavours
           to
           shew
           his
           Opinion
           to
           be
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           this
           Land.
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           A
           Brief
           Disquisition
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Principles
           and
           methods
           laid
           down
           in
           the
           Reverend
           Dr.
           
           Cumberland's
           (
           now
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           
           Peterborough's
           )
           Latin
           Treatise
           on
           the
           Subject
           .
           As
           also
           his
           Confutations
           of
           Mr.
           
           Hobb's
           Principles
           put
           into
           another
           Method
           .
           With
           the
           Right
           Reverend
           Author's
           Approbation
           .
           By
           
             I.
             Tyrrell
             .
             Octavo
          
           .
        
         
           Serious
           and
           Seasonable
           Advice
           to
           the
           English
           Soldiers
           of
           His
           Majesty's
           Army
           ,
           in
           Twelves
           ,
           Price
           3
           d.
           
        
         
           The
           Exact
           Effigies
           of
           his
           Grace
           ,
           Iohn
           ,
           Lord
           Archbishop
           of
           Canterbury
           ,
           on
           a
           large
           Sheet
           of
           Paper
           ,
           curiously
           Engraven
           by
           Mr.
           White
           ,
           from
           Mrs.
           
           Beal's
           Painting
           .
           Price
           12
           d.
           
        
         
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A59814-e1740
           
             Cap.
             1.
             
             §
             3.
             
          
           
             Casu
             ,
             inquis
             ?
             itanè
             verò
             ?
             quidquam
             potest
             casu
             esse
             factum
             ,
             quod
             omnes
             in
             se
             habeat
             numeros
             veritatis
             ?
             quatuor
             tali
             jacti
             casu
             venereum
             efficiunt
             ,
             num
             etiam
             centum
             venereos
             ,
             si
             400
             talos
             ejeceris
             ,
             casu
             futuros
             putas
             ?
             —
             Sic
             enim
             se
             profectò
             res
             habet
             ,
             ut
             nunquam
             perfectè
             veritatem
             casus
             imitetur
             .
             
               Cicero
               de
               Divinat
            
             .
             l.
             1.
             
          
           
             Immortali
             aevo
             summâ
             cum
             pace
             fruatur
             .
          
           
             Semota
             a
             nostris
             rebus
             ,
             sejunctaque
             longè
             .
          
           
             Epicurum
             verbis
             reliquisse
             Deos
             ,
             resustulisse
             ,
             
               de
               Nat.
               Deor.
            
             l
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Quo
             concesso
             confitendum
             est
             eorum
             Consilio
             mundum
             administrari
             ,
             
               de
               Nat.
               Deor.
            
             l.
             2.
             
          
           
             Providentia
             praecisè
             dicitur
             pro
             Providentia
             Deorum
             .
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Chrysippus
             Legis
             perpetuae
             &
             aeternae
             vim
             ,
             quae
             quasi
             dux
             vitae
             ,
             &
             Ministra
             Officiorum
             sit
             ,
             Jovem
             dicit
             esse
             ,
             eandemque
             fatalem
             necessitatem
             .
             Ibid
             ,
             l
             ,
             1.
             
          
           
             Aliquam
             excellentem
             esse
             &
             praestantem
             naturam
             ,
             quae
             haec
             fecisset
             ,
             moveret
             ,
             regeret
             ,
             gubernaret
             .
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Imposuitis
             in
             cervicibus
             nostris
             sempiternum
             Dominum
             ,
             quem
             dies
             &
             noctes
             timeremus
             ;
             quis
             enim
             non
             timeat
             omnia
             providentem
             ,
             &
             cogitantem
             ,
             &
             animadvertentem
             ,
             &
             omnia
             ad
             se
             pertinere
             putantem
             ,
             curiosum
             ,
             &
             plenum
             negotii
             Deum
             .
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             18.
             
             Matth
             29.
             
          
           
             36.
             
             Psal.
             6.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             Dan.
             35.
             
          
           
             135.
             
             Psal.
             6.
             
          
           
             9.
             
             Job
             4.
             
          
           
             11.
             
             Job
             12.
             
          
           
             V.
             2.
             
          
           
             V.
             4.
             
          
           
             V.
             20.
             
          
           
             V.
             25
             ,
             29.
             
          
           
             18.
             
             Ezek.
             2.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             John
             30.
             6.
             38.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Eph.
             11.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             James
             18.
             
          
           
             2
             Hebr.
             4.
             
          
           
             2
             Phil.
             13.
             
          
           
             11.
             
             Rom
             35
             ,
             36.
             
          
           
             9.
             
             Exod.
             16.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             3.
             
          
           
             14.
             
             Wisdom
             22
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             8.
             
             Rom.
             28.
             
          
           
             See
             Sermon
             before
             the
             Queen
             on
             that
             Text.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             4.
             
          
           
             Discourse
             of
             Death
             ,
             
               ch
               .
               2.
               sect
            
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             Discourse
             of
             Judgm
             .
             
               ch
               .
               1.
               sect
            
             .
             8.
             
          
           
             50.
             
             Psal.
             21.
             
          
           
             v.
             22.
             
          
           
             24.
             
             Josh.
             2.
             
          
           
             12.
             
             Gen.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Rom.
             2.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Exod.
             9
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             8.
             
             Exod.
             1.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Dan.
             29.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             Dan.
             26
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             Dan.
             34
             ,
             35
             
          
           
             4.
             
             Deut.
             32
             ,
             33.
             
          
           
             35.
             
          
           
             36.
             
          
           
             39.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Dan.
             38.
             
          
           
             Mr.
             Joseph
             Mede
             
               's
               Discourse
               3.
               on
            
             17.
             
             Acts
             4.
             
          
           
             9.
             
             Job
             4.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Prov.
             14
             ,
             16.