Sermons preach'd upon several occasions before the King at White-Hall by the Right Reverend Father in God, John Wilkins ... ; to which is added, A discourse concerning the beauty of providence by the same author.
         Wilkins, John, 1614-1672.
      
       
         
           1677
        
      
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             Sermons preach'd upon several occasions before the King at White-Hall by the Right Reverend Father in God, John Wilkins ... ; to which is added, A discourse concerning the beauty of providence by the same author.
             Wilkins, John, 1614-1672.
          
           [14], 176 p.
           
             Printed by H. Cruttenden for Robert Sollers ...,
             London :
             1677.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
             "A discourse concerning the beauty of providence ... fifth edition" p. [93]-176.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
           Providence and government of God.
        
      
    
     
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           SERMONS
           PREACH'D
           Upon
           several
           Occasions
           Before
           the
           KING
           AT
           WHITE-HALL
           .
           By
           the
           Right
           Reverend
           Father
           in
           God
           ,
           
             JOHN
             WILKINS
          
           ,
           late
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           CHESTER
           .
           To
           which
           is
           added
           ,
           A
           DISCOURSE
           Concerning
           the
           Beauty
           of
           Providence
           .
           By
           the
           same
           Author
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           by
           
             H.
             Cruttenden
          
           for
           
             Robert
             Sollers
          
           in
           St.
           
             Pauls
             Church-Yard
          
           .
           1677.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           Right
           Honourable
           GEORGE
           Lord
           BERKELEY
           ,
           Lord
           of
           
             Berkeley
             ,
             Mombray
             ,
             Seagrave
          
           ,
           and
           
             Bruce
             ,
             Custos
             Rotulorum
          
           of
           the
           Counties
           of
           Gloucester
           and
           Surrey
           :
           and
           Governour
           of
           the
           
             LEVANT
             COMPANY
          
           .
        
         
           May
           it
           please
           your
           Lordship
           ,
        
         
           HAving
           these
           scattered
           Discourses
           in
           my
           custody
           ,
           and
           
           wholly
           at
           my
           disposal
           ,
           either
           to
           republish
           ,
           or
           suffer
           them
           to
           sleep
           in
           that
           darkness
           wherein
           they
           lay
           ;
           I
           thought
           it
           very
           incongruous
           to
           the
           necessities
           of
           this
           degenerate
           age
           ,
           to
           let
           the
           excellent
           works
           of
           so
           learned
           ,
           pious
           ,
           and
           worthy
           a
           Prelate
           be
           extinct
           ,
           and
           lye
           hid
           from
           the
           open
           view
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           sith
           they
           are
           none
           of
           the
           worst
           of
           which
           this
           Great
           Man
           
           was
           pleased
           to
           bless
           our
           times
           with
           .
        
         
           These
           Sermons
           were
           fram'd
           for
           ,
           and
           preached
           before
           a
           Great
           and
           Regal
           Auditory
           ;
           though
           by
           their
           plain
           ,
           natural
           ,
           and
           unaffected
           Style
           (
           a
           thing
           he
           always
           delighted
           in
           )
           one
           would
           have
           thought
           the
           contrary
           ;
           since
           the
           Chappels
           as
           well
           as
           Courts
           of
           Princes
           ,
           are
           by
           byass'd
           and
           self-interested
           principles
           
           so
           often
           flatter'd
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           I
           thought
           no
           man
           so
           fitting
           as
           your
           Lordship
           to
           shelter
           these
           Discourses
           from
           the
           rage
           and
           fury
           of
           the
           Atheistical
           Male-Contents
           of
           the
           Age
           ;
           they
           being
           the
           Fundamentals
           of
           Religion
           that
           he
           treats
           of
           ;
           which
           I
           am
           very
           sensible
           your
           Lordship
           well
           knows
           ,
           are
           not
           only
           slighted
           ,
           but
           bid
           open
           defiance
           to
           ,
           and
           
           the
           Authority
           of
           their
           Institution
           call'd
           in
           question
           .
        
         
           That
           man
           would
           certainly
           be
           held
           a
           notorious
           Delinquent
           ,
           that
           should
           openly
           affront
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           disown
           that
           Authority
           ,
           and
           Legislative
           Power
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           commands
           Obedience
           to
           his
           Laws
           .
           The
           Consequent
           may
           be
           justly
           applicable
           ,
           in
           the
           words
           of
           a
           Reverend
           
           and
           Learned
           Writer
           of
           our
           times
           ,
           
             But
             to
             Blaspheme
             God
             ,
             and
             Deride
             his
             Service
             ,
             seems
             to
             have
             a
             much
             greater
             malignity
             in
             it
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             our
             obligations
             to
             his
             Honour
             and
             Service
             ,
             are
             much
             greater
             than
             they
             can
             be
             to
             any
             created
             Being
             .
          
           And
           to
           such
           kind
           of
           men
           it
           may
           be
           said
           ,
           in
           the
           words
           of
           a
           Noble
           Author
           ,
           
             Agnoscant
             vero
             hanc
          
           ,
           
           
             suam
             formam
             ,
             tanquam
             in
             speculo
             ,
             miseri
             &
             perditi
             illi
             ,
             qui
             Deum
             obliviscendo
             ,
             se
             sui
             oblitos
             non
             vident
             ;
             quia
             formam
             naturamque
             ,
             essentiam
             ,
             quantum
             in
             se
             est
             ,
             obliterarunt
             .
          
        
         
           That
           I
           make
           this
           DedicatoryEpistle
           proceeds
           not
           from
           a
           desire
           thus
           publickly
           to
           expose
           my self
           ,
           (
           for
           as
           I
           can
           have
           no
           interest
           to
           court
           the
           applause
           ,
           so
           neither
           
           have
           I
           any
           reason
           to
           value
           the
           censure
           of
           the
           World
           )
           but
           it
           is
           from
           a
           sincere
           principle
           to
           express
           that
           Reverence
           I
           bear
           your
           Lordship
           ;
           whom
           I
           know
           as
           you
           have
           Goodness
           to
           pardon
           ,
           so
           I
           presume
           to
           ,
           your
           Honour
           will
           be
           both
           ready
           and
           willing
           to
           stand
           in
           the
           defence
           of
           this
           bold
           Address
           .
        
         
           That
           Length
           of
           Days
           may
           be
           in
           your
           Right
           
           Hand
           ,
           and
           in
           your
           Left
           ,
           Riches
           and
           Honour
           ,
           is
           the
           Hearty
           and
           Affectionate
           Prayer
           of
           him
           ,
           who
           desires
           nothing
           more
           ,
           than
           to
           subscribe
           himself
           ,
           (
           in
           all
           the
           circumstances
           of
           a
           becoming
           
             Devoir
             .
          
           )
        
         
           
             My
             LORD
             ,
          
           
             Your
             Lordship
             's
             most
             Humble
             and
             most
             Obedient
             Servant
             ,
             J.
             G.
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           WHen
           first
           these
           Discourses
           were
           sent
           to
           the
           Press
           there
           was
           neither
           Epistle
           nor
           Preface
           design'd
           ,
           but
           it
           being
           a
           thing
           altogether
           uncouth
           and
           unusual
           ;
           I
           was
           unwilling
           to
           affect
           any
           thing
           of
           singularity
           ,
           and
           in
           this
           affair
           (
           to
           be
           so
           great
           a
           friend
           to
           the
           Bookseller
           and
           Printer
           ,
           as
           )
           to
           follow
           the
           common
           Road.
           
        
         
           If
           there
           is
           any
           thing
           in
           the
           Publisher
           that
           thou
           maist
           
           call
           folly
           or
           presumption
           it
           was
           done
           through
           ignorance
           or
           inadvertency
           ;
           and
           since
           I
           acknowledg
           my
           fault
           ,
           I
           hope
           you
           will
           pardon
           it
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           following
           Discourses
           they
           are
           so
           admirably
           well
           pen'd
           ,
           and
           their
           contexture
           so
           smooth
           and
           even
           that
           they
           are
           beyond
           all
           imaginable
           praise
           .
           It
           would
           argue
           nothing
           less
           than
           presumption
           to
           speak
           in
           their
           behalf
           ,
           and
           it
           needs
           nothing
           more
           than
           the
           name
           of
           its
           Author
           to
           Recommend
           it
           to
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           Farewel
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           
             
             
               A
               SERMON
               Preached
               before
               the
               KING
               AT
               WHITE-HALL
               ,
               
                 In
                 Lent
              
               ,
               1669.
               
            
             
               
                 PROV
                 .
                 3.
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Length
                   of
                   days
                   is
                   in
                   her
                   right
                   hand
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   her
                   left
                   hand
                   Riches
                   and
                   Honour
                   .
                
                 
                   Her
                   ways
                   are
                   ways
                   of
                   Pleasantness
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   her
                   Paths
                   are
                   Peace
                   .
                
              
            
             
               THE
               chief
               design
               of
               the
               Wise-man
               in
               this
               Text
               ,
               is
               ,
               to
               set
               forth
               the
               many
               great
               advantages
               that
               belong
               to
               Religion
               ;
               in
               order
               to
               which
               ,
               
               he
               doth
               here
               enumerate
               those
               five
               principal
               things
               that
               must
               contribute
               to
               a
               compleat
               state
               of
               Happiness
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               namely
               ,
               Health
               ,
               and
               Riches
               ,
               and
               Honour
               ,
               and
               Pleasure
               ,
               and
               Peace
               ;
               and
               asserts
               concerning
               them
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               the
               proper
               effects
               of
               that
               wisdom
               which
               consists
               in
               being
               Religious
               ,
            
             
               This
               he
               expresses
               by
               way
               of
               Allegory
               ,
               representing
               Wisdom
               (
               as
               is
               usual
               for
               other
               Virtues
               )
               in
               the
               shape
               of
               a
               Woman
               ,
               or
               Queen
               ,
               with
               her
               Arms
               extended
               ,
               in
               the
               posture
               of
               directing
               and
               rewarding
               her
               Followers
               ;
               holding
               in
               her
               right-hand
               the
               blessing
               of
               Health
               ,
               or
               
                 length
                 of
                 Days
              
               ,
               the
               great
               Promise
               of
               the
               Law
               ;
               to
               which
               the
               Precedence
               of
               the
               right-hand
               is
               therefore
               given
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               amongst
               all
               worldly
               Blessings
               the
               greatest
               and
               most
               desirable
               ;
               that
               ,
               without
               which
               ,
               a
               man
               cannot
               enjoy
               any
               thing
               else
               ,
               nor
               so
               much
               as
               his
               own
               self
               ;
               
                 Length
                 of
                 days
                 is
                 in
                 her
                 right-hand
                 .
              
               And
               then
               ,
               for
               those
               other
               things
               ,
               whic●
               the
               generality
               of
               men
               do
               so
               much
               
               covet
               and
               labour
               after
               ,
               Wealth
               ,
               and
               Reputation
               ;
               these
               likewise
               are
               at
               her
               disposal
               ,
               and
               must
               proceed
               from
               her
               gift
               ;
               
                 And
                 in
                 her
                 left-hand
                 ,
                 Riches
                 and
                 Honour
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               as
               for
               the
               Cheerfulness
               of
               our
               conditions
               ,
               he
               affirms
               ,
               that
               the
               truest
               Pleasure
               must
               be
               found
               in
               those
               ways
               that
               are
               directed
               by
               her
               ;
               
                 Her
                 ways
                 are
                 ways
                 of
                 Pleasantness
                 .
              
               And
               because
               there
               are
               several
               things
               which
               have
               some
               present
               delight
               in
               them
               ,
               seeming
               to
               
                 drop
                 as
                 the
                 Honey-comb
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 smoother
              
               
               
                 than
                 Oyl
              
               ,
               and
               yet
               upon
               trial
               ,
               do
               prove
               in
               the
               issue
               ,
               
                 bitter
                 as
                 Wormwood
                 ,
                 and
                 sharp
                 as
                 a
                 two-edged
                 Sword
              
               ;
               therefore
               't
               is
               added
               ,
               that
               her
               ways
               are
               not
               only
               pleasant
               ,
               but
               they
               are
               likewise
               safe
               and
               quiet
               ;
               
                 all
                 her
                 paths
                 are
                 Peace
              
               .
            
             
               That
               these
               things
               are
               the
               effects
               of
               Religion
               ,
               is
               here
               only
               affirmed
               ,
               which
               ,
               to
               them
               who
               believe
               the
               Authority
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               is
               evidence
               sufficient
               :
               But
               ,
               it
               were
               easy
               to
               prove
               this
               concerning
               each
               of
               them
               ,
               by
               all
               other
               kinds
               of
               evidence
               ,
               
               of
               which
               such
               matters
               are
               capable
               .
            
             
               I
               purpose
               at
               this
               time
               to
               treat
               only
               concerning
               the
               third
               of
               them
               ,
               namely
               ,
               Honour
               ;
               as
               being
               the
               most
               proper
               Subject
               for
               this
               Presence
               and
               Auditory
               .
               And
               that
               this
               can
               only
               be
               attain'd
               by
               Religion
               and
               Virtue
               ,
               I
               doubt
               not
               but
               to
               prove
               with
               so
               much
               strength
               and
               perspicuity
               ,
               as
               shall
               be
               sufficient
               to
               convince
               any
               o●●
               who
               will
               but
               attend
               and
               consid●r
               .
            
             
               In
               order
               to
               this
               ,
               I
               shall
               first
               endeavour
               〈◊〉
               state
               the
               true
               nature
               of
               Ho●●●●
               ,
               and
               to
               shew
               wherein
               the
               most
               proper
               Notion
               of
               it
               doth
               consist
               ;
               't
               is
               an
               equivocal
               word
               ,
               and
               is
               capable
               of
               various
               sences
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               Sometimes
               't
               is
               used
               to
               denote
               
                 worthy
                 and
                 creditable
                 Parentage
              
               ;
               the
               being
               derived
               from
               such
               Ancestors
               as
               have
               been
               famous
               in
               their
               Generation
               for
               some
               eminent
               Virtue
               or
               Exploit
               :
               Wherein
               there
               is
               this
               benefit
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               hath
               great
               examples
               in
               his
               own
               Family
               ,
               and
               so
               
               much
               the
               stronger
               Obligation
               not
               to
               degenerate
               from
               them
               :
               But
               it
               shews
               rather
               what
               such
               a
               man
               should
               be
               ,
               than
               what
               he
               is
               ;
               and
               ,
               to
               a
               person
               that
               is
               not
               Virtuous
               ,
               doth
               prove
               a
               prejudice
               rather
               than
               an
               advantage
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Sometimes
               't
               is
               used
               to
               signify
               
                 Titles
                 of
                 Place
                 and
                 Dig●●ty
              
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               various
               orders
               and
               degrees
               of
               ●obility
               in
               sev●●al
               Nations
               :
               But
               ,
               this
               kind
               of
               Honour
               depending
               mee●●●
               upon
               the
               Princes
               Favour
               ,
               mu●●
               therefore
               be
               wholly
               extrinsecal
               ,
               and
               consequen●ly
               can
               have
               no
               more
               due
               to
               it
               than
               a
               meer
               external
               respect
               .
               Such
               persons
               may
               challenge
               from
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               should
               give
               them
               their
               due
               Titles
               ,
               and
               demean
               our selves
               towards
               them
               with
               that
               Observance
               and
               Ceremony
               as
               becomes
               their
               Quality
               :
               But
               then
               ,
               as
               to
               inward
               esteem
               and
               affection
               ,
               they
               can
               demand
               no
               greater
               a
               share
               of
               this
               ,
               than
               according
               as
               their
               real
               worth
               and
               virtue
               shall
               require
               .
               The
               Royal
               Stamp
               upon
               any
               kind
               of
               Metal
               may
               be
               sufficient
               to
               give
               it
               an
               extrinsick
               
               value
               ,
               and
               to
               determine
               the
               Rate
               at
               which
               it
               is
               to
               pass
               amongst
               Coins
               ,
               but
               it
               cannot
               give
               an
               intrinsick
               value
               ,
               or
               make
               that
               which
               is
               but
               Brass
               ,
               to
               be
               Gold.
               
            
             
               'T
               is
               true
               indeed
               ,
               there
               are
               some
               Callings
               and
               Relations
               of
               men
               ,
               to
               whom
               an
               inward
               Veneration
               is
               due
               ,
               though
               the
               persons
               themselves
               should
               not
               be
               Virtuous
               ;
               namely
               ,
               Magistrates
               ,
               and
               Ministers
               ,
               and
               Parents
               ,
               and
               Benefactors
               ;
               who
               ,
               having
               somewhat
               of
               a
               Divine
               Stamp
               and
               Impress
               upon
               them
               ,
               may
               therefore
               challenge
               from
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               should
               demean
               our selves
               towards
               them
               ,
               both
               with
               such
               an
               outward
               Respect
               as
               may
               become
               their
               Places
               ,
               and
               with
               such
               an
               inward
               Respect
               too
               ,
               as
               may
               be
               sutable
               to
               that
               Image
               which
               they
               bear
               ,
               our
               dependance
               upon
               them
               ,
               and
               obligation
               to
               them
               .
               But
               then
               ,
               we
               cannot
               be
               obliged
               to
               think
               such
               persons
               good
               men
               ,
               unless
               we
               have
               some
               evidence
               to
               believe
               them
               to
               be
               so
               ,
               or
               at
               least
               ,
               not
               to
               be
               otherwise
               ;
               So
               that
               they
               are
               beholding
               to
               something
               extrinsical
               to
               
               their
               Persons
               ,
               namely
               ,
               to
               their
               Callings
               and
               Relations
               ,
               for
               that
               Honour
               which
               is
               paid
               to
               them
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               the
               word
               Honour
               is
               sometimes
               used
               for
               that
               Esteem
               and
               Reputation
               which
               a
               man
               hath
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               especially
               amongst
               Virtuous
               Persons
               ;
               according
               to
               which
               sense
               't
               is
               defin'd
               by
               Tully
               to
               be
               
                 Consentiens
                 Laus
                 Bonorum
              
               ,
               
               the
               concurrent
               approbation
               of
               good
               men
               ;
               when
               those
               ,
               who
               are
               best
               able
               to
               judg
               of
               real
               worth
               ,
               shall
               both
               think
               and
               speak
               well
               of
               others
               ,
               this
               is
               properly
               honouring
               of
               them
               .
               And
               in
               this
               sense
               (
               which
               is
               the
               most
               proper
               notion
               of
               the
               words
               )
               it
               is
               one
               of
               the
               greatest
               blessings
               that
               this
               World
               can
               afford
               ;
               much
               to
               be
               preferred
               before
               Riches
               ,
               or
               Pleasures
               ,
               or
               Life
               it self
               .
               
                 A
                 good
                 Name
                 is
                 rather
                 to
                 be
                 chosen
                 than
                 great
                 Riches
                 ,
                 and
                 loving
                 kindness
                 rather
                 than
                 Silver
                 or
                 Gold
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               22.
               1.
               
               One
               that
               is
               a
               Generous
               ,
               Virtuous
               man
               ,
               will
               choose
               to
               dye
               ,
               rather
               than
               do
               any
               thing
               that
               may
               expose
               him
               to
               Infamy
               :
               St.
               Paul
               was
               of
               this
               mind
               ;
               
                 It
                 were
                 better
                 for
              
               
               
               
                 me
                 to
                 dye
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 any
                 should
                 make
                 my
                 glorying
                 void
                 .
              
               There
               have
               been
               some
               wise
               men
               ,
               who
               have
               neglected
               and
               refused
               that
               other
               kind
               of
               Honour
               ,
               consisting
               in
               Titles
               of
               Dignity
               ,
               as
               conceiving
               more
               of
               burden
               and
               temptation
               in
               it
               ,
               than
               of
               real
               advantage
               ;
               but
               no
               man
               in
               his
               wits
               did
               ever
               despise
               a
               good
               name
               ,
               unless
               such
               profligate
               dissolute
               wretches
               ,
               as
               did
               either
               despair
               of
               ,
               or
               resolve
               against
               doing
               any
               thing
               that
               might
               deserve
               it
               .
               'T
               is
               not
               easy
               to
               reckon
               up
               the
               many
               advantages
               that
               belong
               to
               this
               kind
               of
               Honour
               :
               'T
               is
               Power
               ,
               inabling
               a
               man
               to
               do
               things
               great
               and
               worthy
               ,
               to
               be
               useful
               to
               his
               Friends
               and
               his
               Countrey
               :
               'T
               is
               Safety
               ,
               and
               doth
               give
               a
               man
               such
               an
               interest
               in
               the
               esteem
               and
               affection
               of
               others
               ,
               as
               will
               make
               them
               concern'd
               for
               his
               Welfare
               ,
               ready
               to
               stand
               by
               him
               and
               assist
               him
               in
               any
               kind
               of
               danger
               ;
               which
               are
               so
               great
               advantages
               ,
               that
               whosoever
               shall
               wilfully
               neglect
               them
               ,
               must
               needs
               be
               rendered
               very
               contemptible
               .
            
             
             
               Having
               thus
               Explained
               the
               proper
               Notion
               of
               Honour
               ,
               I
               proceed
               in
               the
               next
               place
               to
               Prove
               ,
               that
               Religion
               and
               Virtue
               is
               the
               only
               means
               ●or
               the
               attaining
               of
               it
               .
               This
               I
               shall
               endeavour
               to
               do
               by
               Testimony
               ,
               and
               by
               Reason
               ,
               and
               by
               Experience
               ,
               which
               〈◊〉
               all
               the
               kinds
               of
               Arguments
               that
               such
               matters
               are
               capable
               of
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               By
               Testimony
               .
               The
               Scripture
               doth
               abound
               in
               divers
               Assertions
               and
               Promises
               to
               this
               purpose
               :
               Such
               as
               are
               Religious
               are
               stiled
               the
               
                 Excellent
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
              
               ,
               Psal.
               16.
               3.
               and
               said
               to
               be
               
                 more
                 excellent
                 than
              
               
               
                 their
                 Neighbours
              
               ,
               Prov.
               17.
               27.
               
               They
               are
               
                 Gods
                 peculiar
                 Treasure
                 .
                 The
                 dearly
                 beloved
                 of
                 his
                 Soul.
                 He
                 sets
                 apart
                 the
                 Man
                 that
                 is
                 Godly
                 for
                 himself
                 .
              
               Though
               such
               persons
               may
               be
               but
               low
               ,
               as
               to
               their
               outward
               Condition
               ;
               being
               put
               to
               
                 wander
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 in
                 Sheep-skins
                 and
                 Goat-skins
                 ,
                 being
                 destitute
                 ,
                 afflicted
                 ,
                 tormented
                 ,
              
               seeking
               for
               refuge
               
                 in
                 Desarts
                 and
                 Mountains
                 ,
                 in
                 Dens
                 and
                 Caves
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
              
               ;
               yet
               may
               they
               upon
               the
               account
               
               of
               Religion
               ,
               be
               of
               such
               excellent
               value
               ,
               that
               in
               the
               Judgment
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               
                 The
                 whole
                 World
                 is
                 not
                 worthy
                 of
                 them
                 ,
              
               Heb.
               11.
               37
               ,
               38.
               
            
             
               The
               Wise-man
               speaking
               of
               Religion
               ,
               saith
               ,
               that
               
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 an
                 ornament
                 of
                 Grace
                 unto
                 thy
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 a
                 chain
              
               
               
                 about
                 thy
                 neck
                 .
                 Exalt
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 she
                 shall
                 promote
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 thee
                 to
                 honour
                 ;
                 She
                 shall
                 give
                 to
                 thy
                 head
                 an
                 ornament
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Crown
                 of
                 Glory
                 .
              
               God
               hath
               en●●●●ed
               himself
               by
               Promise
               to
               those
               ●●at
               are
               Religious
               ,
               that
               
                 he
                 will
                 set
                 ●he●●bove
                 other
                 Nations
                 ;
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 made
                 the
                 Head
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 the
                 Tail
                 ,
              
               Deut.
               28.
               13.
               
               He
               hath
               said
               ,
               
                 Those
                 that
                 honour
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 honour
                 ,
              
               1
               Sam.
               2.
               30.
               
               And
               certainly
               ,
               
               he
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               King
               of
               Kings
               ,
               must
               needs
               be
               the
               Fountain
               of
               Honour
               ,
               and
               able
               to
               dispose
               of
               it
               as
               he
               pleases
               .
            
             
               But
               ,
               because
               such
               Persons
               as
               are
               no
               friends
               to
               Religion
               ,
               may
               have
               but
               a
               small
               esteem
               for
               the
               Authority
               of
               Scripture
               :
               Therefore
               to
               these
               I
               would
               
               suggest
               the
               concurrent
               Opinion
               of
               Wise
               Men
               in
               all
               former
               Ages
               .
               Though
               the
               Ancient
               Philosophers
               were
               divided
               into
               various
               Sects
               ,
               and
               differ'd
               very
               much
               from
               one
               another
               in
               several
               Opinions
               ;
               yet
               ,
               in
               this
               they
               have
               all
               agreed
               ,
               that
               Honour
               is
               due
               only
               to
               Virtue
               ,
               and
               doth
               not
               properly
               belong
               to
               any
               thing
               else
               .
               It
               would
               be
               tedious
               to
               enumerate
               the
               several
               Sayings
               to
               this
               purpose
               ,
               out
               of
               
                 Plato
                 ,
                 Aristotle
                 ,
                 Tully
                 ,
                 Seneca
                 ,
              
               and
               the
               other
               Ancients
               :
               And
               certainly
               ,
               that
               Man
               must
               needs
               have
               a
               very
               extravagant
               conceit
               of
               his
               own
               Abilities
               ,
               who
               dares
               prefer
               his
               private
               Opinion
               ,
               before
               the
               General
               Consent
               of
               Wise-men
               in
               former
               Ages
               ,
               such
               as
               have
               been
               counted
               the
               greatest
               Masters
               of
               Reason
               ,
               and
               most
               eminent
               for
               their
               Knowledge
               and
               their
               Wisdom
               ,
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               I
               proceed
               in
               the
               next
               place
               to
               confirm
               this
               by
               the
               Principles
               of
               Reason
               ,
               That
               Religion
               and
               Virtue
               is
               the
               cause
               of
               Honour
               .
               There
               may
               be
               a
               two-sold
               Cause
               of
               Things
               
                 
                 
                   Moral
                   ,
                
                 
                   Natural
                   .
                
              
            
             
               That
               is
               said
               to
               be
               the
               Moral
               Cause
               ,
               which
               doth
               dispose
               a
               Man
               to
               such
               a
               Condition
               ,
               upon
               the
               Account
               of
               Fitness
               and
               Desert
               ;
               and
               in
               this
               sence
               Honour
               is
               the
               
                 Reward
                 of
                 Virtue
              
               .
               There
               is
               an
               equitable
               right
               ,
               a
               suitableness
               and
               congruity
               ,
               that
               Good
               Men
               should
               be
               loved
               and
               esteemed
               ,
               and
               Vitious
               Men
               exposed
               to
               shame
               :
               
                 As
                 Snow
                 in
                 Summer
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 Rain
                 in
                 Harvest
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 Hononr
                 unsuitable
                 for
                 a
                 Fool
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               26.
               1.
               
               The
               intermixing
               of
               Winter
               and
               Summer
               ,
               would
               not
               cause
               a
               greater
               disorder
               in
               the
               Natural
               World
               ,
               than
               the
               cross
               disposal
               of
               Honour
               and
               contempt
               would
               in
               the
               Moral
               World.
               And
               hence
               is
               it
               ,
               that
               the
               Laws
               of
               all
               Nations
               and
               Governments
               ,
               have
               owned
               it
               as
               a
               Point
               of
               Policy
               ,
               to
               excite
               their
               Subjects
               unto
               Virtuous
               and
               worthy
               Actions
               ,
               by
               the
               Motive
               of
               Honour
               ;
               and
               to
               deter
               
               them
               from
               Vitious
               courses
               ,
               by
               the
               consideration
               of
               the
               shame
               and
               contempt
               which
               belongs
               to
               them
               .
            
             
               That
               is
               said
               to
               be
               the
               Natural
               Cause
               of
               a
               thing
               ,
               which
               doth
               by
               its
               own
               immediate
               efficacy
               produce
               the
               Effect
               ;
               and
               in
               this
               sence
               likewise
               is
               Virtue
               the
               Cause
               of
               Honour
               .
               The
               Fire
               doth
               not
               more
               Naturally
               produce
               heat
               ,
               than
               Goodness
               doth
               Love
               and
               Esteem
               ;
               Which
               will
               appear
               very
               plain
               ,
               if
               we
               consider
               ,
               That
               Inward
               Honouring
               is
               nothing
               else
               ,
               but
               the
               Believing
               a
               Man
               to
               be
               Worthy
               and
               Virtuous
               ;
               and
               the
               Testifying
               this
               by
               our
               Words
               and
               Actions
               is
               Outward
               Honouring
               .
               Now
               ,
               nothing
               can
               be
               more
               evident
               ,
               than
               that
               the
               best
               means
               for
               one
               to
               be
               thought
               good
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               so
               .
            
             
               A
               Man
               may
               excel
               in
               Strength
               ,
               Beauty
               ,
               Riches
               ,
               Learning
               ,
               Wit
               ,
               which
               are
               all
               commendable
               things
               ,
               and
               will
               contribute
               to
               a
               Man's
               esteem
               ;
               But
               ,
               if
               we
               apprehend
               such
               a
               one
               to
               be
               notoriously
               Vitious
               ,
               This
               esteem
               will
               not
               be
               accompanied
               with
               Love
               ,
               but
               
               with
               Fear
               ,
               Hate
               ,
               and
               Envy
               ;
               because
               such
               a
               one
               hath
               by
               these
               things
               so
               much
               the
               greater
               advantage
               of
               doing
               Mischief
               in
               the
               World
               :
               Whereas
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               though
               a
               Man
               should
               be
               destitute
               of
               all
               these
               other
               advantages
               ,
               without
               any
               Nobility
               in
               his
               Ancestors
               ,
               but
               of
               a
               small
               Estate
               ,
               a
               low
               Condition
               ;
               yet
               ,
               if
               we
               believe
               him
               to
               be
               a
               truly
               Virtuous
               Man
               ,
               it
               cannot
               be
               ,
               but
               that
               we
               must
               pay
               a
               Veneration
               to
               him
               .
            
             
               All
               things
               whatsoever
               have
               some
               Natural
               Standard
               ,
               whereby
               the
               Goodness
               of
               them
               is
               to
               be
               measured
               ;
               namely
               ,
               their
               suitableness
               unto
               that
               chief
               end
               ,
               for
               which
               they
               are
               designed
               .
               We
               do
               not
               therefore
               account
               a
               Ship
               to
               be
               good
               ,
               because
               't
               is
               curiously
               painted
               and
               gilded
               ,
               or
               carved
               and
               inlayed
               ,
               but
               because
               't
               is
               fitted
               for
               all
               the
               purposes
               of
               Navigation
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               proper
               end
               and
               use
               of
               a
               Ship
               :
               Nor
               do
               we
               therefore
               account
               a
               Sword
               to
               be
               good
               ,
               because
               it
               hath
               a
               rich
               Hilt
               ,
               and
               an
               Embroidered
               Scabbard
               ,
               but
               because
               it
               is
               fit
               
               for
               the
               proper
               use
               of
               a
               Sword
               ,
               which
               is
               to
               cut
               .
               They
               are
               the
               comparisons
               of
               Seneca
               ,
               speaking
               of
               this
               Subject
               ;
               
                 In
                 homine
                 quoque
                 ,
                 nihil
                 ad
                 rem
                 pertinet
                 ,
                 quantum
                 aret
                 ,
                 quantum
                 foeneret
                 ,
                 a
                 quam
                 multis
                 salutetur
                 ,
                 &c.
                 sed
                 quam
                 bonus
                 sit
                 .
              
               It
               should
               be
               so
               likewise
               in
               our
               esteem
               of
               men
               ,
               who
               are
               not
               so
               much
               to
               be
               valued
               by
               the
               Grandeur
               of
               their
               Estates
               or
               Titles
               ,
               as
               by
               their
               inward
               goodness
               .
            
             
               Every
               man
               is
               endowed
               with
               a
               natural
               Principle
               ,
               inclining
               him
               to
               a
               state
               of
               Hap●●ness
               ,
               and
               hath
               in
               some
               measure
               ,
               both
               an
               ability
               to
               judg
               of
               ,
               and
               a
               freedom
               and
               liberty
               for
               applying
               himself
               unto
               those
               Duties
               ,
               which
               are
               the
               proper
               means
               for
               the
               promoting
               of
               this
               end
               .
               And
               this
               being
               the
               peculiar
               difference
               of
               the
               Humane
               Nature
               ,
               therefore
               a
               man
               is
               not
               upon
               any
               other
               account
               to
               be
               justly
               praised
               or
               blamed
               ,
               but
               according
               to
               the
               right
               or
               wrong
               use
               of
               this
               natural
               liberty
               ;
               and
               consequently
               as
               a
               man
               doth
               find
               either
               in
               himself
               or
               others
               ,
               a
               constant
               and
               firm
               resolution
               to
               make
               a
               
               right
               use
               of
               this
               ,
               so
               should
               he
               proportion
               his
               esteem
               accordingly
               ;
               preferring
               this
               inward
               Greatness
               ,
               this
               rectitude
               of
               Mind
               ,
               whereby
               a
               man
               is
               resolved
               in
               every
               condition
               to
               do
               that
               which
               shall
               appear
               to
               be
               his
               duty
               ,
               before
               any
               external
               Greatness
               whatsoever
               .
            
             
               There
               are
               two
               kind
               of
               Virtues
               amongst
               all
               the
               rest
               ,
               which
               are
               by
               general
               consent
               esteemed
               Venerable
               ,
               and
               such
               as
               do
               advance
               the
               Reputation
               of
               those
               who
               are
               endowed
               with
               them
               ;
               namely
               
                 
                   Wisdom
                   ,
                
                 
                   Courage
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Because
               they
               have
               a
               more
               intrinsick
               rise
               ,
               and
               do
               less
               depend
               upon
               external
               advantages
               ,
               but
               seem
               rather
               to
               be
               rooted
               in
               the
               inward
               frame
               and
               temper
               of
               mind
               ;
               and
               withal
               ,
               are
               most
               beneficial
               both
               to
               our selves
               and
               others
               :
               The
               former
               signifying
               a
               man
               to
               have
               those
               intellectual
               abilities
               which
               are
               proper
               to
               his
               kind
               ,
               whereby
               
               the
               Humane
               Nature
               is
               to
               be
               distinguished
               from
               other
               things
               :
               The
               other
               ,
               because
               it
               argues
               a
               Rectitude
               in
               the
               Will
               ,
               and
               a
               Power
               to
               subdue
               the
               Passion
               of
               Fear
               ,
               which
               is
               most
               natural
               to
               our
               present
               state
               of
               Infirmity
               ;
               and
               withal
               doth
               support
               a
               man
               against
               Difficulties
               ,
               and
               inable
               him
               for
               those
               two
               Services
               ,
               of
               Doing
               and
               Suffering
               as
               he
               ought
               .
               And
               ,
               for
               this
               Reason
               ,
               the
               Vices
               that
               are
               opposite
               to
               these
               ,
               are
               amongst
               all
               others
               counted
               the
               most
               shameful
               ;
               there
               being
               no
               greater
               Reproach
               to
               be
               cast
               upon
               any
               one
               ,
               than
               to
               be
               esteemed
               a
               Fool
               ,
               or
               a
               Coward
               .
            
             
               Now
               a
               Man
               that
               is
               Irreligious
               ,
               cannot
               justly
               pretend
               to
               either
               of
               these
               Virtues
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               For
               Wisdom
               .
               This
               is
               so
               essential
               to
               Religion
               ,
               that
               in
               the
               Scripture-phrase
               (
               especially
               in
               the
               Writings
               of
               David
               and
               Solomon
               )
               they
               both
               go
               under
               the
               same
               Name
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               very
               good
               reason
               why
               it
               should
               be
               so
               ;
               because
               there
               is
               such
               an
               intimate
               agreement
               between
               the
               Natures
               of
               
               them
               :
               The
               Philosopher
               doth
               define
               Wisdom
               to
               consist
               in
               an
               ability
               and
               inclination
               ,
               to
               make
               choice
               of
               the
               right
               Means
               in
               the
               prosecution
               of
               our
               true
               End.
               And
               nothing
               can
               inable
               a
               Man
               for
               this
               but
               Religion
               ,
               both
               as
               to
               the
               Subordinate
               End
               of
               Temporal
               Happiness
               in
               this
               World
               ;
               but
               chiefly
               with
               respect
               to
               that
               great
               and
               S●preme
               End
               of
               Eternal
               Happiness
               in
               the
               World
               to
               come
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               And
               then
               for
               Courage
               ,
               'T
               is
               not
               possible
               for
               a
               Man
               to
               be
               truly
               Valiant
               ,
               unless
               he
               be
               withal
               truly
               Religious
               :
               He
               may
               be
               bold
               and
               daring
               ,
               and
               able
               (
               in
               a
               fearless
               manner
               )
               to
               rush
               upon
               any
               danger
               ;
               but
               then
               he
               must
               stifle
               his
               Reason
               from
               considering
               what
               the
               Consequences
               of
               things
               may
               be
               ,
               what
               shall
               become
               of
               him
               hereafter
               ,
               if
               he
               should
               miscarry
               .
               There
               being
               no
               man
               whatsoever
               so
               totally
               free
               from
               the
               Apprehension
               of
               a
               future
               state
               ,
               but
               that
               when
               he
               is
               serious
               and
               considerate
               ,
               he
               must
               be
               startled
               with
               Doubts
               and
               Fears
               concerning
               it
               :
               So
               that
               there
               cannot
               be
               any
               
               rational
               ,
               sedate
               ,
               deliberate
               courage
               ,
               but
               only
               in
               such
               ,
               as
               have
               some
               good
               hopes
               of
               a
               better
               Estate
               in
               the
               other
               World
               ;
               And
               ,
               't
               is
               Religion
               only
               that
               can
               inable
               a
               Man
               for
               this
               ,
            
             
               3.
               
               I
               proceed
               to
               the
               Third
               kind
               of
               Argument
               to
               this
               purpose
               ,
               from
               Experience
               ;
               By
               which
               ,
               I
               mean
               that
               Practical
               Knowledg
               ,
               which
               every
               man
               may
               attain
               by
               his
               own
               Observation
               of
               the
               usual
               course
               of
               things
               in
               the
               World
               :
               And
               ,
               by
               this
               ,
               it
               will
               appear
               ,
               that
               no
               kind
               of
               persons
               have
               been
               more
               highly
               reverenced
               in
               the
               Hearts
               and
               Consciences
               of
               others
               ,
               than
               those
               that
               have
               been
               most
               eminent
               for
               their
               Virtue
               and
               Religion
               ;
               which
               hath
               been
               always
               true
               ,
               both
               with
               respect
               to
               Publick
               Communities
               ,
               and
               Private
               Persons
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               For
               Nations
               ;
               If
               we
               consult
               the
               Stories
               of
               former
               Times
               ,
               we
               shall
               find
               that
               saying
               of
               Solomon
               constantly
               verified
               ,
               That
               
                 Righteousness
                 doth
              
               
               
                 exalt
                 a
                 Nation
                 ,
                 but
                 Sin
                 doth
                 prove
                 a
                 reproach
                 to
                 it
                 :
              
               And
               more
               especially
               the
               sin
               of
               Irreligion
               and
               Prophaneness
               ;
               As
               this
               doth
               increase
               in
               any
               
               Nation
               ,
               so
               must
               the
               Honour
               and
               Reputation
               of
               that
               Nation
               decrease
               .
               The
               Roman
               Empire
               was
               then
               at
               the
               highest
               ,
               as
               to
               its
               Name
               and
               Greatness
               ,
               when
               it
               was
               so
               as
               to
               its
               Virtue
               ;
               when
               they
               were
               most
               punctual
               in
               observing
               the
               Rites
               of
               their
               Religion
               ,
               (
               though
               that
               were
               a
               false
               way
               of
               worship
               )
               most
               Heroical
               in
               their
               Justice
               ,
               Courage
               ,
               Fidelity
               ,
               Gratitude
               ;
               then
               it
               was
               that
               they
               deserv'd
               to
               Govern
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               had
               in
               greatest
               Honour
               above
               all
               other
               Nations
               .
               And
               not
               only
               Tully
               and
               Polybius
               ,
               two
               Heathen
               Writers
               ,
               who
               ,
               upon
               that
               Account
               ,
               might
               be
               thought
               more
               partial
               ;
               But
               St.
               Austin
               also
               and
               Lactantius
               ,
               two
               of
               the
               Fathers
               ,
               do
               ascribe
               the
               flourishing
               of
               that
               Empire
               ,
               when
               it
               was
               at
               his
               height
               ,
               to
               the
               Religion
               ,
               and
               Piety
               ,
               and
               Virtue
               of
               those
               times
               ;
               And
               ,
               as
               they
               did
               afterward
               degenerate
               from
               this
               ,
               so
               did
               they
               decline
               likewise
               in
               their
               Greatness
               and
               Honour
               ,
            
             
               2.
               
               Thus
               also
               hath
               it
               been
               with
               
                 particular
                 persons
              
               ;
               Amongst
               the
               Heathen
               ,
               What
               Elogies
               do
               we
               find
               in
               the
               
               Honour
               of
               
                 Socrates
                 ,
                 Aristides
                 ,
                 Cato
                 Epictetus
                 ?
              
               The
               latter
               of
               which
               ,
               though
               but
               a
               poor
               Slave
               ,
               had
               yet
               such
               a
               Veneration
               paid
               to
               his
               Memory
               ,
               that
               his
               Earthen
               Lamp
               by
               which
               he
               was
               wont
               to
               study
               ,
               was
               ,
               after
               his
               Death
               ,
               sold
               for
               3000
               Drachms
               .
            
             
               Nor
               was
               it
               otherwise
               amongst
               the
               Christians
               ;
               The
               Apostles
               were
               but
               poor
               Fisher-men
               ,
               Illiterate
               Mechanicks
               ;
               Many
               of
               the
               Martyrs
               were
               but
               of
               mean
               condition
               ,
               much
               Opposed
               and
               Persecuted
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               And
               yet
               these
               Men
               ,
               during
               the
               time
               of
               their
               lives
               ,
               were
               highly
               Reverenced
               amongst
               those
               that
               knew
               them
               ;
               and
               since
               their
               Deaths
               ,
               what
               can
               be
               more
               Glorious
               than
               that
               Renown
               which
               they
               have
               amongst
               Men
               ,
               when
               the
               greatest
               Kings
               and
               Princes
               will
               not
               mention
               their
               Names
               without
               Reverence
               ;
               when
               whole
               Nations
               are
               willing
               to
               set
               apart
               ,
               and
               to
               observe
               Solemn
               Days
               and
               Festivals
               in
               Honour
               of
               their
               Memories
               .
            
             
               And
               ,
               as
               it
               hath
               always
               been
               thus
               formerly
               ,
               so
               I
               appeal
               to
               every
               mans
               
               breast
               ,
               whether
               it
               be
               not
               so
               now
               :
               Let
               them
               but
               examine
               what
               their
               Inclinations
               are
               towards
               such
               Persons
               ,
               whom
               they
               believe
               to
               be
               truly
               Virtuous
               :
               Not
               only
               to
               such
               amongst
               them
               as
               are
               their
               particular
               A●qua●ntance
               and
               Friends
               ,
               but
               lik●wise
               to
               S●rangers
               ,
               nay
               ,
               to
               very
               Enemies
               ;
               whether
               they
               d●
               not
               esteem
               ,
               and
               love
               them
               ,
               and
               will
               well
               to
               them
               .
            
             
               I
               shall
               crave
               leave
               to
               speak
               briefly
               to
               two
               Objections
               ,
               that
               may
               be
               made
               against
               what
               I
               have
               been
               Proving
               .
            
             
               I.
               The
               Scripture
               saith
               (
               speaking
               of
               good
               Men
               )
               That
               
                 the
                 World
                 shall
                 revile
                 and
                 persecute
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 speak
                 all
                 m●nner
                 of
                 evil
                 against
                 them
                 :
              
               Our
               Saviour
               himself
               was
               
                 despised
                 and
                 re●●●ted
                 of
                 M●n
              
               ;
               And
               his
               Apostles
               〈◊〉
               
                 used
                 as
                 the
                 rubbish
                 and
                 off-scour●●●●
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 .
              
            
             
               To
               these
               two
               things
               may
               be
               said
               by
               way
               of
               Answer
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               It
               cannot
               otherwise
               be
               expected
               ,
               but
               that
               when
               a
               New
               Religion
               is
               to
               be
               set
               up
               ,
               men
               must
               be
               highly
               concern'd
               in
               their
               opposing
               of
               it
               ,
               
               and
               of
               those
               that
               promote
               it
               :
               And
               the
               fore-cited
               Texts
               do
               particularly
               relate
               to
               this
               very
               case
               ;
               when
               Christianity
               was
               first
               introduced
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               propagated
               by
               the
               Sufferings
               of
               those
               that
               Professed
               it
               ;
               which
               being
               an
               
                 exempt
                 case
              
               ,
               and
               not
               according
               to
               the
               usual
               course
               of
               things
               ,
               therefore
               these
               Texts
               are
               not
               equally
               applicable
               to
               other
               Times
               and
               Places
               ,
               when
               and
               where
               the
               True
               Religion
               hath
               obtained
               ,
               and
               the
               Kings
               prove
               Nursing
               ●athers
               to
               it
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Those
               that
               knew
               our
               Saviour
               and
               his
               Followers
               ,
               did
               highly
               Honour
               them
               :
               And
               ,
               as
               for
               others
               ,
               that
               were
               ignorant
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               not
               sufficiently
               convinced
               of
               their
               Goodness
               ,
               't
               is
               no
               wonder
               that
               they
               used
               them
               accordingly
               .
               The
               most
               vicious
               person
               that
               is
               ,
               if
               he
               doth
               either
               know
               ,
               or
               have
               reason
               to
               think
               another
               to
               be
               Virtuous
               ,
               must
               of
               necessity
               pay
               to
               him
               an
               Inward
               Reverence
               ;
               Because
               't
               is
               not
               in
               any
               mans
               power
               ▪
               so
               far
               to
               offer
               violence
               to
               his
               own
               Faculties
               ,
               as
               to
               believe
               any
               thing
               against
               
               its
               Evidence
               .
               'T
               is
               true
               indeed
               ,
               men
               have
               a
               greater
               power
               over
               their
               Words
               and
               Actions
               ,
               than
               they
               have
               over
               their
               Belief
               ;
               and
               therefore
               they
               may
               call
               ,
               and
               use
               such
               a
               one
               as
               they
               please
               ,
               they
               may
               revile
               ,
               and
               persecute
               him
               ;
               And
               ,
               in
               this
               sence
               ,
               
                 Honor
                 est
                 honorante
              
               ,
               But
               ,
               even
               in
               so
               doing
               ,
               they
               seem
               to
               pay
               a
               Veneration
               to
               Religion
               it self
               ,
               whil'st
               they
               are
               fain
               to
               disguise
               it
               ,
               under
               the
               Names
               of
               Hypocrisie
               ,
               Heresie
               ,
               Superstition
               ,
               thereby
               to
               justifie
               themselves
               in
               their
               opposing
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               II.
               It
               appears
               by
               the
               Experience
               of
               all
               Ages
               ,
               that
               Vitious
               Men
               are
               sometimes
               had
               in
               Honour
               .
            
             
               To
               this
               it
               may
               be
               Answer'd
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               External
               Honour
               may
               be
               due
               to
               them
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Internal
               Honour
               may
               be
               given
               to
               them
               ,
               by
               such
               as
               do
               not
               know
               them
               .
               The
               meer
               Opinion
               of
               being
               Virtuous
               ,
               must
               of
               necessity
               have
               the
               same
               advantage
               in
               this
               respect
               ,
               with
               
                 Real
                 Goodness
              
               ;
               The
               main
               difference
               is
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               not
               like
               to
               last
               ,
               because
               
               is
               almost
               Morally
               impossible
               ,
               for
               a
               Man
               ,
               who
               doth
               only
               dissemble
               Virtue
               ,
               to
               stand
               always
               upon
               so
               strict
               a
               guard
               ,
               as
               not
               to
               be
               discover'd
               .
               If
               it
               be
               said
               ,
               that
               men
               ,
               who
               are
               Notoriously
               Vitious
               ,
               are
               sometimes
               applauded
               ,
               and
               Cry'd-Up
               for
               their
               Virtue
               ;
               It
               may
               be
               answer'd
               ,
               That
               this
               cannot
               be
               so
               truly
               stiled
               Honouring
               as
               Flattering
               ;
               The
               proper
               Notion
               of
               which
               doth
               consist
               in
               giving
               undue
               Commendations
               ;
               Nor
               will
               any
               contribute
               to
               it
               ,
               but
               vile
               Sycophants
               ,
               the
               worst
               kind
               of
               Enemies
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               Incompetent
               Judges
               of
               real
               worth
               :
               Such
               only
               being
               fit
               to
               give
               Praise
               ,
               who
               are
               themselves
               Praise-worthy
               .
            
             
               Now
               if
               this
               be
               the
               true
               state
               of
               the
               Case
               I
               have
               been
               speaking
               to
               ;
               That
               the
               generality
               of
               Wise
               and
               Considerate
               Men
               ,
               in
               all
               former
               times
               ,
               have
               attested
               to
               this
               Truth
               ,
               if
               the
               Reason
               of
               the
               thing
               require
               that
               it
               must
               be
               so
               ;
               And
               if
               it
               appear
               accordingly
               from
               Common
               Experience
               to
               be
               so
               ,
               If
               the
               most
               Material
               Objections
               against
               
               it
               ,
               may
               be
               so
               plainly
               and
               fully
               satisfied
               ,
               then
               there
               can
               be
               no
               sufficient
               Reason
               to
               doubt
               of
               the
               truth
               of
               this
               Preposition
               ;
               That
               Religion
               and
               Virtue
               is
               the
               most
               proper
               means
               to
               promote
               the
               Interest
               of
               Honour
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               thing
               I
               am
               to
               prove
               .
            
             
               I
               shall
               crave
               leave
               to
               suggest
               two
               things
               by
               way
               of
               Application
               ,
               and
               I
               have
               done
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               this
               may
               convince
               men
               of
               ●olly
               ,
               who
               seek
               for
               Honour
               by
               any
               other
               Means
               .
               The
               great
               Instances
               which
               are
               commonly
               given
               ,
               of
               Mens
               being
               Fools
               ,
               is
               ,
               from
               their
               chusing
               such
               Means
               ,
               as
               are
               altogether
               insuffient
               for
               the
               End
               they
               Design
               :
               As
               the
               endeavouring
               to
               make
               a
               Blackamore
               White
               ,
               by
               washing
               of
               him
               ,
               &c.
               
               But
               ,
               the
               using
               of
               such
               Means
               ,
               as
               are
               not
               only
               insufficient
               for
               ,
               but
               opposite
               unto
               ,
               and
               Destructive
               of
               the
               End
               they
               Propose
               ;
               this
               is
               a
               degree
               above
               Folly
               ,
               and
               may
               be
               stiled
               Madness
               :
               'T
               is
               as
               if
               a
               Man
               should
               run
               into
               the
               Water
               to
               dry
               himself
               ,
               and
               into
               the
               Fire
               to
               cool
               himself
               ;
               And
               yet
               this
               is
               the
               
               Case
               of
               many
               Men
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               who
               propose
               to
               themselves
               such
               Courses
               ,
               for
               the
               Promoting
               of
               their
               Honour
               ,
               as
               are
               most
               Destructive
               of
               it
               ;
               namely
               ,
               Prophaneness
               and
               Contempt
               of
               Religion
               ,
               Despising
               that
               which
               other
               Men
               stand
               in
               Awe
               of
               ;
               by
               which
               they
               think
               to
               get
               the
               Reputation
               of
               Wit
               ,
               and
               of
               Courage
               ;
               Of
               Wit
               ,
               by
               pretending
               to
               penetrate
               more
               deeply
               into
               the
               Nature
               of
               things
               ,
               and
               to
               understand
               them
               better
               than
               others
               do
               ;
               not
               to
               be
               so
               easily
               imposed
               upon
               ,
               as
               other
               Credulous
               People
               are
               .
               Of
               Courage
               ,
               by
               their
               not
               being
               so
               easily
               scared
               at
               the
               Apprehension
               of
               Danger
               at
               a
               distance
               .
            
             
               But
               ,
               the
               Plain
               Truth
               is
               ,
               such
               Persons
               do
               hereby
               prove
               themselves
               to
               be
               both
               Fools
               and
               Cowards
               .
            
             
               Fools
               ,
               In
               mistaking
               their
               great
               Interests
               ,
               in
               making
               choice
               of
               such
               means
               ,
               as
               can
               never
               promote
               the
               End
               they
               Design
               ;
               There
               being
               no
               kind
               of
               Men
               that
               are
               exposed
               (
               whatsoever
               they
               themselves
               may
               think
               of
               it
               )
               to
               Publick
               Infamy
               and
               Hatred
               ,
               
               than
               those
               that
               seek
               for
               Credit
               by
               despising
               of
               
                 Religion
                 .
                 Fools
              
               ,
               in
               venturing
               their
               
                 future
                 Estates
              
               and
               their
               Souls
               upon
               such
               hazards
               ,
               as
               all
               mankind
               would
               cry-out-upon
               for
               the
               most
               palpable
               folly
               and
               madness
               ,
               if
               they
               should
               do
               the
               like
               ,
               towards
               their
               
                 Temporal
                 Estates
              
               ,
               or
               their
               Bodies
               .
            
             
               Cowards
               ,
               In
               being
               more
               afraid
               of
               little
               dangers
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               present
               ,
               than
               of
               greater
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               suture
               ,
               and
               at
               a
               distance
               :
               As
               that
               Souldier
               ,
               who
               doth
               more
               dread
               the
               present
               danger
               of
               Fighting
               ,
               when
               he
               is
               obliged
               to
               it
               ,
               than
               the
               future
               danger
               of
               suffering
               Martial
               Law
               for
               running
               away
               ,
               may
               justly
               be
               esteemed
               a
               notorious
               Coward
               ;
               so
               that
               man
               who
               is
               more
               afraid
               of
               a
               present
               inconvenience
               ,
               by
               incurring
               the
               prejudice
               and
               displeasure
               of
               his
               loose
               Companions
               ,
               to
               whom
               he
               would
               be
               acceptable
               ,
               than
               of
               a
               future
               mischief
               from
               the
               Judgment
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               No
               man
               will
               esteem
               another
               to
               be
               truly
               Valiant
               ,
               because
               he
               is
               not
               afraid
               to
               do
               such
               vile
               unworthy
               things
               as
               
               will
               expose
               him
               to
               the
               displeasure
               and
               punishment
               of
               the
               Civil
               Magistrate
               ;
               much
               less
               should
               be
               so
               accounted
               ,
               for
               daring
               to
               do
               such
               things
               ,
               as
               will
               in
               the
               issue
               expose
               him
               to
               Divine
               Vengeance
               .
            
             
               For
               men
               of
               no
               real
               worth
               to
               expect
               the
               esteem
               and
               affection
               of
               others
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               very
               unequal
               on
               their
               parts
               ,
               requiring
               Brick
               without
               Straw
               ;
               so
               neither
               is
               it
               lawful
               nor
               possible
               for
               others
               to
               allow
               it
               them
               :
               not
               lawful
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               as
               well
               a
               man's
               duty
               
                 to
                 contemn
                 a
                 vile
                 person
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 honour
                 them
                 that
                 fear
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               Not
               possible
               ,
               
               because
               men
               must
               necessarily
               judg
               according
               to
               the
               most
               prevailing
               Evidence
               ;
               nor
               can
               they
               esteem
               such
               an
               one
               to
               be
               worthy
               ,
               whom
               they
               know
               to
               be
               otherwise
               ,
               any
               more
               than
               they
               can
               believe
               that
               to
               be
               white
               and
               streight
               ,
               which
               they
               see
               is
               black
               and
               crooked
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               If
               these
               things
               be
               so
               ,
               it
               will
               hence
               follow
               ,
               that
               men
               who
               have
               any
               sense
               of
               Honour
               ,
               should
               ,
               by
               these
               considerations
               ,
               be
               excited
               to
               a
               love
               
               of
               that
               which
               is
               the
               only
               means
               to
               it
               ,
               namely
               ,
               Religion
               and
               Virtue
               .
               Those
               of
               ●●avish
               ,
               sordid
               Spirits
               ,
               may
               be
               more
               easily
               perswaded
               by
               the
               consideration
               of
               Gain
               ;
               but
               no
               motive
               can
               be
               more
               powerful
               with
               noble
               and
               generous
               Minds
               than
               that
               of
               Honour
               .
               That
               man
               takes
               very
               ill
               measures
               of
               things
               ,
               who
               doth
               not
               make
               it
               one
               of
               his
               principal
               cares
               to
               keep
               his
               Name
               unspotted
               ;
               it
               being
               no
               easy
               matter
               to
               recover
               a
               forfeited
               Reputation
               .
            
             
               Such
               Profligate
               Wretches
               ,
               as
               are
               without
               any
               sense
               of
               Honour
               or
               Shame
               ,
               may
               justly
               be
               esteemed
               the
               Publick
               Pests
               and
               Mischiefs
               of
               Mankind
               ,
               and
               such
               as
               ought
               to
               be
               banished
               from
               amongst
               them
               ,
               as
               being
               the
               common
               enemies
               to
               Government
               and
               Societies
               .
            
             
               Of
               all
               sorts
               of
               men
               ,
               there
               lies
               a
               peculiar
               Obligation
               upon
               them
               that
               are
               in
               
                 Publick
                 Places
              
               ,
               to
               preserve
               their
               Reputations
               clear
               ,
               and
               without
               blemish
               :
               A
               private
               Person
               is
               not
               so
               much
               concern'd
               to
               look
               after
               
                 Publick
                 Fame
              
               ,
               as
               that
               man
               is
               ,
               who
               is
               ingag'd
               
               in
               
                 Publick
                 Employment
              
               .
               He
               that
               can
               abundantly
               satisfy
               himself
               ,
               with
               the
               Conscience
               of
               well-doing
               ,
               while
               he
               is
               in
               a
               
                 Private
                 Station
              
               ,
               if
               once
               he
               be
               called
               to
               any
               such
               Employment
               ,
               where
               he
               must
               be
               useful
               to
               others
               by
               his
               Authority
               ;
               'T
               is
               most
               fitting
               then
               ,
               that
               he
               should
               seek
               the
               Aid
               of
               Opinion
               ,
               and
               
                 Publick
                 Esteem
              
               ,
               because
               't
               is
               this
               which
               Rules
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               stamps
               upon
               Things
               the
               Rates
               at
               which
               they
               are
               to
               pass
               .
            
             
               There
               is
               nothing
               in
               this
               World
               that
               we
               can
               propose
               to
               our selves
               of
               greater
               benefit
               ,
               than
               the
               Love
               and
               Esteem
               of
               good
               Men
               ;
               I
               have
               shewed
               before
               that
               it
               is
               Power
               ,
               't
               is
               Safety
               :
               And
               besides
               all
               the
               Advantages
               which
               we
               have
               by
               it
               
                 whilst
                 we
                 live
              
               ,
               't
               is
               one
               of
               those
               things
               that
               will
               
                 abide
                 after
                 us
              
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               gone
               out
               of
               this
               World
               ;
               and
               for
               that
               reason
               a
               special
               regard
               is
               to
               be
               had
               to
               it
               :
               And
               ,
               the
               more
               Wise
               any
               Man
               is
               ,
               the
               more
               Care
               will
               he
               take
               to
               transmit
               a
               Grateful
               Memory
               of
               himself
               to
               future
               times
               ;
               And
               ,
               since
               he
               must
               be
               spoken
               
               of
               after
               his
               departure
               ,
               he
               will
               take
               Care
               that
               he
               be
               well
               spoken
               of
               ,
               that
               his
               Name
               may
               be
               as
               a
               precious
               Ointment
               ,
               leaving
               a
               Perfume
               behind
               it
               ;
               That
               men
               may
               
                 rise
                 up
                 at
                 the
                 mention
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 call
                 him
                 blessed
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               shut
               up
               all
               ,
               with
               that
               affectionate
               Exhortation
               of
               the
               Eloquent
               Apostle
               ,
               Phil.
               4.
               8.
               
               
                 Finally
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 things
                 are
                 Venerable
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 things
                 are
                 Lovely
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 things
                 are
                 of
                 good
                 Report
                 ,
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 Virtue
                 ,
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 Praise
                 ,
                 think
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Peace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 passeth
                 all
                 understanding
                 ,
                 shall
                 keep
                 your
                 Hearts
                 and
                 minds
                 through
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 
              
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               A
               
               SERMON
               Preached
               before
               the
               KING
               AT
               WHITE-HALL
               ,
               1670.
               
            
             
               
                 ECCLES
                 .
                 12.
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Let
                   us
                   hear
                   the
                   conclusion
                   of
                   the
                   whole
                   matter
                   ;
                   Fear
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   keep
                   his
                   Commandments
                   :
                
                 for
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 whole
                 duty
                 of
                 man.
                 
              
            
             
               THis
               Book
               is
               one
               of
               
               Solomon's
               
                 Philosophical
                 Discourses
              
               ,
               containing
               such
               principal
               Observations
               
               about
               
                 Human
                 Affairs
              
               ,
               as
               are
               apt
               t●
               offer
               themselves
               to
               the
               thoughts
               of
               every
               serious
               considerate
               man
               ,
               especially
               concerning
               those
               things
               which
               may
               more
               immediately
               either
               promote
               or
               hinder
               our
               Happiness
               .
            
             
               This
               Text
               is
               the
               Conclusion
               which
               he
               infers
               upon
               the
               whole
               matter
               ,
               that
               which
               is
               the
               most
               natural
               result
               of
               all
               such
               Debates
               and
               Enquiries
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               former
               part
               he
               had
               taken
               into
               consideration
               those
               several
               
                 states
                 of
                 life
              
               ,
               to
               which
               men
               usually
               apply
               themselves
               for
               Happiness
               ;
               namely
               ,
               Learning
               and
               
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 Mirth
              
               and
               
                 Pleasures
                 ,
                 Power
              
               and
               
                 Greatness
                 ,
                 Riches
              
               and
               Possessions
               :
               Each
               of
               which
               he
               doth
               by
               great
               variety
               of
               Arguments
               ,
               prove
               to
               be
               vanity
               and
               vexation
               ,
               and
               altogether
               insufficient
               to
               the
               End
               for
               which
               they
               are
               designed
               .
            
             
               Then
               he
               takes
               notice
               of
               the
               several
               
                 Accidents
                 of
                 life
              
               ,
               whether
               they
               concern
               our
               Endeavours
               ,
               or
               our
               Persons
               .
            
             
             
               1.
               
               For
               our
               Endeavours
               .
               The
               most
               likely
               means
               are
               not
               always
               effectual
               for
               the
               attaining
               of
               their
               End.
               The
               utmost
               that
               Human
               Councils
               and
               Prudence
               can
               provide
               for
               ,
               is
               to
               ●ake
               care
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               to
               contend
               in
               a
               Race
               ,
               that
               they
               be
               swifter
               than
               those
               who
               run
               against
               them
               ;
               or
               when
               they
               are
               to
               fight
               a
               Battel
               ,
               that
               they
               be
               stronger
               than
               those
               whom
               they
               are
               to
               encounter
               .
               And
               yet
               
                 the
                 Race
                 is
                 not
                 always
                 to
                 the
                 swift
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 Battel
                 to
                 the
                 strong
                 ;
                 nei●her
                 yet
                 Bread
              
               
               
                 to
                 the
                 wise
                 ,
                 nor
                 yet
                 Riches
                 to
                 men
                 of
                 understanding
                 ,
                 nor
                 Favour
                 to
                 men
                 of
                 skill
                 ;
                 but
                 time
                 and
                 chance
                 happens
                 to
                 them
                 all
                 .
              
               (
               i.
               e.
               )
               There
               is
               a
               secret
               Providence
               which
               doth
               over-rule
               all
               those
               worldly
               events
               in
               such
               a
               manner
               ,
               as
               is
               not
               accountable
               to
               Human
               Reason
               .
               Even
               amongst
               
                 Secular
                 Businesses
              
               ,
               which
               we
               are
               apt
               to
               think
               most
               within
               our
               reach
               and
               compass
               ,
               there
               is
               nothing
               so
               much
               under
               the
               power
               of
               the
               wisest
               Counsels
               and
               Endeavours
               ,
               but
               that
               the
               Providence
               of
               God
               may
               interpose
               for
               the
               disappointing
               
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               render
               it
               ineffectual
               .
            
             
               And
               then
               for
               those
               Accidents
               to
               which
               our
               Persons
               are
               liable
               ,
               He
               observeth
               these
               three
               things
               :
            
             
               1.
               
               Our
               obnoxiousness
               to
               Pain
               and
               Sickness
               ,
               which
               he
               stiles
               by
               the
               names
               of
               Wrath
               and
               Sorrow
               ;
               under
               which
               ,
               
               when
               a
               man
               lies
               languishing
               ,
               none
               of
               his
               Worldly
               Enjoyments
               will
               signify
               any
               thing
               to
               him
               ;
               nor
               will
               they
               be
               able
               to
               afford
               him
               any
               such
               ease
               or
               help
               ,
               but
               that
               he
               may
               be
               thereby
               
                 cut
                 off
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 his
                 days
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 all
                 his
                 thoughts
                 perish
                 ,
              
               or
               else
               waste
               away
               a
               great
               part
               of
               his
               life
               with
               much
               anguish
               and
               weariness
               ;
               and
               may
               sometimes
               ,
               perhaps
               ,
               be
               driven
               to
               that
               extremity
               by
               noisome
               and
               painful
               Diseases
               ,
               as
               to
               chuse
               strangling
               and
               Death
               ,
               rather
               than
               Life
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               If
               it
               be
               supposed
               ,
               that
               by
               the
               strength
               and
               cheerfulness
               of
               a
               Man's
               natural
               temper
               ,
               he
               should
               escape
               these
               ,
               &
               
                 live
                 many
                 years
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoyce
                 in
                 them
                 all
              
               ;
               yet
               
                 he
                 must
                 remember
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 darkness
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 be
                 many
                 .
              
               (
               i.
               e.
               )
               
               
               Those
               who
               devote
               themselves
               to
               continual
               Mirth
               and
               Pleasure
               ,
               cannot
               yet
               avoid
               the
               thought
               of
               their
               
                 future
                 estates
              
               ,
               what
               shall
               become
               of
               them
               hereafter
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               to
               depart
               out
               of
               this
               World
               ;
               but
               that
               the
               remembrance
               of
               this
               will
               be
               often
               thrusting
               into
               their
               Minds
               when
               ever
               they
               are
               retired
               and
               serious
               .
               And
               this
               being
               to
               them
               a
               dark
               obscure
               condition
               ;
               concerning
               their
               well-being
               ,
               in
               which
               they
               can
               have
               no
               reasonable
               hopes
               ,
               must
               needs
               therefore
               be
               a
               great
               damp
               and
               allay
               to
               all
               their
               other
               Enjoyments
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               But
               in
               the
               third
               place
               :
               Suppose
               a
               man
               should
               be
               able
               to
               avoid
               sickness
               ,
               and
               to
               put
               the
               trouble
               of
               
                 these
                 tho●ghts
              
               likewise
               far
               from
               him
               ;
               yet
               there
               is
               somewhat
               else
               which
               he
               cannot
               possibly
               decline
               ,
               
                 Old
                 Age
              
               will
               unavoidably
               steal
               upon
               him
               ,
               with
               all
               the
               infirmities
               of
               it
               ;
               
                 When
                 the
                 grinders
                 shall
                 be
                 few
                 ,
                 and
                 appetite
                 cease
              
               ;
               
               
                 when
                 those
                 who
                 look
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 windows
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 darkned
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 keepers
                 of
                 the
                 house
                 shall
                 tremble
                 :
              
               when
               
               
               
               
               
               a
               man
               shall
               become
               a
               burden
               to
               himse●●
               ,
               and
               to
               his
               ●riends
               ;
               when
               those
               of
               his
               nearest
               Relations
               ,
               whom
               he
               hath
               most
               obliged
               by
               kindness
               ,
               shall
               think
               it
               time
               for
               him
               to
               depart
               unto
               his
               
                 long
                 home
              
               ,
               to
               creep
               off
               the
               Stage
               ,
               
               and
               make
               room
               for
               succeeding
               Generations
               ;
               and
               then
               ,
               after
               a
               little
               Funeral-pomp
               of
               the
               
                 Mour●ers
                 going
                 about
                 the
                 streets
                 ,
                 ,
              
               a
               man
               shall
               be
               buried
               out
               of
               the
               way
               ,
               and
               forgotten
               :
               
                 for
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 remembrance
                 of
                 the
              
               
               
                 wise
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 of
                 the
                 fool
                 ;
                 seeing
                 th●t
                 which
                 now
                 is
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 d●ys
                 to
                 come
                 shall
                 be
                 forgotten
                 .
              
               Every
               Generation
               producing
               somewhat
               which
               seems
               new
               and
               s●range
               ,
               to
               take
               up
               Men's
               talk
               and
               wonder
               ,
               and
               to
               drown
               the
               Memory
               of
               former
               Persons
               and
               Actions
               .
               And
               I
               appeal
               to
               any
               rational
               man
               ,
               Whether
               these
               are
               not
               some
               of
               the
               most
               material
               reflections
               that
               occur
               about
               Human
               Affairs
               .
            
             
               Now
               from
               all
               these
               premises
               put
               together
               ,
               he
               inserts
               this
               Conclusion
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               That
               
                 to
                 fear
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 his
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 Whole
              
               
               
                 of
                 man
              
               (
               i.
               e.
               )
               To
               be
               serious
               in
               the
               matter
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               careful
               about
               our
               future
               states
               ,
               is
               that
               which
               every
               considerate
               man
               ,
               after
               all
               his
               other
               disquisitions
               and
               experiments
               ,
               will
               find
               to
               be
               his
               greatest
               interest
               ,
               that
               which
               doth
               most
               of
               all
               deserve
               his
               care
               and
               study
               .
            
             
               There
               are
               these
               Two
               parts
               in
               the
               words
               :
            
             
               1.
               
               A
               
                 Description
                 of
                 Religion
              
               ,
               which
               in
               the
               former
               Clause
               is
               said
               to
               consist
               in
               
                 fearing
                 God
              
               ,
               and
               
                 keeping
                 his
                 Commandments
              
               .
               An
               awful
               apprehension
               of
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               ,
               and
               an
               obedient
               submission
               to
               His
               Will.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               A
               
                 Commendation
                 of
                 Religion
              
               ,
               in
               the
               latter
               Clause
               ,
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 Whole
                 of
                 man.
                 
              
            
             
               It
               is
               the
               second
               of
               these
               only
               ,
               which
               I
               purpose
               to
               treat
               of
               at
               this
               time
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               handling
               of
               which
               ,
               the
               first
               thing
               to
               be
               enquired
               into
               ,
               is
               ,
               What
               is
               the
               true
               import
               and
               meaning
               of
               this
               phrase
               in
               the
               Original
               :
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               for
               the
               understanding
               of
               which
               ,
               it
               
               will
               be
               proper
               to
               consider
               the
               several
               ways
               of
               expressing
               it
               in
               other
               Translations
               .
            
             
               The
               Septuagint
               and
               the
               Vulgar
               do
               render
               it
               
                 verba●●m
                 ,
                 This
                 is
                 All
              
               ,
               or
               
                 Every
                 man.
              
               The
               word
               Du●y
               ,
               which
               is
               supplied
               by
               our
               English
               ,
               being
               not
               in
               the
               Original
               ,
               or
               in
               other
               
                 Translations
                 .
                 This
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 way
                 and
                 course
                 of
                 all
                 mankind
                 ,
              
               so
               the
               
                 Targum
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 course
                 to
                 which
                 every
                 man
                 is
                 designed
                 ,
              
               so
               the
               
                 Syriack
                 .
                 This
                 will
                 be
                 most
                 profitable
                 and
                 advantageous
                 to
                 men
                 ,
              
               so
               the
               Arabi●k
               .
               This
               is
               
                 the
                 whole
                 of
                 man
              
               ;
               so
               some
               of
               our
               later
               Interpreters
               ,
               most
               proper
               to
               the
               scope
               of
               the
               place
               ,
               it
               being
               an
               usual
               Analalogy
               in
               the
               
                 Hebrew
                 ,
                 Totius
                 universalis
                 ,
                 pro
                 toto
                 integrante
                 ,
              
               All
               for
               Whole
               .
            
             
               So
               that
               according
               to
               these
               various
               Interpretations
               of
               the
               words
               ,
               they
               may
               contain
               in
               them
               a
               three-fold
               reference
               :
               To
               the
               Essence
               ,
               the
               Happiness
               ,
               the
               Business
               of
               man.
               
            
             
               According
               to
               which
               ,
               the
               sence
               of
               them
               must
               be
               ,
               That
               Religon
               ,
               or
               the
               
               
                 fearing
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               and
               
                 keeping
                 his
                 Commandments
              
               ,
               is
               a
               matter
               of
               so
               great
               consequence
               to
               Human
               Nature
               ,
               that
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Essence
               or
               Being
               of
               man
               ,
               may
               be
               said
               to
               consist
               in
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Happiness
               or
               well-being
               of
               man
               doth
               depend
               upon
               it
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               great
               Business
               or
               Duty
               of
               man
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               conversant
               about
               it
               ,
               and
               to
               labour
               atter
               it
               .
            
             
               These
               particulars
               I
               shall
               endeavour
               to
               make
               out
               by
               such
               clear
               Principles
               of
               Reason
               ,
               attested
               to
               by
               several
               of
               the
               wisest
               Heathen
               Writers
               ,
               as
               may
               be
               enough
               to
               satistie
               any
               serious
               man
               who
               is
               able
               to
               under●●and
               the
               reason
               and
               consequence
               of
               things
               ,
               and
               will
               but
               attend
               and
               consider
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               I
               begin
               with
               the
               first
               :
               Religion
               is
               of
               so
               great
               importance
               ,
               that
               the
               Essence
               of
               man
               may
               be
               said
               to
               consist
               in
               it
               .
               Mankind
               may
               be
               considered
               under
               a
               two-fold
               notion
               :
            
             
               1.
               
               More
               Separately
               ,
               and
               by
               it self
               ,
               according
               to
               that
               Principle
               whereby
               
               't
               is
               constituted
               in
               such
               a
               rank
               of
               Creatures
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               More
               Complexly
               ,
               as
               joyned
               in
               Society
               ,
               for
               which
               Man
               seems
               to
               be
               naturally
               designed
               ,
               and
               without
               which
               he
               could
               not
               well
               subsist
               .
               Now
               Religion
               will
               appear
               to
               be
               Essential
               to
               him
               in
               both
               these
               respects
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               As
               considered
               S●parately
               ,
               according
               to
               those
               Principles
               by
               which
               he
               is
               framed
               .
               That
               which
               doth
               constitute
               any
               thing
               in
               its
               Being
               ,
               and
               distinguish
               it
               from
               all
               other
               Things
               ,
               This
               is
               that
               which
               we
               call
               the
               Form
               or
               Essence
               of
               a
               thing
               .
               And
               this
               ,
               for
               the
               Human
               Nature
               doth
               consist
               in
               those
               very
               things
               which
               are
               the
               chief
               Principles
               and
               ●oundations
               of
               Religion
               ;
               namely
               ,
               the
               
                 Apprehensions
                 of
                 a
                 Deity
              
               ,
               and
               an
               
                 Expectation
                 of
                 a
                 future
                 state
              
               after
               this
               life
               :
               Which
               no
               other
               Creature
               ,
               below
               Man
               ,
               doth
               partake
               of
               ;
               and
               which
               are
               common
               to
               all
               Mankind
               ,
               notwithstanding
               the
               utmost
               endeavours
               that
               can
               be
               used
               for
               the
               suppressing
               of
               them
               .
            
             
             
               As
               for
               what
               is
               commonly
               alledged
               in
               the
               behalf
               of
               Reason
               ,
               it
               may
               be
               observed
               ,
               that
               in
               the
               Actions
               of
               many
               Brute
               Creatures
               there
               are
               discernable
               some
               kind
               of
               foot-steps
               ,
               some
               impe●fect
               strictures
               and
               degrees
               of
               Ra●●●cination
               ;
               such
               a
               natural
               Sagacity
               as
               bears
               a
               near
               resemblance
               to
               Reason
               .
               ●rom
               whence
               it
               may
               follow
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               not
               Reason
               in
               the
               general
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               ●orm
               of
               Human
               Nature
               ;
               But
               Reason
               as
               it
               is
               determined
               to
               Actions
               of
               Religion
               ,
               of
               which
               we
               do
               not
               find
               the
               least
               signs
               or
               degrees
               in
               Brutes
               .
               Man
               being
               the
               only
               Creature
               in
               this
               visible
               World
               ,
               that
               is
               formed
               with
               a
               Capacity
               of
               worshiping
               and
               enjoying
               his
               Maker
               .
               Nor
               is
               this
               any
               new
               Opinion
               ,
               but
               such
               as
               several
               of
               the
               Ancient
               Writers
               ,
               
                 Philosophers
                 ,
                 Orators
                 ,
                 Poets
              
               have
               attested
               to
               ;
               who
               make
               this
               Notion
               of
               a
               Deity
               ,
               and
               Adoration
               of
               him
               ,
               to
               be
               the
               the
               true
               difference
               betwixt
               Man
               and
               Beast
               .
            
             
               Plutarch
               afferts
               it
               to
               be
               a
               very
               improper
               thing
               to
               own
               such
               for
               Men
               ,
               
               who
               do
               not
               acknowledg
               and
               adore
               the
               Deity
               .
               And
               in
               another
               place
               ,
               he
               affirms
               Irreligion
               to
               be
               a
               kind
               of
               Stupor
               ,
               whereby
               Men
               are
               deprived
               of
               their
               Senses
               .
            
             
               So
               
                 Tully
                 :
                 Ex
                 tot
                 generibus
                 ,
                 nullum
                 est
                 animal
                 ,
              
               &c.
               Amongst
               all
               the
               living
               Creatures
               that
               are
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               there
               is
               none
               but
               Man
               that
               hath
               any
               notion
               of
               a
               Deity
               ;
               and
               amongst
               Mankind
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               Nation
               so
               wild
               and
               barbarous
               ,
               but
               pretends
               to
               some
               Religion
               .
            
             
               And
               in
               another
               place
               ,
               
                 Quis
                 ●unc
              
               
               
                 hominem
                 dixerit
              
               ?
               Why
               should
               such
               a
               one
               be
               accounted
               a
               Man
               ,
               who
               by
               what
               he
               sees
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               is
               not
               convinced
               of
               a
               Deity
               ,
               and
               a
               Providence
               ,
               and
               of
               that
               adoration
               he
               owes
               to
               it
               ?
               Of
               the
               same
               sense
               is
               that
               of
               the
               Satyrist
               ,
               who
               speaking
               of
               Religion
               ,
               says
               this
               of
               it
               :
            
             
               
                 —
                 Separat
                 hac
                 nos
                 
              
               
                 A
                 grege
                 Brutorum
                 ,
                 atque
                 ideo
                 venerabile
                 soli
              
               
                 Sortiti
                 ingenium
                 divinorumque
                 capaces
                 .
              
            
             
             
               'T
               is
               this
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               that
               doth
               distinguish
               us
               from
               Brute
               Creatures
               ,
               That
               we
               have
               Souls
               capable
               of
               Divine
               Impressions
               .
            
             
               So
               ●hat
               ,
               by
               what
               hath
               been
               said
               ,
               it
               should
               appear
               ,
               that
               the
               Definition
               of
               Man
               may
               be
               rendered
               as
               well
               by
               the
               Difference
               of
               Religiosum
               ,
               as
               Ration●le
               .
               As
               for
               that
               Inconvenience
               which
               some
               may
               object
               ,
               That
               Atheistical
               and
               Prophane
               persons
               will
               be
               hereby
               excluded
               :
               Why
               so
               they
               are
               by
               other
               Difference
               likewise
               :
               such
               persons
               having
               no
               just
               pretence
               to
               Reason
               ,
               who
               renounce
               Religion
               :
               and
               it
               were
               well
               ,
               if
               they
               might
               not
               only
               be
               reckoned
               amongst
               Beasts
               (
               as
               they
               are
               by
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               where
               he
               stiles
               them
               Brutish
               )
               but
               driven
               out
               amongst
               them
               likewise
               ,
               and
               banished
               from
               all
               Human
               Society
               ▪
               as
               being
               publick
               Pes●s
               ,
               and
               Mischiefs
               of
               Mankind
               ,
               such
               as
               would
               debase
               the
               Nobility
               of
               our
               Natures
               ,
               to
               the
               condition
               of
               Brute
               Creatures
               ,
               and
               therefore
               fit
               only
               to
               live
               amongst
               them
               .
               Which
               brings
               me
               to
               the
            
             
             
               2.
               
               Consideration
               of
               Man
               as
               a
               Sociable
               Creature
               .
               Religion
               is
               essential
               to
               him
               in
               this
               respect
               also
               ,
               as
               being
               the
               surest
               Bond
               to
               tye
               men
               up
               to
               those
               respective
               duties
               towards
               one
               another
               ,
               without
               which
               ,
               Government
               and
               Society
               could
               not
               subsist
               .
            
             
               There
               is
               a
               remarkable
               passage
               in
               Plutarch
               to
               this
               purpose
               ,
               where
               he
               stiles
               Religion
               ,
               the
               
                 Cement
                 of
                 all
                 Communities
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 chief
                 Basis
                 of
                 all
                 Legislative
                 Power
                 .
              
               And
               in
               another
               place
               he
               says
               ,
               That
               't
               is
               much
               more
               easy
               to
               build
               a
               City
               in
               the
               open
               air
               ,
               
               without
               any
               ground
               to
               found
               it
               upon
               ,
               than
               to
               establish
               a
               Government
               without
               Religion
               .
               
                 A
                 City
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 may
                 make
                 some
                 shift
                 to
                 subsist
                 without
                 Walls
                 ,
                 Schools
                 ,
                 Theaters
                 ,
                 Houses
                 ;
                 nay
                 ,
                 without
                 Money
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 without
                 Religion
                 .
              
            
             
               If
               it
               were
               not
               for
               this
               notion
               of
               a
               Deity
               ,
               and
               those
               natural
               impressions
               which
               we
               have
               concerning
               Justice
               and
               Probity
               ,
               so
               necessary
               for
               the
               conservation
               of
               Human
               Society
               ;
               instead
               of
               those
               well-ordered
               Governments
               
               and
               Cities
               which
               are
               now
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               Mankind
               must
               have
               lived
               either
               wild
               and
               solitary
               in
               Caves
               and
               Dens
               ,
               like
               Savage-Beasts
               :
               or
               else
               in
               Troops
               of
               Robbers
               ,
               subsi●●ing
               upon
               the
               spoil
               and
               rapine
               of
               such
               as
               were
               weaker
               than
               themselves
               .
            
             
               
                 Pietate
                 sublata
                 ,
                 fides
                 etiam
                 ,
                 &
                 Societas
              
               
               
                 humani
                 generis
                 ,
                 &
                 una
                 excellentassima
                 virtus
                 Justitia
                 tollitur
                 ,
              
               Take
               but
               away
               the
               awe
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               Fidelity
               and
               Justice
               ,
               so
               necessary
               for
               the
               keeping
               up
               of
               Human
               Society
               ,
               must
               perish
               with
               it
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               this
               fear
               of
               a
               Deity
               ,
               and
               the
               sense
               of
               our
               obligation
               to
               Him
               ,
               that
               is
               the
               only
               effectual
               means
               to
               restrain
               Men
               within
               the
               bounds
               of
               Duty
               .
               And
               were
               this
               wholly
               extinguished
               ,
               there
               would
               follow
               such
               wild
               Disorders
               and
               Extravagancies
               amongst
               men
               ,
               as
               would
               not
               leave
               so
               much
               as
               the
               face
               or
               least
               shadow
               of
               Virtue
               or
               Honesty
               in
               the
               World
               :
               There
               being
               no
               kind
               of
               Vice
               which
               men
               would
               not
               abandon
               themselves
               unto
               ,
               considering
               the
               impetuousness
               of
               
               their
               own
               natural
               appetites
               ,
               and
               the
               power
               of
               external
               temptations
               ,
               were
               this
               restraint
               from
               Religion
               once
               removed
               or
               abolished
               .
            
             
               The
               two
               chief
               Opposites
               to
               Religion
               ,
               are
               Profaneness
               and
               Superstition
               .
               Both
               which
               ,
               are
               prejudicial
               to
               Civil
               Government
               :
               The
               one
               by
               destroying
               Conscience
               ,
               the
               strongest
               obligation
               to
               Political
               Duties
               :
               The
               other
               by
               perverting
               and
               abusing
               it
               ;
               introducing
               in
               the
               stead
               it
               of
               ,
               a
               new
               
                 Primum
                 Mobile
              
               ,
               which
               ravisheth
               the
               Spheres
               of
               Government
               ,
               and
               puts
               them
               into
               a
               preternatural
               course
               ,
               as
               a
               Noble
               
               Author
               hath
               elegantly
               expressed
               it
               .
            
             
               The
               two
               grand
               Relations
               that
               concern
               Society
               ,
               are
               Government
               and
               Subjection
               .
               And
               Irreligion
               doth
               indispose
               men
               for
               both
               these
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               For
               Government
               .
               Without
               Religion
               ,
               Magistrates
               will
               lose
               that
               Courage
               and
               Confidence
               belonging
               to
               their
               stations
               ,
               which
               they
               cannot
               so
               well
               exert
               in
               punishing
               the
               Offences
               of
               others
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               guilty
               of
               
               the
               same
               or
               the
               like
               themselves
               .
               
                 Those
                 that
                 sit
                 on
                 the
                 Throne
                 of
                 Judgment
                 should
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 scatter
                 away
                 evil
                 with
                 their
                 eyes
                 ,
              
               as
               Solomon
               speaks
               ,
               Prov.
               20.
               8.
               
               By
               their
               very
               presence
               and
               look
               ,
               to
               strike
               an
               awe
               upon
               Offenders
               ,
               which
               will
               not
               be
               so
               easily
               done
               ,
               if
               they
               should
               lye
               under
               the
               same
               guilt
               themselves
               ;
               
                 Sine
                 Bonitate
                 nulla
                 Majestas
              
               ,
               saith
               Seneca
               :
               The
               very
               nature
               of
               Majesty
               doth
               denote
               Goodness
               as
               well
               as
               Power
               .
               And
               without
               this
               ,
               Governours
               may
               easily
               lose
               that
               Reverence
               which
               is
               due
               to
               them
               from
               others
               ,
               and
               consequently
               that
               Authority
               which
               they
               ought
               to
               have
               over
               them
               .
               When
               they
               cease
               to
               be
               Gods
               in
               respect
               of
               their
               Goodness
               ,
               they
               may
               diminish
               in
               their
               Power
               ;
               and
               though
               they
               should
               be
               able
               to
               keep
               men
               under
               as
               to
               their
               Bodies
               and
               Estates
               ,
               yet
               will
               they
               decline
               as
               to
               that
               awful
               Love
               and
               Reverence
               whereby
               they
               should
               sway
               over
               the
               Hearts
               and
               Affections
               of
               men
               ,
            
             
               The
               Philosopher
               in
               the
               Fifth
               Book
               
               of
               his
               Politicks
               ,
               doth
               lay
               it
               down
               as
               
               a
               Rule
               for
               Magistrates
               ,
               That
               they
               must
               be
               careful
               to
               give
               publick
               Testimonies
               of
               their
               being
               religious
               and
               devout
               ;
               for
               which
               he
               gives
               this
               double
               reason
               :
               Because
               the
               people
               will
               be
               less
               subject
               to
               entertain
               any
               jealousy
               or
               suspition
               of
               
                 suffering
                 injury
              
               from
               such
               whom
               they
               believe
               to
               be
               religious
               .
               And
               withall
               ,
               they
               will
               be
               less
               subject
               to
               
                 attempt
                 the
                 doing
                 of
                 injury
              
               against
               such
               ;
               as
               knowing
               ,
               that
               good
               Magistrates
               are
               after
               a
               more
               especial
               manner
               under
               the
               Divine
               Favour
               and
               protection
               having
               God
               to
               fight
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               for
               them
               .
               2.
               
               The
               want
               of
               Religion
               will
               indispose
               men
               for
               the
               condition
               of
               Subjects
               ,
               and
               render
               them
               loose
               and
               unstable
               in
               those
               duties
               of
               obedience
               and
               submission
               required
               to
               that
               state
               .
               How
               can
               it
               be
               expected
               from
               that
               man
               who
               dares
               affront
               and
               despise
               God
               himself
               ,
               that
               he
               should
               have
               any
               hearty
               reverence
               for
               his
               Deputies
               and
               Vicegerents
               ?
               Those
               who
               are
               destitute
               of
               Religion
               and
               Conscience
               ,
               as
               they
               are
               not
               to
               be
               trusted
               in
               any
               ordinary
               
               private
               duty
               towards
               those
               with
               whom
               they
               converse
               ,
               much
               less
               can
               they
               be
               useful
               in
               any
               such
               extraordinary
               Action
               ,
               whereby
               the
               publick
               welfare
               is
               to
               be
               promoted
               .
               where
               there
               are
               no
               seeds
               of
               Piety
               and
               Virtue
               ,
               there
               can
               be
               nothing
               of
               Honour
               or
               Magnanimity
               .
            
             
               He
               that
               is
               subject
               only
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               Wrath
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 Sword
                 which
                 is
                 over
                 him
                 ,
              
               will
               be
               no
               longer
               so
               ,
               when
               he
               hath
               an
               opportunity
               of
               escaping
               or
               resisting
               that
               Power
               .
               Nor
               is
               there
               any
               possible
               way
               to
               secure
               men
               in
               their
               quiet
               subjection
               and
               obedience
               ;
               but
               by
               their
               being
               obliged
               
                 for
                 Conscience
                 sake
              
               .
               And
               therefore
               such
               kind
               of
               persons
               ,
               as
               by
               their
               open
               profaneness
               and
               contempt
               of
               Religion
               ,
               do
               endeavour
               to
               destroy
               Conscience
               from
               amongst
               men
               ,
               may
               justly
               be
               esteemed
               as
               the
               worst
               kind
               of
               Seditious
               Persons
               ,
               and
               most
               pernicious
               to
               Civil
               Government
               .
            
             
               Whatever
               Disputes
               have
               been
               raised
               concerning
               the
               lawfulness
               of
               
               punishing
               men
               for
               their
               dissenting
               Consciences
               in
               matters
               of
               Religion
               ;
               yet
               never
               any
               man
               questioned
               the
               lawfulness
               of
               punishing
               men
               for
               their
               profaneness
               and
               contempt
               of
               all
               Religion
               .
               Such
               men
               as
               renounce
               Conscience
               ,
               cannot
               pretend
               that
               they
               suffer
               for
               it
               .
               And
               certainly
               this
               Vice
               doth
               upon
               many
               accounts
               deserve
               the
               greatest
               severity
               of
               Laws
               ,
               as
               being
               
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 nature
              
               destructive
               of
               the
               very
               Principles
               of
               Government
               ,
               and
               the
               Peace
               of
               all
               Human
               Societies
               :
               Besides
               the
               Mischiefs
               consequent
               upon
               it
               from
               Divine
               Vengeance
               ,
            
             
               So
               that
               upon
               all
               these
               accounts
               ,
               there
               is
               just
               reason
               to
               infer
               the
               truth
               of
               this
               Proposition
               ,
               That
               Religion
               is
               
                 totum
                 hominis
              
               in
               this
               first
               sense
               ,
               as
               it
               refers
               to
               the
               Essence
               of
               Man
               considered
               either
               Separately
               ,
               or
               as
               a
               Member
               of
               Society
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               T
               is
               so
               likewise
               with
               respect
               to
               the
               Happiness
               and
               well-being
               of
               Man.
               That
               is
               properly
               said
               to
               be
               the
               chief
               End
               or
               Happiness
               of
               a
               
               thing
               ,
               which
               doth
               raise
               its
               nature
               to
               the
               utmost
               perfection
               ,
               of
               which
               it
               is
               capable
               according
               to
               its
               rank
               and
               kind
               .
               So
               the
               chief
               good
               belonging
               to
               a
               Vegetable
               or
               Plant
               ,
               is
               to
               grow
               up
               to
               a
               state
               of
               maturity
               ,
               to
               continue
               to
               its
               natural
               period
               ,
               and
               to
               propagate
               its
               Kind
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               utmost
               perfection
               that
               kind
               of
               Being
               is
               capable
               of
               .
               And
               whereas
               Sensitive
               Creatures
               ,
               beside
               those
               things
               which
               are
               common
               to
               them
               with
               Plants
               ,
               have
               likewise
               such
               faculties
               ,
               whereby
               they
               are
               able
               to
               apprehend
               external
               objects
               ,
               and
               to
               receive
               pain
               or
               pleasure
               from
               them
               ;
               Therefore
               the
               Happiness
               proper
               to
               them
               ,
               must
               consist
               in
               the
               Perfection
               of
               these
               Faculties
               ,
               namely
               ,
               in
               sensible
               pleasures
               ,
               the
               enjoying
               of
               such
               things
               as
               may
               be
               grateful
               to
               their
               senses
               .
               But
               now
               Mankind
               ,
               (
               if
               we
               will
               allow
               it
               to
               be
               a
               distinct
               rank
               of
               Creatures
               superior
               to
               Brutes
               )
               being
               endowed
               with
               such
               Faculties
               ,
               whereby
               't
               is
               made
               capable
               of
               apprehending
               a
               Deity
               ,
               and
               of
               expecting
               a
               future
               state
               after
               this
               life
               ;
               
               It
               will
               hence
               follow
               ,
               That
               the
               proper
               happiness
               of
               man
               must
               consist
               in
               the
               perfecting
               of
               this
               Faculty
               ;
               namely
               ,
               in
               such
               a
               state
               as
               may
               reconcile
               him
               to
               the
               Divine
               Favour
               and
               afford
               him
               the
               best
               assurance
               of
               a
               blessed
               Immortality
               hereafter
               .
               Which
               nothing
               else
               but
               Religion
               can
               so
               much
               as
               pretend
               to
               .
               And
               that
               this
               is
               most
               agreeable
               to
               Natural
               Light
               ,
               may
               appear
               from
               the
               Testimonies
               of
               several
               of
               the
               Wisest
               Heathens
               ,
               
                 Pythagoras
                 ,
                 Plato
                 ,
                 Epictetus
              
               ,
               &c.
               who
               assert
               a
               Man's
               Happiness
               ,
               or
               chief
               End
               ,
               to
               consist
               in
               a
               likeness
               or
               resemblance
               to
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               ,
               in
               following
               of
               God
               ,
               endeavouring
               to
               imitate
               him
               whom
               we
               worship
               ,
               which
               are
               but
               several
               descriptions
               of
               Religion
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               true
               indeed
               ,
               the
               nature
               of
               Man
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               those
               other
               Capacities
               ,
               common
               to
               him
               with
               Plants
               and
               Brutes
               ,
               may
               stand
               in
               need
               of
               several
               other
               things
               ,
               to
               render
               his
               condition
               pleasant
               and
               comfortable
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               as
               
                 Health
                 ,
                 Riches
                 ,
                 Reputation
                 ,
                 Safety
                 ,
              
               &c
               ,
               Now
               herein
               is
               the
               
               great
               advantage
               of
               Religion
               ,
               that
               besides
               the
               principal
               work
               which
               it
               doth
               for
               us
               ,
               in
               securing
               our
               future
               Estates
               in
               the
               other
               World
               ;
               It
               is
               likewise
               the
               most
               effectual
               means
               to
               promote
               our
               happiness
               in
               this
               World
               ;
               and
               that
               not
               only
               Morally
               ,
               upon
               account
               of
               that
               Reward
               which
               Virtuous
               Actions
               do
               entitle
               a
               man
               unto
               from
               a
               just
               and
               a
               wise
               Providence
               ;
               But
               Naturally
               also
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               that
               Physical
               efficacy
               which
               the
               Duties
               of
               Religion
               have
               in
               procuring
               for
               us
               each
               of
               those
               things
               ,
               wherein
               our
               Temporal
               Happiness
               doth
               consist
               ;
               in
               promoting
               the
               welfare
               not
               only
               of
               particular
               persons
               ,
               but
               of
               publick
               Communities
               of
               Mankind
               in
               general
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               whole
               Universe
               .
               Insomuch
               ,
               that
               if
               we
               could
               suppose
               our selves
               in
               a
               capacity
               of
               capitulating
               with
               God
               ,
               concerning
               the
               Terms
               upon
               which
               we
               would
               submit
               to
               his
               Government
               ,
               and
               to
               chuse
               the
               Laws
               we
               would
               be
               bound
               to
               observe
               ,
               It
               were
               not
               Possible
               for
               us
               to
               make
               any
               Proposals
               which
               upon
               all
               Accounts
               should
               be
               more
               advantageous
               
               to
               our
               own
               Interests
               ,
               than
               those
               very
               Conditions
               ,
               to
               which
               we
               are
               obliged
               by
               the
               Rules
               of
               Religion
               and
               Vertue
               .
               And
               herein
               doth
               the
               reasonableness
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               the
               Beauty
               and
               Wisdom
               of
               Providence
               most
               eminently
               appear
               towards
               Mankind
               ,
               in
               governing
               us
               by
               such
               Laws
               as
               do
               most
               apparently
               tend
               to
               the
               perfecting
               of
               our
               Natures
               ,
               and
               in
               making
               that
               only
               to
               be
               our
               Duty
               ,
               which
               is
               our
               Interest
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Religion
               is
               
                 Totum
                 hominis
              
               ,
               with
               respect
               to
               the
               chief
               Business
               and
               Duty
               of
               man
               ,
               that
               which
               he
               ought
               to
               be
               most
               intent
               upon
               ,
               and
               conversant
               about
               ,
               as
               to
               his
               Employment
               in
               this
               World.
               That
               General
               calling
               to
               which
               every
               man
               of
               what
               rank
               or
               quality
               soever
               is
               to
               be
               engaged
               .
               Men
               are
               distributed
               under
               other
               particular
               Callings
               ,
               according
               as
               their
               Education
               ,
               Abilities
               ,
               Friends
               ,
               and
               several
               Opportunities
               do
               dispose
               of
               them
               .
               But
               the
               obligation
               of
               Religion
               ,
               being
               of
               universal
               concernment
               ,
               doth
               extend
               
               to
               all
               and
               every
               particular
               ,
               there
               being
               none
               exempted
               from
               it
               ,
               
                 Hoc
                 est
                 omnis
                 homo
              
               ,
               Every
               man
               is
               concerned
               in
               it
               .
               And
               it
               is
               
                 totum
                 hominis
                 likewise
              
               ,
               'T
               is
               his
               calling
               ,
               the
               chief
               business
               about
               which
               he
               is
               to
               be
               employed
               .
            
             
               I
               do
               not
               say
               ,
               that
               a
               man's
               thoughts
               are
               always
               to
               be
               taken
               up
               about
               the
               immediate
               Acts
               of
               Religion
               ,
               any
               more
               than
               a
               Traveller
               is
               always
               to
               have
               his
               mind
               actually
               fixed
               upon
               the
               thought
               of
               his
               Journey
               's
               end
               .
               This
               would
               be
               inconsistent
               with
               the
               infirmity
               of
               our
               natures
               ,
               and
               the
               necessity
               of
               our
               conditions
               in
               this
               World.
               But
               yet
               ,
               as
               he
               that
               is
               upon
               a
               Journey
               ,
               doth
               so
               order
               all
               his
               Particular
               Motions
               ,
               as
               may
               be
               most
               conducible
               to
               his
               General
               End
               ;
               so
               should
               men
               habitually
               ,
               though
               they
               cannot
               actually
               ,
               in
               every
               affair
               have
               respect
               to
               their
               chief
               End
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               observe
               all
               the
               duties
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               never
               to
               allow
               themselves
               in
               any
               thing
               against
               the
               rules
               of
               it
               .
               And
               he
               that
               hath
               this
               care
               continually
               upon
               
               his
               mind
               ,
               (
               though
               he
               be
               but
               a
               Secular
               person
               )
               may
               properly
               be
               said
               to
               make
               Religion
               his
               Business
               .
            
             
               The
               Wise-man
               in
               the
               beginning
               of
               this
               Book
               ,
               had
               proposed
               as
               his
               grand
               Quaery
               to
               be
               discussed
               ,
               to
               find
               out
               
                 what
                 was
                 that
                 good
                 for
                 the
                 sons
                 of
              
               
               
                 men
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 should
                 do
                 under
                 the
                 Heavens
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 their
                 lives
                 .
              
               (
               i.
               e.
               )
               What
               was
               the
               chief
               employment
               or
               business
               which
               they
               should
               apply
               themselves
               to
               in
               this
               World.
               And
               here
               in
               the
               Text
               he
               asserts
               it
               to
               be
               the
               business
               of
               Religion
               ;
               
                 Fearing
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 keeping
                 his
                 Commandments
                 :
              
               Suitable
               to
               that
               Precept
               of
               Moses
               Deut.
               10.
               12.
               
               
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 O
                 Israel
                 ,
                 what
                 doth
                 the
                 Lord
                 thy
                 God
                 require
                 of
                 thee
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 fear
                 the
                 Lord
                 thy
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 walk
                 in
                 his
                 ways
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 serve
                 the
                 Lord
                 thy
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 his
                 Commandments
                 :
              
               And
               the
               Practice
               of
               St.
               Paul
               ,
               who
               made
               this
               his
               daily
               
                 exercise
                 ,
                 to
                 keep
                 his
                 Conscience
                 void
                 of
                 offence
                 ,
                 both
                 towards
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 towards
                 men
                 .
              
               To
               the
               Reasonableness
               of
               this
               ,
               several
               of
               the
               wisest
               Heathens
               have
               attested
               .
               
               That
               's
               a
               remarkable
               passage
               
               in
               Aristotle
               to
               this
               purpose
               ,
               where
               he
               states
               that
               to
               be
               the
               most
               desirable
               proportion
               of
               all
               Worldly
               Felicities
               and
               Enjoyments
               ,
               which
               is
               most
               consistent
               with
               men's
               devoting
               themselves
               to
               the
               business
               of
               Religion
               :
               And
               that
               to
               be
               either
               too
               much
               or
               too
               little
               of
               Wealth
               ,
               or
               Honour
               ,
               or
               Power
               ,
               &c.
               whereby
               men
               are
               hindred
               in
               their
               meditating
               upon
               God
               ,
               or
               their
               worshipping
               of
               him
               .
            
             
               So
               Epictetus
               ,
               discoursing
               concerning
               the
               work
               and
               business
               he
               was
               designed
               to
               ,
               hath
               this
               passage
               :
               If
               I
               had
               been
               made
               a
               Nightingale
               or
               a
               Swan
               ,
               I
               should
               have
               employed
               the
               time
               of
               my
               life
               in
               such
               a
               way
               as
               is
               suitable
               to
               the
               conditions
               of
               those
               Creatures
               :
               But
               being
               made
               a
               Man
               ,
               capable
               of
               serving
               and
               worshipping
               that
               God
               from
               whom
               I
               had
               my
               Being
               ,
               it
               's
               but
               reason
               that
               I
               should
               apply
               my self
               to
               this
               ,
               as
               being
               my
               proper
               work
               and
               business
               :
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               And
               therefore
               hereunto
               will
               I
               devote
               my self
               ,
               as
               being
               the
               chief
               Employment
               to
               which
               I
               am
               designed
               .
            
             
             
               
                 So
                 Antoninus
              
               :
               Evety
               thing
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               is
               designed
               for
               some
               kind
               of
               work
               ;
               
               Beasts
               and
               Plants
               ,
               the
               Sun
               and
               Stars
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               And
               what
               do
               you
               conceive
               your
               business
               to
               be
               ?
               Sensual
               pleasures
               ?
               Bethink
               your self
               a
               little
               better
               ,
               whether
               this
               be
               suitable
               to
               the
               Nobility
               of
               your
               nature
               ,
               and
               those
               excellent
               faculties
               with
               which
               you
               are
               endowed
               .
            
             
               Men
               usually
               apply
               themselves
               to
               that
               as
               their
               chief
               busines
               ,
               which
               may
               quit
               cost
               and
               be
               worth
               their
               labour
               by
               which
               their
               Interest
               is
               most
               promoted
               .
               And
               there
               is
               nothing
               can
               be
               more
               reasonable
               ,
               than
               for
               that
               to
               be
               the
               chief
               business
               of
               a
               man's
               Life
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               chief
               end
               of
               his
               Being
               .
               Which
               is
               the
               third
               thing
               I
               proposed
               to
               speak
               to
               .
            
             
               I
               crave
               leave
               to
               mention
               two
               Inferences
               very
               briefly
               by
               way
               of
               Application
               ,
               and
               I
               have
               done
               .
            
             
               If
               this
               be
               so
               ,
               that
               Religion
               is
               of
               so
               great
               Importance
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               be
               stiled
               the
               
                 Whole
                 of
                 man
              
               ,
               with
               reference
               to
               all
               those
               things
               that
               are
               of
               greatest
               
               moment
               ,
               The
               Essence
               ,
               the
               Happiness
               ,
               the
               Business
               of
               Man
               :
            
             
               1.
               
               What
               Monsters
               of
               ●olly
               ,
               and
               Madness
               ,
               and
               Contradiction
               ,
               must
               those
               men
               be
               ,
               who
               do
               upon
               this
               account
               put
               a
               greater
               value
               upon
               themselves
               ,
               as
               being
               more
               learned
               ,
               and
               wise
               and
               better
               than
               others
               ,
               because
               they
               can
               contemn
               and
               despise
               Religion
               ?
               Certainly
               ,
               by
               all
               the
               Laws
               of
               God
               and
               Men
               ,
               such
               Miscreants
               ought
               to
               be
               rendered
               most
               vile
               and
               contemptible
               themselves
               .
               Their
               Discourses
               ought
               not
               to
               be
               listned
               unto
               without
               nauseousness
               and
               detestation
               .
               Their
               Persons
               should
               be
               used
               as
               the
               Lepers
               were
               under
               the
               Law
               ,
               whose
               company
               every
               one
               was
               obliged
               to
               avoid
               ,
               as
               being
               unclean
               infectious
               persons
               .
               And
               perhaps
               this
               might
               be
               one
               good
               way
               ,
               if
               not
               of
               curing
               themselves
               ,
               yet
               of
               hindring
               their
               Mischiefs
               upon
               others
               ,
               when
               they
               should
               find
               themselves
               abhorred
               and
               abandoned
               by
               all
               sober
               men
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               How
               dear
               should
               the
               Concernments
               of
               Religion
               be
               to
               every
               one
               of
               
               us
               ,
               How
               serious
               should
               we
               be
               in
               the
               Profession
               and
               Practice
               of
               it
               our selves
               !
               How
               zealous
               in
               promoting
               the
               Honour
               and
               the
               power
               of
               it
               amongst
               others
               !
               The
               things
               of
               this
               World
               are
               full
               of
               uncertainty
               ,
               and
               of
               short
               continuance
               ,
               
                 When
                 a
                 few
                 days
                 are
                 past
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 all
                 of
                 us
                 go
                 to
                 the
                 place
                 whence
                 we
                 shall
                 not
                 return
                 -
              
               And
               when
               we
               come
               to
               die
               ,
               nothing
               then
               will
               be
               of
               any
               advantage
               to
               us
               ,
               but
               Religion
               ,
               
                 The
                 testimony
                 of
                 our
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 simplicity
                 and
                 godly
                 sincerity
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 had
                 our
                 Conversation
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 .
              
               Upon
               which
               we
               may
               confidently
               expect
               ,
               that
               
                 there
                 is
                 laid
                 up
                 for
                 us
                 a
                 Crown
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Lord
                 the
                 Righteous
                 Judg
                 ,
                 will
                 give
                 unto
                 us
                 at
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 his
                 Appearance
              
               ;
               when
               he
               shall
               come
               
                 to
                 bring
                 every
                 work
                 into
                 judgment
                 ,
                 with
                 every
                 secret
                 thing
                 ,
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 good
                 ,
                 or
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 evil
                 .
              
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               A
               
               SERMON
               Preached
               before
               the
               KING
               AT
               WHITE-HALL
               ,
               In
               Lent
               ,
               1670.
               
            
             
               
                 ECCLES
                 .
                 12.
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 For
                 God
                 shall
                 bring
                 every
                 work
                 into
                 judgment
                 ,
                 with
                 every
                 secret
                 thing
                 ,
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 good
                 ,
                 or
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 evil
                 .
              
            
             
               THis
               Book
               doth
               contain
               a
               Philosophical
               Disquisition
               concerning
               a
               State
               of
               Happiness
               ;
               wherein
               the
               
               Wise
               man
               doth
               particularly
               discuss
               each
               of
               those
               Subjects
               ,
               which
               according
               to
               the
               various
               opinions
               and
               tempers
               of
               men
               ,
               are
               believed
               to
               have
               any
               pretence
               to
               it
               .
            
             
               The
               precedent
               Verse
               (
               as
               I
               have
               formerly
               shewed
               )
               doth
               contain
               
                 the
                 Conclusion
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 matter
              
               ;
               the
               chief
               inference
               and
               result
               ftom
               all
               the
               former
               Debates
               and
               Enquiries
               ;
               wherein
               he
               asserts
               ,
               that
               every
               man's
               true
               happiness
               doth
               consist
               in
               being
               religious
               ,
               In
               
                 fearing
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 keeping
                 his
                 Commandments
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               though
               this
               Conclusion
               had
               been
               sufficiently
               proved
               by
               great
               variety
               of
               Arguments
               ,
               in
               the
               foregoing
               Discourse
               ;
               yet
               he
               thinks
               fit
               here
               in
               the
               close
               of
               all
               ,
               to
               back
               and
               enforce
               it
               with
               one
               Argument
               more
               ;
               which
               above
               all
               others
               is
               most
               apt
               to
               make
               deep
               impression
               upon
               the
               minds
               of
               men
               ;
               and
               (
               if
               any
               thing
               can
               )
               to
               perswade
               them
               to
               the
               Duties
               of
               Religion
               :
               And
               that
               is
               the
               consideration
               of
               the
               last
               Judgment
               ,
               in
               the
               words
               of
               the
               Text
               ,
               
                 For
                 God
                 shall
                 bring
              
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
             
               That
               which
               I
               intend
               from
               these
               words
               ,
               is
               to
               prove
               ,
               against
               the
               Infidels
               and
               Scoffers
               of
               this
               Age
               ,
               the
               Reasonableness
               and
               the
               Credibility
               of
               this
               great
               Principle
               of
               Religion
               ,
               concerning
               a
               future
               state
               of
               Reward
               and
               Punishment
               .
            
             
               Though
               the
               Principal
               Evidence
               for
               this
               do
               depend
               upon
               Scripture
               ,
               especially
               the
               New
               Testament
               ,
               where
               it
               is
               said
               ,
               That
               
                 life
                 and
                 immortality
              
               
               
                 is
                 brought
                 to
                 light
                 by
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
              
               Yet
               in
               a
               point
               of
               so
               great
               moment
               and
               consequence
               as
               this
               is
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               to
               be
               imagined
               ,
               that
               God
               should
               have
               
                 left
                 himself
                 without
                 a
                 Witness
              
               to
               all
               the
               Nations
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               that
               all
               men
               should
               be
               endowed
               with
               such
               natural
               Capacities
               and
               Notions
               ,
               as
               being
               improved
               by
               Consideration
               ,
               will
               afford
               sufficient
               evidence
               for
               the
               belief
               of
               this
               great
               Fundamental
               Principle
               .
            
             
               As
               for
               such
               men
               ,
               who
               live
               under-the
               sense
               of
               Guilt
               ,
               whose
               Interest
               it
               is
               that
               there
               should
               be
               no
               future
               account
               ,
               it
               cannot
               be
               otherwise
               expected
               
               from
               such
               ,
               but
               that
               they
               should
               be
               willing
               to
               dis-believe
               this
               .
               And
               from
               hence
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               some
               of
               the
               Ancient
               Philosophers
               have
               employed
               their
               Learning
               and
               Subtilty
               ,
               to
               dispute
               themselves
               into
               some
               kind
               of
               doubts
               and
               uncertainty
               about
               it
               .
               And
               yet
               the
               generality
               even
               of
               these
               have
               been
               forced
               to
               acknowledg
               it
               much
               more
               probable
               than
               the
               contrary
               .
               And
               as
               for
               the
               Vulgar
               sort
               of
               people
               ,
               who
               are
               guided
               by
               the
               more
               simple
               dictates
               of
               Nature
               ,
               these
               have
               in
               all
               Ages
               and
               Nations
               submitted
               themselves
               to
               this
               Doctrine
               ,
               and
               professed
               a
               firm
               belief
               of
               it
               .
               And
               though
               
                 Vulgar
                 Opinion
              
               be
               but
               a
               very
               bad
               Topick
               about
               such
               matters
               as
               may
               gratify
               men
               in
               their
               ease
               and
               sensual
               appetites
               ;
               yet
               in
               such
               other
               Opinions
               as
               are
               cross
               to
               their
               Worldly
               Interests
               ,
               it
               may
               argue
               such
               things
               to
               be
               from
               some
               natural
               impression
               upon
               their
               minds
               ,
               which
               they
               must
               believe
               ,
               and
               cannot
               otherwise
               chuse
               .
            
             
               The
               Arguments
               I
               would
               make
               use
               of
               to
               this
               purpose
               ,
               may
               be
               reduced
               
               to
               these
               three
               general
               Heads
               :
            
             
               1.
               
               From
               the
               suitableness
               of
               this
               Principle
               ,
               to
               
                 the
                 most
                 natural
                 Notions
                 of
                 our
                 Minds
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Necessity
               of
               it
               ,
               to
               
                 the
                 Government
                 of
                 mens
                 Lives
                 and
                 Actions
                 in
                 this
                 World.
                 
              
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               Necessity
               of
               it
               ,
               for
               
                 the
                 vindication
                 of
                 Divine
                 Providence
              
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               I
               begin
               with
               the
               first
               :
               The
               suitableness
               of
               it
               
                 to
                 the
                 most
                 natural
                 Notions
                 of
                 our
                 Minds
                 ,
              
               and
               those
               kind
               of
               Impressions
               which
               belong
               to
               us
               ,
               as
               we
               are
               Reasonable
               Creatures
               .
               Wee
               see
               by
               experience
               ,
               that
               all
               other
               things
               (
               so
               far
               as
               we
               are
               able
               to
               judg
               )
               
                 Minerals
                 ,
                 Plants
                 ,
                 Beasts
              
               ,
               &c.
               are
               naturally
               endowed
               with
               such
               Principles
               ,
               as
               are
               most
               fit
               to
               promote
               the
               perfection
               of
               their
               natures
               in
               their
               several
               Kinds
               .
               And
               therefore
               it
               is
               by
               no
               means
               credible
               ,
               that
               Mankind
               only
               ,
               the
               most
               excellent
               of
               all
               the
               other
               Creatures
               in
               this
               visible
               World
               ,
               for
               the
               service
               of
               whom
               ,
               so
               many
               other
               
               things
               seem
               to
               be
               designed
               ,
               should
               have
               such
               kind
               of
               Principles
               interwoven
               in
               his
               very
               Nature
               ,
               as
               do
               contain
               in
               them
               meer
               cheats
               and
               delusions
               .
               And
               therefore
               whatsoever
               those
               things
               are
               ,
               which
               the
               generality
               of
               Mank●nd
               ,
               esp●cially
               the
               most
               wise
               and
               the
               most
               considerate
               part
               of
               them
               do
               agree
               in
               ,
               ought
               to
               be
               allowed
               for
               highly
               credible
               ;
               otherwise
               it
               must
               follow
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               framed
               with
               such
               kind
               of
               Faculties
               ,
               as
               in
               our
               most
               cautious
               exercise
               of
               them
               ,
               are
               more
               likely
               to
               seduce
               us
               ,
               and
               expose
               us
               to
               Error
               ,
               than
               to
               direct
               and
               lead
               us
               to
               the
               Truth
               .
            
             
               But
               I
               shall
               endeavour
               to
               manifest
               this
               more
               particularly
               ,
               by
               these
               three
               Considerations
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               This
               Principle
               is
               most
               suitable
               to
               the
               general
               Apprehensions
               of
               Mankind
               ,
               concerning
               the
               nature
               of
               Good
               and
               Evil.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               To
               those
               
                 natural
                 Hopes
              
               and
               Expectations
               ,
               which
               the
               generality
               of
               
                 good
                 men
              
               have
               ,
               concerning
               a
               state
               of
               future
               Happiness
               .
            
             
             
               3.
               
               To
               those
               
                 natural
                 Fears
              
               and
               Expectations
               ,
               which
               the
               generality
               of
               wicked
               men
               are
               possessed
               with
               ,
               concerning
               a
               
                 future
                 state
                 of
                 Punishment
              
               and
               Misery
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               This
               Principle
               is
               most
               suitable
               to
               the
               
                 general
                 Apprehensions
                 of
                 Mankind
              
               concerning
               the
               nature
               of
               Good
               and
               Evil.
               All
               men
               heretofore
               have
               agreed
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               such
               a
               Thing
               as
               the
               
                 Law
                 of
                 Nature
              
               ,
               whereby
               things
               are
               distinguished
               into
               Good
               and
               Bad
               ;
               according
               to
               which
               ,
               the
               Actions
               of
               men
               are
               determined
               to
               be
               either
               Virtuous
               or
               Vicious
               .
               And
               as
               the
               one
               of
               these
               ,
               doth
               in
               the
               essence
               of
               it
               imply
               Comeliness
               and
               Reward
               ;
               so
               doth
               the
               other
               denote
               Turpitude
               and
               Punishment
               .
               These
               things
               being
               implied
               in
               the
               very
               definitions
               of
               Virtue
               and
               Vice.
               And
               from
               hence
               it
               will
               follow
               ,
               That
               as
               there
               is
               some
               Superior
               Power
               who
               hath
               put
               this
               Law
               into
               our
               Natures
               ;
               so
               will
               he
               take
               care
               to
               enforce
               the
               observance
               of
               it
               ,
               by
               rewarding
               and
               punishing
               men
               accordingly
               .
               This
               being
               implied
               in
               the
               nature
               of
               a
               Law.
               
            
             
             
               If
               there
               be
               nothing
               in
               the
               naked
               essence
               of
               things
               that
               makes
               them
               to
               differ
               ,
               but
               what
               doth
               meerly
               arise
               from
               Custom
               and
               
                 Positive
                 Laws
              
               ;
               why
               then
               Custom
               and
               Law
               would
               be
               able
               to
               render
               it
               a
               very
               virtuous
               and
               commendable
               thing
               for
               a
               man
               to
               be
               ingrateful
               ,
               a
               
                 breaker
                 of
                 Compacts
              
               ,
               a
               
                 false
                 Witness
              
               ,
               a
               
                 Perjured
                 person
              
               ;
               which
               is
               so
               monstrous
               a
               Position
               ,
               that
               the
               common
               Reason
               of
               Mankind
               will
               abhor
               it
               upon
               the
               first
               proposal
               .
               Nothing
               is
               more
               obvious
               ,
               than
               that
               there
               is
               an
               universal
               desire
               amongst
               men
               ,
               of
               seeming
               honesty
               :
               The
               most
               impudent
               and
               profligate
               Wretch
               being
               loth
               to
               be
               esteemed
               to
               be
               ,
               what
               really
               he
               is
               .
               The
               very
               Sin
               of
               Hypocrisie
               ,
               so
               general
               amongst
               men
               ,
               doth
               give
               a
               large
               Testimony
               to
               the
               
                 Beauty
                 of
                 Goodness
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Deformity
                 of
                 Vice.
              
               Nor
               is
               there
               any
               account
               to
               be
               given
               ,
               why
               there
               should
               be
               impressed
               upon
               the
               nature
               of
               men
               such
               a
               value
               for
               the
               one
               ,
               and
               dislike
               for
               the
               other
               ,
               if
               there
               were
               not
               in
               the
               things
               themselves
               ,
               something
               suitable
               to
               those
               contrary
               affections
               .
            
             
             
               We
               see
               by
               experience
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               such
               a
               kind
               of
               Rest
               and
               Acquiescence
               in
               the
               mind
               ,
               upon
               the
               
                 discovery
                 of
                 Truth
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 doing
                 of
                 Virtuous
                 Actions
              
               ,
               as
               belong
               to
               natural
               Bodies
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               in
               their
               proper
               places
               :
               Which
               may
               argue
               these
               things
               to
               have
               some
               peculiar
               suitableness
               to
               the
               Soul
               of
               man
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               opposites
               to
               them
               do
               offer
               violence
               to
               some
               natural
               Principle
               belonging
               to
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               This
               Principle
               is
               most
               suitable
               to
               those
               natural
               Hopes
               and
               Expectations
               which
               the
               generality
               of
               
                 good
                 men
              
               have
               concerning
               a
               state
               of
               
                 future
                 Happiness
              
               .
               From
               whence
               doth
               arise
               that
               Confidence
               and
               Courage
               ,
               whereby
               those
               of
               meanest
               Quality
               and
               Abilities
               (
               if
               otherwise
               Virtuous
               persons
               )
               can
               support
               themselves
               in
               their
               sufferings
               for
               that
               which
               is
               good
               :
               Which
               doth
               necessarily
               suppose
               in
               them
               a
               strong
               ,
               and
               even
               a
               natural
               belief
               and
               perswasion
               of
               such
               a
               future
               state
               ,
               wherein
               their
               sufferings
               shall
               be
               considered
               and
               rewarded
               .
            
             
             
               Besides
               that
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               natural
               desire
               in
               all
               men
               ,
               after
               a
               state
               of
               Happiness
               and
               Perfection
               .
               And
               if
               we
               consider
               the
               utter
               impossibility
               of
               attaining
               to
               any
               such
               condition
               in
               this
               life
               ,
               This
               will
               render
               it
               highly
               credible
               ,
               That
               there
               must
               be
               another
               state
               wherein
               this
               Happiness
               is
               attainable
               :
               otherwise
               Mankind
               must
               fail
               of
               his
               chief
               End
               ,
               being
               by
               a
               natural
               Principle
               most
               strongly
               inclined
               to
               such
               a
               state
               of
               Happiness
               as
               he
               can
               never
               attain
               to
               .
               As
               if
               he
               were
               purposely
               framed
               to
               be
               tormented
               betwixt
               these
               two
               Passions
               ,
               Desire
               and
               Despair
               ;
               an
               earnest
               Propension
               after
               Happiness
               ,
               and
               an
               utter
               incapacity
               of
               ever
               enjoying
               it
               .
               And
               ,
               which
               is
               yet
               more
               considerable
               ,
               the
               better
               and
               the
               wiser
               any
               man
               is
               ,
               the
               more
               earnest
               desires
               and
               hopes
               hath
               he
               after
               such
               a
               state
               of
               Happiness
               .
               And
               if
               there
               be
               no
               such
               thing
               ,
               not
               only
               
                 Nature
                 ▪
              
               but
               Virtue
               likewise
               must
               contribute
               to
               make
               men
               miserable
               ;
               than
               which
               ,
               nothing
               can
               seem
               more
               unreasonable
               to
               those
               who
               believe
               a
               Just
               and
               a
               Wise
               Providence
               .
            
             
             
               3.
               
               This
               Principle
               is
               most
               suitable
               to
               those
               Fears
               and
               Expectations
               which
               the
               generality
               of
               
                 wicked
                 men
              
               are
               possessed
               with
               ,
               concerning
               a
               
                 future
                 state
                 of
                 Misery
              
               .
               Witness
               those
               natural
               suggestions
               of
               Conscience
               in
               the
               worst
               of
               men
               ,
               that
               upon
               any
               wicked
               action
               (
               though
               never
               so
               private
               )
               are
               often-times
               startling
               of
               them
               ,
               with
               the
               apprehensions
               of
               another
               Judicature
               and
               Tribunal
               ,
               before
               which
               they
               shall
               be
               called
               to
               an
               account
               for
               their
               closest
               sins
               .
               All
               that
               secret
               regret
               ,
               and
               those
               inward
               smitings
               ,
               
                 Laniatus
                 &
                 Ictus
              
               ,
               which
               are
               so
               often
               felt
               in
               the
               Minds
               of
               men
               ,
               upon
               the
               commission
               of
               any
               great
               sin
               ,
               do
               argue
               some
               common
               intimations
               ,
               even
               in
               the
               Light
               of
               Nature
               ,
               of
               another
               Judgment
               after
               this
               life
               ,
               wherein
               they
               shall
               be
               accountable
               for
               such
               Actions
               ,
               which
               men
               do
               not
               punish
               or
               take
               notice
               of
               .
            
             
               And
               these
               natural
               Fears
               do
               usually
               seize
               upon
               all
               kind
               of
               men
               promiscuously
               ,
               even
               those
               who
               are
               most
               
               Potent
               ,
               who
               by
               their
               own
               Wills
               can
               give
               Laws
               to
               Nations
               ,
               and
               command
               mighty
               Armies
               ,
               yet
               cannot
               they
               avoid
               these
               Checks
               and
               Lashes
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               but
               that
               they
               will
               seize
               upon
               them
               ,
               and
               shake
               them
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               the
               poorest
               meanest
               Subject
               .
               Nor
               can
               such
               as
               are
               most
               
                 obstinately
                 wicked
              
               ,
               who
               with
               their
               utmost
               study
               and
               endeavour
               ,
               apply
               themselves
               to
               the
               suppressing
               and
               disbelief
               of
               these
               Notions
               ,
               so
               wholly
               stifle
               them
               ,
               but
               that
               they
               will
               be
               continually
               rising
               up
               in
               their
               Minds
               ,
               and
               pursuing
               of
               them
               .
            
             
               Now
               as
               there
               is
               no
               man
               whatsoever
               ,
               that
               is
               wholly
               freed
               from
               these
               fears
               of
               future
               misery
               after
               death
               ,
               so
               there
               is
               no
               other
               Creature
               but
               Man
               ,
               that
               hath
               any
               fears
               of
               this
               kind
               .
               And
               if
               there
               be
               no
               real
               ground
               for
               this
               ,
               then
               must
               it
               follow
               ,
               That
               he
               who
               framed
               all
               his
               other
               Works
               with
               such
               an
               excellent
               congruity
               ,
               did
               yet
               so
               contrive
               the
               Nature
               of
               Man
               ,
               the
               most
               noble
               amongst
               them
               ,
               as
               to
               prove
               a
               needless
               torment
               and
               burthen
               to
               it self
               .
            
             
             
               If
               it
               be
               said
               ,
               That
               these
               Notions
               may
               proceed
               from
               such
               Principles
               as
               men
               have
               derived
               from
               Institution
               ,
               and
               the
               Teaching
               of
               others
               ,
               and
               do
               not
               imply
               a
               Nece●●●ty
               of
               any
               such
               
                 Natural
                 impressions
              
               .
            
             
               To
               this
               it
               may
               be
               answered
               ,
               That
               it
               is
               sufficient
               to
               denominate
               them
               
                 Natural
                 Notions
              
               ;
               if
               they
               have
               such
               a
               suitableness
               to
               the
               Minds
               of
               men
               ,
               as
               makes
               them
               to
               be
               generally
               owned
               by
               all
               those
               who
               apply
               their
               thoughts
               to
               the
               consideration
               of
               them
               .
               And
               that
               they
               have
               such
               a
               natural
               suitableness
               ,
               may
               appear
               ,
               Because
               Institution
               cannot
               so
               easily
               eradicate
               these
               Notions
               ,
               as
               it
               can
               fix
               them
               .
               Now
               if
               the
               meer
               teaching
               of
               others
               were
               it self
               sufficient
               to
               impress
               these
               Notions
               ,
               without
               any
               such
               peculiar
               congruity
               in
               the
               things
               themselves
               ,
               It
               would
               be
               as
               sufficient
               to
               deface
               them
               again
               :
               Especially
               considering
               the
               advantage
               on
               this
               side
               ,
               from
               that
               natural
               repugnancy
               we
               have
               against
               any
               thing
               which
               brings
               disquiet
               to
               our
               Minds
               .
               And
               nothing
               is
               more
               troublesom
               
               in
               this
               kind
               ,
               than
               the
               Fear
               which
               follows
               upon
               Guilt
               .
            
             
               But
               now
               ,
               though
               there
               have
               been
               several
               men
               .
               of
               no
               mean
               Abilities
               ,
               in
               several
               Ages
               ,
               who
               have
               made
               it
               their
               business
               to
               root
               out
               of
               the
               Minds
               of
               men
               all
               such
               troublesome
               Notions
               about
               a
               futute
               state
               ,
               endeavouring
               to
               perswade
               themselves
               and
               others
               ,
               That
               as
               there
               was
               a
               time
               before
               they
               were
               born
               into
               the
               world
               ,
               when
               they
               were
               not
               ;
               So
               at
               their
               dying
               ,
               or
               going
               out
               of
               it
               ,
               they
               shall
               exist
               no
               more
               .
               And
               yet
               ,
               though
               it
               be
               their
               interest
               to
               believe
               this
               ,
               though
               they
               make
               it
               their
               study
               and
               business
               to
               perswade
               themselves
               and
               others
               to
               it
               ;
               It
               may
               reasonably
               be
               doubted
               ,
               whether
               ever
               yet
               ,
               there
               hath
               been
               so
               much
               as
               one
               person
               that
               hath
               hereby
               become
               absolutely
               free
               from
               these
               Fears
               :
               But
               for
               the
               most
               part
               ,
               Those
               who
               would
               have
               them
               esteemed
               vain
               and
               imaginary
               ,
               without
               any
               foundation
               in
               Nature
               ,
               These
               are
               the
               persons
               who
               are
               most
               assaulted
               with
               them
               .
            
             
               Hi
               sunt
               qui
               trepidant
               &
               ad
               omnia
               fulgere
               pallent
               .
            
             
             
               So
               powerful
               and
               unconquerable
               are
               these
               impressions
               ,
               and
               therefore
               natural
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               second
               Reason
               I
               proposed
               to
               speak
               to
               ,
               was
               from
               
                 the
                 Necessity
                 of
                 this
                 Principle
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 right
                 government
                 of
                 mens
                 Lives
                 and
                 Actions
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 ,
              
               and
               the
               preserving
               of
               Society
               amongst
               them
               .
            
             
               Nothing
               can
               be
               more
               evident
               ,
               than
               that
               the
               Human
               Nature
               is
               so
               framed
               ,
               as
               not
               to
               be
               regulated
               and
               kept
               within
               due
               bounds
               ,
               without
               Laws
               ;
               and
               Laws
               must
               be
               insignificant
               ,
               without
               the
               Sanctions
               of
               Rewards
               and
               Punishments
               ,
               whereby
               men
               may
               be
               necessitated
               to
               the
               observance
               of
               them
               .
               Now
               the
               temporal
               Rewards
               and
               Punishments
               of
               this
               life
               ,
               cannot
               be
               sufficient
               to
               this
               end
               ;
               and
               therefore
               there
               is
               a
               necessity
               ,
               that
               there
               should
               be
               another
               future
               state
               of
               Happiness
               and
               Misery
               .
            
             
               All
               the
               Rewards
               and
               Punishments
               of
               this
               life
               ,
               are
               to
               be
               expected
               either
               from
               the
               
                 Civil
                 Magistrate
              
               ,
               who
               by
               virtue
               of
               his
               Place
               and
               Calling
               is
               
               obliged
               to
               the
               duty
               of
               distributive
               Justice
               :
               Or
               else
               from
               
                 Divine
                 Providence
              
               ,
               according
               to
               that
               most
               usual
               course
               which
               we
               find
               by
               Experience
               to
               be
               observed
               by
               Him
               ,
               in
               his
               dispensation
               of
               these
               Temporal
               things
               .
               Now
               neither
               of
               these
               can
               afford
               sufficient
               Motives
               for
               the
               government
               of
               Mens
               Lives
               and
               Actions
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Not
               all
               that
               may
               be
               expected
               from
               the
               
                 Civil
                 Magistrate
              
               ,
               because
               there
               may
               be
               many
               good
               and
               evil
               Actions
               ,
               which
               they
               cannot
               take
               notice
               of
               ;
               and
               they
               can
               reward
               and
               punish
               only
               such
               things
               as
               come
               under
               their
               cognizance
               .
               And
               if
               this
               were
               the
               only
               restraint
               upon
               men
               ,
               it
               could
               be
               no
               hindrance
               from
               any
               such
               Mischief
               or
               Villanies
               which
               men
               had
               the
               opportunity
               of
               committing
               secretly
               .
               Nor
               would
               it
               extend
               to
               those
               who
               had
               Power
               and
               Strength
               enough
               to
               defend
               themselves
               from
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               escape
               the
               penalty
               of
               it
               ,
               but
               that
               such
               might
               without
               any
               check
               or
               fear
               ,
               follow
               the
               inclinations
               of
               their
               own
               Appetites
               .
               Nor
               would
               it
               afford
               any
               
               remedy
               in
               the
               case
               of
               such
               wicked
               Magistrates
               as
               should
               invert
               the
               order
               of
               their
               Institution
               ,
               proving
               
                 Terrors
                 to
                 well-doers
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Encouragers
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 do
                 ill
                 .
              
            
             
               2
               ,
               Not
               all
               that
               may
               be
               expected
               from
               
                 Common
                 Providence
              
               :
               For
               though
               it
               should
               be
               granted
               ,
               that
               according
               to
               the
               most
               usual
               and
               general
               course
               of
               things
               ,
               both
               Virtuous
               and
               Vitious
               Actions
               are
               rewarded
               and
               punished
               in
               this
               life
               ;
               yet
               there
               may
               be
               many
               particular
               cases
               which
               this
               Motive
               would
               not
               reach
               unto
               ;
               namely
               ,
               all
               such
               cases
               where
               a
               man's
               Reason
               shall
               inform
               him
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               far
               greater
               probability
               of
               safety
               and
               advantage
               ,
               by
               committing
               a
               sin
               ,
               than
               can
               be
               reasonably
               expected
               ,
               (
               according
               to
               his
               experience
               of
               the
               usual
               course
               of
               things
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               )
               by
               doing
               his
               duty
               .
               Suppose
               the
               case
               of
               the
               three
               Children
               ,
               or
               of
               any
               others
               called
               to
               Martyrdom
               ,
               who
               may
               be
               threatned
               with
               torments
               and
               death
               ,
               unless
               they
               will
               blaspheme
               God
               ,
               and
               renounce
               their
               Religion
               ,
               If
               it
               appear
               to
               them
               
               very
               probable
               ,
               suppose
               a
               hundred
               to
               one
               ,
               that
               upon
               their
               refusal
               ,
               Their
               Persecutors
               will
               really
               execute
               what
               they
               Threaten
               :
               And
               if
               on
               the
               other
               side
               it
               appear
               very
               improbabble
               ,
               suppose
               ten
               thousand
               to
               one
               ,
               that
               they
               shall
               not
               be
               delivered
               by
               a
               Miracle
               :
               In
               such
               cases
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               to
               be
               expected
               that
               the
               consideration
               of
               the
               ordinary
               course
               of
               Providence
               in
               the
               dispensation
               of
               Rewards
               and
               Punishments
               ,
               should
               be
               sufficient
               to
               restrain
               a
               man
               from
               any
               kind
               of
               Blasphemy
               or
               Villany
               whatsoever
               .
            
             
               But
               the
               thing
               I
               am
               speaking
               to
               ,
               will
               more
               fully
               appear
               ,
               by
               consideration
               of
               those
               horrid
               Mischiefs
               of
               all
               kinds
               ,
               that
               would
               most
               naturally
               follow
               from
               the
               denial
               of
               this
               Doctrine
               .
            
             
               If
               there
               be
               no
               such
               thing
               to
               be
               expected
               as
               Happiness
               or
               Misery
               hereafter
               ,
               Why
               then
               the
               only
               business
               that
               men
               are
               to
               take
               care
               of
               ,
               is
               their
               present
               well-being
               in
               this
               World
               ;
               There
               being
               nothing
               to
               be
               counted
               either
               Good
               or
               Bad
               ,
               but
               in
               order
               to
               
               this
               .
               Those
               things
               which
               we
               conceive
               to
               be
               conducible
               to
               it
               ,
               being
               the
               only
               duties
               ;
               and
               all
               other
               things
               that
               are
               cross
               to
               it
               ,
               being
               the
               only
               sins
               .
               And
               therefore
               whatever
               a
               man's
               Appetite
               shall
               incline
               him
               to
               ,
               he
               ought
               not
               to
               deny
               himself
               in
               it
               (
               be
               the
               thing
               what
               it
               will
               )
               so
               he
               can
               have
               it
               ,
               or
               do
               it
               without
               probable
               danger
               .
            
             
               Suppose
               it
               be
               matter
               of
               Gain
               or
               Profit
               he
               is
               disposed
               to
               ,
               if
               he
               can
               cheat
               or
               steal
               securely
               ,
               this
               will
               be
               so
               far
               from
               being
               a
               fault
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               plainly
               his
               duty
               ,
               Because
               it
               is
               a
               proper
               means
               to
               promote
               his
               chief
               End
               ,
            
             
               And
               so
               for
               other
               cases
               of
               
                 Anger
                 ,
                 Hatred
                 ,
                 Revenge
              
               ,
               &c.
               according
               to
               this
               Principle
               ,
               a
               man
               must
               take
               the
               first
               opportunity
               of
               satisfying
               these
               Passions
               ,
               by
               doing
               any
               kind
               of
               mischief
               to
               the
               persons
               he
               is
               offended
               with
               ,
               whether
               by
               
                 false
                 Accusations
              
               and
               Perjury
               ;
               or
               (
               if
               need
               be
               )
               by
               poysoning
               or
               stabbing
               of
               them
               ;
               provided
               he
               can
               do
               these
               things
               so
               ,
               as
               to
               escape
               
               the
               suspition
               of
               others
               ,
               and
               Human
               Penalty
               .
            
             
               Now
               let
               any
               man
               judg
               what
               Bears
               ,
               and
               Wolves
               ,
               and
               Devils
               ,
               men
               would
               prove
               to
               one
               another
               ,
               if
               every
               thing
               should
               be
               not
               only
               lawful
               ,
               but
               a
               duty
               ,
               whereby
               they
               might
               gratifie
               their
               impetuous
               Lusts
               ,
               if
               they
               might
               either
               perjure
               themselves
               ,
               or
               steal
               ,
               or
               murder
               ,
               as
               often
               as
               they
               could
               do
               it
               safely
               ,
               and
               get
               any
               advantage
               by
               it
               .
            
             
               But
               these
               things
               are
               so
               very
               obvious
               ,
               and
               undeniable
               ,
               that
               the
               most
               prophane
               Ath●●stical
               persons
               do
               own
               the
               truth
               of
               them
               .
               And
               upon
               this
               ,
               they
               are
               willing
               to
               acknowledg
               ,
               That
               Religion
               and
               the
               
                 belief
                 of
                 another
                 life
              
               ,
               is
               a
               very
               politick
               invention
               ,
               and
               needful
               for
               the
               well-governing
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               for
               the
               keeping
               men
               in
               awe
               ,
               from
               the
               doing
               any
               secret
               mischiefs
               .
               Which
               (
               by
               the
               way
               )
               is
               a
               concession
               of
               no
               small
               advantage
               to
               the
               honour
               of
               Religion
               ,
               considering
               that
               it
               proceeds
               from
               the
               greatest
               professed
               Enemies
               to
               it
               .
               Whereby
               
               they
               grant
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               fit
               these
               things
               
                 should
                 be
                 true
              
               ,
               if
               they
               are
               not
               ;
               or
               at
               least
               that
               it
               is
               fit
               ,
               that
               the
               generality
               of
               men
               should
               
                 believe
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 true
              
               .
               And
               though
               they
               themselves
               pretend
               to
               believe
               otherwise
               ,
               yet
               are
               they
               not
               so
               far
               out
               of
               their
               wits
               ,
               as
               to
               be
               willing
               that
               those
               with
               whom
               they
               converse
               ,
               their
               Wives
               ,
               and
               Children
               ,
               and
               Servants
               ,
               should
               be
               of
               the
               same
               Opinion
               with
               them
               ,
               Because
               then
               they
               could
               have
               no
               reason
               to
               expect
               any
               safety
               amongst
               them
               .
               What
               securiry
               could
               any
               man
               have
               of
               his
               Estate
               ,
               or
               Honour
               ,
               or
               Life
               ,
               if
               such
               with
               whom
               he
               is
               most
               familiar
               and
               intimate
               ,
               might
               think
               themselves
               at
               liberty
               to
               do
               all
               the
               secret
               mischiefs
               to
               them
               ,
               that
               they
               had
               opportunity
               to
               commir
               ?
            
             
               But
               there
               is
               one
               thing
               more
               ,
               which
               those
               ,
               who
               profess
               to
               dis-belief
               this
               Principle
               ,
               should
               do
               well
               to
               consider
               ;
               and
               that
               is
               this
               ,
               That
               there
               is
               no
               imaginable
               reason
               ,
               why
               (
               amongst
               those
               that
               know
               them
               )
               they
               should
               pretend
               to
               any
               kind
               of
               Honesty
               or
               
               Conscience
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               wholly
               destitute
               of
               all
               such
               motives
               as
               may
               be
               sufficient
               to
               oblige
               them
               to
               any
               thing
               of
               this
               nature
               .
               But
               according
               to
               them
               ,
               that
               which
               is
               called
               Virtue
               and
               Religion
               ,
               must
               be
               one
               of
               the
               most
               silly
               and
               useless
               things
               in
               the
               world
               .
            
             
               As
               for
               the
               Principle
               of
               Honour
               ,
               which
               some
               imagine
               may
               supply
               the
               room
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               This
               relates
               only
               to
               external
               Reputation
               ,
               and
               the
               esteem
               which
               we
               have
               amongst
               others
               ;
               And
               therefore
               can
               be
               of
               no
               influence
               to
               restrain
               men
               from
               doing
               any
               secret
               mischief
               .
            
             
               From
               what
               hath
               been
               said
               ,
               it
               will
               follow
               ,
               That
               those
               who
               have
               any
               regard
               to
               their
               own
               safeties
               ,
               ought
               to
               abandon
               all
               kind
               of
               society
               with
               such
               pernicious
               persons
               ,
               who
               according
               to
               their
               own
               Principles
               ,
               must
               take
               all
               opportunities
               of
               doing
               any
               mischief
               to
               others
               ,
               which
               they
               are
               able
               to
               effect
               ,
               with
               any
               advantage
               to
               themselves
               .
            
             
               Now
               if
               this
               be
               so
               (
               as
               I
               have
               proved
               )
               
               that
               the
               nature
               of
               man
               is
               so
               framed
               ,
               as
               not
               to
               be
               effectually
               perswaded
               and
               wrought
               upon
               ,
               without
               the
               consideration
               of
               such
               a
               future
               state
               .
               If
               it
               be
               necessary
               to
               put
               in
               everlasting
               motives
               ,
               as
               the
               Sanctions
               of
               that
               Law
               ,
               by
               which
               the
               Human
               Nature
               is
               to
               be
               governed
               ;
               This
               must
               render
               it
               highly
               credible
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               such
               a
               state
               .
               Because
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               very
               unworthy
               of
               God
               ,
               to
               conceive
               of
               Him
               ,
               that
               he
               hath
               contrived
               the
               nature
               of
               one
               of
               his
               best
               and
               most
               noble
               Creatures
               ,
               after
               such
               a
               manner
               ,
               as
               to
               make
               it
               incapable
               of
               being
               governed
               without
               falshood
               and
               deceit
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               third
               and
               last
               Argument
               I
               proposed
               to
               speak
               to
               ,
               was
               from
               the
               necessity
               of
               this
               Principle
               to
               the
               
                 vindication
                 of
                 Divine
                 Providence
              
               .
               Nothing
               is
               more
               universally
               acknowledged
               ,
               than
               that
               God
               is
               Good
               and
               Just.
               That
               well-doing
               shall
               be
               rewarded
               ,
               and
               evil
               Actions
               punished
               by
               Him.
               And
               yet
               we
               see
               that
               his
               Dispensations
               in
               this
               life
               are
               many
               
               times
               promiscuous
               and
               uncertain
               :
               so
               tha●
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 j●dg
                 of
                 lov●
                 or
                 hatred
                 by
                 all
                 th●t
                 is
                 before
                 him
                 .
              
               The
               worst
               men
               are
               sometimes
               in
               the
               best
               condition
               .
               
                 If
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 only
                 we
                 had
                 hope
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 be
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 the
                 most
              
               
               miserabl●
               ,
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               speaking
               concerning
               those
               primitive
               times
               of
               Persecution
               ,
               when
               the
               better
               any
               man
               was
               ,
               the
               more
               he
               was
               exposed
               to
               sufferings
               .
            
             
               Now
               the
               greater
               Uncertainty
               there
               is
               as
               to
               the
               
                 pr●sent
                 Affairs
              
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               by
               so
               much
               greater
               is
               the
               Certain●y
               of
               a
               
                 future
                 Ju●gment
              
               .
            
             
               What
               cou●d
               be
               a
               greater
               d●sparagement
               to
               Divine
               Providence
               ,
               than
               to
               permit
               the
               Calamities
               and
               Sufferings
               which
               good
               men
               undergo
               in
               this
               world
               ,
               many
               times
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               Religion
               ,
               to
               pass
               unrewarded
               ;
               and
               the
               many
               Mischiefs
               and
               Prophanations
               ,
               which
               wicked
               men
               take
               the
               advantage
               of
               committing
               ,
               by
               their
               Greatness
               and
               Prosperity
               in
               this
               world
               ,
               to
               go
               unpunished
               ?
            
             
             
               What
               great
               glory
               would
               it
               be
               ,
               to
               preside
               over
               this
               Material
               World
               ,
               S●ars
               ,
               and
               
                 Meteors
                 ,
                 Sea
              
               and
               
                 Land
                 ,
                 Plants
              
               and
               Beasts
               ,
               to
               put
               these
               things
               into
               such
               a
               regular
               course
               ,
               as
               may
               be
               suitable
               to
               their
               natures
               ,
               and
               the
               operations
               for
               which
               they
               are
               designed
               ;
               and
               in
               the
               mean
               space
               to
               have
               no
               proportionable
               regard
               ,
               either
               for
               those
               that
               
                 reverence
                 the
                 Deity
              
               ,
               or
               those
               who
               
                 contemn
                 him
              
               ?
            
             
               'T
               is
               very
               well
               said
               to
               this
               purpose
               by
               a
               late
               Author
               ,
               That
               not
               to
               conduct
               
               the
               course
               of
               N●●ure
               in
               a
               due
               manner
               ,
               might
               speak
               some
               defect
               of
               Wisdom
               in
               God
               :
               but
               not
               to
               compensate
               Vi●●ue
               and
               Vice
               ,
               besides
               the
               defect
               of
               Wisdom
               ,
               in
               not
               adjusting
               things
               suitably
               to
               their
               qualifications
               ,
               but
               crosly
               coupling
               Prosperity
               with
               Vice
               ,
               and
               Misery
               with
               Virtue
               ,
               would
               argue
               too
               great
               a
               defect
               of
               Goodness
               and
               Justice
               .
               And
               perhaps
               it
               would
               be
               less
               expedient
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               with
               Epicurus
               ,
               to
               deny
               all
               Providence
               ,
               than
               to
               ascribe
               it
               to
               such
               defects
               .
               It
               being
               less
               unworthy
               of
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               ,
               
               to
               neglect
               the
               Universe
               altogether
               ,
               than
               to
               administer
               Human
               Affairs
               with
               so
               much
               Injustice
               and
               Irregularity
               .
            
             
               And
               therefore
               't
               is
               necessary
               for
               the
               vindication
               of
               Divine
               Providence
               ,
               that
               there
               should
               be
               a
               future
               state
               and
               day
               of
               Account
               ,
               wherein
               every
               man
               shall
               be
               forced
               to
               acknowledg
               ,
               that
               
                 verily
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 reward
                 for
                 the
                 righteous
              
               ;
               
               
                 doubtless
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 that
                 judgeth
                 the
                 earth
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               crave
               leave
               for
               a
               word
               of
               Application
               ,
               and
               I
               have
               done
               .
               If
               this
               be
               so
               ,
               it
               will
               concern
               us
               then
               to
               enquire
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               Whether
               we
               do
               in
               good
               earnest
               believe
               this
               ,
               That
               there
               shall
               be
               a
               future
               state
               of
               Reward
               and
               Punishment
               ,
               according
               as
               mens
               Lives
               and
               Actions
               have
               been
               in
               this
               world
               .
               If
               not
               ,
               why
               do
               we
               profess
               our selves
               to
               be
               Christians
               ?
               Why
               do
               we
               not
               renounce
               the
               Articles
               of
               our
               Creed
               ?
               Nay
               ,
               why
               do
               we
               pretend
               to
               any
               Religion
               ?
               Nothing
               can
               be
               more
               false
               and
               unworthy
               ,
               than
               in
               a
               solemn
               and
               
               religious
               manner
               to
               own
               that
               in
               our
               Profession
               ,
               which
               we
               do
               inwardly
               disbelieve
               and
               deny
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Do
               we
               at
               any
               time
               seriously
               consider
               this
               ?
               and
               revolve
               upon
               it
               in
               our
               minds
               ?
               Do
               we
               bethink
               our selves
               ,
               what
               our
               condition
               is
               like
               to
               be
               at
               that
               time
               ,
               what
               preparations
               we
               have
               for
               it
               .
               what
               grounds
               we
               have
               for
               hope
               ?
               There
               cannot
               possibly
               be
               any
               greater
               stupidity
               ,
               than
               for
               a
               man
               to
               be
               slight
               and
               careless
               in
               a
               business
               of
               so
               great
               moment
               .
               'T
               is
               the
               want
               of
               believing
               and
               considering
               this
               ,
               that
               is
               the
               chief
               cause
               of
               all
               the
               viciousness
               and
               disorder
               in
               the
               world
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               What
               impression
               doth
               the
               belief
               and
               consideration
               of
               this
               make
               
                 upon
                 our
                 hearts
                 and
                 lives
              
               ?
               Doth
               it
               stir
               up
               in
               us
               ,
               
                 vehement
                 desires
              
               ,
               and
               
                 carefulness
                 of
                 mind
              
               in
               preparing
               for
               that
               time
               ?
               If
               a
               man
               were
               to
               be
               tried
               for
               life
               at
               the
               next
               Assizes
               ,
               How
               would
               his
               thoughts
               be
               taken
               up
               about
               his
               defence
               ,
               what
               answer
               he
               should
               make
               ,
               what
               the
               main
               Plea
               is
               which
               he
               should
               insist
               upon
               ,
               by
               what
               evidence
               
               it
               might
               be
               streng●hned
               and
               cleared
               up
               ?
               He
               would
               as
               soon
               forget
               to
               eat
               his
               meat
               ,
               or
               to
               go
               to
               bed
               ,
               as
               to
               let
               a
               business
               of
               this
               nature
               slip
               out
               of
               his
               mind
               .
            
             
               There
               is
               nothing
               more
               hard
               to
               be
               restrained
               ,
               than
               the
               Impetuous
               and
               wild
               Exorbitances
               of
               Youth
               ;
               And
               yet
               such
               persons
               
                 would
                 not
                 ,
                 durst
                 not
              
               indulge
               themselves
               ,
               according
               to
               
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 hearts
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 their
                 eyes
              
               ;
               If
               they
               did
               really
               believe
               and
               conside●
               ,
               that
               
                 ●or
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 God
                 would
                 b●●●g
                 them
                 to
              
               
               judgment
               .
            
             
               The
               business
               of
               Religion
               ,
               must
               therefore
               be
               above
               all
               other
               things
               of
               greatest
               consequence
               to
               us
               ,
               because
               't
               is
               the
               only
               means
               to
               secure
               us
               ,
               as
               to
               our
               future
               conditions
               .
               The
               affairs
               of
               this
               life
               are
               but
               of
               short
               continuance
               ,
               and
               full
               of
               uncertainty
               :
               And
               therefore
               't
               is
               not
               much
               ma●erial
               what
               a
               man's
               condition
               may
               be
               in
               that
               respect
               .
               But
               there
               is
               another
               state
               and
               time
               which
               will
               more
               nearly
               concern
               our
               care
               ;
               and
               
               that
               is
               the
               great
               day
               of
               Account
               .
               And
               till
               a
               man
               hath
               in
               some
               measure
               provided
               for
               this
               ,
               he
               cannot
               live
               comfortably
               ,
               or
               sleey
               quietly
               ,
               or
               have
               any
               solid
               peace
               in
               his
               mind
               ;
               but
               must
               upon
               every
               serious
               reflexion
               be
               continually
               haunted
               with
               frightful
               apprehensions
               about
               his
               everlasting
               condi●ion
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               scarce
               credible
               that
               any
               man
               should
               be
               so
               sottish
               ,
               as
               to
               think
               ,
               he
               shall
               escape
               dying
               :
               and
               when
               we
               do
               come
               to
               depart
               out
               of
               this
               world
               ,
               It
               will
               then
               be
               no
               advantage
               to
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               have
               had
               Riches
               ,
               or
               Honour
               ,
               or
               Power
               .
               These
               things
               will
               then
               vanish
               away
               ,
               as
               to
               our
               Possession
               of
               them
               ;
               and
               the
               Remembrance
               of
               them
               may
               prove
               a
               torment
               to
               our
               thoughts
               ,
               rather
               than
               a
               comfort
               ;
               especially
               if
               we
               have
               reason
               to
               suspect
               ,
               that
               these
               things
               were
               our
               
                 portion
                 in
                 ●his
                 life
              
               ,
               and
               may
               be
               reckoned
               upon
               as
               
                 our
                 good
                 things
                 which
                 we
                 had
                 already
                 .
              
               Certain
               It
               is
               ,
               that
               they
               will
               render
               our
               Accounts
               the
               more
               difficult
               :
               For
               to
               whom
               much
               is
               given
               ,
               of
               them
               
               much
               shall
               be
               required
               .
               We
               must
               be
               answerable
               not
               only
               for
               our
               doings
               ,
               but
               for
               
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 our
                 doings
              
               .
               All
               
               the
               sins
               ,
               or
               evil
               consequences
               which
               have
               been
               occasioned
               by
               our
               Miscarriages
               ,
               shall
               be
               set
               upon
               our
               score
               .
            
             
               And
               if
               these
               things
               be
               so
               .
               
                 What
                 manner
                 of
                 persons
                 ought
                 we
                 to
                 be
                 in
              
               
               
                 all
                 holy
                 conversation
                 and
                 godliness
                 ,
                 looking
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 hastning
                 unto
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 God.
              
               If
               any
               thing
               can
               prevail
               with
               men
               
                 to
                 live
                 soberly
              
               ,
               
               
                 righteously
                 ,
                 and
                 godly
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 ,
              
               Ir
               must
               be
               from
               the
               consideration
               of
               that
               
                 blessed
                 hope
                 and
                 glorious
                 appearing
                 of
                 the
                 Great
                 God
                 ,
                 our
                 Saviour
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 :
              
               To
               whom
               with
               the
               Father
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             
             
               A
               DISCOURSE
               Concerning
               the
               BEAUTY
               OF
               Providence
               .
               By
               the
               Right
               Reverend
               Father
               in
               God
               ,
               
                 JOHN
                 WILKINS
              
               ,
               late
               Lord
               Bishop
               of
               Chester
               .
            
             
               
                 Psal.
                 25.
                 10.
                 
              
               All
               the
               paths
               of
               the
               Lord
               are
               mercy
               and
               truth
               ,
               to
               such
               as
               keep
               his
               Covenant
               and
               his
               Testimonies
               .
            
             
               The
               Fifth
               Edition
               .
            
             
               LONDON
               :
               Printed
               by
               
                 Henry
                 Cruttenden
              
               ,
               1677.
               
            
          
           
             
             
             
               THE
               PREFACE
               TO
               THE
               READER
               .
            
             
               AMongst
               all
               other
               Doctrines
               ,
               this
               of
               Providence
               (
               though
               it
               do
               properly
               belong
               to
               
                 Natural
                 Theology
              
               .
               yet
               )
               is
               of
               an
               Universal
               concernmen●
               both
               for
               knowl●dg
               and
               practice
               ,
               as
               any
               other
               point
               ,
               in
               
                 Christian
                 Divinity
              
               ,
            
             
               The
               very
               Heathens
               have
               acknowleaged
               ,
               only
               a
               Universal
               Providence
               of
               G●d
               ,
               which
               puts
               the
               general
               kinds
               of
               things
               into
               a
               regular
               way
               of
               working
               ;
               But
               his
               particular
               Providence
               likewise
               ,
               which
               takes
               care
               of
               Individual
               Persons
               and
               Actions
               .
               Why
               else
               do
               all
               Religions
               oblige
               men
               to
               pray
               
               unto
               Him
               ,
               and
               to
               expect
               His
               special
               assistance
               in
               every
               kind
               of
               want
               or
               necessity
               ?
            
             
               But
               now
               ,
               though
               this
               common
               Principle
               be
               so
               universally
               acknowledged
               in
               the
               Notion
               of
               it
               ,
               yet
               men
               are
               generally
               very
               negligent
               in
               the
               practical
               application
               of
               it
               to
               particular
               times
               and
               conditions
               ;
               and
               so
               lose
               that
               comfort
               and
               satisfaction
               that
               may
               be
               reaped
               from
               it
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               the
               chief
               aim
               and
               business
               of
               this
               Discourse
               ,
               To
               convince
               and
               quicken
               men
               unto
               this
               duty
               ,
               as
               being
               by
               so
               much
               the
               more
               seasonable
               for
               these
               times
               ,
               by
               how
               much
               the
               present
               troubles
               and
               confusions
               do
               now
               call
               upon
               us
               for
               it
               .
            
             
               It
               cannot
               but
               occasion
               some
               suggestions
               of
               Diffidence
               and
               Infidelity
               ,
               to
               consider
               those
               many
               strange
               revolutions
               and
               changes
               in
               the
               world
               which
               in
               outward
               appearance
               seem
               so
               full
               of
               disorder
               and
               wild
               contingencies
               .
               And
               therefore
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               of
               special
               consequence
               for
               a
               man
               to
               have
               his
               heart
               established
               in
               the
               knowledg
               
               and
               belief
               of
               this
               truth
               here
               insisted
               upon
               :
            
             
               In
               all
               Ages
               of
               the
               world
               men
               have
               
               been
               much
               startled
               in
               their
               judgments
               by
               that
               unequal
               dispensation
               which
               seems
               to
               be
               in
               those
               outward
               things
               ,
               
                 That
                 one
                 event
                 should
                 be
                 to
                 the
                 righteous
              
               
               
                 and
                 the
                 wicked
              
               .
               Nay
               ,
               
                 That
                 a
                 just
                 man
                 should
                 perish
                 in
                 his
                 righteousness
                 .
                 and
                 the
                 wicked
                 should
                 prosper
                 in
                 his
                 wickedness
                 .
                 That
                 
                 on
                 the
                 side
                 of
                 the
                 Oppressor
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 might
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 oppressed
                 should
                 have
                 none
                 to
                 comfort
                 them
                 .
              
               This
               hath
               sometimes
               so
               amazed
               and
               perplexed
               the
               thoughts
               of
               considering
               men
               ,
               that
               whilst
               they
               looked
               barely
               upon
               events
               ,
               they
               could
               not
               tell
               how
               to
               extricate
               themselves
               from
               these
               difficulties
               ;
               which
               occasioned
               that
               speech
               of
               
                 Solomon
                 ;
                 Surely
                 oppression
                 
                 makes
                 a
                 wise
                 man
                 mad
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               puts
               him
               to
               his
               wits
               end
               ,
               transports
               him
               with
               wild
               imaginations
               ,
               whilst
               he
               knows
               not
               readily
               what
               to
               answer
               in
               defence
               of
               such
               proceedings
               .
            
             
             
               But
               now
               he
               that
               shall
               seriously
               consider
               how
               every
               thing
               is
               managed
               by
               an
               All-seeing
               Providcnce
               ,
               which
               is
               exactly
               careful
               ,
               and
               infinitely
               wise
               ,
               such
               a
               man
               will
               be
               easily
               satisfied
               ,
               that
               in
               all
               these
               obscure
               administrations
               (
               which
               seem
               unto
               us
               so
               full
               of
               casual
               ,
               negligent
               ,
               promiscuous
               Events
               )
               there
               is
               an
               admirable
               (
               though
               unsearchable
               )
               contrivance
               .
            
             
               As
               for
               the
               particular
               design
               which
               Providence
               may
               aim
               at
               in
               some
               dispensations
               ,
               this
               doth
               not
               always
               fall
               under
               our
               reach
               .
               
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 
                 God
                 to
                 conceal
                 a
                 matter
                 .
              
               And
               many
               of
               his
               works
               are
               so
               ordered
               ,
               that
               
                 though
                 a
                 man
                 labour
                 to
                 seek
                 them
              
               
               
                 out
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 cannot
                 find
                 out
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 shall
                 not
                 find
                 them
                 .
              
               Yea
               further
               ,
               
                 Though
                 a
                 wise
                 man
                 think
                 to
                 know
                 them
                 ,
                 yet
                 shall
                 he
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 find
                 them
                 .
              
               And
               therefore
               ,
               where
               we
               cannot
               understand
               his
               ways
               ,
               it
               is
               there
               our
               duty
               ,
               with
               an
               humble
               reverence
               to
               admire
               the
               wisdom
               of
               them
               .
            
             
               How
               would
               this
               (
               if
               rightly
               considered
               
               and
               applied
               )
               silence
               all
               those
               unseemly
               murmurings
               and
               complaints
               of
               men
               in
               these
               times
               ?
               Remember
               ,
               there
               is
               nothing
               befalls
               us
               but
               what
               
               
                 the
                 counsel
                 of
                 God
                 had
                 before
                 dctermined
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 .
              
               And
               he
               can
               order
               things
               for
               the
               best
               ,
               as
               well
               when
               they
               cross
               our
               desires
               ,
               as
               when
               they
               comply
               with
               them
               .
            
             
               And
               therefore
               
                 when
                 you
                 see
                 the
                 violent
                 perverting
                 of
                 judgment
                 and
              
               
               
                 justice
                 in
                 a
                 province
                 ,
                 marvel
                 not
                 at
                 the
                 matter
                 .
              
               That
               is
               ,
               Be
               not
               transported
               with
               wonder
               ,
               or
               impatience
               ,
               or
               unbelief
               ,
               as
               if
               the
               Providence
               of
               God
               were
               regardless
               or
               negligent
               :
               
                 For
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 higher
                 than
                 the
                 highest
                 regardeth
                 .
              
               Though
               they
               that
               have
               the
               highest
               power
               amongst
               men
               may
               be
               so
               far
               from
               remedying
               ,
               that
               they
               rather
               encourage
               such
               disorders
               ;
               yet
               God
               hath
               a
               strict
               watchful
               eye
               upon
               them
               .
               And
               though
               men
               may
               be
               apt
               to
               secure
               themselves
               in
               such
               proceedings
               ,
               by
               the
               greatness
               of
               their
               own
               strength
               ,
               as
               if
               there
               were
               nothing
               above
               them
               ;
               yet
               
                 there
                 are
              
               
               
                 higher
                 than
                 they
              
               .
               And
               
                 there
                 is
                 a
              
               
               
                 time
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 will
                 judg
                 both
                 the
                 righteous
                 and
                 the
                 wicked
                 .
              
            
             
               Let
               us
               be
               careful
               of
               our
               own
               duty
               ,
               to
               serve
               Providence
               in
               the
               usual
               means
               ,
               and
               leave
               the
               disposal
               of
               events
               to
               him
               .
               It
               should
               be
               every
               mans
               chief
               business
               to
               
                 clear
                 up
                 the
                 evidences
              
               of
               his
               particular
               title
               and
               relation
               unto
               
                 this
                 great
                 Governour
                 of
                 the
                 World
              
               ;
               and
               this
               will
               be
               the
               surest
               means
               to
               set
               us
               above
               the
               fear
               or
               hurt
               of
               all
               outward
               changes
               .
            
             
               We
               see
               with
               what
               artifice
               and
               compliance
               men
               will
               insinuate
               themselves
               into
               the
               affection
               of
               those
               who
               (
               according
               to
               several
               revolutions
               )
               are
               advanced
               into
               the
               places
               of
               power
               .
               Of
               how
               much
               greater
               advantage
               would
               it
               be
               ,
               to
               get
               an
               interest
               in
               his
               favour
               who
               doth
               and
               shall
               always
               rule
               over
               the
               sons
               of
               men
               ,
               having
               all
               times
               at
               his
               disposal
               ,
               out
               of
               whose
               hands
               no
               strength
               or
               policy
               shall
               ever
               be
               able
               to
               wrest
               the
               sway
               and
               dominion
               of
               things
               ?
            
             
             
               It
               cannot
               but
               afford
               strong
               consolation
               un●o
               every
               true
               Believer
               ,
               to
               consider
               ,
               that
               he
               who
               hath
               the
               chief
               influ●nce
               in
               all
               these
               great
               changes
               and
               variety
               of
               events
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               is
               both
               
                 his
                 God
              
               ,
               and
               
                 his
                 Father
              
               .
            
             
               How
               did
               this
               quiet
               the
               heart
               of
               old
               Eli
               ?
               
                 1
                 Sam.
                 3.
                 18.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 do
                 what
                 seemeth
                 him
                 good
                 .
              
               And
               David
               upon
               the
               same
               consideration
               professeth
               ,
               
                 I
                 was
                 dumb
                 ,
                 and
                 opened
              
               
               
                 not
                 my
                 mouth
                 ,
                 because
                 thou
                 didst
                 it
                 .
              
               And
               our
               blessed
               Saviour
               himself
               makes
               use
               of
               this
               argument
               ,
               The
               
               
                 Cup
                 that
                 my
                 Father
                 hath
                 given
                 me
                 ,
                 shall
                 I
                 not
                 drink
                 it
                 ?
              
               Though
               the
               portion
               be
               bitter
               and
               displeasing
               ,
               yet
               so
               long
               as
               it
               comes
               from
               a
               loving
               and
               careful
               Father
               ,
               we
               have
               no
               reason
               to
               fear
               any
               hurt
               by
               it
               .
            
             
               And
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               much
               of
               mens
               unquietness
               and
               dejection
               ,
               is
               occasioned
               either
               by
               the
               want
               of
               this
               evidence
               ,
               or
               by
               the
               neglect
               of
               applying
               it
               .
               When
               they
               terminate
               their
               thoughts
               upon
               secondary
               instruments
               ,
               
                 Fearing
                 men
              
               
               
                 that
                 shall
                 die
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 sons
                 of
                 men
              
               
               
                 men
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 made
                 as
                 grass
                 :
                 forgetting
                 the
                 Lord
                 their
                 Maker
                 ,
                 who
                 stretched
                 forth
                 the
                 Heavens
                 ,
                 and
                 laid
                 the
                 Foundations
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 .
              
               That
               is
               that
               which
               makes
               men
               to
               
                 fear
                 continually
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 fury
                 of
                 the
                 oppressor
                 .
              
            
             
               How
               would
               it
               compose
               all
               these
               fears
               and
               distempers
               ,
               if
               men
               would
               but
               labour
               after
               this
               assurance
               of
               their
               interest
               in
               God
               ,
               with
               the
               same
               zeal
               and
               intention
               of
               mind
               wherewith
               they
               prosecute
               their
               particular
               engagements
               and
               animosities
               against
               one
               another
               .
               He
               that
               hath
               God
               for
               his
               strength
               and
               refuge
               ,
               is
               always
               sure
               to
               be
               on
               the
               strongest
               side
               ,
               and
               need
               not
               fear
               the
               most
               tempestuous
               mutations
               .
               
                 Though
                 the
                 earth
                 be
                 removed
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Mountains
                 should
                 be
                 carried
                 into
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 the
                 Sea
                 :
                 Though
                 the
                 waters
                 thereof
                 roar
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 troubled
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Mountains
                 shake
                 with
                 the
                 swelling
                 thereof
                 .
              
            
             
               Thus
               much
               I
               thought
               fit
               to
               premise
               in
               the
               general
               ,
               concerning
               the
               necessity
               and
               seasonableness
               of
               this
               Subject
               .
            
             
             
               As
               for
               the
               particular
               occasion
               of
               publishing
               this
               Discourse
               ,
               I
               have
               nothing
               to
               say
               but
               this
               ;
               That
               being
               solicited
               for
               a
               Copy
               of
               it
               by
               divers
               persons
               (
               and
               some
               of
               eminent
               quality
               )
               b●fore
               whom
               it
               was
               occasionally
               Preached
               ;
               I
               knew
               not
               any
               more
               convenient
               way
               to
               satisfy
               their
               desires
               ,
               than
               by
               such
               a
               publick
               communication
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               I
               could
               speak
               something
               from
               
                 my
                 own
              
               experience
               concerning
               the
               efficacy
               of
               this
               Doctrine
               ,
               against
               those
               damps
               and
               dejections
               of
               mind
               unto
               which
               such
               times
               as
               these
               will
               expose
               a
               man
               ,
               It
               is
               my
               hearty
               Prayer
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               be
               useful
               to
               others
               also
               in
               this
               respect
               .
            
             
               Farewel
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
             
               THE
               BEAUTY
               OF
               Providence
               .
            
             
               
                 ECCLES
                 .
                 3.
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 He
                 hath
                 made
                 every
                 thing
                 beautiful
                 in
                 his
                 time
                 :
                 also
                 He
                 hath
                 set
                 the
                 World
                 in
                 their
                 heart
                 ,
                 yet
                 no
                 man
                 can
                 find
                 out
                 the
                 work
                 that
                 God
                 maketh
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 .
              
            
             
               THis
               Book
               contains
               
               Solomon's
               Experience
               in
               his
               search
               for
               Contentment
               ;
               which
               being
               not
               to
               be
               found
               amongst
               any
               of
               the
               Creatures
               ,
               he
               advises
               never
               to
               trouble
               our selves
               
               in
               an
               eager
               prosecution
               after
               them
               ,
               but
               to
               enjoy
               our
               possessions
               with
               a
               cheerful
               ,
               liberal
               mind
               ,
               without
               perplexing
               our selves
               in
               such
               cares
               and
               labours
               ,
               as
               may
               defraud
               us
               of
               those
               honest
               comforts
               to
               be
               had
               by
               them
               :
               
                 for
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 better
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 eat
                 and
                 drink
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 his
                 Soul
                 enjoy
                 good
                 in
                 his
                 labour
                 ,
              
               ch
               .
               2.
               v.
               24.
               
               That
               is
               one
               of
               the
               Conclusions
               which
               Solomon
               infers
               from
               his
               former
               discourse
               ,
               and
               which
               he
               farther
               amplifies
               ,
               and
               confirms
               in
               the
               following
               parts
               of
               his
               Sermon
               .
               It
               being
               his
               chief
               scope
               in
               this
               Book
               ,
               to
               direct
               men
               how
               to
               behave
               themselves
               with
               cheerfulness
               and
               contentment
               under
               all
               those
               great
               revolutions
               ,
               and
               that
               variety
               of
               eventts
               which
               may
               befall
               them
               in
               the
               world
               .
            
             
               This
               Chapter
               contains
               a
               discourse
               concerning
               God's
               government
               and
               disposal
               of
               times
               ;
               and
               is
               therefore
               not
               unfitly
               stiled
               ,
               the
               Calendar
               or
               Ephemerides
               of
               seasons
               :
               whence
               the
               Wise-man
               with
               divers
               arguments
               urges
               upon
               us
               what
               he
               had
               before
               commended
               ,
               
               a
               cheerful
               and
               contented
               mind
               .
            
             
               The
               Text
               is
               one
               of
               these
               arguments
               ;
               
                 God
                 hath
                 made
                 every
                 thing
                 beautiful
                 in
                 his
                 time
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               wise
               order
               and
               contrivance
               in
               all
               the
               works
               of
               providence
               :
               every
               particular
               Event
               is
               most
               seasonable
               in
               that
               time
               which
               God
               appoints
               :
               and
               therefore
               we
               have
               no
               reason
               to
               repine
               at
               our
               condition
               ,
               as
               if
               matters
               did
               not
               go
               well
               with
               us
               ;
               for
               't
               is
               impossible
               they
               should
               have
               been
               better
               than
               they
               are
               :
               though
               they
               do
               cross
               our
               private
               hopes
               and
               desires
               ,
               yet
               God
               best
               understands
               the
               fittest
               order
               and
               season
               for
               all
               things
               making
               them
               beautiful
               in
               his
               time
               .
            
             
               
                 Also
                 he
                 hath
                 set
                 the
                 World
                 in
                 their
                 heart
                 :
              
               by
               
                 [
                 world
              
               ]
               here
               is
               not
               meant
               this
               material
               world
               ;
               but
               seculum
               ,
               the
               succession
               and
               course
               of
               things
               ,
               as
               the
               original
               word
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               does
               properly
               import
               .
               This
               God
               hath
               set
               in
               ,
               or
               *
               expounded
               unto
               mens
               hearts
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               he
               hath
               endowed
               us
               with
               an
               ability
               to
               descern
               in
               some
               measure
               
               that
               seasonableness
               which
               he
               observes
               in
               the
               government
               of
               the
               World.
               
            
             
               
                 Yet
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 man
                 can
                 find
                 out
                 the
                 work
                 that
                 God
                 makes
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               't
               is
               above
               humane
               ability
               to
               comprehend
               the
               reason
               of
               all
               Divine
               proceedings
               ;
               we
               cannot
               find
               them
               fully
               out
               from
               the
               beginning
               to
               the
               end
               .
            
             
               Others
               conceive
               that
               the
               words
               may
               be
               more
               properly
               rendred
               thus
               :
               
               
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 the
                 World
                 shall
                 last
                 ,
                 God
                 doth
                 reveal
                 unto
                 mens
                 hearts
                 the
                 work
                 which
                 he
                 makes
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 excepting
                 only
                 some
                 things
                 unto
                 which
                 man
                 cannot
                 attain
                 .
              
               As
               if
               he
               should
               have
               said
               ,
               in
               all
               ages
               of
               the
               World
               there
               are
               still
               some
               passages
               of
               Providence
               ,
               wherein
               men
               may
               be
               able
               to
               discern
               a
               beauty
               and
               comeliness
               ,
               though
               there
               are
               some
               other
               particulars
               which
               we
               cannot
               understand
               .
               The
               ●ense
               of
               both
               Interpretations
               being
               for
               the
               substance
               much
               alike
               .
            
             
               That
               's
               the
               connexion
               and
               meaning
               of
               the
               whole
               verse
               .
               The
               Text
               ,
               according
               
               to
               its
               natural
               fulness
               ,
               doth
               comprize
               in
               it
               these
               three
               particulars
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Every
               thing
               has
               its
               time
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Every
               thing
               in
               its
               time
               is
               beautiful
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               is
               the
               proper
               season
               for
               all
               things
               which
               God
               appoints
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Every
               thing
               has
               ●s
               ●me
               .
               
                 To
                 all
                 things
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 appointed
                 season
                 ,
              
               ver
               .
               1.
               
               Not
               only
               for
               such
               natural
               events
               as
               bear
               in
               them
               a
               kind
               of
               necessity
               ,
               
                 as
                 a
                 time
                 to
                 be
                 born
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 time
                 to
                 dye
                 ,
              
               ver
               .
               2.
               but
               also
               for
               those
               voluntary
               actions
               that
               seem
               to
               be
               most
               alterable
               and
               contingent
               ;
               
                 A
                 time
                 to
                 weep
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 time
                 to
                 laugh
                 ,
              
               ver
               .
               4.
               
               The
               wisdom
               of
               Providence
               in
               the
               government
               of
               this
               lower
               world
               ,
               hath
               disposed
               to
               every
               thing
               its
               particular
               season
               .
               This
               is
               that
               we
               call
               the
               fulness
               of
               time
               ,
               the
               ripeness
               of
               season
               .
               Prov.
               27
               ,
               1.
               
               The
               Wise
               man
               says
               there
               ,
               that
               the
               day
               brings
               forth
               events
               ,
               
                 Paritura
                 est
                 dies
              
               ;
               alluding
               to
               a
               teeming-Mother
               ,
               to
               whom
               .
               
               there
               is
               a
               set
               date
               for
               her
               delivery
               .
               So
               doth
               Time
               travel
               with
               the
               decrees
               of
               Providence
               ,
               and
               for
               each
               several
               action
               there
               is
               a
               pregnancy
               ,
               and
               fulness
               of
               time
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Every
               thing
               in
               its
               time
               is
               beautiful
               ;
               even
               such
               matters
               as
               in
               their
               own
               natures
               are
               not
               without
               some
               deformity
               .
               
                 A
                 time
                 to
                 kill
              
               ,
               v.
               4.
               
               
                 A
                 time
                 to
                 mourn
                 ,
                 a
                 time
                 of
                 war
                 ,
              
               v.
               8.
               
               The
               scorching
               of
               Summer
               ,
               and
               the
               extream
               cold
               of
               Winter
               ,
               though
               both
               in
               themselves
               alike
               distastful
               ,
               yet
               are
               comely
               in
               their
               seasons
               ;
               and
               those
               times
               would
               not
               be
               so
               beautiful
               without
               them
               .
               Nor
               is
               it
               the
               natural
               goodness
               of
               any
               thing
               that
               can
               make
               it
               comely
               out
               of
               its
               proper
               season
               .
               That
               which
               Beauty
               is
               in
               Bodies
               ,
               and
               Harmony
               in
               Sounds
               ,
               that
               is
               Opportunity
               in
               Time.
               Now
               as
               White
               and
               Red
               ,
               which
               are
               the
               usual
               Materials
               of
               Beauty
               ,
               as
               those
               particular
               Notes
               of
               which
               Musick
               doth
               consist
               ,
               may
               be
               so
               disposed
               of
               ,
               as
               to
               cause
               deformity
               and
               discord
               :
               so
               actions
               ,
               which
               in
               themselves
               are
               good
               ,
               may
               be
               depraved
               
               by
               their
               unseasonableness
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               is
               the
               proper
               season
               for
               all
               things
               which
               God
               appoints
               :
               Or
               thus
               :
               Every
               particular
               Event
               ,
               is
               most
               beautiful
               in
               that
               time
               which
               the
               Providence
               of
               God
               hath
               allotted
               to
               it
               .
               'T
               is
               above
               the
               contrivance
               of
               Human
               Policy
               to
               bring
               matters
               about
               in
               their
               fittest
               order
               .
               And
               therefore
               't
               were
               but
               folly
               to
               conclude
               ,
               That
               things
               do
               not
               fall
               out
               well
               ,
               unless
               they
               answer
               our
               desires
               :
               for
               God
               best
               understands
               the
               fittest
               season
               for
               every
               purpose
               .
               And
               whatsoever
               ,
               or
               whensoever
               he
               works
               ,
               you
               may
               be
               sure
               't
               is
               both
               beautiful
               ,
               and
               in
               its
               time
               ;
               Even
               those
               Events
               which
               do
               most
               thwart
               our
               private
               Ends
               (
               could
               all
               circumstances
               be
               duly
               confidered
               )
               we
               should
               find
               them
               to
               be
               performed
               in
               their
               most
               comely
               order
               ,
               and
               best
               opportunity
               .
            
             
               As
               for
               the
               two
               first
               Particulars
               ,
               though
               they
               are
               implied
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               yet
               are
               they
               most
               expresly
               handled
               in
               the
               former
               verses
               :
               And
               therefore
               I
               shall
               pass
               them
               over
               without
               any
               
               ther
               enlargement
               ,
               insisting
               only
               upon
               this
               latter
               ,
               as
               being
               more
               directly
               agreeable
               to
               the
               main
               scope
               of
               the
               words
               .
            
             
               And
               't
               is
               a
               Subject
               that
               in
               many
               respects
               will
               deserve
               your
               more
               especial
               attention
               ;
               't
               is
               not
               commonly
               treated
               of
               .
               And
               besides
               ,
               it
               may
               very
               much
               conduce
               to
               our
               contentment
               ,
               to
               settle
               our
               hearts
               against
               all
               those
               conditions
               that
               may
               befal
               us
               in
               the
               World.
               'T
               is
               of
               very
               general
               use
               and
               concernment
               ,
               suitable
               to
               all
               times
               and
               occasions
               :
               For
               times
               of
               suffering
               ,
               to
               make
               us
               patient
               and
               submissive
               :
               For
               times
               of
               mercy
               ,
               to
               make
               us
               cheerful
               and
               thankful
               .
               In
               brief
               ,
               it
               extends
               to
               all
               persons
               ,
               relations
               ,
               businesses
               ,
               seasons
               ;
               nothing
               is
               more
               generally
               useful
               than
               this
               ,
               to
               have
               our
               hearts
               fully
               perswaded
               of
               that
               wise
               order
               and
               contrivance
               which
               there
               is
               in
               the
               the
               disposal
               of
               every
               particular
               Event
               in
               the
               World.
               And
               't
               is
               more
               especially
               seasonable
               for
               times
               of
               Trouble
               and
               Confusion
               ,
               when
               men
               are
               apt
               to
               mistrust
               the
               
               Government
               of
               Providence
               ,
               as
               if
               God
               neglect
               the
               care
               of
               this
               lower
               world
               ,
               and
               leave
               all
               things
               to
               their
               own
               jarring-principles
               .
               Then
               (
               I
               say
               )
               't
               is
               more
               especially
               seasonable
               to
               vindicate
               the
               care
               and
               wisdom
               of
               Providence
               ;
               to
               shew
               that
               every
               thing
               God
               doth
               ,
               is
               best
               ;
               and
               consequently
               ,
               that
               those
               many
               distractions
               and
               confusions
               under
               which
               we
               suffer
               ,
               are
               far
               better
               than
               any
               other
               (
               though
               the
               most
               flourishing
               )
               condition
               could
               be
               .
               And
               that
               's
               the
               Subject
               I
               am
               now
               to
               insist
               upon
               .
               The
               point
               is
               this
               :
            
             
               Every
               particular
               Event
               is
               most
               
               beautiful
               in
               that
               time
               which
               the
               Providence
               of
               God
               hath
               allotted
               to
               it
               .
            
             
               A
               Truth
               ,
               by
               so
               much
               the
               more
               seasonable
               for
               these
               times
               ,
               by
               how
               much
               't
               is
               now
               the
               more
               difficult
               to
               believe
               it
               .
            
             
               The
               Observation
               lies
               plainly
               both
               in
               the
               scope
               of
               the
               place
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               obvious
               sense
               of
               the
               words
               .
            
             
             
               The
               Scripture
               is
               copious
               in
               other
               proofs
               to
               this
               purpose
               .
               Deut.
               32.
               4.
               
               
               
                 His
                 work
                 is
                 perfect
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 ways
                 are
                 judgment
                 ;
                 a
                 God
                 of
                 truth
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 just
                 and
                 right
                 .
              
               Not
               only
               his
               first
               work
               of
               Creation
               is
               exactly
               good
               and
               perfect
               ;
               but
               his
               ways
               of
               Provi●●nce
               also
               are
               disposed
               with
               judgment
               and
               righteousness
               .
            
             
               So
               again
               ,
               Isa.
               28.
               29.
               
               
                 The
                 Lord
                 of
              
               
               
                 Hosts
                 is
                 wonderful
                 in
                 counsel
                 ,
                 and
                 excellent
                 in
                 working
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               every
               event
               of
               Providence
               is
               managed
               and
               pre-ordained
               by
               an
               admirable
               Wisdom
               .
               and
               therefore
               must
               needs
               be
               of
               excellent
               contrivance
               .
            
             
               And
               again
               ,
               Dan.
               2.
               20
               ,
               21.
               
               
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 might
                 are
                 his
                 :
                 he
                 changeth
                 the
                 times
                 and
                 the
                 seasons
                 :
                 he
                 removeth
                 Kings
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 setteth
                 up
                 Kings
                 :
              
               Those
               two
               Attributes
               of
               Strength
               and
               Wisdom
               are
               for
               the
               most
               part
               
               put
               together
               in
               Scripture
               .
               God
               never
               shews
               any
               Argument
               of
               his
               Strength
               ,
               but
               his
               Wisdom
               is
               engaged
               in
               it
               also
               .
               Those
               great
               alterations
               
               and
               subversions
               which
               happen
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               do
               not
               more
               demonstrate
               the
               greatness
               of
               his
               Power
               in
               the
               doing
               of
               them
               ,
               than
               the
               greatness
               of
               his
               Wisdom
               in
               disposing
               of
               them
               for
               the
               best
               .
            
             
               And
               again
               ,
               Psal.
               104.
               24.
               
               
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 how
                 manifold
                 are
                 thy
                 works
                 ?
                 in
                 wisdom
                 hast
                 thou
                 made
                 them
                 all
                 :
                 the
                 earth
                 is
                 full
                 of
                 thy
                 riches
                 .
              
               Which
               is
               as
               well
               true
               of
               the
               works
               of
               Providence
               ,
               as
               of
               the
               works
               of
               Creation
               .
            
             
               But
               this
               Truth
               is
               more
               directly
               intimated
               by
               that
               Vision
               of
               Ezekiel
               in
               the
               Chapter
               of
               his
               Prophecy
               ,
               wherein
               he
               doth
               express
               how
               all
               Events
               in
               the
               world
               are
               wisely
               disposed
               of
               by
               the
               care
               and
               government
               of
               Providence
               .
               The
               scope
               of
               that
               Vision
               was
               ,
               to
               confirm
               the
               faith
               of
               the
               Prophet
               in
               the
               certainty
               of
               those
               things
               which
               he
               was
               to
               foretel
               ;
               because
               God
               himself
               ,
               by
               whom
               he
               was
               inspired
               ,
               had
               such
               a
               special
               influence
               in
               the
               orderly
               managing
               of
               all
               inferiour
               Events
               .
            
             
             
               Though
               matters
               might
               seem
               
                 to
                 run
                 upon
                 wheels
              
               (
               as
               we
               say
               )
               ,
               to
               follow
               their
               own
               courses
               ,
               without
               any
               special
               guidance
               ;
               to
               go
               at
               random
               ;
               yet
               
                 these
                 wheels
                 have
                 eyes
                 in
                 them
                 ,
              
               v.
               18.
               that
               is
               ,
               there
               is
               the
               eye
               of
               Providence
               ,
               which
               directs
               them
               in
               their
               revolutions
               .
               And
               then
               besides
               ,
               
               these
               wheels
               are
               likewise
               
                 governed
                 by
                 the
                 four
                 living
                 creatures
              
               ;
               that
               is
               by
               the
               Angels
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               are
               fitted
               for
               all
               their
               services
               ,
               with
               four
               remarkable
               Endowments
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               With
               Wisdom
               and
               Prudence
               ,
               typified
               in
               that
               Vision
               ,
               by
               the
               
                 face
                 of
                 a
                 man.
              
               
            
             
               2.
               
               Courage
               and
               Resolution
               ,
               
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 a
                 Lion.
              
               
            
             
               3.
               
               Sedulity
               and
               Diligence
               ,
               
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 an
                 Ox.
              
               
            
             
               4.
               
               Swiftness
               and
               Dispatch
               ,
               
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 an
                 Eagle
              
               .
            
             
               In
               all
               which
               ,
               the
               Prophet
               doth
               at
               large
               explain
               unto
               us
               ,
               with
               what
               deliberate
               care
               and
               fore-cast
               the
               Providence
               of
               God
               doth
               dispose
               of
               all
               these
               inferior
               Events
               .
            
             
             
               This
               Truth
               may
               yet
               be
               further
               evidenced
               ,
               
               from
               the
               very
               Light
               of
               Nature
               ,
               and
               the
               Testimony
               of
               the
               Heathen
               .
               Hence
               was
               it
               that
               the
               Ancients
               did
               set
               forth
               their
               gods
               with
               Harps
               in
               their
               hands
               ,
               to
               shew
               the
               harmony
               they
               observed
               in
               the
               government
               of
               the
               world
               .
               And
               Midas
               
               was
               condemned
               to
               wear
               Asses
               ears
               ,
               because
               he
               preferred
               
               Pan's
               Pipe
               before
               
               Apollo's
               L●te
               ;
               Humane
               Policy
               before
               Divine
               Providence
               .
            
             
               Nay
               the
               Devil
               himself
               doth
               acknowledg
               the
               wisdom
               and
               seasonableness
               of
               Divine
               proceedings
               ,
               and
               therefore
               would
               fain
               have
               sheltred
               himself
               under
               this
               pretence
               :
               Matth.
               8.
               29.
               
               
                 Art
                 thou
                 come
                 to
                 torment
                 us
                 before
                 our
                 time
                 ?
              
               Implying
               ,
               that
               it
               would
               not
               become
               the
               God
               of
               Order
               to
               do
               any
               thing
               untimely
               .
               And
               doubtless
               that
               must
               needs
               be
               an
               evident
               and
               a
               great
               Truth
               which
               is
               confessed
               by
               the
               mouth
               of
               so
               great
               a
               Liar
               .
            
             
               For
               the
               further
               confirmation
               of
               this
               ,
               let
               us
               a
               little
               consider
               some
               of
               
               those
               rugged
               passages
               of
               Providence
               which
               seem
               to
               be
               performed
               with
               the
               greatest
               negligence
               and
               deformity
               .
            
             
               Look
               upon
               the
               History
               of
               Joseph
               :
               
               He
               was
               (
               you
               know
               )
               one
               of
               the
               promised
               Seed
               ,
               concerning
               whom
               God
               had
               foretold
               a
               superiority
               and
               dominion
               over
               the
               rest
               of
               his
               Family
               .
               Now
               ,
               that
               after
               this
               ,
               he
               should
               be
               exposed
               to
               the
               treachery
               of
               his
               malicious
               Brethren
               :
               that
               besides
               his
               nearness
               to
               slaughter
               from
               their
               hands
               ,
               he
               should
               be
               sould
               into
               a
               far
               Countrey
               ,
               whence
               there
               was
               no
               hopes
               ever
               to
               hear
               on
               him
               again
               :
               That
               there
               he
               should
               be
               so
               endangered
               by
               the
               rage
               of
               a
               lustful
               woman
               ,
               and
               suffer
               so
               tedious
               and
               unjust
               Imprisonment
               ;
               all
               this
               might
               seem
               to
               be
               an
               oversight
               and
               neglect
               of
               Providence
               ,
               as
               if
               it
               had
               forgotten
               the
               promotion
               which
               Joseph
               was
               designed
               to
               .
               And
               yet
               do
               but
               reflect
               upon
               the
               latter
               part
               of
               the
               story
               ,
               and
               you
               shall
               find
               ,
               how
               all
               these
               misfortunes
               did
               mightily
               conduce
               ,
               
               not
               only
               to
               his
               advancement
               ,
               but
               all
               to
               the
               safety
               and
               preservation
               of
               that
               whole
               ●amily
               ,
               which
               was
               then
               the
               Visible
               Church
               .
               So
               that
               if
               each
               of
               his
               Brethren
               had
               given
               him
               as
               much
               money
               as
               they
               sold
               him
               for
               ,
               it
               had
               not
               been
               so
               great
               a
               kindness
               as
               he
               received
               from
               their
               intended
               Cruelty
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               an
               elegant
               gloss
               of
               
                 St.
                 Gregory
              
               upon
               this
               Story
               ,
               
                 Divino
                 judicio
                 quod
                 declinare
                 conati
                 sunt
                 ,
                 renitendo
                 servierunt
                 :
                 Ideo
                 venditus
                 est
                 à
                 fratribus
              
               Joseph
               
                 ne
                 adoraretur
                 ,
                 sed
                 ideo
                 est
                 adoratus
                 ,
                 quia
                 venditus
                 .
              
               It
               was
               so
               ordered
               by
               Providence
               ,
               that
               what
               they
               sought
               to
               decline
               ,
               they
               did
               promote
               ,
               even
               by
               their
               striving
               against
               it
               ;
               Joseph
               was
               therefore
               sold
               by
               his
               Brethren
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               not
               be
               worshiped
               ,
               and
               yet
               he
               was
               therefore
               worshiped
               ,
               because
               he
               was
               sold.
               
                 Sic
                 divinum
                 consilium
                 dum
                 deviatur
                 ,
                 impl●tur
                 ;
                 sic
                 humana
                 sapientia
                 dum
                 reluctatur
                 ,
                 comprehenditur
                 .
              
               Even
               so
               the
               Divine
               Councel
               is
               accomplished
               in
               being
               opposed
               ;
               so
               Humane
               
               Policy
               is
               defeated
               by
               the
               means
               of
               promoting
               it
               .
            
             
               Thus
               also
               is
               it
               in
               the
               History
               of
               David
               :
               He
               was
               (
               you
               know
               )
               designed
               to
               a
               Kingdom
               ;
               but
               how
               many
               straits
               was
               he
               put
               to
               before
               he
               attained
               it
               ?
               Being
               forced
               into
               the
               Wilderness
               like
               a
               wandring
               Out-law
               ,
               and
               followed
               there
               by
               a
               company
               of
               discontented
               persons
               ,
               who
               was
               as
               ready
               (
               perhaps
               )
               upon
               every
               trivial
               occasion
               to
               revolt
               from
               him
               ,
               as
               before
               from
               Saul
               .
               But
               ,
               above
               all
               the
               rest
               ,
               his
               last
               distress
               was
               the
               one
               of
               the
               most
               desperate
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               spoiled
               at
               Ziglag
               ,
               not
               only
               of
               his
               goods
               ,
               but
               his
               Wives
               and
               Children
               too
               ,
               when
               his
               own
               Souldiers
               in
               their
               mutiny
               and
               discontent
               were
               ready
               to
               stone
               him
               ;
               there
               being
               then
               but
               little
               hopes
               to
               save
               his
               life
               ,
               much
               less
               to
               get
               a
               Kingdom
               ,
               And
               yet
               this
               distress
               also
               was
               ,
               in
               the
               event
               of
               it
               ,
               contrived
               to
               his
               advantage
               .
               For
               having
               afterwards
               pursued
               the
               Amalekites
               ,
               he
               not
               only
               recovered
               his
               own
               ,
               but
               got
               such
               abundance
               of
               other
               
               spoils
               from
               them
               ,
               as
               served
               him
               for
               rich
               Presents
               ,
               whereby
               he
               might
               renew
               and
               confirm
               the
               friendship
               of
               his
               wellwishers
               in
               Israel
               ;
               that
               after
               the
               death
               of
               Saul
               (
               which
               presently
               followed
               )
               he
               might
               by
               their
               free
               votes
               be
               chose
               to
               succeed
               him
               ,
               1
               Sam
               ,
               30.
               and
               chap.
               31.
               
            
             
               You
               may
               observe
               likewise
               somewhat
               to
               this
               purpose
               in
               the
               story
               of
               Jonah
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               sent
               to
               Nineveh
               
               about
               so
               weighty
               a
               matter
               as
               the
               safety
               of
               that
               great
               and
               populous
               City
               ,
               and
               that
               too
               when
               their
               destruction
               was
               within
               ken
               ,
               but
               forty
               days
               off
               ;
               that
               he
               should
               now
               make
               delays
               and
               fly
               to
               Tarshish
               ;
               that
               upon
               such
               a
               strait
               he
               should
               run
               himself
               into
               hazards
               ,
               might
               seem
               to
               argue
               some
               carelessness
               and
               neglect
               in
               the
               Government
               of
               Providence
               .
               And
               yet
               this
               error
               of
               his
               was
               so
               wisely
               managed
               in
               the
               event
               ,
               that
               it
               proved
               a
               great
               advantage
               to
               the
               main
               End
               of
               his
               business
               .
               For
               't
               is
               a
               probable
               opinion
               ,
               That
               these
               Mariners
               who
               cast
               Jonah
               into
               the
               Sea
               ,
               were
               a
               
               special
               occasion
               that
               his
               Preaching
               was
               so
               succesful
               afterwards
               ;
               the
               Ninevites
               being
               by
               them
               informed
               ,
               That
               this
               was
               that
               Prophet
               for
               whom
               they
               had
               lately
               suffered
               so
               violent
               a
               Tempest
               ;
               how
               the
               wind
               ceased
               ,
               and
               all
               was
               calm
               again
               ,
               when
               they
               had
               once
               cast
               him
               into
               the
               Sea
               from
               whence
               in
               was
               not
               possible
               he
               should
               be
               delivered
               ,
               but
               by
               a
               Miracle
               .
               And
               therefore
               they
               concluded
               ,
               That
               this
               must
               needs
               be
               some
               man
               extraordinarily
               inspired
               from
               above
               ;
               and
               that
               his
               Preaching
               was
               not
               idle
               Threats
               ,
               but
               such
               as
               might
               justly
               fright
               them
               into
               that
               rigorous
               Fast
               which
               afterwards
               we
               read
               of
               both
               for
               Man
               and
               Beast
               .
               It
               being
               the
               wisdom
               of
               Providence
               so
               to
               contrive
               it
               that
               this
               offence
               of
               Jonah
               should
               mightily
               advantage
               that
               End
               which
               it
               did
               seem
               most
               directly
               to
               oppose
               .
            
             
               So
               likewise
               for
               that
               dissention
               betwixt
               Paul
               and
               
                 Barnabas
                 ,
                 Act.
              
               15.
               
               it
               might
               seem
               the
               most
               unseasonable
               breach
               that
               could
               possibly
               be
               imagined
               ;
               when
               the
               Church
               of
               the
               Christians
               
               was
               now
               in
               its
               beginning
               and
               infancy
               ,
               that
               then
               the
               two
               chief
               Members
               of
               it
               should
               fall
               at
               variance
               amongst
               themselves
               ,
               was
               such
               an
               untimely
               dissen●ion
               ,
               that
               an
               Enemy
               could
               not
               wish
               them
               worse
               ..
               Nothing
               could
               more
               thwart
               the
               promulgation
               of
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Peace
               ,
               than
               the
               contentions
               of
               those
               that
               preach
               it
               .
               If
               that
               State
               which
               is
               already
               established
               into
               
                 a
                 Kingdom
                 ,
                 divided
                 against
                 it self
                 ,
                 cannot
                 stand
              
               ;
               much
               
               less
               could
               those
               small
               beginnings
               think
               to
               encrease
               into
               a
               Church
               by
               divisions
               .
            
             
               And
               yet
               this
               likewise
               was
               so
               disposed
               of
               in
               the
               event
               ,
               that
               it
               did
               mightily
               conduce
               to
               the
               Gospel
               thorow
               the
               whole
               world
               :
               for
               by
               this
               means
               those
               two
               parted
               asunder
               ,
               the
               one
               into
               Cyprus
               ,
               the
               other
               into
               Syria
               and
               Cilicia
               ,
               and
               like
               two
               mighty
               streams
               spread
               
               themselves
               several
               ways
               that
               so
               they
               might
               the
               better
               water
               the
               barren
               and
               thirsty
               corners
               of
               the
               world
               .
            
             
               Thus
               have
               you
               seen
               the
               Beauty
               of
               Providence
               in
               some
               rugged
               passages
               
               of
               it
               .
               'T
               is
               so
               in
               every
               other
               particular
               ,
               though
               seeming
               unto
               us
               never
               so
               deformed
               .
               
                 But
                 man
                 cannot
                 find
                 out
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 God
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 .
              
            
             
               For
               the
               further
               evidencing
               of
               this
               
               truth
               ,
               there
               are
               two
               grounds
               upon
               which
               't
               is
               bottomed
               ,
               that
               being
               understood
               and
               considered
               ,
               will
               make
               the
               point
               very
               clear
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               God
               is
               exactly
               careful
               of
               every
               thing
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               He
               is
               infinitely
               wise
               ,
               for
               the
               disposal
               of
               all
               to
               the
               best
               .
               
            
             
               1.
               
               God
               doth
               overlook
               all
               things
               by
               an
               especial
               Providence
               .
               Eph.
               1.
               11.
               
               
                 He
                 worketh
                 all
                 things
                 after
                 the
                 counsel
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 will.
              
               There
               is
               no
               event
               in
               the
               World
               i●
               is
               ordered
               both
               according
               to
               God's
               will
               ,
               and
               by
               his
               counsel
               :
               Psal.
               135.
               6.
               
               
                 Whatsoever
                 the
                 Lord
                 pleased
                 ,
                 that
                 did
                 he
                 both
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 Earth
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Sea
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 deep
                 places
                 .
              
               Not
               only
               in
               the
               Heaven
               ,
               where
               his
               glory
               is
               more
               especiolly
               conspicuous
               ;
               but
               in
               the
               earth
               too
               ,
               where
               matters
               seem
               to
               be
               
               full
               of
               confusion
               :
               
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Sea
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 deep
                 places
                 ,
              
               where
               we
               cannot
               so
               much
               as
               take
               notice
               of
               them
               .
               There
               is
               nothing
               so
               great
               ,
               but
               is
               under
               his
               Power
               ;
               nothing
               so
               little
               ,
               but
               is
               within
               his
               Care.
               Those
               actions
               and
               events
               that
               seem
               unto
               us
               most
               
                 free
                 ,
                 and
                 casual
                 ,
                 inconsiderable
                 ,
              
               are
               all
               of
               them
               ordered
               by
               his
               Providence
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               That
               which
               is
               
                 most
                 free
              
               ,
               the
               hearts
               and
               affections
               of
               men
               do
               follow
               the
               guidance
               of
               his
               Decrees
               ;
               Men
               may
               do
               after
               their
               own
               counsels
               and
               inclinations
               ,
               but
               they
               are
               still
               suitable
               to
               his
               Providence
               ;
               there
               is
               nothing
               more
               in
               our
               thoughts
               and
               words
               ;
               and
               yet
               both
               
                 the
                 preparation
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 answer
                 of
                 the
                 tongue
                 ,
                 is
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               16.
               1.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               which
               seems
               most
               
                 casual
                 :
                 The
                 disposing
                 the
                 Lot
                 is
                 from
                 him
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               16.
               33.
               
               He
               who
               is
               accidentally
               flain
               by
               another
               ,
               is
               said
               
                 to
                 be
                 delivered
                 into
                 his
                 hands
                 by
                 God
                 ,
              
               Exod.
               21.
               13.
               
               That
               casual
               Arrow
               shot
               at
               random
               ,
               was
               directed
               by
               Providence
               to
               fulfil
               the
               prediction
               of
               
               Ahab's
               death
               ,
               
               1
               King.
               22.
               34.
               
               There
               is
               no
               liberty
               for
               Causes
               to
               operate
               in
               a
               loose
               and
               stragling
               way
               ;
               but
               in
               matters
               of
               greatest
               uncertainty
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               preordained
               course
               of
               Effects
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               
                 The
                 least
                 ,
                 most
                 inconsiderable
                 things
                 ,
              
               are
               not
               neglected
               by
               Providence
               .
               It
               was
               a
               *
               prophane
               speech
               of
               the
               
                 Aramites
                 ,
                 That
                 God
                 was
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 the
                 Mountains
                 ,
                 not
                 of
                 the
                 Valleys
                 ,
              
               1
               King.
               20.
               23.
               
               Whereas
               he
               regards
               
                 the
                 lowest
                 ,
                 the
                 least
              
               thing
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               the
               greatest
               .
               The
               
                 young
                 Lions
              
               ,
               Psal.
               104.
               21.
               
               The
               Ravens
               .
               Psal.
               147.
               9.
               are
               provided
               for
               by
               him
               .
               He
               feeds
               the
               
                 Fowls
                 of
                 the
                 air
              
               ,
               adorns
               the
               Lillies
               ,
               and
               clothes
               
                 the
                 Grass
                 of
                 the
                 Field
                 ,
                 which
                 to
                 day
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 morrow
                 is
                 cast
                 into
                 the
                 Oven
                 .
              
               Sparrows
               (
               you
               know
               )
               are
               but
               cheap
               Birds
               ;
               
                 Are
                 not
                 two
                 of
                 them
                 sold
                 for
                 a
                 farthing
                 ?
              
               Mat.
               10.
               29.
               
               
                 And
                 yet
                 not
                 one
                 of
                 these
                 do
                 fall
                 to
                 the
                 ground
                 without
                 your
                 Father
                 .
              
               He
               must
               give
               the
               Fowler
               leave
               to
               kill
               them
               ;
               nay
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               upon
               the
               wing
               in
               their
               frequent
               and
               often
               repeated
               motions
               ;
               
               yet
               then
               it
               is
               He
               that
               must
               appoint
               them
               the
               time
               and
               place
               when
               and
               where
               they
               shall
               settle
               ;
               and
               in
               this
               sense
               also
               ,
               
                 not
                 one
                 of
                 them
                 doth
                 fall
                 to
                 the
                 ground
                 without
                 your
                 father
                 .
              
               The
               hairs
               of
               your
               head
               are
               yet
               less
               observable
               contemptible
               even
               to
               a
               Proverb
               ,
               
                 Pili
                 non
                 facio
                 ,
                 Ne
                 pilo
                 quidem
                 melius
                 .
              
               And
               yet
               these
               ,
               with
               God
               ,
               are
               
                 inter
                 numerata
              
               ,
               amongst
               those
               things
               whereof
               he
               takes
               an
               exact
               account
               .
            
             
               That
               place
               1
               Cor
               9.
               9.
               
               
                 Doth
                 God
                 take
                 care
                 for
                 Oxen
                 ?
              
               doth
               not
               simply
               exempt
               such
               things
               from
               the
               Law
               of
               his
               providence
               ;
               but
               't
               is
               
                 Argumentum
                 a
                 minori
              
               ,
               and
               doth
               imply
               his
               especial
               care
               of
               that
               higher
               rank
               of
               creatures
               to
               whom
               these
               are
               subordinate
               ,
               The
               plain
               meaning
               of
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               if
               God
               hath
               by
               a
               particular
               Law
               provided
               ,
               
                 that
                 the
                 Ox
                 should
                 not
                 be
                 muzled
                 that
                 treads
                 out
                 the
                 corn
              
               ;
               he
               will
               be
               much
               more
               careful
               of
               the
               Labourers
               in
               his
               Harvest
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               recorded
               to
               the
               glory
               of
               some
               ancient
               Generals
               ,
               that
               they
               were
               able
               
               to
               call
               every
               common
               Souldier
               by
               his
               own
               name
               ;
               and
               careful
               to
               provide
               not
               only
               Pay
               for
               their
               Captains
               ,
               but
               Litter
               also
               for
               the
               meanest
               Beast
               that
               did
               serve
               the
               Camp.
               Now
               you
               know
               there
               is
               not
               any
               Creature
               but
               is
               a
               Souldier
               to
               the
               Lord
               of
               Hosts
               .
               He
               doth
               sometimes
               muster
               up
               an
               Army
               of
               Lice
               and
               Flies
               ;
               and
               therefore
               't
               is
               but
               reason
               that
               his
               Providence
               should
               take
               care
               for
               such
               things
               also
               :
               why
               should
               it
               not
               be
               as
               great
               an
               argument
               of
               his
               Power
               to
               preserve
               and
               order
               these
               lesser
               Creatures
               ,
               as
               it
               was
               at
               first
               to
               
                 make
                 them
              
               ?
               The
               Creation
               of
               a
               glorious
               Angel
               did
               not
               cost
               him
               more
               than
               that
               of
               a
               despicable
               Fly.
               Was
               it
               not
               He
               that
               out
               of
               the
               same
               primitive
               nothing
               put
               that
               difference
               which
               there
               is
               amongst
               several
               natures
               ?
               And
               if
               the
               Painter
               in
               the
               same
               Piece
               draw
               a
               silken
               and
               a
               woollen
               garment
               ,
               why
               should
               he
               value
               the
               one
               above
               the
               other
               ,
               since
               it
               was
               the
               same
               Art
               that
               did
               .
               both
               make
               and
               distinguish
               them
               ?
            
             
             
               2.
               
               As
               his
               Providence
               doth
               extend
               
               to
               all
               things
               ,
               so
               likewise
               does
               his
               Wisdom
               .
               As
               he
               is
               exactly
               careful
               ,
               so
               is
               he
               infinitely
               wise
               ;
               and
               therefore
               as
               able
               for
               the
               contrivance
               of
               every
               the
               the
               least
               particular
               thing
               ,
               as
               he
               would
               be
               if
               he
               had
               nothing
               but
               that
               to
               look
               after
               .
               If
               the
               Providence
               o●
               God
               had
               but
               
                 one
                 project
              
               on
               foot
               ,
               we
               could
               easily
               conceive
               how
               he
               might
               be
               able
               to
               drive
               that
               through
               all
               the
               windings
               and
               circumstances
               of
               it
               ,
               with
               care
               and
               wisdom
               .
               Nay
               ,
               we
               would
               trust
               any
               wise
               man
               with
               the
               managing
               of
               
                 a
                 single
                 business
              
               ,
               when
               he
               had
               nothing
               else
               to
               distract
               his
               endeavours
               :
               But
               for
               all
               those
               multitude
               of
               affairs
               amongst
               Men
               and
               Angels
               ;
               nay
               ,
               for
               the
               very
               circumstances
               and
               manner
               of
               all
               those
               several
               actions
               and
               motions
               which
               are
               performed
               in
               every
               moment
               of
               time
               through
               the
               whole
               World
               ;
               we
               cannot
               conceive
               but
               that
               in
               such
               a
               tumult
               of
               business
               the
               eye
               of
               Providence
               may
               be
               sometimes
               overseen
               .
               But
               this
               arises
               from
               our
               mistake
               of
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               ;
               we
               
               measure
               God
               by
               our
               own
               
                 finite
                 abilities
              
               ;
               whereas
               we
               should
               consider
               ,
               that
               that
               which
               is
               infinite
               ,
               cannot
               be
               confined
               by
               Time
               ,
               or
               Number
               ,
               or
               Place
               ;
               but
               is
               as
               well
               able
               at
               all
               times
               to
               look
               to
               all
               things
               ,
               in
               all
               places
               ,
               as
               if
               there
               were
               only
               one
               business
               to
               be
               cared
               for
               .
               You
               may
               see
               some
               imperfect
               resemblance
               of
               this
               amongst
               the
               Creatures
               .
               Do
               but
               consider
               the
               Sun
               ,
               how
               that
               at
               the
               same
               time
               ,
               without
               labour
               or
               confusion
               ,
               it
               is
               employed
               in
               divers
               services
               for
               all
               the
               Creatures
               under
               Heaven
               ;
               the
               distinctions
               of
               Seasons
               ,
               the
               growth
               of
               several
               Plants
               ,
               its
               various
               influence
               upon
               Minerals
               ,
               the
               cherishing
               of
               living
               Creatures
               ,
               with
               sundry
               other
               such
               variety
               of
               employments
               ,
               which
               we
               are
               not
               able
               so
               much
               as
               to
               take
               notice
               of
               .
               Or
               else
               ,
               do
               but
               mark
               the
               nature
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               which
               at
               the
               same
               time
               perhaps
               doth
               contemplate
               Heaven
               ,
               direct
               the
               body
               in
               its
               sundry
               motions
               ,
               distribute
               the
               food
               in
               a
               wise
               proportion
               to
               the
               several
               parts
               ,
               not
               neglecting
               so
               much
               as
               the
               least
               hair
               about
               it
               ,
               but
               supplying
               
               that
               with
               suitable
               nourishment
               .
               And
               all
               this
               it
               does
               without
               weariness
               or
               distraction
               .
               And
               if
               a
               Creature
               can
               do
               thus
               ,
               much
               more
               then
               the
               Creator
               ,
               who
               gives
               to
               every
               thing
               its
               proper
               ability
               ,
               and
               doth
               actuate
               all
               things
               by
               a
               more
               immediate
               assistance
               than
               the
               Soul
               it self
               .
               So
               that
               though
               we
               suppose
               
                 infinite
                 occasions
              
               ,
               (
               which
               notwithstanding
               Creatures
               are
               not
               capable
               of
               )
               yet
               the
               Providence
               and
               Wisdom
               of
               God
               is
               infinite
               also
               ;
               and
               there
               is
               the
               same
               proportion
               of
               infinite
               to
               infinite
               ,
               as
               of
               one
               to
               one
            
             
               Now
               put
               both
               these
               Reasons
               together
               :
               If
               the
               Providence
               of
               God
               be
               thus
               
                 exactly
                 careful
              
               of
               every
               the
               least
               particular
               ;
               if
               he
               be
               thus
               
                 infinitely
                 wise
              
               for
               the
               disposal
               of
               all
               to
               the
               best
               ;
               no
               wonder
               then
               ,
               though
               
                 every
                 Event
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 be
                 both
                 beautiful
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 its
                 time
                 .
              
            
             
               For
               the
               further
               clearing
               of
               this
               
               Truth
               ,
               there
               are
               two
               Doubts
               or
               Queries
               to
               be
               resolved
               ,
               that
               seem
               to
               oppose
               it
               .
            
             
             
               1.
               
               What
               's
               the
               reason
               why
               this
               
                 Beauty
                 of
                 Providence
              
               doth
               not
               appear
               to
               us
               ;
               but
               that
               many
               things
               seem
               so
               full
               of
               disorder
               and
               confusion
               in
               the
               World
               ?
            
             
               2.
               
               How
               may
               this
               consist
               with
               the
               the
               permission
               of
               sinful
               actions
               ,
               which
               can
               neither
               be
               beautiful
               nor
               seasonable
               ?
            
             
               I
               begin
               with
               the
               first
               ,
               to
               shew
               the
               reason
               why
               in
               so
               many
               things
               we
               cannot
               discern
               this
               
                 Beauty
                 of
                 Providence
              
               .
               The
               verse
               of
               the
               Text
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 That
                 man
                 cannot
                 find
                 out
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 God
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               't
               is
               above
               humane
               capacity
               to
               comprehend
               the
               reason
               of
               all
               Divine
               proceedings
               ;
               we
               cannot
               find
               them
               fully
               out
               from
               the
               beginning
               to
               the
               end
               ,
               And
               so
               Job
               .
               9.
               10.
               
               
                 He
                 doth
                 great
                 things
                 past
                 finding
                 out
                 .
                 Lo
                 ,
                 he
                 goeth
                 by
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 see
                 him
                 not
                 :
                 He
                 passeth
                 on
                 also
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 perceive
                 him
                 not
                 .
              
               And
               again
               ,
               Chap.
               23.
               8
               ,
               9.
               
               
                 Behold
                 ,
                 I
                 go
                 forward
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 there
                 ;
                 and
                 backward
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 cannot
                 perceive
                 him
                 :
                 on
                 the
                 left
                 hand
                 where
                 he
                 doth
                 work
                 ,
              
               
               
                 but
                 I
                 cannot
                 hehold
                 him
                 ;
                 he
                 hideth
                 himself
                 on
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 cannot
                 see
                 him
                 .
              
               The
               meaning
               is
               ,
               that
               where
               ever
               Job
               turned
               his
               eyes
               ,
               there
               were
               still
               some
               passages
               of
               Providence
               which
               he
               could
               not
               apprehend
               the
               meaning
               of
               .
               God
               hath
               reserved
               this
               as
               a
               peculiar
               prerogative
               to
               himself
               .
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 know
                 the
                 times
                 and
                 the
                 s●asons
                 which
                 the
                 Father
                 hath
                 put
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 power
                 ,
              
               Acts.
               1.
               7.
               
            
             
               There
               may
               be
               a
               two-fold
               reason
               of
               this
               :
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               obscurity
               of
               the
               things
               themselves
               .
               There
               are
               
                 treasures
                 of
                 wisdom
              
               .
               Col.
               2.
               3.
               not
               only
               for
               their
               preciousne●s
               ,
               but
               for
               their
               privateness
               too
               ;
               
                 hidd●n
                 wisdom
              
               :
               2
               Cor.
               1.
               7.
               
                 secrets
                 of
                 wisdom
                 :
                 and
                 these
                 are
                 double
                 to
                 that
                 which
                 is
              
               (
               as
               Zophar
               speaks
               )
               ,
               Job
               11.
               6.
               
               That
               is
               ,
               those
               concealed
               Providences
               which
               we
               do
               not
               discern
               the
               reason
               of
               ,
               are
               of
               much
               greater
               proportion
               than
               those
               that
               appear
               .
               We
               read
               in
               that
               fore-cited
               place
               ,
               Ezek.
               1
               ,
               16.
               of
               
                 a
                 wheel
                 within
                 a
                 wheel
              
               ,
               signifying
               those
               involutions
               and
               intricacies
               
               which
               there
               are
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               Providence
               .
               And
               the
               Psalmist
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               
                 His
                 way
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 sea
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 paths
                 in
                 the
                 great
                 waters
                 :
                 and
                 his
                 foot
                 steps
                 are
                 not
                 known
                 .
              
               Psal.
               77.
               19.
               
            
             
               As
               it
               is
               in
               the
               works
               of
               Nature
               ,
               where
               there
               are
               many
               common
               things
               of
               excellent
               beauty
               ,
               which
               for
               their
               littleness
               do
               not
               fall
               under
               our
               sense
               :
               they
               that
               have
               experimented
               the
               use
               of
               Microscopes
               ,
               can
               tell
               ,
               how
               in
               the
               parts
               of
               the
               most
               minute
               creatures
               there
               may
               be
               discerned
               such
               gildings
               and
               embroideries
               ,
               and
               such
               curious
               variety
               as
               another
               would
               scarce
               believe
               .
               Why
               ,
               't
               is
               so
               in
               the
               works
               of
               Providence
               ;
               there
               are
               very
               many
               passages
               of
               frequent
               daily
               occurrence
               ,
               whose
               excellent
               contrivance
               doth
               not
               fall
               under
               our
               sense
               or
               observation
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Our
               own
               ignorance
               and
               short-sightedness
               ;
               and
               that
               in
               a
               two-fold
               respect
               :
            
             
               1.
               
               We
               cannot
               see
               that
               
                 end
                 and
                 drift
              
               which
               Providence
               aims
               at
               in
               many
               
               particulars
               ;
               and
               therefore
               no
               wonder
               though
               they
               seem
               unto
               us
               rude
               and
               uncomely
               .
               We
               measure
               things
               by
               this
               false
               balance
               of
               Opinion
               ,
               which
               weighs
               only
               their
               outsides
               ,
               and
               doth
               not
               look
               upon
               their
               ends
               and
               relations
               .
               Now
               the
               beauty
               of
               things
               doth
               consist
               much
               in
               their
               tendency
               and
               reference
               to
               their
               proper
               ends
               .
               If
               an
               ignorant
               man
               that
               knows
               not
               the
               reason
               of
               a
               Wind-Mill
               or
               Water-Mill
               should
               look
               upon
               them
               only
               as
               places
               of
               habitation
               ,
               he
               cannot
               think
               them
               well
               situated
               ,
               where
               they
               are
               so
               much
               exposed
               to
               the
               violence
               of
               winds
               and
               waves
               ;
               whereas
               he
               that
               understands
               how
               the
               wisdom
               of
               the
               Artificer
               hath
               contrived
               those
               motions
               unto
               
                 useful
                 ends
                 ▪
              
               must
               needs
               confess
               a
               beauty
               and
               comeliness
               in
               the
               work
               .
               'T
               is
               so
               likewise
               in
               the
               events
               of
               Providence
               ,
               which
               none
               can
               rightly
               apprehend
               ,
               but
               he
               that
               understands
               the
               special
               drift
               and
               purposes
               which
               they
               are
               designed
               to
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               We
               cannot
               see
               
                 the
                 whole
                 frame
                 of
                 things
              
               ,
               how
               sundry
               particular
               Events
               ,
               
               in
               a
               mutual
               relation
               ,
               do
               concur
               to
               make
               up
               the
               beauty
               of
               the
               whole
               .
               He
               that
               can
               discern
               only
               two
               or
               three
               wheels
               in
               a
               Clock
               ,
               how
               they
               move
               one
               against
               another
               ,
               would
               presently
               think
               ,
               that
               there
               were
               contrariety
               and
               confusion
               in
               the
               work
               .
               Whereas
               he
               that
               beholds
               
                 the
                 whole
                 frame
              
               ,
               and
               discerns
               how
               all
               those
               divers
               motions
               do
               jointly
               conduce
               to
               the
               same
               end
               cannot
               chuse
               but
               acknowledg
               a
               wise
               order
               in
               the
               contrivance
               of
               it
               .
               So
               likew●se
               is
               it
               in
               the
               
                 frame
                 of
                 times
              
               ;
               where
               he
               alone
               is
               fit
               to
               judg
               of
               particulars
               ,
               who
               understands
               how
               they
               r●ter
               to
               
                 the
                 general
              
               .
               But
               now
               
                 we
                 are
                 but
                 of
                 yesterday
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 nothing
                 ,
                 because
                 our
                 days
                 upon
                 the
                 earth
                 are
                 as
                 a
                 shadow
                 .
              
               (
               saith
               
                 Bildad
                 )
                 Job
              
               .
               8.
               9.
               
               We
               look
               upon
               things
               according
               to
               a
               
                 short
                 succession
              
               ,
               and
               so
               are
               not
               able
               to
               discern
               that
               beauty
               which
               there
               is
               in
               their
               references
               to
               other
               matters
               
                 afar
                 off
              
               .
               But
               n●w
               ,
               
                 to
                 God
                 a
                 thousand
                 years
              
               
               
                 is
                 but
                 as
                 one
                 day
              
               .
               He
               beholds
               all
               things
               ,
               w●●ther
               past
               or
               to
               come
               ,
               in
               the
               same
               instant
               .
               There
               is
               no
               succession
               in
               Eternity
               ,
               
               but
               all
               things
               within
               the
               reach
               of
               time
               are
               present
               unto
               that
               .
               Though
               in
               the
               revolution
               of
               a
               Wheel
               ,
               there
               be
               a
               mutual
               succession
               betwixt
               the
               parts
               contained
               
                 in
                 it
              
               ;
               yet
               an
               eye
               that
               is
               placed
               without
               ,
               can
               at
               the
               same
               time
               discern
               the
               whole
               motion
               .
               Thus
               also
               is
               it
               in
               the
               revolution
               of
               Time
               ;
               where
               ,
               though
               there
               be
               a
               mutual
               succession
               betwixt
               those
               things
               that
               are
               contained
               
                 ●nder
                 time
              
               ;
               yet
               God
               ,
               who
               is
               without
               and
               
                 above
                 it
              
               ,
               doth
               at
               the
               same
               view
               behold
               all
               together
               .
               So
               that
               't
               is
               no
               wonder
               ,
               though
               many
               things
               seem
               beautiful
               to
               him
               ,
               which
               to
               us
               who
               are
               so
               short-sighted
               ,
               may
               appear
               harsh
               and
               desormed
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               second
               Quaere
               was
               this
               ,
               If
               there
               be
               such
               an
               over-ruiing
               Providence
               which
               doth
               dispose
               of
               all
               to
               the
               best
               ;
               How
               comes
               it
               to
               pass
               that
               there
               are
               so
               many
               sinsul
               actions
               in
               the
               World
               ?
            
             
               To
               this
               I
               answer
               two
               things
               :
            
             
               1
               ,
               
                 When
                 men
                 thwart
                 Gods
                 will
                 of
                 Precept
                 ,
                 they
                 serve
                 his
                 will
                 of
                 Providence
                 .
              
               
               Those
               particular
               Interests
               of
               Gain
               ,
               Honour
               ,
               Pleasure
               ,
               Revenge
               ,
               which
               sway
               mens
               desires
               and
               actions
               ,
               are
               wisely
               contrived
               to
               the
               promoting
               of
               Gods
               Decrees
               and
               Glory
               ,
               When
               Augustus
               made
               the
               general
               Tax
               upon
               the
               World
               ,
               His
               end
               was
               to
               enrich
               himself
               ,
               and
               fill
               his
               Coffers
               But
               God
               used
               it
               as
               a
               means
               to
               fulfil
               the
               Prophecy
               of
               Christ's
               birth
               at
               
                 Bethlehem
                 .
                 Rehoboam
              
               ,
               and
               Jehu
               ,
               and
               Cyrus
               ,
               had
               all
               their
               several
               aims
               in
               those
               works
               wherein
               they
               were
               subservient
               to
               Providence
               .
               And
               they
               did
               still
               accomplish
               his
               counsel
               in
               prosecuting
               their
               own
               designs
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 That
                 which
                 in
                 re●pect
                 of
                 man's
                 execution
                 is
                 wicked
                 and
                 disorderly
                 ,
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 God's
                 appointment
                 is
                 beautiful
                 and
                 comely
                 .
              
               There
               could
               not
               be
               any
               more
               horrid
               act
               ,
               than
               the
               betraying
               and
               Crucifying
               of
               our
               blessed
               Saviour
               ;
               and
               yet
               even
               in
               this
               (
               as
               it
               was
               
                 decreed
                 by
                 the
                 determinate
                 counsel
                 and
                 fore-knowledg
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               Acts
               2.
               23.
               
               )
               there
               was
               the
               greatest
               Miracle
               of
               Divine
               Wisdom
               that
               ever
               
               was
               extended
               to
               the
               Creature
               :
               such
               depths
               of
               Policy
               ,
               which
               all
               the
               subtilty
               of
               Men
               and
               Angels
               was
               not
               able
               to
               contrive
               ,
               no
               nor
               to
               suspect
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               calls
               it
               ,
               Eph
               ,
               3.
               10.
               
               
                 Interchangeable
                 wisdom
              
               of
               
                 curious
                 variety
              
               ,
               as
               the
               word
               signifies
               .
               Now
               if
               God
               could
               thus
               manage
               the
               worst
               action
               of
               man
               to
               the
               best
               advantage
               of
               man
               ,
               well
               may
               we
               conclude
               ,
               That
               every
               event
               of
               Providence
               is
               Beautiful
               in
               its
               time
               .
            
             
               I
               have
               now
               done
               with
               the
               Explication
               
               and
               Confi●mation
               of
               the
               Text.
               In
               the
               Application
               it
               may
               be
               useful
               for
               these
               lessons
               :
            
             
               1.
               ●or
               Information
               ,
               and
               that
               in
               a
               twofold
               respect
               :
            
             
               1.
               
               It
               may
               teach
               us
               our
               duty
               to
               take
               notice
               of
               ,
               and
               observe
               the
               works
               
               of
               Providence
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               It
               may
               direct
               us
               what
               to
               judg
               of
               the
               affairs
               of
               these
               times
               under
               which
               we
               are
               fallen
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               If
               all
               the
               events
               of
               Providence
               be
               so
               wisely
               contrived
               ,
               't
               is
               certainly
               then
               our
               duty
               to
               consider
               and
               to
               take
               
               notice
               of
               them
               .
               Psal.
               111.
               2.
               
               
                 The
                 works
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 are
                 great
                 sought
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 them
                 that
                 have
                 pleasure
                 therein
                 .
              
               And
               again
               ,
               v.
               4.
               
               
                 He
                 hath
                 so
                 done
                 his
                 marvellous
                 works
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 had
                 in
                 remembrance
                 .
              
               Now
               a
               man
               cannot
               be
               said
               to
               
                 seek
                 out
              
               ,
               or
               to
               remember
               that
               which
               he
               doth
               not
               carefully
               observe
               .
               'T
               is
               the
               chief
               scope
               of
               that
               Psalm
               to
               excite
               men
               unto
               this
               duty
               .
               And
               David
               makes
               it
               a
               note
               of
               Piety
               for
               men
               to
               delight
               themselves
               in
               the
               contemplation
               of
               God's
               works
               ,
               
                 to
                 remember
                 Him
                 in
                 his
                 ways
                 ,
              
               as
               the
               Prophet
               Isaiah
               
               speaks
               .
               This
               Asaph
               found
               by
               experience
               to
               be
               a
               special
               Antidote
               against
               all
               diffidence
               and
               carnal
               fears
               ;
               in
               the
               77
               Psalm
               when
               he
               was
               surprised
               with
               those
               sad
               thoughts
               ,
               
                 Will
                 the
                 Lord
                 cast
                 us
                 off
                 for
                 ever
                 ?
                 and
                 will
                 he
                 be
                 no
                 more
                 entreated
                 ?
                 Hath
                 God
                 forgotten
                 to
                 be
                 gracious
                 ?
              
               &c.
               He
               presently
               applies
               himself
               to
               this
               remedy
               ,
               v.
               11
               ,
               12.
               
               
                 I
                 will
                 remember
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 surely
                 I
                 will
                 remember
                 thy
                 wonders
                 of
                 old
                 :
                 I
                 will
              
               
               
                 meditate
                 also
                 of
                 thy
                 works
                 ,
                 and
                 talk
                 of
                 thy
                 doings
                 ,
              
            
             
               If
               a
               man
               were
               but
               well
               read
               in
               the
               story
               and
               various
               passages
               of
               his
               life
               ,
               he
               might
               be
               able
               to
               make
               an
               experimental
               Divinity
               of
               his
               own
               .
               He
               that
               is
               observant
               of
               Gods
               
                 former
                 dealings
              
               and
               dispensations
               towards
               him
               ,
               may
               be
               thence
               furnished
               with
               a
               rich
               treasury
               of
               experience
               against
               all
               future
               conditions
               .
            
             
               There
               are
               very
               many
               duties
               that
               depend
               upon
               a
               right
               understanding
               of
               the
               times
               .
               A
               man
               knows
               not
               how
               to
               order
               his
               prayer
               and
               praises
               ,
               without
               some
               observation
               and
               skill
               in
               these
               .
               It
               was
               a
               great
               commendation
               which
               was
               given
               to
               the
               men
               of
               Issachar
               ,
               that
               
                 they
                 had
                 under
                 standing
                 in
                 the
                 times
                 to
                 know
                 what
                 Israel
                 ought
                 to
                 do
                 ,
              
               1
               Chron.
               12.
               32.
               and
               the
               ignorance
               of
               these
               the
               Wise-man
               complains
               of
               ,
               as
               being
               a
               very
               great
               evil
               ,
               Ec●les
               .
               9.
               12.
               
               
                 For
                 man
                 knoweth
                 not
                 his
                 time
                 ;
                 but
                 as
                 fishes
                 are
                 taken
                 in
                 an
                 evil
                 net
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 birds
                 are
                 caught
                 in
                 the
                 snare
                 :
                 so
                 are
                 the
                 sons
                 of
                 men
              
               
               
                 nared
                 in
                 an
                 evil
                 time
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 falls
                 suddenly
                 upon
                 them
                 .
              
            
             
               Now
               this
               observance
               of
               Gods
               works
               and
               dispensations
               ,
               is
               a
               duty
               always
               seasonable
               ,
               but
               more
               especially
               in
               such
               times
               as
               these
               .
               'T
               is
               commonly
               observed
               ,
               that
               though
               smooth
               and
               peaceable
               times
               are
               best
               for
               the
               Liver
               ,
               the
               man
               that
               lives
               in
               them
               ;
               yet
               times
               that
               are
               full
               of
               change
               and
               vicissitude
               ,
               are
               best
               for
               the
               W●●●er
               ,
               the
               Historian
               that
               writes
               of
               them
               :
               so
               though
               quiet
               seasons
               may
               best
               suit
               with
               our
               desires
               and
               outward
               condition
               ;
               yet
               these
               disturbed
               ,
               confused
               times
               ,
               may
               be
               the
               best
               improved
               by
               observation
               ,
               and
               do
               most
               set
               forth
               the
               wisdom
               of
               Providence
               .
            
             
               The
               Common
               Providence
               of
               God
               in
               the
               various
               seasons
               and
               order
               of
               Nature
               ,
               may
               afford
               excellent
               matter
               for
               contemplation
               ;
               much
               more
               that
               special
               Providence
               of
               his
               in
               the
               guidance
               of
               humane
               affairs
               ,
               which
               have
               been
               always
               managed
               with
               various
               wisdom
               .
            
             
             
               But
               especially
               in
               his
               dispensations
               towards
               these
               latter
               ages
               ,
               wherein
               there
               have
               been
               many
               new
               ,
               unusual
               emergencies
               ,
               such
               as
               our
               forefathers
               have
               not
               known
               .
            
             
               How
               many
               strange
               observable
               passages
               may
               a
               considering
               man
               pick
               out
               amongst
               the
               affairs
               of
               these
               few
               last
               years
               ?
               How
               strangely
               hath
               the
               whole
               course
               of
               things
               both
               in
               Churh
               and
               State
               ,
               been
               turned
               about
               ,
               beyond
               all
               mens
               imaginations
               ?
               How
               hath
               God
               in
               every
               respect
               ,
               and
               on
               all
               sides
               ,
               pusled
               the
               wisdom
               of
               the
               wise
               ,
               and
               enfeebled
               the
               strength
               of
               the
               mighty
               ,
               abating
               the
               glory
               of
               all
               humane
               power
               ,
               lifting
               himself
               up
               above
               others
               ,
               in
               those
               things
               wherein
               they
               dealt
               most
               proudly
               ,
               effecting
               great
               matters
               by
               despised
               means
               !
               What
               strange
               ebbs
               and
               flows
               of
               hope
               have
               we
               known
               ?
               When
               men
               have
               been
               most
               full
               of
               confidence
               ,
               then
               some
               unexpected
               accident
               hath
               ●ntervened
               ,
               and
               disappointed
               all
               :
               so
               that
               the
               wisest
               men
               have
               been
               often
               put
               to
               stand
               at
               a
               gaze
               ,
               not
               knowing
               what
               to
               
               judg
               of
               the
               issue
               of
               things
               :
               And
               (
               though
               we
               have
               not
               had
               leisure
               to
               observe
               it
               ,
               yet
               )
               there
               has
               been
               something
               equivalent
               to
               this
               in
               other
               Nations
               ;
               the
               whole
               Christian
               world
               being
               generally
               full
               of
               strange
               Commotions
               .
               Now
               we
               may
               certainly
               conclude
               ,
               That
               all
               these
               unusual
               turns
               and
               changes
               of
               things
               ,
               are
               not
               for
               nothing
               .
               There
               is
               some
               great
               design
               to
               be
               accomplished
               by
               them
               ;
               't
               is
               our
               duty
               with
               diligence
               to
               observe
               the
               passages
               ,
               and
               with
               patience
               to
               attend
               the
               issue
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               This
               may
               direct
               us
               what
               to
               judg
               of
               the
               present
               times
               under
               which
               we
               are
               fallen
               .
               If
               it
               be
               so
               that
               every
               particular
               Event
               is
               so
               exactly
               regular
               and
               beautiful
               ;
               hence
               then
               we
               may
               infer
               ,
               how
               all
               that
               confusion
               and
               disorder
               which
               seem
               to
               be
               in
               the
               affairs
               of
               these
               times
               is
               not
               so
               much
               in
               the
               things
               themselves
               ,
               as
               in
               our
               mistake
               of
               them
               .
               The
               
                 Roughest
                 seasons
              
               (
               though
               they
               may
               be
               unsuitable
               to
               our
               desires
               )
               yet
               have
               in
               them
               a
               proper
               comeliness
               as
               well
               as
               times
               of
               the
               
                 greatest
                 serenity
              
               .
            
             
             
               True
               indeed
               ,
               the
               Scripture
               doth
               sometimes
               mention
               
                 evil
                 days
              
               ;
               but
               
               this
               is
               not
               so
               to
               be
               understood
               ,
               as
               if
               Time
               in
               it self
               could
               be
               evil
               ,
               either
               naturally
               ,
               for
               so
               God
               pronounceth
               it
               good
               ;
               or
               morally
               ,
               because
               't
               is
               not
               subjected
               to
               any
               Moral
               Rule
               ;
               but
               only
               accidentally
               ,
               in
               respect
               of
               our
               mistake
               and
               abuse
               of
               it
               ;
               when
               either
               we
               judg
               of
               it
               according
               to
               our
               own
               wishes
               ,
               or
               mispend
               it
               according
               to
               our
               own
               lusts
               .
               'T
               is
               only
               unwise
               ,
               
               unholy
               men
               ,
               that
               make
               unhappy
               times
               .
            
             
               As
               in
               the
               
                 works
                 of
                 Creation
              
               ,
               nothing
               is
               properly
               deformed
               ,
               but
               every
               thing
               hath
               a
               peculiar
               beauty
               ,
               according
               to
               that
               rank
               and
               station
               wherein
               't
               is
               placed
               :
               though
               in
               vulgar
               speech
               we
               use
               to
               call
               a
               Toad
               and
               a
               Serpent
               ugly
               ;
               yet
               that
               is
               only
               in
               reference
               to
               common
               esteem
               :
               whereas
               in
               respect
               of
               the
               Universe
               they
               are
               as
               regular
               and
               comely
               parts
               as
               any
               of
               the
               rest
               ;
               their
               outward
               shapes
               being
               suitable
               to
               their
               inward
               forms
               ,
               and
               those
               purposes
               for
               which
               they
               
               are
               intended
               .
               So
               it
               is
               likewise
               in
               
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 Providence
              
               ;
               those
               designs
               that
               in
               respect
               of
               our
               apprehensions
               are
               carried
               on
               by
               a
               cryptical
               involved
               method
               ,
               are
               yet
               in
               themselves
               of
               as
               excellent
               contrivance
               ,
               as
               any
               of
               those
               that
               seem
               to
               be
               of
               more
               facil
               and
               perspicuous
               order
               .
            
             
               If
               a
               man
               in
               these
               times
               shall
               with
               his
               reason
               consult
               only
               the
               outward
               face
               of
               things
               they
               must
               needs
               seem
               full
               of
               irregularities
               and
               disorder
               ;
               when
               the
               spirits
               of
               men
               in
               the
               prosecution
               of
               the
               same
               ends
               ,
               and
               the
               pretence
               of
               
                 publick
                 welfare
              
               ,
               shall
               be
               imbittered
               against
               one
               another
               ,
               even
               to
               
                 publick
                 ruin
              
               :
               when
               there
               is
               
                 a
                 violent
              
               
               
                 perverting
                 of
                 judgment
                 and
                 justice
              
               in
               a
               Nation
               ,
               and
               
                 on
                 the
                 side
                 of
                 the
                 oppressor
                 is
                 might
                 :
                 but
                 the
                 oppressed
              
               
               
                 have
                 none
                 to
                 comfort
                 them
              
               .
            
             
               When
               there
               is
               a
               total
               subversion
               of
               those
               degrees
               in
               which
               the
               order
               and
               harmony
               of
               things
               doth
               confist
               ,
               
                 Servants
                 being
                 on
                 horses
                 ,
                 &
                 Princes
                 walking
                 as
              
               
               
                 servants
                 on
                 the
                 earth
                 :
                 When
              
               
               
                 the
                 mountains
                 are
                 removed
                 ,
                 and
                 pillars
              
               
               
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 tremble
              
               .
               When
               Religion
               and
               Laws
               (
               which
               are
               the
               foundation
               of
               a
               People
               )
               
                 are
                 out
                 of
              
               
               course
               .
            
             
               And
               yet
               even
               in
               all
               this
               ,
               there
               may
               be
               a
               design
               of
               Providence
               for
               our
               good
               .
               This
               is
               certain
               ,
               All
               God's
               Promises
               to
               his
               Church
               are
               infallibly
               true
               ,
               and
               all
               his
               dispensations
               (
               though
               never
               so
               cross
               in
               outward
               appearance
               )
               have
               a
               tendency
               towards
               the
               fulfilling
               of
               those
               Promises
               .
               And
               why
               should
               not
               a
               man
               rest
               himself
               in
               this
               belief
               ?
            
             
               In
               our
               natural
               enquiries
               after
               the
               efficient
               cause
               of
               things
               ,
               when
               our
               Reason
               is
               at
               a
               stand
               ,
               we
               are
               fain
               sometimes
               to
               sit
               down
               ,
               and
               satisfie
               our selves
               in
               the
               notion
               of
               
                 occult
                 qualities
              
               ;
               and
               therefore
               much
               more
               should
               we
               be
               content
               to
               be
               ignorant
               in
               the
               final
               cause
               of
               things
               ,
               which
               lye
               more
               deep
               and
               obscure
               than
               the
               other
               .
            
             
               Let
               no
               man
               then
               presume
               to
               censure
               the
               several
               vicissitudes
               and
               changes
               of
               things
               ,
               as
               if
               they
               were
               unseasonable
               
               and
               ill
               contrived
               .
               Remember
               we
               are
               but
               short-sighted
               ,
               and
               cannot
               discern
               the
               various
               reserences
               and
               dependences
               amongst
               the
               great
               affairs
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               therefore
               may
               be
               easily
               mistaken
               in
               our
               opinion
               of
               them
               .
               We
               do
               in
               this
               world
               (
               for
               the
               most
               part
               )
               see
               only
               the
               
                 dark
                 side
              
               of
               Providence
               .
               At
               the
               last
               and
               great
               day
               of
               manifestation
               ,
               when
               the
               whole
               plot
               of
               Divine
               Love
               shall
               be
               laid
               open
               ,
               then
               we
               shall
               be
               able
               to
               discern
               the
               
                 Beauty
                 of
                 Providence
              
               in
               all
               the
               rugged
               passages
               of
               it
               ;
               how
               
                 tribulation
                 ,
                 distress
                 ,
                 persecution
                 ,
                 famine
                 ,
                 nakedness
                 ,
                 peril
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 sword
                 ,
              
               
               
                 do
                 all
                 work
                 for
                 the
                 best
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 love
                 God.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 Judg
                 nothing
                 therefore
                 before
                 its
                 time
                 ,
              
               1
               Cor.
               4.
               5.
               
               Consider
               ,
               
                 we
                 cannot
                 see
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 .
              
               And
               you
               know
               there
               is
               a
               vast
               difference
               betwixt
               the
               beginning
               and
               the
               end
               of
               a
               building
               .
               It
               may
               be
               our
               lots
               perhaps
               in
               these
               times
               to
               see
               only
               the
               beginning
               of
               the
               Fabrick
               ;
               when
               the
               old
               frame
               is
               
               demolished
               ,
               the
               rubbish
               lies
               scattered
               about
               ,
               the
               new
               materials
               being
               gathered
               into
               heaps
               .
               Posterity
               perhaps
               may
               see
               the
               end
               of
               it
               ,
               when
               all
               these
               confused
               preparations
               shall
               be
               made
               up
               into
               a
               beautiful
               structure
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               This
               may
               serve
               for
               reproof
               of
               
               two
               sorts
               of
               persons
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Those
               that
               do
               not
               observe
               or
               regard
               the
               works
               of
               the
               Lord.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               Those
               that
               murmur
               and
               repine
               at
               them
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               This
               may
               reprove
               those
               that
               do
               not
               observe
               or
               regard
               the
               works
               of
               the
               Lord.
               'T
               is
               a
               great
               argument
               of
               infidelity
               and
               irreligion
               ,
               when
               men
               let
               many
               remarkable
               Providences
               pass
               by
               them
               without
               notice
               or
               observation
               :
               or
               when
               they
               look
               upon
               them
               only
               in
               a
               slight
               and
               superficial
               manner
               ,
               like
               those
               whom
               the
               Prophet
               Isaiah
               complains
               of
               ,
               
                 Seeing
                 many
              
               
               
                 things
                 but
                 observing
              
               not
               .
            
             
               This
               sin
               of
               Inadvertency
               of
               God's
               various
               Providences
               ,
               hath
               been
               oftentimes
               severely
               threatned
               and
               punished
               
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               Isa.
               5.
               12.
               
               
                 Because
                 they
                 regard
                 not
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 nor
                 consider
                 the
                 operation
                 of
                 his
                 hands
                 ,
                 therefore
                 is
                 my
                 people
                 gone
                 into
                 captivity
                 .
              
               And
               again
               ,
               Jer.
               12.
               11.
               
               
                 The
                 whole
                 land
                 is
                 made
                 desolate
                 ,
                 because
                 no
                 man
                 layeth
                 it
                 to
                 heart
                 .
              
            
             
               The
               heaviest
               Judgments
               that
               can
               befal
               a
               Nation
               ,
               are
               Captivity
               and
               Desolation
               .
               And
               yet
               they
               are
               both
               denounced
               against
               this
               stupidity
               and
               carelesness
               of
               Spirit
               .
               And
               you
               may
               guess
               at
               the
               hainousness
               of
               the
               sin
               ,
               by
               the
               greatness
               of
               the
               punishment
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               a
               sin
               ,
               that
               is
               after
               a
               more
               especial
               manner
               appropriated
               to
               wicked
               men
               .
               Psal.
               10.
               4
               ,
               5.
               
               
                 The
                 wicked
                 through
                 the
                 pride
                 of
                 his
                 countenance
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 seek
                 after
                 God
                 :
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 thoughts
                 .
                 Thy
                 judgments
                 are
                 far
                 above
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 sight
                 .
              
               Things
               that
               he
               never
               enquires
               after
               ,
               or
               regards
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               were
               not
               at
               all
               concern'd
               in
               them
               .
               
                 Quae
                 supra
                 nos
                 nihil
                 ad
                 nos
                 :
              
               He
               looks
               no
               further
               than
               second
               Causes
               ,
               unto
               which
               he
               
               ascribes
               the
               success
               or
               miscarriage
               of
               Events
               ;
               and
               doth
               not
               take
               notice
               of
               that
               Divine
               Providence
               ,
               by
               whose
               influence
               they
               are
               guided
               .
               You
               see
               this
               is
               made
               the
               note
               of
               wicked
               men
               .
               And
               therefore
               ,
               as
               we
               would
               avoid
               that
               censure
               ,
               so
               still
               it
               concerns
               us
               to
               avoid
               the
               sin
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               This
               may
               serve
               for
               the
               reproof
               of
               those
               that
               murmour
               and
               repine
               at
               the
               works
               of
               Providence
               ,
               that
               take
               upon
               them
               the
               Magisterial
               judgment
               of
               events
               ;
               as
               if
               they
               could
               tell
               how
               to
               frame
               things
               much
               better
               ,
               and
               to
               contrive
               the
               issue
               of
               things
               to
               greater
               advantage
               .
               How
               ordinary
               is
               it
               for
               men
               to
               discourse
               thus
               concerning
               the
               great
               changes
               of
               these
               times
               ?
               as
               if
               the
               unsearchable
               ways
               of
               God
               were
               to
               be
               judged
               before
               the
               Tribunal
               of
               Humane
               Reason
               :
               
                 Who
                 art
                 thou
                 O
                 man
                 that
                 Disputest
                 with
                 God
              
               (
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               )
               ?
               How
               despicable
               ,
               in
               comparison
               to
               His
               Infinite
               Majesty
               and
               Wisdom
               ?
               If
               there
               be
               a
               Commonwealth
               amongst
               Ants
               and
               Bees
               (
               as
               some
               Naturalists
               say
               
               there
               is
               )
               ,
               't
               would
               make
               a
               man
               smile
               to
               think
               ,
               that
               they
               should
               take
               upon
               them
               the
               censure
               of
               State-matters
               amongst
               us
               men
               :
               and
               yet
               here
               the
               disproportion
               it
               finite
               ;
               whereas
               betwixt
               God
               and
               man
               't
               is
               infinite
               :
               
                 As
                 the
                 Heavens
                 are
                 higher
                 than
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 so
                 are
                 my
                 thoughts
                 higher
                 than
              
               
               
                 your
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 ways
                 than
                 your
                 ways
                 .
              
            
             
               He
               that
               will
               take
               upon
               him
               to
               mend
               the
               contrivance
               of
               things
               ,
               let
               him
               remember
               (
               says
               one
               of
               the
               Stoicks
               )
               that
               the
               first
               thing
               he
               is
               to
               do
               ,
               is
               
                 to
                 mend
                 God
              
               ,
               to
               teach
               him
               wisdom
               
               and
               care
               .
               And
               if
               he
               shall
               think
               himself
               unfit
               for
               that
               ,
               let
               him
               not
               presume
               upon
               this
               .
               For
               consider
               ,
               is
               not
               the
               Providence
               of
               God
               
                 exactly
                 careful
              
               of
               every
               thing
               ?
               Is
               not
               he
               
                 infinitely
                 wise
              
               ,
               to
               dispose
               of
               all
               to
               the
               best
               ?
               Are
               not
               all
               things
               subservient
               to
               His
               will
               ?
               Why
               certainly
               then
               ,
               (
               however
               matters
               may
               appear
               to
               us
               )
               yet
               nothing
               could
               have
               been
               better
               than
               it
               is
               .
               every
               thing
               shall
               prove
               ●or
               the
               best
               ,
               in
               respect
               of
               
                 His
                 Glory
              
               ,
               
               and
               (
               if
               we
               belong
               to
               Him
               )
               in
               respect
               of
               
                 our
                 good
              
               too
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               an
               observable
               check
               which
               Solomon
               gives
               to
               such
               presumptuous
               persons
               as
               are
               apt
               to
               repine
               at
               and
               censure
               the
               course
               of
               things
               ,
               Eccl.
               7.
               10.
               
               
                 Say
                 not
                 thou
                 ,
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 cause
                 why
                 the
                 former
                 days
                 were
                 better
                 than
                 these
                 ?
                 for
                 thou
                 dost
                 not
                 enquire
                 wisely
                 concerning
                 concerning
                 this
                 .
              
               It
               should
               seem
               ,
               that
               those
               flourishing
               days
               of
               Solomon
               ,
               so
               very
               eminent
               for
               all
               kind
               of
               plenty
               and
               peace
               
                 (
                 Silver
                 being
                 in
                 Jerusalem
                 as
                 stones
                 ,
                 and
                 Cedars
                 as
                 the
                 Sycamore
              
               
               
                 in
                 the
                 vale
                 for
                 abundance
                 )
                 ,
              
               were
               not
               yet
               without
               some
               morose
               repining
               spirits
               ,
               who
               were
               still
               maligning
               the
               present
               condition
               of
               things
               ;
               and
               therefore
               no
               wonder
               if
               we
               find
               the
               like
               humour
               among
               men
               in
               other
               times
               .
            
             
               This
               the
               wise
               man
               doth
               here
               reprove
               ,
               both
               by
               a
               prohibition
               and
               a
               reason
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               A
               Prohibition
               ,
               
                 Say
                 not
                 thou
                 ,
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 cause
                 why
                 the
                 former
              
               
               
                 days
                 were
                 better
                 than
                 these
              
               ?
               that
               is
               ,
               Be
               not
               transported
               with
               that
               common
               humour
               of
               censuring
               and
               condemning
               the
               state
               of
               times
               ,
               and
               commending
               the
               times
               past
               ;
               as
               if
               the
               course
               of
               Events
               were
               not
               managed
               by
               the
               same
               wise
               Providence
               now
               ,
               which
               governed
               the
               world
               before
               ,
               He
               doth
               not
               forbid
               men
               to
               enquire
               after
               the
               cause
               of
               publick
               sufferings
               :
               For
               this
               is
               frequently
               enjoined
               in
               Scriptue
               ,
               that
               upon
               the
               occasion
               of
               any
               special
               judgment
               ,
               we
               should
               search
               and
               try
               our
               hearts
               ,
               consider
               our
               ways
               ,
               and
               our
               doings
               ,
               labouring
               to
               find
               out
               the
               cause
               of
               Gods
               displeasure
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               accordingly
               meet
               him
               in
               his
               ways
               .
               But
               the
               meaning
               is
               ,
               that
               we
               should
               not
               take
               upon
               us
               the
               p●remptory
               censure
               of
               times
               and
               dispensations
               ,
               presuming
               to
               condemn
               those
               things
               which
               we
               cannot
               understand
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Reason
               .
               
                 For
                 thou
                 dost
                 not
                 enquire
                 wisely
                 concerning
                 this
                 thing
                 .
              
               That
               's
               a
               figurative
               expression
               ,
               stiled
               a
               Meiosis
               ,
               when
               a
               phrase
               signifies
               
               much
               more
               than
               the
               naked
               words
               do
               import
               .
               The
               meaning
               is
               ,
               't
               is
               extream
               folly
               for
               men
               to
               take
               upon
               them
               the
               censure
               of
               Times
               and
               Providences
               ,
               as
               if
               they
               were
               competent
               Judges
               of
               such
               matters
               .
            
             
               There
               are
               two
               places
               of
               Scripture
               that
               will
               make
               up
               a
               Syllogism
               to
               prove
               this
               Conclusion
               .
            
             
               
                 He
                 that
                 judgeth
                 of
                 a
                 matter
                 before
                 he
                 hath
                 enquired
                 into
                 ,
                 and
                 understands
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 folly
                 and
                 shame
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               18.
               13.
               
               But
               now
               ,
               
                 It
                 doth
                 not
                 belong
                 unto
                 us
                 to
                 know
                 the
                 times
                 &
                 the
                 seasons
                 which
                 the
                 Father
                 hath
                 kept
                 in
                 his
                 power
                 ,
              
               Act.
               17.
               
               And
               therefore
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               folly
               to
               take
               upon
               us
               the
               Magisterial
               censure
               of
               such
               things
               .
            
             
               Every
               day
               hath
               its
               proper
               evil
               ,
               as
               well
               the
               former
               as
               these
               ;
               and
               every
               
               doy
               hath
               its
               proper
               advantage
               ,
               as
               well
               these
               as
               the
               former
               .
               The
               very
               dregs
               of
               time
               ,
               if
               we
               endeavour
               to
               make
               a
               right
               use
               of
               them
               ,
               
               may
               be
               redeemed
               into
               opportunity
               .
            
             
               There
               are
               two
               reasons
               of
               mens
               offending
               in
               this
               kind
               :
            
             
             
               1.
               
               When
               they
               look
               only
               upon
               some
               partlculars
               ,
               without
               the
               consideration
               of
               their
               
                 proper
                 end
              
               ,
               or
               
                 general
                 frame
              
               .
               Now
               't
               is
               true
               indeed
               ,
               that
               some
               particular
               Events
               ,
               singly
               looked
               upon
               ,
               may
               seem
               very
               prejudicial
               ;
               but
               the
               whole
               contexture
               of
               affairs
               in
               their
               co-operation
               ,
               shall
               prove
               for
               the
               best
               .
               
                 All
                 things
                 shall
                 work
                 together
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 for
                 good
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 love
                 God
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               8.
               28.
               
            
             
               But
               now
               't
               is
               above
               our
               capacity
               to
               comprehend
               the
               whole
               frame
               of
               things
               :
               And
               that
               is
               not
               disorder
               in
               respect
               of
               the
               whole
               which
               to
               us
               may
               appear
               so
               ,
               being
               compared
               with
               some
               particulars
               .
               You
               know
               ,
               that
               in
               the
               natural
               body
               the
               variety
               and
               dissimilitude
               of
               parts
               ,
               is
               required
               to
               the
               beauty
               of
               the
               whole
               ;
               the
               roundness
               of
               the
               head
               ,
               the
               length
               of
               the
               arm
               ,
               the
               flatness
               of
               the
               hand
               ;
               blackness
               in
               one
               part
               ,
               and
               whiteness
               in
               another
               ;
               all
               these
               being
               singly
               compared
               amongst
               themselves
               ,
               though
               they
               may
               seem
               to
               argue
               some
               opposition
               and
               deformity
               ,
               yet
               look
               up●n
               them
               as
               they
               
               stand
               in
               relation
               to
               the
               whole
               frame
               ,
               and
               it
               will
               appear
               how
               in
               their
               several
               ways
               they
               do
               each
               of
               them
               conduce
               to
               its
               comeliness
               and
               order
               .
               If
               this
               lower
               World
               had
               in
               it
               no
               changes
               and
               varieties
               ,
               but
               were
               in
               all
               respects
               alike
               ,
               it
               would
               not
               then
               be
               so
               properly
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               a
               beautiful
               World
               ,
               as
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               a
               Lump
               or
               Mass.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               Another
               occasion
               of
               mens
               offending
               in
               this
               kind
               ,
               is
               ,
               when
               they
               will
               judg
               of
               Events
               according
               as
               they
               suit
               with
               their
               own
               wishes
               .
               And
               in
               this
               case
               ,
               't
               is
               impossible
               that
               every
               humor
               should
               be
               satisfied
               ,
               because
               particular
               desires
               (
               besides
               their
               opposition
               to
               one
               another
               )
               will
               likewise
               be
               inconsistent
               with
               the
               general
               design
               .
               It
               would
               seem
               better
               perhaps
               to
               every
               private
               man
               ,
               if
               he
               himself
               were
               a
               Magistrate
               ;
               or
               a
               King
               ;
               and
               every
               common
               Soldier
               a
               Commander
               ,
               or
               a
               General
               .
               But
               how
               could
               this
               consist
               with
               the
               exigencies
               of
               the
               Common-wealth
               ,
               or
               an
               Army
               ,
               where
               their
               must
               be
               degrees
               ,
               and
               disproportion
               of
               places
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               necessity
               of
               several
               
               employments
               ?
               'T
               is
               so
               in
               the
               government
               of
               this
               great
               Universe
               :
               that
               difference
               which
               their
               is
               betwixt
               particular
               things
               ,
               and
               times
               ,
               and
               persons
               ,
               doth
               much
               conduce
               to
               the
               beauty
               and
               conveniency
               of
               the
               whole
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               our
               safest
               way
               then
               to
               conclude
               ,
               that
               all
               matters
               are
               for
               the
               best
               ,
               
                 beautiful
                 in
                 their
                 times
              
               ,
               though
               to
               us
               they
               may
               seem
               full
               of
               disorder
               and
               contrariety
               .
               Thus
               the
               Apostle
               in
               that
               remarkable
               place
               ,
               Rom.
               11
               ,
               33.
               speaking
               concerning
               the
               rejection
               of
               the
               Jews
               ,
               when
               God
               would
               cast
               off
               and
               destroy
               his
               peculiar
               people
               ,
               and
               that
               for
               his
               own
               glory
               and
               advantage
               ;
               he
               concludes
               ,
               
                 His
                 judgments
                 unsearchable
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 ways
                 past
                 finding
                 out
                 :
                 But
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 him
                 are
                 all
                 things
                 :
              
               as
               if
               he
               should
               have
               said
               ,
               God
               will
               do
               this
               strange
               work
               ;
               and
               though
               for
               my
               part
               I
               know
               not
               the
               reason
               of
               it
               ,
               
                 His
                 judgments
                 are
                 unsearchable
              
               ,
               &c.
               yet
               sure
               I
               am
               ,
               that
               
                 of
                 him
                 and
                 to
                 him
                 are
                 all
                 things
              
               ;
               that
               ,
               is
               as
               the
               making
               of
               all
               things
               was
               
                 of
                 his
                 power
              
               ,
               so
               the
               resolution
               of
               all
               things
               should
               be
               
                 to
                 his
                 glory
              
               .
            
             
             
               Though
               
                 his
                 judgments
                 are
                 as
                 the
                 great
                 deep
                 ,
              
               for
               their
               obscurity
               and
               unmeasurableness
               ,
               not
               to
               be
               fathomed
               by
               our
               shallow
               apprehensions
               ,
               yet
               
                 his
                 righteousness
                 is
                 as
                 the
                 strong
                 mountains
                 ,
              
               for
               their
               eminency
               and
               stableness
               ,
               Psal.
               36.
               6.
               
               
                 Though
                 clouds
                 and
                 darkness
                 may
                 be
                 round
                 about
                 him
                 ,
                 yet
                 righteousness
                 and
                 judgment
                 are
                 the
                 habitation
                 of
                 his
                 throne
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               97.
               2.
               
               
            
             
               3.
               
               This
               may
               serve
               for
               Exhortation
               ,
               to
               perswade
               us
               unto
               these
               four
               duties
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Not
               to
               be
               too
               hasty
               in
               our
               desire
               or
               prosecution
               of
               any
               thing
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Nor
               to
               trouble
               our selves
               with
               any
               solicitous
               care
               about
               the
               success
               of
               things
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               To
               be
               equally
               prepared
               for
               all
               future
               Events
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               To
               behave
               our selves
               with
               carefulness
               and
               contentment
               in
               all
               conditions
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Hence
               we
               learn
               ,
               Not
               to
               be
               
                 too
                 hasty
              
               in
               our
               desire
               or
               prosecution
               of
               any
               thing
               .
               God
               best
               knows
               the
               fitest
               season
               for
               every
               Event
               ;
               we
               shall
               
               have
               it
               when
               its
               time
               is
               come
               ;
               and
               before
               that
               ,
               't
               would
               not
               be
               beautiful
               :
               
                 Like
                 Snow
                 in
                 Harvest
              
               (
               as
               the
               Wise
               
               man
               speaks
               )
               which
               though
               it
               might
               possibly
               be
               some
               refreshment
               to
               our
               particular
               ,
               yet
               would
               be
               a
               deformity
               in
               the
               course
               of
               Nature
               .
            
             
               There
               are
               some
               men
               whom
               the
               Prophet
               stiles
               of
               
                 a
                 hasty
                 heart
              
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
               Isa.
               35.
               4.
               who
               are
               too
               heady
               and
               impatient
               in
               their
               hopes
               .
               And
               it
               is
               a
               weakness
               that
               arises
               from
               our
               infidelity
               and
               distrust
               of
               Providence
               .
               
                 For
                 he
                 that
                 believeth
                 ,
                 maketh
                 no
                 hast
                 ,
              
               Chap.
               28.
               16.
               
               'T
               is
               God's
               usual
               course
               to
               defer
               what
               he
               promises
               ,
               thereby
               to
               exercise
               our
               faith
               ,
               to
               put
               an
               edg
               on
               our
               desires
               ,
               and
               a
               value
               upon
               the
               blessing
               .
               In
               natural
               affairs
               ,
               we
               are
               fain
               to
               expect
               the
               proper
               season
               and
               maturity
               of
               things
               ;
               the
               Husbandman
               will
               wait
               for
               his
               Harvest
               ;
               he
               doth
               not
               expect
               to
               sow
               and
               reap
               both
               in
               a
               day
               .
               It
               should
               be
               so
               likewise
               in
               other
               matters
               .
               And
               since
               that
               is
               always
               the
               fittest
               time
               for
               every
               thing
               which
               God
               appoints
               ,
               it
               will
               become
               us
               then
               patiently
               
               to
               wait
               his
               leisure
               ,
               and
               not
               with
               over-hasty
               desires
               to
               run
               before
               him
               .
            
             
               Abraham
               was
               fain
               to
               tarry
               a
               long
               time
               for
               a
               Son
               ,
               David
               for
               a
               Kingdom
               ,
               and
               the
               whole
               World
               for
               Christ.
               He
               that
               rightly
               understands
               the
               worth
               of
               any
               blessing
               ,
               and
               his
               own
               want
               ,
               cannot
               think
               much
               to
               wait
               for
               it
               .
               The
               poor
               man
               ,
               at
               the
               Pool
               of
               Bethesda
               ,
               being
               sensible
               of
               his
               own
               lameness
               ,
               was
               content
               to
               tarry
               there
               thirty
               eight
               years
               in
               hopes
               of
               a
               remedy
               .
               Suppose
               a
               Promise
               were
               deferred
               to
               the
               utmost
               ,
               yet
               do
               but
               compare
               the
               shortness
               of
               our
               lives
               with
               the
               duration
               of
               our
               souls
               ,
               and
               then
               no
               delay
               can
               seem
               tedious
               .
               
                 Neque
                 enim
                 est
                 aliquid
                 in
                 tam
                 brevibus
                 vitae
                 metis
                 ita
                 serum
                 ,
                 quod
                 longum
                 expectare
                 immortalis
                 putet
              
               
               animus
               .
               A
               man
               conscious
               to
               himself
               of
               his
               own
               mortality
               ,
               cannot
               think
               any
               time
               long
               which
               is
               confined
               within
               the
               narrow
               bounds
               of
               life
               .
            
             
               Is
               there
               then
               any
               mercy
               which
               thou
               expectest
               ?
               Do
               not
               over-rashly
               
               hasten
               it
               with
               any
               indirect
               project
               ,
               as
               if
               thou
               wert
               able
               to
               help
               the
               Providence
               of
               God
               with
               wiles
               and
               devices
               of
               thine
               own
               .
               Though
               it
               be
               long
               in
               coming
               ,
               yet
               it
               will
               come
               at
               last
               ;
               it
               cannot
               be
               more
               slow
               than
               sure
               .
               When
               Isaac
               was
               laid
               upon
               the
               Alter
               ,
               and
               bound
               for
               a
               Sacrifice
               ,
               and
               his
               Father's
               hand
               lift
               up
               for
               the
               fatal
               blow
               ,
               yet
               then
               there
               came
               a
               rescue
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               which
               would
               not
               have
               been
               so
               beautiful
               ,
               if
               by
               any
               unlawful
               act
               it
               had
               been
               hastened
               before
               that
               time
               ,
               either
               by
               
               Abraham's
               sparing
               his
               Son
               ,
               or
               
               Isaac's
               resisting
               his
               Father
               .
            
             
               Joseph
               did
               undergo
               a
               tedious
               imprisonment
               in
               the
               Land
               of
               Egypt
               ;
               't
               is
               likely
               ,
               being
               the
               Key-keeper
               ,
               he
               might
               have
               taken
               his
               own
               time
               ,
               and
               have
               scaped
               when
               he
               would
               ;
               but
               then
               he
               had
               lost
               his
               preferment
               :
               whereas
               by
               tarrying
               God's
               leisure
               ,
               he
               was
               delivered
               with
               advantage
               .
               Though
               David
               had
               been
               a
               long
               while
               anointed
               to
               a
               Kingdom
               ,
               yet
               because
               he
               did
               not
               use
               any
               hasty
               means
               for
               the
               enjoying
               of
               it
               ,
               therefore
               did
               Providence
               
               clear
               the
               Passage
               for
               him
               ,
               and
               prospered
               it
               to
               him
               afterwards
               .
               He
               might
               have
               killed
               Saul
               in
               the
               Cave
               ,
               and
               Abner
               
               too
               ,
               when
               he
               found
               them
               sleeping
               ;
               but
               then
               he
               had
               been
               over-hasty
               ;
               't
               were
               better
               they
               should
               fall
               by
               their
               Enemies
               .
               
                 The
                 Lord
                 shall
                 smite
                 them
                 when
                 their
                 day
                 shall
                 come
                 to
                 dye
                 ,
              
               1.
               
               Sam.
               26.
               10.
               
               And
               before
               that
               ,
               't
               would
               be
               but
               rashness
               to
               attempt
               it
               .
               And
               so
               likewise
               when
               he
               stopt
               himself
               in
               his
               haste
               after
               
               Nabal's
               life
               ,
               you
               know
               within
               a
               while
               after
               God
               took
               him
               away
               by
               his
               own
               immediate
               hand
               ,
               and
               gave
               both
               his
               Wife
               and
               Estate
               to
               David
               .
            
             
               An
               over-forwardness
               in
               the
               hastening
               of
               our
               hopes
               ,
               is
               the
               ready
               way
               to
               imbitter
               them
               unto
               us
               .
               You
               know
               how
               much
               trouble
               and
               contention
               there
               grew
               from
               that
               hasty
               act
               of
               Sarah
               ,
               when
               in
               her
               mistrust
               of
               the
               Promise
               ,
               and
               fear
               of
               being
               childless
               ,
               she
               must
               needs
               give
               Hagar
               ,
               to
               Abraham
               .
            
             
               So
               likewise
               for
               
               Jacob's
               too
               much
               haste
               in
               getting
               the
               blessing
               by
               a
               
               wrong
               means
               ,
               you
               know
               it
               cost
               him
               afterwards
               many
               dangers
               ,
               and
               a
               tedious
               exile
               .
               Whereas
               if
               he
               had
               tarried
               longer
               ,
               God
               would
               have
               brought
               it
               about
               for
               him
               by
               a
               more
               easie
               and
               beautiful
               way
               .
            
             
               Gods
               time
               is
               the
               best
               ;
               and
               he
               never
               fails
               his
               own
               season
               :
               
                 I
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 hasten
                 it
                 in
                 its
                 time
                 ,
              
               Isa.
               60.
               22.
               
               For
               us
               to
               measure
               the
               fitness
               of
               seasons
               by
               our
               own
               weak
               apprehensions
               ,
               is
               not
               this
               to
               set
               the
               Sun
               by
               our
               Dial
               ?
               we
               are
               too
               short-sighted
               ,
               apt
               to
               antedate
               the
               Promises
               .
               
                 The
                 Lord
                 will
                 arise
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 mercy
                 upon
                 Sion
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 favour
                 her
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 set-time
                 is
                 come
                 .
              
               Psal.
               102
               ,
               13.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               Hence
               we
               learn
               ,
               Not
               to
               trouble
               our selves
               with
               any
               solicitous
               care
               about
               the
               success
               of
               things
               .
               To
               serve
               Providence
               in
               the
               usual
               means
               ,
               that
               is
               our
               work
               ;
               but
               the
               issue
               and
               event
               of
               things
               ,
               that
               's
               God's
               work
               ,
               we
               have
               nothing
               to
               do
               in
               it
               .
               That
               which
               is
               not
               under
               our
               power
               ,
               should
               not
               be
               under
               our
               care
               .
               If
               there
               be
               nothing
               at
               our
               disposal
               ,
               but
               that
               all
               Events
               do
               
               
               depend
               〈◊〉
               upon
               an
               higher
               Providence
               ,
               't
               were
               but
               a
               vain
               thing
               than
               to
               busie
               our selves
               with
               hopes
               and
               fears
               about
               them
               .
               Much
               of
               the
               disquietness
               amongst
               men
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               arises
               from
               hence
               ,
               that
               they
               busie
               themselves
               about
               God's
               work
               ,
               and
               neglect
               their
               own
               .
            
             
               Is
               there
               then
               an
               evil
               thou
               fearest
               ?
               why
               ,
               't
               is
               not
               in
               the
               power
               of
               any
               creature
               to
               hurt
               thee
               .
               Though
               men
               should
               use
               plots
               and
               threats
               against
               thee
               ,
               yet
               they
               can
               do
               nothing
               .
               They
               sate
               together
               ,
               and
               counselled
               against
               David
               ,
               devising
               to
               take
               away
               his
               life
               ,
               Psal.
               31.
               13.
               
               But
               what
               was
               his
               comfort
               ?
               why
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               v.
               15.
               
               
                 My
                 times
                 are
                 in
                 thy
                 hands
                 ,
                 O
                 Lord.
              
               He
               knew
               that
               no
               ill
               sccess
               towards
               him
               was
               in
               the
               power
               of
               others
               .
            
             
               Or
               is
               there
               an
               evil
               thou
               feelest
               ?
               why
               ,
               it
               comes
               from
               the
               hand
               of
               God.
               Be
               not
               then
               impatient
               .
               'T
               is
               but
               a
               childish
               currish
               thing
               to
               beat
               the
               rod
               or
               bite
               the
               stone
               that
               hurt
               thee
               .
               David
               could
               quietly
               vndergo
               the
               railing
               of
               Shimei
               ,
               when
               once
               he
               had
               discerned
               
               in
               it
               the
               Providence
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               Or
               is
               there
               
                 a
                 good
                 thou
                 hopest
                 for
              
               ?
               why
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               within
               the
               reach
               of
               thy
               abilities
               .
               And
               therefore
               't
               were
               but
               in
               vain
               to
               think
               thou
               couldst
               command
               it
               by
               thine
               own
               endeavours
               .
               We
               would
               count
               it
               a
               mad
               thing
               for
               one
               that
               is
               naturally
               low
               ,
               to
               busie
               himself
               in
               the
               study
               &
               labour
               of
               growing
               tall
               ,
               because
               this
               is
               not
               alterable
               by
               any
               thing
               in
               our
               power
               ;
               
                 since
                 no
                 man
                 can
              
               
               
                 add
                 one
                 cuhit
                 to
                 his
                 stature
                 .
              
               Why
               ,
               't
               is
               so
               in
               other
               things
               likewise
               ;
               God
               doth
               as
               well
               set
               bounds
               to
               our
               estates
               ,
               as
               to
               our
               statures
               ;
               and
               of
               our selves
               we
               can
               as
               little
               add
               one
               penny
               to
               that
               as
               one
               cubit
               to
               this
               .
               And
               therefore
               ,
               never
               let
               any
               one
               think
               that
               he
               can
               raise
               himself
               as
               he
               pleases
               ,
               and
               be
               the
               Master
               of
               his
               own
               Fortunes
               .
               Though
               he
               were
               furnished
               with
               the
               greatest
               helps
               and
               probabilities
               of
               advancement
               ;
               yet
               
                 the
                 battle
                 is
                 not
                 always
                 to
                 the
                 strong
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 race
                 to
                 the
                 swift
                 ;
                 neither
                 bread
                 to
                 the
                 wise
                 ,
                 nor
                 yet
                 riches
                 to
                 men
                 of
                 understanding
                 ,
                 nor
                 yet
                 fauour
                 to
                 men
                 of
                 skill
              
               ;
               
               
                 but
                 time
                 and
                 chance
                 happen
                 to
                 them
                 all
                 ,
              
               That
               is
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               secret
               Providence
               ,
               which
               doth
               so
               unavoidably
               dispose
               of
               these
               lower
               Events
               ,
               that
               the
               likeliest
               means
               we
               can
               use
               ,
               cannot
               promise
               us
               any
               certain
               success
               .
            
             
               They
               that
               with
               a
               compass-wisdom
               will
               delay
               Events
               ,
               that
               with
               forecasts
               and
               provisions
               will
               bind
               Providence
               ;
               for
               the
               most
               part
               ,
               are
               not
               only
               disappointed
               in
               what
               they
               hoped
               for
               ,
               but
               do
               meet
               with
               a
               curse
               instead
               of
               it
               .
               See
               that
               place
               ,
               Isa.
               50
               ,
               11.
               
               
                 Behold
                 all
                 ye
                 that
                 kindle
                 a
                 fire
                 ,
                 that
                 compass
                 your selves
                 about
                 with
                 sparks
                 ,
                 walk
                 in
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 your
                 fire
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 sparks
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 kindled
                 ;
                 this
                 shall
                 you
                 have
                 of
                 my
                 hands
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 lye
                 down
                 in
                 sorrow
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               Hence
               we
               learn
               to
               be
               equally
               prepared
               for
               all
               future
               Events
               ,
               not
               wishing
               for
               one
               more
               than
               another
               .
               Whatever
               comes
               to
               pass
               shall
               be
               beautiful
               ,
               and
               therefore
               should
               be
               welcom
               .
               All
               things
               that
               befall
               us
               ,
               shall
               lead
               us
               on
               to
               the
               same
               Journey
               's
               end
               ,
               Happiness
               .
               And
               therefore
               
               we
               should
               not
               in
               our
               expectation
               of
               future
               matters
               ,
               engage
               our selves
               in
               the
               desire
               of
               any
               particular
               success
               ;
               but
               with
               a
               
               Traveller's
               indifferency
               (
               as
               Epictetus
               speaks
               in
               
               Arian
               )
               who
               when
               he
               comes
               to
               doubtful
               turnings
               ,
               doth
               not
               desire
               one
               way
               should
               be
               true
               more
               than
               another
               .
               So
               should
               we
               entertain
               every
               thing
               that
               we
               meet
               with
               in
               our
               passage
               through
               this
               life
               ;
               especially
               since
               we
               are
               sure
               that
               there
               is
               none
               of
               them
               but
               (
               if
               we
               belong
               to
               God
               )
               shall
               further
               us
               in
               that
               which
               is
               our
               main
               business
               ,
               our
               journey
               to
               Happiness
               .
            
             
               And
               therefore
               to
               be
               very
               solicitous
               about
               any
               particular
               success
               ,
               what
               is
               it
               but
               to
               limit
               and
               confine
               the
               power
               of
               God
               ?
               nay
               ,
               to
               prefer
               our
               own
               policy
               before
               the
               wisdom
               of
               Providence
               ;
               as
               if
               we
               alone
               were
               able
               to
               discern
               what
               would
               be
               the
               best
               issue
               of
               things
               ;
               Mark
               how
               the
               same
               Heathen
               bespeaks
               such
               a
               person
               :
               Thou
               foolish
               man
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               dost
               thou
               not
               desire
               that
               which
               will
               be
               most
               convenient
               
               for
               thee
               ?
               And
               can
               there
               be
               any
               thing
               better
               than
               what
               God
               appoints
               ?
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               Wherefore
               by
               such
               immoderate
               and
               eager
               desires
               ,
               thou
               dost
               as
               much
               as
               in
               thee
               lies
               to
               corrupt
               the
               Judg
               ,
               and
               seduce
               the
               Counsellor
               .
            
             
               The
               Stoicks
               have
               many
               excellent
               passages
               to
               this
               purpose
               :
               
                 Nunquam
                 sapientem
                 poenitentiae
                 subit
              
               (
               saith
               Seneca
               )
               
               
                 quia
                 nihil
                 melius
                 illo
                 tempore
                 fieri
                 potuit
                 quam
                 quod
                 factum
                 est
                 .
              
               A
               wise
               man
               is
               never
               troubled
               at
               any
               cross
               Event
               ;
               he
               knows
               nothing
               could
               have
               been
               better
               than
               it
               is
               .
               
                 Omnia
                 illi
                 succedunt
                 ;
                 nihil
                 preter
                 opinionem
                 accidit
                 .
              
               All
               things
               are
               successful
               to
               him
               ,
               he
               is
               disappointed
               in
               nothing
               ,
               because
               indifferent
               to
               every
               thing
               .
               Whilst
               others
               are
               tossed
               up
               and
               down
               betwixt
               hopes
               and
               fears
               ,
               his
               mind
               is
               established
               .
            
             
               Now
               if
               meer
               Reason
               could
               advance
               Heathen
               men
               to
               such
               resolutions
               ,
               much
               more
               than
               should
               a
               
                 Christian's
                 Faith
              
               in
               the
               Providence
               of
               
               God
               ,
               with
               those
               many
               Promises
               wherein
               he
               hath
               an
               interest
               ,
               raise
               his
               mind
               to
               this
               Heroick
               temper
               ,
               and
               make
               him
               bend
               himself
               with
               a
               submissive
               compliance
               unto
               every
               condition
               .
            
             
               Obj.
               
                 But
                 what
                 then
                 ,
                 may
                 not
                 a
              
               
               
                 man
                 (
                 nay
                 ,
                 should
                 he
                 not
                 )
                 be
                 very
                 earnest
                 in
                 his
                 desires
                 and
                 prayers
                 ,
                 for
                 some
                 particular
                 deliverance
                 or
                 blessing
                 ?
              
            
             
               I
               answer
               ,
               Yes
               .
               But
               in
               all
               temporal
               
               matters
               ,
               it
               must
               be
               still
               with
               a
               tacit
               submission
               to
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               knows
               better
               what
               is
               fit
               for
               us
               ,
               than
               we
               do
               our selves
               .
               See
               the
               example
               of
               David
               to
               this
               purpose
               ,
               1
               Sam.
               15.
               25.
               
               He
               was
               there
               put
               to
               a
               very
               great
               exigence
               ,
               his
               Son
               Absolom
               had
               suddenly
               raised
               a
               great
               Army
               against
               him
               ,
               insomuch
               as
               he
               was
               fain
               to
               fly
               for
               his
               life
               :
               There
               were
               some
               of
               the
               Priests
               adhered
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               followed
               him
               with
               the
               Ark
               ;
               but
               he
               ,
               upon
               serious
               thoughts
               ,
               desires
               them
               to
               return
               
               again
               :
               For
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 if
                 I
                 shall
                 find
                 favour
                 in
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 bring
                 me
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 me
                 both
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 habitation
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 he
                 thus
                 say
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 no
                 delight
                 in
                 thee
                 ;
                 behold
                 here
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 do
                 to
                 me
                 as
                 seemeth
                 good
                 unto
                 him
                 .
              
               Here
               's
               no
               deep
               anxiety
               or
               aestuation
               of
               Spirit
               ,
               no
               bitter
               exclaiming
               against
               his
               unnatural
               Son
               ,
               and
               difloyal
               Subjects
               ;
               but
               quiet
               succumbency
               ,
               an
               indifferent
               composure
               of
               mind
               ,
               which
               resolves
               to
               be
               content
               in
               every
               condition
               .
               He
               puts
               the
               case
               both
               ways
               ,
               and
               is
               provided
               for
               either
               .
               If
               it
               prove
               after
               this
               manner
               ,
               why
               then
               so
               ;
               if
               otherwise
               ,
               then
               thus
               .
               So
               true
               is
               that
               common
               Emblem
               ,
               That
               every
               wise
               man
               is
               a
               Cube
               or
               Dye
               ,
               not
               to
               be
               flung
               from
               his
               bottom
               .
               Let
               him
               be
               cast
               any
               way
               ,
               he
               still
               lights
               upon
               his
               right
               basis
               ;
               whatever
               his
               condition
               may
               be
               ,
               
                 Si
                 fractus
                 illabatur
                 orbis
              
               ,
               yet
               his
               mind
               is
               still
               calm
               and
               peaceable
               .
            
             
             
               Obj.
               
                 But
                 would
                 you
                 have
                 a
                 man
              
               
               turn
               Stoick
               ?
               
                 should
                 he
                 not
                 be
                 troubled
                 at
                 the
                 afflictions
                 that
                 befall
                 him
                 ?
              
            
             
               Sol.
               I
               answer
               :
               Yes
               :
               He
               must
               be
               
               sensible
               of
               his
               sufferings
               ,
               and
               consequently
               cannot
               but
               grieve
               under
               them
               ,
               especially
               so
               far
               as
               his
               own
               sin
               and
               neglect
               hath
               oceasioned
               them
               .
               But
               then
               it
               should
               be
               his
               care
               to
               quiet
               his
               heart
               from
               immoderate
               trouble
               ,
               by
               the
               consideration
               of
               that
               wise
               Providence
               ,
               who
               doth
               dispose
               of
               all
               for
               the
               best
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Lastly
               ,
               Hence
               we
               learn
               ,
               To
               behave
               our selves
               with
               cheerfulness
               and
               contentment
               under
               all
               those
               conditions
               which
               the
               Providence
               of
               God
               shall
               think
               fittest
               for
               us
               .
               'T
               is
               the
               Wise-man's
               own
               inference
               from
               the
               Text
               in
               the
               Verses
               immediately
               after
               it
               :
               
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 better
                 ,
                 than
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 rejoyce
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 good
                 in
              
               
               
                 his
                 life
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 eat
                 and
                 drink
                 ,
                 and
                 enjoy
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 his
                 labour
                 .
              
               For
               
               if
               every
               thing
               be
               best
               which
               God
               appoints
               ,
               
               we
               have
               no
               reason
               then
               to
               be
               troubled
               at
               any
               Event
               .
               What
               though
               it
               do
               cross
               our
               desires
               ,
               yet
               't
               would
               not
               have
               been
               so
               well
               ,
               as
               if
               it
               had
               been
               otherwise
               .
               Things
               cannot
               be
               better
               with
               us
               than
               they
               are
               .
               David
               thought
               it
               a
               hard
               case
               ,
               that
               that
               his
               Child
               by
               Bathsheba
               must
               dye
               .
               But
               did
               he
               lose
               any
               thing
               by
               it
               ?
               Was
               it
               not
               better
               for
               him
               to
               have
               such
               a
               legitimate
               Heir
               as
               Solomon
               was
               ?
               We
               are
               but
               ill
               contrivers
               of
               our
               own
               welfare
               ,
               and
               therfore
               should
               without
               murmuring
               submit
               our selves
               and
               affairs
               to
               the
               government
               of
               Providence
               .
               What
               though
               that
               do
               straiten
               us
               in
               our
               desires
               ?
               you
               are
               content
               to
               let
               the
               Physician
               bar
               you
               of
               many
               things
               ,
               because
               he
               hath
               cast
               your
               water
               ,
               felt
               your
               pulse
               .
               Consider
               then
               ,
               doth
               it
               not
               as
               much
               concern
               us
               to
               provide
               for
               the
               salvation
               of
               our
               Souls
               ,
               as
               the
               health
               of
               our
               Bodies
               ?
               or
               doth
               not
               God
               understand
               this
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               the
               Physician
               that
               ?
               What
               reason
               have
               we
               then
               to
               
               repine
               at
               his
               proceedings
               ?
               He
               was
               a
               wise
               Son
               in
               Plutarch
               ,
               who
               being
               told
               by
               a
               freind
               that
               his
               Father
               would
               disinherit
               him
               ,
               answered
               ,
               
                 Non
                 faciet
                 nisi
                 faciendum
              
               :
               He
               will
               do
               nothing
               but
               what
               he
               should
               .
               Thus
               should
               a
               Christian
               willingly
               resign
               up
               himself
               in
               every
               condition
               ,
               to
               the
               disposal
               of
               Providence
               .
            
             
               Do
               but
               apply
               this
               Consideration
               according
               to
               the
               several
               occasions
               of
               your
               lives
               .
               When
               your
               hearts
               are
               at
               any
               times
               amazed
               or
               dejected
               with
               the
               thought
               of
               the
               publick
               confusions
               ;
               remember
               ,
               that
               God
               sits
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               observing
               and
               ordering
               all
               these
               inferiour
               motions
               for
               the
               best
               .
            
             
               And
               so
               too
               in
               the
               case
               of
               particular
               sufferings
               ,
               't
               is
               likely
               that
               there
               is
               not
               any
               amongst
               you
               ,
               but
               hath
               some
               kind
               of
               private
               trouble
               and
               grievance
               to
               which
               he
               is
               more
               especially
               exposed
               ;
               either
               weakness
               of
               body
               ,
               or
               too
               narrow
               a
               fortune
               ,
               losses
               in
               your
               estates
               ,
               disappointment
               in
               your
               hopes
               ,
               unhappy
               relations
               ,
               or
               the
               like
               .
               And
               these
               things
               ,
               as
               we
               
               are
               men
               ,
               cannot
               chuse
               but
               grate
               upon
               our
               spirits
               with
               some
               kind
               of
               harshness
               and
               discontent
               .
               But
               now
               as
               believers
               ,
               we
               have
               a
               remedy
               against
               them
               .
               For
               consider
               ,
               there
               is
               nothing
               befalls
               us
               by
               chance
               .
               All
               things
               are
               ordered
               by
               the
               deliberate
               counsel
               and
               fore-knowledg
               of
               God.
               He
               is
               as
               exactly
               careful
               of
               every
               one
               of
               us
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               had
               nothing
               else
               to
               look
               after
               .
               Do
               not
               thinkthat
               any
               trouble
               befals
               you
               ,
               because
               he
               doth
               not
               regard
               ;
               for
               his
               Care
               and
               Providence
               doth
               extend
               to
               all
               things
               :
               nor
               because
               he
               cannot
               help
               ;
               for
               He
               is
               Almighty
               :
               nor
               because
               he
               doth
               not
               regard
               ;
               for
               He
               is
               equally
               infinite
               in
               all
               his
               Attributes
               :
               But
               because
               his
               Wisdom
               finds
               that
               condition
               to
               be
               fittest
               for
               thee
               :
               there
               is
               something
               amiss
               which
               should
               be
               mended
               .
               When
               the
               superfluous
               humour
               is
               corrected
               ,
               the
               Physical
               Potion
               shall
               be
               taken
               away
               .
               And
               't
               is
               not
               reasonable
               to
               expect
               Physick
               and
               Health
               both
               together
               .
               When
               the
               wound
               is
               healed
               ,
               the
               smarting-plaster
               shall
               be
               removed
               .
               And
               
               thou
               mayest
               confidently
               say
               With
               David
               ,
               Psal.
               119.
               75.
               
               
                 I
                 know
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 thy
                 judgments
                 are
                 right
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 thou
                 in
                 faithfulness
                 hast
                 afflicted
                 me
                 .
              
            
             
               How
               happy
               might
               we
               be
               ,
               if
               we
               could
               settle
               our
               hearts
               upon
               these
               Considerations
               .
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A66060-e90
           
             Dr.
             Stillingfleet
             .
          
           
             
               Morn
               .
               Du
               Pless
            
             .
             de
             veritat
             .
             Relig
             .
             Chr.
             Cap.
             1.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A66060-e480
           
             Prov.
             5.
             4.
             
          
           
             Tuscul.
             Q.
             2.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             9.
             15.
             
          
           
             Cap.
             12.
             26.
             
             Deut.
             32.
             9.
             
             Exod.
             19.
             5.
             
             Jer.
             12.
             7.
             
             Psal.
             4.
             3.
             
          
           
             Pro.
             1.
             9.
             
             Chap.
             4.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             John
             12.
             26.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             14.
             34.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             15.
             4.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A66060-e3370
           
             Serm.
             II.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             9
             :
             11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             Ch.
             5.
             17.
             
          
           
             Ch.
             11.
             8.
             
          
           
             Ch.
             12.
             3.
             
          
           
             Ch.
             12.
             5.
             
          
           
             Ch.
             2.
             16.
             
          
           
             
               De
               leg
            
             .
             l.
             1.
             
          
           
             Juvenal
             .
             Sat.
             15.
             
          
           
             Against
             Colotes
             .
          
           
             
               Nat.
               Deor.
            
             L.
             1.
             
          
           
             Lord
             
             Bacon's
             Essays
             .
          
           
             Cap.
             11.
             
          
           
             Ch.
             2.
             3.
             
          
           
             Moral
             .
             1.
             
               ad
               Eudem
               in
               fine
            
             .
          
           
             Lib.
             8.
             
             Sect.
             19.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A66060-e6160
           
             Serm.
             III.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             1.
             10.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             ●5
             .
             19.
             
          
           
             Amyraldus
             
          
           
             Psal.
             58.
             11.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             11.
             9.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             17.
             10
             
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             3.
             11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             Tit.
             2.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A66060-e8810
           
             Psal.
             73.
             
             Jer.
             12.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             9.
             2.
             
             Ch.
             5.
             15.
             
             Ch.
             8.
             14.
             
          
           
             Ch.
             4.
             v.
             11
             
          
           
             Ch.
             7.
             v.
             7.
             
          
           
             Pro.
             25.
             2.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             8.
             7
             ,
             1.
             
          
           
             Act.
             4.
             28.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             5.
             8.
             
          
           
             Ch.
             3.
             27.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             39.
             9.
             
          
           
             ●oh
             .
             18.
             11.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             51.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A66060-e9630
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             This
             very
             suitable
             to
             the
             Original
             .
          
           
             Propos.
             
          
           
             Confirmation
             by
             Testimony
             Divine
             .
          
           
             So
             Jer.
             32.
             19.
             
          
           
             Job
             36.
             5.
             
          
           
             2
             Chron.
             16.
             9.
             
             Prov.
             15.
             3.
             ver
             .
             10.
             
          
           
             Humane
             Testimony
             .
          
           
             
             Bacon's
             Sap.
             Vet.
             
          
           
             Examples
             
          
           
             Jonah
             .
          
           
             Paul
             and
             Barnabas
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             12.
             25.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             39
             ,
             40
             ,
             41.
             
          
           
             Confirmation
             by
             Reason
             .
          
           
             Reas.
             1.
             
          
           
             *
             Like
             that
             of
             the
             Poet
             ,
             
               Non
               vacat
               exiguis
               rebus
               adesse
               Jovi
               .
            
          
           
             Reas.
             2.
             
          
           
             Vindication
             from
             Doubts
             and
             Objections
             .
          
           
             Psa.
             90.
             4.
             2
             
             Pet.
             3.
             8.
             
          
           
             Applicat
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Use
             For
             Inmation
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             65.
             4.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             5.
             16.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             3.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             5.
             8.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             4.
             1.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             10.
             7
             
          
           
             Job
             9.
             5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             11.
             6.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             28.
             35.
             
          
           
             Use
             2.
             
             For
             Reproof
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             42.
             20.
             
          
           
             Is.
             55.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             Epictetus
             .
          
           
             2
             Kings
             20.
             5.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             6.
             34.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             5.
             16.
             
          
           
             Use
             3.
             
             For
             Exhortation
             
          
           
             Prov.
             25.
             13.
             
          
           
             Translated
             Fearful
             .
          
           
             
               Boetius
               Consol.
               l.
            
             4
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Sam.
             24
             11.
             26.
             17.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             9.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             9.
             11.
             
          
           
             Disp.
             1.
             4.
             c.
             7.
             
          
           
             
               De
               benef
            
             .
             lib.
             4.
             34.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Sol.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Sol.
             
          
           
             V.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             Aequ●in
             est
             ut
             ho
             mini
             placeat
             ,
             quicquid
             placet
             D●o
             .