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of_o providence_n do_v require_v that_o virtue_n shall_v be_v reward_v and_o vice_n punish_v and_o that_o in_o such_o degree_n and_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o shall_v lay_v all_o reasonable_a restraint_n on_o the_o lust_n and_o vice_n of_o man_n and_o encourage_v their_o virtue_n now_o virtue_n be_v reward_v and_o vice_n punish_v when_o it_o be_v reward_v or_o punish_v if_o not_o in_o the_o person_n yet_o in_o the_o posterity_n of_o good_a or_o bad_a man_n which_o leave_v room_n for_o the_o trial_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o patience_n of_o good_a man_n and_o for_o the_o exercise_n of_o god_n goodness_n and_o patience_n to_o sinner_n and_o for_o the_o ministries_n of_o bad_a man_n in_o the_o service_n of_o providence_n and_o yet_o very_o effectual_o discourage_v wickedness_n and_o encourage_v virtue_n 2_o another_o instance_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n be_v that_o god_n very_o often_o punish_v sin_n with_o sin_n and_o many_o time_n with_o sin_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n 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often_o disappoint_v both_o our_o hope_n and_o fear_n when_o we_o be_v in_o the_o great_a expectation_n of_o some_o great_a good_a either_o we_o be_v disappoint_v in_o what_o we_o expect_v or_o if_o we_o have_v what_o we_o wish_v for_o it_o do_v not_o answer_v our_o expectation_n we_o find_v ourselves_o deceive_v in_o our_o enjoyment_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v better_a for_o we_o if_o we_o have_v be_v without_o they_o and_o when_o we_o be_v terrify_v with_o the_o apprehension_n of_o some_o great_a evil_n which_o be_v just_o ready_a to_o fall_v on_o we_o either_o the_o evil_n do_v not_o come_v as_o we_o fear_v or_o it_o prove_v no_o evil_a but_o a_o very_a great_a good_a to_o we_o this_o be_v so_o often_o every_o man_n case_n that_o i_o need_v only_o appeal_v to_o your_o own_o observation_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o now_o what_o more_o effectual_a way_n can_v god_n take_v to_o convince_v we_o that_o we_o live_v in_o the_o dark_a and_o know_v not_o what_o be_v good_a for_o ourselves_o that_o we_o disturb_v our_o mind_n with_o vain_a hope_n and_o with_o as_o vain_a fear_n that_o it_o become_v we_o to_o leave_v all_o to_o god_n and_o to_o depend_v secure_o on_o his_o providence_n who_o overrule_v all_o thing_n with_o a_o sovereign_a will_n that_o this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n to_o be_v easy_a and_o safe_a to_o choose_v nothing_o for_o ourselves_o not_o to_o prescribe_v to_o providence_n but_o to_o do_v our_o duty_n and_o then_o quiet_o expect_v what_o god_n will_v do_v be_v it_o possible_a there_o shall_v be_v a_o happy_a temper_n of_o mind_n than_o this_o more_o honourable_a for_o god_n or_o more_o secure_a for_o ourselves_o do_v any_o thing_n more_o become_v creature_n be_v there_o any_o more_o perfect_a act_n of_o religion_n than_o to_o depend_v entire_o on_o god_n without_o hope_n or_o fear_n in_o a_o perfect_a resignation_n to_o his_o will_n with_o a_o full_a assurance_n of_o his_o protection_n and_o can_v providence_n more_o effectual_o convince_v 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case_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n when_o god_n send_v moses_n to_o deliver_v they_o with_o a_o mighty_a hand_n and_o a_o outstretched_a arm._n this_o be_v several_a time_n their_o case_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o judge_n when_o they_o be_v oppress_v by_o their_o enemy_n and_o god_n raise_v up_o saviour_n and_o deliverer_n for_o they_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o hezekiah_n when_o god_n in_o one_o night_n destroy_v the_o mighty_a army_n of_o the_o assyrian_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o queen_n hester_n day_n when_o that_o wicked_a haman_n have_v conspire_v the_o destruction_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o there_o want_v not_o example_n of_o it_o in_o christian_a story_n never_o be_v there_o a_o fierce_a persecution_n of_o christian_n than_o when_o god_n advance_v constantine_n to_o the_o throne_n
and_o to_o arbitrate_v the_o difference_n of_o prince_n and_o the_o fate_n of_o man_n and_o kingdom_n and_o if_o god_n govern_v man_n by_o nature_n he_o must_v govern_v nature_n too_o for_o necessary_a cause_n can_v be_v fit_v to_o the_o government_n of_o free_a agent_n without_o the_o direction_n and_o management_n of_o a_o divine_a providence_n which_o guide_v exert_n or_o suspend_v the_o influence_n of_o nature_n with_o as_o great_a freedom_n as_o man_n act_n man_n do_v not_o always_o deserve_v well_o or_o ill_o and_o if_o the_o kind_n or_o malign_a influence_n of_o nature_n must_v be_v temper_v to_o man_n desert_n to_o punish_v they_o when_o they_o do_v ill_a and_o to_o reward_v they_o when_o they_o do_v well_o natural_a cause_n which_o of_o themselves_o act_v necessary_o without_o wisdom_n or_o counsel_n must_v be_v guide_v by_o a_o wise_a hand_n thus_o reason_n tell_v we_o it_o must_v be_v if_o god_n govern_v the_o world_n and_o god_n challenge_v to_o himself_o this_o absolute_a and_o sovereign_a empire_n over_o nature_n god_n have_v bestow_v different_a virtue_n and_o power_n on_o natural_a cause_n and_o in_o ordinary_a case_n make_v use_v of_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n and_o neither_o act_n without_o they_o nor_o against_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o make_v some_o unthinking_a man_n resolve_v all_o into_o nature_n without_o a_o god_n or_o a_o providence_n because_o except_v the_o case_n of_o miracle_n which_o they_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o believe_v they_o see_v every_o thing_n else_o do_v by_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o god_n have_v make_v a_o world_n and_o make_v nature_n to_o no_o purpose_n to_o do_v every_o thing_n himself_o by_o a_o immediate_a power_n without_o make_v use_n of_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n but_o the_o ordinary_a government_n of_o nature_n do_v not_o signify_v to_o act_v without_o it_o or_o to_o over-rule_v its_o power_n but_o to_o steer_v and_o guide_v its_o motion_n to_o serve_v the_o wise_a 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from_o heaven_n fan_n the_o air_n with_o wind_n and_o purge_v it_o with_o thunder_n and_o lightning_n and_o the_o like_a but_o then_o when_o and_o where_o the_o rain_n shall_v fall_v and_o the_o wind_n shall_v blow_v in_o what_o measure_n and_o proportion_n time_n and_o season_n natural_a cause_n shall_v give_v or_o withhold_v their_o influence_n this_o god_n keep_v in_o his_o own_o power_n and_o can_v govern_v without_o alter_v the_o stand_a law_n of_o nature_n and_o this_o be_v his_o government_n of_o natural_a cause_n in_o order_n to_o reward_v or_o punish_v man_n as_o they_o shall_v deserve_v thus_o god_n reason_n with_o job_n concern_v his_o power_n and_o providence_n 38._o job_n 31_o 32_o etc._n etc._n can_v thou_o bind_v the_o sweet_a influence_n of_o the_o pleyade_n or_o loose_v the_o band_n of_o orion_n can_v thou_o bring_v forth_o mazzaroth_n in_o his_o season_n or_o can_v thou_o guide_v arcturus_n with_o his_o son_n know_v thou_o the_o ordinance_n of_o heaven_n or_o can_v thou_o set_v the_o dominion_n thereof_o in_o the_o earth_n can_v thou_o lift_v up_o thy_o voice_n to_o the_o cloud_n that_o abundance_n of_o water_n may_v cover_v thou_o can_v thou_o send_v lightning_n that_o they_o may_v go_v and_o say_v unto_o thou_o here_o we_o be_v this_o be_v above_o human_a power_n but_o belong_v to_o the_o government_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n fire_n and_o hail_n snow_n and_o vapour_n and_o stormy_a wind_n fulfil_v his_o word_n 148._o psal._n 8._o sometime_o god_n restrain_v the_o influence_n of_o nature_n shut_v up_o heaven_n that_o it_o shall_v not_o rain_v 2_o chr._n 7._o 13._o at_o other_o time_n he_o call_v to_o the_o cloud_n that_o abundance_n of_o water_n may_v cover_v the_o earth_n he_o give_v the_o former_a and_o the_o latter_a rain_n in_o its_o season_n and_o preserve_v to_o we_o the_o appoint_a week_n of_o harvest_n 5._o jer._n 24_o as_o he_o promise_v to_o israel_n 11_o deut_n 14_o 15._o i_o will_v give_v you_o the_o rain_n of_o your_o land_n in_o his_o due_a season_n the_o first_o rain_n and_o the_o latter_a rain_n that_o thou_o may_v gather_v in_o thy_o corn_n and_o thy_o wine_n and_o thy_o oil_n and_o i_o will_v send_v grass_n in_o thy_o field_n for_o thy_o cattle_n that_o thou_o may_v eat_v and_o be_v full_a he_o prescribe_v in_o what_o proportion_n it_o shall_v rain_v 2._o joel_n 23_o 24._o be_v glad_a you_o child_n of_o zion_n and_o rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n for_o he_o have_v give_v you_o the_o former_a rain_n moderate_o and_o he_o will_v cause_v to_o come_v down_o for_o you_o the_o former_a rain_n and_o the_o latter_a rain_n in_o the_o first_o month_n nay_o god_n appoint_v on_o what_o place_n it_o shall_v rain_v 34._o ezek._n 26._o and_o i_o will_v make_v thou_o and_o the_o place_n round_o about_o my_o hill_n a_o blessing_n and_o i_o will_v cause_v the_o shower_n to_o come_v down_o in_o his_o season_n there_o shall_v be_v shower_n of_o blessing_n 4._o amos_n 7_o 8._o and_o also_o i_o have_v withhold_v the_o rain_n from_o you_o when_o there_o be_v yet_o three_o month_n to_o the_o harvest_n and_o i_o cause_v it_o to_o rain_v upon_o one_o city_n and_o cause_v it_o not_o to_o rain_v upon_o another_o city_n one_o piece_n be_v rain_v upon_o and_o the_o piece_n whereupon_o it_o rain_v not_o wither_a so_o two_o or_o three_o city_n wander_v to_o one_o city_n to_o drink_v water_n but_o they_o be_v not_o satisfy_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o give_v any_o tolerable_a account_n of_o such_o text_n as_o these_o without_o confess_v that_o god_n keep_v the_o direction_n and_o government_n of_o all_o natural_a cause_n in_o his_o own_o hand_n for_o particular_a effect_n and_o all_o the_o change_n of_o nature_n can_v never_o be_v attribute_v to_o god_n unless_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o counsel_n determine_v natural_a cause_n to_o the_o produce_v such_o particular_a effect_n great_a part_n of_o the_o happiness_n or_o misery_n of_o this_o life_n be_v owe_v to_o the_o good_a or_o bad_a influence_n of_o natural_a cause_n that_o if_o god_n take_v care_n of_o mankind_n he_o must_v govern_v nature_n and_o when_o he_o promise_v health_n and_o plenty_n or_o threaten_v pestilence_n and_o famine_n how_o can_v he_o make_v good_a either_o if_o he_o have_v not_o reserve_v to_o himself_o a_o sovereign_a power_n over_o nature_n the_o sum_n be_v this_o that_o all_o natural_a cause_n be_v under_o the_o immediate_a and_o absolute_a government_n of_o providence_n that_o god_n keep_v the_o spring_n of_o nature_n in_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o turn_v they_o as_o he_o please_v for_o mere_a matter_n though_o it_o be_v endow_v with_o all_o natural_a virtue_n and_o power_n which_o necessary_o produce_v their_o natural_a effect_n yet_o it_o have_v no_o wisdom_n and_o counsel_n of_o its_o own_o can_v serve_v the_o end_n of_o a_o free_a agent_n without_o be_v guide_v by_o a_o wise_a hand_n and_o we_o see_v in_o a_o thousand_o instance_n what_o a_o empire_n human_a art_n have_v over_o nature_n not_o by_o change_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n which_o human_a art_n can_v never_o do_v but_o by_o such_o a_o skilful_a application_n of_o cause_n as_o will_v produce_v such_o effect_n as_o unguided_a and_o if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v untaught_a nature_n can_v never_o have_v produce_v and_o if_o god_n have_v subject_v material_a nature_n to_o human_a art_n sure_o he_o have_v not_o exempt_v it_o from_o his_o own_o guidance_n and_o power_n this_o show_v how_o necessary_a it_o be_v that_o god_n by_o a_o immediate_a providence_n shall_v govern_v nature_n for_o natural_a cause_n be_v excellent_a instrument_n but_o to_o make_v they_o useful_a they_o must_v be_v direct_v by_o a_o skilful_a hand_n and_o those_o various_a change_n which_o be_v in_o nature_n especial_o in_o this_o sublunary_a world_n which_o we_o be_v
of_o particular_a creature_n but_o of_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a and_o this_o in_o some_o case_n may_v make_v the_o great_a and_o most_o terrible_a act_n of_o severity_n such_o as_o be_v enough_o to_o affright_v and_o astonish_v the_o world_n act_n of_o the_o great_a goodness_n and_o mercy_n too_o which_o will_v vindicate_v the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n when_o god_n seem_v to_o be_v most_o severe_a and_o to_o have_v forget_v all_o goodness_n and_o compassion_n as_o to_o explain_v this_o in_o some_o particular_a case_n the_o good_a government_n of_o the_o world_n require_v the_o defence_n and_o protection_n of_o mankind_n from_o violent_a and_o unjust_a oppression_n and_o the_o most_o exemplary_a vengeance_n execute_v upon_o such_o private_a or_o public_a oppressor_n be_v a_o great_a act_n of_o goodness_n and_o a_o great_a deliverance_n to_o the_o oppress_a 136._o psalm_n the_o psalmist_n exhort_v we_o to_o give_v thanks_o to_o the_o lord_n for_o he_o be_v good_a for_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o and_o among_o other_o expression_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n and_o mercy_n he_o mention_n the_o plague_n of_o egypt_n and_o the_o deliverance_n of_o israel_n by_o the_o overthrow_n of_o pharaoh_n in_o the_o red-sea_n to_o he_o that_o smite_v egypt_n in_o their_o first-born_a for_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o and_o bring_v out_o israel_n from_o among_o they_o for_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o with_o a_o strong_a hand_n and_o with_o a_o stretched-out_a arm_n for_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o to_o he_o which_o divide_v the_o red-sea_n into_o part_n for_o his_o mercy_n etc._n etc._n and_o make_v israel_n to_o pass_v through_o the_o midst_n of_o it_o but_o overthrow_v pharaoh_n and_o his_o host_n in_o the_o red-sea_n for_o his_o mercy_n etc._n etc._n to_o he_o who_o smite_v great_a king_n and_o slay_v famous_a king_n sihon_n king_n of_o the_o amorites_n and_o og_n the_o king_n of_o bashan_n and_o give_v their_o land_n for_o a_o heritage_n even_o for_o a_o heritage_n to_o israel_n his_o servant_n for_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v well_o consider_v before_o we_o object_v the_o evil_n and_o calamity_n which_o befall_v bad_a man_n against_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n for_o there_o be_v few_o bad_a man_n who_o suffer_v any_o remarkable_a vengeance_n but_o that_o their_o suffering_n be_v a_o great_a kindness_n and_o deliverance_n to_o other_o and_o it_o may_v be_v to_o the_o public_a in_o break_v their_o power_n or_o take_v they_o out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o in_o all_o such_o case_n the_o psalmist_n have_v teach_v we_o a_o very_a proper_a hymn_n i_o will_v sing_v of_o mercy_n and_o judgement_n unto_o thou_o o_o lord_n will_v i_o sing_v 101._o psal._n 1_o thus_o the_o good_a government_n of_o the_o world_n require_v some_o great_a and_o last_a example_n of_o god_n justice_n and_o vengeance_n against_o sin_n and_o as_o terrible_a as_o such_o example_n be_v they_o be_v a_o great_a public_a good_a to_o the_o world_n some_o few_o such_o example_n as_o these_o will_v serve_v to_o warn_v a_o age_n nay_o many_o succeed_a age_n and_o generation_n of_o man_n which_o prevent_v the_o more_o frequent_a execution_n of_o vengeance_n and_o justify_v the_o patience_n and_o long-suffering_a of_o god_n to_o sinner_n if_o such_o example_n in_o any_o measure_n reform_v the_o world_n as_o god_n intend_v they_o shall_v it_o make_v this_o world_n a_o much_o happy_a place_n for_o the_o better_a man_n be_v the_o less_o hurt_n and_o the_o more_o good_a they_o will_v do_v and_o the_o less_o evil_a there_o be_v commit_v in_o the_o world_n the_o less_o mankind_n will_v suffer_v and_o the_o great_a blessing_n god_n will_v bestow_v on_o they_o and_o though_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o wickedness_n commit_v in_o the_o world_n after_o such_o terrible_a warning_n as_o these_o god_n may_v exercise_v great_a patience_n and_o forbearance_n towards_o sinner_n without_o the_o least_o blemish_n to_o his_o holiness_n or_o justice_n for_o such_o frightful_a execution_n convince_v the_o world_n of_o god_n justice_n and_o when_o god_n have_v public_o vindicate_v the_o honour_n of_o his_o justice_n he_o may_v try_v gentle_a method_n and_o glorify_v his_o mercy_n and_o patience_n towards_o sinner_n and_o thus_o god_n punish_v that_o he_o may_v spare_v be_v sometime_o very_o terrible_a in_o his_o judgement_n to_o prevent_v the_o necessity_n of_o strike_v often_o that_o sinner_n may_v have_v sufficient_a warning_n and_o that_o he_o may_v be_v good_a to_o sinner_n without_o encourage_v they_o in_o sin_n thus_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o old_a world_n by_o a_o deluge_n of_o water_n when_o they_o be_v past_o be_v reform_v be_v a_o warn_n to_o all_o sinner_n as_o long_o as_o this_o world_n last_v and_o be_v a_o public_a and_o stand_a confutation_n of_o atheism_n of_o such_o scoffer_n as_o say_v where_o be_v the_o promise_n of_o his_o come_n for_o since_o the_o father_n fall_v asleep_a all_o thing_n continue_v as_o they_o be_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o creation_n the_o constant_a and_o regular_a course_n of_o nature_n without_o any_o supernatural_a change_n and_o revolution_n tempt_v man_n to_o think_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n in_o the_o world_n who_o change_v time_n and_o season_n but_o this_o st._n peter_n tell_v we_o be_v visible_o confute_v by_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o old_a world_n for_o this_o they_o be_v willing_o ignorant_a of_o that_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o heaven_n be_v of_o old_a and_o the_o earth_n stand_v out_o of_o the_o water_n and_o in_o the_o water_n whereby_o the_o world_n that_o then_o be_v be_v overflow_v with_o water_n perish_v and_o this_o be_v reason_n enough_o to_o fear_v and_o expect_v what_o god_n have_v threaten_v that_o this_o present_a world_n shall_v be_v burn_v by_o fire_n but_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n which_o be_v now_o by_o the_o same_o word_n be_v keep_v in_o store_n reserve_v unto_o fire_n against_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o perdition_n of_o ungodly_a man_n 2_o peter_n 3._o 5_o 6_o 7._o such_o destruction_n as_o these_o can_v be_v attribute_v to_o no_o natural_a cause_n but_o the_o same_o word_n which_o make_v the_o world_n destroy_v the_o old_a world_n by_o water_n and_o will_v destroy_v this_o by_o fire_n which_o make_v it_o a_o visible_a demonstration_n of_o the_o power_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n by_o fire_n from_o heaven_n be_v not_o only_o a_o general_n warn_v to_o sinner_n but_o a_o example_n of_o a_o divine_a vengeance_n against_o all_o uncleanness_n and_o unnatural_a lusts._n as_o st._n jude_n tell_v we_o even_o as_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n and_o the_o city_n about_o they_o in_o like_a manner_n give_v themselves_o over_o to_o fornication_n and_o go_v after_o strange_a flesh_n be_v set_v forth_o for_o a_o example_n suffer_v the_o vengeance_n of_o eternal_a fire_n v_o 7._o thus_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o roman_n which_o be_v attend_v with_o the_o most_o terrible_a circumstance_n that_o we_o ever_o meet_v with_o in_o story_n be_v a_o last_a confutation_n of_o infidelity_n and_o a_o glorious_a testimony_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o religion_n so_o that_o most_o of_o the_o terrible_a example_n of_o god_n vengeance_n how_o terrible_a soever_o they_o be_v to_o those_o who_o suffer_v be_v act_n of_o great_a goodness_n to_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o belong_v to_o the_o goodness_n of_o government_n by_o some_o severe_a execution_n to_o protect_v and_o defend_v the_o innocent_a and_o reclaim_v other_o offender_n without_o the_o necessity_n of_o terrify_v the_o world_n in_o every_o age_n with_o such_o repeat_v severity_n nay_o we_o may_v observe_v far_o that_o when_o the_o world_n be_v grow_v very_o corrupt_a and_o degenerate_a and_o such_o sinner_n if_o they_o be_v suffer_v to_o continue_v in_o it_o will_v certain_o propagate_v their_o atheism_n infidelity_n and_o lewdness_n to_o all_o posterity_n it_o be_v great_a goodness_n to_o all_o succeed_a generation_n to_o cleanse_v the_o world_n of_o its_o impure_a inhabitant_n by_o some_o great_a destruction_n by_o sword_n or_o plague_n or_o famine_n to_o lessen_v the_o number_n of_o sinner_n and_o to_o possess_v those_o who_o escape_n with_o a_o great_a awe_n and_o reverence_n of_o god_n judgement_n nay_o to_o observe_v but_o one_o thing_n more_o many_o time_n these_o terrible_a shake_v and_o convulsion_n of_o the_o world_n be_v intend_v by_o god_n to_o open_v some_o new_a and_o more_o glorious_a scene_n of_o providence_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o four_o empire_n which_o prey_v upon_o each_o other_o and_o be_v at_o last_o swallow_v up_o by_o the_o roman_a power_n though_o they_o make_v great_a destruction_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o they_o carry_v learn_v and_o civility_n into_o
can_v subsist_v without_o it_o 2_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o very_a great_a mistake_n to_o think_v that_o the_o happiness_n of_o man_n differ_v as_o much_o as_o their_o fortune_n do_v that_o a_o prince_n be_v as_o much_o happy_a as_o he_o be_v great_a than_o his_o subject_n for_o all_o the_o world_n know_v that_o happiness_n be_v not_o entail_v on_o riches_n and_o power_n and_o secular_a honour_n as_o they_o have_v their_o advantage_n so_o they_o have_v very_o troublesome_a and_o sour_a allay_v and_o it_o may_v be_v upon_o a_o true_a estimate_n of_o thing_n as_o different_a a_o show_n and_o appearance_n as_o man_n make_v in_o the_o world_n they_o be_v pretty_a equal_a as_o to_o true_a enjoyment_n there_o be_v very_o little_a difference_n in_o eat_v and_o drink_v while_o we_o have_v wherewithal_o to_o satisfy_v nature_n for_o appetite_n make_v every_o thing_n delicious_a and_o the_o hard_a labour_n of_o a_o poor_a man_n be_v much_o more_o tolerable_a than_o gout_n and_o stone_n and_o those_o sharp_a or_o languish_a disease_n which_o so_o common_o attend_v the_o softness_n and_o luxury_n of_o the_o rich_a and_o as_o for_o opinion_n and_o fancy_n itself_o which_o create_v the_o great_a difference_n every_o rank_n of_o man_n make_v a_o scene_n among_o themselves_o and_o every_o man_n find_v something_o to_o value_v himself_o upon_o that_o it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v nothing_o wherein_o all_o mankind_n be_v so_o equal_a as_o in_o self-love_n and_o self-flattery_n and_o a_o value_n for_o themselves_o that_o though_o there_o be_v many_o man_n who_o will_v change_v fortune_n with_o other_o there_o be_v few_o that_o will_v change_v themselves_o and_o the_o difference_n of_o fortune_n be_v very_o inconsiderable_a while_o every_o man_n be_v so_o well_o satisfy_v with_o himself_o 3_o this_o inequality_n of_o fortune_n be_v for_o the_o great_a good_a of_o all_o rank_n of_o man_n and_o serve_v a_o great_a many_o wise_a end_n of_o providence_n it_o make_v some_o man_n industrious_a to_o provide_v for_o themselves_o and_o family_n it_o inspire_v other_o with_o emulation_n to_o raise_v their_o fortune_n it_o give_v life_n and_o spirit_n to_o the_o world_n and_o make_v it_o a_o busy_a scene_n of_o action_n to_o keep_v what_o they_o have_v and_o to_o make_v new_a acquisition_n to_o excel_v their_o equal_n and_o rival_n those_o above_o they_o and_o though_o through_o the_o folly_n and_o wickedness_n of_o man_n this_o occasion_n a_o great_a deal_n of_o mischief_n yet_o the_o world_n will_v be_v a_o very_a dull_a place_n without_o it_o there_o will_v be_v no_o encouragement_n no_o reward_n for_o virtue_n providence_n itself_o will_v have_v very_o little_a to_o do_v for_o the_o visible_a reward_n of_o virtue_n and_o punishment_n of_o wickedness_n be_v in_o the_o change_n of_o man_n fortune_n when_o industry_n prudence_n and_o virtue_n advance_v man_n of_o a_o low_a condition_n to_o the_o great_a place_n of_o trust_n and_o honour_n or_o at_o least_o to_o a_o plentiful_a and_o splendid_a station_n and_o prodigality_n luxury_n and_o impiety_n bring_v misery_n poverty_n and_o contempt_n upon_o rich_a and_o noble_a family_n such_o revolution_n as_o these_o be_v great_a example_n of_o the_o wisdom_n and_o justice_n of_o providence_n and_o therefore_o the_o inequality_n of_o man_n fortune_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o objection_n against_o providence_n that_o there_o can_v be_v little_o visible_a exercise_n either_o of_o the_o goodness_n or_o justice_n of_o providence_n without_o it_o i_o can_v without_o some_o indignation_n reflect_v upon_o the_o baseness_n and_o ingratitude_n of_o mankind_n who_o live_v and_o move_v and_o have_v their_o be_v in_o god_n who_o know_v how_o little_o they_o deserve_v of_o he_o and_o feel_v every_o day_n how_o many_o blessing_n they_o receive_v from_o he_o and_o yet_o seem_v never_o better_o please_v than_o when_o they_o can_v find_v or_o ignorant_o invent_v some_o plausible_a pretence_n to_o reproach_v his_o goodness_n the_o sense_n of_o all_o mankind_n confute_v such_o objection_n and_o i_o shall_v not_o have_v think_v it_o worth_a the_o while_n to_o answer_v they_o be_v it_o not_o a_o great_a satisfaction_n and_o of_o great_a use_n to_o contemplate_v the_o divine_a goodness_n even_o on_o the_o dark_a side_n of_o providence_n which_o will_v teach_v we_o a_o patient_a and_o thankful_a submission_n to_o god_n under_o all_o our_o suffering_n enable_v we_o to_o bear_v they_o and_o direct_v we_o how_o to_o prevent_v or_o remove_v they_o and_o give_v we_o a_o more_o transport_v admiration_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n when_o we_o see_v it_o like_o the_o sun_n break_v through_o the_o black_a cloud_n if_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n conquer_v the_o sin_n the_o perverseness_n of_o mankind_n and_o shine_v through_o all_o those_o misery_n which_o foolish_a sinner_n every_o day_n bring_v upon_o themselves_o how_o good_a be_v god_n when_o his_o goodness_n flow_v with_o a_o undisturbed_a uninterrupted_a current_n chap._n viii_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n the_o unsearchableness_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n as_o i_o observe_v above_o 4._o be_v a_o very_a good_a reason_n why_o we_o shall_v not_o judge_v or_o censure_v such_o mysterious_a passage_n of_o providence_n as_o we_o can_v comprehend_v but_o yet_o it_o become_v we_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o to_o admire_v that_o wonderful_a wisdom_n which_o be_v visible_a in_o the_o government_n of_o mankind_n we_o can_v by_o search_v find_v out_o god_n we_o can_v find_v out_o the_o almighty_a to_o perfection_n it_o be_v as_o high_a as_o heaven_n what_o can_v thou_o do_v deep_o than_o hell_n what_o can_v thou_o know_v the_o measure_n thereof_o be_v long_o than_o the_o earth_n and_o broad_a than_o the_o sea_n 11._o job_n 7_o 8_o 9_o but_o though_o we_o can_v discover_v all_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n no_o more_o than_o we_o can_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o creation_n yet_o we_o may_v discover_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v we_o that_o the_o world_n be_v govern_v as_o well_o as_o make_v with_o infinite_a wisdom_n when_o we_o contemplate_v god_n it_o be_v like_o lose_v ourselves_o in_o a_o boundless_a prospect_n where_o we_o see_v a_o great_a many_o glory_n and_o beauty_n but_o can_v see_v to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o we_o may_v discover_v admirable_a and_o surprise_v wisdom_n in_o that_o little_a we_o see_v of_o providence_n as_o i_o have_v already_o brief_o observe_v upon_o several_a occasion_n but_o we_o know_v so_o little_a of_o what_o have_v be_v do_v in_o the_o world_n and_o by_o what_o mean_v it_o be_v do_v and_o what_o end_v it_o serve_v that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o we_o have_v as_o imperfect_a a_o view_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o world_n but_o yet_o whoever_o diligent_o apply_v his_o mind_n to_o the_o study_n of_o providence_n will_v see_v reason_n to_o admire_v a_o great_a many_o event_n which_o careless_a observer_n make_v objection_n against_o providence_n which_o will_v be_v of_o such_o great_a use_n to_o confirm_v we_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o providence_n and_o to_o give_v we_o a_o profound_a veneration_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n that_o i_o shall_v venture_v to_o make_v some_o little_a essay_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o though_o i_o be_o sensible_a must_v fall_v infinite_o short_a of_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o subject_a yet_o will_v suggest_v some_o very_a useful_a thought_n and_o show_v we_o the_o most_o delightful_a and_o profitable_a way_n of_o study_v history_n and_o providence_n and_o to_o do_v this_o in_o the_o best_a manner_n i_o can_v i_o shall_v 1._o consider_v some_o great_a event_n record_v in_o scripture_n which_o be_v as_o it_o it_o be_v the_o hinge_n of_o providence_n whereon_o the_o various_a scene_n of_o providence_n turn_v 2._o i_o shall_v take_v notice_n of_o some_o other_o visible_a mark_n and_o character_n of_o wisdom_n in_o the_o more_o common_a event_n of_o providence_n especial_o such_o as_o be_v make_v objection_n against_o providence_n 1._o some_o great_a event_n record_v in_o scripture_n which_o give_v a_o new_a face_n of_o thing_n to_o the_o world_n and_o open_v new_a scene_n of_o providence_n the_o state_n of_o innocence_n wherein_o man_n be_v create_v be_v a_o state_n of_o perfect_a happiness_n there_o be_v no_o death_n no_o sickness_n no_o labour_n or_o sorrow_n but_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n make_v a_o very_a great_a change_n in_o this_o visible_a creation_n man_n himself_o become_v mortal_a and_o be_v condemn_v to_o a_o industrious_a and_o laborious_a life_n according_a to_o that_o sentence_n curse_v be_v the_o ground_n for_o thy_o sake_n in_o sorrow_n shall_v thou_o eat_v of_o it_o all_o the_o day_n of_o thy_o life_n thorn_n also_o and_o thistle_n shall_v it_o bring_v forth_o to_o thou_o and_o thou_o shall_v eat_v the_o herb_n of_o the_o field_n in_o
because_o moses_n have_v record_v it_o in_o his_o write_n who_o we_o know_v be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o we_o know_v also_o that_o there_o have_v be_v no_o satisfactory_a account_n give_v yet_o from_o the_o principle_n of_o nature_n and_o philosophy_n how_o the_o whole_a world_n can_v be_v drown_v at_o lest_o none_o that_o will_v agree_v with_o the_o moysaicall_a history_n either_o of_o the_o creation_n or_o of_o the_o deluge_n and_o it_o be_v better_a to_o have_v no_o account_n than_o such_o a_o account_n as_o confute_v moses_n can_v any_o such_o be_v give_v for_o this_o confute_v or_o at_o least_o discredit_v the_o story_n itself_o for_o which_o we_o have_v no_o authentic_a authority_n when_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n be_v lose_v but_o indeed_o it_o be_v no_o service_n to_o religion_n to_o seek_v after_o natural_a cause_n for_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o world_n any_o more_o than_o it_o be_v to_o resolve_v the_o make_n of_o the_o world_n into_o natural_a cause_n for_o it_o be_v great_a good_a nature_n in_o man_n to_o own_o a_o god_n if_o they_o can_v make_v and_o destroy_v a_o world_n without_o he_o there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o natural_a cause_n till_o the_o world_n be_v make_v and_o every_o thing_n endow_v with_o its_o natural_a virtue_n and_o power_n and_o unite_v into_o a_o regular_a frame_n with_o a_o mutual_a dependence_n and_o connexion_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n to_o talk_v of_o make_v the_o world_n by_o natural_a cause_n when_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o natural_a cause_n till_o the_o world_n be_v make_v and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o nature_n must_v move_v unnatural_o and_o be_v put_v into_o a_o universal_a disorder_n before_o the_o world_n can_v be_v destroy_v for_o while_o natural_a cause_n keep_v their_o natural_a course_n they_o will_v preserve_v not_o destroy_v the_o world_n and_o therefore_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o world_n be_v not_o owe_v to_o natural_a cause_n but_o to_o preternatural_a disorder_n and_o what_o philosophy_n can_v give_v a_o account_n of_o that_o what_o can_v put_v nature_n into_o such_o a_o universal_a disorder_n but_o the_o same_o divine_a power_n which_o put_v it_o into_o order_n and_o give_v law_n to_o it_o and_o this_o be_v what_o god_n intend_v in_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o old_a world_n to_o give_v a_o visible_a and_o last_a proof_n of_o his_o be_v and_o providence_n to_o the_o new_a by_o such_o a_o miraculous_a deluge_n as_o can_v be_v attribute_v to_o no_o other_o cause_n but_o a_o divine_a vengeance_n that_o universal_a corruption_n of_o mankind_n will_v persuade_v we_o that_o the_o very_a belief_n and_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n be_v lose_v among_o they_o or_o if_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o conceive_v how_o that_o shall_v be_v when_o the_o world_n by_o computation_n be_v not_o seventeen_o hundred_o year_n old_a and_o lamech_v noah_n father_n live_v fifty_o year_n with_o adam_n himself_o that_o it_o seem_v impossible_a that_o the_o tradition_n of_o god_n create_v the_o world_n shall_v have_v be_v lose_v in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n yet_o at_o least_o they_o can_v have_v no_o sense_n of_o god_n justice_n and_o providence_n they_o can_v not_o believe_v that_o god_n take_v any_o notice_n of_o their_o action_n or_o will_v execute_v such_o a_o terrible_a vengeance_n on_o they_o for_o their_o sin_n we_o do_v not_o read_v of_o any_o one_o act_n of_o judgement_n which_o god_n exercise_v before_o the_o flood_n and_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a that_o his_o spare_a cain_n when_o he_o have_v kill_v his_o brother_n abel_n may_v encourage_v they_o with_o hope_n of_o impunity_n whatever_o wickedness_n they_o commit_v and_o therefore_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n see_v it_o necessary_a to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o old_a and_o to_o begin_v the_o new_a world_n with_o a_o visible_a demonstration_n of_o his_o power_n and_o justice_n to_o teach_v man_n the_o fear_n and_o reverence_n and_o worship_n of_o that_o god_n who_o not_o only_o make_v the_o world_n but_o have_v once_o destroy_v it_o and_o therefore_o can_v destroy_v it_o again_o with_o all_o its_o wicked_a inhabitant_n whenever_o he_o please_v now_o to_o make_v this_o a_o last_a proof_n of_o god_n power_n and_o justice_n it_o must_v be_v evident_a beyond_o all_o contradiction_n that_o it_o be_v god_n do_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o god_n shall_v destroy_v the_o world_n in_o so_o miraculous_a a_o manner_n as_o can_v be_v attribute_v to_o no_o other_o cause_n for_o it_o be_v the_o true_a spirit_n of_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n to_o attribute_v nothing_o to_o god_n which_o they_o can_v ascribe_v to_o any_o visible_a cause_n have_v all_o mankind_n except_v noah_n and_o his_o son_n be_v destroy_v by_o plague_n or_o famine_n or_o wild_a beast_n though_o such_o a_o general_a destruction_n will_v have_v convince_v wise_a and_o reasonable_a man_n that_o the_o hand_n and_o the_o vengeance_n of_o god_n be_v in_o it_o yet_o if_o we_o may_v judge_v of_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n by_o the_o wonderful_a improvement_n in_o wit_n and_o philosophy_n which_o our_o modern_a atheist_n have_v make_v they_o will_v think_v scorn_n to_o attribute_v plague_n or_o famine_n or_o such_o like_a evil_a accident_n to_o god_n though_o all_o mankind_n be_v destroy_v by_o they_o but_o when_o they_o hear_v of_o a_o world_n drown_v and_o know_v not_o where_o to_o find_v water_n to_o drown_v it_o without_o a_o miraculous_a dissolution_n of_o nature_n they_o must_v either_o laugh_v at_o the_o story_n which_o man_n in_o their_o wit_n can_v well_o do_v or_o they_o must_v believe_v a_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n but_o whatever_o shift_n the_o infidel_n of_o our_o age_n may_v make_v to_o disbelieve_v the_o universal_a deluge_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a wise_a and_o most_o effectual_a mean_n to_o convince_v that_o new_a generation_n of_o man_n while_o the_o uncorrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o deluge_n be_v preserve_v 2_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n be_v see_v in_o destroy_v that_o wicked_a generation_n of_o man_n without_o destroy_v the_o earth_n god_n do_v not_o intend_v to_o put_v a_o final_a end_n to_o the_o race_n of_o mankind_n but_o the_o earth_n be_v to_o be_v again_o inhabit_v by_o a_o new_a generation_n and_o a_o deluge_n of_o water_n be_v best_o fit_v to_o this_o purpose_n which_o do_v no_o hurt_n to_o the_o earth_n when_o it_o be_v dry_v up_o again_o but_o rather_o moisten_v and_o impregnate_v it_o with_o new_a seed_n and_o principle_n of_o life_n there_o be_v but_o two_o way_n we_o know_v of_o to_o destroy_v this_o earth_n either_o by_o water_n or_o fire_n it_o have_v already_o be_v destroy_v by_o water_n and_o will_v be_v destroy_v by_o fire_n and_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o man_n that_o this_o be_v not_o accident_n but_o a_o wise_a design_n to_o consider_v that_o a_o deluge_n of_o water_n be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o purge_v and_o reform_v the_o world_n but_o fire_n be_v reserve_v for_o the_o final_a destruction_n of_o it_o whereas_o have_v this_o order_n be_v invert_v as_o it_o may_v have_v be_v have_v it_o be_v mere_a chance_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o earth_n can_v neither_o have_v be_v preserve_v from_o fire_n nor_o utter_o destroy_v by_o water_n without_o a_o perpetual_a deluge_n a_o deluge_n of_o water_n do_v not_o destroy_v the_o earth_n nor_o make_v it_o uninhabitable_a after_o the_o deluge_n cease_v but_o fire_n destroy_v the_o frame_n and_o constitution_n of_o it_o and_o melt_v all_o into_o one_o confuse_a mass_n there_o be_v some_o defence_n against_o a_o deluge_n noah_n and_o his_o son_n be_v preserve_v in_o the_o ark_n to_o people_n the_o new_a world_n but_o there_o be_v no_o defence_n against_o flame_n the_o whole_a earth_n and_o all_o the_o wicked_a inhabitant_n of_o it_o must_v burn_v together_o and_o this_o be_v one_o wise_a reason_n why_o god_n choose_v to_o drown_v the_o world_n not_o to_o burn_v it_o because_o the_o end_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v not_o yet_o come_v 3_o there_o be_v great_a variety_n of_o wisdom_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o god_n preserve_v noah_n and_o his_o son_n in_o the_o ark_n from_o perish_v by_o water_n for_o first_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o this_o be_v very_o necessary_a to_o preserve_v the_o race_n of_o mankind_n to_o new-people_n the_o world_n which_o much_o more_o become_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n than_o to_o have_v create_v man_n anew_o when_o all_o flesh_n have_v corrupt_v his_o way_n it_o become_v god_n to_o try_v new_a method_n of_o reform_v the_o world_n for_o this_o open_v new_a and_o surprise_v scene_n of_o providence_n and_o display_v such_o a_o multifarious_a wisdom_n in_o the_o government_n of_o mankind_n as_o be_v much_o more_o wonderful_a
who_o they_o suppose_v entrust_v with_o the_o immediate_a care_n of_o particular_a country_n and_o how_o can_v god_n give_v a_o more_o sensible_a demonstration_n to_o the_o world_n that_o he_o will_v not_o allow_v the_o pay_v divine_a honour_n to_o any_o but_o himself_o than_o by_o raise_v up_o a_o new_a people_n distinguish_v and_o separate_v from_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o sole_a worship_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n and_o own_a by_o he_o for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n by_z as_o distinguish_v providence_n for_o this_o not_o only_o prove_v a_o divine_a power_n and_o providence_n but_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n who_o we_o ought_v to_o worship_n and_o this_o may_v satisfy_v we_o that_o god_n be_v not_o so_o partial_a in_o his_o favour_n as_o to_o prefer_v one_o nation_n before_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n for_o they_o be_v no_o nation_n nor_o people_n when_o god_n choose_v they_o for_o god_n enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o abraham_n and_o his_o seed_n when_o there_o be_v none_o but_o himself_o but_o when_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n be_v idolater_n god_n promise_v to_o multiply_v abraham_n seed_n into_o a_o great_a nation_n and_o to_o make_v they_o his_o own_o peculiar_a people_n that_o be_v he_o make_v a_o new_a people_n and_o nation_n in_o great_a kindness_n to_o mankind_n to_o preserve_v the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n and_o by_o degree_n to_o extirpate_v idolatry_n out_o of_o the_o world_n but_o beside_o this_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o peculiar_a privilege_n of_o the_o jew_n 2._o that_o to_o they_o be_v commit_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a it_o be_v for_o the_o great_a good_a of_o the_o world_n that_o these_o divine_a oracle_n a_o system_fw-la of_o law_n both_o for_o religious_a worship_n and_o civil_a conversation_n shall_v be_v deposit_v somewhere_o for_o their_o idolatry_n do_v every_o day_n corrupt_v the_o manner_n of_o man_n and_o be_v likely_a in_o time_n to_o destroy_v all_o the_o natural_a notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a which_o make_v a_o write_a law_n necessary_a from_o whence_o man_n may_v learn_v their_o duty_n whenever_o they_o please_v and_o it_o be_v evident_a these_o law_n can_v be_v give_v to_o no_o other_o people_n but_o the_o jew_n who_o alone_o acknowledge_v and_o worship_v the_o one_o supreme_a god_n for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v conceive_v that_o god_n shall_v give_v law_n to_o idolater_n who_o do_v not_o own_o and_o worship_v he_o for_o their_o god_n or_o that_o they_o shall_v receive_v law_n from_o he_o and_o though_o these_o law_n be_v immediate_o give_v only_o to_o the_o jew_n because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o nation_n at_o that_o time_n which_o own_v and_o worship_v the_o one_o supreme_a god_n yet_o as_o the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n prevail_v in_o the_o world_n so_o these_o law_n will_v be_v of_o more_o universal_a use_n as_o we_o see_v it_o be_v even_o to_o this_o day_n nay_o even_o while_o idolatry_n prevail_v the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n very_o much_o reform_v the_o pagan_a philosophy_n give_v they_o better_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o of_o religious_a worship_n and_o more_o divine_a rule_n of_o life_n as_o be_v visible_a in_o the_o philosophy_n of_o pythagoras_n and_o plato_n who_o be_v general_o think_v to_o have_v learn_v some_o of_o their_o best_a notion_n from_o their_o conversation_n with_o jewish_a priest_n but_o yet_o the_o question_n be_v not_o what_o use_v the_o world_n do_v make_v of_o this_o but_o what_o use_v they_o may_v have_v make_v of_o it_o and_o whither_o as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n than_o be_v any_o thing_n can_v be_v more_o wise_o design_v than_o to_o preserve_v the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o true_a god_n and_o a_o system_v of_o divine_a law_n in_o a_o nation_n raise_v up_o on_o purpose_n to_o season_v the_o world_n and_o to_o preserve_v it_o from_o a_o universal_a apostasy_n but_o god_n have_v a_o more_o glorious_a design_n than_o all_o this_o in_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o abraham_n and_o choose_v his_o seed_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n he_o have_v promise_v that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v break_v the_o serpent_n head_n which_o contain_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n be_v to_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n to_o destroy_v the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o this_o be_v the_o covenant_n which_o god_n make_v with_o abraham_n that_o in_o his_o seed_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v be_v bless_v it_o be_v not_o fit_v that_o the_o messiah_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v descend_v from_o idolater_n and_o that_o when_o he_o come_v into_o the_o world_n he_o shall_v find_v no_o worshipper_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n in_o it_o and_o therefore_o god_n enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o abraham_n who_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o only_a man_n of_o that_o age_n who_o be_v free_a from_o idolatry_n and_o promise_n to_o multiply_v his_o seed_n and_o to_o preserve_v his_o name_n and_o worship_n among_o they_o and_o that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v descend_v from_o his_o loin_n and_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o necessary_a preparation_n be_v require_v for_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o for_o his_o reception_n in_o the_o world_n when_o he_o shall_v appear_v it_o will_v satisfy_v we_o how_o wise_o this_o be_v design_v by_o god_n the_o appearance_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n be_v very_o surprise_v and_o it_o can_v not_o be_v think_v that_o any_o one_o who_o make_v such_o pretence_n shall_v find_v credit_n unless_o the_o world_n have_v beforehand_o be_v prepare_v to_o expect_v he_o and_o have_v some_o infallible_a mark_n and_o character_n whereby_o to_o know_v he_o when_o he_o come_v and_o this_o be_v the_o principal_a end_n of_o all_o the_o type_n and_o figure_n and_o prophecy_n of_o the_o law_n to_o contain_v the_o promise_n and_o prediction_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o character_n whereby_o to_o know_v he_o the_o temple_n itself_o and_o the_o whole_a temple-worship_n be_v little_o more_o than_o type_n and_o figure_n of_o christ_n of_o his_o incarnation_n or_o live_v among_o man_n in_o a_o earthly_a tabernacle_n of_o his_o priesthood_n and_o sacrifice_n his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n there_o to_o intercede_v for_o we_o at_o god_n right_a hand_n as_o the_o highpriest_n enter_v once_o a_o year_n into_o the_o holy_a of_o holies_n now_o this_o can_v not_o have_v be_v do_v have_v not_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n have_v a_o temple_n and_o priesthood_n and_o sacrifice_n on_o earth_n that_o be_v a_o people_n peculiar_o devote_v to_o his_o worship_n and_o service_n for_o the_o temple_n and_o priest_n and_o sacrifice_n of_o idol_n can_v not_o be_v type_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o come_v to_o confound_v all_o the_o pagan_a god_n and_o their_o idolatrous_a worship_n thus_o there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o prophecy_n of_o christ_n have_v there_o be_v no_o prophet_n of_o the_o true_a god_n and_o these_o prophecy_n will_v have_v meet_v with_o little_a credit_n have_v they_o be_v find_v in_o idol_n temple_n so_o that_o god_n choose_v the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n be_v not_o only_o necessary_a to_o preserve_v the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o true_a god_n in_o the_o world_n but_o also_o to_o receive_v and_o to_o convey_v down_o to_o future_a age_n with_o a_o unquestionable_a authority_n all_o the_o type_n and_o prophecy_n of_o the_o messiah_n this_o give_v we_o a_o general_a view_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n in_o that_o covenant_n god_n make_v with_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n and_o this_o will_v enable_v we_o to_o discover_v the_o wonderful_a wisdom_n of_o all_o the_o various_a dispensation_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n towards_o the_o jewish_a nation_n which_o will_v be_v both_o so_o useful_a and_o entertain_v a_o meditation_n that_o i_o can_v pass_v it_o over_o without_o some_o short_a remark_n now_o god_n have_v choose_v the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n to_o be_v his_o peculiar_a people_n on_o purpose_n to_o make_v they_o a_o visible_a confutation_n of_o idolatry_n and_o to_o establish_v and_o propagate_v the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n in_o the_o world_n in_o order_n to_o effect_v this_o four_o thing_n be_v manifest_o necessary_a 1._o that_o it_o shall_v be_v visible_a to_o all_o that_o know_v they_o that_o god_n have_v choose_v israel_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n 2._o that_o it_o shall_v be_v as_o visible_a that_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n be_v the_o one_o supreme_a god_n the_o maker_n and_o sovereign_a lord_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n 3._o
we_o owe_v to_o providence_n 345_o a_o particular_a acknowledgement_n of_o providence_n in_o all_o event_n ibid._n submission_n to_o the_o providential_a will_v of_o god_n 347_o concern_v submission_n to_o god_n under_o affliction_n and_o suffering_n 348_o submission_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n with_o respect_n to_o our_o several_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o life_n 354_o concern_v hope_n and_o trust_v in_o the_o divine_a providence_n 366_o concern_v the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n and_o thanksgiving_n 378_o a_o discourse_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n the_o introduction_n my_o chief_a design_n in_o this_o follow_a treatise_n be_v so_o to_o explain_v the_o nature_n of_o providence_n as_o to_o reconcile_v man_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o and_o to_o possess_v they_o with_o a_o religious_a awe_n and_o reverence_n of_o the_o supreme_a and_o absolute_a lord_n of_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o the_o mistake_v about_o the_o nature_n of_o providence_n be_v the_o principal_a objection_n against_o it_o which_o tempt_v some_o man_n to_o deny_v a_o providence_n or_o so_o weaken_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o in_o other_o that_o they_o be_v very_o little_a the_o better_a for_o believe_v it_o that_o a_o divine_a providence_n do_v govern_v the_o world_n i_o have_v prove_v large_o enough_o for_o my_o present_a design_n in_o the_o discourse_n concern_v a_o future_a judgement_n 3._o which_o i_o refer_v my_o reader_n to_o but_o that_o this_o work_n may_v not_o seem_v to_o want_v a_o foundation_n i_o have_v not_o whole_o omit_v the_o proof_n of_o a_o providence_n but_o have_v at_o least_o say_v enough_o to_o convince_v those_o of_o a_o providence_n who_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n which_o must_v be_v suppose_v in_o a_o discourse_n of_o providence_n the_o whole_a be_v divide_v into_o nine_o chapter_n i._o the_o necessary_a connection_n between_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n and_o of_o a_o providence_n ii_o the_o general_a notion_n of_o providence_n and_o particular_o concern_v a_o preserve_v providence_n iii_o concern_v god_n govern_v providence_n iv._o the_o sovereignty_n of_o providence_n v._o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n vi_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n vii_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n viii_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n ix_o the_o duty_n we_o owe_v to_o providence_n the_o explication_n of_o these_o thing_n will_v not_o only_o answer_v many_o difficulty_n in_o providence_n but_o will_v give_v we_o a_o clear_a notion_n of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o of_o some_o of_o the_o principal_a duty_n of_o religion_n chap._n i._n the_o necessary_a connection_n between_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n and_o of_o a_o providence_n instead_o of_o other_o argument_n to_o prove_v a_o providence_n i_o shall_v at_o present_a insist_v only_o on_o this_o that_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n infer_v a_o providence_n that_o if_o we_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o make_v the_o world_n we_o must_v believe_v that_o the_o same_o god_n who_o make_v the_o world_n do_v govern_v it_o too_o 1._o for_o first_o it_o be_v as_o absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a to_o think_v that_o the_o world_n be_v govern_v by_o chance_n as_o to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v make_v by_o chance_n for_o chance_n can_v no_o more_o govern_v than_o it_o can_v make_v the_o world_n one_o principal_a act_n of_o providence_n be_v to_o uphold_v all_o thing_n in_o be_v to_o preserve_v their_o nature_n power_n operation_n to_o make_v this_o low_a world_n again_o every_o year_n by_o new_a production_n for_o nature_n seem_v to_o decay_v and_o die_v and_o revive_v again_o in_o almost_o as_o wonderful_a a_o manner_n and_o as_o unintelligible_a to_o we_o as_o it_o be_v first_o make_v now_o though_o it_o be_v very_o absurd_a to_o say_v that_o chance_n which_o act_n by_o no_o rule_n nor_o with_o any_o counsel_n or_o design_n can_v make_v a_o world_n which_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n and_o character_n of_o a_o admirable_a wisdom_n in_o its_o contrivance_n yet_o it_o seem_v more_o absurd_a to_o say_v that_o chance_n can_v preserve_v that_o it_o can_v uphold_v the_o thing_n it_o have_v make_v that_o it_o can_v repair_v the_o decay_n of_o nature_n nay_o restore_v it_o when_o it_o seem_v lose_v that_o it_o can_v not_o only_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n twice_o but_o repeat_v it_o infinite_o in_o new_a production_n that_o chance_n can_v give_v law_n to_o nature_n 1._o and_o impose_v a_o necessity_n on_o it_o to_o act_v regular_o and_o uniform_o that_o be_v that_o chance_n shall_v put_v a_o end_n to_o chance_n and_o introduce_v necessity_n and_o fate_n be_v there_o not_o a_o wise_a and_o powerful_a providence_n it_o be_v ten_o thousand_o time_n more_o likely_a that_o chance_n shall_v unmake_v and_o dissolve_v the_o world_n than_o that_o it_o shall_v at_o first_o make_v it_o for_o a_o world_n that_o come_v together_o by_o chance_n and_o have_v nothing_o to_o keep_v it_o together_o but_o the_o chance_n that_o make_v it_o which_o be_v as_o uncertain_a and_o mutable_a as_o chance_n be_v will_v quick_o unmake_v itself_o shall_v the_o sun_n but_o change_v his_o place_n come_v near_o this_o earth_n or_o remove_v far_o from_o it_o there_o be_v a_o end_n of_o this_o low_a world_n and_o if_o it_o be_v place_v there_o by_o chance_n it_o be_v wonderful_a that_o in_o so_o many_o age_n some_o new_a unlucky_a chance_n have_v not_o remove_v it_o and_o therefore_o the_o psalmist_n attribute_n not_o only_o the_o creation_n but_o the_o preservation_n of_o all_o thing_n to_o god_n praise_v he_o sun_n and_o moon_n praise_v he_o you_o star_n of_o light_n praise_v he_o all_o you_o heaven_n and_o you_o water_n that_o be_v above_o the_o heaven_n let_v they_o praise_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o he_o speak_v the_o word_n and_o they_o be_v make_v he_o command_v and_o they_o be_v create_v he_o have_v make_v they_o fast_o for_o ever_o he_o have_v give_v they_o a_o law_n which_o shall_v not_o be_v break_v 148._o psal._n 3_o 4_o 5_o 6._o 2_o the_o same_o wisdom_n and_o power_n which_o make_v the_o world_n must_v govern_v it_o too_o it_o be_v only_o a_o create_a power_n that_o can_v preserve_v that_o which_o owe_v its_o very_a be_v to_o power_n must_v depend_v upon_o the_o power_n that_o make_v it_o for_o it_o can_v have_v no_o principle_n of_o self-subsistence_n independent_a on_o its_o cause_n it_o be_v only_o create_v wisdom_n that_o perfect_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o see_v all_o the_o spring_n of_o motion_n that_o can_v correct_v the_o error_n of_o nature_n that_o can_v suspend_v or_o direct_v the_o influence_n of_o natural_a cause_n that_o can_v govern_v heart_n change_v man_n purpose_n inspire_v wisdom_n and_o counsel_n restrain_v or_o let_v loose_v their_o passion_n it_o be_v only_o a_o infinite_a mind_n that_o can_v take_v care_n of_o all_o the_o world_n that_o can_v allot_v every_o creature_n its_o portion_n that_o can_v adjust_a the_o interest_n of_o state_n and_o kingdom_n that_o can_v bring_v good_a out_o of_o evil_a and_o order_n out_o of_o confusion_n in_o a_o word_n the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n require_v such_o wisdom_n and_o such_o power_n as_o no_o be_v have_v but_o he_o who_o make_v it_o and_o therefore_o if_o the_o world_n be_v govern_v it_o must_v be_v govern_v by_o the_o maker_n of_o it_o 3_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o be_v as_o we_o call_v god_n a_o pure_a infinite_a eternal_a mind_n it_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o he_o must_v govern_v the_o world_n those_o who_o deny_v a_o providence_n will_v not_o allow_v that_o god_n see_v or_o take_v notice_n of_o what_o be_v do_v here_o below_o the_o epicurean_o though_o in_o civility_n and_o compliment_n to_o the_o superstition_n of_o mankind_n rather_o than_o from_o a_o real_a belief_n and_o sense_n of_o a_o deity_n they_o do_v own_o a_o god_n nay_o a_o great_a many_o god_n fruatur_fw-la such_o as_o they_o be_v yet_o never_o allow_v their_o god_n to_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o our_o affair_n longè_fw-la which_o will_v have_v disturb_v their_o profound_a ease_n and_o rest_v the_o sole_a happiness_n of_o the_o lazy_a unactive_a epicurean_a deity_n and_o this_o secure_v they_o from_o the_o fear_n of_o their_o god_n who_o live_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o they_o and_o know_v nothing_o concern_v they_o and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n this_o be_v represent_v in_o scripture_n that_o wicked_a man_n will_v not_o believe_v that_o god_n see_v or_o hear_v or_o take_v any_o notice_n of_o what_o they_o do_v 64._o psalm_n 5._o they_o encourage_v themselves_o in_o a_o evil_a matter_n they_o commune_v of_o lay_v snare_n secret_o they_o say_v who_o shall_v see_v they_o 10._o psalm_n 11._o he_o have_v say_v in_o his_o heart_n god_n have_v forget_v he_o hide_v his_o face_n he_o will_v never_o see_v it_o
two_o distinct_a and_o different_a act_n of_o power_n to_o make_v and_o to_o preserve_v for_o how_o can_v any_o man_n know_v this_o who_o neither_o know_v how_o god_n create_v nor_o how_o he_o preserve_v thus_o much_o be_v certain_a that_o to_o create_v be_v to_o give_v be_v to_o that_o which_o be_v not_o before_o to_o preserve_v be_v to_o continue_v that_o in_o be_v which_o be_v make_v before_o and_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v once_o create_v it_o can_v never_o be_v new_o create_v till_o it_o fall_v into_o nothing_o again_o for_o to_o create_v be_v to_o make_v out_o of_o nothing_o not_o to_o make_v a_o thing_n which_o already_o be_v but_o by_o what_o act_v of_o power_n either_o of_o these_o be_v do_v we_o can_v tell_v nor_o be_v we_o concern_v to_o know_v for_o what_o way_n soever_o this_o be_v do_v we_o equal_o depend_v on_o god_n we_o live_v and_o subsist_v in_o he_o but_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n fit_a to_o be_v observe_v that_o this_o act_n of_o preservation_n which_o consist_v in_o uphold_v all_o thing_n in_o be_v be_v fix_v by_o a_o perpetual_a and_o unchangeable_a decree_n that_o though_o god_n will_v dissolve_v this_o present_a frame_n of_o thing_n and_o it_o may_v be_v cast_v the_o world_n into_o a_o new_a mould_n yet_o nothing_o that_o be_v make_v neither_o matter_n nor_o spirit_n shall_v be_v annihilate_v or_o reduce_v into_o nothing_o again_o this_o i_o think_v we_o may_v safe_o conclude_v from_o the_o promise_n and_o threaten_n of_o eternal_a reward_n and_o punishment_n which_o suppose_v that_o both_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n shall_v live_v for_o ever_o the_o one_o to_o be_v happy_a the_o other_o to_o be_v miserable_a to_o eternity_n and_o then_o we_o may_v reasonable_o conclude_v that_o the_o world_n whatever_o change_v it_o may_v suffer_v will_v continue_v as_o long_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o it_o do_v this_o be_v the_o first_o act_n of_o what_o we_o call_v preserve_v providence_n to_o uphold_v all_o thing_n in_o be_v in_o distinction_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o from_o those_o several_a act_n of_o preservation_n which_o concern_v a_o govern_v providence_n a_o second_o act_n of_o preserve_v providence_n be_v what_o the_o school_n call_v god_n co-operation_n and_o concourse_n with_o creature_n in_o all_o their_o action_n that_o we_o not_o only_o live_v and_o have_v our_o be_v but_o that_o we_o move_v in_o god_n that_o whatever_o we_o do_v we_o do_v by_o a_o natural_a power_n receive_v from_o god_n and_o this_o be_v as_o certain_a as_o that_o we_o have_v our_o be_v in_o he_o for_o if_o we_o live_v we_o must_v move_v in_o he_o but_o then_o whether_o god_n co_n operation_n and_o concourse_n be_v a_o different_a act_n from_o his_o preserve_v the_o natural_a virtue_n and_o power_n of_o action_n be_v a_o nice_a and_o more_o intricate_a speculation_n and_o neither_o the_o thing_n nor_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o be_v conceive_v natural_a power_n be_v internal_a principle_n of_o action_n when_o a_o creature_n act_n from_o a_o inward_a principle_n of_o nature_n but_o if_o these_o natural_a power_n while_o they_o be_v preserve_v in_o their_o full_a force_n and_o vigour_n by_o god_n can_v do_v nothing_o themselves_o without_o a_o new_a extrinsic_a determine_v motion_n from_o god_n than_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v no_o natural_a power_n for_o they_o can_v act_v by_o nature_n if_o this_o be_v true_a the_o fire_n do_v burn_v by_o nature_n for_o though_o god_n preserve_v its_o nature_n it_o can_v burn_v without_o some_o new_a cooperate_a power_n which_o be_v not_o in_o its_o nature_n a_o man_n dont_fw-fr reason_n and_o judge_n choose_v and_o refuse_v by_o nature_n for_o though_o god_n preserve_v his_o natural_a power_n and_o faculty_n of_o understanding_n and_o will_n yet_o he_o can_v neither_o understand_v nor_o will_n unless_o he_o be_v move_v act_v determine_v by_o god_n this_o seem_v to_o make_v the_o whole_a world_n a_o mere_a apparition_n and_o empty_a scene_n which_o have_v nothing_o real_a whatever_o we_o see_v do_v in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o do_v by_o creature_n who_o seem_v to_o do_v it_o for_o they_o be_v only_o act_v like_o machine_n not_o from_o the_o internal_a principle_n and_o power_n of_o nature_n but_o from_o external_n motion_n but_o god_n do_v every_o thing_n himself_o by_o a_o immediate_a power_n even_o all_o the_o contradiction_n and_o contrariety_n we_o see_v in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v a_o very_a great_a difficulty_n which_o i_o will_v not_o undertake_v to_o determine_v one_o way_n or_o other_o but_o thus_o much_o i_o think_v we_o may_v safe_o say_v that_o if_o we_o will_v attribute_v any_o thing_n to_o creature_n if_o we_o will_v allow_v that_o they_o ever_o act_v from_o a_o principle_n of_o nature_n we_o must_v confess_v that_o god_n co-operate_v only_o to_o the_o natural_a power_n of_o action_n that_o be_v that_o he_o only_o enable_v they_o to_o act_v according_a to_o their_o nature_n without_o change_v influence_a determine_v their_o nature_n otherwise_o than_o these_o natural_a power_n will_v natural_o act_v for_o this_o be_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o action_n when_o god_n have_v create_v the_o natural_a power_n and_o this_o be_v all_o the_o co-operation_n that_o can_v belong_v to_o god_n as_o the_o maker_n and_o preserver_n of_o all_o thing_n whatever_o be_v more_o than_o this_o as_o i_o acknowledge_v there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o that_o god_n do_v it_o belong_v to_o a_o govern_n not_o to_o a_o preserve_v providence_n god_n do_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o than_o mere_o cooperate_v with_o our_o natural_a power_n to_o perform_v natural_a action_n but_o this_o he_o do_v as_o a_o governor_n not_o mere_o as_o a_o preserver_n the_o not_o distinguish_v of_o which_o have_v occasion_v great_a mistake_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o providence_n as_o to_o show_v this_o brief_o god_n have_v endow_v all_o creature_n with_o such_o natural_a power_n and_o virtue_n as_o may_v answer_v the_o end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v make_v he_o have_v make_v the_o sun_n to_o shine_v to_o enlighten_v and_o refresh_v the_o world_n the_o fire_n to_o burn_v the_o earth_n to_o bring_v forth_o all_o sort_n of_o herb_n and_o grass_n and_o corn_n and_o fruit_n the_o vapour_n to_o ascend_v out_o of_o the_o earth_n to_o purge_v and_o fan_v the_o air_n with_o wind_n and_o to_o fall_v down_o again_o in_o fruitful_a shower_n every_o herb_n and_o flower_n and_o tree_n have_v its_o peculiar_a seed_n to_o propagate_v its_o kind_a as_o all_o live_a creature_n have_v now_o as_o it_o have_v be_v to_o little_a purpose_n for_o god_n to_o have_v make_v a_o world_n without_o uphold_v it_o in_o be_v for_o creature_n can_v no_o more_o preserve_v than_o they_o can_v make_v themselves_o so_o it_o have_v be_v to_o as_o little_a purpose_n to_o have_v endow_v all_o creature_n with_o such_o virtue_n and_o power_n as_o belong_v to_o their_o several_a nature_n without_o such_o a_o natural_a co-operation_n whatever_o that_o be_v as_o shall_v enable_v their_o natural_a power_n to_o act_n and_o to_o attain_v the_o end_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o therefore_o god_n establish_v this_o natural_a concourse_n and_o co-operation_n to_o actuate_v all_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n by_o a_o perpetual_a law_n which_o be_v that_o blessing_n god_n bestow_v upon_o all_o creature_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o creation_n for_o though_o this_o blessing_n to_o increase_v and_o multiply_v and_o to_o replenish_v the_o sea_n and_o air_n and_o earth_n which_o preserve_v and_o invigorate_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n be_v express_v only_o of_o live_a creature_n the_o fish_n and_o fowl_n and_o beast_n and_o man_n yet_o it_o equal_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a creation_n as_o will_v be_v easy_o grant_v and_o make_v nature_n regular_a and_o constant_a in_o all_o its_o motion_n and_o production_n but_o there_o be_v other_o act_n belong_v to_o god_n government_n even_o of_o the_o material_a world_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v you_o more_o hereafter_o as_o to_o direct_v the_o virtue_n and_o influence_n of_o nature_n or_o to_o suspend_v and_o restrain_v they_o to_o make_v the_o earth_n fruitful_a or_o barren_a the_o air_n wholesome_a or_o pestilential_a to_o withhold_v the_o dew_n and_o shower_n of_o heaven_n or_o to_o give_v the_o former_a and_o latter_a rain_n in_o its_o season_n to_o cause_v it_o to_o rain_v upon_o one_o city_n and_o not_o upon_o another_o and_o so_o to_o temper_v the_o influence_n of_o nature_n as_o to_o punish_v the_o wickedness_n or_o to_o reward_v the_o obedience_n of_o mankind_n these_o be_v act_n of_o government_n and_o of_o a_o quite_o different_a kind_n from_o actuate_a the_o power_n of_o nature_n to_o attain_v their_o end_n and_o to_o do_v what_o they_o be_v make_v for_o thus_o to_o consider_v the_o rational_a world_n god_n have_v endow_v man_n
not_o to_o have_v make_v a_o immortal_a creature_n who_o can_v sin_v and_o be_v miserable_a for_o ever_o i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o whole_a argument_n with_o some_o few_o inference_n 1._o if_o creature_n must_v be_v preserve_v as_o well_o as_o make_v by_o god_n than_o the_o present_a continuance_n and_o preservation_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v a_o visible_a argument_n of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n some_o man_n will_v not_o believe_v that_o god_n make_v the_o world_n because_o they_o do_v not_o see_v he_o make_v it_o but_o they_o see_v a_o world_n preserve_v when_o there_o be_v no_o one_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n more_o able_a to_o preserve_v than_o to_o make_v itself_o and_o who_o then_o be_v it_o that_o preserve_v this_o world_n and_o all_o thing_n in_o it_o this_o must_v be_v a_o work_n of_o reason_n and_o wisdom_n as_o well_o as_o power_n and_o the_o only_a reasonable_a creature_n in_o this_o visible_a world_n be_v man_n and_o man_n can_v preserve_v himself_o and_o know_v that_o he_o can_v preserve_v nothing_o else_o and_o therefore_o the_o preservation_n of_o all_o thing_n must_v be_v owe_v to_o some_o invisible_a cause_n who_o we_o call_v god._n 2._o if_o we_o live_v and_o move_v and_o have_v our_o be_v in_o god_n we_o be_v entire_o he_o and_o owe_v all_o homage_n and_o obedience_n to_o he_o for_o he_o do_v not_o only_o make_v we_o but_o we_o have_v our_o constant_a dependence_n on_o he_o we_o live_v and_o subsist_v in_o he_o have_v he_o only_o make_v we_o at_o first_o that_o have_v give_v he_o a_o title_n to_o we_o for_o ever_o but_o can_v we_o have_v live_v without_o he_o when_o he_o have_v make_v we_o though_o it_o have_v not_o be_v a_o less_o fault_n yet_o it_o have_v be_v less_o foolish_a and_o absurd_a to_o have_v live_v without_o any_o notice_n or_o regard_n of_o he_o as_o some_o ungrateful_a person_n deal_v by_o their_o friend_n and_o patron_n when_o they_o have_v set_v they_o up_o in_o the_o world_n and_o enable_v they_o to_o live_v by_o themselves_o but_o to_o forget_v that_o god_n in_o who_o we_o live_v who_o preserve_v and_o uphold_v we_o in_o be_v every_o moment_n be_v to_o affront_v a_o present_a benefactor_n if_o we_o value_v be_v and_o though_o we_o can_v tempt_v god_n by_o this_o to_o let_v we_o fall_v into_o nothing_o yet_o we_o shall_v make_v it_o just_a for_o he_o to_o punish_v we_o to_o preserve_v we_o in_o be_v to_o feel_v the_o weight_n of_o his_o wrath_n and_o vengeance_n which_o be_v infinite_o worse_a for_o happy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o such_o a_o man_n that_o he_o have_v never_o be_v bear_v 3._o for_o if_o he_o not_o only_o make_v but_o uphold_v and_o preserve_v we_o in_o be_v he_o must_v be_v our_o sovereign_a lord_n and_o governor_n for_o no_o other_o have_v any_o original_a and_o absolute_a interest_n in_o we_o we_o be_v in_o his_o hand_n and_o none_o can_v take_v we_o out_o of_o they_o nor_o touch_v we_o but_o by_o his_o order_n to_o give_v be_v and_o to_o preserve_v it_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o other_o act_n of_o government_n no_o other_o be_v have_v a_o right_a to_o govern_v no_o other_o power_n can_v govern_v he_o alone_o can_v give_v law_n can_v reward_v or_o punish_v can_v govern_v nature_n can_v direct_v over-rule_v control_v all_o other_o power_n for_o all_o thing_n be_v in_o his_o hand_n and_o therefore_o he_o command_v they_o all_o 4._o and_o this_o may_v convince_v we_o how_o irresistible_a the_o divine_a power_n be_v for_o all_o the_o power_n of_o creature_n be_v derive_v from_o he_o and_o depend_v on_o he_o as_o light_n do_v on_o the_o sun_n and_o therefore_o they_o can_v have_v no_o power_n against_o he_o and_o what_o distraction_n then_o be_v it_o to_o provoke_v that_o almighty_a god_n who_o we_o can_v resist_v humble_a thyself_o sinner_n before_o thy_o maker_n thy_o preserver_n and_o thy_o judge_n obey_v his_o will_n to_o who_o power_n thou_o must_v submit_v let_v he_o be_v thy_o fear_n and_o thy_o dread_a thy_o only_a fear_n for_o thou_o need_v fear_v none_o else_o all_o power_n be_v he_o none_o can_v resist_v he_o none_o can_v act_v without_o he_o he_o set_v bound_n to_o the_o rage_a of_o the_o sea_n to_o the_o fury_n of_o prince_n to_o the_o madness_n of_o the_o people_n thou_o be_v safe_a in_o his_o hand_n safe_a in_o obedience_n to_o his_o will_n but_o thou_o can_v never_o escape_v he_o never_o fly_v from_o he_o never_o defend_v thyself_o against_o he_o for_o thou_o live_v in_o he_o 5._o this_o also_o prove_v that_o god_n must_v see_v and_o know_v all_o our_o action_n for_o we_o live_v and_o move_v in_o he_o he_o be_v always_o present_a with_o we_o privy_a to_o our_o most_o secret_a thought_n and_o counsel_n observe_v all_o our_o wander_n see_v we_o in_o all_o our_o retirement_n there_o be_v no_o darkness_n nor_o shadow_n of_o death_n where_o the_o worker_n of_o iniquity_n can_v hide_v themselves_o this_o the_o scripture_n in_o express_a word_n teach_v and_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n speak_v it_o for_o if_o we_o can_v think_v nor_o move_v nor_o subsist_v without_o god_n he_o must_v be_v always_o intimate_o present_a with_o we_o which_o shall_v possess_v we_o with_o a_o constant_a awe_n and_o reverence_n of_o his_o pure_a and_o all_o see_a eye_n chap._n iii_o concern_v god_n govern_v providence_n next_o to_o preservation_n as_o that_o signify_v god_n uphold_v all_o thing_n in_o be_v and_o preserve_v and_o actuate_a their_o natural_a power_n we_o must_v consider_v god_n government_n of_o the_o world_n for_o god_n be_v the_o supreme_a and_o sovereign_a lord_n of_o the_o world_n who_o do_v whatsoever_o please_v he_o both_o in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n and_o therefore_o the_o absolute_a government_n of_o all_o thing_n must_v be_v in_o his_o hand_n or_o else_o something_o may_v be_v do_v which_o he_o will_v not_o have_v do_v this_o all_o man_n grant_v in_o general_a word_n who_o own_o a_o providence_n but_o when_o they_o come_v to_o particular_n there_o be_v so_o many_o except_a case_n which_o 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pleasure_n of_o god_n and_o in_o many_o case_n will_v allow_v we_o to_o seek_v for_o no_o other_o cause_n 35._o he_o do_v according_a to_o his_o will_n in_o the_o army_n of_o heaven_n and_o among_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o earth_n 6._o whatever_o the_o lord_n please_v that_o do_v he_o in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n in_o the_o sea_n and_o all_o deep_a place_n that_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v sovereign_a and_o absolute_a and_o unaccountable_a needs_o no_o other_o proof_n but_o that_o his_o power_n be_v absolute_a and_o his_o wisdom_n unsearchable_a for_o absolute_a power_n make_v a_o absolute_a will._n he_o who_o have_v power_n to_o do_v whatever_o he_o will_v can_v do_v whatever_o he_o will_v and_o that_o be_v the_o definition_n of_o a_o severeign_n and_o absolute_a will._n and_o thus_o the_o scripture_n resolve_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o god_n into_o power_n 4._o that_o none_o can_v stay_v his_o hand_n or_o say_v unto_o he_o what_o do_v thou_o he_o be_v wise_a in_o heart_n and_o mighty_a in_o strength_n who_o have_v harden_v himself_o against_o he_o and_o have_v prosper_v and_o indeed_o a_o power_n which_o be_v supreme_a and_o absolute_a which_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n and_o which_o have_v no_o great_a power_n above_o it_o none_o equal_a to_o it_o have_v a_o right_a to_o sovereignty_n for_o absolute_a power_n must_v be_v the_o maker_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o that_o must_v give_v a_o absolute_a right_n to_o all_o thing_n and_o that_o give_v a_o right_a to_o absolute_a government_n if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o natural_a right_n to_o government_n for_o if_o god_n have_v a_o natural_a right_o to_o govern_v his_o creature_n he_o must_v have_v a_o right_n to_o absolute_a government_n because_o the_o right_n he_o have_v in_o his_o creature_n be_v absolute_a and_o uncontrollable_a no_o creature_n have_v
the_o will_n be_v move_v how_o it_o be_v determine_v or_o determine_v itself_o whether_o by_o the_o constitution_n of_o its_o nature_n it_o always_o necessary_o choose_v what_o it_o choose_v or_o may_v have_v not_o choose_v or_o have_v choose_v any_o thing_n else_o now_o whatever_o other_o man_n may_v do_v i_o be_o sure_a i_o know_v nothing_o of_o the_o philosophy_n of_o these_o matter_n and_o therefore_o they_o do_v concern_v i_o other_o make_v god_n himself_o to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o necessity_n and_o fate_n who_o by_o eternal_a and_o irreversible_a decree_n as_o necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o he_o as_o his_o own_o be_v have_v determine_v whatever_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v but_o no_o man_n can_v pretend_v to_o know_v this_o without_o a_o immediate_a vision_n if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v of_o the_o naked_a essence_n of_o god_n his_o attribute_n and_o moral_a perfection_n give_v we_o no_o notice_n of_o such_o fatal_a decree_n his_o wisdom_n holiness_n justice_n goodness_n 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the_o wiseman_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n to_o conceal_v a_o thing_n 25._o prov._n 2._o it_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n that_o it_o be_v incomprehensible_a by_o we_o and_o it_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n to_o be_v unsearchable_a and_o therefore_o many_o of_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n and_o poet_n forbid_v too_o curious_a a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o nature_n or_o providence_n of_o god_n and_o sophronius_n give_v a_o wise_a reason_n for_o it_o because_o we_o be_v all_o bear_v of_o mortal_a parent_n and_o therefore_o the_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o a_o infinite_a immortal_a be_v must_v be_v above_o we_o which_o be_v much_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o zophar_n give_v vain_a man_n will_v be_v wise_a though_o man_n be_v bear_v like_o a_o wild_a ass_n colt_n 11._o job_n 12._o this_o be_v a_o knowledge_n too_o great_a for_o our_o birth_n if_o our_o natural_a capacity_n bear_v proportion_n to_o it_o for_o god_n must_v be_v a_o very_a little_a be_v himself_o can_v he_o be_v comprehend_v by_o such_o mean_a creature_n but_o that_o which_o i_o at_o present_a intend_v be_v only_o to_o show_v you_o that_o the_o wise_a government_n of_o the_o world_n require_v that_o the_o divine_a counse_n that_o the_o event_n and_o reason_n of_o providence_n shall_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n be_v conceal_v from_o we_o and_o i_o hope_v that_o be_v a_o satisfactory_a reason_n why_o god_n shall_v conceal_v they_o if_o he_o can_v so_o wise_o govern_v the_o world_n without_o it_o i_o will_v desire_v those_o person_n who_o be_v so_o apt_a to_o quarrel_v at_o providence_n and_o to_o take_v it_o so_o very_a ill_n that_o god_n do_v any_o thing_n which_o they_o do_v it_o present_o understand_v to_o sit_v down_o and_o agree_v among_o themselves_o how_o they_o will_v have_v god_n govern_v the_o world_n what_o it_o be_v that_o they_o will_v be_v please_v with_o but_o let_v they_o consider_v well_o of_o it_o beforehand_o that_o upon_o 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providence_n as_o constant_a and_o regular_a and_o unchangeable_a as_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o heaven_n as_o the_o return_v of_o day_n and_o night_n of_o winter_n and_o summer_n and_o when_o they_o see_v all_o thing_n happen_v thus_o even_o and_o regular_o will_v they_o then_o promise_v to_o believe_v a_o providence_n i_o mighty_o suspect_v that_o they_o will_v be_v far_o from_o believe_v a_o providence_n then_o than_o they_o be_v now_o we_o see_v that_o the_o regular_a motion_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o uniform_a production_n of_o nature_n which_o so_o seldom_o vary_v that_o it_o be_v think_v portentous_a and_o ominous_a if_o they_o do_v can_v convince_v they_o that_o god_n govern_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n and_o all_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n as_o far_o as_o all_o their_o virtue_n and_o power_n move_v and_o act_v uniform_o by_o constant_a and_o unerring_a law_n and_o if_o the_o regular_a uniformity_n of_o nature_n be_v not_o think_v by_o these_o man_n a_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o a_o providence_n i_o doubt_v a_o constant_a and_o uniform_a round_n of_o all_o event_n will_v be_v think_v much_o less_o so_o those_o who_o now_o resolve_v all_o the_o uncertain_a change_n and_o revolution_n that_o happen_v into_o necessity_n and_o fate_n will_v have_v more_o reason_n to_o do_v so_o do_v providence_n always_o show_v the_o same_o face_n and_o appearance_n as_o the_o heaven_n do_v but_o can_v they_o tell_v what_o kind_n of_o uniformity_n and_o stability_n of_o providence_n it_o be_v will_v please_v they_o will_v they_o have_v all_o man_n fortune_n equal_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o distinction_n between_o rich_a and_o poor_a high_a and_o low_a prince_n and_o subject_n the_o honourable_a and_o the_o vile_a i_o believe_v few_o of_o they_o will_v like_v such_o a_o level_a providence_n which_o as_o the_o state_n of_o
prerogative_n act_n and_o signify_v to_o we_o that_o we_o must_v seek_v no_o far_o for_o the_o reason_n of_o such_o thing_n than_o the_o sovereign_n will_v of_o god_n as_o a_o sovereign_a prince_n while_o he_o keep_v within_o the_o legal_a exercise_n of_o his_o prerogative_n needs_o give_v no_o other_o account_n of_o it_o but_o that_o it_o be_v his_o will_n and_o pleasure_n but_o there_o be_v some_o man_n who_o will_v not_o be_v so_o civil_a to_o god_n as_o they_o be_v to_o a_o sovereign_a prince_n to_o take_v his_o sole_a will_n and_o good_a pleasure_n for_o a_o satisfactory_a reason_n of_o any_o thing_n but_o quarrel_n about_o these_o prerogative_n act_n and_o ask_v a_o great_a many_o foolish_a question_n and_o make_v a_o great_a many_o impertinent_a objection_n even_o against_o the_o exercise_n of_o a_o free_a and_o sovereign_a goodness_n now_o in_o truth_n this_o be_v to_o deny_v god_n the_o right_n of_o a_o sovereign_n to_o demand_v a_o reason_n of_o he_o beyond_o his_o own_o will_n for_o the_o act_n of_o pure_a sovereignty_n but_o yet_o i_o will_v grant_v these_o man_n that_o though_o in_o all_o such_o case_n we_o must_v ask_v no_o other_o reason_n but_o the_o mere_a will_n of_o god_n yet_o god_n never_o do_v any_o thing_n for_o mere_a will_n and_o pleasure_n in_o the_o sense_n that_o some_o man_n do_v but_o have_v always_o wise_a and_o hide_a reason_n which_o we_o can_v comprehend_v and_o though_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v the_o unsearchable_a wisdom_n of_o god_n a_o just_a satisfaction_n to_o other_o objection_n yet_o methinks_v where_o they_o ought_v to_o demand_v no_o other_o reason_n but_o the_o will_n of_o god_n it_o shall_v abundant_o satisfy_v they_o to_o know_v that_o though_o this_o will_n of_o god_n be_v sovereign_a and_o unaccountable_a it_o be_v always_o guide_v by_o infinite_a and_o infallible_a wisdom_n that_o you_o may_v the_o better_o understand_v this_o i_o shall_v give_v you_o some_o instance_n of_o it_o in_o the_o prerogative_n act_v of_o goodness_n and_o justice_n goodness_n indeed_o be_v essential_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v some_o sovereign_a act_n of_o goodness_n which_o no_o creature_n can_v challenge_v from_o god_n which_o god_n may_v not_o have_v do_v and_o yet_o have_v be_v very_o good_a and_o why_o god_n exercise_v such_o free_a and_o prerogative_n act_v of_o goodness_n must_v be_v resolve_v whole_o into_o the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o his_o own_o will._n this_o be_v the_o account_n the_o scripture_n give_v we_o of_o that_o mysterious_a goodness_n in_o the_o redemption_n of_o the_o world_n by_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v therefore_o every_o where_o in_o scripture_n call_v grace_n and_o free_a grace_n and_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o christ_n tell_v we_o 38._o that_o he_o come_v not_o to_o do_v his_o own_o will_n but_o the_o will_n of_o he_o that_o send_v he_o and_o the_o whole_a oeconomy_n of_o our_o redemption_n 11._o be_v call_v the_o purpose_n of_o he_o who_o work_v all_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o own_o will_n and_o thus_o be_v every_o part_n of_o our_o redemption_n 18._o as_o our_o new-birth_n of_o his_o own_o will_v he_o have_v beget_v we_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v bestow_v upon_o the_o apostle_n according_a to_o his_o own_o will_n 4._o god_n work_v in_o we_o both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v of_o his_o good_a pleasure_n 13._o all_o which_o signify_v no_o more_o but_o this_o that_o these_o be_v such_o prerogative_n act_v of_o goodness_n as_o we_o must_v seek_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n of_o but_o the_o sovereign_n will_v and_o good_a pleasure_n of_o god_n now_o in_o such_o sovereign_a act_n of_o goodness_n as_o these_o the_o time_n and_o manner_n and_o other_o circumstance_n and_o the_o rule_n and_o method_n of_o administration_n be_v all_o perfect_o free_a and_o voluntary_a where_o god_n have_v not_o bind_v up_o himself_o by_o covenant_n and_o 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christ_n and_o a_o great_a many_o other_o such_o like_a question_n as_o these_o to_o all_o which_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o reply_v that_o our_o redemption_n by_o christ_n be_v a_o act_n of_o sovereign_a grace_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v inquire_v no_o far_o than_o the_o will_n of_o god_n have_v god_n never_o send_v christ_n into_o the_o world_n nor_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o any_o one_o nation_n we_o shall_v have_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o complain_v for_o he_o do_v not_o owe_v such_o a_o saviour_n to_o sinner_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v less_o reason_n to_o complain_v of_o the_o time_n of_o his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o his_o gospel_n be_v not_o universal_o receive_v by_o mankind_n sovereign_n grace_n be_v free_a and_o unaccountable_a and_o we_o need_v not_o doubt_v but_o that_o such_o stupendous_a goodness_n be_v administer_v by_o as_o unsearchable_a wisdom_n and_o it_o be_v reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o god_n 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will_v man_n but_o allow_n god_n the_o authority_n of_o a_o sovereign_n who_o can_v spare_v and_o reprieve_v nay_o pardon_v in_o this_o world_n without_o the_o imputation_n of_o injustice_n it_o will_v answer_v all_o the_o cavil_v objection_n against_o providence_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o punishment_n of_o bad_a man_n god_n may_v then_o be_v allow_v to_o execute_v speedy_a vengeance_n upon_o some_o sinner_n and_o to_o delay_v the_o punishment_n of_o other_o and_o to_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v prosperous_a for_o a_o great_a while_n without_o give_v any_o other_o reason_n for_o it_o than_o his_o own_o will_n and_o pleasure_n god_n have_v always_o wise_a reason_n for_o these_o thing_n though_o we_o do_v not_o always_o know_v they_o but_o if_o the_o sovereignty_n of_o god_n will_v justify_v all_o this_o without_o any_o other_o
power_n in_o transfer_v estate_n and_o property_n and_o all_o man_n will_v allow_v it_o to_o be_v very_o just_a and_o righteous_a now_o this_o be_v the_o case_n with_o respect_n to_o god_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o for_o he_o be_v the_o sole_a lord_n and_o proprietor_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o no_o other_o bound_n can_v be_v set_v to_o the_o just_a exercise_n of_o his_o authority_n but_o to_o do_v what_o be_v wise_a and_o good_a he_o may_v give_v or_o take_v away_o any_o man_n estate_n or_o honour_n or_o power_n whenever_o he_o can_v serve_v any_o wise_a or_o just_a or_o good_a end_n by_o it_o for_o they_o be_v all_o but_o several_a trust_n we_o be_v but_o god_n steward_n and_o must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o our_o stewardship_n and_o if_o we_o do_v not_o use_v our_o riches_n and_o honour_n well_o or_o when_o he_o have_v no_o long_o any_o use_n of_o we_o he_o have_v as_o absolute_a authority_n to_o lay_v we_o aside_o as_o a_o lord_n have_v to_o change_v his_o steward_n 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lord_n give_v and_o the_o lord_n have_v take_v away_o and_o bless_v be_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o shall_v we_o receive_v good_a at_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n and_o shall_v we_o not_o receive_v evil_a which_o indeed_o be_v answer_n enough_o to_o all_o such_o case_n while_o we_o have_v a_o implicate_v faith_n in_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o providence_n thus_o god_n deal_v with_o joseph_n make_v he_o the_o instrument_n of_o transplant_n his_o father_n and_o all_o his_o family_n into_o egypt_n and_o reward_v his_o suffering_n by_o advance_v he_o to_o pharaoh_n throne_n nay_o thus_o god_n deal_v with_o christ_n himself_o who_o as_o man_n be_v perfect_a and_o innocent_a who_o do_v no_o evil_a neither_o be_v any_o guile_n find_v in_o his_o mouth_n who_o go_v about_o do_v good_a and_o be_v obedient_a to_o his_o father_n will_n in_o all_o thing_n and_o yet_o he_o god_n deliver_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o sinner_n to_o suffer_v a_o ignominious_a and_o painful_a death_n for_o the_o redemption_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o sovereignty_n of_o god_n will_v justify_v the_o great_a suffering_n of_o the_o most_o innocent_a man_n when_o they_o serve_v such_o admirable_a end_n and_o be_v so_o great_o reward_v and_o thus_o god_n have_v deal_v with_o some_o of_o the_o best_a man_n that_o ever_o live_v in_o the_o world_n witness_v the_o suffering_n of_o prophet_n and_o of_o other_o good_a man_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o martyr_n of_o christ_n who_o have_v tread_v in_o the_o step_n of_o their_o lord_n who_o have_v suffer_v with_o he_o that_o they_o may_v be_v glorify_v together_o i_o know_v not_o what_o the_o sovereignty_n of_o god_n signify_v if_o he_o may_v not_o serve_v the_o wise_a end_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o providence_n even_o by_o the_o suffering_n of_o his_o creature_n when_o such_o suffering_n how_o uneasy_a and_o grievous_a soever_o they_o be_v at_o present_a shall_v turn_v to_o their_o much_o great_a good_a when_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o great_o reward_v that_o good_a man_n themselves_o shall_v think_v the_o reward_n a_o abundant_a recompense_n for_o their_o suffering_n and_o glory_n in_o those_o very_a suffering_n which_o will_v have_v so_o great_a a_o reward_n thus_o let_v we_o consider_v god_n as_o the_o supreme_a and_o absolute_a judge_n of_o the_o world_n now_o a_o sovereign_n and_o absolute_a judge_n must_v do_v that_o which_o be_v just_a but_o he_o be_v tie_v up_o by_o no_o rule_n or_o formality_n of_o law_n as_o inferior_a minister_n of_o justice_n be_v if_o he_o reward_v the_o good_a and_o punish_v the_o wicked_a he_o may_v do_v it_o at_o what_o time_n and_o in_o what_o manner_n he_o please_v he_o be_v under_o no_o rule_n but_o his_o own_o sovereign_n will_v and_o wisdom_n when_o man_n have_v deserve_v punishment_n he_o may_v spare_v they_o as_o long_o or_o execute_v vengeance_n on_o they_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o see_v fit_a for_o he_o be_v the_o absolute_a judge_n of_o time_n and_o place_n and_o other_o circumstance_n of_o execute_v judgement_n this_o prerogative_n all_o sovereign_a prince_n challenge_n and_o it_o be_v indeed_o a_o inseparable_a right_n of_o sovereignty_n so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o reasonable_a objection_n against_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n that_o god_n do_v not_o immediate_o reward_v all_o great_a and_o virtuous_a action_n nor_o immediate_o punish_v wickedness_n for_o a_o sovereign_a justice_n be_v under_o no_o obligation_n to_o do_v this_o all_o that_o we_o can_v expect_v from_o the_o divine_a justice_n be_v that_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v reward_v and_o the_o wicked_a punish_v and_o that_o whenever_o god_n do_v reward_n or_o punish_v good_a man_n shall_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o complain_v that_o their_o reward_n be_v delay_v nor_o bad_a man_n to_o glory_n in_o the_o long_a delay_n of_o punishment_n but_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o reward_n or_o punishment_n shall_v recompense_v for_o all_o delay_n for_o then_o god_n be_v just_a in_o reward_v good_a man_n and_o punish_v the_o wicked_a how_o long_o soever_o he_o delay_v either_o sovereign_n justice_n be_v not_o confine_v to_o time_n and_o when_o the_o suffering_n of_o good_a man_n who_o deserve_v a_o reward_n and_o the_o prosperity_n of_o bad_a man_n who_o deserve_v punishment_n and_o the_o delay_n of_o both_o be_v take_v into_o the_o account_n god_n be_v very_o just_a and_o righteous_a how_o long_o soever_o he_o delay_v to_o reward_v or_o punish_v from_o what_o i_o have_v now_o discourse_v concern_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o the_o divine_a justice_n you_o may_v easy_o observe_v that_o all_o the_o objection_n against_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n have_v no_o other_o foundation_n but_o our_o ignorance_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n justice_n we_o measure_v the_o justice_n of_o providence_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o justice_n among_o man_n without_o consider_v that_o god_n be_v the_o sovereign_a lord_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o have_v a_o right_a and_o authority_n superior_a to_o man_n and_o therefore_o a_o superior_a justice_n too_o it_o be_v unjust_a for_o man_n to_o deprive_v one_o another_o of_o their_o just_a and_o legal_a light_n and_o therefore_o they_o think_v this_o a_o reflection_n on_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n too_o when_o man_n suffer_v wrongful_o but_o no_o man_n have_v any_o right_n against_o god_n who_o be_v the_o sole_a proprietor_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o he_o may_v give_v and_o he_o may_v take_v away_o he_o may_v set_v up_o and_o pull_v down_o and_o do_v whatsoever_o please_v he_o both_o in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n it_o be_v unjust_a for_o man_n to_o afflict_v and_o oppress_v the_o innocent_a and_o virtuous_a or_o to_o encourage_v and_o prosper_v the_o wicked_a and_o therefore_o they_o
complain_v against_o providence_n too_o when_o good_a man_n suffer_v and_o the_o wicked_a be_v prosperous_a but_o god_n have_v a_o absolute_a right_n to_o the_o service_n of_o all_o his_o creature_n both_o of_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n and_o if_o he_o can_v serve_v the_o wise_a end_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o providence_n by_o the_o suffering_n of_o good_a man_n or_o by_o the_o prosperity_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o when_o he_o have_v no_o far_a use_n of_o their_o service_n reward_n or_o punish_v they_o according_a as_o they_o deserve_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o god_n will_v justify_v the_o present_a suffering_n of_o good_a man_n and_o prosperity_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o their_o final_a reward_n and_o punishment_n will_v vindicate_v his_o justice_n 2_o but_o for_o a_o full_a vindication_n of_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n we_o must_v consider_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n government_n of_o this_o low_a world_n and_o what_o act_v of_o justice_n the_o present_a government_n of_o the_o world_n require_v the_o justice_n of_o government_n must_v be_v proportion_v to_o the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o government_n for_o all_o act_n of_o justice_n be_v not_o proper_a at_o all_o time_n and_o it_o be_v no_o reproach_n to_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n if_o god_n do_v not_o exercise_v such_o act_n of_o justice_n as_o be_v not_o proper_a for_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o world_n for_o justice_n be_v rectitude_n and_o what_o be_v not_o right_a and_o fit_a in_o such_o a_o state_n of_o thing_n be_v not_o just_a the_o great_a objection_n against_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n be_v that_o all_o good_a man_n be_v not_o reward_v nor_o all_o bad_a man_n punish_v according_a to_o their_o desert_n in_o this_o world_n but_o this_o be_v no_o objection_n against_o the_o divine_a justice_n to_o those_o who_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v another_o world_n where_o all_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v reward_v and_o all_o wicked_a man_n punish_v for_o if_o all_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n shall_v be_v final_o reward_v and_o punish_v according_a to_o their_o work_n this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a vindication_n of_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n and_o as_o for_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n though_o every_o good_a man_n be_v not_o reward_v nor_o every_o bad_a man_n punish_v in_o this_o world_n this_o be_v no_o reasonable_a objection_n if_o the_o state_n of_o this_o world_n will_v not_o admit_v of_o such_o a_o strict_a and_o exact_a justice_n now_o not_o to_o take_v notice_n at_o present_a of_o what_o be_v common_o say_v upon_o this_o occasion_n and_o what_o i_o have_v former_o discourse_v more_o large_o that_o this_o world_n be_v not_o the_o place_n of_o judgement_n but_o a_o state_n of_o trial_n probation_n and_o discipline_n where_o good_a man_n many_o time_n suffer_v not_o so_o much_o in_o punishment_n of_o their_o sin_n as_o to_o exercise_v their_o faith_n and_o patience_n and_o to_o brighten_v their_o virtue_n and_o to_o prepare_v they_o for_o great_a reward_n and_o bad_a man_n be_v prosperon_n to_o lead_v they_o to_o repentance_n or_o to_o make_v they_o instrument_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n in_o chastise_v the_o wickedness_n of_o other_o man_n or_o the_o more_o remarkable_a example_n of_o the_o divine_a justice_n and_o vengeance_n in_o their_o final_a ruin_n i_o say_v not_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o these_o thing_n now_o i_o shall_v only_o observe_v that_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o justice_n of_o government_n which_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n must_v be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o final_a judgement_n now_o to_o govern_v the_o world_n do_v not_o signify_v to_o destroy_v it_o but_o to_o uphold_v and_o preserve_v it_o and_o to_o continue_v a_o succession_n of_o man_n in_o it_o and_o to_o keep_v it_o in_o as_o good_a order_n as_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n will_v admit_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v that_o provident_a care_n which_o he_o take_v of_o all_o his_o creature_n while_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o preserve_v this_o present_a frame_n of_o the_o world_n but_o to_o destroy_v the_o world_n be_v not_o proper_o a_o act_n of_o providence_n but_o of_o judgement_n and_o yet_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o corrupt_a and_o degenerate_a state_n of_o the_o world_n do_v the_o justice_n of_o providence_n require_v god_n to_o punish_v all_o bad_a man_n according_a to_o their_o desert_n he_o must_v destroy_v far_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n in_o every_o age._n this_o earth_n will_v soon_o be_v little_a better_o than_o a_o desolate_a wilderness_n if_o none_o but_o good_a man_n be_v suffer_v to_o live_v in_o it_o but_o this_o kind_n of_o justice_n god_n have_v renounce_v ever_o since_o the_o universal_a deluge_n he_o then_o indeed_o exercise_v such_o a_o terrible_a justice_n and_o vengeance_n as_o some_o man_n think_v can_v be_v the_o only_a proof_n of_o a_o providence_n he_o destroy_v the_o whole_a world_n by_o water_n except_v noah_n and_o his_o son_n who_o he_o preserve_v in_o the_o ark_n but_o he_o promise_v that_o he_o will_v never_o do_v so_o again_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a wickedness_n of_o mankind_n the_o lord_n say_v in_o his_o heart_n i_o will_v not_o again_o curse_v the_o ground_n any_o more_o for_o man_n sake_n for_o the_o imagination_n of_o man_n heart_n be_v evil_a from_o his_o youth_n neither_o will_v i_o again_o smite_v any_o more_o every_o live_a thing_n as_o i_o have_v do_v while_o the_o earth_n remain_v seedtime_n and_o harvest_n and_o cold_a and_o heat_n and_o summer_n and_o winter_n and_o day_n and_o night_n shall_v not_o cease_v 8._o gen._n 21_o 22._o so_o that_o god_n will_v no_o more_o destroy_v the_o world_n nor_o all_o the_o wicked_a inhabitant_n of_o it_o till_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o than_o it_o be_v certain_a all_o wicked_a man_n can_v be_v punish_v according_a to_o their_o desert_n in_o this_o world_n the_o justice_n of_o providence_n than_o do_v not_o consist_v in_o root_a all_o bad_a man_n out_o of_o the_o world_n or_o in_o make_v they_o all_o miserable_a in_o it_o or_o in_o reward_v all_o good_a man_n with_o temporal_a felicity_n which_o consider_v the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o world_n can_v be_v do_v without_o constant_a miracle_n and_o the_o visible_a interposition_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n for_o when_o bad_a man_n be_v so_o much_o the_o great_a number_n they_o will_v have_v the_o great_a share_n and_o interest_n in_o this_o world_n but_o the_o care_n of_o providence_n be_v to_o govern_v bad_a man_n and_o to_o protect_v the_o good_a to_o restrain_v and_o govern_v the_o lust_n and_o passion_n of_o bad_a man_n to_o make_v they_o the_o instrument_n and_o executioner_n of_o his_o just_a vengeance_n on_o one_o another_o and_o to_o make_v some_o of_o they_o in_o every_o age_n notorious_a example_n of_o his_o justice_n to_o keep_v the_o world_n in_o awe_n and_o to_o awaken_v in_o they_o a_o due_a sense_n and_o reverence_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o to_o correct_v and_o chastise_v the_o miscarriage_n of_o good_a man_n and_o to_o exercise_v their_o grace_n and_o virtue_n the_o justice_n of_o providence_n consist_v in_o this_o not_o that_o all_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v prosperous_a in_o this_o world_n and_o all_o bad_a man_n miserable_a but_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o wickedness_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n the_o world_n be_v keep_v in_o tolerable_a order_n and_o be_v a_o tolerable_a place_n to_o live_v in_o and_o that_o bad_a man_n be_v as_o often_o punish_v and_o good_a man_n as_o often_o reward_v as_o the_o government_n of_o this_o world_n require_v that_o no_o man_n suffer_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o he_o deserve_v and_o what_o god_n see_v good_a for_o he_o if_o he_o will_v make_v a_o wise_a use_n of_o it_o and_o that_o how_o prosperous_a soever_o bad_a man_n be_v there_o be_v few_o of_o they_o go_v out_o of_o the_o world_n without_o some_o mark_n and_o token_n of_o a_o divine_a vengeance_n though_o not_o always_o so_o remarkable_a as_o to_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o world_n the_o sum_n be_v this_o god_n be_v very_o just_a in_o his_o government_n of_o the_o world_n but_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n do_v not_o require_v the_o same_o act_n of_o justice_n that_o the_o final_a judgement_n of_o mankind_n do_v and_o if_o we_o do_v but_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o divine_a justice_n which_o be_v the_o justice_n of_o a_o sovereign_n and_o absolute_a lord_n and_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n and_o of_o the_o final_a judgement_n that_o be_v between_o god_n govern_v and_o judge_v the_o world_n we_o shall_v easy_o answer_v all_o the_o objection_n against_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o full_a and_o true_a account_n of_o the_o
good_a may_v come_v this_o st._n paul_n reject_v with_o the_o great_a abhorrence_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o such_o man_n damnation_n be_v just_a 3._o rom._n 8._o for_o it_o be_v the_o great_a contradiction_n in_o the_o world_n to_o do_v evil_a in_o order_n to_o do_v good_a for_o how_o can_v a_o man_n who_o can_v for_o any_o reason_n be_v persuade_v to_o do_v evil_a be_v a_o hearty_a and_o zealous_a lover_n of_o goodness_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o he_o who_o do_v any_o evil_a do_v not_o hearty_o love_v that_o goodness_n to_o which_o the_o evil_a he_o do_v be_v oppose_v and_o he_o who_o do_v not_o hearty_o love_v all_o goodness_n be_v a_o hearty_a lover_n of_o none_o there_o be_v no_o reconcile_n good_a and_o evil_n no_o more_o than_o you_o can_v reconcile_v contradiction_n a_o good_a man_n will_v love_v and_o do_v that_o which_o be_v good_a and_o a_o evil_a man_n will_v do_v that_o which_o be_v evil_a and_o though_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n can_v bring_v good_a out_o of_o evil_a yet_o evil_a be_v not_o and_o can_v be_v the_o natural_a cause_n of_o good_a no_o more_o than_o darkness_n can_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o light_n and_o therefore_o a_o good_a design_n can_v never_o justify_v a_o bad_a action_n for_o that_o bad_a action_n shall_v do_v good_a be_v contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o bad_a action_n and_o whatever_o man_n may_v intend_v i_o be_o sure_o no_o man_n can_v alter_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o therefore_o can_v never_o justify_v himself_o in_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v it_o be_v certain_a a_o wise_a and_o holy_a god_n require_v no_o such_o thing_n of_o we_o and_o though_o he_o very_o often_o bring_v about_o great_a and_o admirable_a design_n by_o man_n sin_n yet_o no_o man_n know_v how_o to_o do_v it_o nor_o know_v when_o god_n will_v do_v it_o nor_o do_v ever_o any_o man_n who_o venture_v upon_o sin_n in_o order_n to_o do_v some_o great_a good_a ever_o do_v the_o good_a he_o intend_v though_o many_o time_n he_o run_v himself_o into_o more_o and_o great_a sin_n than_o ever_o he_o intend_v nay_o i_o dare_v bold_o say_v that_o no_o man_n ever_o deliberate_o venture_v upon_o a_o know_a sin_n to_o do_v some_o great_a good_a by_o it_o but_o there_o be_v always_o some_o base_a worldly_a interest_n at_o the_o bottom_n colour_v over_o with_o a_o pretence_n of_o do_v good_a either_o to_o deceive_v the_o world_n or_o sometime_o to_o deceive_v their_o own_o conscience_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n among_o who_o there_o be_v those_o who_o teach_v and_o practice_v this_o doctrine_n be_v a_o undeniable_a example_n of_o it_o and_o we_o have_v have_v too_o many_o sad_a example_n of_o it_o near_a home_n this_o seem_v to_o i_o one_o reason_n why_o those_o prophecy_n which_o concern_v future_a age_n be_v general_o so_o obscure_a that_o no_o man_n know_v when_o nor_o how_o they_o shall_v be_v fulfil_v that_o no_o man_n may_v be_v tempt_v to_o any_o sin_n to_o serve_v providence_n and_o to_o fulfil_v prophecy_n as_o obscure_v as_o these_o prophecy_n be_v yet_o we_o see_v some_o heat_a enthusiast_n very_o forward_o to_o venture_v on_o any_o thing_n to_o fulfil_v prophecy_n to_o pull_v down_o antichrist_n to_o set_v up_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n especial_o when_o they_o hope_v to_o set_v up_o themselves_o with_o he_o but_o god_n conceal_v time_n and_o season_n from_o we_o and_o though_o he_o many_o time_n fulfil_v prophecy_n by_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n yet_o he_o allow_v no_o man_n to_o sin_n to_o fulfil_v prophecy_n and_o therefore_o never_o let_v we_o know_v when_o nor_o by_o what_o mean_v prohesy_n shall_v be_v fulfil_v let_v we_o lay_v down_o this_o as_o a_o certain_a principle_n that_o god_n need_v not_o our_o sin_n and_o that_o we_o can_v never_o please_v he_o by_o do_v evil_a whatever_o the_o event_n be_v he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n to_o serve_v his_o providence_n but_o he_o will_v punish_v they_o for_o their_o sin_n chap._n vii_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n 3._o the_o next_o inquiry_n be_v concern_v the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n though_o methinks_v it_o be_v a_o more_o proper_a subject_n for_o our_o devout_a meditation_n than_o for_o our_o inquiry_n for_o we_o need_v not_o look_v far_o to_o seek_v for_o proof_n and_o demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n the_o earth_n be_v full_a of_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o lord_n we_o see_v and_o feel_v and_o taste_v it_o every_o day_n we_o owe_v our_o be_v our_o preservation_n and_o all_o the_o comfort_n of_o our_o life_n to_o it_o there_o be_v not_o so_o mean_v nor_o so_o miserable_a a_o creature_n in_o this_o world_n but_o can_v bear_v its_o testimony_n to_o the_o divine_a goodness_n nay_o if_o you_o will_v pardon_v the_o harshness_n of_o the_o expression_n i_o will_v venture_v to_o say_v that_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a plague_n and_o torment_n of_o hell_n i_o mean_v the_o remembrance_n of_o god_n goodness_n and_o their_o wicked_a and_o ungrateful_a abuse_n of_o it_o this_o be_v that_o worm_n that_o never_o die_v those_o sharp_a reflection_n man_n make_v on_o their_o ingratitude_n and_o folly_n in_o make_v themselves_o miserable_a by_o affront_a that_o goodness_n which_o will_v have_v make_v they_o happy_a whatever_o other_o objection_n foam_v wanton_a and_o sport_v wit_n make_v against_o providence_n one_o will_v think_v it_o impossible_a that_o any_o man_n who_o live_v in_o this_o world_n and_o feel_v what_o he_o enjoy_v himself_o and_o see_v what_o a_o bountiful_a provision_n be_v make_v for_o all_o creature_n shall_v question_v the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n by_o which_o he_o live_v move_v and_o have_v his_o be_v we_o shall_v think_v he_o a_o extraordinary_a benefactor_n who_o do_v the_o thousand_o part_n for_o we_o of_o what_o god_n do_v and_o shall_v not_o challenge_v his_o goodness_n though_o he_o do_v some_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v not_o like_a or_o do_v not_o understand_v but_o atheism_n be_v found_v in_o ingratitude_n and_o unless_o god_n humour_v they_o as_o well_o as_o do_v they_o good_a he_o be_v no_o god_n for_o they_o nay_o i_o can_v but_o observe_v here_o the_o perverse_a as_o well_o as_o the_o ungrateful_a temper_n of_o atheist_n when_o they_o dispute_v against_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n than_o god_n be_v much_o too_o good_a for_o they_o though_o he_o give_v we_o example_n enough_o of_o his_o severity_n against_o sin_n yet_o his_o patience_n and_o long-suffering_a to_o some_o few_o prosperous_a sinner_n be_v think_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n that_o god_n be_v not_o just_a or_o that_o he_o do_v not_o govern_v the_o world_n when_o they_o dispute_v against_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n than_o god_n be_v not_o good_a enough_o for_o they_o though_o they_o see_v innumerable_a instance_n of_o goodness_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o this_o be_v not_o owe_v to_o a_o good_a god_n but_o to_o good_a fortune_n because_o they_o think_v they_o see_v some_o of_o the_o careless_a and_o irregular_a stroke_n of_o chance_n and_o fortune_n intermix_v with_o it_o in_o the_o many_o evil_n and_o calamity_n of_o life_n now_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o god_n himself_o to_o answer_v these_o two_o objection_n to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o these_o man_n and_o that_o i_o think_v be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o they_o both_o for_o shall_v god_n vindicate_v his_o justice_n to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o these_o man_n by_o punish_v in_o this_o world_n every_o sin_n that_o be_v commit_v according_a to_o its_o desert_n there_o will_v be_v very_o little_a room_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o goodness_n if_o every_o man_n must_v suffer_v as_o much_o as_o he_o sin_n the_o very_o best_a man_n will_v be_v great_a sufferer_n much_o great_a sufferer_n than_o any_o of_o they_o now_o be_v though_o their_o suffering_n be_v make_v another_o objection_n against_o providence_n and_o there_o will_v be_v as_o many_o formidable_a example_n of_o misery_n as_o there_o be_v atheist_n and_o profligate_v sinner_n and_o this_o will_v be_v a_o unanswerable_a objection_n against_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n for_o how_o good_a soever_o god_n may_v be_v if_o he_o must_v punish_v every_o sin_n he_o have_v no_o opportunity_n to_o show_v his_o goodness_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n shall_v god_n be_v as_o good_a as_o these_o man_n will_v have_v he_o that_o be_v that_o to_o prove_v himself_o good_a he_o shall_v not_o inflict_v any_o evil_n or_o calamity_n on_o man_n whatever_o their_o sin_n or_o provocation_n be_v that_o whereas_o god_n plant_v paradise_n only_o for_o man_n in_o innocence_n the_o whole_a world_n shall_v be_v now_o a_o paradise_n though_o there_o be_v not_o a_o innocent_a man_n in_o it_o this_o will_v be_v as_o unanswerable_a a_o objection_n
reform_v sinner_n by_o the_o various_a method_n of_o grace_n and_o providence_n and_o this_o change_v both_o the_o very_a notion_n and_o exercise_n of_o god_n goodness_n and_o justice_n in_o this_o world_n for_o we_o must_v expect_v no_o more_o of_o either_o than_o what_o a_o state_n of_o trial_n and_o discipline_n will_v allow_v the_o not_o consider_v this_o distinction_n between_o absolute_a goodness_n and_o justice_n and_o the_o goodness_n and_o justice_n of_o discipline_n have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o all_o those_o objection_n which_o have_v be_v make_v both_o against_o the_o goodness_n and_o justice_n of_o providence_n we_o must_v confess_v that_o the_o world_n be_v not_o so_o happy_a as_o perfect_a and_o absolute_a and_o unconfined_a goodness_n can_v make_v it_o nor_o be_v all_o sinner_n so_o miserable_a as_o strict_a and_o absolute_a justice_n can_v make_v they_o but_o this_o signify_v no_o more_o than_o that_o heaven_n and_o hell_n be_v not_o in_o this_o world_n as_o no_o man_n ever_o pretend_v they_o be_v and_o yet_o strict_a and_o rigorous_a justice_n and_o perfect_a and_o absolute_a goodness_n wherever_o they_o be_v exercise_v must_v make_v hell_n and_o heaven_n but_o this_o life_n be_v a_o middle-state_n between_o both_o and_o as_o man_n behave_v themselves_o here_o so_o they_o shall_v have_v their_o portion_n either_o in_o heaven_n or_o hell_n and_o therefore_o the_o goodness_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n in_o this_o world_n be_v of_o a_o different_a nature_n from_o that_o goodness_n or_o justice_n which_o be_v exercise_v in_o heaven_n or_o hell_n proportion_v to_o the_o state_n of_o discipline_n and_o trial_n in_o this_o life_n goodness_n indeed_o have_v the_o predominant_a government_n and_o justice_n be_v only_o the_o minister_n of_o goodness_n in_o this_o world_n as_o it_o must_v be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n when_o correction_n as_o well_o as_o favour_n be_v intend_v for_o good_a to_o put_v man_n into_o a_o state_n of_o probation_n and_o trial_n to_o recover_v that_o immortality_n he_o have_v lose_v be_v a_o act_n of_o great_a goodness_n and_o whatever_o severe_a method_n be_v use_v to_o reform_v sinner_n be_v as_o great_a a_o expression_n of_o goodness_n as_o it_o be_v to_o force_v and_o to_o compel_v they_o to_o be_v happy_a as_o it_o be_v to_o cut_v off_o a_o hand_n or_o a_o leg_n to_o preserve_v life_n and_o if_o we_o will_v but_o allow_v this_o world_n to_o be_v a_o state_n of_o trial_n and_o discipline_n for_o another_o world_n and_o wise_o consider_v not_o what_o pure_a simple_a and_o absolute_a goodness_n but_o what_o the_o goodness_n of_o discipline_n require_v it_o will_v give_v we_o a_o easy_a answer_n to_o all_o the_o objection_n against_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n 1._o as_o first_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n will_v not_o admit_v of_o a_o complete_a and_o perfect_a happiness_n in_o this_o world_n for_o that_o be_v no_o state_n of_o discipline_n good_a man_n themselves_o be_v they_o as_o happy_a in_o this_o world_n as_o they_o can_v wish_v will_v not_o be_v very_o fond_a of_o another_o world_n nor_o learn_v those_o mortify_n and_o self-denying_a virtue_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o prepare_v they_o for_o a_o spiritual_a life_n and_o bad_a man_n will_v grow_v more_o in_o love_n with_o this_o world_n and_o sin_n on_o without_o check_n and_o control_v the_o misery_n and_o affliction_n of_o this_o life_n wean_v good_a man_n from_o this_o world_n and_o lay_v great_a restraint_n upon_o bad_a man_n which_o justify_v both_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o those_o many_o misery_n which_o mankind_n suffer_v 2._o but_o yet_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n require_v that_o this_o world_n shall_v be_v so_o tolerable_a a_o place_n as_o to_o make_v life_n desirable_a his_o own_o glory_n be_v concern_v in_o this_o for_o no_o man_n will_v believe_v that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v or_o be_v govern_v by_o a_o good_a god_n be_v there_o no_o visible_a and_o sensible_a testimony_n of_o a_o kind_n and_o good_a providence_n but_o though_o god_n curse_v the_o earth_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n yet_o he_o have_v not_o deface_v the_o character_n of_o his_o own_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n but_o still_o the_o invisible_a thing_n of_o god_n from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v clear_o see_v be_v understand_v by_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v even_o his_o eternal_a power_n and_o godhead_n 1._o rom._n 20._o and_o in_o the_o most_o degenerate_a state_n of_o mankind_n god_n leave_v not_o himself_o without_o a_o witness_n give_v they_o rain_n from_o heaven_n and_o fruitful_a season_n fill_v their_o heart_n with_o food_n and_o gladness_n what_o dreadful_a apprehension_n will_v this_o give_v mankind_n of_o god_n be_v this_o world_n nothing_o else_o but_o a_o scene_n of_o trouble_n and_o misery_n what_o encouragement_n will_v this_o be_v to_o sinner_n to_o repent_v and_o reform_v what_o hope_n can_v they_o reasonable_o conceive_v of_o pardon_n and_o forgiveness_n have_v they_o no_o experience_n of_o god_n goodness_n and_o patience_n towards_o sinner_n what_o place_n will_v there_o be_v for_o the_o exercise_n of_o moral_a or_o christian_a virtue_n of_o faith_n and_o hope_v and_o trust_v in_o god_n of_o self-denial_n and_o a_o contempt_n of_o this_o world_n be_v not_o this_o world_n a_o very_a tolerable_o happy_a place_n though_o a_o changeable_a scene_n a_o state_n of_o discipline_n must_v neither_o be_v a_o state_n of_o perfect_a happiness_n nor_o misery_n but_o a_o interchangeable_a scene_n of_o very_o agreeable_a pleasure_n and_o tolerable_a evil_n sufficient_a to_o exercise_v the_o virtue_n and_o to_o correct_v the_o vice_n of_o mankind_n and_o this_o i_o take_v the_o state_n of_o this_o life_n to_o be_v so_o happy_a that_o few_o man_n be_v so_o miserable_a as_o to_o be_v weary_a of_o it_o and_o yet_o so_o intermix_v with_o trouble_n as_o to_o exercise_v the_o virtue_n of_o good_a man_n and_o to_o correct_v the_o wicked_a and_o this_o be_v what_o become_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o do_v for_o we_o in_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n 3._o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n seem_v to_o require_v that_o in_o such_o a_o mix_a and_o changeable_a scene_n there_o shall_v be_v some_o remarkable_a difference_n make_v between_o the_o good_a and_o the_o bad_a for_o the_o design_n of_o providence_n in_o a_o state_n of_o trial_n be_v to_o encourage_v virtue_n and_o to_o deter_v man_n from_o sin_n and_o therefore_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v such_o a_o visible_a difference_n make_v as_o may_v be_v sufficient_a if_o man_n will_v wise_o consider_v thing_n to_o encourage_v good_a man_n and_o to_o restrain_v the_o wicked_a i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o all_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v happy_a and_o prosperous_a and_o all_o bad_a man_n miserable_a as_o to_o their_o external_a fortune_n for_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n will_v not_o allow_v this_o all_o good_a man_n can_v bear_v a_o prosperous_a fortune_n and_o some_o bad_a man_n may_v grow_v better_o by_o it_o or_o may_v be_v fit_a instrument_n of_o providence_n and_o such_o a_o visible_a distinction_n between_o all_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n belong_v to_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n not_o to_o a_o state_n of_o trial_n and_o therefore_o we_o see_v this_o be_v not_o do_v and_o bad_a man_n who_o have_v the_o least_o reason_n to_o complain_v of_o it_o make_v it_o a_o objection_n against_o providence_n but_o though_o providence_n many_o time_n seem_v to_o make_v little_a difference_n between_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n as_o to_o external_a event_n yet_o god_n very_o often_o take_v care_n to_o expound_v his_o providence_n which_o make_v a_o very_a visible_a difference_n between_o they_o natural_a conscience_n be_v one_o of_o god_n interpreter_n of_o providence_n which_o terrify_v bad_a man_n with_o a_o sense_n of_o gild_n when_o they_o suffer_v and_o threaten_v they_o with_o a_o more_o terrible_a vengeance_n but_o support_v good_a man_n under_o their_o suffering_n with_o better_a hope_n that_o bad_a man_n suffer_v like_a malefactor_n with_o rage_n and_o fear_v and_o despair_n good_a man_n with_o patience_n and_o submission_n and_o joyful_a expectation_n of_o a_o reward_n all_o the_o promise_n of_o scripture_n be_v make_v to_o good_a man_n and_o all_o the_o threaten_n of_o it_o denounce_v against_o bad_a man_n and_o this_o expound_v providence_n for_o this_o assure_v good_a man_n that_o all_o the_o good_a they_o receive_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o god_n care_n and_o goodness_n to_o they_o and_o that_o the_o evil_n they_o suffer_v be_v either_o his_o fatherly_a correction_n or_o the_o trial_n and_o exercise_n of_o their_o virtue_n but_o that_o the_o prosperity_n of_o bad_a man_n be_v only_o the_o effect_n of_o god_n patience_n or_o to_o make_v they_o instrument_n of_o his_o providence_n and_o that_o
their_o suffering_n be_v the_o punishment_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o the_o forerunner_n of_o future_a vengeance_n except_o they_o repent_v and_o when_o we_o know_v this_o it_o make_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o the_o prosperity_n and_o the_o suffering_n of_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n and_o because_o this_o be_v not_o always_o visible_a in_o external_a event_n god_n have_v take_v care_n to_o reveal_v it_o to_o we_o but_o god_n have_v make_v this_o very_a visible_a in_o most_o of_o the_o ordinary_a calamity_n of_o life_n which_o be_v the_o natural_a effect_n of_o sin_n of_o intemperance_n luxury_n lust_n pride_n passion_n covetousness_n idleness_n and_o prodigality_n most_o of_o those_o evil_n which_o bad_a man_n suffer_v be_v owe_v to_o such_o vice_n and_o all_o these_o good_a man_n escape_v and_o sometime_o their_o virtue_n advance_v they_o to_o riches_n and_o honour_n and_o when_o they_o do_v yet_o they_o make_v they_o content_v and_o please_v but_o when_o wickedness_n make_v man_n great_a it_o common_o make_v they_o a_o mark_n for_o envy_n and_o advance_v they_o to_o tumble_v they_o down_o nay_o though_o the_o divine_a providence_n do_v not_o always_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n as_o to_o their_o external_a fortune_n yet_o sometime_o god_n make_v a_o very_a remarkable_a difference_n between_o they_o give_v such_o signal_n demonstration_n of_o his_o anger_n against_o bad_a man_n and_o of_o his_o care_n and_o protection_n of_o the_o good_a that_o it_o force_v man_n to_o acknowledge_v very_o there_o be_v a_o reward_n for_o the_o righteous_a very_o he_o be_v a_o god_n that_o judge_v in_o the_o earth_n 58._o psal._n 11._o and_o a_o few_o such_o example_n as_o these_o though_o both_o sacred_a and_o profane_a story_n furnish_v we_o with_o very_a many_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v as_o visible_a a_o distinction_n between_o the_o good_a and_o the_o bad_a as_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o this_o world_n require_v 4._o but_o yet_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n in_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n will_v not_o allow_v of_o great_a evil_n and_o calamity_n than_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o good_a government_n of_o the_o world_n for_o this_o be_v a_o state_n of_o discipline_n and_o government_n not_o of_o judgement_n good_a man_n must_v suffer_v no_o more_o than_o what_o will_v increase_v their_o virtue_n not_o prove_v a_o temptation_n to_o sin_n the_o rod_n of_o the_o wicked_a must_v not_o always_o rest_v on_o the_o lot_n of_o the_o righteous_a lest_o he_o also_o put_v forth_o his_o hand_n unto_o iniquity_n the_o suffering_n of_o bad_a man_n who_o be_v in_o a_o curable_a state_n must_v be_v only_o proportion_v to_o their_o cure_n unless_o the_o evil_n of_o the_o example_n require_v a_o severe_a punishment_n to_o warn_v other_o sinner_n as_o for_o harden_a and_o incorrigible_a sinner_n the_o goodness_n of_o god_n be_v not_o concern_v for_o they_o but_o he_o may_v serve_v his_o providence_n on_o they_o as_o he_o please_v either_o by_o make_v they_o the_o minister_n of_o his_o justice_n to_o execute_v such_o a_o terrible_a vengeance_n on_o the_o world_n as_o none_o but_o such_o harden_a sinner_n will_v execute_v or_o by_o make_v they_o the_o last_a monument_n of_o his_o own_o vengeance_n as_o he_o do_v a_o harden_a and_o incorrigible_a pharaoh_n for_o this_o be_v for_o the_o great_a good_a of_o the_o world_n and_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n require_v such_o example_n and_o such_o sinner_n be_v fit_a to_o be_v make_v example_n of_o and_o all_o such_o severity_n as_o these_o be_v very_o reconcilable_a with_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n 5._o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n not_o only_o allow_v but_o require_v great_a patience_n long-suffering_a and_o goodness_n to_o sinner_n for_o this_o be_v necessary_a to_o reclaim_v sinner_n to_o give_v they_o time_n for_o repentance_n and_o to_o invite_v and_o encourage_v they_o to_o repent_v by_o all_o the_o art_n and_o method_n of_o goodness_n as_o well_o as_o to_o overawe_v they_o by_o judgement_n and_o severity_n promise_n be_v as_o necessary_a to_o reform_v sinner_n as_o threaten_n for_o hope_n be_v as_o powerful_a a_o principle_n as_o fear_n and_o love_n and_o goodness_n work_v more_o kind_o upon_o ingenuous_a mind_n and_o melt_v those_o who_o judgement_n can_v bow_v nor_o break_v thus_o a_o kind_a parent_n deal_v with_o a_o prodigal_a son_n try_v he_o with_o kindness_n as_o well_o as_o severity_n and_o thus_o god_n deal_v with_o sinner_n he_o be_v good_a to_o the_o evil_a and_o to_o the_o good_a and_o make_v his_o sun_n to_o shine_v and_o his_o rain_n to_o fall_v upon_o the_o just_a and_o upon_o the_o unjust_a and_o this_o be_v such_o goodness_n as_o be_v proper_a only_a for_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n 6._o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n even_o in_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n require_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o good_a than_o evil_a in_o the_o world_n for_o since_o goodness_n govern_v the_o world_n even_o in_o this_o state_n the_o good_a must_v be_v predominant_a that_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o evil_n and_o calamity_n there_o be_v it_o may_v still_o be_v very_o visible_a that_o the_o world_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o good_a god_n that_o this_o be_v so_o i_o think_v i_o need_v not_o prove_v for_o we_o all_o see_v and_o feel_v it_o the_o evil_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n bear_v no_o proportion_n at_o all_o to_o the_o good_a there_o be_v some_o few_o example_n of_o miserable_a people_n but_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n be_v very_o happy_a and_o even_o these_o miserable_a people_n have_v great_a allay_v of_o their_o misery_n and_o if_o we_o take_v a_o estimate_n of_o their_o whole_a life_n have_v a_o much_o great_a share_n of_o good_a than_o evil._n the_o judgement_n of_o god_n be_v sometime_o very_o terrible_a but_o they_o come_v but_o seldom_o for_o a_o year_n plague_n or_o famine_n we_o enjoy_v some_o age_n of_o health_n and_o plenty_n and_o the_o ruin_n and_o desolation_n of_o war_n be_v recompense_v and_o forget_v by_o a_o more_o last_a and_o flourish_a peace_n but_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n move_v in_o a_o constant_a and_o uniform_a round_n visit_v all_o part_n and_o corner_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o the_o sun_n do_v with_o its_o light_n and_o heat_n that_o consider_v how_o little_a mankind_n deserve_v of_o god_n in_o this_o corrupt_a and_o degenerate_a state_n how_o high_o they_o provoke_v he_o every_o day_n and_o how_o constant_o and_o universal_o he_o do_v good_a to_o they_o instead_o of_o complain_v of_o the_o many_o evil_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o admire_v the_o patience_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o sinner_n this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o exercise_n of_o god_n goodness_n as_o it_o respect_v a_o state_n of_o discipline_n and_o so_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v in_o the_o government_n of_o this_o world_n and_o then_o all_o the_o objection_n against_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n vanish_v of_o themselves_o though_o this_o world_n be_v not_o so_o happy_a as_o perfect_a and_o absolute_a goodness_n can_v make_v it_o yet_o god_n abound_v in_o all_o the_o expression_n of_o goodness_n which_o a_o state_n of_o trial_n and_o discipline_n will_v allow_v which_o be_v all_o that_o we_o can_v reasonable_o expect_v and_o all_o that_o god_n can_v wise_o do_v for_o we_o in_o this_o state_n 2_o especial_o if_o we_o consider_v in_o the_o next_o place_n what_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n for_o this_o be_v another_o occasion_n of_o most_o objection_n against_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n that_o man_n consider_v human_a nature_n absolute_o and_o appeal_v to_o their_o sense_n for_o the_o notion_n and_o difference_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a without_o any_o regard_n to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o human_a nature_n that_o be_v by_o good_a and_o evil_a they_o mean_v only_o natural_a good_a and_o evil_a such_o as_o pleasure_n or_o pain_n a_o state_n of_o ease_n and_o rest_v or_o of_o trouble_n and_o labour_n and_o difficulty_n riches_n or_o poverty_n honour_n or_o disgrace_n and_o measure_v the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n by_o the_o natural_a good_a or_o evil_a that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n if_o mankind_n and_o particular_a man_n be_v happy_a and_o prosperous_a then_o god_n do_v good_a and_o they_o will_v acknowledge_v that_o providence_n be_v good_a if_o they_o be_v afflict_v this_o be_v very_o evil_a and_o therefore_o a_o objection_n against_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n but_o do_v not_o every_o man_n know_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o good_a of_o the_o end_n and_o the_o good_a of_o the_o mean_n the_o end_n be_v happiness_n which_o be_v the_o
the_o sweat_n of_o thy_o face_n shall_v thou_o eat_v bread_n till_o thou_o return_v unto_o the_o ground_n for_o out_o of_o it_o waste_v thou_o take_v for_o dust_n thou_o be_v and_o unto_o dust_n thou_o shall_v return_v 3._o gen._n 17_o 18_o 19_o this_o be_v a_o very_a severe_a sentence_n which_o deprive_v man_n of_o immortality_n and_o of_o the_o easy_a and_o happy_a life_n of_o paradise_n condemn_v he_o to_o labour_n and_o sorrow_n while_o he_o live_v and_o then_o to_o return_v unto_o dust_n and_o yet_o the_o wisdom_n as_o well_o as_o justice_n of_o providence_n be_v very_o visible_a in_o it_o it_o be_v not_o fit_a that_o when_o man_n have_v sin_v 1._o he_o shall_v be_v immortal_a in_o this_o world_n and_o a_o industrious_a and_o laborious_a life_n be_v the_o best_a and_o happy_a state_n for_o fall_v man_n 8._o as_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o show_v at_o large_a we_o know_v little_o more_o than_o this_o of_o the_o antediluvian_n world_n till_o we_o hear_v of_o the_o general_a corruption_n 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the_o wonderful_a wisdom_n of_o providence_n in_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o old_a world_n by_o a_o deluge_n of_o water_n and_o right_o to_o understand_v this_o we_o must_v consider_v the_o several_a circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n and_o what_o god_n intend_v by_o it_o now_o though_o that_o wicked_a generation_n of_o man_n deserve_v to_o be_v destroy_v yet_o god_n do_v not_o intend_v to_o put_v a_o final_a end_n to_o this_o world_n nor_o to_o cut_v off_o the_o whole_a race_n of_o all_o mankind_n but_o to_o raise_v a_o new_a generation_n of_o man_n from_o a_o righteous_a seed_n and_o to_o make_v the_o destruction_n of_o the_o old_a world_n a_o stand_a warn_v and_o a_o visible_a lesson_n of_o righteousness_n to_o the_o new_a and_o a_o few_o observation_n will_v satisfy_v we_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o wise_o design_v for_o this_o purpose_n 1._o let_v we_o consider_v the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n in_o destroy_v the_o old_a world_n without_o the_o utter_a destruction_n 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of_o the_o woman_n shall_v break_v his_o head_n and_o therefore_o the_o whole_a posterity_n of_o eve_n must_v not_o be_v destroy_v but_o a_o righteous_a seed_n must_v be_v preserve_v to_o new-people_n the_o world_n but_o beside_o this_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o old_a world_n be_v intend_v as_o a_o warn_n to_o the_o new_a it_o be_v necessary_a there_o shall_v be_v some_o live_a witness_n both_o of_o the_o destruction_n and_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o world_n to_o assure_v their_o posterity_n of_o what_o they_o have_v see_v and_o to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o it_o to_o all_o generation_n of_o which_o more_o present_o 2_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n be_v very_o visible_a in_o delay_v so_o terrible_a a_o execution_n till_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n to_o destroy_v a_o world_n carry_v great_a horror_n with_o it_o and_o make_v a_o frightful_a representation_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v not_o qualify_v with_o all_o the_o most_o tender_a and_o soften_a circumstance_n and_o i_o can_v think_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o can_v justify_v providence_n in_o it_o except_v the_o last_o judgement_n when_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n think_v fit_a to_o put_v a_o final_a end_n to_o this_o world_n but_o the_o irrecoverable_a state_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o some_o new_a method_n of_o reform_v the_o world_n and_o therefore_o god_n delay_v the_o destruction_n of_o the_o old_a world_n till_o all_o flesh_n have_v corrupt_v his_o way_n and_o there_o be_v but_o one_o righteous_a family_n leave_v which_o must_v be_v in_o danger_n of_o be_v corrupt_v too_o by_o the_o universal_a wickedness_n of_o the_o age._n however_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o though_o noah_n may_v have_v preserve_v his_o own_o integrity_n and_o have_v teach_v his_o own_o family_n that_o fear_v and_o worship_n of_o god_n yet_o he_o can_v do_v no_o good_a upon_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n he_o be_v a_o preacher_n of_o righteousness_n but_o his_o sermon_n have_v no_o effect_n it_o be_v general_o conclude_v by_o the_o ancient_n that_o he_o be_v a_o hundred_o year_n in_o build_v the_o ark_n and_o all_o this_o while_n he_o give_v visible_a warning_n to_o they_o of_o the_o approach_a deluge_n now_o when_o it_o be_v impossible_a by_o any_o ordinary_a mean_n to_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o the_o wickedness_n of_o mankind_n what_o remain_v but_o to_o destroy_v that_o corrupt_a and_o incurable_a generation_n and_o to_o preserve_v righteous_a noah_n and_o his_o son_n to_o propagate_v a_o new_a generation_n of_o man_n and_o to_o train_v they_o up_o in_o the_o fear_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n have_v he_o delay_v a_o little_a long_o the_o whole_a world_n may_v have_v be_v corrupt_a without_o one_o righteous_a man_n in_o it_o and_o then_o he_o must_v either_o have_v maintain_v or_o preserve_v a_o world_n of_o atheist_n and_o profligate_v sinner_n or_o must_v have_v destroy_v they_o all_o but_o it_o more_o become_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n when_o religion_n be_v reduce_v to_o one_o family_n to_o defer_v vengeance_n no_o long_o while_o he_o have_v one_o righteous_a family_n to_o save_v to_o preserve_v the_o race_n of_o mankind_n and_o to_o restore_v lose_v piety_n and_o virtue_n to_o the_o world_n 3_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n in_o destroy_v the_o old_a world_n be_v very_o visible_a in_o the_o manner_n of_o do_v it_o one_a for_o first_o it_o be_v a_o miraculous_a and_o supernatural_a destruction_n and_o therefore_o a_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o the_o power_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n there_o be_v no_o visible_a cause_n in_o nature_n to_o do_v this_o and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v do_v by_o a_o power_n superior_a to_o nature_n some_o man_n think_v it_o sufficient_a to_o disparage_v the_o moysaicall_a account_n of_o the_o deluge_n if_o they_o can_v prove_v the_o natural_a impossibility_n of_o it_o and_o other_o who_o profess_v to_o believe_v the_o story_n think_v themselves_o much_o concern_v to_o give_v a_o philosophical_a account_n of_o it_o without_o have_v recourse_n to_o miracle_n and_o a_o supernatural_a power_n which_o they_o say_v unbecome_v philosopher_n but_o if_o it_o unbecome_v philosopher_n to_o believe_v miracle_n i_o doubt_v they_o will_v think_v it_o very_o much_o below_o they_o to_o be_v christian_n which_o no_o man_n can_v be_v who_o do_v not_o believe_v miracle_n and_o if_o they_o will_v allow_v of_o miracle_n in_o any_o case_n methinks_v they_o shall_v make_v no_o scruple_n to_o attribute_v the_o destruction_n of_o the_o world_n to_o a_o miraculous_a and_o supernatural_a power_n the_o comfort_n be_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o any_o philosophical_a hypothesis_n we_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v drown_v because_o we_o can_v tell_v by_o what_o natural_a cause_n it_o may_v be_v drown_v but_o
than_o the_o creation_n of_o a_o new_a world_n will_v be_v but_o have_v god_n destroy_v the_o whole_a race_n of_o man_n and_o create_v a_o new_a man_n to_o inhabit_v the_o new_a world_n this_o will_v have_v argue_v some_o defect_n in_o the_o first_o creation_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n for_o destroy_a man_n to_o make_v he_o again_o but_o a_o design_n to_o make_v he_o better_o to_o correct_v that_o in_o a_o second_o trial_n which_o experience_n have_v discover_v to_o be_v faulty_a in_o the_o first_o but_o though_o the_o wisdom_n of_o government_n will_v admit_v of_o various_a trial_n and_o experiment_n the_o wisdom_n of_o creation_n wont_a the_o government_n of_o free_a agent_n must_v be_v accommodate_v to_o their_o nature_n and_o disposition_n not_o only_o to_o what_o god_n make_v they_o but_o to_o what_o they_o make_v themselves_o and_o therefore_o the_o method_n of_o government_n must_v change_v as_o man_n change_v themselves_o but_o the_o nature_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v make_v only_o by_o god_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o fault_n in_o they_o it_o be_v chargeable_a upon_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o to_o make_v man_n and_o destroy_v he_o and_o make_v he_o again_o will_v argue_v a_o great_a fault_n somewhere_o 2_o i_o observe_v also_o before_o that_o to_o make_v the_o destruction_n of_o the_o old_a world_n of_o any_o use_n to_o propagate_v religion_n and_o piety_n in_o the_o new_a it_o be_v necessary_a that_o some_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o old_a world_n shall_v survive_v the_o deluge_n to_o be_v witness_n of_o that_o terrible_a destruction_n have_v no_o man_n survive_v though_o god_n shall_v have_v create_v man_n anew_o that_o new_a generation_n of_o man_n can_v have_v know_v nothing_o of_o the_o deluge_n but_o by_o revelation_n whereas_o god_n intend_v a_o sensible_a proof_n of_o his_o power_n and_o providence_n which_o mankind_n want_v beside_o that_o revelation_n which_o we_o may_v suppose_v god_n make_v to_o adam_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o his_o own_o sense_n that_o he_o himself_o be_v but_o just_a then_o make_v and_o be_v the_o first_o and_o the_o only_a man_n upon_o earth_n there_o be_v such_o visible_a mark_n of_o a_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o power_n in_o the_o frame_n of_o the_o world_n as_o one_o will_v think_v shall_v be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v man_n that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v and_o be_v preserve_v and_o govern_v by_o god_n and_o yet_o because_o no_o man_n see_v the_o world_n make_v neither_o reason_n nor_o revelation_n can_v persuade_v some_o man_n that_o god_n make_v the_o world_n and_o be_v it_o reasonable_a then_o to_o think_v that_o when_o there_o be_v no_o remain_a sign_n of_o a_o deluge_n leave_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o deluge_n shall_v for_o any_o long_a time_n have_v prevail_v in_o the_o world_n without_o any_o live_a witness_n who_o see_v the_o deluge_n though_o we_o shall_v suppose_v god_n to_o have_v reveal_v it_o to_o new-created_a man_n no_o man_n can_v see_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n because_o the_o world_n must_v be_v make_v before_o man_n be_v make_v to_o live_v in_o it_o but_o though_o no_o man_n see_v the_o world_n make_v there_o be_v some_o who_o see_v the_o destruction_n which_o the_o deluge_n make_v which_o be_v as_o visible_a a_o proof_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o a_o much_o great_a proof_n of_o a_o just_a and_o righteous_a providence_n no_o man_n who_o believe_v that_o god_n destroy_v the_o old_a world_n with_o a_o deluge_n of_o water_n can_v doubt_v whether_o god_n make_v the_o world_n and_o govern_v it_o and_o for_o this_o the_o new_a world_n have_v the_o testimony_n of_o eye-witness_n which_o be_v as_o sensible_a a_o proof_n of_o a_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n as_o we_o can_v possible_o have_v 3_o the_o preservation_n of_o noah_n and_o his_o son_n in_o the_o ark_n be_v a_o evident_a proof_n that_o this_o deluge_n be_v send_v by_o god_n god_n forewarn_v noah_n of_o it_o a_o hundred_o year_n before_o it_o come_v and_o command_v he_o to_o prepare_v a_o ark_n and_o give_v he_o direction_n how_o to_o make_v it_o thus_o much_o be_v certain_a that_o noah_n do_v know_v of_o it_o beforehand_o and_o prepare_v a_o ark_n which_o remain_v as_o a_o visible_a testimony_n of_o the_o flood_n to_o future_a generation_n now_o there_o be_v no_o natural_a cause_n of_o the_o flood_n there_o can_v be_v no_o natural_a prognostic_n of_o it_o our_o saviour_n himself_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o symptom_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n till_o noah_n enter_v into_o the_o ark_n and_o therefore_o noah_n have_v no_o other_o way_n of_o know_v this_o but_o by_o revelation_n and_o it_o be_v so_o incredible_a a_o thing_n in_o itself_o that_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n will_v not_o believe_v he_o though_o he_o warn_v they_o of_o it_o and_o they_o see_v that_o he_o believe_v it_o himself_o by_o his_o prepare_v a_o ark_n for_o his_o own_o safety_n and_o if_o we_o believe_v the_o account_n that_o moses_n give_v of_o it_o that_o some_o of_o all_o sort_n of_o live_a creature_n both_o the_o beast_n of_o the_o field_n and_o the_o fowl_n of_o the_o air_n be_v preserve_v with_o noah_n in_o the_o ark_n as_o we_o must_v believe_v if_o we_o believe_v the_o universal_a deluge_n unless_o we_o will_v say_v that_o god_n new-made_a all_o live_a creature_n after_o the_o flood_n what_o account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o this_o that_o some_o of_o all_o sort_n in_o such_o number_n as_o god_n have_v appoint_v and_o have_v prepare_v reception_n for_o shall_v come_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n to_o noah_n when_o he_o be_v ready_a to_o enter_v into_o the_o ark_n have_v they_o not_o be_v lead_v thither_o by_o a_o divine_a hand_n 4thly_a the_o preservation_n of_o noah_n and_o his_o son_n in_o the_o ark_n do_v not_o only_o prove_v that_o the_o deluge_n be_v send_v by_o god_n but_o be_v a_o plain_a evidence_n for_o what_o reason_n god_n send_v such_o a_o terrible_a judgement_n viz._n to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o that_o wicked_a generation_n of_o man_n and_o to_o new-people_n the_o world_n with_o a_o righteous_a seed_n this_o reason_n god_n give_v to_o noah_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n speak_v it_o for_o when_o all_o the_o wicked_a inhabitant_n of_o the_o world_n be_v destroy_v and_o not_o one_o escape_v the_o deluge_n but_o only_o that_o one_o righteous_a family_n which_o have_v escape_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o age_n too_o and_o that_o preserve_v by_o the_o peculiar_a order_n and_o direction_n of_o god_n this_o be_v a_o visible_a judgement_n upon_o all_o the_o wicked_a of_o the_o earth_n and_o make_v a_o visible_a distinction_n between_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n when_o such_o evil_n and_o calamity_n befall_v the_o world_n as_o may_v be_v resolve_v into_o natural_a or_o moral_a cause_n as_o plague_n and_o famine_n and_o war_n fire_n and_o earthquake_n and_o it_o may_v be_v good_a and_o bad_a man_n share_v pretty_a equal_o in_o the_o public_a misfortune_n atheist_n and_o infidel_n will_v not_o allow_v these_o evil_n to_o be_v inflict_v by_o god_n much_o less_o to_o be_v the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n when_o they_o make_v no_o visible_a distinction_n between_o the_o good_a and_o the_o bad_a but_o the_o universal_a deluge_n be_v both_o a_o supernatural_a and_o a_o distinguish_a judgement_n none_o but_o god_n can_v thus_o destroy_v the_o earth_n and_o none_o but_o the_o wicked_a be_v destroy_v and_o therefore_o this_o be_v a_o undiable_a demonstration_n of_o the_o justice_n and_o righteousness_n of_o god_n that_o he_o hate_v wickedness_n and_o will_v punish_v wicked_a man_n there_o be_v some_o other_o mark_v of_o excellent_a wisdom_n in_o the_o universal_a deluge_n which_o i_o shall_v only_o name_v because_o though_o they_o be_v worth_a observe_v yet_o they_o be_v of_o less_o moment_n as_o to_o my_o present_a design_n as_o the_o deluge_n be_v to_o be_v a_o last_a proof_n of_o a_o just_a providence_n to_o the_o new_a world_n and_o as_o you_o have_v hear_v be_v upon_o all_o account_n admirable_o fit_v to_o that_o purpose_n so_o we_o may_v reasonable_o suppose_v that_o when_o it_o come_v it_o convince_v that_o wicked_a generation_n of_o man_n and_o bring_v they_o to_o repentance_n which_o it_o give_v they_o some_o time_n for_o and_o though_o it_o can_v not_o save_v they_o in_o this_o world_n who_o know_v but_o that_o a_o sudden_a repentance_n upon_o such_o a_o sudden_a conviction_n may_v obtain_v mercy_n for_o they_o in_o the_o next_o noah_n be_v a_o preacher_n of_o righteousness_n he_o have_v often_o reprove_v they_o for_o their_o sin_n and_o threaten_v they_o with_o a_o deluge_n but_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v he_o though_o they_o see_v he_o prepare_v the_o ark_n but_o when_o they_o see_v the_o flood_n come_v they_o know_v then_o the_o
ham_n which_o will_v quick_o have_v endanger_v as_o general_a a_o corruption_n of_o mankind_n as_o there_o be_v before_o the_o flood_n let_v we_o then_o consider_v what_o course_n god_n take_v to_o prevent_v this_o and_o the_o excellent_a wisdom_n of_o it_o which_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o 11._o genes_n 7_o 8._o that_o god_n confound_v their_o language_n so_o that_o they_o can_v not_o understand_v one_o another_o speech_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n scatter_v they_o abroad_o from_o thence_o upon_o the_o face_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n and_o they_o leave_v off_o to_o build_v the_o city_n now_o not_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o this_o be_v the_o most_o ready_a way_n to_o people_n the_o whole_a earth_n even_o the_o remote_a corner_n of_o it_o which_o be_v for_o the_o great_a good_a of_o mankind_n find_v they_o work_v to_o do_v force_v they_o upon_o the_o invention_n of_o ingenious_a art_n and_o by_o the_o benefit_n of_o trade_n and_o commerce_n make_v every_o country_n which_o be_v not_o want_v to_o itself_o a_o little_a world_n and_o every_o part_n to_o enjoy_v all_o the_o pleasure_n and_o advantage_n of_o the_o whole_a i_o say_v beside_o this_o it_o be_v the_o most_o likely_a way_n that_o can_v be_v use_v at_o that_o time_n to_o prevent_v the_o universal_a corruption_n of_o mankind_n for_o 1._o this_o separate_v the_o family_n of_o sem_fw-mi and_o japhet_n from_o the_o family_n of_o ham_n where_o the_o infection_n be_v already_o begin_v and_o will_v have_v spread_v apace_o by_o the_o advantage_n of_o power_n and_o empire_n when_o cain_n have_v slay_v his_o brother_n abel_n god_n send_v he_o away_o out_o of_o adam_n family_n that_o his_o presence_n and_o example_n may_v do_v no_o hurt_n and_o if_o by_o the_o daughter_n of_o man_n in_o 6._o genes_n we_o understand_v as_o some_o good_a expositor_n do_v those_o who_o descend_v of_o cain_n and_o by_o the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o posterity_n of_o seth_n in_o who_o family_n the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n be_v 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process_n of_o time_n do_v and_o therefore_o two_o the_o most_o last_a dispersion_n and_o separation_n be_v by_o a_o confusion_n of_o language_n which_o hinder_v all_o intercourse_n and_o communication_n at_o least_o till_o there_o be_v a_o remedy_n find_v against_o it_o by_o learn_v each_o other_o language_n which_o be_v a_o work_n of_o time_n and_o be_v never_o likely_a to_o be_v so_o general_a as_o to_o be_v the_o mean_n of_o a_o common_a intercourse_n this_o effectual_o divide_v they_o at_o first_o and_o will_v always_o keep_v nation_n divide_v till_o foreign_a arm_n shall_v give_v new_a law_n and_o a_o new_a language_n to_o a_o conquer_a people_n 3_o i_o observe_v far_o that_o the_o more_o division_n of_o language_n be_v make_v and_o the_o great_a the_o dispersion_n be_v the_o great_a security_n be_v it_o against_o a_o general_a corruption_n which_o be_v a_o reason_n not_o only_o for_o separate_v the_o family_n of_o ham_n from_o the_o family_n of_o sem_fw-mi and_o japhet_n but_o for_o separate_v they_o from_o each_o other_o and_o divide_v they_o into_o small_a body_n for_o the_o more_o division_n there_o be_v whatever_o part_n be_v infect_v the_o less_o can_v the_o corruption_n spread_v when_o there_o be_v no_o communication_n between_o they_o 4thly_a this_o also_o divide_a mankind_n into_o several_a little_a independent_a monarchy_n under_o the_o government_n of_o the_o head_n of_o their_o several_a family_n which_o keep_v all_o mankind_n under_o a_o strict_a government_n than_o if_o the_o whole_a world_n have_v be_v one_o great_a empire_n which_o will_v have_v prove_v a_o tyrannical_a domination_n but_o can_v have_v take_v little_a care_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o subject_n especial_o if_o the_o government_n itself_o be_v corrupt_v the_o whole_a world_n must_v be_v corrupt_a with_o it_o but_o when_o so_o many_o distinct_a society_n be_v form_v this_o give_v they_o distinct_a interest_n and_o make_v their_o law_n and_o custom_n the_o very_a humour_n and_o genius_n of_o the_o people_n so_o different_a from_o each_o other_o as_o will_v keep_v they_o distinct_a and_o this_o will_v necessary_o occasion_v mutual_a emulation_n and_o jealousy_n to_o rival_n their_o neighbour_n in_o riches_n and_o power_n and_o this_o can_v be_v do_v without_o wise_a law_n and_o a_o strict_a discipline_n and_o the_o encouragement_n of_o labour_n and_o industry_n of_o liberal_a art_n and_o all_o social_a virtue_n and_o the_o suppression_n of_o such_o vice_n as_o weaken_v government_n and_o emasculate_a man_n spirit_n this_o effect_n we_o know_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n it_o have_v as_o we_o learn_v from_o the_o most_o early_a account_n of_o the_o grecian_a commonwealth_n where_o we_o meet_v with_o so_o many_o excellent_a law_n and_o such_o great_a example_n of_o frugality_n temperance_n fortitude_n and_o a_o generous_a love_n of_o their_o country_n which_o may_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n be_v attribute_v to_o their_o mutual_a emulation_n which_o teach_v they_o prudence_n and_o justice_n at_o home_n and_o abroad_o and_o force_v on_o they_o the_o exercise_n of_o many_o civil_a and_o military_a virtue_n it_o have_v indeed_o be_v more_o for_o the_o peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o world_n that_o all_o mankind_n have_v be_v but_o one_o people_n and_o one_o kingdom_n without_o divide_a interest_n and_o government_n but_o such_o a_o profound_a state_n of_o ease_n be_v apt_a to_o loosen_v the_o rain_n of_o government_n and_o to_o corrupt_v man_n mind_n with_o sloth_n and_o luxury_n and_o therefore_o be_v no_o more_o fit_a for_o a_o corrupt_a and_o degenerate_a state_n than_o it_o will_v have_v be_v that_o the_o earth_n shall_v have_v bring_v forth_o fruit_n of_o itself_o without_o humane_a labour_n and_o industry_n but_o jealousy_n and_o emulation_n the_o necessity_n of_o defend_v themselves_o against_o potent_a neighbour_n or_o the_o ambition_n to_o equal_v or_o to_o outdo_v they_o restrain_v public_a vice_n and_o be_v a_o spur_n to_o virtue_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v true_a this_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o many_o misery_n to_o mankind_n of_o all_o the_o calamity_n and_o desolation_n of_o war_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v consider_v 5thly_a that_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o objection_n against_o providence_n while_o god_n keep_v the_o sword_n in_o his_o own_o hand_n that_o it_o be_v a_o admirable_a instrument_n of_o government_n and_o a_o signal_n demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n god_n have_v promise_v that_o he_o will_v not_o again_o any_o more_o smite_v every_o live_a thing_n as_o he_o have_v do_v 8._o genes_n 21._o and_o yet_o mankind_n can_v not_o be_v govern_v without_o some_o restraint_n and_o punishment_n and_o it_o do_v not_o become_v god_n to_o punish_v man_n and_o nation_n as_o often_o as_o they_o deserve_v it_o by_o a_o immediate_a hand_n and_o what_o then_o can_v be_v more_o wise_o design_v than_o so_o to_o order_v it_o that_o if_o man_n and_o nation_n be_v wicked_a they_o shall_v scourge_v and_o punish_v one_o another_o by_o this_o mean_v god_n can_v chastise_v two_o wicked_a nation_n by_o each_o other_o sword_n without_o destroy_v either_o he_o can_v so_o lessen_v their_o number_n and_o exhaust_v their_o treasure_n and_o impoverish_v their_o country_n as_o to_o force_v they_o to_o peace_n and_o to_o reduce_v they_o to_o a_o laborious_a and_o frugal_a life_n which_o will_v cure_v the_o wantonness_n and_o luxury_n of_o plenty_n and_o ease_n if_o a_o nation_n be_v grow_v incurable_o wicked_a he_o can_v by_o this_o mean_n destroy_v they_o without_o embroil_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n he_o can_v carry_v they_o captive_a into_o foreign_a country_n or_o make_v they_o slave_n at_o home_n and_o subject_v they_o to_o the_o yoke_n of_o a_o conqueror_n who_o shall_v correct_v they_o and_o teach_v they_o better_o in_o a_o word_n the_o dispersion_n of_o
supreme_a god_n and_o of_o a_o sovereign_a providence_n than_o to_o see_v a_o whole_a nation_n worship_v this_o one_o supreme_a god_n which_o at_o least_o will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v whole_o ignorant_a of_o such_o a_o be_v but_o be_v a_o just_a reason_n to_o examine_v their_o natural_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o the_o pretence_n of_o their_o several_a go_n especial_o when_o they_o see_v this_o nation_n plant_v in_o a_o particular_a country_n allot_v they_o by_o their_o god_n and_o the_o old_a wicked_a inhabitant_n destroy_v and_o drive_v out_o from_o before_o they_o by_o such_o a_o series_n of_o miracle_n as_o be_v a_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o such_o a_o divine_a power_n as_o all_o the_o god_n of_o these_o country_n be_v not_o able_a to_o oppose_v and_o that_o this_o nation_n receive_v their_o law_n both_o for_o worship_n and_o polity_n and_o conversation_n immediate_o from_o god_n be_v govern_v by_o man_n appoint_v by_o god_n and_o direct_v in_o all_o great_a affair_n by_o divine_a oracle_n and_o prophet_n with_o such_o a_o certainty_n of_o event_n as_o never_o fail_v that_o while_o they_o adhere_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o this_o one_o supreme_a god_n they_o be_v always_o prosperous_a as_o he_o promise_v they_o shall_v be_v but_o when_o they_o decline_v to_o idolatry_n and_o worship_v the_o god_n of_o the_o country_n round_o about_o they_o than_o they_o be_v either_o oppress_v by_o their_o enemy_n at_o home_n or_o carry_v captive_a into_o foreign_a country_n this_o be_v a_o visible_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n in_o israel_n and_o such_o a_o god_n as_o will_v admit_v of_o no_o other_o god_n nor_o allow_v they_o to_o worship_v any_o other_o but_o punish_v they_o severe_o whenever_o they_o do_v and_o all_o their_o other_o god_n can_v not_o help_v they_o nor_o deliver_v they_o out_o of_o his_o hand_n this_o give_v sufficient_a notice_n to_o the_o world_n of_o the_o glory_n and_o power_n of_o the_o god_n israel_n but_o some_o will_v still_o be_v apt_a to_o ask_v why_o god_n do_v not_o as_o sensible_o manifest_v himself_o to_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n as_o he_o do_v to_o israel_n why_o he_o have_v not_o his_o oracle_n and_o prophet_n in_o other_o nation_n and_o they_o may_v if_o they_o please_v as_o reasonable_o ask_v why_o he_o do_v not_o immediate_o inspire_v every_o particular_a man_n with_o a_o supernatural_a knowledge_n and_o force_v the_o belief_n of_o his_o be_v and_o providence_n upon_o their_o mind_n or_o why_o he_o do_v not_o by_o a_o miraculous_a power_n convert_v the_o old_a wicked_a world_n but_o destroy_v they_o all_o and_o preserve_v only_o that_o one_o righteous_a family_n which_o have_v escape_v the_o general_a corruption_n for_o much_o like_o this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o mankind_n with_o respect_n to_o idolatry_n when_o god_n call_v abraham_n out_o of_o ur_fw-la of_o the_o chaldee_n there_o be_v not_o one_o nation_n leave_v that_o worship_v the_o one_o supreme_a god_n and_o he_o only_o nay_o not_o one_o family_n 2._o for_o terah_n abraham_n father_n be_v a_o idolater_n and_o probable_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o family_n except_v abraham_n for_o though_o he_o be_v not_o express_o except_v in_o the_o text_n yet_o neither_o be_v he_o necessary_o include_v and_o god_n command_v he_o to_o leave_v his_o country_n gen._n and_o his_o kindred_n and_o his_o father_n house_n and_o his_o ready_a compliance_n with_o this_o command_n be_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o only_a person_n in_o the_o family_n who_o have_v preserve_v himself_o from_o all_o idolatrous_a worship_n however_o it_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o that_o extraordinary_a piety_n and_o virtue_n and_o so_o easy_o curable_a if_o he_o have_v be_v a_o idolater_n that_o god_n think_v he_o the_o fit_a person_n to_o reveal_v himself_o to_o and_o to_o begin_v a_o new_a reformation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o as_o in_o the_o day_n of_o noah_n god_n destroy_v all_o that_o wicked_a generation_n of_o man_n by_o the_o flood_n and_o only_o preserve_v noah_n and_o his_o son_n to_o new_a people_n the_o earth_n and_o to_o instil_v the_o seed_n and_o principle_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n into_o their_o posterity_n so_o the_o new_a world_n be_v now_o universal_o corrupt_v by_o idolatry_n and_o god_n have_v promise_v noah_n never_o again_o to_o destroy_v every_o live_a thing_n as_o he_o have_v do_v he_o take_v another_o course_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n create_v a_o new_a people_n to_o be_v the_o worshipper_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n and_o in_o they_o to_o make_v his_o own_o glory_n and_o power_n know_v to_o the_o world_n and_o choose_v abraham_n a_o man_n of_o admirable_a faith_n and_o piety_n to_o be_v the_o father_n of_o this_o new_a people_n which_o shall_v descend_v from_o his_o loin_n in_o his_o old_a age_n not_o by_o the_o mere_a power_n of_o nature_n but_o by_o faith_n in_o god_n promise_n 11._o heb._n 11_o 12._o the_o plain_a state_n then_o of_o the_o case_n be_v this_o when_o that_o new_a generation_n of_o man_n have_v universal_o corrupt_v themselves_o with_o idolatry_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o mean_v god_n have_v use_v to_o possess_v they_o with_o a_o last_a sense_n of_o his_o be_v and_o providence_n god_n give_v they_o up_o to_o their_o wilful_a blindness_n and_o leave_v they_o to_o the_o cheat_n and_o imposture_n of_o those_o wicked_a spirit_n who_o they_o have_v make_v their_o god_n till_o he_o can_v recover_v they_o from_o this_o apostasy_n by_o such_o method_n as_o be_v agreeable_a to_o human_a nature_n and_o become_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n the_o most_o effectual_a way_n to_o do_v this_o be_v to_o establish_v his_o worship_n in_o some_o one_o nation_n which_o shall_v be_v a_o visible_a proof_n both_o of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n and_o of_o a_o divine_a providence_n and_o because_o there_o be_v no_o such_o nation_n then_o in_o the_o world_n he_o make_v a_o nation_n on_o purpose_n and_o allot_v they_o a_o country_n to_o dwell_v in_o and_o signalise_v they_o by_o extraordinary_a providence_n as_o the_o worshipper_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n this_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o new_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n which_o do_v not_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o idolatrous_a world_n as_o noah_n flood_n put_v a_o end_n to_o that_o wicked_a generation_n but_o yet_o do_v propagate_v a_o new_a generation_n of_o man_n in_o it_o who_o shall_v in_o time_n put_v a_o end_n to_o that_o universal_a idolatry_n and_o make_v a_o new_a world_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v a_o new_a advance_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n make_v towards_o the_o recovery_n of_o mankind_n when_o adam_n have_v sin_v he_o and_o his_o whole_a posterity_n become_v mortal_a and_o be_v condemn_v to_o a_o laborious_a life_n that_o in_o the_o sweat_n of_o their_o brow_n they_o shall_v eat_v their_o bread_n which_o be_v the_o best_a preservative_n against_o the_o temptation_n of_o ease_n and_o sloth_n and_o luxury_n when_o notwithstanding_o this_o all_o flesh_n have_v corrupt_v his_o way_n god_n destroy_v that_o wicked_a generation_n with_o a_o universal_a deluge_n and_o thereby_o give_v a_o signal_n demonstration_n of_o his_o power_n and_o justice_n to_o the_o new_a world_n when_o this_o new_a generation_n of_o man_n grow_v corrupt_a god_n confound_v their_o language_n and_o disperse_v they_o over_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n and_o form_v they_o into_o distinct_a body_n and_o society_n which_o prevent_v a_o general_a corruption_n of_o manner_n teach_v they_o civil_a justice_n and_o many_o moral_a virtue_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o support_n and_o defence_n of_o human_a society_n but_o when_o they_o all_o decline_v to_o idolatry_n which_o will_v endanger_v a_o new_a and_o universal_a corruption_n of_o manner_n by_o those_o impure_a ceremony_n with_o which_o wicked_a spirit_n will_v choose_v to_o be_v worship_v some_o new_a and_o more_o effectual_a mean_n be_v to_o be_v use_v to_o cure_v this_o evil_n the_o universal_a deluge_n and_o the_o confusion_n of_o language_n have_v so_o abundant_o convince_v they_o of_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o providence_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o creature_n as_o a_o atheist_n know_v among_o they_o till_o their_o ridiculous_a idolatry_n in_o worship_v the_o mean_a creature_n and_o vile_a man_n with_o ludicrous_a or_o abominable_a rite_n tempt_v some_o man_n of_o wit_n and_o thought_n rather_o to_o own_v no_o god_n than_o such_o god_n as_o the_o heathen_n worship_v but_o though_o these_o extraordinary_a event_n be_v a_o manifest_a proof_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o providence_n yet_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v not_o think_v so_o express_v and_o direct_v a_o proof_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n at_o least_o not_o a_o sufficient_a argument_n against_o the_o worship_n of_o inferior_a deity_n
there_o be_v a_o power_n and_o therefore_o a_o god_n above_o they_o all_o who_o all_o mankind_n ought_v to_o fear_v and_o worship_n this_o convince_v nabuchadnezzar_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n when_o he_o have_v deliver_v shadrach_n meshach_n and_o abed-nego_a from_o the_o fiery_a furnace_n 29._o he_o make_v a_o decree_n that_o every_o people_n nation_n and_o langage_fw-fr which_o speak_v amiss_o against_o the_o god_n of_o shadrach_n meshach_n and_o abed-nego_a shall_v be_v cut_v in_o piece_n and_o their_o house_n shall_v be_v make_v a_o dunghill_n because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o god_n that_o can_v deliver_v after_o this_o sort_n thus_o when_o god_n have_v deliver_v daniel_n from_o the_o lion_n den_n darius_n make_v a_o decree_n 27._o that_o in_o every_o dominion_n of_o his_o kingdom_n man_n shall_v tremble_v and_o fear_v before_o the_o god_n of_o daniel_n for_o he_o be_v the_o live_a god_n and_o steadfast_a for_o ever_o and_o his_o kingdom_n that_o which_o shall_v not_o be_v destroy_v and_o his_o dominion_n shall_v be_v even_o unto_o the_o end_n he_o deliver_v and_o rescue_v and_o work_v sign_n and_o wonder_n in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n who_o have_v deliver_v daniel_n from_o ihe_a power_n of_o the_o lion_n both_o these_o king_n be_v convince_v by_o these_o great_a and_o wonderful_a work_n that_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n be_v the_o supreme_a god_n but_o nebuchadnezzar_n decree_n only_o forbid_v man_n to_o blaspheme_v god_n darius_n seem_v to_o command_v all_o people_n to_o worship_v he_o for_o to_o tremble_v and_o fear_v before_o he_o signify_v a_o religious_a veneration_n but_o neither_o of_o they_o appoint_v any_o solemn_a worship_n to_o be_v pay_v he_o much_o less_o do_v they_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o any_o other_o go_n but_o a_o little_a consideration_n will_v have_v carry_v they_o far_o for_o those_o mighty_a work_n which_o prove_v a_o power_n superior_a to_o all_o god_n prove_v a_o sovereign_a providence_n too_o that_o this_o supreme_a god_n have_v not_o so_o commit_v the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n to_o any_o minister_n or_o inferior_a deity_n but_o that_o he_o reserve_v the_o supreme_a disposal_n of_o all_o thing_n in_o his_o own_o hand_n 35_o as_o nabuchadnezzar_n be_v convince_v that_o his_o dominion_n be_v a_o everlasting_a dominion_n and_o his_o kingdom_n be_v from_o generation_n to_o generation_n and_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v repute_v as_o nothing_o and_o he_o do_v according_a to_o his_o will_n in_o the_o army_n of_o heaven_n and_o among_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o none_o can_v stay_v his_o hand_n or_o say_v unto_o he_o what_o do_v thou_o this_o cut_v off_o all_o reasonable_a pretence_n of_o pay_v divine_a worship_n to_o their_o country-goods_a for_o if_o there_o be_v a_o superior_a power_n and_o providence_n over_o they_o at_o most_o they_o can_v be_v only_a minister_n of_o the_o divine_a will_n and_o therefore_o can_v have_v no_o title_n to_o divine_a honour_n no_o more_o than_o minister_n of_o state_n have_v to_o the_o royal_a dignity_n and_o it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o conclude_v this_o when_o they_o see_v that_o this_o supreme_a god_n will_v not_o suffer_v israel_n who_o he_o have_v choose_v for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n to_o worship_v any_o other_o god_n beside_o himself_o this_o be_v not_o unknown_a to_o the_o egyptian_n but_o be_v more_o manifest_a in_o after-age_n when_o god_n so_o severe_o punish_v they_o for_o their_o idolatry_n and_o be_v make_v evident_a to_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o darius_n when_o god_n deliver_v shadrach_n meshach_n and_o abednego_n out_o of_o the_o fiery_a furnace_n who_o refuse_v to_o worship_v the_o golden_a image_n which_o he_o have_v set_v up_o and_o deliver_v daniel_n from_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lion_n when_o he_o be_v cast_v into_o the_o lion_n den_n for_o pray_v to_o his_o god_n this_o show_v the_o strange_a power_n of_o prejudice_n and_o custom_n but_o yet_o we_o must_v confess_v that_o this_o be_v wise_o design_v by_o god_n for_o the_o cure_n of_o polytheism_n and_o idolatry_n have_v thus_o vindicate_v and_o explain_v the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n both_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o removal_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n into_o egypt_n and_o the_o hard_a bondage_n they_o suffer_v there_o and_o their_o deliverance_n out_o of_o egypt_n with_o a_o mighty_a hand_n and_o outstretch_v arm_n with_o sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o miracle_n let_v we_o now_o follow_v they_o into_o the_o wilderness_n god_n have_v choose_v israel_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n and_o deliver_v they_o out_o of_o egypt_n before_o he_o show_v they_o open_o to_o the_o world_n under_o such_o a_o peculiar_a character_n it_o be_v necessary_a first_o to_o form_v their_o manner_n to_o take_v care_n that_o they_o shall_v own_v he_o for_o their_o god_n and_o behave_v themselves_o as_o it_o become_v so_o glorious_a a_o relation_n this_o can_v not_o be_v do_v in_o egypt_n where_o they_o be_v oppress_v by_o hard_a bondage_n and_o therefore_o god_n first_o lead_v they_o into_o the_o wilderness_n remote_a from_o the_o conversation_n of_o all_o other_o people_n and_o upon_o all_o account_v a_o fit_a place_n both_o to_o instruct_v and_o try_v they_o i_o do_v not_o intend_v as_o i_o say_v before_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o mystical_a reason_n of_o those_o various_a providence_n with_o which_o god_n exercise_v they_o in_o the_o wilderness_n to_o which_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n so_o often_o refer_v and_o which_o they_o apply_v to_o the_o gospel-state_n but_o shall_v only_o consider_v the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n as_o to_o the_o external_a and_o visible_a conduct_n of_o that_o people_n to_o make_v they_o fit_a to_o be_v own_v before_o all_o the_o world_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n they_o have_v live_v two_o hundred_o year_n in_o egypt_n and_o be_v tincture_v with_o the_o idolatry_n and_o have_v learn_v the_o corrupt_a manner_n of_o that_o people_n and_o have_v all_o that_o meanness_n and_o stupidity_n and_o perverseness_n of_o humour_n that_o a_o state_n of_o servitude_n and_o bondage_n be_v apt_a to_o create_v of_o which_o we_o have_v too_o many_o visible_a instance_n in_o their_o behaviour_n towards_o moses_n all_o this_o be_v to_o be_v correct_v before_o their_o entrance_n into_o canaan_n which_o will_v give_v we_o the_o reason_n of_o some_o very_a wonderful_a providence_n the_o first_o remarkable_a thing_n to_o this_o purpose_n to_o be_v observe_v be_v god_n deliver_v the_o law_n to_o they_o with_o all_o the_o most_o formidable_a solemnity_n in_o a_o audible_a voice_n from_o mount_n sinai_n which_o moses_n tell_v they_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o be_v never_o know_v before_o 33._o since_o the_o day_n that_o god_n create_v man_n upon_o the_o earth_n do_v ever_o people_n hear_v the_o voice_n of_o god_n speak_v out_o of_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o fire_n as_o thou_o have_v hear_v and_o live_v and_o the_o use_n moses_n make_v of_o it_o be_v very_o natural_a to_o confirm_v they_o in_o the_o belief_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n 35._o unto_o thou_o it_o be_v show_v that_o thou_o may_v know_v that_o the_o lord_n he_o be_v god_n 36._o there_o be_v none_o else_o beside_o he_o out_o of_o heaven_n he_o make_v thou_o to_o hear_v his_o voice_n that_o he_o may_v instruct_v thou_o and_o upon_o earth_n he_o show_v thou_o his_o great_a fire_n and_o thou_o hear_v his_o word_n out_o of_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o fire_n 39_o know_v therefore_o this_o day_n and_o consider_v it_o in_o thy_o heart_n that_o the_o lord_n be_v god_n in_o heaven_n above_o and_o upon_o the_o earth_n beneath_o there_o be_v none_o else_o for_o what_o can_v convince_v man_n that_o there_o be_v one_o supreme_a god_n if_o such_o a_o terrible_a appearance_n as_o that_o on_o mount_n sinai_n and_o the_o law_n deliver_v in_o a_o audible_a voice_n from_o heaven_n will_v not_o convince_v they_o numa_n pretend_v to_o receive_v his_o law_n from_o the_o goddess_n aegeria_n as_o some_o other_o lawgiver_n pretend_v to_o do_v the_o like_a but_o no_o man_n know_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o but_o themselves_o but_o here_o a_o whole_a nation_n hear_v god_n speak_v to_o they_o and_o see_v such_o a_o awful_a appearance_n upon_o the_o mount_n as_o make_v moses_n himself_o fear_v and_o tremble_v i_o desire_v any_o man_n to_o tell_v i_o how_o god_n who_o be_v a_o pure_a invisible_a mind_n can_v possible_o give_v a_o more_o visible_a demonstration_n of_o his_o presence_n and_o power_n i_o desire_v the_o witty_a and_o most_o philosophical_a atheist_n only_o for_o experiment_n sake_n to_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o relation_n which_o moses_n give_v we_o of_o this_o matter_n and_o that_o they_o themselves_o have_v be_v present_a at_o mount_n sinai_n have_v see_v the_o smoke_n and_o fire_n
cover_v the_o mountain_n have_v hear_v the_o thunder_n and_o the_o trumpet_n and_o at_o last_o a_o voice_n deliver_v the_o law_n with_o a_o unimitable_a terror_n and_o majesty_n what_o will_v they_o then_o have_v think_v of_o this_o or_o what_o far_a evidence_n will_v they_o have_v desire_v that_o it_o be_v god_n who_o speak_v to_o they_o this_o can_v be_v no_o dream_n nor_o melancholy_a apparition_n or_o disturb_a fancy_n for_o they_o have_v timely_a notice_n of_o it_o three_o day_n before_o and_o be_v command_v to_o sanctify_v themselves_o to_o meet_v their_o god_n and_o if_o a_o whole_a nation_n have_v be_v impose_v on_o after_o such_o fair_a warn_v it_o have_v be_v as_o great_a a_o prodigy_n and_o miracle_n as_o the_o appearance_n on_o mount_n sinai_n and_o will_v have_v argue_v some_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a infatuation_n and_o that_o will_v have_v prove_v a_o god_n this_o than_o be_v as_o visible_a a_o demonstration_n as_o can_v be_v give_v of_o the_o presence_n and_o power_n and_o majesty_n of_o god_n who_o reject_v all_o other_o god_n from_o any_o share_n in_o his_o worship_n and_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o maker_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n for_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o wit_n of_o man_n can_v invent_v a_o more_o effectual_a conviction_n than_o this_o let_v we_o then_o consider_v the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n in_o this_o both_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o israelite_n and_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o and_o therefore_o when_o god_n intend_v to_o restore_v his_o own_o worship_n again_o in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o make_v israel_n a_o pattern_n and_o example_n of_o it_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o give_v they_o as_o visible_a and_o ocular_a a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o power_n and_o glory_n of_o god_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o creature_n to_o have_v when_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v overrun_v with_o idolatry_n and_o the_o israelite_n themselves_o so_o strong_o incline_v to_o it_o nothing_o less_o than_o such_o a_o appearance_n from_o mount_n sinai_n be_v likely_a to_o establish_v the_o faith_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n and_o we_o see_v that_o this_o itself_o can_v very_o hardly_o do_v it_o for_o immediate_o after_o they_o have_v hear_v god_n speak_v to_o they_o while_o moses_n be_v in_o the_o mount_n they_o make_v they_o a_o golden_a calf_n and_o worship_v it_o and_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o mingle_v with_o any_o other_o people_n they_o join_v in_o their_o idolatrous_a worship_n a_o sad_a example_n of_o which_o we_o have_v in_o their_o worship_n of_o baal_n peor_n 25._o numb_a but_o this_o be_v the_o high_a evidence_n god_n can_v then_o give_v they_o of_o his_o power_n and_o glory_n and_o it_o do_v in_o time_n prevail_v and_o in_o they_o all_o mankind_n who_o know_v their_o story_n have_v a_o visible_a demonstration_n of_o one_o supreme_a god_n but_o not_o to_o insist_v on_o every_o particular_a which_o will_v be_v endless_a it_o may_v seem_v strange_a that_o when_o god_n bring_v israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n to_o give_v they_o possession_n of_o the_o promise_a land_n he_o shall_v make_v they_o wander_v in_o the_o wilderness_n forty_o year_n till_o all_o that_o generation_n of_o man_n which_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n be_v dead_a except_v joshua_n and_o caleb_n the_o apostle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n give_v we_o the_o general_a account_n of_o this_o matter_n 3._o heb._n 7._o to_o the_o end_n which_o resolve_v it_o into_o their_o idolatry_n and_o infidelity_n wherefore_o as_o the_o holy_a ghost_n say_v to_o day_n if_o you_o will_v hear_v his_o voice_n harden_v not_o your_o heart_n as_o in_o the_o provocation_n in_o the_o day_n of_o temptation_n in_o the_o wilderness_n when_o your_o father_n tempt_v i_o prove_v i_o and_o see_v my_o work_n forty_o year_n wherefore_o i_o be_v grieve_v with_o that_o generation_n and_o say_v they_o do_v always_o err_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o they_o have_v not_o know_v my_o way_n so_o i_o swear_v in_o my_o wrath_n they_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o my_o rest_n which_o he_o make_v a_o admonition_n to_o christian_n take_v heed_n brethren_n lest_o there_o be_v in_o any_o of_o you_o a_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbelief_n in_o depart_v from_o the_o live_a god_n that_o be_v in_o forsake_v the_o true_a god_n and_o decline_v to_o idolatry_n as_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o wilderness_n do_v and_o to_o who_o swear_v he_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o his_o rest_n but_o to_o they_o that_o believe_v not_o so_o we_o see_v that_o they_o can_v not_o enter_v in_o because_o of_o unbelief_n the_o plain_a state_n of_o the_o case_n be_v this_o that_o generation_n of_o man_n which_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o remember_v the_o custom_n and_o practice_n of_o that_o people_n be_v so_o strange_o addict_v to_o idolatry_n that_o all_o the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n they_o see_v in_o egypt_n in_o the_o red-sea_n and_o in_o the_o wilderness_n can_v not_o perfect_o cure_v they_o but_o whenever_o they_o have_v opportunity_n they_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o heathen_a god_n eat_v of_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o bow_v themselves_o before_o they_o that_o have_v these_o man_n go_v into_o canaan_n which_o be_v then_o a_o land_n of_o idolater_n they_o will_v certain_o have_v worship_v their_o god_n instead_o of_o destroy_v they_o and_o have_v mingle_v themselves_o with_o the_o people_n of_o the_o land_n and_o have_v learn_v their_o manner_n for_o they_o who_o so_o often_o tempt_v god_n and_o disobey_v moses_n while_o they_o be_v in_o the_o wilderness_n in_o expectation_n of_o the_o promise_a land_n what_o will_v they_o have_v do_v have_v they_o be_v once_o possess_v of_o it_o so_o that_o to_o have_v give_v that_o generation_n of_o man_n possession_n of_o canaan_n will_v not_o have_v answer_v god_n orginal_a design_n in_o choose_v israel_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n for_o in_o all_o likelihood_n they_o will_v have_v prove_v a_o nation_n of_o idolater_n like_o the_o other_o nation_n round_o about_o they_o and_o therefore_o god_n defer_v the_o final_a accomplishment_n of_o his_o promise_n till_o that_o generation_n be_v all_o dead_a and_o a_o new_a generation_n spring_v up_o which_o know_v not_o egypt_n nor_o have_v converse_v with_o idolatrous_a nation_n but_o have_v see_v the_o wonder_n of_o god_n in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o have_v learn_v his_o statute_n and_o judgement_n and_o be_v sufficient_o warn_v by_o the_o example_n of_o their_o father_n who_o carcase_n fall_v in_o the_o wilderness_n to_o fear_v and_o reverence_v the_o lord_n jehovah_n and_o to_o make_v he_o their_o trust._n this_o be_v the_o very_a account_n the_o scripture_n give_v of_o it_o and_o thus_o according_o it_o prove_v for_o that_o new_a generation_n of_o man_n be_v never_o charge_v with_o idolatry_n but_o we_o be_v express_o tell_v that_o israel_n serve_v the_o lord_n all_o the_o day_n of_o joshua_n and_o all_o the_o day_n of_o the_o elder_n that_o overlived_a joshua_n and_o which_o have_v know_v all_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o he_o have_v do_v for_o israel_n 24._o josh._n 31._o all_o this_o we_o see_v be_v design_v by_o god_n with_o admirable_a wisdom_n to_o make_v his_o own_o glory_n and_o power_n know_v and_o to_o publish_v his_o choice_n of_o israel_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n and_o to_o prepare_v they_o for_o himself_o and_o to_o establish_v his_o name_n and_o worship_n among_o they_o and_o now_o god_n have_v make_v they_o fit_a inhabitant_n of_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n without_o any_o long_a delay_n he_o give_v they_o the_o actual_a possession_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o let_v we_o now_o follow_v they_o into_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n the_o history_n of_o the_o war_n of_o canaan_n be_v sufficient_o know_v which_o present_v we_o with_o new_a wonder_n and_o miracle_n not_o inferior_a to_o those_o which_o god_n wrought_v in_o egypt_n and_o in_o the_o red_a sea_n for_o god_n so_o visible_o fight_v the_o battle_n of_o israel_n that_o they_o and_o all_o the_o world_n may_v know_v that_o it_o be_v he_o that_o give_v they_o possession_n of_o that_o good_a land_n and_o drive_v out_o those_o wicked_a inhabitant_n before_o they_o which_o declare_v his_o glory_n and_o make_v his_o power_n know_v and_o what_o i_o have_v already_o discourse_v concern_v the_o wonder_n and_o miracle_n in_o egypt_n be_v equal_o applicable_a to_o this_o and_o i_o need_v add_v no_o more_o let_v we_o then_o consider_v israel_n in_o possession_n of_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n and_o there_o be_v but_o two_o thing_n more_o i_o shall_v observe_v in_o the_o jewish_a history_n till_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n 1._o their_o frequent_a
they_o the_o type_n and_o prophecy_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o punish_v they_o very_o severe_o when_o they_o worship_v any_o other_o god_n send_v they_o into_o captivity_n and_o by_o various_a providence_n scatter_v they_o almost_o over_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n and_o thereby_o propagate_v the_o knowledge_n of_o himself_o and_o of_o his_o law_n and_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o messiah_n make_v numerous_a proselyte_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n and_o make_v ready_a a_o people_n prepare_v for_o the_o lord_n and_o then_o christ_n come_v and_o what_o soon_o time_n you_o fix_v on_o for_o the_o appearance_n of_o christ_n you_o will_v find_v it_o either_o before_o god_n have_v try_v all_o other_o method_n for_o the_o reform_v the_o world_n or_o before_o the_o world_n be_v prepare_v for_o the_o receive_n of_o christ._n and_o have_v thus_o in_o the_o best_a manner_n i_o can_v represent_v to_o you_o the_o wonderful_a wisdom_n of_o providence_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o appearance_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o flesh_n in_o some_o of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a event_n which_o have_v happen_v i_o shall_v here_o break_v off_o for_o though_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n be_v not_o less_o wonderful_a in_o those_o various_a event_n which_o have_v happen_v to_o the_o christian_a church_n yet_o that_o be_v so_o large_a a_o subject_a and_o the_o account_n of_o many_o thing_n so_o imperfect_a or_o doubtful_a that_o i_o shall_v leave_v it_o to_o man_n of_o great_a leisure_n and_o better_a skill_n and_o judgement_n in_o secular_a and_o ecclesiastical_a story_n but_o i_o hope_v that_o imperfect_a account_n i_o have_v now_o give_v will_v teach_v you_o to_o reverence_n not_o to_o censure_v the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n for_o if_o we_o who_o understand_v so_o little_a of_o god_n way_n can_v see_v such_o excellent_a wisdom_n in_o they_o what_o unsearchable_a depth_n and_o mystery_n of_o wisdom_n be_v there_o which_o we_o can_v discover_v but_o yet_o to_o complete_a the_o jewish_a history_n as_o far_o as_o the_o scripture-account_n go_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o final_a destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o roman_n which_o put_v a_o end_n to_o their_o state_n and_o government_n and_o disperse_v they_o into_o so_o many_o different_a country_n for_o it_o seem_v very_o surprise_v that_o god_n shall_v cast_v off_o his_o people_n who_o be_v in_o covenant_n with_o he_o and_o to_o who_o the_o promise_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v peculiar_o make_v so_o soon_o after_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o to_o vindicate_v both_o the_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o god_n promise_n to_o abraham_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o his_o providence_n in_o the_o final_a overthrow_n and_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n we_o must_v distinguish_v as_o st._n paul_n frequent_o do_v especial_o in_o rom._n 9_o between_o the_o carnal_a and_o the_o spiritual_a seed_n of_o abraham_n the_o child_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o the_o child_n of_o the_o promise_n those_o who_o descend_v from_o abraham_n by_o carnal_a generation_n and_o those_o who_o be_v the_o child_n of_o abraham_n by_o faith_n in_o christ_n jesus_n 3._o galat._n 26_o 29._o the_o carnal_a posterity_n of_o abraham_n be_v choose_v by_o god_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n to_o preserve_v his_o own_o name_n and_o worship_n among_o they_o and_o for_o this_o purpose_n they_o be_v to_o be_v a_o distinct_a nation_n separate_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n and_o have_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n give_v they_o to_o live_v in_o and_o they_o be_v to_o continue_v so_o till_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o iacob_n prophecy_n the_o sceptre_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o judah_n nor_o a_o lawgiver_n from_o between_o his_o foot_n until_o shiloh_n come_v and_o to_o he_o shall_v the_o gather_n of_o the_o people_n be_v 49._o genes_n 10._o but_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v promise_v only_o to_o the_o spiritual_a seed_n of_o abraham_n as_o st._n paul_n prove_v 9_o rom._n 3._o gal._n that_o be_v to_o all_o those_o whither_o jew_n or_o gentile_n who_o believe_v in_o christ_n jesus_n for_o christ_n be_v the_o true_a promise_a seed_n and_o in_o christ_n be_v all_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n yea_o and_o amen_o and_o therefore_o nothing_o but_o faith_n in_o christ_n can_v entitle_v we_o to_o the_o promise_n of_o abraham_n as_o the_o apostle_n in_o these_o place_n confirm_v by_o several_a argument_n which_o i_o can_v now_o insist_v on_o now_o if_o we_o thus_o distinguish_v between_o abraham_n carnal_a and_o spiritual_a seed_n and_o those_o promise_n which_o belong_v to_o abraham_n carnal_a posterity_n and_o those_o which_o peculiar_o belong_v to_o his_o spiritual_a seed_n there_o will_v appear_v no_o great_a difficulty_n in_o god_n destroy_v the_o city_n and_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o disperse_v the_o jew_n into_o all_o part_n of_o the_o earth_n god_n have_v accomplish_v what_o he_o intend_v by_o the_o carnal_a posterity_n of_o abraham_n that_o be_v he_o have_v preserve_v and_o propagate_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o one_o true_a god_n in_o the_o world_n and_o prepare_v man_n to_o receive_v christ_n when_o he_o shall_v be_v preach_v to_o they_o and_o now_o christ_n be_v come_v the_o spiritual_a covenant_n take_v place_n which_o be_v not_o confine_v to_o abraham_n carnal_a posterity_n but_o extend_v to_o all_o that_o believe_v in_o christ_n all_o the_o world_n over_o so_o that_o god_n have_v no_o long_o any_o one_o nation_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n but_o those_o only_o be_v his_o peculiar_a people_n whatever_o nation_n they_o be_v of_o who_o believe_v in_o jesus_n the_o jew_n then_o consider_v as_o abraham_n carnal_a posterity_n be_v god_n peculiar_a people_n no_o long_o nor_o do_v god_n promise_n oblige_v he_o to_o preserve_v they_o a_o distinct_a nation_n any_o long_o and_o therefore_o the_o divine_a providence_n may_v now_o as_o just_o destroy_v they_o as_o any_o other_o nation_n if_o they_o deserve_v it_o and_o certain_o the_o crucifixion_n of_o their_o messiah_n and_o their_o obstinate_a infidelity_n do_v deserve_v it_o and_o when_o they_o have_v thus_o just_o deserve_v a_o final_a excision_n the_o divine_a wisdom_n have_v admirable_a end_n to_o serve_v by_o it_o this_o give_v a_o glorious_a testimony_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o religion_n in_o that_o terrible_a vengeance_n which_o befall_v his_o murderer_n which_o christ_n himself_o have_v so_o express_o and_o punctual_o foretell_v that_o no_o man_n who_o know_v what_o he_o have_v foretell_v with_o so_o many_o particular_a circumstance_n can_v be_v ignorant_a why_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v the_o obstinate_a infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o blaspheme_v the_o name_n and_o persecute_v the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n do_v in_o some_o degree_n hinder_v the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n among_o the_o gentile_n but_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o miraculous_a preservation_n of_o the_o christian_n be_v so_o visible_a a_o testimony_n to_o christianity_n and_o deliver_v the_o christian_a church_n from_o such_o bitter_a and_o implacable_a enemy_n that_o the_o gospel_n have_v a_o free_a passage_n and_o prevail_v mighty_o in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o all_o country_n as_o before_o it_o spread_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o one_o true_a god_n so_o now_o it_o make_v they_o unwilling_a witness_n to_o christianity_n as_o be_v the_o visible_a triumph_n of_o the_o crucify_a jesus_n in_o a_o word_n when_o all_o mankind_n be_v idolater_n god_n choose_v the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n and_o multiply_v they_o into_o a_o great_a nation_n to_o preserve_v and_o propagate_v the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n and_o to_o prepare_v man_n to_o receive_v the_o gospel_n which_o will_v in_o time_n extirpate_v all_o pagan_a idolatry_n wen_n christ_n be_v come_v and_o the_o gospel_n preach_v to_o the_o world_n god_n reject_v that_o nation_n for_o their_o infidelity_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n give_v a_o free_a passage_n to_o the_o gospel_n among_o the_o gentile_n and_o st._n paul_n intimate_v that_o the_o time_n will_v come_v when_o the_o sincere_a faith_n and_o exemplary_a piety_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n shall_v contribute_v as_o much_o to_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o they_o former_o do_v to_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o gentile_n for_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o the_o apostle_n reason_v with_o which_o i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o argument_n 11._o rom._n 30_o etc._n etc._n for_o as_o you_o in_o time_n past_a have_v not_o believe_v god_n yet_o now_o have_v obtain_v mercy_n through_o their_o unbelief_n even_o so_o have_v these_o also_o now_o not_o believe_v that_o through_o your_o mercy_n they_o also_o may_v obtain_v mercy_n
36._o wo_n unto_o you_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n hypocrite_n because_o you_o build_v the_o tomb_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o garnish_v the_o sepulcher_n of_o the_o righteous_a and_o say_v if_o we_o have_v be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o our_o father_n we_o will_v not_o have_v be_v partaker_n with_o they_o in_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o prophet_n wherefore_o you_o be_v witness_n unto_o yourselves_o that_o you_o be_v the_o child_n of_o they_o which_o kill_v the_o prophet_n fill_v you_o up_o then_o the_o measure_n of_o your_o father_n sin_n wherefore_o behold_v i_o send_v unto_o you_o prophet_n and_o wise_a man_n and_o scribe_n and_o some_o of_o they_o shall_v you_o kill_v and_o crucify_v and_o some_o of_o they_o shall_v you_o scourge_v in_o your_o synagogue_n and_o persecute_v they_o from_o city_n to_o city_n that_o upon_o you_o may_v come_v all_o the_o righteous_a blood_n shed_v upon_o the_o earth_n from_o the_o blood_n of_o abel_n to_o the_o blood_n of_o zacharias_n son_n of_o barachias_n who_o you_o slay_v between_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o altar_n god_n may_v wait_v with_o patience_n upon_o a_o wicked_a nation_n or_o a_o wicked_a family_n but_o when_o they_o sin_v on_o from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o it_o all_o aggravate_v the_o account_n and_o when_o god_n see_v it_o time_n to_o punish_v make_v the_o punishment_n very_o severe_a or_o final_a 2_o the_o righteous_a posterity_n of_o good_a man_n be_v reward_v also_o for_o their_o father_n sake_n for_o he_o show_v mercy_n to_o thousand_o of_o they_o that_o love_v he_o and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n a_o wicked_a son_n may_v receive_v a_o great_a many_o temporal_a blessing_n from_o god_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o righteous_a father_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o scripture_n that_o god_n show_v great_a favour_n and_o exercise_n great_a patience_n to_o bad_a man_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o good_a but_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v only_o to_o the_o righteous_a seed_n of_o good_a man_n for_o though_o it_o do_v not_o unbecome_v the_o divine_a goodness_n to_o show_v favour_n to_o bad_a man_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o righteous_a which_o make_v it_o the_o reward_n and_o encouragement_n of_o virtue_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o seem_v fit_v to_o make_v any_o general_a promise_n of_o favour_n to_o they_o which_o will_v be_v a_o encouragement_n of_o vice_n the_o righteous_a seed_n then_o of_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v bless_v but_o so_o shall_v the_o righteous_a seed_n of_o wicked_a man_n be_v and_o what_o peculiar_a privilege_n be_v this_o to_o the_o good_a i_o answer_v when_o god_n promise_v to_o bless_v the_o righteous_a posterity_n of_o good_a man_n if_o it_o contain_v any_o thing_n peculiar_a which_o god_n have_v not_o so_o express_o promise_v to_o other_o good_a man_n it_o must_v signify_v a_o more_o certain_a and_o a_o more_o last_a prosperity_n in_o this_o world_n all_o good_a man_n be_v not_o prosperous_a in_o this_o world_n nor_o have_v god_n any_o where_o promise_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o no_o more_o than_o all_o wicked_a man_n be_v visible_o punish_v here_o but_o as_o god_n visit_v the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o father_n upon_o their_o child_n by_o execute_v a_o more_o speedy_a vengeance_n on_o the_o wicked_a child_n of_o wicked_a parent_n so_o the_o righteous_a child_n of_o righteous_a parent_n shall_v be_v more_o certain_o prosperous_a than_o other_o good_a man_n and_o the_o more_o uninterrupted_a succession_n there_o be_v of_o such_o righteous_a parent_n and_o righteous_a child_n the_o deep_a root_n they_o shall_v take_v and_o be_v like_o a_o tree_n plant_v by_o the_o river_n of_o water_n that_o bring_v forth_o his_o fruit_n in_o his_o season_n his_o leaf_n also_o shall_v not_o wither_v and_o what_o soever_o he_o do_v shall_v prosper_v 1._o psal._n 3_o this_o may_v suffice_v for_o a_o short_a representation_n of_o this_o case_n and_o as_o it_o be_v thus_o state_v it_o be_v manifest_a that_o there_o be_v no_o injustice_n in_o it_o let_v we_o then_o consider_v what_o wise_a end_v it_o serve_v both_o with_o respect_n to_o parent_n and_o to_o child_n and_o to_o the_o justification_n of_o providence_n 1._o as_o to_o parent_n if_o they_o have_v any_o natural_a affection_n to_o their_o child_n this_o be_v a_o very_a powerful_a argument_n to_o restrain_v they_o from_o vice_n and_o to_o excite_v they_o to_o virtue_n most_o of_o the_o labour_n and_o toil_n which_o man_n undergo_v be_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o child_n to_o provide_v for_o they_o while_o they_o live_v and_o to_o leave_v they_o in_o easy_a and_o happy_a circumstance_n when_o they_o die_v to_o raise_v and_o perpetuate_v a_o family_n and_o to_o secure_v they_o as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a from_o all_o adverse_a event_n but_o how_o successful_a soever_o bad_a man_n may_v be_v in_o raise_v a_o estate_n they_o build_v upon_o a_o sandy_a foundation_n and_o leave_v a_o very_a perish_a inheritance_n to_o their_o child_n especial_o if_o they_o raise_v a_o estate_n by_o injustice_n and_o oppression_n by_o defraud_v god_n and_o the_o poor_a of_o their_o portion_n which_o many_o time_n make_v it_o moulder_v away_o in_o the_o hand_n even_o of_o a_o righteous_a heir_n the_o more_o prosperous_a a_o wicked_a man_n be_v the_o more_o likely_a be_v his_o posterity_n to_o be_v miserable_a if_o he_o propagate_v his_o vice_n to_o they_o for_o god_n will_v at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o reckon_v with_o wicked_a family_n as_o well_o as_o man_n and_o that_o will_v be_v a_o terrible_a account_n when_o the_o wickedness_n of_o his_o father_n shall_v be_v remember_v before_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o sin_n of_o his_o mother_n shall_v not_o be_v blot_v out_o 109._o psal._n 14._o and_o what_o a_o encouragement_n be_v this_o to_o good_a man_n though_o they_o themselves_o shall_v be_v unfortunate_a in_o the_o world_n to_o know_v that_o their_o posterity_n shall_v reap_v the_o reward_n of_o their_o virtue_n that_o if_o their_o child_n shall_v 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which_o be_v my_o refuge_n even_o the_o most_o high_a thy_o habitation_n there_o shall_v no_o evil_n befall_v thou_o neither_o shall_v any_o plague_n come_v nigh_o thy_o dwell_n this_o psalm_n indeed_o be_v a_o prophecy_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o in_o the_o height_n and_o latitude_n of_o the_o expression_n be_v applicable_a only_o to_o he_o but_o yet_o it_o give_v a_o general_a security_n to_o all_o who_o trust_v in_o god_n of_o protection_n from_o all_o evil_a this_o no_o man_n can_v promise_v himself_o who_o do_v not_o trust_v in_o god_n for_o how_o be_v providence_n concern_v for_o they_o who_o expect_v nothing_o from_o it_o nay_o this_o be_v a_o reason_n why_o such_o man_n shall_v be_v disappoint_v and_o fall_v into_o misery_n to_o convince_v they_o that_o god_n do_v govern_v the_o world_n and_o that_o no_o human_a strength_n or_o policy_n can_v save_v they_o but_o trust_v in_o god_n make_v we_o the_o subject_n and_o the_o care_n of_o providence_n for_o if_o god_n do_v govern_v 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supposition_n can_v help_v we_o no_o more_o than_o he_o can_v alter_v destiny_n and_o fate_n but_o if_o god_n govern_v the_o world_n with_o as_o great_a liberty_n and_o freedom_n as_o a_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n govern_v his_o family_n or_o a_o prince_n govern_v his_o kingdom_n there_o be_v as_o much_o reason_n to_o pray_v to_o god_n as_o to_o offer_v up_o our_o petition_n to_o our_o parent_n or_o to_o our_o prince_n for_o if_o we_o must_v receive_v all_o from_o god_n what_o imaginable_a reason_n be_v there_o that_o we_o shall_v not_o ask_v every_o thing_n of_o he_o but_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o discourse_v this_o matter_n more_o particular_o for_o we_o live_v in_o a_o age_n wherein_o man_n be_v very_o apt_a to_o reason_n themselves_o out_o of_o all_o religion_n and_o to_o form_v such_o notion_n of_o god_n and_o his_o providence_n as_o make_v it_o needless_a nay_o absurd_a to_o worship_v he_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o 11._o heb._n 6._o no_o man_n can_v be_v a_o devout_a worshipper_n of_o god_n who_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n to_o worship_n and_o that_o this_o god_n do_v take_v care_n of_o mankind_n and_o that_o he_o have_v a_o peculiar_a favour_n for_o those_o who_o worship_v he_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o for_o if_o god_n neither_o take_v any_o care_n of_o we_o or_o take_v no_o more_o care_n of_o those_o who_o worship_v he_o than_o of_o those_o who_o do_v not_o there_o be_v no_o just_a reason_n can_v be_v give_v why_o any_o man_n shall_v worship_v he_o but_o the_o apostle_n in_o this_o suppose_n that_o to_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o he_o govern_v the_o world_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v the_o better_a for_o worship_v be_v a_o reasonable_a foundation_n for_o religious_a worship_n and_o therefore_o such_o notion_n of_o god_n and_o his_o providence_n as_o allow_v no_o peculiar_a reward_n and_o benefit_n to_o worshipper_n be_v certain_o false_a how_o philosophical_a soever_o they_o may_v appear_v and_o impious_a too_o because_o they_o shut_v all_o religious_a worship_n out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o some_o man_n can_v by_o no_o mean_n understand_v for_o what_o reason_n they_o shall_v pray_v to_o god_n they_o comply_v with_o the_o superstitious_a custom_n of_o the_o country_n to_o avoid_v scandal_n and_o public_a censure_n but_o think_v they_o may_v as_o well_o let_v it_o alone_o as_o for_o any_o advantage_n they_o hope_v for_o by_o their_o prayer_n and_o i_o be_o very_o much_o of_o their_o mind_n that_o they_o have_v as_o good_a not_o be_v present_a at_o prayer_n as_o not_o to_o pray_v for_o no_o man_n can_v pray_v to_o any_o advantage_n who_o despise_v prayer_n it_o will_v therefore_o be_v high_o necessary_a plain_o to_o state_n this_o matter_n and_o to_o show_v you_o that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n lay_v the_o strong_a obligation_n on_o we_o to_o pray_v to_o god_n the_o scripture-proof_n of_o this_o be_v so_o plain_a that_o they_o can_v be_v avoid_v and_o so_o well_o know_v that_o i_o need_v not_o at_o large_a repeat_v they_o there_o be_v no_o duty_n we_o be_v more_o frequent_o command_v none_o we_o be_v more_o earnest_o exhort_v to_o than_o to_o pray_v to_o god_n we_o have_v the_o example_n of_o all_o good_a man_n for_o it_o and_o of_o christ_n himself_o who_o spend_v whole_a night_n in_o prayer_n and_o we_o have_v the_o encouragement_n of_o as_o express_v promise_n as_o any_o in_o scripture_n that_o if_o we_o pray_v to_o god_n he_o will_v hear_v and_o answer_v we_o which_o be_v all_o the_o encouragement_n we_o can_v desire_v for_o our_o prayer_n as_o the_o psalmist_n speak_v o_o thou_o that_o hear_v prayer_n unto_o thou_o shall_v all_o flesh_n come_v 65._o psal._n 2._o to_o thou_o they_o shall_v pray_v because_o thou_o hear_v prayer_n for_o thou_o lord_n be_v good_a and_o ready_a to_o forgive_v and_o plenteous_a in_o mercy_n to_o all_o they_o that_o call_v upon_o thou_o in_o the_o day_n of_o my_o trouble_n will_v i_o call_v upon_o thou_o for_o thou_o will_v answer_v i_o 86._o psal._n 5_o 7._o the_o lord_n be_v nigh_o unto_o all_o they_o that_o call_v upon_o he_o to_o all_o that_o call_v upon_o he_o in_o truth_n he_o will_v fulfil_v the_o desire_n of_o they_o that_o fear_v he_o he_o also_o will_v hear_v their_o cry_n and_o will_v save_v they_o 145._o psal._n 18_o 19_o but_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o express_a than_o our_o saviour_n promise_n ask_v and_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v unto_o you_o seek_v and_o you_o shall_v find_v knock_v and_o it_o shall_v be_v open_v unto_o you_o for_o every_o one_o that_o ask_v receive_v and_o he_o that_o seek_v find_v and_o to_o he_o that_o knock_v it_o shall_v be_v open_v 7._o matt._n 7_o 8._o and_o what_o great_a thing_n be_v attribute_v in_o scripture_n to_o the_o power_n of_o prayer_n st._n james_n assure_v we_o that_o the_o effectual_a fervent_a prayer_n of_o the_o righteous_a man_n avail_v much_o and_o prove_v it_o from_o the_o example_n of_o elias_n who_o be_v a_o man_n subject_n to_o like_a passion_n as_o we_o be_v and_o he_o pray_v earnest_o that_o it_o may_v not_o rain_v and_o it_o rain_v not_o on_o the_o earth_n by_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n and_o six_o month_n and_o he_o pray_v again_o and_o the_o heaven_n give_v rain_v and_o the_o earth_n bring_v forth_o fruit_n 5._o james_n 17_o 18._o and_o all_o those_o wonder_n which_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n attribute_n to_o faith_n belong_v to_o this_o prayer_n of_o faith_n 11._o heb._n 32_o 33_o 34._o for_o this_o