protection_n what_o little_a reason_n we_o have_v to_o be_v afraid_a of_o man_n whatever_o their_o power_n how_o furious_a soever_o their_o passion_n be_v how_o vain_a it_o be_v to_o trust_v in_o man_n and_o to_o depend_v on_o their_o favour_n for_o they_o can_v neither_o do_v good_a nor_o hurt_n but_o as_o they_o be_v direct_v by_o god_n and_o therefore_o he_o alone_o must_v be_v the_o supreme_a object_n of_o our_o fear_n and_o trust_v if_o god_n be_v for_o we_o who_o can_v be_v against_o we_o if_o we_o make_v he_o our_o enemy_n who_o can_v save_v we_o out_o of_o his_o hand_n so_o that_o we_o have_v but_o one_o thing_n to_o take_v care_n of_o and_o we_o be_v safe_a let_v we_o make_v god_n our_o friend_n and_o he_o will_v raise_v we_o up_o friend_n and_o patron_n and_o protector_n will_v deliver_v we_o out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o our_o enemy_n or_o make_v our_o enemy_n to_o be_v at_o peace_n with_o we_o second_o have_v thus_o explain_v god_n government_n of_o cause_n let_v we_o now_o 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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
most_o acquaint_v with_o without_o any_o certain_a and_o periodical_a return_n prove_v that_o it_o be_v not_o all_o mechanism_n for_o mechanical_a motion_n be_v fix_v and_o certain_a and_o either_o always_o the_o same_o or_o regular_a or_o uniform_a in_o their_o change_n it_o be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o we_o to_o understand_v this_o which_o teach_v we_o what_o we_o may_v expect_v from_o god_n and_o what_o we_o must_v attribute_v to_o he_o in_o the_o government_n of_o nature_n we_o must_v not_o expect_v in_o ordinary_a case_n that_o god_n shall_v reverse_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n for_o we_o that_o if_o we_o leap_v into_o the_o fire_n it_o shall_v not_o burn_v we_o or_o into_o the_o water_n it_o shall_v not_o drown_v we_o and_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v not_o concern_v to_o preserve_v we_o when_o we_o destroy_v ourselves_o by_o intemperance_n and_o lust_n for_o god_n do_v not_o work_v miracle_n to_o deliver_v man_n from_o the_o evil_a effect_n of_o 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feel_v that_o we_o can_v defend_v ourselves_o from_o such_o unseen_a event_n which_o we_o know_v nothing_o of_o till_o we_o feel_v they_o be_v as_o manifest_v as_o that_o there_o be_v such_o event_n and_o what_o so_o proper_o belong_v to_o the_o divine_a care_n as_o that_o which_o we_o ourselves_o can_v take_v no_o care_n of_o the_o heathen_n make_v fortune_n a_o goddess_n and_o attribute_v the_o government_n of_o all_o thing_n to_o she_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d whereby_o they_o only_o signify_v the_o government_n of_o providence_n in_o all_o casual_a and_o fortuitous_a event_n and_o if_o providence_n govern_v any_o thing_n it_o must_v govern_v chance_n which_o govern_v almost_o all_o thing_n else_o and_o which_o none_o but_o god_n can_v govern_v as_o far_o as_o human_a prudence_n and_o foresight_n reach_v god_n expect_v we_o shall_v take_v care_n of_o ourselves_o and_o if_o we_o will_v not_o he_o suffer_v we_o to_o reap_v the_o fruit_n of_o our_o own_o folly_n but_o when_o we_o 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exalt_v with_o the_o king_n favour_n and_o that_o queen_n esther_n have_v admit_v none_o to_o the_o banquet_n with_o the_o king_n but_o himself_o but_o still_o mordecai_n who_o refuse_v to_o bow_v before_o he_o be_v a_o great_a grievance_n and_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o friend_n he_o build_v a_o gallow_n fifty_o cubit_n high_a and_o resolve_v that_o night_n to_o beg_v of_o the_o king_n that_o mordecai_n may_v be_v hang_v on_o it_o and_o have_v he_o come_v in_o time_n his_o petition_n have_v be_v certain_o grant_v but_o it_o so_o happen_v that_o that_o very_a night_n the_o king_n can_v not_o sleep_v and_o he_o call_v for_o the_o book_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o chronicle_n and_o there_o they_o find_v write_v that_o mordecai_n have_v discover_v the_o treason_n of_o two_o of_o the_o king_n chamberlain_n against_o he_o and_o find_v upon_o enquiry_n that_o he_o have_v never_o be_v reward_v for_o it_o he_o resolve_v to_o do_v he_o honour_n and_o make_v haman_n who_o be_v at_o 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it_o which_o may_v abate_v the_o pride_n and_o selfconfidence_n of_o man_n and_o teach_v the_o rich_a and_o great_a and_o mighty_a a_o religious_a veneration_n of_o god_n who_o can_v with_o so_o much_o ease_n pull_v down_o the_o mighty_a from_o their_o seat_n and_o advance_v those_o of_o low_a degree_n 3_o the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v explain_v be_v god_n government_n of_o moral_a cause_n or_o free_a agent_n that_o be_v the_o government_n of_o man_n consider_v as_o the_o instrument_n of_o providence_n which_o god_n make_v use_v of_o for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o his_o own_o wise_a counsel_n most_o of_o the_o good_a or_o evil_n which_o happen_v to_o we_o in_o this_o world_n be_v do_v by_o man_n if_o god_n reward_v or_o if_o he_o punish_v we_o usual_o man_n be_v his_o minister_n in_o both_o to_o execute_v his_o vengeance_n or_o to_o dispense_v his_o blessing_n and_o therefore_o god_n must_v have_v as_o absolute_a a_o government_n over_o mankind_n of_o all_o their_o thought_n and_o 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mankind_n now_o be_v will_v destroy_v the_o good_a government_n of_o the_o world_n and_o most_o of_o the_o pleasure_n and_o convenience_n of_o life_n and_o yet_o without_o this_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v not_o so_o uniform_a towards_o man_n as_o it_o be_v towards_o beast_n and_o those_o who_o fare_v worse_o than_o other_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o they_o will_v still_o complain_v if_o then_o providence_n must_v not_o deal_v alike_o by_o all_o man_n do_v they_o mean_v by_o the_o uniformity_n and_o stability_n of_o providence_n that_o man_n fortune_n whatever_o they_o be_v shall_v always_o be_v the_o same_o that_o the_o rich_a and_o prosperous_a shall_v always_o be_v rich_a and_o prosperous_a and_o the_o poor_a always_o poor_a and_o beggar_n and_o slave_n unless_o these_o objector_n be_v all_o rich_a and_o happy_a i_o doubt_v they_o will_v never_o agree_v to_o this_o for_o the_o poor_a and_o miserable_a must_v needs_o think_v it_o hard_a usage_n to_o be_v always_o 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against_o providence_n be_v that_o good_a man_n be_v not_o always_o reward_v nor_o bad_a man_n punish_v according_a to_o their_o desert_n that_o many_o bad_a man_n be_v prosperous_a in_o this_o world_n and_o some_o good_a man_n great_a sufferer_n that_o all_o thing_n come_v alike_o to_o all_o there_o be_v one_o event_n to_o the_o righteous_a and_o to_o the_o wicked_a to_o the_o good_a and_o to_o the_o clean_a and_o to_o the_o unclean_a to_o he_o that_o sacrifice_v and_o to_o he_o that_o sacrifice_v not_o as_o be_v the_o good_a so_o be_v the_o sinner_n and_o he_o that_o swear_v as_o he_o that_o fear_v a_o oath_n 9_o eccl._n 2._o this_o make_v the_o event_n of_o providence_n very_o sudden_a mysterious_a and_o unaccountable_a that_o no_o man_n know_v what_o course_n to_o take_v to_o make_v his_o life_n easy_a and_o prosperous_a for_o whether_o he_o be_v good_a or_o wicked_a he_o may_v be_v happy_a or_o miserable_a as_o it_o happen_v as_o for_o the_o objection_n itself_o i_o shall_v consider_v it_o more_o hereafter_o but_o at_o present_a i_o will_v only_o ask_v these_o objector_n whether_o to_o remove_v these_o difficulty_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o providence_n and_o that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o understand_v the_o reason_n of_o all_o event_n they_o do_v in_o good_a earnest_a desire_n that_o god_n will_v reduce_v this_o matter_n to_o a_o certainty_n by_o punish_v all_o bad_a man_n and_o reward_v all_o good_a man_n in_o this_o world_n according_a to_o their_o desert_n if_o they_o do_v i_o must_v tell_v they_o as_o christ_n tell_v the_o two_o brethren_n who_o desire_v that_o they_o may_v sit_v one_o on_o his_o right_a hand_n and_o the_o other_o on_o his_o left_a in_o his_o kingdom_n you_o ask_v you_o know_v not_o what_o they_o ask_v the_o most_o dangerous_a thing_n that_o can_v possible_o befall_v mankind_n and_o what_o they_o ask_v will_v be_v ten_o thousand_o time_n a_o great_a objection_n against_o providence_n than_o what_o they_o complain_v of_o shall_v 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sinner_n and_o reward_v good_a man_n even_o in_o this_o world_n these_o thing_n be_v very_o reconcilable_a in_o god_n government_n of_o the_o world_n for_o thus_o he_o do_v govern_v the_o world_n but_o they_o be_v very_o irreconcilable_a with_o such_o a_o providence_n and_o government_n as_o these_o man_n desire_v which_o require_v a_o present_a and_o visible_a punishment_n of_o every_o sin_n as_o soon_o as_o commit_v and_o as_o present_v and_o visible_a a_o reward_n of_o every_o good_a action_n for_o unless_o these_o punishment_n and_o reward_n be_v present_a all_o the_o time_n they_o be_v delay_v bad_a man_n may_v be_v prosperous_a and_o good_a man_n afflict_v which_o be_v their_o very_a objection_n against_o providence_n which_o can_v never_o be_v remove_v but_o by_o speedy_a and_o visible_a execution_n which_o leave_v no_o place_n for_o the_o patience_n and_o forgiveness_n of_o god_n or_o for_o the_o repentance_n of_o sinner_n and_o be_v it_o not_o much_o more_o desirable_a for_o 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who_o they_o will_v have_v punish_v do_v they_o mean_v every_o one_o who_o do_v a_o wicked_a action_n or_o every_o impenitent_a and_o incorrigible_a sinner_n if_o every_o one_o who_o at_o any_o time_n do_v any_o wicked_a action_n must_v be_v punish_v for_o it_o than_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o no_o man_n can_v escape_v then_o there_o be_v no_o place_n for_o repentance_n or_o forgiveness_n but_o a_o speedy_a vengeance_n must_v pursue_v the_o sinner_n and_o god_n know_v we_o be_v all_o sinner_n and_o must_v all_o be_v punish_v and_o if_o this_o remove_v one_o objection_n against_o providence_n i_o be_o sure_a it_o will_v very_o much_o increase_v another_o from_o the_o many_o evil_n and_o misery_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n which_o will_v be_v many_o more_o and_o much_o great_a if_o every_o sin_n must_v receive_v its_o just_a punishment_n if_o they_o mean_v only_o that_o impenitent_a and_o incorrigible_a sinner_n
end_n explain_v they_o and_o then_o we_o admire_v the_o skill_n and_o art_n of_o the_o poet._n now_o the_o great_a obscurity_n and_o difficulty_n of_o providence_n be_v in_o such_o intermediate_v event_n before_o we_o know_v what_o god_n intend_v by_o they_o as_o to_o give_v a_o instance_n or_o two_o of_o it_o have_v we_o hear_v no_o more_o of_o joseph_n but_o that_o he_o be_v sell_v by_o his_o brethren_n into_o egypt_n and_o there_o false_o accuse_v by_o a_o wanton_a mistress_n and_o cast_v into_o prison_n we_o shall_v have_v think_v that_o god_n have_v deal_v very_o hardly_o with_o he_o but_o when_o we_o understand_v that_o all_o this_o be_v the_o way_n to_o pharaoh_n throne_n there_o be_v no_o man_n but_o will_v be_v content_v to_o be_v a_o joseph_n thus_o the_o story_n of_o iob_n affliction_n strike_v terror_n and_o astonishment_n into_o all_o that_o hear_v they_o job_n himself_o know_v not_o what_o account_n to_o give_v of_o his_o suffering_n and_o his_o friend_n give_v a_o very_a bad_a one_o by_o false_o and_o uncharitable_o accuse_v job_n of_o some_o unknown_a wickedness_n to_o vindicate_v god_n severity_n towards_o he_o and_o we_o shall_v have_v be_v as_o much_o puzzle_v with_o it_o to_o this_o day_n have_v we_o not_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o reason_n of_o iob_n suffering_n and_o with_o that_o long_a and_o great_a prosperity_n wherewith_o god_n reward_v his_o faith_n and_o patience_n and_o now_o no_o man_n think_v the_o suffering_n of_o job_n any_o difficulty_n in_o providence_n much_o less_o any_o objection_n against_o it_o thus_o it_o be_v with_o reference_n to_o single_a man_n when_o we_o see_v only_o a_o scene_n or_o two_o of_o their_o life_n we_o may_v meet_v with_o such_o prosperous_a or_o adverse_a event_n as_o we_o can_v account_v for_o but_o can_v we_o see_v from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n in_o most_o case_n the_o divine_a providence_n will_v justify_v itself_o but_o then_o the_o hide_a and_o mysterious_a design_n of_o providence_n relate_v to_o church_n and_o kingdom_n which_o comprehend_v so_o many_o great_a and_o wonderful_a revolution_n the_o translation_n of_o empire_n the_o remove_v the_o gospel_n from_o one_o country_n and_o plant_v church_n in_o other_o where_o there_o be_v none_o before_o the_o increase_n and_o flourish_a state_n of_o religion_n in_o one_o age_n and_o its_o great_a declension_n and_o almost_o total_a eclipse_n in_o another_o those_o surprise_v change_n which_o may_v be_v observe_v in_o the_o genius_n temper_n and_o inclination_n of_o prince_n and_o people_n in_o several_a age_n the_o unaccountable_a beginning_n of_o war_n and_o the_o as_o unaccountable_a success_n and_o unaccountable_a end_n of_o it_o the_o long_a prosperity_n of_o persecute_v tyrant_n and_o their_o sudden_a fall_n these_o and_o such_o like_a event_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o obscure_a and_o unknown_a to_o we_o who_o know_v not_o what_o god_n aim_v at_o in_o all_o this_o nor_o what_o design_n he_o be_v carry_v on_o the_o design_n of_o providence_n many_o time_n reach_v from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o nay_o do_v not_o come_v to_o perfection_n in_o many_o age_n and_o yet_o have_v all_o a_o mutual_a dependence_n and_o relation_n to_o each_o other_o and_o be_v subservient_fw-fr to_o some_o last_o great_a end_n the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n and_o the_o revelation_n of_o st._n john_n as_o mysterious_a book_n as_o they_o be_v and_o as_o difficult_a as_o it_o be_v to_o apply_v the_o several_a part_n of_o they_o to_o their_o particular_a event_n yet_o thus_o much_o be_v plain_a in_o they_o that_o there_o be_v a_o long_a series_n and_o chain_n of_o event_n which_o reach_v from_o age_n to_o age_n with_o infinite_a turn_n and_o variety_n of_o wisdom_n direct_v by_o a_o steady_a and_o unerring_a counsel_n to_o some_o unknown_a but_o glorious_a conclusion_n and_o when_o the_o divine_a counsel_n be_v so_o deep_a and_o mysterious_a and_o so_o far_o out_o of_o our_o sight_n when_o we_o see_v so_o little_a a_o part_n of_o what_o god_n do_v and_o know_v not_o what_o end_n god_n aim_v at_o in_o it_o how_o impossible_a be_v it_o that_o we_o shall_v understand_v the_o reason_n of_o particular_a event_n have_v we_o a_o certain_a and_o particular_a history_n of_o what_o god_n have_v already_o do_v and_o can_v we_o certain_o understand_v the_o prophecy_n of_o what_o be_v still_o to_o be_v do_v in_o every_o age_n and_o in_o all_o succeed_a age_n that_o we_o can_v have_v one_o view_n of_o providence_n from_o the_o beginning_n to_o the_o end_n we_o shall_v be_v more_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o wisdom_n beauty_n and_o justice_n of_o providence_n but_o when_o our_o account_n of_o what_o be_v pass_v be_v so_o imperfect_a and_o uncertain_a and_o our_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v to_o come_v much_o more_o imperfect_a than_o of_o what_o be_v past_a when_o we_o know_v so_o little_a of_o our_o own_o age_n of_o our_o own_o country_n of_o our_o own_o neighbourhood_n it_o be_v as_o impossible_a to_o understand_v the_o reason_n of_o providence_n as_o it_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o wise_a contrivance_n and_o design_n of_o a_o comedy_n by_o read_v one_o act_n or_o it_o may_v be_v but_o one_o scene_n of_o that_o act._n this_o be_v certain_a that_o we_o can_v never_o understand_v the_o reason_n of_o providence_n without_o understand_v the_o counsel_n of_o god_n and_o for_o what_o end_n every_o thing_n be_v design_v for_o every_o thing_n be_v well_o or_o ill_o contrive_v as_o it_o serve_v the_o end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v intend_v and_o therefore_o we_o may_v as_o reasonable_o pretend_v to_o understand_v all_o the_o secret_a counsel_n of_o god_n as_o all_o the_o reason_n of_o providence_n this_o very_a reason_n st._n paul_n give_v why_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v so_o unsearchable_a 11._o rom._n 33_o 34._o o_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o riches_n both_o of_o the_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n of_o god_n how_o unsearchable_a be_v his_o judgement_n and_o his_o way_n past_o find_v out_o for_o who_o have_v know_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o lord_n or_o who_o have_v be_v his_o counsellor_n 3_o we_o be_v very_o ignorant_a also_o of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o other_o world_n and_o while_o we_o be_v so_o it_o be_v impossible_a we_o shall_v be_v able_a thorough_o to_o comprehend_v the_o reason_n of_o god_n providence_n in_o this_o world_n it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n to_o talk_v of_o providence_n without_o take_v the_o other_o world_n into_o the_o account_n be_v there_o no_o other_o life_n after_o this_o it_o be_v not_o worth_a the_o while_n to_o dispute_v whether_o there_o be_v a_o providence_n or_o not_o for_o whether_o there_o be_v or_o be_v not_o a_o providence_n thing_n be_v as_o they_o be_v and_o if_o death_n put_v a_o end_n to_o we_o it_o be_v of_o no_o great_a consequence_n which_o be_v true_a the_o only_a reason_n why_o some_o man_n so_o zealous_o dispute_v against_o a_o providence_n be_v because_o they_o be_v unwilling_a to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o another_o world_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o we_o so_o zealous_o contend_v for_o a_o providence_n be_v to_o support_v ourselves_o against_o all_o cross_a event_n with_o the_o care_n and_o protection_n of_o a_o wise_a and_o good_a god_n at_o present_a and_o with_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o more_o bless_a and_o happy_a life_n hereafter_o so_o that_o in_o truth_n this_o dispute_n be_v not_o so_o much_o intend_v against_o providence_n as_o against_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o another_o life_n and_o therefore_o both_o these_o must_v be_v take_v into_o the_o account_n when_o they_o make_v their_o objection_n against_o providence_n or_o all_o their_o argument_n signify_v nothing_o as_o for_o instance_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o they_o to_o say_v and_o to_o prove_v too_o that_o there_o be_v such_o difficulty_n in_o providence_n for_o the_o difficulty_n of_o providence_n be_v their_o great_a objection_n as_o no_o man_n can_v give_v a_o reasonable_a account_n of_o but_o that_o there_o be_v such_o difficulty_n as_o infinite_a wisdom_n itself_o can_v account_v for_o for_o though_o there_o may_v be_v many_o difficulty_n which_o we_o can_v particular_o answer_v as_o all_o wise_a man_n acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v yet_o unless_o they_o can_v positive_o prove_v that_o infinite_a wisdom_n itself_o can_v answer_v these_o difficulty_n the_o world_n may_v still_o be_v govern_v by_o a_o infinite_o wise_a be_v and_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o they_o can_v never_o prove_v this_o for_o nothing_o less_o than_o infinite_a wisdom_n can_v tell_v what_o infinite_a wisdom_n know_v and_o what_o difficulty_n it_o can_v answer_v which_o show_v how_o vain_a all_o these_o argument_n against_o providence_n be_v which_o at_o last_o resolve_v themselves_o into_o the_o ignorance_n of_o human_a understanding_n that_o there_o be_v no_o providence_n because_o
be_v in_o the_o world_n either_o the_o disorder_n of_o nature_n or_o the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n by_o the_o disorder_n of_o nature_n i_o mean_v unseasonable_a wether_n earthquake_n excessive_a heat_n or_o cold_a great_a drought_n or_o immoderate_a rain_n thunder_n lightning_n storm_n and_o tempest_n which_o occasion_n famine_n and_o plague_n great_a sickness_n or_o a_o great_a mortality_n these_o may_v very_o reasonable_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o more_o immediate_a hand_n of_o god_n who_o direct_v and_o govern_v nature_n but_o beside_o that_o in_o such_o case_n the_o visible_a corruption_n of_o mankind_n justify_v such_o severity_n how_o rare_o do_v these_o happen_v and_o how_o few_o suffer_v by_o they_o in_o comparison_n with_o those_o many_o and_o constant_a evil_n which_o the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n every_o day_n bring_v upon_o themselves_o and_o other_o for_o most_o of_o the_o other_o evil_n and_o calamity_n of_o life_n be_v visible_o owe_v to_o man_n sin_n bodily_a sickness_n sharp_a and_o painful_a distemper_n which_o shorten_v man_n life_n or_o make_v they_o miserable_a be_v the_o common_a effect_n of_o intemperance_n luxury_n or_o wantonness_n child_n inherit_v the_o disease_n of_o their_o parent_n and_o come_v into_o the_o world_n only_o to_o cry_v and_o die_v or_o to_o struggle_v some_o few_o year_n in_o the_o very_a kingdom_n and_o territory_n of_o death_n and_o to_o languish_v under_o those_o mortal_a wound_n which_o they_o receive_v with_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o life_n another_o great_a evil_n be_v poverty_n which_o many_o man_n bring_v upon_o themselves_o by_o idleness_n or_o prodigality_n and_o some_o expensive_a vice_n it_o be_v not_o in_o every_o man_n power_n by_o the_o great_a prudence_n and_o industry_n to_o make_v himself_o rich_a for_o time_n and_o chance_n happen_v to_o they_o all_o but_o in_o ordinary_a case_n prudence_n and_o industry_n join_v with_o a_o religious_a regard_n for_o god_n and_o his_o providence_n will_v preserve_v a_o man_n from_o the_o press_a want_n and_o necessity_n of_o poverty_n other_o who_o do_v not_o make_v themselves_o poor_a by_o their_o own_o sin_n be_v many_o time_n reduce_v to_o great_a poverty_n by_o the_o sin_n of_o other_o man_n by_o injustice_n and_o oppression_n and_o violence_n by_o the_o misery_n and_o calamity_n of_o war_n which_o bring_v a_o thousand_o evil_n with_o it_o which_o make_v many_o helpless_a widow_n and_o orphan_n deprive_v man_n of_o their_o patron_n and_o benefactor_n drive_v other_o from_o their_o plentiful_a fortune_n to_o seek_v their_o bread_n in_o a_o strange_a land_n plunder_v poor_a and_o rich_a lay_v a_o flourish_a country_n desolate_a put_v a_o stop_n to_o trade_n make_v provision_n dear_a and_o leave_v no_o work_n for_o the_o poor_a some_o other_o be_v reduce_v to_o poverty_n more_o immediate_o by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n without_o their_o own_o fault_n those_o who_o have_v no_o other_o support_n but_o their_o daily_a labour_n be_v quick_o pinch_v by_o a_o long_a and_o expensive_a sickness_n or_o by_o the_o infirmity_n of_o age_n or_o by_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o eye_n or_o hand_n or_o leg_n other_o be_v undo_v by_o fire_n or_o shipwreck_n or_o the_o various_a accident_n of_o trade_n which_o the_o most_o wary_a and_o cautious_a man_n can_v escape_v but_o beside_o that_o there_o be_v few_o of_o these_o in_o comparison_n with_o the_o throng_n and_o crowd_n of_o idle_a prodigal_a self-made_a poor_a god_n have_v make_v provision_n for_o all_o such_o case_n that_o no_o man_n shall_v suffer_v extreme_a want_n by_o command_v the_o rich_a especial_o to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o such_o poor_a who_o be_v proper_o god_n poor_a or_o the_o poor_a of_o god_n make_v and_o command_v this_o under_o the_o penalty_n of_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o the_o forfeiture_n of_o their_o own_o estate_n if_o they_o prove_v unjust_a and_o unfaithful_a steward_n so_o that_o though_o god_n make_v some_o man_n poor_a it_o be_v the_o fault_n of_o other_o man_n if_o they_o suffer_v want_v the_o poverty_n they_o suffer_v be_v owe_v to_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n the_o want_n and_o misery_n they_o suffer_v be_v owe_v to_o the_o sin_n to_o the_o uncharitableness_n of_o man_n for_o though_o the_o world_n be_v unequal_o divide_v of_o which_o more_o present_o yet_o there_o be_v enough_o to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o all_o the_o creature_n that_o be_v in_o it_o and_o god_n never_o intend_v that_o any_o of_o his_o creature_n shall_v want_v necessary_n that_o one_o man_n plenty_n and_o abundance_n shall_v cause_v another_o man_n to_o starve_v and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o most_o of_o the_o other_o misery_n of_o life_n it_o be_v the_o sin_n and_o the_o folly_n of_o mankind_n which_o make_v they_o miserable_a which_o be_v so_o obvious_a to_o every_o one_o who_o will_v consider_v it_o that_o i_o need_v not_o expatiate_v on_o every_o particular_a i_o believe_v there_o be_v no_o man_n but_o will_v confess_v that_o be_v all_o man_n good_a and_o virtuous_a this_o world_n will_v be_v a_o very_a happy_a place_n and_o if_o the_o practice_n of_o moral_n and_o sociable_a virtue_n will_v make_v mankind_n happy_a it_o be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o guess_v what_o it_o be_v that_o disturb_v the_o peace_n and_o happiness_n of_o the_o world_n 2_o let_v we_o now_o consider_v how_o unreasonable_a it_o be_v to_o reproach_v the_o divine_a providence_n with_o those_o evil_n and_o misery_n which_o mankind_n bring_v upon_o themselves_o and_o lay_v down_o this_o as_o a_o principle_n that_o most_o man_n make_v themselves_o miserable_a it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o defend_v and_o justify_v the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n for_o these_o evil_n which_o man_n complain_v of_o be_v not_o just_o chargeable_a upon_o providence_n and_o therefore_o be_v un_o unreasonable_a objection_n against_o providence_n god_n do_v not_o bring_v these_o evil_n upon_o mankind_n but_o man_n bring_v they_o upon_o themselves_o suppose_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n to_o be_v what_o they_o now_o be_v and_o that_o man_n live_v just_a as_o they_o now_o do_v there_o must_v be_v the_o same_o misery_n in_o the_o world_n that_o there_o now_o be_v though_o there_o be_v no_o providence_n though_o god_n do_v not_o interpose_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o intemperance_n luxury_n and_o lust_n will_v destroy_v man_n health_n sloth_n and_o prodigality_n and_o expensive_a vice_n will_v make_v man_n poor_a pride_n ambition_n and_o revenge_n will_v make_v quarrel_n raise_v war_n and_o bring_v all_o the_o calamity_n of_o war_n upon_o the_o world_n if_o there_o be_v no_o providence_n thus_o it_o must_v be_v for_o excessive_a eat_n and_o drink_v will_v oppress_v nature_n and_o those_o who_o will_v take_v no_o honest_a pain_n to_o get_v money_n or_o will_v spend_v what_o they_o have_v upon_o their_o lust_n must_v be_v poor_a and_o those_o who_o will_v quarrel_v and_o fight_v must_v take_v what_o follow_v these_o evil_n be_v not_o owe_v to_o providence_n because_o providence_n do_v not_o bring_v they_o no_o more_o than_o providence_n make_v man_n wicked_a man_n make_v themselves_o wicked_a and_o wickedness_n make_v they_o miserable_a and_o we_o may_v as_o well_o charge_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n with_o all_o the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n as_o with_o those_o misery_n which_o their_o own_o wickedness_n bring_v upon_o they_o now_o since_o most_o of_o those_o evil_n which_o be_v in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o just_o chargeable_a upon_o providence_n the_o goodness_n of_o god_n be_v very_o visible_a in_o those_o very_a evil_n and_o calamity_n which_o mankind_n suffer_v for_o 1._o god_n have_v in_o ordinary_a case_n put_v it_o into_o every_o man_n power_n to_o preserve_v himself_o from_o most_o of_o the_o great_a evil_n and_o misery_n of_o life_n even_o from_o all_o those_o which_o man_n bring_v upon_o themselves_o by_o their_o own_o sin_n what_o can_v be_v do_v more_o than_o this_o for_o a_o reasonable_a creature_n to_o make_v it_o his_o own_o choice_n and_o to_o put_v it_o into_o his_o own_o power_n whether_o he_o will_v be_v happy_a or_o miserable_a god_n have_v not_o only_o in_o his_o law_n but_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n set_v before_o we_o life_n and_o death_n happiness_n and_o misery_n all_o man_n see_v what_o the_o visible_a and_o natural_a punishment_n of_o sin_n be_v and_o have_v a_o natural_a aversion_n to_o those_o evil_n and_o may_v avoid_v they_o if_o they_o will_v this_o be_v a_o plain_a proof_n not_o only_o of_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o in_o deter_v man_n from_o sin_n by_o those_o natural_a evil_n which_o attend_v it_o but_o also_o of_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n by_o show_v man_n a_o plain_a and_o natural_a method_n how_o to_o avoid_v the_o misery_n of_o life_n and_o to_o make_v themselves_o easy_a and_o
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
my_o anger_n shall_v be_v kindle_v against_o they_o in_o that_o day_n and_o i_o will_v forsake_v they_o and_o i_o will_v hide_v my_o face_n from_o they_o and_o they_o shall_v be_v devour_v and_o many_o evil_n and_o trouble_n shall_v befall_v they_o so_o that_o they_o will_v say_v in_o that_o day_n be_v not_o these_o evil_n come_v upon_o we_o because_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n be_v not_o among_o we_o this_o the_o psalmist_n tell_v we_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o such_o judgement_n though_o not_o always_o so_o last_v as_o it_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v when_o he_o slay_v they_o than_o they_o seek_v he_o and_o return_v and_o inquire_v early_o after_o god_n and_o they_o remember_v that_o god_n be_v their_o rock_n and_o the_o high_a god_n their_o redeemer_n 78._o psal._n 34_o 35._o by_o these_o mean_v god_n make_v they_o sensible_a of_o his_o justice_n and_o power_n and_o reclaim_v they_o from_o their_o idolatry_n and_o restore_v his_o own_o worship_n among_o they_o for_o they_o certain_o know_v by_o the_o threaten_n of_o their_o own_o law_n for_o what_o reason_n they_o be_v thus_o punish_v and_o indeed_o their_o own_o experience_n be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v they_o in_o this_o for_o they_o no_o soon_o forsake_v the_o god_n of_o their_o father_n and_o worship_v other_o god_n but_o they_o be_v oppress_v by_o their_o enemy_n and_o when_o they_o repent_v of_o their_o idolatry_n and_o return_v to_o god_n he_o raise_v up_o saviour_n and_o deliverer_n who_o vanquish_v their_o enemy_n and_o restore_v they_o to_o liberty_n and_o peace_n especial_o since_o those_o wonderful_a deliverance_n which_o god_n wrought_v for_o they_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o judge_n give_v that_o generation_n of_o man_n which_o know_v not_o the_o war_n of_o canaan_n new_a and_o visible_a proof_n of_o god_n power_n and_o presence_n among_o they_o and_o we_o know_v what_o effect_n this_o discipline_n have_v it_o do_v not_o whole_o prevent_v their_o idolatry_n which_o they_o be_v very_o prone_a to_o when_o the_o memory_n of_o such_o judgement_n be_v wear_v out_o by_o a_o long_a peace_n and_o prosperity_n but_o then_o the_o repetition_n of_o such_o judgement_n as_o they_o repeat_v their_o provocation_n join_v with_o the_o admonition_n of_o their_o prophet_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o in_o several_a age_n do_v general_o bring_v they_o to_o repentance_n and_o restore_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n among_o they_o till_o at_o last_o the_o ten_o tribe_n grow_v incurable_a and_o be_v therefore_o utter_o reject_v by_o god_n and_o carry_v into_o a_o perpetual_a captivity_n never_o to_o return_v more_o into_o their_o own_o land_n and_o judah_n who_o will_v not_o take_v warning_n by_o the_o punishment_n of_o israel_n be_v carry_v captive_a into_o babylon_n for_o seventy_o year_n which_o so_o perfect_o cure_v their_o idolatry_n that_o we_o hear_v no_o more_o complaint_n of_o that_o after_o their_o return_n from_o captivity_n and_o this_o answer_v god_n design_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n as_o much_o as_o if_o they_o have_v never_o be_v guilty_a of_o idolatry_n for_o notwithstanding_o their_o several_a relapse_n into_o idolatry_n it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o israel_n be_v consecrate_a to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n and_o when_o the_o nation_n round_o about_o be_v witness_n of_o god_n judgement_n against_o israel_n when_o they_o forsake_v the_o lord_n their_o god_n and_o of_o their_o happy_a and_o prosperous_a state_n while_o they_o keep_v his_o covenant_n it_o be_v a_o convince_a proof_n of_o the_o power_n and_o justice_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n especial_o when_o they_o shall_v see_v the_o ten_o tribe_n utter_o root_v out_o for_o their_o idolatry_n and_o judah_n carry_v captive_a into_o babylon_n and_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n destroy_v and_o the_o land_n lay_v waste_v and_o desolate_a without_o inhabitant_n the_o justice_n and_o power_n of_o god_n in_o drive_v they_o out_o of_o their_o land_n will_v then_o be_v as_o much_o take_v notice_n of_o as_o his_o wonderful_a providence_n in_o deliver_v they_o out_o of_o egypt_n and_o place_v they_o in_o that_o good_a land_n be_v as_o god_n himself_o tell_v solomon_n in_o answer_n to_o his_o prayer_n at_o the_o dedication_n of_o the_o temple_n 2_o cor._n 7._o 19_o 20_o 21_o 22._o but_o if_o you_o turn_v away_o and_o forsake_v my_o statute_n and_o my_o commandment_n which_o i_o have_v set_v before_o you_o and_o shall_v go_v and_o serve_v other_o god_n and_o worship_n they_o then_o will_v i_o pluck_v they_o up_o by_o the_o root_n out_o of_o my_o land_n which_o i_o have_v give_v they_o and_o this_o house_n which_o i_o have_v sanctify_v for_o my_o name_n will_v i_o cast_v out_o of_o my_o sight_n and_o will_v make_v it_o to_o be_v a_o proverb_n and_o a_o byword_n among_o all_o nation_n and_o this_o house_n which_o be_v high_a shall_v be_v a_o astonishment_n to_o every_o one_o that_o pass_v by_o it_o so_o that_o he_o shall_v say_v why_o have_v the_o lord_n do_v thus_o unto_o this_o land_n and_o unto_o this_o house_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v answer_v because_o they_o forsake_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o their_o father_n which_o bring_v they_o forth_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n and_o lay_v hold_v on_o other_o god_n and_o worship_v they_o and_o serve_v they_o therefore_o have_v he_o bring_v all_o this_o evil_a upon_o they_o for_o we_o must_v observe_v that_o god_n have_v as_o well_o choose_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n to_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o his_o worship_n as_o israel_n to_o be_v his_o worshipper_n and_o the_o inheritance_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v bestow_v on_o they_o in_o virtue_n of_o god_n covenant_n to_o be_v their_o god_n and_o they_o to_o be_v his_o people_n that_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v worship_v no_o other_o god_n beside_o he_o and_o the_o breach_n of_o covenant_n on_o their_o part_n by_o decline_v to_o idolatry_n be_v a_o forfeiture_n of_o their_o right_n to_o the_o promise_a land_n and_o the_o proper_a punishment_n of_o it_o be_v either_o oppression_n at_o home_n which_o make_v they_o servant_n and_o stranger_n in_o their_o own_o land_n or_o captivity_n in_o foreign_a country_n and_o this_o be_v so_o public_o know_v that_o when_o any_o such_o evil_n befall_v israel_n the_o nation_n round_o about_o be_v able_a to_o give_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o because_o they_o forsake_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o their_o father_n so_o that_o the_o very_a oppression_n and_o captivity_n of_o israel_n publish_v the_o supreme_a power_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n who_o be_v a_o jealous_a god_n and_o will_v admit_v of_o no_o partner_n in_o worship_n but_o when_o his_o own_o people_n forsake_v he_o and_o serve_v strange_a god_n in_o the_o land_n which_o he_o have_v give_v they_o and_o separate_v to_o his_o own_o worship_n he_o make_v they_o serve_v stranger_n in_o a_o land_n which_o be_v not_o they_o 5._o jer._n 19_o 2_o these_o captivity_n and_o dispersion_n of_o israel_n especial_o the_o long_a captivity_n of_o judah_n in_o babylon_n serve_v other_o end_n beside_o the_o punishment_n and_o the_o cure_n of_o their_o idolatry_n for_o into_o what_o country_n soever_o they_o be_v carry_v captive_a they_o carry_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n along_o with_o they_o while_o they_o live_v at_o home_n in_o their_o own_o country_n and_o have_v little_a commerce_n with_o any_o other_o people_n the_o very_a name_n of_o israel_n be_v know_v only_o to_o their_o neighbour_n and_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n can_v be_v know_v no_o far_o than_o israel_n be_v but_o when_o they_o be_v carry_v captive_a to_o babylon_n and_o disperse_v through_o all_o the_o province_n of_o that_o vast_a empire_n this_o spread_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n too_o who_o by_o many_o wonderful_a providence_n own_v these_o captive_n for_o his_o people_n and_o make_v the_o heathen_n see_v and_o confess_v his_o glory_n and_o power_n but_o the_o better_a to_o understand_v this_o we_o must_v consider_v that_o wise_a preparation_n god_n make_v for_o it_o in_o those_o great_a revolution_n of_o state_n and_o empire_n which_o begin_v about_o this_o time_n to_o prevent_v the_o general_a corruption_n of_o mankind_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o god_n confound_v their_o language_n and_o thereby_o separate_v they_o from_o each_o other_o and_o form_v they_o into_o several_a distinct_a independent_a society_n and_o kingdom_n which_o be_v a_o effectual_a mean_n to_o prevent_v the_o spread_a of_o the_o infection_n and_o to_o force_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o a_o great_a many_o moral_a and_o political_a virtue_n but_o when_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v corrupt_v by_o idolatry_n and_o god_n see_v a_o proper_a season_n to_o begin_v a_o reformation_n to_o make_v the_o cure_n more_o easy_a and_o universal_a it_o
be_v necessary_a to_o establish_v a_o more_o general_a communication_n among_o mankind_n which_o be_v the_o most_o effectual_a mean_n to_o spread_v a_o wholesome_a as_o well_o as_o a_o pestilential_a contagion_n and_o since_o commerce_n and_o traffic_n be_v not_o so_o general_a in_o those_o day_n as_o it_o be_v now_o there_o be_v no_o such_o ready_a way_n to_o do_v this_o as_o by_o force_n of_o arm_n which_o unite_v a_o great_a many_o kingdom_n and_o nation_n into_o one_o which_o beside_o all_o other_o advantage_n convey_v the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o memorable_a action_n into_o all_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n now_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o these_o great_a empire_n for_o though_o the_o assyrian_a monarchy_n begin_v long_o before_o yet_o nabuchadnezzar_n be_v the_o golden_a head_n of_o that_o image_n which_o represent_v the_o four_o monarchy_n god_n carry_v judah_n captive_a into_o babylon_n 38._o and_o thereby_o make_v himself_o know_v to_o be_v the_o supreme_a and_o sovereign_a lord_n of_o the_o world_n over_o all_o the_o babylonish_n empire_n the_o first_o occasion_n god_n take_v to_o make_v himself_o know_v in_o babylon_n be_v nebuchadnezzar_n dream_n which_o he_o have_v forget_v and_o none_o of_o the_o magician_n or_o astrologer_n or_o sorcerer_n of_o chaldaean_n can_v show_v the_o king_n his_o dream_n much_o less_o tell_v he_o the_o interpretation_n of_o it_o but_o daniel_n do_v both_o which_o make_v nabuchadnezzar_n acknowledge_v to_o daniel_n of_o a_o truth_n it_o be_v that_o your_o god_n be_v a_o god_n of_o god_n and_o a_o lord_n of_o king_n and_o a_o revealer_n of_o secret_n since_o thou_o can_v reveal_v this_o secret_a 2._o dan._n 47._o and_o this_o advance_a daniel_n to_o great_a authority_n for_o the_o king_n make_v he_o ruler_n over_o the_o whole_a province_n of_o babylon_n and_o chief_a of_o the_o governor_n over_o all_o the_o wise_a man_n of_o babylon_n and_o we_o need_v not_o doubt_v but_o he_o use_v his_o authority_n especial_o among_o the_o wiseman_n of_o babylon_n who_o have_v the_o great_a influence_n upon_o other_o to_o propagate_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n among_o they_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o same_o king_n god_n magnify_v his_o power_n in_o the_o preservation_n of_o shadrach_n meshach_n and_o abednego_n from_o the_o fiery_a furnace_n which_o occasion_v a_o decree_n that_o give_v great_a advantage_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o dispose_v all_o man_n to_o think_v very_o honourable_o of_o their_o god_n that_o every_o people_n nation_n and_o language_n which_o speak_v any_o thing_n 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 3._o dan._n 28_o 29._o and_o that_o experience_n nabuchadnezzar_n have_v of_o the_o power_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n in_o his_o own_o person_n extort_a from_o he_o as_o devout_a praise_n of_o god_n and_o as_o orthodox_n a_o confession_n of_o his_o faith_n in_o he_o as_o any_o jew_n can_v have_v make_v 4_o dan._n thus_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o belshazzar_n who_o with_o his_o prince_n his_o wife_n and_o concubine_n drink_v wine_n out_o of_o the_o golden_a vessel_n of_o the_o temple_n god_n give_v a_o glorious_a testimony_n to_o himself_o by_o a_o handwriting_n on_o the_o wall_n which_o as_o daniel_n expound_v it_o and_o the_o event_n that_o very_a night_n confirm_v foretell_v the_o immediate_a overthrow_n of_o his_o empire_n by_o the_o mede_n and_o persian_n this_o be_v a_o very_a sudden_a vengeance_n for_o their_o idolatrous_a revel_n and_o the_o profanation_n of_o the_o holy_a vessel_n of_o the_o temple_n as_o daniel_n very_o free_o acquaint_v the_o king_n 5_o dan._n and_o though_o his_o advancement_n by_o belshazzar_n who_o make_v he_o the_o three_o ruler_n in_o the_o kingdom_n be_v but_o of_o a_o very_a short_a continuance_n the_o king_n be_v slay_v that_o night_n yet_o it_o so_o recommend_v he_o to_o darius_n who_o begin_v the_o second_o monarchy_n of_o the_o mede_n and_o persian_n that_o he_o advance_v daniel_n to_o the_o same_o or_o great_a honour_n and_o power_n he_o be_v make_v the_o first_o of_o the_o three_o precedent_n who_o have_v the_o government_n of_o the_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o prince_n who_o darius_n set_v over_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o new_a monarchy_n god_n give_v a_o fresh_a demonstration_n of_o his_o power_n in_o deliver_v daniel_n from_o the_o lion_n den_n for_o which_o reason_n darius_n make_v a_o decree_n that_o in_o every_o dominion_n of_o his_o kingdom_n man_n fear_v and_o tremble_v before_o the_o god_n of_o daniel_n 6._o dan._n 25_o 26_o 27._o so_o that_o by_o the_o captivity_n of_o judah_n god_n make_v himself_o know_v over_o all_o the_o babylonian_a and_o persian_a monarchy_n and_o this_o dispose_v cyrus_n the_o seventy_o year_n of_o their_o captivity_n be_v accomplish_v to_o give_v they_o liberty_n to_o return_v into_o their_o own_o country_n and_o to_o publish_v a_o decree_n for_o the_o rebuilding_n the_o city_n and_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o still_o to_o preserve_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n among_o they_o the_o divine_a providence_n so_o order_v it_o that_o when_o all_o have_v liberty_n to_o return_v great_a number_n stay_v behind_o in_o babylon_n where_o they_o free_o profess_v and_o exercise_v their_o religion_n which_o together_o with_o the_o civil_a dependence_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n on_o the_o persian_a monarchy_n preserve_v a_o constant_a correspondence_n and_o intercourse_n between_o they_o and_o that_o preserve_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o of_o their_o god_n the_o grecian_a empire_n which_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o persian_a make_v the_o god_n of_o the_o jew_n still_o more_o know_v to_o the_o world_n alexander_n the_o great_a come_v to_o jerusalem_n treat_v the_o jew_n with_o great_a kindness_n consult_v the_o record_n of_o their_o prophet_n offer_a sacrifice_n to_o god_n and_o not_o only_o confirm_v their_o old_a but_o grant_v new_a privilege_n to_o they_o and_o thus_o god_n become_v know_v not_o only_o to_o the_o babylonian_a and_o persian_a but_o to_o the_o grecian_a monarchy_n and_o when_o after_o alexander_n death_n the_o empire_n be_v divide_v this_o cause_v a_o new_a dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n especial_o into_o syria_n and_o egypt_n ptolemy_n the_o king_n of_o egypt_n have_v surprise_v jerusalem_n carry_v great_a number_n of_o they_o into_o egypt_n and_o have_v entertain_v a_o kind_a opinion_n of_o they_o there_o employ_v they_o in_o his_o army_n and_o garrison_n and_o make_v they_o citizen_n of_o alexandria_n his_o son_n ptolemy_n philadelphus_n procure_v the_o translation_n of_o their_o law_n into_o greek_a which_o be_v a_o new_a publication_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o after_o this_o onias_n build_v a_o temple_n in_o egypt_n in_o all_o thing_n like_v to_o that_o of_o jerusalem_n where_o they_o worship_v god_n according_a to_o the_o rite_n of_o the_o jewish_a law_n that_o god_n be_v now_o as_o much_o know_v in_o egypt_n as_o he_o be_v in_o judaea_n and_o to_o let_v pass_v a_o great_a many_o other_o thing_n which_o contribute_v very_o much_o to_o propagate_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o world_n to_o complete_a all_o the_o power_n and_o oppression_n of_o the_o assyrian_a monarch_n force_v the_o jew_n to_o pray_v the_o alliance_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o roman_n which_o end_v as_o such_o powerful_a alliance_n very_o often_o do_v in_o their_o subjection_n to_o the_o roman_a power_n who_o first_o govern_v they_o by_o king_n and_o tetrarch_n and_o at_o last_o reduce_v they_o into_o a_o roman_a province_n and_o thus_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o god_n and_o their_o religion_n become_v know_v over_o all_o the_o roman_a empire_n these_o four_o successive_a monarchy_n do_v gradual_o increase_v and_o spread_v the_o knowledge_n of_o one_o supreme_a god_n over_o all_o the_o world_n and_o thereby_o prepare_v the_o way_n for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o kingdom_n which_o the_o prophet_n daniel_n tell_v we_o the_o god_n of_o heaven_n will_v set_v up_o which_o shall_v never_o be_v destroy_v 2._o dan._n 44._o for_o the_o better_a to_o understand_v this_o we_o must_v observe_v that_o though_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n make_v no_o public_a reformation_n of_o the_o pagan_a idolatry_n yet_o it_o great_o dispose_v man_n to_o receive_v the_o gospel_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v preach_v to_o they_o it_o visible_o reform_v their_o philosophy_n and_o give_v they_o the_o notion_n of_o one_o supreme_a be_v as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o poet_n and_o philosopher_n of_o those_o age_n though_o they_o still_o worship_v their_o country_n god_n it_o give_v they_o some_o obscure_a knowledge_n of_o the_o jewish_a prophecy_n concern_v the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n
usurp_a power_n as_o long_o as_o we_o can_v resist_v but_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n which_o govern_v the_o world_n make_v it_o lawful_a to_o submit_v when_o we_o can_v resist_v and_o when_o by_o such_o submission_n new_a kingdom_n be_v erect_v and_o we_o be_v become_v the_o subject_n of_o new_a power_n than_o providence_n have_v change_v our_o relation_n and_o make_v it_o our_o duty_n to_o submit_v four_o there_o be_v another_o inquiry_n also_o of_o great_a moment_n how_o our_o submission_n to_o providence_n under_o all_o our_o suffering_n and_o change_n of_o fortune_n require_v we_o to_o behave_v ourselves_o towards_o man_n who_o be_v the_o cause_n and_o instrument_n of_o such_o misfortune_n for_o if_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o we_o shall_v suffer_v such_o thing_n why_o shall_v we_o be_v angry_a with_o the_o man_n who_o do_v they_o why_o shall_v we_o punish_v they_o why_o shall_v we_o revenge_v ourselves_o of_o they_o when_o they_o only_o execute_v the_o divine_a counsel_n and_o do_v what_o god_n see_v fit_a that_o we_o shall_v suffer_v do_v not_o joseph_n thus_o excuse_v his_o brethren_n for_o sell_v he_o into_o egypt_n that_o it_o be_v god_n who_o send_v he_o thither_o and_o do_v not_o david_n for_o this_o reason_n forbear_v his_o revenge_n on_o shimei_n let_v he_o curse_v for_o god_n have_v say_v unto_o he_o curse_n david_n but_o the_o answer_n to_o this_o be_v short_a and_o plain_a that_o god_n overrule_a man_n wickedness_n to_o serve_v wise_a and_o good_a end_n do_v not_o excuse_v their_o wickedness_n nor_o excuse_v they_o from_o the_o just_a punishment_n of_o their_o wickedness_n the_o sin_n be_v their_o own_o though_o it_o be_v wise_o order_v by_o god_n for_o our_o trial_n or_o correction_n but_o the_o wise_a government_n of_o god_n make_v no_o change_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n action_n nor_o in_o their_o desert_n god_n himself_o will_v punish_v their_o wickedness_n though_o he_o serve_v wise_a end_n by_o it_o and_o have_v command_v man_n to_o do_v so_o for_o no_o man_n sin_n by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n though_o no_o man_n suffer_v any_o thing_n but_o by_o god_n will_n but_o yet_o submission_n to_o providence_n will_v great_o mitigate_v our_o resentment_n and_o calm_v our_o passion_n and_o keep_v they_o within_o the_o bound_n of_o reason_n and_o religion_n when_o we_o consider_v that_o whatever_o we_o suffer_v be_v appoint_v for_o we_o by_o god_n that_o how_o wicked_a soever_o man_n be_v we_o can_v suffer_v nothing_o by_o their_o wickedness_n but_o what_o god_n for_o wise_a reason_n see_v fit_a we_o shall_v suffer_v this_o will_v satisfy_v we_o that_o we_o be_v more_o concern_v with_o god_n than_o with_o man_n that_o though_o man_n be_v the_o rod_n wherewith_o we_o be_v scourge_v it_o be_v god_n that_o strike_v and_o a_o reverence_n for_o the_o divine_a judgement_n will_v make_v we_o take_v less_o notice_n of_o the_o instrument_n of_o our_o suffering_n in_o short_a submission_n to_o providence_n leave_v we_o nothing_o to_o be_v angry_a with_o man_n for_o but_o their_o own_o wickedness_n that_o we_o suffer_v though_o we_o suffer_v by_o their_o wickedness_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o their_o do_n as_o god_n who_o order_v these_o suffering_n for_o we_o and_o without_o who_o order_n and_o appointment_n no_o man_n can_v hurt_v we_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v not_o be_v angry_a with_o man_n for_o our_o suffering_n but_o reverence_n god_n whatever_o their_o personal_a hatred_n or_o malice_n or_o revenge_n be_v how_o much_o soever_o they_o intend_v or_o desire_v to_o do_v we_o hurt_v we_o may_v secure_o despise_v they_o as_o out_o of_o their_o reach_n for_o we_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n and_o if_o our_o suffering_n be_v not_o owe_v to_o man_n any_o otherwise_o than_o as_o instrument_n in_o god_n hand_n why_o shall_v we_o be_v angry_a with_o man_n for_o what_o we_o suffer_v why_o shall_v we_o revenge_v our_o suffering_n on_o they_o when_o we_o suffer_v by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n we_o may_v be_v angry_a at_o their_o wickedness_n and_o at_o their_o ill_a will_n to_o we_o but_o humble_o submit_v to_o our_o suffering_n as_o the_o will_n of_o god_n now_o i_o need_v not_o say_v how_o this_o will_v calm_v and_o temper_v our_o passion_n because_o it_o leave_v so_o little_a of_o self_n in_o our_o anger_n and_o resentment_n let_v man_n be_v as_o angry_a with_o wickedness_n as_o they_o please_v and_o punish_v it_o as_o it_o deserve_v this_o be_v a_o virtuous_a anger_n and_o never_o transport_v man_n to_o excess_n it_o be_v self-love_n which_o inflame_v our_o anger_n and_o sharpen_v our_o revenge_n not_o that_o such_o wickedness_n be_v commit_v but_o that_o we_o be_v the_o sufferer_n by_o it_o for_o man_n be_v never_o so_o angry_a in_o another_o man_n cause_n as_o they_o be_v in_o their_o own_o though_o the_o wickedness_n the_o affront_n the_o injury_n be_v the_o same_o but_o personal_a injury_n and_o affront_v be_v most_o provoke_v that_o be_v we_o love_v 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creature_n be_v all_o dependence_n and_o faith_n and_o hope_v and_o trust_v be_v the_o virtue_n of_o a_o dependent_a state_n and_o can_v in_o reason_n have_v no_o other_o object_n but_o that_o be_v on_o who_o we_o depend_v the_o great_a creator_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n in_o who_o we_o live_v move_v and_o have_v our_o be_v all_o other_o dependency_n be_v vain_a because_o none_o else_o can_v help_v we_o but_o god_n have_v all_o event_n in_o his_o hand_n he_o can_v help_v we_o if_o he_o please_v and_o he_o will_v help_v we_o if_o we_o trust_v in_o he_o the_o scripture_n abound_v with_o exhortation_n to_o trust_v in_o god_n with_o promise_n to_o those_o who_o do_v trust_v in_o he_o with_o example_n of_o god_n care_n and_o protection_n of_o those_o good_a man_n who_o make_v he_o their_o only_a hope_n and_o trust_v but_o yet_o the_o duty_n itself_o need_v some_o explication_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o nature_n of_o this_o hope_n and_o trust_v and_o what_o be_v the_o various_a act_n of_o it_o or_o wherein_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o consist_v 1._o the_o nature_n of_o this_o faith_n and_o hope_v and_o trust_v in_o the_o divine_a providence_n what_o it_o be_v to_o hope_v and_o trust_v and_o depend_v on_o god_n or_o man_n we_o all_o know_v and_o feel_v but_o the_o question_n be_v what_o it_o be_v we_o must_v trust_v god_n for_o and_o how_o far_o we_o must_v depend_v on_o he_o for_o must_v we_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v do_v every_o thing_n for_o we_o which_o we_o trust_v in_o he_o to_o do_v if_o suppose_v we_o have_v a_o child_n or_o a_o friend_n dangerous_o sick_a must_v we_o firm_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v spare_v their_o life_n and_o restore_v their_o health_n if_o we_o trust_v in_o he_o to_o do_v it_o must_v a_o merchant_n confident_o expect_v a_o safe_a and_o advantageous_a voyage_n if_o he_o trust_v in_o god_n for_o it_o have_v god_n any_o where_o promise_v to_o give_v we_o whatever_o we_o trust_v in_o he_o for_o or_o do_v 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of_o trust_v in_o god_n they_o trust_v in_o he_o without_o hope_n or_o any_o comfortable_a expectation_n unless_o they_o have_v some_o more_o visible_a assurance_n to_o rely_v on_o this_o make_v most_o man_n hope_n ebb_v and_o flow_v as_o their_o external_a circumstance_n change_v if_o they_o be_v prosperous_a and_o have_v great_a number_n of_o friend_n and_o have_v their_o enemy_n at_o their_o foot_n than_o they_o be_v full_a of_o hope_n and_o can_v trust_v secure_o in_o god_n when_o they_o have_v the_o mean_n of_o help_v themselves_o in_o their_o own_o hand_n and_o see_v no_o body_n that_o can_v hurt_v they_o but_o if_o their_o condition_n be_v perplex_v and_o calamitous_a and_o they_o see_v no_o prospect_n of_o human_a relief_n their_o spirit_n sink_v and_o as_o much_o as_o they_o talk_v of_o providence_n and_o trust_v in_o god_n they_o find_v no_o support_n in_o it_o to_o understand_v this_o aright_o wherein_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o our_o own_o peace_n and_o security_n be_v so_o near_o concern_v we_o must_v consider_v that_o our_o faith_n and_o hope_v and_o trust_v in_o god_n must_v either_o rely_v on_o the_o word_n and_o promise_n of_o god_n or_o on_o the_o general_a belief_n and_o assurance_n of_o his_o care_n of_o we_o and_o of_o the_o goodness_n and_o justice_n of_o his_o providence_n as_o to_o trust_v in_o man_n be_v either_o to_o trust_v their_o promise_n or_o their_o friendship_n 1._o as_o for_o the_o first_o we_o may_v and_o ought_v secure_o to_o rely_v on_o the_o promise_v of_o god_n as_o far_o as_o they_o reach_v for_o he_o who_o have_v promise_v be_v able_a also_o to_o perform_v but_o then_o we_o must_v have_v a_o care_n of_o expound_v temporal_a promise_n to_o a_o large_a sense_n than_o god_n intend_v or_o than_o providence_n ordinary_o make_v good_a which_o call_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n or_o his_o providence_n into_o question_n and_o discourage_v our_o faith_n and_o trust_n in_o god_n when_o we_o see_v event_n not_o to_o answer_v god_n 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even_o in_o the_o most_o flourish_a state_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n the_o case_n of_o particular_a man_n be_v very_o different_a some_o bad_a man_n be_v prosperous_a and_o good_a man_n afflict_v and_o therefore_o those_o promise_n which_o concern_v good_a man_n in_o their_o private_a and_o single_a capacity_n must_v be_v more_o cautious_o expound_v to_o a_o more_o restrain_v and_o limit_a sense_n accommodate_v to_o the_o different_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o good_a man_n in_o this_o world_n and_o to_o their_o different_a attainment_n in_o virtue_n as_o for_o example_n when_o solomon_n tell_v we_o of_o wisdom_n length_n of_o day_n be_v in_o her_o right_a hand_n and_o in_o her_o left_a riches_n and_o honour_n 3._o prov._n 16._o will_v any_o man_n expound_v this_o to_o signify_v that_o all_o wise_a man_n who_o be_v true_o religious_a and_o prudent_a shall_v live_v till_o old_a age_n and_o attain_v to_o riches_n and_o honour_n do_v god_n then_o intend_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o different_a rank_n and_o degree_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o poor_a man_n as_o well_o as_o rich_a or_o do_v he_o intend_v that_o no_o poor_a man_n shall_v be_v wise_a wisdom_n indeed_o will_v advance_v a_o prince_n to_o great_a riches_n and_o honour_n as_o solomon_n tell_v we_o his_o father_n david_n instruct_v he_o he_o teach_v i_o also_o and_o say_v unto_o i_o let_v thy_o heart_n retain_v my_o word_n keep_v my_o commandment_n and_o live_v get_v wisdom_n get_v understanding_n forget_v she_o not_o neither_o decline_v from_o the_o word_n of_o my_o mouth_n forsake_v she_o not_o and_o she_o shall_v preserve_v thou_o love_v she_o and_o she_o shall_v keep_v thou_o wisdom_n be_v the_o principal_a thing_n therefore_o get_v wisdom_n and_o with_o all_o thy_o get_n get_v understanding_n exalt_v she_o and_o she_o shall_v promote_v thou_o she_o shall_v bring_v thou_o to_o honour_v when_o thou_o do_v embrace_v she_o she_o shall_v give_v to_o thy_o head_n a_o ornament_n of_o grace_n a_o crown_n of_o glory_n shall_v she_o deliver_v to_o thou_o 4._o prov._n 4_o 9_o this_o be_v the_o best_a advice_n that_o can_v be_v give_v to_o a_o young_a prince_n to_o make_v he_o rich_a and_o great_a for_o religious_a wisdom_n will_v certain_o advance_v he_o beyond_o all_o the_o politic_n of_o machiavelli_n and_o if_o solomon_n in_o imitation_n of_o his_o father_n david_n direct_v his_o instruction_n to_o his_o child_n and_o particular_o to_o that_o son_n who_o be_v to_o inherit_v his_o throne_n as_o he_o himself_o seem_v to_o intimate_v 1_o 2_o 3._o verse_n we_o must_v not_o conclude_v that_o because_o he_o tell_v his_o son_n that_o wisdom_n will_v make_v he_o a_o glorious_a prince_n that_o therefore_o wisdom_n will_v advance_v all_o man_n to_o riches_n and_o honour_n wisdom_n will_v give_v a_o lustre_n even_o to_o poverty_n itself_o and_o sometime_o advance_v the_o poor_a to_o riches_n and_o honour_n and_o increase_v the_o riches_n and_o honour_n of_o the_o rich_a and_o honourable_a but_o we_o must_v not_o always_o expect_v this_o much_o less_o pretend_v a_o promise_n for_o it_o for_o there_o always_o be_v and_o always_o will_v be_v poor_a wise_a man_n thus_o when_o the_o wiseman_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o diligent_a make_v rich_a 10._o prov._n 4._o and_o see_v thou_o a_o man_n diligent_a in_o his_o business_n he_o shall_v stand_v before_o king_n he_o shall_v not_o stand_v before_o mean_a man_n 22._o prov._n 29._o no_o man_n can_v think_v that_o the_o meaning_n be_v that_o every_o diligent_a man_n shall_v be_v rich_a for_o there_o be_v such_o mean_a employment_n as_o can_v never_o raise_v a_o estate_n by_o the_o great_a industry_n much_o less_o can_v we_o think_v that_o diligence_n in_o such_o mean_a employment_n shall_v make_v man_n know_v to_o prince_n or_o that_o all_o diligent_a man_n whatever_o their_o
and_o raise_v a_o expectation_n even_o among_o the_o roman_n of_o some_o great_a prince_n who_o be_v to_o rise_v in_o the_o east_n as_o tacitus_n observe_v and_o though_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n do_v not_o reform_v nation_n yet_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o make_v a_o great_a many_o private_a convert_v who_o secret_o forsake_v the_o idolatry_n of_o their_o country_n and_o worship_v the_o only_a true_a god_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o think_v it_o shall_v do_v so_o and_o we_o must_v confess_v it_o be_v wise_o design_v by_o god_n for_o that_o purpose_n and_o some_o few_o example_n of_o this_o kind_n which_o we_o know_v may_v satisfy_v we_o that_o there_o be_v many_o more_o on_o the_o famous_a day_n of_o pentecost_n when_o the_o holy_a ghost_n descend_v on_o the_o apostle_n in_o a_o visible_a appearance_n of_o cleave_a tongue_n like_o as_o of_o fire_n there_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n great_a number_n not_o only_o of_o jew_n but_o of_o proselyte_n out_o of_o every_o nation_n parthian_n and_o mede_n and_o elamites_n and_o the_o dweller_n in_o mesopotamia_n and_o in_o judaea_n and_o cappadocia_n in_o pontus_n and_o asia_n phrygia_n and_o pamphilia_n in_o egypt_n and_o in_o the_o part_n of_o lybia_n about_o cyrene_n and_o stranger_n of_o rome_n jew_n and_o proselyte_n cretes_n and_o arabian_n 2._o act_n 9_o 10_o 11._o whether_o these_o be_v circumcise_a or_o uncircumcised_a proselyte_n be_v not_o say_v but_o proselyte_n they_o be_v out_o of_o all_o these_o nation_n who_o come_v up_o at_o the_o feast_n to_o worship_n at_o jerusalem_n from_o whence_o we_o learn_v that_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o all_o nation_n make_v great_a number_n of_o proselyte_n who_o either_o undertake_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a law_n by_o circumcision_n and_o become_v jew_n or_o at_o least_o renounce_v all_o the_o heathen_a idolatry_n and_o worship_v no_o other_o god_n but_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n the_o number_n of_o these_o last_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v much_o great_a than_o that_o of_o circumcise_a proselyte_n and_o if_o we_o believe_v some_o learned_a man_n there_o be_v frequent_a mention_n make_v of_o they_o in_o scripture_n under_o the_o name_n of_o worship_v greek_n and_o devout_a man_n and_o those_o which_o fear_v god_n when_o saint_n paul_n preach_v at_o thessalonica_n there_o consort_v with_o paul_n and_o silas_n of_o the_o devout_a greek_n a_o great_a multitude_n 17._o act_n 24._o the_o very_a name_n of_o greek_n prove_v they_o to_o be_v gentile_n not_o jew_n who_o be_v always_o distinguish_v from_o each_o other_o and_o that_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d devout_a or_o worship_a greek_n prove_v that_o they_o be_v the_o worshipper_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n for_o that_o title_n be_v never_o give_v in_o scripture_n to_o idolater_n and_o their_o frequent_v the_o jewish_a synagogue_n sufficient_o prove_v it_o for_o no_o gentile_n resort_v thither_o but_o those_o who_o worship_v the_o god_n of_o israel_n of_o this_o number_n be_v lydia_n 16._o act_n 14._o and_o cornelius_n the_o roman_a centurion_n who_o be_v not_o only_o a_o devout_a man_n and_o one_o who_o fear_v god_n himself_o but_o all_o his_o family_n be_v so_o too_o 10._o act_n 2._o and_o the_o eunuch_n 8._o act_n 27._o and_o almost_o in_o every_o place_n where_o st._n paul_n preach_v the_o gospel_n we_o find_v great_a number_n of_o these_o worship_a gentile_n at_o thessalonica_n and_o philippi_n as_o you_o have_v see_v at_o corinth_n 18._o act_n 4._o at_o antioch_n of_o pisidia_n 13._o act_n 43._o and_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o other_o place_n which_o show_v what_o a_o great_a effect_n the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o all_o these_o country_n have_v in_o make_v proselyte_n some_o to_o the_o jewish_a religion_n but_o many_o more_o to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n which_o prepare_v they_o to_o receive_v the_o gospel_n when_o be_v be_v preach_v to_o they_o for_o they_o be_v the_o worshipper_n of_o the_o true_a god_n and_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n as_o appear_v from_o their_o frequent_v the_o jewish_a synagogue_n and_o therefore_o be_v in_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o be_v capable_a of_o understand_v the_o scripture_n proof_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n it_o be_v certain_a the_o first_o gentile_n convert_v be_v of_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o more_o ready_o embrace_v the_o faith_n than_o the_o jew_n themselves_o for_o they_o have_v all_o the_o preparation_n for_o christianity_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v but_o none_o of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la neither_o a_o fondness_n for_o their_o ceremonial_a worship_n nor_o for_o the_o temporal_a kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n 4._o and_o therefore_o a_o very_a learned_a man_n expound_v that_o text_n 13._o act_n 48._o as_o many_o as_o be_v ordain_v to_o eternal_a life_n believe_v of_o these_o devout_a and_o worship_a gentile_n that_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ready_o dispose_v and_o prepare_v to_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n of_o eternal_a life_n by_o christ_n jesus_n and_o thus_o we_o be_v come_v to_o the_o day_n of_o christ_n who_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n be_v the_o last_o and_o most_o effectual_a mean_n god_n use_v for_o the_o recovery_n of_o mankind_n to_o consider_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n in_o the_o redemption_n of_o the_o world_n by_o jesus_n christ_n relate_v to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n not_o of_o providence_n and_o therefore_o do_v not_o concern_v my_o present_a argument_n but_o if_o we_o take_v a_o brief_a review_n of_o what_o i_o have_v say_v we_o may_v the_o better_o understand_v in_o what_o sense_n christ_n be_v say_v to_o come_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n for_o he_o come_v as_o soon_o as_o the_o world_n be_v prepare_v to_o receive_v he_o for_o i_o will_v desire_v any_o man_n who_o complain_v that_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n be_v too_o long_o delay_v to_o tell_v i_o in_o what_o soon_o period_n it_o have_v be_v proper_a for_o he_o to_o appear_v in_o every_o age_n as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v god_n take_v the_o wise_a method_n that_o the_o condition_n of_o mankind_n will_v at_o that_o time_n allow_v to_o reform_v the_o world_n and_o if_o christ_n appear_v at_o such_o a_o time_n as_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n see_v most_o fit_a and_o proper_a for_o his_o appearance_n he_o appear_v as_o soon_o as_o he_o can_v if_o we_o will_v allow_v god_n to_o dispense_v his_o grace_n and_o favour_n wise_o that_o he_o do_v so_o no_o man_n can_v doubt_v who_o believe_v the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n but_o my_o business_n at_o present_a be_v to_o give_v you_o a_o fair_a representation_n of_o all_o those_o wise_a advances_n god_n make_v to_o this_o last_o complete_n and_o stupendous_a act_n of_o grace_n and_o love_n god_n have_v promise_v our_o first_o parent_n immediate_o upon_o the_o fall_n that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v break_v the_o serpent_n head_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o promise_n all_o true_o good_a man_n be_v save_v by_o christ_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n but_o the_o more_o to_o recommend_v the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o the_o incarnation_n and_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n it_o seem_v very_o congruous_a to_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n that_o all_o other_o method_n shall_v be_v first_o try_v for_o the_o reform_n of_o mankind_n before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v come_v in_o such_o a_o time_n when_o the_o world_n be_v best_o prepare_v to_o receive_v he_o and_o as_o little_a as_o we_o understand_v of_o the_o unsearchable_a counsel_n of_o god_n it_o may_v satisfy_v we_o that_o upon_o both_o these_o account_v christ_n appear_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n when_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 the_o only_a probable_a mean_n of_o restore_a piety_n and_o virtue_n to_o the_o world_n be_v to_o destroy_v all_o that_o wicked_a generation_n of_o man_n and_o to_o preserve_v that_o righteous_a family_n to_o new-people_n the_o world_n when_o that_o new_a generation_n begin_v to_o corrupt_v themselves_o god_n separate_v they_o from_o each_o other_o by_o confound_v their_o language_n and_o form_v they_o into_o distinct_a society_n and_o kingdom_n which_o be_v the_o most_o effectual_a way_n to_o stop_v the_o infection_n and_o to_o force_v on_o they_o the_o practice_n of_o many_o moral_a and_o civil_a virtue_n when_o notwithstanding_o this_o they_o all_o decline_v to_o idolatry_n god_n choose_v abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n to_o be_v his_o peculiar_a people_n to_o preserve_v the_o faith_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n in_o the_o world_n he_o give_v they_o his_o law_n commit_v to_o