a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o divine_a providence_n by_o william_n sherlock_n d._n d._n dean_n of_o st._n paul_n master_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o their_o majesty_n imprimatur_fw-la maii_n 9_o 1693._o carolus_n alston_n r._n p._n d._n hen._n episc._n lond._n à _fw-la sacris_fw-la london_n print_v for_o william_n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n over-against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleet_n street_n mdcxciv_o to_o the_o queen_n most_o excellent_a majesty_n may_v it_o please_v your_o majesty_n to_o accept_v this_o treatise_n which_o do_v the_o composition_n answer_v the_o subject_a will_v recommend_v itself_o to_o the_o perusal_n of_o prince_n who_o be_v the_o peculiar_a care_n and_o the_o great_a minister_n of_o providence_n for_o it_o be_v this_o good_a providence_n which_o be_v the_o security_n of_o the_o royal_a throne_n and_o the_o most_o perfect_a pattern_n of_o a_o just_a and_o equal_a government_n without_o contempt_n of_o the_o mean_a or_o partiality_n to_o the_o great_a that_o experience_n your_o majesty_n have_v have_v of_o a_o kind_a and_o watchful_a providence_n and_o that_o constant_a dependence_n the_o most_o potent_a monarch_n have_v on_o the_o divine_a protection_n especial_o in_o the_o great_a shake_v and_o convulsion_n of_o the_o world_n i_o hope_v may_v excuse_v this_o dedication_n as_o neither_o improper_a nor_o unseasonable_a and_o may_v the_o same_o good_a providence_n which_o have_v advance_v your_o majesty_n to_o the_o throne_n and_o so_o signal_o preserve_v the_o king_n from_o the_o great_a danger_n still_o preserve_v your_o sacred_a person_n establish_v your_o throne_n and_o deliver_v you_o from_o all_o your_o enemy_n which_o be_v the_o hearty_a and_o daily_a prayer_n of_o your_o majesty_n most_o humble_a most_o obedient_a and_o most_o dutiful_a subject_n and_o servant_n william_n sherlock_n the_o content_n the_o introduction_n page_n 1_o chap._n 1._o the_o necessary_a connexion_n between_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n and_o of_o a_o providence_n 3_o the_o world_n can_v be_v no_o more_o govern_v than_o make_v by_o chance_n ibid._n a_o infinite_a and_o eternal_a mind_n which_o see_v and_o know_v all_o thing_n must_v govern_v the_o word_n 5_o he_o who_o make_v the_o world_n can_v be_v unconcern_v for_o his_o creature_n 7_o no_o philosopher_n except_o the_o epicurean_o who_o acknowledge_v a_o deity_n deny_v a_o providence_n 8_o the_o same_o argument_n which_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n prove_v a_o providence_n 9_o the_o strength_n of_o atheism_n consist_v in_o contradict_v the_o universal_a reason_n of_o mankind_n 11_o chap._n 2._o the_o general_a notion_n of_o providence_n and_o particular_o concern_v a_o preserve_a providence_n 16_o the_o nature_n of_o preservation_n as_o distinguish_v from_o a_o govern_n providence_n ibid._n the_o first_o act_n of_o preservation_n in_o uphold_v and_o preserve_v the_o be_v and_o nature_n of_o all_o thing_n 17_o the_o second_o act_n of_o preservation_n god_n co-operation_n and_o concourse_n with_o creature_n in_o all_o their_o action_n 21_o some_o difficulty_n of_o providence_n answer_v as_o god_n concourse_n with_o creature_n in_o sinful_a action_n 25_o concern_v the_o eternity_n of_o punishment_n 28_o some_o practical_a inference_n 31_o chap._n 3._o concern_v god_n govern_v providence_n 33_o god_n government_n of_o cause_n and_o of_o event_n 34_o god_n government_n of_o natural_a cause_n and_o wherein_o it_o consist_v ib._n god_n government_n of_o accidental_a cause_n or_o what_o we_o call_v chance_n and_o accident_n 39_o god_n government_n of_o moral_a cause_n or_o free_a agent_n 47_o the_o difference_n between_o god_n government_n of_o man_n consider_v as_o reasonable_a creature_n and_o as_o instrument_n of_o providence_n 48_o concern_v god_n government_n of_o man_n mind_n their_o will_n and_o passion_n page_n 51_o concern_v god_n government_n of_o man_n action_n 54_o god_n government_n of_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n more_o particular_o consider_v 57_o god_n government_n of_o event_n 59_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o event_n in_o this_o question_n 60_o wherein_o god_n government_n of_o event_n consist_v 61_o concern_v god_n permission_n ibid_fw-la the_o difference_n between_o god_n government_n of_o all_o event_n and_o necessity_n and_o fate_n 66_o that_o the_o exercise_n of_o a_o particular_a providence_n consist_v in_o the_o government_n of_o all_o event_n 68_o chap._n 4._o concern_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o providence_n 73_o concern_v god_n absolute_a power_n 75_o that_o true_a absolute_a power_n can_v do_v no_o wrong_n explain_v at_o large_a ib._n the_o unsearchable_a wisdom_n of_o providence_n 85_o infinite_a wisdom_n can_v do_v no_o wrong_n 88_o that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n must_v be_v as_o unaccountable_a as_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o creation_n 91_o that_o the_o wise_a government_n of_o the_o word_n require_v secret_a and_o hide_a method_n of_o providence_n 97_o that_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o a_o great_a many_o thing_n without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o understand_v the_o reason_n of_o providence_n 110_o in_o what_o case_n the_o unsearchable_a wisdom_n of_o god_n be_v a_o reasonable_a answer_n to_o the_o difficulty_n of_o providence_n 123_o chap._n 5._o the_o justice_n and_o righteousness_n of_o providence_n 137_o that_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o hinder_v all_o act_n of_o injustice_n and_o violence_n 138_o god_n may_v do_v that_o very_o just_o which_o man_n can_v do_v without_o great_a injustie_a 139_o what_o the_o nature_n and_o exercise_n of_o god_n justice_n require_v 141_o what_o act_v of_o justice_n the_o present_a government_n of_o this_o world_n require_v page_n 147_o the_o account_v the_o scripture_n give_v we_o of_o god_n justice_n and_o righteousness_n 150_o chap._n 6._o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n 161_o what_o the_o holiness_n of_o government_n require_v ib._n what_o the_o holiness_n of_o god_n providence_n do_v not_o require_v of_o he_o 168_o god_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n and_o author_n of_o sin_n 175_o the_o divine_a prescience_n do_v not_o destroy_v the_o liberty_n of_o human_a action_n 178_o god_n decree_v no_o man_n sin_n 181_o some_o text_n of_o scripture_n consider_v which_o seem_v to_o make_v god_n the_o author_n of_o sin_n 183_o concern_v god_n harden_v pharaoh_n heart_n ib._n some_o other_o text_n consider_v which_o seem_v to_o charge_n god_n with_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n 200_o chap._n 7._o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n 214_o mistake_v concern_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n goodness_n 216_o the_o difference_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 220_o that_o god_n exercise_v all_o act_n of_o goodness_n which_o a_o state_n of_o trial_n and_o discipline_n will_v admit_v 221_o another_o mistake_v concern_v the_o nature_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a and_o what_o good_a and_o evil_a be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n 226_o another_o mistake_n about_o the_o nature_n of_o government_n and_o what_o goodness_n be_v require_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n 233_o two_o objection_n against_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n answer_v 1._o from_o the_o many_o misery_n which_o be_v in_o the_o world_n 238_o a_o second_o objection_n be_v god_n partial_a and_o unequal_a care_n of_o his_o creature_n 265_o chap._n 8._o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n 269_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n consider_v in_o some_o great_a event_n record_v in_o scripture_n 270_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o world_n by_o noah_n flood_n page_n 271_o concern_v the_o confusion_n of_o language_n and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o mankind_n over_o all_o the_o earth_n 285_o god_n choose_v abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n 289_o concern_v the_o removal_n of_o jacob_n and_o his_o family_n into_o egypt_n 299_o the_o oppression_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n 300_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n in_o egypt_n 302_o god_n deliver_v the_o law_n from_o mount_n sinai_n 309_o all_n that_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n except_v joshua_n and_o caleb_n die_v in_o the_o wilderness_n 311_o the_o frequent_a relapse_n of_o israel_n into_o idolatry_n 313_o concern_v the_o captivity_n and_o dispersion_n of_o israel_n especial_o their_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n 319_o in_o what_o sense_n christ_n come_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n 326_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o roman_n 328_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n in_o some_o more_o common_a and_o ordinary_a event_n 331_o that_o god_n reward_n or_o punish_v man_n in_o their_o posterity_n 332_o god_n punish_v sin_n with_o sin_n 339_o god_n disappoint_v both_o our_o hope_n and_o fear_n 340_o god_n defer_v the_o deliverance_n of_o good_a man_n and_o the_o punishment_n of_o the_o wicked_a to_o the_o utmost_a extremity_n 341_o concern_v sudden_a change_n and_o revolution_n 343_o the_o wise_a mixture_n of_o mercy_n and_o judgement_n 344_o chap._n 9_o the_o duty_n
confess_v that_o they_o can_v tell_v by_o their_o own_o sense_n and_o feeling_n that_o they_o be_v thus_o move_v and_o incline_v by_o god_n but_o only_o charge_v their_o sin_n on_o god_n to_o excuse_v themselves_o every_o man_n feel_v what_o it_o be_v that_o tempt_v he_o his_o love_n of_o riches_n of_o pleasure_n or_o honour_n and_o that_o the_o temptation_n and_o impulse_n be_v weak_a or_o strong_a in_o proportion_n to_o his_o fondness_n and_o passion_n for_o these_o tempt_a object_n but_o yet_o he_o feel_v himself_o at_o liberty_n to_o choose_v and_o determine_v himself_o and_o find_v a_o principle_n within_o he_o which_o resist_v and_o oppose_v his_o compliance_n with_o the_o temptation_n as_o contrary_a to_o the_o will_n and_o law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n and_o that_o for_o which_o god_n will_v punish_v he_o and_o be_v there_o any_o reason_n for_o man_n to_o charge_v their_o sin_n upon_o god_n when_o the_o only_a thing_n that_o give_v check_v to_o they_o and_o make_v sin_n uneasy_a be_v the_o conviction_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n that_o it_o be_v what_o god_n have_v forbid_v and_o what_o he_o will_v punish_v this_o i_o think_v be_v no_o evidence_n of_o god_n tempt_a and_o incline_v man_n to_o sin_n that_o he_o have_v imprint_v on_o our_o mind_n such_o a_o natural_a sense_n of_o his_o abhorrence_n of_o all_o evil_a and_o such_o a_o natural_a awe_n and_o dread_n of_o his_o justice_n that_o while_o we_o preserve_v this_o sense_n strong_a and_o vigorous_a no_o temptation_n can_v fasten_v on_o we_o if_o we_o appeal_v to_o reason_n the_o reason_n of_o all_o mankind_n prove_v that_o god_n do_v not_o and_o can_v tempt_v incline_v and_o over-rule_v man_n to_o choose_v or_o to_o act_v any_o wickedness_n for_o this_o be_v a_o direct_a contradiction_n to_o the_o holiness_n and_o purity_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o the_o justice_n of_o his_o providence_n all_o mankind_n believe_v god_n to_o be_v perfect_a holiness_n which_o be_v essential_a to_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o god_n and_o reason_n tell_v we_o that_o such_o a_o pure_a and_o holy_a be_v can_v be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n nor_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o vindicate_v the_o justice_n of_o providence_n in_o the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n do_v man_n sin_n by_o divine_a impulse_n or_o by_o necessity_n and_o fate_n and_o the_o scripture_n teach_v this_o in_o express_a word_n let_v no_o man_n say_v when_o he_o be_v tempt_v i_o be_o tempt_v of_o god_n for_o god_n can_v be_v tempt_v with_o evil_a neither_o tempt_v he_o any_o man_n 1._o james_n 13._o and_o all_o the_o law_n and_o promise_n and_o threaten_n exhortation_n reproof_n and_o passionate_a expostulation_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o scripture_n if_o they_o mean_v any_o thing_n sincere_a do_v necessary_o suppose_v that_o man_n sin_v free_o and_o that_o god_n be_v so_o far_o from_o incline_v and_o tempt_a man_n to_o sin_n that_o he_o do_v all_o that_o become_v a_o wise_a and_o holy_a be_v to_o restrain_v and_o deter_v they_o from_o it_o now_o when_o we_o have_v such_o direct_a and_o positive_a proof_n that_o god_n be_v not_o and_o can_v be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o direct_a and_o positive_a proof_n that_o he_o be_v nor_o be_v any_o such_o proof_n pretend_v and_o then_o some_o remote_a and_o uncertain_a consequence_n which_o be_v owe_v to_o our_o ignorance_n or_o confuse_a and_o imperfect_a notion_n of_o thing_n or_o to_o some_o obscure_a expression_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v think_v sufficient_a to_o disprove_v a_o direct_a and_o positive_a evidence_n no_o more_o than_o the_o difficulty_n about_o the_o nature_n of_o motion_n be_v a_o just_a reason_n to_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v any_o motion_n when_o we_o daily_o see_v and_o feel_v ourselves_o and_o the_o whole_a world_n move_v and_o yet_o such_o kind_n of_o difficulty_n as_o these_o be_v all_o that_o be_v pretend_v to_o charge_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n with_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n the_o most_o material_a of_o which_o i_o intend_v at_o this_o time_n to_o examine_v 1._o one_o and_o that_o the_o most_o plausible_a pretence_n to_o destroy_v the_o liberty_n of_o human_a action_n and_o to_o charge_v the_o sin_n of_o man_n upon_o god_n be_v his_o prescience_n and_o foreknowledge_n of_o all_o future_a event_n that_o god_n do_v foreknow_v thing_n to_o come_v be_v general_o acknowledge_v by_o heathen_n jew_n and_o christian_n and_o prophecy_n be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n of_o it_o for_o he_o that_o can_v foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v must_v foreknow_v they_o now_o from_o hence_o they_o thus_o argue_v what_o be_v certain_o fore-known_a must_v certain_o be_v and_o what_o be_v thus_o certain_a be_v necessary_a and_o therefore_o if_o all_o future_a event_n be_v certain_a as_o be_v certain_o foreknow_v then_o all_o thing_n even_o all_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n be_v owe_v to_o necessity_n and_o fate_n and_o then_o god_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o this_o necessity_n and_o fate_n must_v be_v the_o cause_n and_o author_n of_o man_n sin_n too_o now_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o i_o ready_o grant_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v certain_o fore-known_a but_o what_o will_v certain_o be_v but_o then_o i_o deny_v that_o nothing_o will_v certain_o be_v but_o what_o have_v a_o necessary_a cause_n for_o we_o see_v ten_o thousand_o effect_n of_o free_a or_o contingent_a cause_n which_o certain_o be_v though_o they_o may_v never_o have_v be_v for_o whatever_o be_v certain_o be_v and_o whatever_o certain_o be_v now_o be_v certain_o though_o not_o necessary_o future_a a_o thousand_o year_n ago_o that_o man_n understand_v very_o little_a who_o know_v not_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o necessity_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o event_n no_o event_n be_v necessary_a but_o that_o which_o have_v a_o necessary_a cause_n as_o the_o rise_n and_o sit_v of_o the_o sun_n but_o every_o event_n be_v certain_a which_o will_v certain_o be_v though_o it_o be_v produce_v by_o a_o cause_n which_o act_v free_o and_o may_v do_v otherwise_o if_o it_o please_v as_o all_o the_o free_a action_n of_o man_n be_v some_o of_o which_o though_o do_v with_o the_o great_a freedom_n may_v be_v as_o certain_a and_o as_o certain_o know_v as_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o sun_n now_o if_o that_o which_o be_v do_v free_o may_v be_v certain_a and_o that_o which_o be_v certain_a may_v be_v certain_o know_v then_o the_o certainty_n of_o god_n foreknowledge_n only_o prove_v the_o certainty_n but_o not_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o event_n and_o then_o god_n may_v foreknow_v all_o event_n and_o yet_o lie_v no_o necessity_n on_o mankind_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v wicked_a in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n foreknowledge_n lay_v no_o great_a necessity_n upon_o that_o which_o be_v fore-known_a than_o knowledge_n do_v upon_o that_o which_o be_v know_v for_o foreknowledge_n be_v nothing_o but_o knowledge_n and_o knowledge_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v know_v much_o less_o the_o necessary_a cause_n of_o it_o we_o certain_o know_v at_o what_o time_n the_o sun_n will_v rise_v and_o sit_v every_o day_n in_o the_o year_n but_o our_o knowledge_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o sun_n be_v rise_v or_o sit_v nay_o in_o many_o case_n in_o proportion_n to_o our_o knowledge_n of_o man_n we_o may_v with_o great_a certainty_n foretell_v what_o they_o will_v do_v and_o how_o they_o will_v behave_v themselves_o in_o such_o or_o such_o circumstance_n and_o do_v we_o perfect_o know_v they_o we_o shall_v rare_o if_o ever_o mistake_v for_o though_o man_n act_v free_o they_o do_v not_o act_v arbitrary_o but_o there_o be_v always_o some_o bias_n upon_o their_o mind_n which_o incline_v and_o draw_v they_o and_o the_o more_o confirm_a habit_n man_n have_v of_o virtue_n or_o vice_n the_o more_o certain_o and_o steady_o they_o act_v and_o the_o more_o certain_o we_o may_v know_v they_o without_o make_v they_o either_o virtuous_a or_o vicious_a now_o can_v we_o certain_o know_v what_o all_o man_n will_v do_v before_o they_o do_v it_o yet_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o will_v neither_o make_v nor_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v necessary_a agent_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a knowledge_n be_v such_o as_o to_o know_v our_o thought_n afar_o off_o before_o we_o think_v they_o yet_o this_o do_v not_o make_v we_o think_v such_o thought_n nor_o do_v such_o action_n how_o god_n can_v foreknow_v thing_n to_o come_v even_o such_o event_n as_o depend_v upon_o the_o most_o free_a and_o contingent_a cause_n we_o can_v tell_v but_o it_o be_v not_o incredible_a that_o infinite_a knowledge_n shall_v do_v this_o when_o wise_a man_n who_o knowledge_n be_v so_o very_o
with_o the_o natural_a faculty_n of_o understanding_n and_o will_n to_o judge_v and_o to_o choose_v for_o himself_o and_o he_o preserve_v these_o faculty_n and_o give_v they_o a_o natural_a power_n to_o act_v to_o understand_v and_o will_v but_o this_o natural_a co-operation_n of_o god_n can_v extend_v no_o far_o than_o to_o the_o natural_a power_n of_o act_v not_o to_o any_o specifical_a act_n it_o do_v not_o improve_v any_o man_n understanding_n nor_o incline_v his_o judgement_n nor_o determine_v his_o choice_n it_o make_v no_o alteration_n in_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n but_o only_o enable_v they_o to_o act_v according_a to_o their_o nature_n it_o be_v only_o like_o wind_v up_o a_o clock_n which_o put_v it_o into_o motion_n but_o give_v no_o new_a preternatural_a motion_n to_o it_o but_o leave_v its_o motion_n to_o be_v guide_v by_o its_o own_o spring_n and_o wheel_n whatever_o this_o co-operation_n of_o god_n be_v which_o be_v think_v necessary_a to_o actuate_v our_o natural_a 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upon_o mount_n zion_n and_o on_o jerusalem_n i_o will_v punish_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o stout_a heart_n of_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o proud_a look_n 10._o isai._n 5_o 6_o 7_o 12._o a_o great_a many_o example_n may_v be_v give_v of_o this_o nature_n but_o these_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v what_o different_a intention_n god_n and_o man_n have_v in_o the_o same_o action_n and_o how_o easy_o god_n can_v defeat_v what_o man_n intend_v and_o accomplish_v by_o they_o his_o own_o wise_a counsel_n which_o they_o never_o think_v of_o when_o god_n have_v no_o particular_a end_n of_o providence_n to_o serve_v by_o the_o lust_n and_o passion_n and_o evil_a design_n of_o man_n he_o common_o disappoint_v they_o that_o when_o they_o intend_v evil_a and_o imagine_v a_o mischievous_a device_n they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o perform_v it_o 21._o psal._n 11._o or_o he_o turn_v the_o evil_a upon_o their_o own_o head_n the_o heathen_a be_v sink_v down_o in_o the_o pit_n 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holiness_n of_o providence_n than_o to_o permit_v man_n to_o conceive_v sin_n in_o their_o heart_n for_o therein_o the_o moral_a evil_n consist_v when_o the_o will_n choose_v and_o consent_v to_o it_o the_o external_a action_n may_v be_v a_o natural_a political_n or_o oeconomical_a evil_n but_o the_o moral_a evil_n be_v in_o the_o will_n and_o choice_n and_o therefore_o the_o permit_v or_o hinder_v the_o external_a commission_n of_o sin_n do_v not_o so_o proper_o concern_v the_o holiness_n as_o the_o justice_n and_o goodness_n of_o providence_n for_o to_o hinder_v the_o actual_a commission_n of_o sin_n do_v not_o prevent_v the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n for_o the_o man_n have_v the_o guilt_n of_o those_o sin_n which_o he_o will_v but_o can_v not_o commit_v but_o it_o hinder_v that_o mischief_n which_o the_o actual_a commission_n of_o sin_n will_v have_v do_v to_o other_o man_n by_o murder_v their_o person_n or_o defile_v their_o wife_n or_o rob_v they_o of_o their_o estate_n and_o good_a name_n 4thly_a and_o therefore_o there_o may_v be_v wise_a reason_n for_o god_n to_o permit_v the_o external_a commission_n of_o many_o sin_n as_o act_n of_o judgement_n and_o vengeance_n on_o other_o sinner_n or_o as_o act_n of_o correction_n and_o discipline_n on_o good_a man_n for_o since_o god_n very_o rare_o punish_v bad_a man_n or_o correct_v good_a man_n by_o a_o immediate_a power_n and_o yet_o punishment_n or_o correction_n be_v the_o proper_a exercise_n of_o providence_n it_o can_v unbecome_v god_n to_o make_v the_o sin_n of_o some_o the_o correction_n and_o punishment_n of_o other_o that_o it_o be_v so_o be_v so_o visible_a that_o i_o need_v not_o prove_v it_o for_o few_o man_n suffer_v any_o great_a evil_n but_o from_o other_o man_n sin_n and_o if_o god_n take_v care_n as_o most_o certain_o he_o do_v to_o direct_v the_o evil_n which_o man_n sin_n do_v to_o light_v upon_o those_o who_o deserve_v to_o suffer_v by_o they_o it_o be_v a_o mighty_a vindication_n of_o the_o 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be_v a_o very_a justifiable_a reason_n why_o god_n shall_v permit_v the_o actual_a commission_n of_o sin_n when_o he_o can_v bring_v good_a out_o of_o evil_a and_o serve_v the_o wise_a end_n of_o his_o providence_n by_o it_o 6thly_a and_o therefore_o last_o god_n do_v hinder_v the_o actual_a commission_n of_o sin_n as_o often_o as_o he_o see_v fit_a to_o hinder_v the_o evil_a and_o mischief_n which_o such_o sin_n will_v do_v as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v sometime_o he_o very_o remarkable_o disappoint_v wicked_a design_n from_o take_v effect_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o haman_n and_o mordecai_n when_o the_o jew_n be_v devote_v to_o destruction_n and_o we_o have_v as_o many_o instance_n of_o this_o nature_n as_o we_o have_v discovery_n of_o plot_n and_o treason_n against_o the_o life_n of_o prince_n and_o the_o peace_n of_o church_n and_o state_n or_o private_a design_n against_o the_o life_n and_o fortune_n of_o private_a man_n and_o how_o much_o unknown_a wickedness_n the_o divine_a providence_n every_o day_n prevent_v we_o can_v tell_v but_o all_o the_o wickedness_n mankind_n will_v commit_v but_o can_v must_v be_v attribute_v to_o the_o restraint_n and_o prevention_n of_o providence_n and_o then_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o every_o bad_a man_n can_v give_v a_o great_a many_o instance_n of_o such_o disappointment_n which_o he_o himself_o have_v meet_v with_o that_o as_o much_o evil_a as_o there_o be_v commit_v in_o the_o world_n yet_o consider_v the_o great_a wickedness_n and_o degeneracy_n of_o mankind_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o god_n hinder_v a_o hundred_o time_n more_o than_o he_o permit_v and_o consider_v the_o wisdom_n and_o justice_n of_o providence_n it_o become_v we_o to_o think_v that_o god_n never_o permit_v the_o actual_a commission_n of_o any_o sin_n but_o he_o order_v it_o for_o some_o wise_a and_o good_a end_n and_o this_o i_o hope_n be_v sufficient_a to_o vindicate_v the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n notwithstanding_o so_o much_o wickedness_n as_o be_v daily_o commit_v 3_o the_o divine_a providence_n be_v not_o just_o chargeable_a with_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v utter_o inconsistent_a and_o irreconcilable_a with_o the_o holiness_n of_o government_n now_o since_o the_o permission_n of_o sin_n be_v very_o reconcilable_a with_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o reasonable_a objection_n against_o it_o unless_o we_o can_v prove_v by_o plain_a and_o undeniable_a evidence_n that_o god_n be_v the_o cause_n and_o author_n of_o sin_n and_o this_o indeed_o will_v prove_v that_o god_n do_v not_o govern_v the_o world_n with_o holiness_n if_o he_o have_v any_o proper_a efficiency_n in_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n that_o be_v do_v god_n tempt_v man_n to_o sin_n or_o by_o any_o secret_a influence_n and_o impulse_n incline_v and_o even_o compel_v they_o to_o sin_n but_o the_o least_o thought_n and_o imagination_n of_o this_o be_v a_o very_a great_a blasphemy_n and_o the_o great_a and_o more_o unpardonable_a blasphemy_n because_o there_o be_v no_o temptation_n to_o suspect_v any_o such_o thing_n of_o god_n there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o know_v this_o but_o either_o by_o our_o own_o sense_n and_o experience_n or_o by_o reason_n or_o by_o revelation_n as_o for_o our_o own_o sense_n and_o experience_n this_o can_v prove_v nothing_o for_o no_o man_n find_v any_o other_o force_n or_o impulse_n but_o from_o his_o own_o lust_n and_o sinful_a inclination_n every_o man_n be_v tempt_v when_o he_o be_v draw_v away_o of_o his_o own_o lust_n and_o entice_v 1._o james_n 14._o those_o who_o charge_n god_n with_o incline_v man_n heart_n to_o wickedness_n yet_o confess_v that_o this_o be_v do_v by_o such_o secret_a influence_n as_o no_o man_n can_v distinguish_v from_o the_o work_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n which_o be_v plain_o to_o
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 the_o door_n to_o beg_v that_o mordecai_n may_v be_v hang_v his_o minister_n in_o do_v he_o honour_n this_o prepare_v the_o king_n to_o grant_v queen_n esther_n request_n and_o hang_v haman_n upon_o the_o gallow_n he_o have_v build_v for_o mordecai_n and_o preserve_v the_o jew_n from_o that_o destruction_n he_o have_v design_v against_o they_o and_o thus_o it_o be_v almost_o in_o all_o the_o remarkable_a passage_n of_o providence_n there_o be_v so_o much_o appearance_n of_o chance_n and_o accident_n which_o have_v the_o great_a stroke_n in_o some_o wonderful_a event_n as_o may_v satisfy_v consider_v man_n that_o the_o world_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o counsel_n and_o a_o invisible_a power_n and_o that_o the_o immediate_a and_o visible_a cause_n have_v always_o the_o least_o hand_n in_o it_o for_o can_v we_o think_v otherwise_o when_o we_o see_v as_o many_o visible_a mark_n of_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n and_o justice_n in_o what_o we_o call_v chance_n as_o in_o any_o other_o act_n of_o providence_n nay_o when_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n be_v principal_o see_v in_o the_o government_n of_o fortuitous_a event_n when_o we_o see_v a_o world_n wise_o make_v though_o we_o do_v not_o see_v it_o make_v yet_o we_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v not_o make_v by_o chance_n but_o by_o a_o wise_a be_v and_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n when_o we_o see_v accidental_a event_n nay_o a_o long_a incoherent_a series_n of_o accident_n concur_v to_o the_o produce_v the_o most_o admirable_a effect_n we_o ought_v to_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v a_o wise_a invisible_a hand_n which_o govern_v chance_n which_o of_o itself_o can_v do_v nothing_o wise_o when_o the_o life_n and_o fortune_n of_o man_n the_o fate_n of_o kingdom_n and_o empire_n the_o success_n of_o war_n the_o change_n of_o government_n be_v so_o often_o determine_v and_o bring_v about_o by_o the_o most_o visible_a accident_n when_o chance_n defeat_v the_o wise_a counsel_n and_o the_o great_a power_n when_o good_a man_n be_v reward_v and_o the_o church_n of_o god_n preserve_v by_o appear_a chance_n when_o bad_a man_n be_v punish_v by_o chance_n and_o the_o very_a chance_n whereby_o they_o be_v punish_v carry_v the_o mark_n of_o their_o sin_n upon_o it_o for_o which_o they_o be_v punish_v i_o say_v can_v any_o man_n in_o such_o case_n think_v that_o all_o this_o be_v mere_a chance_n when_o how_o accidental_a soever_o the_o mean_n be_v or_o appear_v to_o be_v whereby_o such_o thing_n be_v do_v there_o be_v no_o appearance_n at_o all_o of_o chance_n in_o the_o event_n but_o the_o change_n and_o revolution_n the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o chance_n be_v all_o as_o wise_o do_v as_o if_o there_o have_v be_v nothing_o of_o chance_n and_o accident_n in_o it_o this_o be_v the_o great_a security_n of_o our_o life_n amid_o all_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o fortune_n that_o chance_n itself_o can_v hurt_v we_o without_o a_o divine_a commission_n this_o be_v a_o sure_a foundation_n of_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 passion_n and_o counsel_n and_o action_n as_o he_o have_v of_o the_o power_n and_o influence_n of_o natural_a cause_n or_o else_o he_o can_v reward_v and_o punish_v when_o and_o as_o he_o please_v if_o man_n can_v hurt_v those_o who_o god_n will_v bless_v and_o reward_v or_o can_v do_v good_a to_o those_o who_o god_n will_v punish_v both_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n may_v be_v happy_a or_o miserable_a in_o this_o world_n whether_o god_n will_v or_o not_o our_o fortune_n will_v depend_v upon_o the_o number_n and_o power_n of_o our_o friend_n or_o enemy_n upon_o the_o good_a or_o bad_a humour_n and_o inclination_n of_o those_o among_o who_o we_o live_v and_o providence_n can_v not_o help_v we_o now_o this_o be_v the_o great_a difficulty_n how_o god_n can_v exercise_v such_o a_o absolute_a government_n over_o mankind_n who_o be_v free_a agent_n without_o destroy_v the_o liberty_n and_o freedom_n of_o their_o choice_n which_o will_v destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n the_o necessity_n of_o allow_v this_o if_o we_o will_v acknowledge_v a_o providence_n and_o the_o plain_a testimony_n and_o example_n of_o this_o absolute_a and_o uncontrollable_a government_n which_o we_o find_v in_o scripture_n have_v make_v some_o man_n deny_v the_o liberty_n of_o human_a action_n and_o represent_v mankind_n to_o be_v as_o mere_a machine_n as_o a_o watch_n or_o clock_n which_o move_v as_o they_o be_v move_v and_o then_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o bring_v religion_n and_o the_o moral_a difference_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a and_o the_o natural_a justice_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n into_o their_o scheme_n for_o nothing_o of_o all_o this_o can_v be_v reconcile_v with_o absolute_a necessity_n and_o fate_n other_o to_o avoid_v these_o difficulty_n be_v afraid_a of_o attribute_v too_o much_o to_o providence_n or_o have_v such_o confuse_a and_o perplex_v notion_n about_o it_o that_o there_o be_v few_o case_n wherein_o they_o can_v secure_o depend_v on_o god_n but_o i_o think_v this_o difficulty_n will_v be_v easy_o remove_v if_o we_o distinguish_v between_o god_n government_n of_o man_n as_o reasonable_a creature_n and_o free_a agent_n and_o his_o government_n of_o they_o as_o the_o instrument_n of_o providence_n the_o first_o consider_v they_o in_o their_o own_o private_a and_o natural_a capacity_n the_o second_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n which_o make_v a_o great_a difference_n in_o the_o reason_n and_o in_o the_o act_n of_o government_n man_n consider_v in_o his_o own_o nature_n be_v a_o reasonable_a creature_n and_o free_a agent_n and_o therefore_o the_o proper_a government_n of_o man_n consist_v in_o give_v he_o law_n that_o he_o may_v know_v the_o difference_n between_o good_a and_o evil_n what_o he_o ought_v to_o choose_v and_o what_o to_o refuse_v
the_o rule_n of_o righteousness_n to_o we_o to_o give_v to_o every_o man_n that_o which_o be_v his_o own_o and_o it_o be_v the_o justice_n of_o government_n to_o punish_v those_o who_o invade_v another_o right_n and_o this_o be_v that_o justice_n which_o the_o righteous_a lord_n love_v in_o man_n and_o the_o violation_n of_o which_o he_o hate_v so_o that_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n make_v god_n love_n righteousness_n and_o justice_n and_o hate_v all_o injustice_n and_o oppression_n and_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n require_v that_o god_n shall_v punish_v injustice_n and_o violence_n and_o protect_v the_o just_a and_o innocent_a as_o far_o as_o the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o god_n government_n of_o the_o world_n require_v and_o this_o the_o scripture_n everywhere_o declare_v that_o god_n will_v do_v that_o he_o be_v angry_a with_o the_o wicked_a every_o day_n that_o he_o be_v a_o refuge_n and_o sanctuary_n and_o strong_a tower_n and_o rock_n of_o defence_n to_o just_a and_o righteous_a man_n not_o that_o every_o particular_a bad_a man_n who_o do_v unjust_a thing_n shall_v be_v immediate_o punish_v for_o his_o unjustice_n nor_o that_o every_o man_n who_o have_v a_o just_a and_o righteous_a cause_n shall_v be_v protect_v from_o the_o violence_n and_o injustice_n of_o the_o wicked_a for_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o the_o world_n prove_v that_o this_o never_o be_v do_v and_o therefore_o this_o can_v be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o threaten_n of_o scripture_n but_o there_o be_v enough_o mean_v by_o it_o to_o vindicate_v the_o justice_n of_o providence_n in_o this_o world_n to_o be_v a_o support_n to_o good_a man_n and_o a_o terror_n to_o the_o wicked_a 1._o for_o first_o it_o signify_v that_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o providence_n where_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o justice_n or_o injustice_n of_o the_o cause_n to_o be_v consider_v god_n will_v favour_v a_o just_a and_o righteous_a cause_n there_o may_v be_v other_o wise_a reason_n why_o god_n may_v suffer_v a_o just_a cause_n to_o be_v oppress_v and_o injustice_n to_o be_v prosperous_a and_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v always_o wise_a reason_n for_o it_o when_o god_n do_v suffer_v this_o because_o we_o certain_o know_v that_o god_n be_v no_o favourer_n of_o injustice_n but_o he_o who_o have_v a_o just_a cause_n may_v for_o other_o reason_n deserve_v to_o be_v punish_v and_o then_o god_n may_v just_o punish_v he_o by_o unjust_a oppressor_n and_o thus_o injustice_n may_v be_v prosperous_a and_o justice_n oppress_v but_o where_o the_o other_o sin_n and_o demerit_n of_o the_o man_n do_v not_o forfeit_v god_n protection_n of_o a_o just_a cause_n the_o divine_a providence_n will_v make_v a_o visible_a distinction_n between_o just_a and_o unjust_a two_o and_o therefore_o no_o man_n can_v promise_v himself_o the_o divine_a protection_n but_o only_o when_o his_o cause_n be_v just_a and_o right_o which_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o psalmist_n as_o you_o have_v already_o hear_v so_o often_o plead_v his_o own_o innocence_n and_o integrity_n and_o the_o righteousness_n of_o his_o cause_n to_o move_v god_n to_o save_v and_o defend_v he_o for_o god_n have_v promise_v his_o protection_n upon_o no_o other_o term_n and_o whenever_o injustice_n prosper_v it_o be_v not_o in_o favour_n to_o the_o unjust_a man_n or_o his_o unjust_a cause_n but_o in_o punishment_n to_o other_o who_o god_n think_v fit_a to_o correct_v and_o chastise_v by_o such_o injustice_n though_o wickedness_n may_v prosper_v for_o a_o while_n there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o obtain_v the_o divine_a favour_n and_o protection_n but_o by_o do_v good_a for_o a_o righteous_a god_n can_v have_v no_o favour_n for_o a_o unjust_a cause_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o believe_v that_o god_n govern_v the_o world_n we_o must_v expect_v his_o protection_n only_o in_o the_o way_n of_o righteousness_n and_o this_o will_v give_v we_o a_o secure_a hope_n and_o dependence_n on_o god_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v ashamed_a while_o we_o have_v respect_n unto_o all_o his_o commandment_n three_o and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n though_o injustice_n may_v prosper_v for_o a_o time_n no_o unjust_a man_n can_v be_v secure_a from_o a_o divine_a vengeance_n god_n do_v not_o always_o punish_v bad_a man_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o deserve_v it_o but_o sometime_o he_o do_v and_o he_o be_v always_o angry_a with_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v always_o in_o danger_n god_n be_v angry_a with_o the_o wicked_a every_o day_n if_o he_o turn_v not_o he_o will_v whet_v his_o sword_n he_o have_v bend_v his_o bow_n and_o make_v it_o ready_a he_o have_v also_o prepare_v for_o he_o the_o instrument_n of_o death_n he_o have_v ordain_v his_o arrow_n against_o the_o persecutor_n 7._o psalm_n 11_o 12_o 13._o four_o and_o therefore_o though_o every_o particular_a 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 yet_o the_o divine_a providence_n furnish_v we_o with_o numerous_a example_n of_o justice_n both_o in_o the_o protection_n and_o defence_n of_o good_a man_n and_o in_o the_o punishment_n of_o the_o wicked_a this_o be_v so_o notorious_o know_v that_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v it_o that_o beside_o the_o ordinary_a misery_n and_o calamity_n of_o sinner_n which_o be_v the_o natural_a and_o necessary_a effect_n and_o reward_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o make_v they_o the_o scorn_n and_o the_o pity_n of_o mankind_n god_n do_v very_o often_o execute_v very_o remarkable_a judgement_n upon_o remarkable_a sinner_n which_o bear_v the_o evident_a token_n and_o character_n of_o a_o divine_a vengeance_n on_o they_o and_o do_v appear_v as_o wonderful_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o just_a and_o good_a man_n in_o a_o righteous_a cause_n both_o sacred_a and_o profane_a story_n and_o our_o own_o observation_n may_v furnish_v we_o with_o many_o example_n of_o both_o kind_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o vindicate_v the_o justice_n of_o providence_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o promise_n and_o threaten_n which_o be_v make_v in_o scripture_n two_o the_o better_a to_o understand_v that_o account_v the_o scripture_n give_v we_o of_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n i_o observe_v that_o the_o protection_n and_o defence_n of_o providence_n be_v never_o promise_v in_o scripture_n mere_o to_o a_o just_a and_o righteous_a cause_n but_o only_o to_o just_a and_o righteous_a and_o good_a man_n this_o be_v not_o common_o observe_v and_o yet_o as_o soon_o as_o it_o be_v name_v it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o it_o need_v no_o proof_n and_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a we_o can_v indeed_o separate_v a_o just_a and_o righteous_a man_n from_o a_o righteous_a cause_n for_o as_o far_o as_o he_o be_v engage_v in_o a_o unjust_a cause_n he_o be_v a_o unjust_a man_n but_o if_o the_o divine_a protection_n be_v promise_v to_o the_o righteous_a man_n not_o to_o the_o righteous_a cause_n than_o a_o righteous_a cause_n may_v be_v oppress_v when_o the_o man_n have_v no_o right_a to_o god_n protection_n without_o any_o impeachment_n either_o of_o the_o righteousness_n or_o justice_n of_o god_n which_o show_v the_o difference_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o between_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n and_o the_o justice_n of_o human_a government_n the_o justice_n of_o human_a government_n consider_v man_n right_n the_o justice_n of_o providence_n consider_v their_o moral_a desert_n human_a justice_n defend_v bad_a man_n in_o their_o just_a right_n the_o divine_a justice_n which_o be_v supreme_a and_o absolute_a have_v no_o regard_n to_o human_a right_n when_o the_o man_n deserve_v to_o be_v punish_v for_o god_n challenge_v to_o himself_o such_o a_o absolute_a right_n and_o propriety_n in_o all_o thing_n as_o to_o give_v or_o take_v they_o away_o when_o he_o please_v and_o therefore_o he_o threaten_v israel_n by_o the_o prophet_n hosea_n that_o since_o they_o have_v serve_v baal_n with_o the_o corn_n and_o wine_n and_o oil_n and_o silver_n and_o gold_n which_o he_o give_v they_o therefore_o will_v i_o return_v and_o take_v away_o my_o corn_n in_o the_o time_n thereof_o and_o my_o wine_n in_o the_o season_n thereof_o and_o will_v recover_v my_o wool_n and_o my_o flax_n give_v to_o cover_v her_o nakedness_n 2._o hos._n 8_o 9_o the_o 26._o levit._n contain_v the_o promise_n and_o threaten_n to_o israel_n and_o the_o condition_n of_o both_o be_v their_o keep_n or_o transgress_v his_o law_n and_o statute_n and_o commandment_n if_o they_o observe_v his_o law_n he_o will_v bestow_v all_o good_a thing_n on_o they_o if_o they_o transgress_v his_o law_n he_o will_v take_v they_o all_o away_o without_o any_o regard_n to_o their_o right_n or_o property_n among_o other_o judgement_n he_o threaten_v they_o to_o deliver_v they_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o enemy_n who_o shall_v oppress_v
to_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v only_o our_o ignorance_n of_o the_o eastern_a language_n and_o phrase_n which_o make_v they_o obscure_a and_o difficult_a to_o we_o than_o to_o expound_v they_o to_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o contradict_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bible_n but_o i_o do_v not_o intend_v this_o for_o a_o answer_n or_o as_o some_o will_v call_v it_o a_o evasion_n but_o shall_v consider_v these_o text_n particular_o and_o the_o first_o place_n relate_v to_o god_n harden_v pharaoh_n heart_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o let_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n go_v notwithstanding_o all_o the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o moses_n wrought_v in_o egypt_n 4._o exod._n 21._o where_o god_n express_o tell_v moses_n that_o he_o will_v harden_v pharaoh_n heart_n and_o in_o the_o story_n itself_o it_o be_v several_a time_n express_v that_o god_n do_v harden_v pharaoh_n heart_n and_o he_o who_o harden_v the_o heart_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o all_o those_o sin_n which_o such_o a_o hard_a heart_n commit_v now_o right_o to_o understand_v this_o which_o have_v give_v so_o much_o trouble_v to_o divine_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v hardness_n of_o heart_n be_v a_o metaphorical_a expression_n and_o signify_v such_o a_o firmness_n and_o obstinacy_n of_o temper_n or_o resolution_n as_o will_v yield_v to_o no_o motive_n or_o persuasion_n that_o will_v no_o more_o receive_v any_o impression_n than_o a_o hard_a and_o impenetrable_a rock_n and_o therefore_o to_o harden_v the_o heart_n be_v to_o give_v it_o such_o a_o stiffness_n and_o obstinacy_n as_o will_v not_o yield_v but_o then_o there_o be_v several_a way_n of_o harden_v man_n heart_n and_o some_o of_o they_o very_o innocent_a and_o holy_a as_o well_o as_o just_o and_o before_o we_o charge_v the_o divine_a providence_n upon_o this_o account_n we_o must_v know_v in_o what_o way_n god_n harden_v immediate_o to_o infuse_v into_o man_n heart_n a_o unrelenting_a hardness_n and_o obstinacy_n in_o a_o sinful_a course_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n and_o will_v in_o the_o most_o proper_a sense_n make_v god_n the_o author_n of_o sin_n but_o though_o god_n say_v he_o will_v harden_v pharaoh_n he_o do_v not_o say_v that_o he_o will_v infuse_v hardness_n into_o pharaoh_n heart_n for_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o man_n who_o have_v first_o harden_v themselves_o take_v the_o most_o innocent_a occasion_n to_o grow_v hard_a nay_o be_v harden_v by_o such_o usage_n as_o will_v either_o break_v or_o soften_v other_o man_n and_o those_o who_o treat_v they_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o their_o wicked_a heart_n abuse_v to_o harden_v themselves_o may_v be_v say_v to_o harden_v they_o as_o in_o common_a speech_n we_o charge_v those_o with_o undo_n and_o harden_v their_o child_n and_o servant_n who_o have_v spoil_v they_o by_o too_o much_o indulgence_n or_o by_o too_o great_a severity_n and_o this_o be_v the_o account_n that_o origen_n give_v of_o it_o and_o indeed_o when_o man_n be_v say_v to_o harden_v themselves_o as_o pharaoh_n be_v often_o say_v to_o harden_v his_o own_o heart_n and_o yet_o god_n be_v say_v to_o harden_v they_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o account_n give_v of_o it_o but_o this_o that_o man_n take_v occasion_n from_o what_o god_n do_v take_v occasion_n where_o no_o occasion_n be_v give_v to_o harden_v themselves_o as_o st._n paul_n observe_v the_o jew_n do_v from_o god_n patience_n and_o long-suffering_a 2._o rome_n 4_o 5._o or_o despise_v thou_o the_o riches_n of_o his_o goodness_n and_o forbearance_n and_o long_o suffer_v not_o know_v that_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n lead_v thou_o to_o repentance_n i.e._n shall_v lead_v thou_o to_o repentance_n not_o harden_v thou_o in_o sin_n though_o it_o have_v another_o effect_n through_o thy_o own_o wickedness_n but_o after_o thy_o hardness_n and_o impenitent_a heart_n grow_v more_o hard_a and_o impenitent_a by_o god_n forbearance_n and_o treasure_a up_o unto_o thyself_o wrath_n against_o the_o day_n of_o wrath_n and_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o righteous_a judgement_n of_o god_n and_o thus_o god_n harden_v pharaoh_n or_o thus_o pharaoh_n take_v occasion_n to_o harden_v himself_o from_o those_o judgement_n which_o ought_v to_o have_v soften_v he_o and_o god_n foresee_v that_o this_o will_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o say_z i_o will_v harden_v pharaoh_n heart_n not_o i_o will_v infuse_v hardness_n into_o he_o but_z i_o will_v do_v such_o thing_n as_o i_o certain_o know_v his_o hard_a and_o wicked_a heart_n will_v improve_v into_o new_a occasion_n and_o new_a degree_n of_o hardness_n for_o it_o be_v no_o reason_n either_o for_o god_n or_o man_n to_o forbear_v do_v what_o wisdom_n and_o justice_n and_o goodness_n direct_v to_o be_v do_v because_o harden_a sinner_n will_v harden_v themselves_o the_o more_o by_o it_o and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o case_n appear_v from_o the_o whole_a story_n that_o which_o harden_v pharaoh_n and_o make_v he_o so_o resolve_v not_o to_o part_v with_o israel_n be_v the_o great_a advantage_n he_o make_v of_o their_o service_n and_o bondage_n which_o make_v he_o impatient_a to_o think_v of_o send_v away_o a_o people_n which_o be_v so_o useful_a to_o he_o to_o conquer_v this_o obstinate_a humour_n god_n send_v moses_n to_o deliver_v israel_n with_o a_o mighty_a arm_n and_o outstretch_v hand_n moses_n wrought_v such_o mighty_a wonder_n and_o inflict_v such_o miraculous_a and_o terrible_a judgement_n on_o egypt_n as_o any_o one_o will_v have_v think_v the_o most_o proper_a mean_n not_o to_o have_v harden_v but_o to_o have_v break_v and_o subdue_v the_o most_o harden_a heart_n but_o this_o have_v a_o contrary_a effect_n upon_o a_o harden_a pharaoh_n and_o it_o be_v visible_a what_o it_o be_v that_o harden_a he_o some_o of_o these_o sign_n and_o wonder_n be_v imitate_v by_o the_o magician_n as_o turn_v their_o rod_n into_o serpent_n and_o water_n into_o blood_n and_o bring_v frog_n upon_o the_o land_n and_o upon_o this_o he_o harden_v his_o heart_n though_o the_o plague_n of_o frog_n be_v so_o grievous_a that_o it_o make_v he_o somewhat_o relent_v and_o promise_v to_o let_v the_o people_n go_v and_o sacrifice_n unto_o the_o lord_n if_o the_o frog_n may_v be_v remove_v but_o than_o god_n goodness_n in_o remove_v this_o plague_n harden_v he_o as_o it_o be_v express_o observe_v that_o when_o pharaoh_n see_v there_o be_v respite_n he_o harden_v his_o heart_n 8._o exod._n 15._o and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o succeed_a judgement_n while_o any_o judgement_n be_v upon_o he_o he_o yield_v and_o promise_v fair_a to_o let_v the_o people_n go_v that_o have_v any_o one_o of_o those_o judgement_n continue_v on_o he_o till_o he_o have_v part_v with_o israel_n he_o have_v certain_o send_v they_o away_o long_o before_o but_o when_o he_o see_v one_o judgement_n remove_v after_o another_o he_o think_v there_o will_v be_v a_o end_n of_o they_o at_o last_o and_o 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people_n and_o they_o say_v why_o have_v we_o do_v this_o that_o we_o have_v let_v israel_n go_v from_o serve_v we_o 14._o exod._n 2_o 3_o 4_o 5._o the_o report_n of_o their_o fly_n and_o the_o apprehension_n of_o their_o be_v entangle_v in_o the_o wilderness_n make_v pharaoh_n and_o his_o servant_n quick_o forget_v what_o they_o have_v suffer_v in_o egypt_n and_o think_v of_o nothing_o but_o the_o loss_n of_o the_o service_n of_o israel_n which_o harden_v they_o to_o a_o new_a pursuit_n and_o be_v order_v by_o god_n to_o that_o end_n that_o he_o may_v be_v honour_v upon_o pharaoh_n and_o upon_o all_o his_o host._n this_o be_v the_o account_n the_o scripture_n give_v we_o of_o god_n harden_v pharaoh_n heart_n which_o contain_v nothing_o that_o unbecome_v a_o wise_a and_o a_o holy_a be_v for_o though_o it_o can_v
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 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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 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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