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 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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 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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
man_n lust_n for_o do_v not_o all_o mankind_n suffer_v by_o one_o another_o sin_n i_o doubt_v neither_o good_a nor_o bad_a man_n will_v be_v so_o zealous_o concern_v to_o punish_v and_o suppress_v vice_n and_o therefore_o the_o divine_a providence_n can_v not_o have_v take_v a_o more_o effectual_a course_n to_o discourage_v wickedness_n than_o to_o make_v all_o mankind_n sensible_a of_o the_o evil_a of_o sin_n by_o make_v they_o all_o at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o feel_v the_o evil_a of_o sin_n in_o what_o they_o suffer_v by_o their_o own_o or_o other_o man_n sin_n for_o be_v all_o man_n convince_v and_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o their_o own_o sense_n and_o feeling_n will_v not_o convince_v they_o that_o all_o the_o evil_n and_o misery_n of_o life_n be_v owe_v to_o sin_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v happy_a without_o reform_v themselves_o and_o other_o as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v what_o more_o powerful_a argument_n can_v providence_n offer_v to_o we_o to_o reform_v the_o world_n there_o be_v another_o sort_n of_o calamity_n and_o very_o terrible_a one_o too_o which_o those_o who_o believe_v a_o providence_n can_v attribute_v to_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o just_a judgement_n and_o vengeance_n of_o god_n upon_o a_o wicked_a world_n such_o as_o plague_n and_o pestilence_n and_o famine_n deluge_n and_o earthquake_n which_o destroy_v city_n and_o country_n and_o more_o ordinary_a accident_n when_o they_o act_v in_o such_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n as_o if_o they_o be_v direct_v and_o guide_v by_o a_o unseen_a hand_n a_o great_a many_o such_o instance_n be_v record_v in_o scripture_n and_o express_o ascribe_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n god_n have_v threaten_v such_o judgement_n in_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o see_v they_o execute_v we_o must_v conclude_v that_o they_o be_v inflict_v by_o god_n as_o the_o just_a punishment_n of_o sin_n nay_o those_o very_a evil_n and_o misery_n which_o we_o suffer_v by_o other_o man_n sin_n be_v in_o scripture_n attribute_v to_o god_n who_o have_v the_o supreme_a disposal_n of_o all_o event_n for_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a proof_n that_o these_o judgement_n be_v not_o order_v by_o god_n that_o we_o can_v find_v some_o immediate_a cause_n for_o they_o that_o some_o of_o they_o be_v owe_v to_o natural_a cause_n other_o to_o man_n other_o to_o some_o surprise_v and_o unusual_a or_o it_o may_v be_v usual_a accident_n for_o whoever_o believe_v a_o divine_a providence_n do_v not_o therefore_o believe_v that_o god_n do_v every_o thing_n immediate_o by_o his_o own_o power_n without_o the_o ministry_n of_o any_o second_o cause_n either_o natural_a or_o free_a agent_n or_o what_o we_o call_v accident_n but_o he_o be_v only_o oblige_v to_o believe_v that_o god_n govern_v all_o second_o cause_n to_o produce_v such_o effect_n as_o he_o see_v fit_a that_o all_o nature_n move_v at_o god_n command_n that_o fire_n and_o hail_n snow_n and_o vapour_n wind_n and_o storm_n fulfil_v his_o word_n 148._o psal._n 8._o v._n that_o both_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n be_v under_o his_o government_n and_o the_o minister_n of_o his_o providence_n and_o that_o what_o seem_v perfect_a chance_n to_o we_o be_v direct_v by_o his_o wisdom_n and_o counsel_n and_o than_o whatever_o evil_n we_o suffer_v and_o whatever_o the_o immediate_a cause_n of_o they_o be_v we_o must_v ascribe_v they_o all_o to_o god_n especial_o when_o the_o same_o kind_n of_o judgement_n which_o have_v the_o same_o kind_n of_o immediate_a cause_n be_v attribute_v to_o god_n in_o scripture_n it_o be_v reason_n enough_o for_o we_o whenever_o such_o judgement_n befall_v we_o to_o ascribe_v they_o to_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n but_o i_o need_v not_o dispute_v here_o whether_o all_o those_o evil_n and_o calamity_n which_o befall_v sinner_n be_v order_v and_o appoint_v by_o god_n for_o till_o they_o can_v prove_v à _fw-la priori_fw-la by_o direct_a and_o positive_a argument_n that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n nor_o a_o providence_n which_o none_o of_o our_o modern_a atheist_n pretend_v to_o do_v while_o they_o dispute_v only_o by_o way_n of_o objection_n they_o must_v prove_v that_o thing_n be_v not_o so_o order_v as_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v order_v do_v god_n govern_v the_o world_n and_o if_o we_o can_v prove_v that_o they_o be_v their_o objection_n be_v answer_v now_o with_o respect_n to_o my_o present_a argument_n to_o vindicate_v the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n it_o be_v plain_a beyond_o all_o contradiction_n that_o thing_n be_v so_o order_v for_o the_o discouragement_n of_o wickedness_n and_o the_o encouragement_n of_o virtue_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v so_o order_v on_o purpose_n by_o the_o great_a wisdom_n and_o the_o most_o perfect_a holiness_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v so_o order_v by_o a_o wise_a and_o a_o holy_a providence_n as_o far_o then_o as_o to_o command_v and_o encourage_v all_o holiness_n and_o virtue_n and_o to_o forbid_v and_o discourage_v all_o wickedness_n and_o vice_n be_v a_o proof_n of_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n i_o hope_v i_o have_v sufficient_o clear_v this_o point_n and_o i_o must_v desire_v you_o to_o observe_v that_o these_o be_v direct_a and_o positive_a proof_n such_o as_o every_o man_n may_v understand_v and_o can_v avoid_v the_o evidence_n of_o and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v shake_v by_o every_o difficulty_n object_v against_o they_o for_o our_o knowledge_n be_v so_o imperfect_a that_o there_o be_v nothing_o almost_o which_o we_o so_o certain_o know_v but_o be_v liable_a to_o such_o objection_n as_o we_o can_v easy_o and_o satisfactory_o answer_v but_o one_o plain_a positive_a proof_n be_v a_o better_a reason_n to_o believe_v any_o thing_n than_o a_o hundred_o objection_n against_o it_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v it_o because_o since_o it_o be_v confess_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o our_o knowledge_n be_v very_o imperfect_a it_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o disbelieve_v what_o we_o do_v know_v and_o what_o we_o be_v as_o certain_a of_o as_o we_o can_v be_v of_o any_o thing_n because_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o same_o subject_n which_o we_o do_v not_o know_v and_o therefore_o unless_o the_o objection_n be_v as_o positive_a and_o evident_a as_o the_o proof_n be_v and_o i_o be_o sure_a there_o be_v no_o such_o objection_n against_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n we_o may_v very_o reasonable_o acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v some_o difficulty_n which_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v and_o yet_o may_v very_o reasonable_o believe_v on_o as_o we_o do_v 2_o let_v we_o now_o consider_v what_o the_o holiness_n of_o god_n providence_n and_o government_n do_v not_o require_v of_o he_o and_o i_o shall_v name_v but_o one_o thing_n which_o some_o man_n make_v a_o great_a objection_n against_o providence_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v so_o much_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n daily_o commit_v in_o the_o world_n now_o if_o the_o be_v of_o sin_n in_o the_o world_n or_o if_o the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n be_v irreconcilable_a with_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n this_o be_v a_o unanswerable_a objection_n against_o it_o for_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o mankind_n be_v very_o wicked_a but_o what_o consequence_n be_v there_o in_o this_o that_o god_n can_v be_v holy_a nor_o his_o providence_n holy_a because_o man_n be_v wicked_a we_o may_v as_o well_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n because_o there_o be_v a_o devil_n such_o conceit_n as_o these_o tempt_v some_o ancient_a heretic_n to_o assert_v two_o principle_n a_o good_a and_o a_o bad_a god_n because_o they_o think_v that_o if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o he_o very_o good_a there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o evil_a in_o the_o world_n but_o will_v any_o man_n think_v this_o a_o good_a argument_n against_o the_o holiness_n of_o a_o prince_n and_o his_o government_n that_o he_o have_v many_o wicked_a subject_n and_o how_o then_o do_v the_o sin_n of_o man_n come_v to_o be_v a_o argument_n against_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n to_o state_n this_o in_o a_o few_o word_n when_o we_o speak_v of_o god_n permit_v sin_n we_o either_o mean_v the_o internal_a or_o the_o external_a act_n of_o sin_n 1._o the_o internal_a act_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o will_n when_o man_n choose_v that_o which_o be_v wicked_a and_o full_o resolve_v and_o purpose_n as_o they_o have_v opportunity_n to_o do_v it_o this_o be_v the_o sin_n this_o make_v we_o guilty_a before_o god_n who_o know_v our_o heart_n though_o human_a law_n can_v take_v no_o cognizance_n of_o it_o as_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o he_o that_o look_v upon_o a_o woman_n to_o lust_n after_o she_o have_v commit_v adultery_n with_o she_o already_o in_o his_o
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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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 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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 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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 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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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never_o become_v a_o holy_a god_n to_o infuse_v hardness_n into_o man_n heart_n yet_o when_o man_n have_v harden_v themselves_o and_o will_v abuse_v all_o the_o wise_a method_n of_o providence_n to_o harden_v themselves_o and_o be_v now_o ripe_a for_o destruction_n it_o very_o much_o become_v a_o just_a and_o righteous_a god_n to_o exercise_v they_o with_o such_o providence_n as_o he_o know_v will_v still_o harden_v they_o till_o they_o make_v themselves_o such_o infamous_a example_n of_o wickedness_n as_o may_v deserve_v a_o more_o glorious_a and_o exemplary_a vengeance_n which_o be_v another_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o case_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o very_o necessary_a to_o the_o full_a understanding_n this_o difficult_a case_n of_o god_n harden_v man_n heart_n god_n have_v peremptory_o decree_v not_o only_o to_o deliver_v israel_n but_o to_o punish_v egypt_n both_o king_n and_o people_n for_o the_o cruel_a oppression_n of_o israel_n and_o therefore_o he_o may_v without_o any_o more_o solemnity_n have_v destroy_v pharaoh_n his_o people_n and_o land_n and_o have_v carry_v israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n with_o a_o mighty_a hand_n but_o when_o they_o have_v deserve_v to_o be_v punish_v and_o destroy_v and_o god_n have_v resolve_v to_o punish_v they_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o punishment_n be_v at_o the_o free_a disposal_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o therefore_o he_o choose_v to_o punish_v they_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o may_v make_v the_o glory_n and_o power_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n know_v to_o the_o world_n and_o this_o be_v the_o very_a account_n which_o god_n himself_o give_v why_o he_o take_v such_o a_o course_n with_o pharaoh_n as_o he_o foresee_v will_v harden_v and_o confirm_v he_o in_o his_o resolution_n of_o not_o part_v with_o israel_n when_o he_o can_v have_v force_v he_o at_o the_o expense_n of_o few_o miracle_n to_o have_v send_v they_o away_o if_o he_o have_v so_o please_v i_o will_v harden_v pharaoh_n heart_n and_o multiply_v 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for_o this_o cause_n have_v i_o raise_v thou_o up_o have_v all_o this_o time_n preserve_v thou_o and_o not_o cut_v thou_o off_o for_o to_o show_v in_o thou_o my_o power_n and_o that_o my_o name_n may_v be_v declare_v throughout_o all_o the_o earth_n 9_o exod._n 14_o 15_o 16._o and_o this_o reason_n god_n give_v why_o he_o harden_v pharaoh_n heart_n to_o pursue_v israel_n i_o will_v be_v honour_v upon_o pharaoh_n and_o upon_o all_o his_o host_n that_o the_o egyptian_n may_v know_v that_o i_o be_o the_o lord_n 14._o exod._n 4._o this_o be_v diligent_o to_o be_v observe_v to_o vindicate_v the_o holiness_n and_o justice_n of_o providence_n for_o though_o god_n infuse_v no_o hardness_n into_o man_n heart_n yet_o if_o he_o exercise_v they_o with_o such_o providence_n as_o he_o foresee_v will_v harden_v they_o and_o do_v this_o with_o a_o intention_n and_o design_n to_o harden_v they_o this_o signify_v his_o will_n to_o harden_v they_o and_o such_o a_o moral_a efficiency_n in_o use_v harden_v providence_n as_o will_v as_o certain_o harden_v they_o as_o if_o he_o have_v infuse_v hardness_n into_o they_o and_o this_o make_v little_a difference_n whether_o god_n harden_v man_n by_o external_a providence_n or_o by_o a_o internal_a operation_n on_o their_o mind_n when_o he_o intend_v such_o providence_n to_o harden_v they_o and_o know_v that_o they_o will_v effectual_o do_v it_o now_o i_o ready_o grant_v that_o though_o god_n infuse_v no_o hardness_n into_o pharaoh_n heart_n nor_o do_v any_o thing_n which_o unbecome_v a_o holy_a god_n to_o do_v yet_o he_o do_v intend_v to_o harden_v he_o and_o do_v intend_v to_o harden_v he_o on_o purpose_n to_o multiply_v his_o judgement_n on_o egypt_n and_o to_o destroy_v he_o and_o all_o his_o host_n in_o the_o red_a sea_n for_o this_o be_v so_o plain_o express_v that_o we_o can_v deny_v it_o nay_o i_o ready_o grant_v that_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n will_v be_v just_o chargeable_a with_o man_n sin_n do_v he_o without_o any_o respect_n to_o the_o merit_n and_o desert_n of_o the_o person_n by_o such_o insensible_a method_n betray_v they_o into_o sin_n with_o a_o intention_n to_o harden_v they_o for_o what_o man_n be_v there_o of_o such_o a_o firm_a and_o constant_a virtue_n as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o resist_v all_o temptation_n which_o a_o long_a series_n of_o providence_n choose_v and_o direct_v for_o that_o purpose_n by_o a_o divine_a wisdom_n can_v bring_v he_o into_o but_o yet_o when_o man_n have_v sin_v themselves_o into_o such_o a_o harden_a state_n as_o to_o deserve_v to_o be_v destroy_v and_o when_o god_n be_v so_o far_o provoke_v by_o their_o sin_n as_o to_o resolve_v to_o destroy_v they_o it_o become_v the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n without_o any_o impeachment_n of_o his_o holiness_n to_o harden_v man_n by_o external_a event_n and_o appearance_n not_o in_o sin_n which_o can_v never_o become_v a_o holy_a god_n but_o in_o such_o ruinous_a course_n as_o their_o own_o wicked_a heart_n betray_v they_o to_o and_o as_o will_v bring_v inevitable_a ruin_n on_o they_o and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a resolution_n on_o this_o case_n 1._o that_o god_n never_o harden_v any_o man_n till_o they_o have_v deserve_v and_o he_o be_v resolve_v to_o destroy_v they_o 2._o that_o then_o he_o do_v not_o harden_v they_o in_o sin_n but_o in_o such_o ruinous_a counsel_n as_o their_o own_o sin_n betray_v they_o to_o 3._o that_o all_o this_o be_v do_v not_o by_o the_o natural_a or_o moral_a efficacy_n but_o by_o their_o own_o wicked_a abuse_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n 4._o to_o complete_a all_o when_o god_n have_v thus_o determine_v to_o destroy_v any_o person_n or_o people_n he_o many_o time_n inflict_v on_o they_o a_o penal_a blindness_n and_o infatuation_n not_o to_o see_v the_o thing_n which_o concern_v their_o peace_n these_o four_o particular_n contain_v a_o full_a and_o easy_a account_n of_o this_o perplex_a doctrine_n of_o god_n harden_v man_n heart_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v speak_v distinct_o but_o brief_o to_o they_o 1._o that_o god_n never_o harden_v man_n till_o they_o have_v deserve_v and_o he_o be_v resolve_v to_o destroy_v they_o this_o must_v be_v lay_v as_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o for_o by_o what_o mean_v soever_o god_n harden_v man_n how_o innocent_a soever_o they_o may_v appear_v if_o he_o intend_v to_o harden_v they_o not_o because_o they_o deserve_v and_o he_o have_v determine_v to_o destroy_v they_o but_o only_o that_o they_o may_v deserve_v to_o be_v destroy_v and_o that_o he_o may_v with_o some_o fair_a appearance_n of_o justice_n destroy_v they_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o satisfy_v equal_a and_o impartial_a judge_n of_o the_o justice_n and_o holiness_n of_o providence_n but_o if_o man_n have_v harden_v themselves_o in_o sin_n beyond_o all_o the_o ordinary_a method_n of_o recovery_n and_o have_v so_o provoke_v a_o good_a and_o merciful_a god_n that_o he_o give_v they_o over_o to_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n then_o by_o what_o mean_v soever_o they_o be_v harden_v which_o be_v not_o direct_o sinful_a there_o can_v be_v no_o just_a reason_n to_o question_v either_o the_o justice_n or_o goodness_n or_o holiness_n of_o god_n upon_o this_o account_n for_o when_o man_n have_v sin_v to_o that_o degree_n as_o to_o deserve_v immediate_a destruction_n and_o to_o provoke_v god_n to_o pass_v a_o final_a sentence_n on_o they_o god_n may_v either_o immediate_o destroy_v they_o or_o keep_v they_o in_o that_o harden_a state_n like_o condemn_a malefactor_n reserve_v in_o chain_n for_o a_o more_o public_a and_o solemn_a execution_n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o be_v mean_v by_o god_n harden_v man_n and_o this_o all_o mankind_n must_v allow_v to_o be_v just_a and_o holy_a this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o the_o egyptian_n who_o