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
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 it_o be_v better_a to_o endure_v a_o while_n than_o to_o part_v with_o israel_n and_o thus_o god_n harden_v his_o heart_n and_o he_o harden_v his_o own_o heart_n till_o the_o death_n of_o all_o the_o first-born_a put_v he_o and_o his_o servant_n and_o all_o the_o people_n into_o such_o a_o terrible_a fright_n that_o they_o be_v glad_a to_o get_v rid_v of_o israel_n to_o save_v their_o own_o life_n and_o to_o complete_a all_o god_n still_o harden_a pharaoh_n heart_n to_o pursue_v after_o israel_n that_o he_o may_v overthrow_v he_o and_o all_o his_o host_n in_o the_o red_a sea_n and_o for_o that_o end_n god_n lead_v the_o people_n about_o through_o the_o way_n of_o the_o wilderness_n of_o the_o red_a sea_n that_o pharaoh_n may_v say_v they_o be_v entangle_v in_o the_o land_n the_o wilderness_n have_v shut_v they_o in_o and_o it_o be_v tell_v the_o king_n of_o egypt_n that_o the_o people_n flee_v and_o the_o heart_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o of_o his_o servant_n be_v turn_v against_o the_o 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
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 my_o sign_n and_o wonder_n in_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n but_o pharaoh_n shall_v not_o hearken_v unto_o you_o that_o i_o may_v lay_v my_o hand_n upon_o egypt_n and_o bring_v forth_o my_o army_n and_o my_o people_n the_o child_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n by_o great_a judgement_n and_o the_o egyptian_n shall_v know_v that_o i_o be_o the_o lord_n when_o i_o stretch_v forth_o my_o hand_n upon_o egypt_n and_o bring_v out_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n from_o among_o they_o 7._o exod._n 3_o 4_o 5._o the_o same_o thing_n he_o tell_v pharaoh_n i_o will_v at_o this_o time_n send_v all_o my_o plague_n upon_o thy_o heart_n and_o upon_o thy_o servant_n and_o upon_o thy_o people_n that_o thou_o may_v know_v that_o there_o be_v none_o like_o i_o in_o all_o the_o earth_n for_o now_o i_o will_v stretch_v out_o my_o hand_n that_o i_o may_v smite_v thou_o and_o thy_o people_n with_o pestilence_n and_o thou_o shall_v be_v cut_v off_o from_o the_o earth_n and_o in_o very_a deed_n 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