be_v in_o the_o world_n either_o the_o disorder_n of_o nature_n or_o the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n by_o the_o disorder_n of_o nature_n i_o mean_v unseasonable_a wether_n earthquake_n excessive_a heat_n or_o cold_a great_a drought_n or_o immoderate_a rain_n thunder_n lightning_n storm_n and_o tempest_n which_o occasion_n famine_n and_o plague_n great_a sickness_n or_o a_o great_a mortality_n these_o may_v very_o reasonable_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o more_o immediate_a hand_n of_o god_n who_o direct_v and_o govern_v nature_n but_o beside_o that_o in_o such_o case_n the_o visible_a corruption_n of_o mankind_n justify_v such_o severity_n how_o rare_o do_v these_o happen_v and_o how_o few_o suffer_v by_o they_o in_o comparison_n with_o those_o many_o and_o constant_a evil_n which_o the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n every_o day_n bring_v upon_o themselves_o and_o other_o for_o most_o of_o the_o other_o evil_n and_o calamity_n of_o life_n be_v visible_o owe_v to_o man_n sin_n bodily_a sickness_n sharp_a and_o painful_a distemper_n which_o shorten_v man_n life_n or_o make_v they_o miserable_a be_v the_o common_a effect_n of_o intemperance_n luxury_n or_o wantonness_n child_n inherit_v the_o disease_n of_o their_o parent_n and_o come_v into_o the_o world_n only_o to_o cry_v and_o die_v or_o to_o struggle_v some_o few_o year_n in_o the_o very_a kingdom_n and_o territory_n of_o death_n and_o to_o languish_v under_o those_o mortal_a wound_n which_o they_o receive_v with_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o life_n another_o great_a evil_n be_v poverty_n which_o many_o man_n bring_v upon_o themselves_o by_o idleness_n or_o prodigality_n and_o some_o expensive_a vice_n it_o be_v not_o in_o every_o man_n power_n by_o the_o great_a prudence_n and_o industry_n to_o make_v himself_o rich_a for_o time_n and_o chance_n happen_v to_o they_o all_o but_o in_o ordinary_a case_n prudence_n and_o industry_n join_v with_o a_o religious_a regard_n for_o god_n and_o his_o providence_n will_v preserve_v a_o man_n from_o the_o press_a want_n and_o necessity_n of_o poverty_n other_o who_o do_v not_o make_v themselves_o poor_a by_o their_o own_o sin_n be_v many_o time_n reduce_v to_o great_a poverty_n by_o the_o sin_n of_o other_o man_n by_o injustice_n and_o oppression_n and_o violence_n by_o the_o misery_n and_o calamity_n of_o war_n which_o bring_v a_o thousand_o evil_n with_o it_o which_o make_v many_o helpless_a widow_n and_o orphan_n deprive_v man_n of_o their_o patron_n and_o benefactor_n drive_v other_o from_o their_o plentiful_a fortune_n to_o seek_v their_o bread_n in_o a_o strange_a land_n plunder_v poor_a and_o rich_a lay_v a_o flourish_a country_n desolate_a put_v a_o stop_n to_o trade_n make_v provision_n dear_a and_o leave_v no_o work_n for_o the_o poor_a some_o other_o be_v reduce_v to_o poverty_n more_o immediate_o by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n without_o their_o own_o fault_n those_o who_o have_v no_o other_o support_n but_o their_o daily_a labour_n be_v quick_o pinch_v by_o a_o long_a and_o expensive_a sickness_n or_o by_o the_o infirmity_n of_o age_n or_o by_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o eye_n or_o hand_n or_o leg_n other_o be_v undo_v by_o fire_n or_o shipwreck_n or_o the_o various_a accident_n of_o trade_n which_o the_o most_o wary_a and_o cautious_a man_n can_v escape_v but_o beside_o that_o there_o be_v few_o of_o these_o in_o comparison_n with_o the_o throng_n and_o crowd_n of_o idle_a prodigal_a self-made_a poor_a god_n have_v make_v provision_n for_o all_o such_o case_n that_o no_o man_n shall_v suffer_v extreme_a want_n by_o command_v the_o rich_a especial_o to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o such_o poor_a who_o be_v proper_o god_n poor_a or_o the_o poor_a of_o god_n make_v and_o command_v this_o under_o the_o penalty_n of_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o the_o forfeiture_n of_o their_o own_o estate_n if_o they_o prove_v unjust_a and_o unfaithful_a steward_n so_o that_o though_o god_n make_v some_o man_n poor_a it_o be_v the_o fault_n of_o other_o man_n if_o they_o suffer_v want_v the_o poverty_n they_o suffer_v be_v owe_v to_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n the_o want_n and_o misery_n they_o suffer_v be_v owe_v to_o the_o sin_n to_o the_o uncharitableness_n of_o man_n for_o though_o the_o world_n be_v unequal_o divide_v of_o which_o more_o present_o yet_o there_o be_v enough_o to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o all_o the_o creature_n that_o be_v in_o it_o and_o god_n never_o intend_v that_o any_o of_o his_o creature_n shall_v want_v necessary_n that_o one_o man_n plenty_n and_o abundance_n shall_v cause_v another_o man_n to_o starve_v and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o most_o of_o the_o other_o misery_n of_o life_n it_o be_v the_o sin_n and_o the_o folly_n of_o mankind_n which_o make_v they_o miserable_a which_o be_v so_o obvious_a to_o every_o one_o who_o will_v consider_v it_o that_o i_o need_v not_o expatiate_v on_o every_o particular_a i_o believe_v there_o be_v no_o man_n but_o will_v confess_v that_o be_v all_o man_n good_a and_o virtuous_a this_o world_n will_v be_v a_o very_a happy_a place_n and_o if_o the_o practice_n of_o moral_n and_o sociable_a virtue_n will_v make_v mankind_n happy_a it_o be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o guess_v what_o it_o be_v that_o disturb_v the_o peace_n and_o happiness_n of_o the_o world_n 2_o let_v we_o now_o consider_v how_o unreasonable_a it_o be_v to_o reproach_v the_o divine_a providence_n with_o those_o evil_n and_o misery_n which_o mankind_n bring_v upon_o themselves_o and_o lay_v down_o this_o as_o a_o principle_n that_o most_o man_n make_v themselves_o miserable_a it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o defend_v and_o justify_v the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n for_o these_o evil_n which_o man_n complain_v of_o be_v not_o just_o chargeable_a upon_o providence_n and_o therefore_o be_v un_o unreasonable_a objection_n against_o providence_n god_n do_v not_o bring_v these_o evil_n upon_o mankind_n but_o man_n bring_v they_o upon_o themselves_o suppose_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n to_o be_v what_o they_o now_o be_v and_o that_o man_n live_v just_a as_o they_o now_o do_v there_o must_v be_v the_o same_o misery_n in_o the_o world_n that_o there_o now_o be_v though_o there_o be_v no_o providence_n though_o god_n do_v not_o interpose_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o intemperance_n luxury_n and_o lust_n will_v destroy_v man_n health_n sloth_n and_o prodigality_n and_o expensive_a vice_n will_v make_v man_n poor_a pride_n ambition_n and_o revenge_n will_v make_v quarrel_n raise_v war_n and_o bring_v all_o the_o calamity_n of_o war_n upon_o the_o world_n if_o there_o be_v no_o providence_n thus_o it_o must_v be_v for_o excessive_a eat_n and_o drink_v will_v oppress_v nature_n and_o those_o who_o will_v take_v no_o honest_a pain_n to_o get_v money_n or_o will_v spend_v what_o they_o have_v upon_o their_o lust_n must_v be_v poor_a and_o those_o who_o will_v quarrel_v and_o fight_v must_v take_v what_o follow_v these_o evil_n be_v not_o owe_v to_o providence_n because_o providence_n do_v not_o bring_v they_o no_o more_o than_o providence_n make_v man_n wicked_a man_n make_v themselves_o wicked_a and_o wickedness_n make_v they_o miserable_a and_o we_o may_v as_o well_o charge_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n with_o all_o the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n as_o with_o those_o misery_n which_o their_o own_o wickedness_n bring_v upon_o they_o now_o since_o most_o of_o those_o evil_n which_o be_v in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o just_o chargeable_a upon_o providence_n the_o goodness_n of_o god_n be_v very_o visible_a in_o those_o very_a evil_n and_o calamity_n which_o mankind_n suffer_v for_o 1._o god_n have_v in_o ordinary_a case_n put_v it_o into_o every_o man_n power_n to_o preserve_v himself_o from_o most_o of_o the_o great_a evil_n and_o misery_n of_o life_n even_o from_o all_o those_o which_o man_n bring_v upon_o themselves_o by_o their_o own_o sin_n what_o can_v be_v do_v more_o than_o this_o for_o a_o reasonable_a creature_n to_o make_v it_o his_o own_o choice_n and_o to_o put_v it_o into_o his_o own_o power_n whether_o he_o will_v be_v happy_a or_o miserable_a god_n have_v not_o only_o in_o his_o law_n but_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n set_v before_o we_o life_n and_o death_n happiness_n and_o misery_n all_o man_n see_v what_o the_o visible_a and_o natural_a punishment_n of_o sin_n be_v and_o have_v a_o natural_a aversion_n to_o those_o evil_n and_o may_v avoid_v they_o if_o they_o will_v this_o be_v a_o plain_a proof_n not_o only_o of_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o in_o deter_v man_n from_o sin_n by_o those_o natural_a evil_n which_o attend_v it_o but_o also_o of_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n by_o show_v man_n a_o plain_a and_o natural_a method_n how_o to_o avoid_v the_o misery_n of_o life_n and_o to_o make_v themselves_o easy_a and_o
than_o to_o command_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v holy_a and_o to_o forbid_v all_o kind_n and_o degree_n of_o wickedness_n and_o to_o encourage_v the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n and_o to_o discourage_v all_o wicked_a practice_n as_o much_o as_o the_o wisdom_n of_o government_n and_o the_o freedom_n of_o human_a action_n will_v allow_v that_o god_n do_v all_o this_o wherein_o the_o holiness_n of_o government_n consist_v i_o know_v no_o man_n that_o deny_v as_o wicked_a as_o mankind_n be_v it_o be_v not_o for_o want_v of_o holy_a and_o just_a and_o good_a law_n the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v a_o undefiled_a law_n convert_v the_o soul_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v sure_a and_o give_v wisdom_n unto_o the_o simple_a the_o statute_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v right_a and_o rejoice_v the_o heart_n the_o commandment_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v pure_a and_o give_v light_a unto_o the_o eye_n the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v clean_a and_o endure_v for_o ever_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v true_a and_o righteous_a altogether_o 19_o psal._n 7_o 8_o 9_o the_o great_a complaint_n be_v that_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v too_o holy_a for_o the_o corrupt_a state_n of_o this_o world_n and_o most_o man_n think_v to_o excuse_v their_o wickedness_n by_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o human_a nature_n and_o the_o too_o great_a purity_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n which_o they_o have_v no_o ability_n to_o perform_v now_o the_o holiness_n of_o god_n law_n be_v a_o undeniable_a argument_n of_o the_o holiness_n of_o his_o providence_n and_o government_n whether_o we_o consider_v these_o law_n as_o a_o copy_n of_o his_o nature_n or_o a_o declaration_n of_o his_o will_n much_o more_o if_o we_o consider_v they_o both_o as_o his_o nature_n and_o his_o will_n as_o all_o moral_a law_n which_o have_v a_o eternal_a and_o necessary_a goodness_n in_o they_o be_v for_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o will_n must_v be_v the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o his_o providence_n and_o government_n unless_o he_o govern_v the_o world_n contrary_a to_o his_o own_o nature_n and_o will._n nay_o law_n themselves_o be_v not_o only_o the_o rule_n of_o obdience_n to_o subject_n but_o of_o government_n to_o the_o prince_n and_o it_o be_v universal_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v as_o great_a a_o miscarriage_n in_o a_o prince_n not_o to_o govern_v by_o his_o own_o law_n as_o it_o be_v in_o subject_n not_o to_o obey_v they_o prince_n may_v be_v guilty_a of_o such_o miscarriage_n but_o god_n can_v and_o therefore_o the_o law_n he_o give_v to_o we_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o his_o own_o providence_n and_o then_o the_o holiness_n of_o his_o law_n prove_v that_o his_o government_n and_o providence_n must_v be_v very_o holy_a and_o indeed_o we_o have_v very_o visible_a and_o sensible_a proof_n of_o this_o in_o that_o care_n he_o take_v to_o encourage_v the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n and_o to_o discourage_v wickedness_n this_o he_o have_v do_v by_o those_o great_a promise_n which_o he_o have_v make_v to_o the_o observation_n of_o his_o law_n and_o by_o those_o terrible_a threaten_n which_o he_o have_v denounce_v against_o the_o breach_n of_o they_o both_o in_o this_o world_n and_o in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v but_o this_o be_v not_o what_o i_o mean_v for_o man_n can_v despise_v both_o promise_n and_o threaten_n if_o they_o do_v not_o see_v the_o execution_n of_o they_o and_o the_o promise_n and_o threaten_n of_o the_o other_o world_n which_o be_v much_o the_o most_o considerable_a be_v out_o of_o sight_n and_o do_v not_o so_o much_o affect_v bad_a man_n and_o that_o which_o be_v most_o proper_a for_o we_o to_o consider_v here_o be_v how_o the_o external_a administration_n of_o providence_n encourage_v virtue_n and_o discourage_v wickedness_n and_o vice_n now_o those_o who_o believe_v that_o all_o the_o misery_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n be_v the_o effect_n or_o reward_n of_o sin_n as_o all_o man_n must_v do_v who_o believe_v the_o scripture_n nay_o as_o all_o man_n must_v do_v who_o believe_v that_o a_o just_a and_o good_a god_n govern_v the_o world_n must_v confess_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v do_v abundant_o enough_o to_o discourage_v wickedness_n for_o it_o be_v visible_a enough_o how_o many_o misery_n be_v there_o be_v in_o the_o world_n so_o many_o and_o so_o great_a as_o be_v common_o think_v a_o reproach_n to_o providence_n but_o if_o they_o be_v the_o just_a recompense_n of_o sin_n they_o be_v only_o a_o argument_n of_o the_o justice_n and_o holiness_n of_o providence_n if_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n mortality_n and_o death_n and_o consequent_o all_o those_o infirmity_n and_o decay_n of_o nature_n all_o those_o pain_n and_o sickness_n and_o disease_n which_o be_v not_o the_o effect_n of_o our_o own_o sin_n or_o which_o we_o do_v not_o inherit_v from_o our_o more_o immediate_a parent_n as_o a_o entail_n of_o their_o sin_n be_v owe_v to_o the_o sin_n of_o adam_n which_o bring_v death_n upon_o himself_o and_o all_o his_o posterity_n and_o such_o a_o curse_n upon_o the_o earth_n as_o have_v entail_v labour_n and_o sorrow_n on_o we_o as_o for_o many_o other_o misery_n and_o calamity_n of_o life_n they_o be_v visible_o owe_v to_o our_o own_o or_o to_o other_o man_n sin_n such_o as_o want_v and_o poverty_n infamy_n and_o reproach_n sedition_n and_o tumult_n violent_a change_n and_o revolution_n of_o government_n and_o all_o the_o misery_n and_o desolation_n of_o war._n take_v a_o survey_n in_o your_o thought_n of_o all_o the_o several_a sort_n of_o misery_n which_o be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o tell_v i_o what_o place_n they_o can_v find_v here_o by_o what_o possible_a mean_n they_o can_v enter_v into_o the_o world_n be_v sin_n banish_v out_o of_o it_o what_o misery_n can_v disturb_v human_a life_n be_v all_o man_n just_o and_o honest_a and_o charitable_a do_v they_o love_v one_o another_o as_o themselves_o perfect_a virtue_n be_v not_o only_o a_o innocent_a and_o harmless_a but_o a_o very_a beneficial_a thing_n it_o do_v no_o hurt_n but_o all_o the_o good_a it_o can_v both_o to_o itself_o and_o other_o and_o when_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o hurt_v we_o neither_o within_o nor_o without_o we_o can_v suffer_v no_o hurt_n and_o be_v not_o this_o a_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n that_o god_n have_v so_o order_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o circumstance_n of_o our_o life_n in_o this_o world_n that_o if_o man_n will_v be_v wicked_a they_o shall_v be_v miserable_a can_v any_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n more_o discourage_v man_n from_o sin_n or_o make_v they_o more_o zealous_a to_o reform_v themselves_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n than_o so_o many_o daily_a and_o sensible_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v no_o expectation_n of_o a_o secure_a state_n of_o rest_n and_o happiness_n while_o either_o they_o themselves_o or_o other_o man_n with_o who_o they_o must_v of_o necessity_n converse_v or_o have_v something_o to_o do_v be_v wicked_a for_o you_o must_v remember_v that_o i_o be_o not_o now_o a_o vindicate_a the_o justice_n but_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o objection_n against_o what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v that_o many_o time_n virtuous_a and_o innocent_a man_n suffer_v very_o great_o by_o the_o violence_n and_o injustice_n of_o the_o wicked_a though_o this_o may_v be_v a_o objection_n against_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n which_o i_o have_v already_o account_v for_o yet_o it_o be_v no_o objection_n against_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n but_o a_o great_a justification_n of_o it_o for_o the_o more_o effectual_a care_n god_n have_v take_v to_o give_v all_o mankind_n a_o abhorrence_n of_o all_o wickedness_n both_o in_o themselves_o and_o other_o the_o more_o undeniable_a proof_n it_o be_v of_o the_o holiness_n of_o god_n government_n and_o this_o be_v more_o effectual_o do_v by_o the_o evil_n which_o we_o suffer_v from_o other_o man_n wickedness_n than_o from_o our_o own_o man_n who_o be_v very_o favourable_a to_o their_o own_o vice_n when_o they_o feel_v the_o pleasure_n and_o advantage_n of_o they_o learn_v to_o hate_v to_o condemn_v to_o punish_v they_o by_o feel_v what_o they_o suffer_v from_o other_o man_n sin_n when_o they_o lose_v their_o own_o estate_n by_o injustice_n and_o violence_n or_o their_o good_a name_n by_o reproach_n and_o defamation_n or_o be_v injure_v in_o the_o chastity_n of_o their_o wife_n and_o daughter_n by_o other_o man_n lust_n this_o give_v they_o a_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o evil_a of_o injustice_n defamation_n and_o lust_n and_o make_v they_o condemn_v these_o vice_n in_o themselves_o how_o well_o soever_o they_o love_v they_o this_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o human_a government_n which_o keep_v mankind_n in_o order_n and_o lay_v great_a restraint_n upon_o
etc._n destroy_v the_o ease_n and_o security_n of_o life_n and_o the_o freedom_n and_o pleasure_n of_o conversation_n without_o which_o all_o the_o other_o pleasure_n of_o life_n be_v very_o tasteless_a and_o here_o i_o can_v but_o bewail_v the_o folly_n and_o distraction_n of_o mankind_n who_o be_v fond_a of_o life_n and_o impatient_o thirst_v after_o happiness_n but_o will_v not_o suffer_v either_o themselves_o or_o other_o to_o live_v and_o to_o be_v happy_a who_o bite_v and_o devour_v each_o other_o and_o by_o their_o ungoverned_a passion_n raise_v such_o hurricane_n in_o the_o world_n that_o there_o be_v no_o ease_n or_o rest_v or_o happiness_n to_o be_v find_v but_o in_o a_o grave_a or_o in_o a_o charnel-house_n where_o the_o wicked_a cease_v from_o trouble_v and_o where_o the_o weary_a be_v at_o rest_n where_o the_o prisoner_n rest_v together_o they_o hear_v not_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o oppressor_n the_o small_a and_o great_a be_v there_o and_o the_o servant_n be_v free_a from_o his_o master_n 3._o job_n 17_o 18_o 19_o do_v man_n consider_v what_o it_o be_v to_o live_v and_o to_o be_v happy_a it_o will_v convince_v they_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o this_o world_n worth_a purchase_n with_o eternal_a discontent_n envy_n emulation_n jealousy_n fear_n with_o do_v all_o the_o mischief_n and_o injury_n we_o can_v and_o with_o suffer_v all_o the_o injury_n which_o other_o can_v do_v nay_o indeed_o it_o be_v wonderful_a to_o i_o that_o man_n own_o sense_n and_o feeling_n if_o they_o will_v not_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o reason_n the_o matter_n do_v not_o convince_v they_o of_o this_o to_o live_v be_v not_o mere_o to_o be_v but_o to_o be_v happy_a and_o to_o be_v happy_a do_v not_o signify_v mere_o to_o have_v but_o to_o enjoy_v and_o to_o enjoy_v require_v a_o easy_a serene_a undisturbed_a mind_n which_o can_v relish_v what_o it_o have_v and_o extract_v its_o true_a pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n the_o security_n of_o life_n the_o easiness_n and_o freedom_n of_o conversation_n when_o we_o fear_v no_o spy_n upon_o our_o word_n and_o action_n no_o malicious_a eye_n no_o slander_v tongue_n when_o our_o life_n be_v spend_v in_o the_o exchange_n of_o good_a office_n in_o the_o endearment_n and_o caress_n of_o friendship_n or_o at_o least_o in_o mutual_a civility_n and_o respect_n this_o be_v to_o live_v and_o to_o be_v happy_a a_o very_a little_a of_o what_o be_v external_a will_v make_v such_o a_o state_n as_o this_o happy_a which_o all_o the_o power_n and_o all_o the_o riches_n of_o the_o world_n can_v do_v when_o to_o get_v or_o keep_v it_o divide_v the_o heart_n and_o the_o interest_n of_o man_n ferment_n their_o passion_n destroy_v friendship_n and_o all_o mutual_a trust_n and_o confidence_n canton_n and_o crumble_v human_a society_n into_o party_n and_o faction_n and_o animate_v they_o with_o a_o bitter_a zeal_n and_o rage_n to_o reproach_n and_o vilify_v supplant_v and_o undermine_v each_o other_o if_o this_o be_v to_o be_v happy_a or_o the_o way_n to_o happiness_n in_o this_o world_n it_o be_v time_n to_o seek_v for_o happiness_n out_o of_o it_o 2_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v no_o reason_n for_o a_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n to_o despise_v or_o abhor_v life_n much_o less_o to_o force_v his_o passage_n out_o of_o this_o world_n there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o persuade_v the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n to_o live_v notwithstanding_o all_o the_o trouble_n and_o calamity_n they_o meet_v with_o the_o love_n of_o life_n be_v natural_a and_o strong_a and_o reconcile_v man_n to_o great_a misery_n before_o they_o desire_v that_o death_n shall_v ease_v they_o self-murder_n be_v so_o unnatural_a a_o sin_n that_o it_o be_v nowadays_o think_v reason_n enough_o to_o prove_v any_o man_n distract_v we_o have_v too_o many_o sad_a example_n what_o a_o disturb_a imagination_n will_v do_v if_o that_o must_v pass_v for_o natural_a distraction_n but_o we_o seldom_o or_o never_o hear_v that_o mere_a external_a suffering_n how_o severe_a soever_o tempt_v man_n to_o kill_v themselves_o the_o stoic_n themselves_o who_o principle_n it_o be_v to_o break_v their_o prison_n when_o they_o find_v themselves_o uneasy_a very_o rare_o put_v it_o into_o practice_n nature_n be_v too_o strong_a for_o their_o philosophy_n and_o though_o their_o philosophy_n allow_v they_o to_o die_v when_o they_o please_v nature_n teach_v they_o to_o live_v as_o long_o as_o they_o can_v and_o we_o see_v that_o they_o seldom_o think_v themselves_o miserable_a enough_o to_o die_v there_o be_v no_o danger_n then_o of_o frightning_n man_n out_o of_o this_o world_n by_o the_o trouble_n and_o calamity_n of_o it_o that_o i_o need_v not_o concern_v myself_o with_o such_o fear_n but_o yet_o without_o contradict_v solomon_n to_o vindicate_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n and_o to_o support_v and_o encourage_v good_a man_n i_o shall_v brief_o show_v you_o that_o it_o be_v very_o desirable_a for_o a_o good_a man_n to_o live_v on_o and_o that_o a_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n may_v live_v very_o happy_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o trouble_n and_o difficulty_n which_o he_o may_v and_o sometime_o must_v encounter_v in_o this_o world_n for_o difficulty_n be_v a_o glorious_a scene_n of_o virtue_n and_o such_o a_o virtue_n as_o can_v conquer_v difficulty_n have_v its_o reward_n its_o pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n even_o in_o this_o life_n it_o be_v very_o necessary_a that_o good_a man_n shall_v live_v in_o very_o bad_a time_n not_o only_o to_o reprieve_v a_o wicked_a world_n that_o god_n may_v not_o utter_o destroy_v it_o as_o he_o once_o do_v in_o the_o day_n of_o noah_n when_o all_o flesh_n have_v corrupt_v its_o way_n but_o also_o to_o season_v human_a conversation_n to_o give_v check_n to_o wickedness_n and_o to_o revive_v the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n by_o some_o great_a and_o bright_a example_n and_o to_o redress_v those_o violence_n and_o injury_n which_o be_v do_v under_o the_o sun_n at_o least_o to_o struggle_v and_o contend_v with_o a_o corrupt_a age_n which_o will_v put_v some_o stop_n to_o the_o grow_a evil_n and_o scatter_v such_o seed_n of_o virtue_n as_o will_v spring_v up_o in_o time_n it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o god_n care_n of_o the_o world_n that_o antidote_n grow_v in_o the_o neighbourhood_n of_o poison_n that_o the_o most_o degenerate_a age_n have_v some_o excellent_a man_n who_o seem_v to_o be_v make_v on_o purpose_n for_o such_o a_o time_n to_o stem_v the_o torrent_n and_o to_o give_v some_o ease_n to_o the_o misery_n of_o mankind_n and_o will_v it_o become_v such_o man_n when_o the_o world_n so_o much_o need_v they_o to_o get_v out_o of_o it_o if_o they_o can_v to_o choose_v the_o quiet_a and_o silent_a retirement_n of_o wood_n and_o desert_n or_o of_o the_o grave_a to_o avoid_v the_o trouble_n of_o serve_v god_n or_o do_v good_a to_o man_n great_a mind_n can_v do_v this_o virtue_n be_v make_v for_o difficulty_n and_o grow_v strong_a and_o bright_a for_o such_o trial_n it_o lay_v a_o mighty_a obligation_n on_o mankind_n to_o serve_v the_o public_a good_a with_o labour_n and_o danger_n to_o purchase_v the_o ease_n and_o liberty_n and_o security_n of_o their_o country_n at_o the_o price_n of_o their_o own_o ease_n and_o the_o utmost_a hazard_n of_o their_o life_n and_o fortune_n to_o oppose_v a_o harden_a and_o laborious_a and_o unwearied_a virtue_n against_o zeal_n and_o faction_n and_o not_o like_o issachar_n to_o crouch_v between_o two_o burden_n and_o cry_v rest_n be_v good_a and_o it_o be_v a_o mighty_a pleasure_n to_o a_o virtuous_a mind_n to_o feel_v its_o own_o strength_n to_o contend_v with_o difficulty_n as_o far_o as_o virtue_n and_o prudence_n direct_v with_o a_o unbroken_a mind_n it_o be_v always_o pleasant_a to_o do_v good_a but_o yet_o it_o have_v the_o sweet_a relish_n the_o dear_a we_o pay_v for_o it_o this_o be_v a_o pleasure_n above_o all_o the_o ease_n and_o luxury_n of_o the_o world_n it_o not_o only_o sweeten_v all_o the_o trouble_n of_o life_n but_o turn_v they_o into_o triumph_n to_o endeavour_v to_o bear_v up_o a_o sink_a world_n though_o he_o shall_v at_o last_o be_v crush_v in_o the_o ruin_n of_o it_o will_v make_v the_o very_a ruin_n he_o sink_v under_o a_o illustrious_a monument_n of_o his_o virtue_n to_o do_v all_o that_o a_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n ought_v to_o do_v without_o regard_n to_o his_o own_o ease_n to_o save_v a_o sink_v church_n and_o state_n will_v make_v he_o fall_v with_o pleasure_n and_o perpetuate_v his_o memory_n with_o honour_n for_o in_o spite_n of_o envy_n and_o detraction_n virtue_n will_v always_o be_v honourable_a in_o the_o grave_a but_o i_o can_v enlarge_v on_o these_o thing_n and_o therefore_o shall_v give_v you_o the_o result_n of_o all_o i_o have_v say_v in_o two_o or_o three_o observation_n 1._o that_o
happy_a let_v the_o most_o sceptical_a objector_n against_o providence_n consider_v with_o himself_o what_o god_n can_v have_v do_v more_o to_o prevent_v the_o misery_n of_o mankind_n without_o change_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n or_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n to_o have_v lay_v a_o necessity_n upon_o man_n that_o he_o shall_v never_o choose_v nor_o do_v any_o thing_n which_o will_v bring_v these_o evil_n on_o he_o have_v be_v to_o change_v his_o nature_n to_o destroy_v the_o free_a exercise_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o the_o liberty_n of_o choice_n and_o yet_o man_n can_v live_v as_o they_o do_v and_o escape_v these_o misery_n unless_o all_o nature_n be_v change_v we_o must_v have_v other_o kind_n of_o body_n than_o we_o have_v or_o our_o meat_n and_o drink_n must_v have_v other_o virtue_n and_o quality_n to_o bear_v the_o disorder_n and_o excess_n of_o intemperance_n and_o lust_n without_o feel_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o it_o fire_n must_v not_o burn_v nor_o water_n drown_v if_o wine_n must_v not_o inflame_v nor_o a_o flood_n of_o indigested_a liquor_n extinguish_v the_o vital_a heat_n the_o whole_a world_n must_v be_v a_o paradise_n and_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n of_o itself_o and_o all_o thing_n must_v be_v possess_v in_o common_a or_o the_o idle_a slothful_a prodigal_a sinner_n must_v be_v poor_a our_o body_n must_v be_v invulnerable_a and_o immortal_a or_o there_o must_v be_v no_o instrument_n of_o death_n in_o the_o world_n or_o man_n who_o quarrel_n will_v fight_v and_o kill_v one_o another_o it_o be_v impossible_a as_o the_o world_n now_o be_v to_z separate_z sin_n and_o misery_n but_o man_n may_v avoid_v misery_n if_o they_o please_v and_o that_o be_v a_o very_a good_a world_n and_o a_o good_a god_n that_o make_v such_o a_o world_n and_o a_o good_a providence_n which_o govern_v the_o world_n wherein_o man_n may_v make_v themselves_o happy_a if_o they_o will_n 2_o beside_o this_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n be_v see_v in_o hinder_v and_o prevent_v a_o great_a many_o more_o evil_n and_o misery_n which_o the_o sin_n and_o lust_n of_o man_n will_v bring_v upon_o the_o world_n be_v they_o not_o under_o the_o restraint_n and_o government_n of_o providence_n no_o man_n doubt_n but_o there_o may_v be_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o evil_a and_o misery_n in_o the_o world_n than_o there_o be_v nor_o that_o many_o bad_a man_n be_v incline_v to_o do_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o hurt_n than_o they_o do_v what_o be_v it_o then_o after_o all_o that_o make_v the_o world_n so_o tolerable_a a_o place_n if_o this_o be_v owe_v to_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n it_o be_v a_o great_a argument_n of_o his_o goodness_n that_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v foolish_a sinner_n to_o make_v themselves_o and_o other_o so_o miserable_a as_o they_o will_v that_o as_o many_o furious_a phaeton_n as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v not_o yet_o all_o in_o flame_n but_o the_o moral_a as_o well_o as_o the_o natural_a world_n have_v its_o temperate_a as_o well_o as_o torrid_a zone_n and_o what_o shall_v we_o attribute_v this_o to_o if_o we_o do_v not_o attibute_v it_o to_o providence_n to_o what_o else_o can_v we_o ascribe_v our_o deliverance_n from_o those_o unseen_a snare_n which_o be_v lay_v for_o we_o and_o which_o we_o know_v nothing_o of_o till_o we_o have_v escape_v nay_o which_o it_o may_v be_v we_o know_v nothing_o of_o to_o this_o day_n how_o many_o wicked_a design_n prove_v abortive_a how_o many_o secret_a plot_n be_v discover_v when_o ripe_a for_o execution_n how_o often_o do_v god_n put_v a_o hook_n into_o the_o nostril_n of_o the_o proud_a tyrant_n and_o by_o some_o cross_a accident_n or_o by_o weak_a and_o contemptible_a mean_n break_v their_o power_n and_o humble_v they_o to_o the_o dust_n sacred_a and_o profane_a history_n be_v full_a of_o such_o example_n which_o can_v be_v attribute_v to_o nothing_o else_o but_o a_o divine_a providence_n which_o set_v bound_n to_o the_o wave_n of_o the_o sea_n and_o to_o the_o rage_n and_o pride_n of_o man_n the_o scripture_n teach_v we_o to_o ascribe_v our_o deliverance_n from_o all_o the_o evil_n we_o escape_v as_o well_o as_o all_o the_o good_a we_o enjoy_v to_o a_o divine_a providence_n and_o then_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n prevent_v all_o that_o evil_n which_o bad_a man_n will_v do_v but_o can_v and_o who_o know_v how_o much_o this_o be_v who_o know_v how_o much_o evil_n bad_a man_n will_v do_v have_v they_o no_o restraint_n that_o we_o have_v much_o more_o reason_n to_o adore_v the_o divine_a goodness_n for_o restrain_v the_o lust_n and_o passion_n of_o man_n which_o prevent_v a_o universal_a deluge_n of_o misery_n than_o complain_v that_o he_o suffer_v so_o many_o misery_n to_o afflict_v the_o world_n 3_o especial_o if_o we_o consider_v in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o god_n permit_v bad_a man_n to_o do_v no_o more_o hurt_n and_o mischief_n than_o what_o he_o overrule_v to_o wise_a and_o good_a purpose_n for_o god_n many_o time_n serve_v the_o wise_a end_n of_o his_o providence_n by_o the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n to_o punish_v the_o wicked_a and_o to_o chastise_v the_o good_a to_o exercise_v the_o grace_n and_o virtue_n of_o good_a man_n or_o to_o give_v terrible_a example_n of_o his_o vengeance_n on_o the_o wicked_a and_o all_o this_o how_o severe_a soever_o it_o may_v be_v prove_v the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n because_o it_o be_v for_o the_o general_a good_a of_o the_o world_n that_o bad_a man_n shall_v be_v punish_v suppress_v destroy_v and_o that_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v make_v better_a and_o become_v great_a and_o eminent_a example_n of_o faith_n and_o patience_n whatever_o evil_n and_o misery_n there_o be_v in_o the_o world_n if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o good_a government_n of_o the_o world_n require_v if_o no_o man_n suffer_v any_o more_o than_o what_o he_o deserve_v or_o than_o what_o will_v do_v himself_o good_a if_o he_o wise_o improve_v it_o or_o will_v do_v other_o good_a if_o they_o will_v either_o take_v warning_n by_o his_o suffering_n or_o imitate_v his_o virtue_n all_o this_o be_v not_o only_o reconcilable_a with_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n but_o be_v a_o eminent_a instance_n of_o it_o for_o to_o do_v good_a be_v a_o expression_n of_o goodness_n though_o the_o way_n of_o do_v it_o may_v be_v very_o severe_a this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a justification_n of_o providence_n even_o as_o to_o those_o evil_n which_o god_n himself_o immediate_o inflict_v upon_o the_o world_n that_o he_o inflict_v no_o more_o nor_o great_a evil_n than_o what_o be_v for_o the_o good_a government_n of_o the_o world_n as_o i_o have_v observe_v before_o but_o it_o be_v much_o more_o so_o with_o reference_n to_o those_o evil_n which_o man_n bring_v upon_o themselves_o for_o be_v it_o not_o wonderful_a goodness_n in_o god_n to_o defend_v we_o from_o ourselves_o to_o qualify_v the_o malignity_n of_o our_o own_o sin_n to_o suffer_v we_o to_o do_v ourselves_o no_o more_o hurt_v than_o what_o he_o can_v turn_v into_o great_a good_a to_o we_o if_o we_o consider_v our_o way_n and_o learn_v wisdom_n by_o the_o thing_n which_o we_o suffer_v so_o to_o restrain_v bad_a man_n that_o they_o shall_v hurt_v no_o body_n but_o those_o who_o god_n think_v fit_a to_o punish_v or_o to_o correct_v or_o to_o exercise_v with_o some_o severity_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v do_v no_o more_o hurt_n nor_o hurt_v any_o long_a than_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n see_v useful_a to_o these_o end_n let_v we_o then_o brief_o review_v this_o objection_n and_o answer_n and_o set_v aside_o the_o consideration_n of_o god_n and_o his_o providence_n let_v we_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v the_o case_n of_o a_o father_n and_o i_o hope_v what_o we_o ourselves_o will_v allow_v to_o be_v a_o reasonable_a defence_n of_o earthly_a parent_n will_v be_v think_v a_o good_a justification_n of_o god_n and_o his_o providence_n suppose_v then_o a_o father_n have_v several_a child_n who_o he_o providee_n very_o bountiful_o for_o and_o send_v they_o abroad_o into_o the_o world_n in_o such_o hopeful_a circumstance_n that_o if_o they_o will_v be_v frugal_a diligent_a and_o virtuous_a they_o may_v live_v happy_o and_o increase_v their_o fortune_n shall_v such_o child_n turn_v prodigal_n and_o waste_v their_o estate_n in_o riot_v and_o luxury_n destroy_v their_o health_n and_o suffer_v all_o the_o misery_n of_o sickness_n and_o poverty_n will_v any_o man_n blame_v their_o good_a father_n for_o this_o and_o will_v not_o such_o a_o good_a man_n think_v himself_o much_o injure_v shall_v he_o be_v accuse_v of_o unkindness_n and_o severity_n to_o his_o child_n only_o because_o after_o all_o the_o kindness_n he_o can_v show_v they_o they_o have_v make_v themselves_o miserable_a especial_o if_o we_o suppose_v