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
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
that_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n shall_v be_v preserve_v entire_a among_o they_o or_o that_o if_o they_o do_v decline_v to_o idolatry_n they_o shall_v be_v visible_o punish_v for_o it_o 4._o that_o the_o fame_n of_o this_o people_n and_o of_o their_o god_n shall_v by_o degree_n be_v know_v over_o all_o the_o earth_n now_o not_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o mystical_a reason_n of_o god_n providence_n towards_o israel_n which_o be_v a_o very_a large_a and_o nice_a argument_n and_o not_o so_o proper_a to_o my_o present_a design_n if_o most_o of_o the_o remarkable_a providence_n wherewith_o they_o be_v exercise_v do_v manifest_o serve_v some_o one_o or_o more_o of_o these_o end_n we_o have_v a_o visible_a reason_n of_o they_o not_o only_o sufficient_a to_o justify_v providence_n but_o to_o give_v we_o a_o ravish_a prospect_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n i_o shall_v begin_v with_o the_o removal_n of_o jacob_n and_o his_o family_n into_o egypt_n the_o occasion_n of_o which_o be_v well_o know_v but_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v not_o so_o well_o consider_v for_o it_o may_v seem_v strange_a that_o when_o god_n have_v promise_v abraham_n to_o bestow_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n on_o his_o posterity_n for_o a_o inheritance_n he_o shall_v remove_v they_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n into_o egypt_n there_o to_o continue_v many_o year_n under_o grievous_a oppression_n before_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o deliver_v they_o and_o to_o give_v they_o possession_n of_o the_o promise_v land_n but_o to_o understand_v the_o wise_a design_n of_o this_o we_o must_v remember_v that_o god_n be_v to_o give_v a_o visible_a demonstration_n to_o the_o world_n that_o he_o have_v choose_v israel_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n and_o give_v they_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n for_o their_o inheritance_n and_o it_o be_v not_o so_o agreeable_a to_o this_o design_n that_o they_o shall_v increase_v insensible_o in_o canaan_n and_o by_o degree_n dispossess_v the_o old_a inhabitant_n for_o there_o have_v be_v nothing_o singular_a and_o remarkable_a in_o this_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v to_o be_v a_o great_a nation_n before_o god_n so_o public_o and_o visible_o own_v they_o for_o his_o people_n and_o visible_o bestow_v a_o inheritance_n on_o they_o and_o it_o be_v necessary_a they_o shall_v have_v some_o place_n to_o increase_v and_o multiply_v in_o till_o god_n think_v fit_a to_o transplant_v they_o into_o the_o promise_a land_n for_o this_o purpose_n god_n choose_v the_o land_n of_o egypt_n and_o send_v joseph_n beforehand_o thither_o and_o advance_v he_o to_o pharaoh_n throne_n to_o prepare_v a_o reception_n for_o they_o and_o a_o very_a quiet_a and_o easy_a retreat_n they_o find_v there_o for_o many_o year_n till_o joseph_n be_v dead_a and_o all_o the_o good_a office_n he_o have_v do_v both_o for_o king_n and_o people_n forget_v and_o the_o prodigious_a increase_n of_o israel_n make_v the_o king_n of_o egypt_n jealous_a of_o their_o number_n and_o power_n and_o then_o they_o begin_v to_o oppress_v that_o people_n with_o hard_a labour_n and_o cruel_a bondage_n till_o the_o time_n appoint_v for_o their_o deliverance_n be_v come_v this_o oppression_n of_o israel_n may_v seem_v a_o very_a severe_a providence_n but_o there_o be_v some_o very_a wise_a end_n it_o serve_v 1._o to_o make_v the_o people_n willing_a to_o leave_v egypt_n where_o they_o suffer_v such_o hard_a bondage_n for_o whoever_o observe_v how_o ready_a they_o be_v upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o talk_v of_o return_v into_o egypt_n how_o they_o long_v after_o the_o onion_n and_o garlic_n and_o fleshpot_n of_o egypt_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o hardship_n they_o suffer_v there_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o have_v they_o enjoy_v ease_n and_o prosperity_n all_o the_o miracle_n which_o moses_n wrought_v will_v no_o more_o have_v persuade_v israel_n to_o have_v leave_v egypt_n than_o they_o can_v persuade_v pharaoh_n to_o let_v they_o go_v 2_o the_o advantage_n pharaoh_n make_v of_o the_o service_n of_o israel_n make_v he_o obstinate_o resolve_v not_o to_o part_v with_o they_o and_o his_o cruel_a oppression_n make_v it_o very_o just_a for_o god_n to_o punish_v he_o and_o all_o egypt_n with_o he_o and_o this_o occasion_v all_o those_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o god_n wrought_v in_o egypt_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n whereby_o he_o visible_o own_a israel_n for_o his_o people_n and_o make_v his_o own_o power_n and_o glory_n know_v 3_o the_o great_a proneness_n of_o israel_n to_o idolatry_n even_o when_o god_n have_v deliver_v they_o out_o of_o egypt_n be_v too_o plain_a a_o proof_n that_o they_o have_v learn_v the_o egyptian_a idolatry_n while_o they_o live_v there_o the_o golden_a calf_n be_v as_o some_o learned_a man_n not_o without_o reason_n conclude_v a_o imitation_n of_o the_o egyptian_a apis_n and_o this_o make_v it_o very_o just_a for_o god_n to_o punish_v their_o egyptian_a idolatry_n with_o a_o egyptian_a bondage_n especial_o consider_v that_o this_o be_v the_o most_o likely_a way_n to_o give_v check_n to_o their_o idolatry_n and_o to_o make_v they_o hate_v the_o egyptian_a god_n like_o their_o egyptian_a taskmaster_n and_o to_o remember_v the_o god_n of_o their_o father_n and_o his_o promise_n and_o covenant_n to_o bestow_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n on_o they_o 4thly_a the_o oppression_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n be_v a_o effectual_a mean_n to_o keep_v they_o a_o distinct_a and_o separate_a people_n this_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a when_o god_n have_v choose_v they_o for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v preserve_v from_o incorporate_n with_o any_o other_o people_n and_o this_o god_n take_v early_a care_n of_o by_o place_v they_o by_o themselves_o in_o the_o land_n of_o goshen_n where_o they_o grow_v up_o into_o a_o distinct_a body_n from_o egypt_n which_o make_v pharaoh_n so_o jealous_a of_o they_o when_o they_o begin_v to_o multiply_v 10._o and_o that_o make_v he_o oppress_v they_o and_o that_o oppression_n preserve_v the_o distinction_n which_o a_o kind_n and_o friendly_a usage_n may_v in_o time_n have_v destroy_v for_o it_o be_v rare_o see_v that_o two_o people_n can_v live_v amicable_o together_o in_o the_o same_o country_n and_o under_o the_o same_o prince_n without_o mingle_v and_o incorporate_n with_o each_o other_o till_o they_o forget_v all_o distinction_n between_o nation_n and_o family_n these_o be_v wise_a reason_n why_o god_n suffer_v the_o hard_a bondage_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n and_o those_o mighty_a sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o god_n wrought_v in_o egypt_n be_v the_o most_o effectual_a mean_n both_o to_o convince_v the_o israelite_n of_o god_n peculiar_a care_n of_o they_o and_o to_o convince_v the_o world_n that_o israel_n be_v god_n peculiar_a people_n and_o that_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n be_v the_o supreme_a lord_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n this_o account_n god_n himself_o give_v of_o it_o 6._o exod._n 6_o 7_o 8._o wherefore_o say_v unto_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n i_o be_o the_o lord_n and_o i_o will_v bring_v you_o out_o from_o under_o the_o burden_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o i_o will_v take_v you_o to_o i_o for_o a_o people_n and_o i_o will_v be_v to_o you_o a_o god_n and_o you_o shall_v know_v that_o i_o be_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n which_o bring_v you_o out_o from_o under_o the_o burden_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o as_o for_o the_o egyptian_n god_n tell_v moses_n i_o will_v harden_v pharaoh_n heart_n and_o multiply_v my_o sign_n and_o my_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 this_o be_v the_o first_o time_n we_o read_v of_o such_o sign_n and_o wonder_n as_o these_o and_o probable_o they_o be_v the_o first_o miracle_n of_o this_o nature_n that_o ever_o be_v wrought_v and_o it_o become_v we_o to_o contemplate_v the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n in_o it_o for_o the_o wisdom_n of_o miracle_n and_o the_o surprise_n and_o wonder_n of_o they_o be_v two_o very_a different_a thing_n miracle_n offer_v violence_n to_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n and_o will_v be_v no_o commendation_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n shall_v we_o consider_v they_o as_o cause_n not_o as_o sign_n it_o will_v be_v a_o reproach_n to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n to_o say_v that_o god_n wrought_v all_o those_o miracle_n in_o egypt_n because_o he_o can_v not_o have_v punish_v the_o egyptian_n nor_o
have_v so_o grievous_o oppress_v israel_n that_o god_n be_v resolve_v to_o punish_v they_o for_o it_o and_o therefore_o he_o send_v moses_n to_o inflict_v a_o great_a many_o miraculous_a judgement_n on_o they_o not_o intend_v thereby_o to_o convince_v pharaoh_n who_o have_v harden_v himself_o against_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n to_o convince_v he_o and_o who_o he_o have_v resolve_v to_o destroy_v but_o only_o to_o lay_v egypt_n waste_v and_o to_o take_v a_o signal_n vengeance_n upon_o that_o cruel_a persecutor_n by_o overthrow_v he_o and_o his_o host_n in_o the_o red_a sea_n and_o therefore_o he_o so_o order_v the_o execution_n of_o these_o judgement_n that_o the_o harden_a heart_n of_o pharaoh_n shall_v grow_v more_o harden_v by_o they_o thus_o when_o god_n have_v determine_v to_o cut_v off_o ahab_n as_o his_o grievous_a sin_n have_v long_o before_o deserve_v he_o intend_v to_o harden_v he_o to_o go_v up_o to_o ramoth_n gilead_n and_o fall_v there_o and_o for_o that_o purpose_n suffer_v a_o lie_a spirit_n to_o enter_v into_o his_o prophet_n to_o encourage_v the_o king_n in_o that_o fatal_a expedition_n and_o as_o god_n have_v foretell_v they_o do_v prevail_v against_o micaiah_n the_o prophet_n of_o the_o lord_n who_o plain_o tell_v he_o that_o he_o shall_v fall_v in_o it_o 1_o king_n 22._o thus_o when_o god_n be_v so_o provoke_v with_o the_o sin_n of_o judah_n that_o he_o have_v resolve_v to_o deliver_v they_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o chaldaean_n who_o shall_v destroy_v their_o city_n and_o temple_n and_o carry_v they_o captive_a to_o babylon_n he_o pronounce_v this_o harden_v sentence_n on_o they_o go_v and_o tell_v this_o people_n hear_v you_o indeed_o but_o understand_v not_o and_o see_v you_o indeed_o but_o perceive_v not_o make_v the_o heart_n of_o this_o people_n fat_a and_o make_v their_o ear_n heavy_a and_o shut_v their_o eye_n lest_o they_o see_v with_o their_o eye_n and_o hear_v with_o their_o ear_n and_o understand_v with_o their_o heart_n and_o convert_v and_o be_v heal_v what_o this_o mean_n you_o shall_v hear_v more_o hereafter_o all_o that_o i_o observe_v at_o present_a be_v that_o this_o sentence_n be_v not_o pronounce_v against_o they_o till_o god_n have_v resolve_v to_o carry_v they_o into_o captivity_n and_o to_o lay_v their_o city_n and_o country_n desolate_a as_o the_o prophet_n tell_v we_o in_o the_o next_o verse_n then_o say_v i_o lord_n how_o long_o and_o he_o answer_v until_o the_o city_n be_v waste_v without_o inhabitant_n and_o the_o house_n without_o man_n and_o the_o land_n be_v utter_o desolate_a 6._o isaiah_n 9_o 10_o 11._o and_o this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o our_o saviour_n day_n when_o god_n have_v determine_v the_o final_a destruction_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n their_o city_n temple_n and_o polity_n for_o their_o great_a sin_n in_o crucify_a their_o messiah_n as_o christ_n tell_v we_o 23._o matth._n 37_o 38_o 39_o o_o jerusalem_n jerusalem_n thou_o that_o kill_v the_o prophet_n and_o stone_v they_o that_o be_v send_v unto_o thou_o how_o often_o will_v i_o have_v gather_v thy_o child_n together_o even_o as_o a_o hen_n gather_v her_o chicken_n under_o her_o wing_n and_o you_o will_v not_o behold_v your_o house_n be_v leave_v unto_o you_o desolate_a for_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o you_o shall_v not_o see_v i_o henceforth_o till_o you_o shall_v say_v bless_a be_v he_o that_o come_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n 19_o luke_n 41_o 42_o 43_o 44._o and_o when_o he_o come_v near_o he_o behold_v the_o city_n and_o weep_v over_o it_o say_v if_o thou_o have_v know_v even_o thou_o in_o this_o thy_o day_n the_o thing_n which_o belong_v unto_o thy_o peace_n but_o now_o they_o be_v hide_v from_o thy_o eye_n for_o the_o day_n shall_v come_v upon_o thou_o that_o thy_o enemy_n shall_v cast_v a_o trench_n about_o thou_o and_o compass_v thou_o round_o and_o keep_v thou_o in_o on_o every_o side_n and_o shall_v lay_v thou_o even_o with_o the_o ground_n and_o thy_o child_n within_o thou_o and_o they_o shall_v not_o leave_v in_o thou_o one_o stone_n upon_o another_o because_o thou_o know_v not_o the_o time_n of_o thy_o visitation_n now_o with_o respect_n to_o this_o final_a sentence_n which_o god_n have_v pronounce_v against_o they_o though_o he_o delay_v the_o execution_n of_o it_o for_o forty_o year_n st._n paul_n apply_v to_o they_o the_o case_n of_o a_o harden_a pharaoh_n who_o god_n spare_v also_o a_o great_a while_n as_o he_o do_v they_o though_o he_o have_v determine_v to_o destroy_v he_o by_o a_o signal_n overthrow_n to_o show_v his_o power_n and_o that_o his_o name_n may_v be_v declare_v throughout_o all_o the_o earth_n and_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o quarrel_v with_o god_n though_o he_o delay_v to_o destroy_v they_o for_o some_o year_n after_o he_o have_v determine_v to_o destroy_v they_o to_o make_v they_o also_o a_o more_o remarkable_a example_n of_o a_o just_a vengeance_n and_o more_o glorious_a power_n what_o if_o god_n willing_a to_o show_v his_o wrath_n and_o to_o make_v his_o power_n know_v endure_v with_o much_o long-suffering_a the_o vessel_n of_o wrath_n fit_v for_o destruction_n that_o be_v delay_n for_o many_o year_n the_o execution_n of_o those_o who_o he_o have_v decree_v to_o destroy_v for_o their_o great_a sin_n by_o a_o irreversible_a sentence_n for_o such_o only_o be_v the_o vessel_n of_o wrath_n fit_v to_o destruction_n 9_o rom._n 17_o 22._o and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n he_o apply_v to_o they_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n concern_v the_o judicial_a blindness_n and_o deafness_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n when_o god_n have_v determine_v to_o deliver_v they_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n which_o be_v a_o prophecy_n of_o they_o also_o and_o receive_v its_o full_a accomplishment_n in_o the_o final_a destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o roman_n 28._o act_n 26_o 27._o so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o all_o these_o example_n and_o i_o know_v no_o example_n in_o all_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o contrary_a that_o god_n never_o harden_v man_n till_o he_o have_v first_o determine_v to_o punish_v or_o to_o destroy_v they_o and_o i_o shall_v only_o add_v that_o this_o harden_v which_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o god_n decree_n to_o punish_v or_o to_o destroy_v relate_v only_o to_o some_o temporal_a evil_n and_o calamity_n which_o god_n intend_v to_o bring_v on_o they_o not_o to_o the_o eternal_a misery_n of_o the_o next_o world_n god_n be_v never_o say_v to_o harden_v any_o man_n that_o he_o may_v eternal_o damn_v they_o that_o be_v whole_o owe_v to_o their_o own_o hard_a and_o impenitent_a heart_n but_o god_n do_v sometime_o harden_v man_n in_o order_n to_o take_v a_o more_o exemplary_a vengeance_n on_o they_o in_o this_o world_n which_o serve_v the_o wise_a end_n of_o providence_n and_o make_v his_o power_n and_o glory_n know_v two_o this_o will_n more_o evident_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v that_o god_n be_v never_o say_v to_o harden_v any_o man_n in_o sin_n but_o he_o only_o harden_v and_o confirm_v they_o in_o such_o ruinous_a counsel_n as_o will_v bring_v that_o destruction_n on_o they_o which_o god_n have_v ordain_v and_o determine_v for_o they_o they_o harden_v themselves_o in_o sin_n and_o make_v it_o wise_a and_o just_a for_o god_n to_o punish_v or_o destroy_v they_o and_o when_o god_n resolve_v to_o do_v so_o then_o sometime_o he_o harden_v they_o in_o such_o course_n as_o will_v bring_v a_o terrible_a vengeance_n on_o they_o i_o need_v instance_n only_o in_o the_o case_n of_o pharaoh_n which_o be_v the_o most_o express_a text_n we_o have_v for_o god_n harden_v man_n now_o what_o do_v god_n harden_v pharaoh_n in_o do_v he_o harden_v he_o against_o believe_v moses_n and_o those_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v in_o the_o name_n and_o by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n no_o such_o matter_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n say_v but_o he_o harden_v he_o not_o to_o let_v the_o people_n go_v pharaoh_n harden_v himself_o against_o believe_v moses_n and_o the_o miracle_n he_o wrought_v against_o own_v and_o submit_v to_o the_o power_n and_o sovereign_a authority_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n though_o when_o he_o feel_v the_o judgement_n inflict_v on_o he_o they_o be_v so_o uneasy_a as_o to_o make_v he_o relent_v and_o to_o promise_v to_o send_v israel_n away_o but_o his_o great_a concernment_n be_v how_o to_o keep_v israel_n and_o to_o get_v rid_v of_o these_o plague_n and_o his_o firm_a resolution_n be_v never_o to_o part_v with_o israel_n as_o long_o as_o he_o have_v any_o hope_n that_o he_o may_v keep_v they_o safe_o now_o though_o it_o be_v indeed_o a_o very_a great_a evil_a to_o disbelieve_v moses_n and_o to_o disobey_v god_n command_n attest_v and_o confirm_v by_o
miracle_n yet_o separate_v from_o this_o it_o be_v no_o moral_a evil_a not_o to_o part_v with_o israel_n who_o have_v now_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o egypt_n for_o above_o two_o hundred_o year_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o dispute_n be_v not_o about_o believe_v and_o obey_v god_n and_o moses_n which_o pharaoh_n have_v no_o regard_n to_o but_o only_o whether_o he_o shall_v let_v israel_n go_v to_o avoid_v these_o plague_n which_o he_o suffer_v for_o their_o sake_n though_o god_n do_v not_o harden_v he_o in_o his_o infidelity_n and_o disobedience_n yet_o he_o do_v harden_v he_o against_o part_v with_o israel_n that_o be_v he_o harden_v he_o not_o in_o sin_n for_o the_o infidelity_n and_o disobedience_n which_o be_v the_o only_a sinfulness_n of_o it_o be_v whole_o his_o own_o but_o he_o harden_v he_o in_o the_o most_o ruinous_a counsel_n he_o can_v possible_o have_v take_v which_o will_v bring_v new_a plague_n on_o egypt_n and_o end_n in_o his_o own_o final_a ruin_n this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o ahab_n god_n do_v resolve_v to_o send_v he_o to_o ramoth_n gilead_n to_o fall_v there_o and_o suffer_v a_o lie_a spirit_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o mouth_n of_o his_o prophet_n and_o to_o harden_v he_o in_o that_o expedition_n against_o the_o prophetic_a threaten_n of_o micaiah_n that_o all_o thing_n consider_v it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o god_n persuade_v and_o that_o god_n harden_v ahab_n to_o go_v to_o ramoth_n gilead_n now_o suppose_v this_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o harden_v he_o in_o sin_n for_o it_o be_v no_o sin_n to_o go_v to_o fight_v against_o ramoth_n gilead_n but_o it_o be_v only_o to_o harden_v he_o in_o a_o dangerous_a attempt_n and_o which_o god_n intend_v shall_v be_v fatal_a to_o he_o a_o great_a many_o instance_n of_o this_o nature_n may_v be_v give_v where_o god_n harden_v man_n in_o such_o course_n as_o shall_v and_o be_v intend_v by_o god_n to_o prove_v either_o a_o very_a sore_a punishment_n to_o they_o or_o their_o utter_a ruin_n but_o there_o be_v no_o one_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o god_n persuade_v or_o tempt_a or_o harden_v man_n in_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n evil_a and_o be_v this_o well_o consider_v it_o will_v answer_v and_o shame_v a_o great_a many_o ignorant_a objection_n against_o providence_n three_o but_o we_o must_v far_o observe_v that_o when_o god_n do_v thus_o harden_v man_n in_o ruinous_a counsel_n on_o purpose_n to_o punish_v or_o destroy_v they_o he_o do_v nothing_o which_o have_v either_o any_o natural_a or_o moral_a efficacy_n to_o harden_v they_o but_o by_o their_o own_o wickedness_n they_o abuse_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n to_o harden_v themselves_o this_o i_o have_v particular_o show_v in_o the_o case_n of_o pharaoh_n those_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o god_n wrought_v in_o egypt_n and_o that_o undeniable_a proof_n that_o they_o be_v send_v by_o god_n in_o that_o they_o be_v inflict_v and_o remove_v at_o the_o word_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o remove_v one_o judgement_n after_o another_o at_o his_o request_n will_v have_v convince_v and_o soften_v other_o man_n but_o harden_v he_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o natural_a end_n and_o use_v of_o god_n patience_n and_o long-suffering_a be_v to_o lead_v we_o to_o repentance_n and_o therefore_o when_o it_o harden_v some_o man_n in_o sinful_a and_o destructive_a course_n as_o we_o too_o often_o see_v it_o do_v there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o charge_v this_o on_o the_o patience_n of_o god_n but_o on_o the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n god_n permit_v a_o lie_a spirit_n to_o enter_v into_o ahab_n prophet_n to_o persuade_v he_o to_o go_v against_o ramoth-gilead_n and_o though_o god_n may_v very_o just_o have_v leave_v he_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o false_a prophet_n of_o his_o own_o make_n and_o choose_v yet_o he_o send_v his_o own_o prophet_n micaiah_n who_o all_o israel_n know_v to_o be_v the_o lord_n prophet_n to_o assure_v he_o that_o if_o he_o go_v against_o ramoth-gilead_n he_o shall_v perish_v there_o and_o therefore_o god_n do_v not_o deceive_v ahab_n but_o he_o deceive_v himself_o by_o prefer_v the_o prophet_n of_o baal_n before_o the_o lord_n prophet_n which_o be_v owe_v to_o his_o own_o wicked_a idolatrous_a heart_n god_n never_o deceive_v or_o harden_v any_o man_n by_o the_o external_a event_n and_o appearance_n of_o providence_n but_o those_o who_o own_o lust_n and_o wicked_a heart_n deceive_v and_o harden_v they_o there_o be_v always_o enough_o even_o in_o those_o providence_n which_o man_n abuse_v to_o harden_v themselves_o to_o have_v reclaim_v and_o soften_v they_o if_o they_o will_v have_v make_v a_o wise_a use_n of_o it_o and_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 forfeit_v the_o protection_n of_o providence_n god_n may_v do_v what_o be_v wise_a and_o just_a and_o holy_a though_o he_o know_v that_o they_o will_v abuse_v it_o to_o their_o own_o ruin_n and_o intend_v to_o bring_v ruin_n on_o they_o by_o it_o and_o it_o be_v a_o glorious_a vindication_n of_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n and_o holiness_n of_o god_n when_o all_o the_o world_n shall_v see_v that_o such_o man_n ruin_n be_v whole_o owe_v to_o themselves_o to_o their_o wicked_a abuse_n of_o all_o those_o wise_a and_o gracious_a method_n which_o will_v have_v reclaim_v and_o save_v they_o if_o they_o will_v have_v be_v reclaim_v and_o save_v four_o to_o understand_v the_o full_a and_o comprehensive_a notion_n of_o god_n harden_v man_n we_o must_v observe_v far_o that_o when_o god_n have_v be_v so_o far_o provoke_v as_o to_o resolve_v the_o final_a destruction_n of_o any_o person_n or_o people_n he_o many_o time_n inflict_v on_o they_o a_o judicial_a blindness_n and_o infatuation_n which_o betray_v they_o to_o such_o foolish_a counsel_n as_o must_v inevitable_o prove_v their_o ruin_n that_o god_n many_o time_n do_v this_o the_o scripture_n witness_v he_o lead_v counsellor_n away_o spoil_v and_o make_v the_o judge_n fool_n he_o remove_v away_o the_o speech_n of_o the_o trusty_a in_o who_o counsel_n man_n use_v to_o confide_v and_o take_v away_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o age_a he_o take_v away_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o cause_v they_o to_o wander_v in_o a_o wilderness_n where_o there_o be_v no_o way_n that_o be_v entangle_v and_o perplex_v their_o counsel_n they_o grope_v in_o the_o dark_a without_o light_n and_o he_o make_v they_o to_o stagger_v like_o a_o drunken_a man_n to_o reel_v from_o one_o resolution_n to_o another_o in_o great_a uncertainty_n what_o to_o do_v 12._o job_n 17_o 20_o 24_o 25._o thus_o 19_o isaiah_n 11_o 12_o 13_o 14._o sure_o the_o prince_n of_o zoan_n be_v fool_n the_o counsel_n of_o the_o wise_a counsellor_n of_o pharaoh_n be_v become_v brutish_a how_o say_v you_o unto_o pharaoh_n i_o be_o the_o son_n of_o the_o wise_a the_o son_n of_o ancient_a king_n where_o be_v they_o where_o be_v thy_o wise_a man_n and_o let_v they_o tell_v thou_o now_o and_o let_v they_o know_v what_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n have_v purpose_v upon_o egypt_n the_o prince_n of_o zoan_n be_v become_v fool_n the_o prince_n of_o noph_n be_v deceive_v they_o have_v also_o seduce_v egypt_n even_o they_o that_o be_v the_o stay_n of_o the_o tribe_n thereof_o the_o lord_n have_v mingle_v a_o perverse_a spirit_n in_o the_o midst_n thereof_o and_o they_o have_v cause_v egypt_n to_o err_v in_o every_o work_n thereof_o as_o a_o drunken_a man_n stagger_v in_o his_o vomit_n we_o have_v a_o plain_a example_n of_o this_o in_o absalon_n who_o god_n resolve_v to_o punish_v for_o his_o rebellion_n against_o david_n his_o king_n and_o father_n david_n have_v pray_v that_o god_n will_v turn_v the_o counsel_n of_o ahitophel_n into_o foolishness_n and_o according_o god_n so_o order_v it_o as_o to_o defeat_v the_o good_a counsel_n of_o ahitophel_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o hushai_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v give_v for_o the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v to_o defeat_v the_o good_a counsel_n of_o ahitophel_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o the_o lord_n may_v bring_v evil_a upon_o absalon_n 2_o sam._n 17._o 14._o this_o make_v man_n as_o hard_o as_o they_o be_v blind_a they_o mistake_v their_o true_a interest_n flatter_v themselves_o with_o vain_a hope_n run_v themselves_o into_o the_o most_o apparent_a and_o inevitable_a danger_n without_o see_v they_o themselves_o though_o every_o body_n else_o see_v they_o and_o something_o of_o this_o nature_n we_o must_v own_v in_o pharaoh_n case_n for_o without_o such_o a_o infatuation_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v persist_v so_o long_o in_o his_o resolution_n not_o to_o part_v with_o israel_n though_o it_o be_v to_o the_o utter_a ruin_n
and_o desolation_n of_o his_o country_n much_o less_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v pursue_v they_o into_o the_o red_a sea_n who_o fluid_a wall_n threaten_v he_o with_o immediate_a destruction_n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v that_o blindness_n which_o god_n threaten_v against_o judah_n 6._o isaiah_n 9_o 10._o go_v and_o tell_v this_o people_n hear_v you_o indeed_o but_o understand_v not_o and_o see_v you_o indeed_o but_o perceive_v not_o make_v the_o heart_n of_o this_o people_n fat_a and_o make_v their_o ear_n heavy_a and_o shut_v their_o eye_n lest_o they_o see_v with_o their_o eye_n and_o hear_v with_o their_o ear_n and_o understand_v with_o their_o heart_n and_o convert_v and_o be_v heal_v for_o here_o be_v a_o double_a blindness_n take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o text_n one_o which_o they_o bring_v upon_o themselves_o another_o which_o god_n threaten_v to_o inflict_v on_o they_o they_o do_v hear_v but_o not_o understand_v they_o do_v see_v but_o not_o perceive_v that_o be_v they_o stop_v their_o own_o ear_n and_o shut_v their_o own_o eye_n against_o all_o the_o adomonition_n and_o reproof_n of_o god_n prophet_n for_o thus_o our_o saviour_n expound_v it_o as_o their_o own_o act_n and_o wilful_a voluntary_a blindness_n 13._o matth._n 14_o 15._o and_o in_o they_o be_v fulfil_v the_o prophesy_n of_o isaiah_n for_o a_o prophesy_v it_o be_v as_o it_o concern_v the_o jew_n in_o our_o saviour_n day_n though_o it_o be_v a_o description_n of_o the_o actual_a deafness_n and_o blindness_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o prophet_n day_n which_o say_v by_o hear_v you_o shall_v hear_v and_o shall_v not_o understand_v and_o see_v you_o shall_v see_v and_o shall_v not_o perceive_v for_o this_o people_n heart_n be_v wax_v gross_a and_o their_o ear_n be_v dull_a of_o hear_v and_o their_o eye_n have_v they_o close_v lest_o at_o any_o time_n they_o shall_v see_v with_o their_o eye_n and_o hear_v with_o their_o ear_n and_o understand_v with_o their_o heart_n and_o shall_v be_v convert_v and_o i_o shall_v heal_v they_o and_o thus_o st._n paul_n represent_v it_o 28._o act_n 26_o 27._o this_o be_v their_o sinful_a blindness_n and_o deafness_n which_o be_v whole_o owe_v to_o themselves_o and_o for_o the_o punishment_n of_o which_o god_n threaten_v they_o with_o a_o penal_a and_o judicial_a blindness_n for_o when_o god_n command_v the_o prophet_n to_o make_v their_o heart_n fat_a and_o their_o ear_n heavy_a and_o to_o shut_v their_o eye_n it_o can_v signify_v nothing_o else_o but_o his_o passp_v a_o final_a decree_n and_o sentence_n of_o blindness_n and_o deafness_n on_o they_o not_o such_o a_o blindness_n as_o shall_v betray_v they_o to_o and_o harden_v they_o in_o sin_n god_n may_v leave_v man_n in_o such_o a_o state_n of_o blindness_n when_o they_o have_v wilful_o blind_v and_o harden_v themselves_o but_o he_o never_o inflict_v it_o but_o such_o a_o blindness_n as_o will_v betray_v they_o into_o that_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n which_o god_n have_v so_o just_o decree_v for_o they_o for_o this_o blindness_n and_o deafness_n which_o be_v inflict_v on_o they_o in_o the_o prophet_n day_n be_v in_o order_n to_o their_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n and_o the_o destruciton_n of_o their_o city_n and_o temple_n by_o the_o chaldaean_n that_o in_o our_o saviour_n day_n be_v in_o order_n to_o their_o final_a destruction_n by_o the_o roman_n and_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o what_o kind_n of_o blindness_n be_v inflict_v on_o they_o that_o the_o thing_n belong_v to_o their_o peace_n which_o will_v preserve_v their_o nation_n from_o be_v destroy_v be_v now_o hide_v from_o their_o eye_n 19_o luke_n 42_o and_o the_o story_n verify_v this_o for_o certain_o never_o be_v there_o a_o great_a infatuation_n upon_o any_o people_n than_o upon_o the_o jew_n at_o both_o time_n who_o force_v both_o the_o chaldaean_n and_o roman_n to_o destroy_v they_o whether_o they_o will_v or_o no_o and_o when_o they_o intend_v no_o such_o thing_n and_o many_o example_n there_o be_v of_o such_o a_o judicial_a blindness_n and_o infatuation_n in_o every_o age_n of_o the_o world_n there_o be_v seldom_o any_o great_a and_o remarkable_a calamity_n which_o befall_v any_o person_n especial_o nation_n but_o bystander_n see_v how_o they_o undo_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o stupid_a wilfulness_n and_o folly_n as_o have_v be_v long_o since_o observe_v quos_fw-la perdere_fw-la vult_fw-la jupiter_n prius_fw-la dementat_fw-la that_o god_n first_o blind_v and_o infatuate_v those_o who_o he_o intend_v to_o destroy_v and_o this_o be_v what_o the_o scripture_n mean_v by_o harden_v man_n heart_n and_o blind_a their_o eye_n as_o i_o hope_v appear_v from_o what_o i_o have_v now_o discourse_v and_o no_o man_n have_v any_o reason_n to_o quarrel_n either_o with_o the_o justice_n or_o holiness_n of_o god_n upon_o this_o account_n but_o we_o have_v all_o great_a reason_n to_o take_v warning_n by_o these_o example_n lest_o we_o provoke_v god_n so_o long_o by_o our_o sin_n by_o our_o own_o wilful_a blindness_n and_o hardness_n that_o he_o inflict_v this_o judicial_a blindness_n on_o we_o that_o he_o shut_v our_o eye_n not_o to_o see_v the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o our_o peace_n which_o we_o have_v so_o many_o sad_a symptom_n of_o already_o among_o we_o that_o it_o be_v time_n to_o take_v warning_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o just_a than_o for_o god_n to_o harden_v those_o man_n to_o their_o own_o ruin_n who_o harden_v themselves_o against_o his_o fear_n so_o to_o blind_v those_o who_o will_v not_o see_v nor_o regard_v their_o duty_n as_o to_o mistake_v their_o interest_n too_o and_o the_o only_a way_n to_o prevent_v such_o a_o judicial_a hardness_n and_o infatuation_n be_v to_o reverence_n god_n to_o have_v respect_n to_o all_o his_o commandment_n in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o take_v care_n of_o our_o duty_n and_o then_o to_o commit_v our_o way_n unto_o the_o lord_n in_o a_o secure_a dependence_n on_o his_o providence_n there_o be_v several_a other_o text_n of_o scripture_n allege_v to_o this_o purpose_n to_o charge_n god_n with_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n but_o they_o will_v receive_v a_o short_a answer_n as_o two_o those_o text_n which_o ascribe_v what_o be_v do_v by_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n to_o god_n do_v but_o the_o answer_n to_o this_o be_v plain_a for_o god_n can_v and_o do_v bring_v to_o pass_v a_o great_a many_o wise_a and_o holy_a design_n by_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n without_o be_v the_o author_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o it_o be_v only_o the_o event_n which_o be_v attribute_v to_o god_n not_o the_o sin_n whereby_o such_o event_n be_v bring_v to_o pass_v this_o will_v appear_v at_o the_o first_o view_n by_o consider_v some_o of_o these_o text_n ioseph_n brethren_n sell_v he_o to_o the_o ishmaelite_n who_o carry_v he_o into_o egypt_n where_o god_n advance_v he_o to_o pharaoh_n throne_n joseph_n tell_v his_o brethren_n that_o though_o they_o sell_v he_o it_o be_v god_n that_o send_v he_o before_o they_o into_o egypt_n to_o preserve_v their_o life_n so_o now_o it_o be_v not_o you_o that_o send_v i_o hither_o but_o god_n 45._o gen._n 5_o 7_o 8._o joseph_n do_v not_o say_v that_o it_o be_v from_o god_n that_o his_o brethren_n sell_v he_o this_o be_v their_o own_o act_n and_o all_o the_o wickedness_n of_o it_o be_v their_o own_o but_o it_o be_v god_n who_o send_v he_o into_o egypt_n which_o his_o brethren_n never_o think_v of_o nor_o intend_v their_o only_a concern_n be_v to_o get_v rid_v of_o he_o and_o when_o god_n do_v that_o which_o they_o never_o intend_v to_o do_v that_o may_v well_o be_v say_v to_o be_v god_n do_n who_o permit_v their_o wickedness_n and_o make_v use_v of_o it_o to_o accomplish_v his_o own_o wise_a counsel_n as_o he_o tell_v his_o brethren_n as_o for_o you_o you_o think_v evil_a against_o i_o but_o god_n mean_v it_o unto_o good_a to_o bring_v to_o pass_v as_o it_o be_v this_o day_n to_o save_v much_o people_n alive_a 50._o gen._n 20._o when_o job_n be_v plunder_v by_o the_o sabaean_n and_o chaldaean_n he_o attribute_n it_o to_o god_n the_o lord_n give_v and_o the_o lord_n have_v take_v away_o 1._o job_n 21._o and_o so_o must_v all_o man_n say_v who_o believe_v a_o providence_n that_o all_o the_o good_a or_o evil_n that_o happen_v to_o we_o in_o this_o world_n whoever_o be_v the_o immediate_a instrument_n of_o it_o be_v order_v and_o dispose_v by_o god_n but_o job_n do_v not_o therefore_o attribute_v the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o sabaean_n and_o the_o chaldaean_n to_o god_n as_o if_o god_n can_v not_o govern_v and_o over-rule_v the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n and_o devil_n without_o be_v the_o author_n of_o their_o wickdness_n when_o david_n have_v commit_v that_o great_a sin_n in_o defile_v vriah_n be_v wife_n and_o contrive_v his_o murder_n god_n threaten_v
cover_v the_o mountain_n have_v hear_v the_o thunder_n and_o the_o trumpet_n and_o at_o last_o a_o voice_n deliver_v the_o law_n with_o a_o unimitable_a terror_n and_o majesty_n what_o will_v they_o then_o have_v think_v of_o this_o or_o what_o far_a evidence_n will_v they_o have_v desire_v that_o it_o be_v god_n who_o speak_v to_o they_o this_o can_v be_v no_o dream_n nor_o melancholy_a apparition_n or_o disturb_a fancy_n for_o they_o have_v timely_a notice_n of_o it_o three_o day_n before_o and_o be_v command_v to_o sanctify_v themselves_o to_o meet_v their_o god_n and_o if_o a_o whole_a nation_n have_v be_v impose_v on_o after_o such_o fair_a warn_v it_o have_v be_v as_o great_a a_o prodigy_n and_o miracle_n as_o the_o appearance_n on_o mount_n sinai_n and_o will_v have_v argue_v some_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a infatuation_n and_o that_o will_v have_v prove_v a_o god_n this_o than_o be_v as_o visible_a a_o demonstration_n as_o can_v be_v give_v of_o the_o presence_n and_o power_n and_o majesty_n of_o god_n who_o reject_v all_o other_o god_n from_o any_o share_n in_o his_o worship_n and_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o maker_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n for_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o wit_n of_o man_n can_v invent_v a_o more_o effectual_a conviction_n than_o this_o let_v we_o then_o consider_v the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n in_o this_o both_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o israelite_n and_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o and_o therefore_o when_o god_n intend_v to_o restore_v his_o own_o worship_n again_o in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o make_v israel_n a_o pattern_n and_o example_n of_o it_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o give_v they_o as_o visible_a and_o ocular_a a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o power_n and_o glory_n of_o god_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o creature_n to_o have_v when_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v overrun_v with_o idolatry_n and_o the_o israelite_n themselves_o so_o strong_o incline_v to_o it_o nothing_o less_o than_o such_o a_o appearance_n from_o mount_n sinai_n be_v likely_a to_o establish_v the_o faith_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n and_o we_o see_v that_o this_o itself_o can_v very_o hardly_o do_v it_o for_o immediate_o after_o they_o have_v hear_v god_n speak_v to_o they_o while_o moses_n be_v in_o the_o mount_n they_o make_v they_o a_o golden_a calf_n and_o worship_v it_o and_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o mingle_v with_o any_o other_o people_n they_o join_v in_o their_o idolatrous_a worship_n a_o sad_a example_n of_o which_o we_o have_v in_o their_o worship_n of_o baal_n peor_n 25._o numb_a but_o this_o be_v the_o high_a evidence_n god_n can_v then_o give_v they_o of_o his_o power_n and_o glory_n and_o it_o do_v in_o time_n prevail_v and_o in_o they_o all_o mankind_n who_o know_v their_o story_n have_v a_o visible_a demonstration_n of_o one_o supreme_a god_n but_o not_o to_o insist_v on_o every_o particular_a which_o will_v be_v endless_a it_o may_v seem_v strange_a that_o when_o god_n bring_v israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n to_o give_v they_o possession_n of_o the_o promise_a land_n he_o shall_v make_v they_o wander_v in_o the_o wilderness_n forty_o year_n till_o all_o that_o generation_n of_o man_n which_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n be_v dead_a except_v joshua_n and_o caleb_n the_o apostle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n give_v we_o the_o general_a account_n of_o this_o matter_n 3._o heb._n 7._o to_o the_o end_n which_o resolve_v it_o into_o their_o idolatry_n and_o infidelity_n wherefore_o as_o the_o holy_a ghost_n say_v to_o day_n if_o you_o will_v hear_v his_o voice_n harden_v not_o your_o heart_n as_o in_o the_o provocation_n in_o the_o day_n of_o temptation_n in_o the_o wilderness_n when_o your_o father_n tempt_v i_o prove_v i_o and_o see_v my_o work_n forty_o year_n wherefore_o i_o be_v grieve_v with_o that_o generation_n and_o say_v they_o do_v always_o err_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o they_o have_v not_o know_v my_o way_n so_o i_o swear_v in_o my_o wrath_n they_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o my_o rest_n which_o he_o make_v a_o admonition_n to_o christian_n take_v heed_n brethren_n lest_o there_o be_v in_o any_o of_o you_o a_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbelief_n in_o depart_v from_o the_o live_a god_n that_o be_v in_o forsake_v the_o true_a god_n and_o decline_v to_o idolatry_n as_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o wilderness_n do_v and_o to_o who_o swear_v he_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o his_o rest_n but_o to_o they_o that_o believe_v not_o so_o we_o see_v that_o they_o can_v not_o enter_v in_o because_o of_o unbelief_n the_o plain_a state_n of_o the_o case_n be_v this_o that_o generation_n of_o man_n which_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o remember_v the_o custom_n and_o practice_n of_o that_o people_n be_v so_o strange_o addict_v to_o idolatry_n that_o all_o the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n they_o see_v in_o egypt_n in_o the_o red-sea_n and_o in_o the_o wilderness_n can_v not_o perfect_o cure_v they_o but_o whenever_o they_o have_v opportunity_n they_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o heathen_a god_n eat_v of_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o bow_v themselves_o before_o they_o that_o have_v these_o man_n go_v into_o canaan_n which_o be_v then_o a_o land_n of_o idolater_n they_o will_v certain_o have_v worship_v their_o god_n instead_o of_o destroy_v they_o and_o have_v mingle_v themselves_o with_o the_o people_n of_o the_o land_n and_o have_v learn_v their_o manner_n for_o they_o who_o so_o often_o tempt_v god_n and_o disobey_v moses_n while_o they_o be_v in_o the_o wilderness_n in_o expectation_n of_o the_o promise_a land_n what_o will_v they_o have_v do_v have_v they_o be_v once_o possess_v of_o it_o so_o that_o to_o have_v give_v that_o generation_n of_o man_n possession_n of_o canaan_n will_v not_o have_v answer_v god_n orginal_a design_n in_o choose_v israel_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n for_o in_o all_o likelihood_n they_o will_v have_v prove_v a_o nation_n of_o idolater_n like_o the_o other_o nation_n round_o about_o they_o and_o therefore_o god_n defer_v the_o final_a accomplishment_n of_o his_o promise_n till_o that_o generation_n be_v all_o dead_a and_o a_o new_a generation_n spring_v up_o which_o know_v not_o egypt_n nor_o have_v converse_v with_o idolatrous_a nation_n but_o have_v see_v the_o wonder_n of_o god_n in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o have_v learn_v his_o statute_n and_o judgement_n and_o be_v sufficient_o warn_v by_o the_o example_n of_o their_o father_n who_o carcase_n fall_v in_o the_o wilderness_n to_o fear_v and_o reverence_v the_o lord_n jehovah_n and_o to_o make_v he_o their_o trust._n this_o be_v the_o very_a account_n the_o scripture_n give_v of_o it_o and_o thus_o according_o it_o prove_v for_o that_o new_a generation_n of_o man_n be_v never_o charge_v with_o idolatry_n but_o we_o be_v express_o tell_v that_o israel_n serve_v the_o lord_n all_o the_o day_n of_o joshua_n and_o all_o the_o day_n of_o the_o elder_n that_o overlived_a joshua_n and_o which_o have_v know_v all_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o he_o have_v do_v for_o israel_n 24._o josh._n 31._o all_o this_o we_o see_v be_v design_v by_o god_n with_o admirable_a wisdom_n to_o make_v his_o own_o glory_n and_o power_n know_v and_o to_o publish_v his_o choice_n of_o israel_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n and_o to_o prepare_v they_o for_o himself_o and_o to_o establish_v his_o name_n and_o worship_n among_o they_o and_o now_o god_n have_v make_v they_o fit_a inhabitant_n of_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n without_o any_o long_a delay_n he_o give_v they_o the_o actual_a possession_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o let_v we_o now_o follow_v they_o into_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n the_o history_n of_o the_o war_n of_o canaan_n be_v sufficient_o know_v which_o present_v we_o with_o new_a wonder_n and_o miracle_n not_o inferior_a to_o those_o which_o god_n wrought_v in_o egypt_n and_o in_o the_o red_a sea_n for_o god_n so_o visible_o fight_v the_o battle_n of_o israel_n that_o they_o and_o all_o the_o world_n may_v know_v that_o it_o be_v he_o that_o give_v they_o possession_n of_o that_o good_a land_n and_o drive_v out_o those_o wicked_a inhabitant_n before_o they_o which_o declare_v his_o glory_n and_o make_v his_o power_n know_v and_o what_o i_o have_v already_o discourse_v concern_v the_o wonder_n and_o miracle_n in_o egypt_n be_v equal_o applicable_a to_o this_o and_o i_o need_v add_v no_o more_o let_v we_o then_o consider_v israel_n in_o possession_n of_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n and_o there_o be_v but_o two_o thing_n more_o i_o shall_v observe_v in_o the_o jewish_a history_n till_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n 1._o their_o frequent_a