justice_n of_o providence_n and_o to_o agree_v very_o exact_o with_o the_o actual_a administration_n of_o providence_n for_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o all_o good_a man_n be_v not_o reward_v nor_o all_o wicked_a man_n punish_v in_o this_o world_n that_o a_o righteous_a cause_n be_v sometime_o oppress_v and_o that_o oppression_n and_o injustice_n be_v very_o often_o prosperous_a which_o must_v needs_o appear_v a_o great_a difficulty_n to_o those_o who_o make_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n and_o man_n who_o think_v that_o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n be_v as_o much_o concern_v to_o defend_v all_o man_n right_n and_o property_n as_o the_o justice_n of_o a_o prince_n be_v this_o make_v they_o quarrel_n against_o providence_n when_o they_o be_v hardly_o and_o unjust_o use_v by_o man_n and_o so_o blind_v their_o mind_n that_o they_o see_v not_o the_o true_a reason_n why_o god_n afflict_v they_o and_o neither_o reverence_n his_o judgement_n nor_o make_v a_o wise_a use_n of_o they_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o seem_v very_o plain_a the_o only_a question_n be_v how_o it_o agree_v with_o that_o account_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o of_o god_n justice_n and_o righteousness_n for_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n be_v represent_v in_o scripture_n by_o love_a righteousness_n and_o favour_v a_o righteous_a cause_n thus_o 11._o psalm_n 7._o the_o righteous_a lord_n love_v righteousness_n and_o his_o countenance_n do_v behold_v the_o upright_a and_o the_o psalmist_n very_o often_o encourage_v himself_o to_o expect_v the_o divine_a favour_n and_o protection_n from_o his_o own_o innocence_n and_o integrity_n and_o the_o righteousness_n of_o his_o cause_n 35._o psal._n 19_o let_v not_o they_o that_o be_v my_o enemy_n wrongful_o rejoice_v over_o i_o neither_o let_v they_o wink_v with_o the_o eye_n that_o hate_v i_o without_o a_o cause_n stir_v up_o thyself_o and_o awake_v to_o my_o judgement_n even_o to_o my_o cause_n my_o god_n and_o my_o lord_n judge_v i_o o_o god_n according_a to_o thy_o righteousness_n and_o let_v they_o not_o rejoice_v over_o i_o let_v they_o be_v ashamed_a and_o bring_v to_o confusion_n together_o that_o rejoice_v at_o my_o hurt_n let_v they_o be_v clothe_v with_o shame_n and_o dishonour_n that_o magnify_v themselves_o against_o i_o let_v they_o shout_n for_o joy_n and_o be_v glad_a that_o favour_n my_o righteous_a cause_n yea_o let_v they_o say_v continual_o let_v the_o lord_n be_v magnify_v which_o have_v pleasure_n in_o the_o prosperity_n of_o his_o servant_n 23_o 24_o 26_o 27._o v_o the_o lord_n shall_v judge_v the_o people_n judge_v i_o o_o lord_n according_a to_o my_o righteousness_n and_o according_a to_o my_o integrity_n that_o be_v in_o i_o oh_o let_v the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o wicked_a come_v to_o a_o end_n but_o establish_v the_o just_a for_o the_o righteous_a lord_n try_v the_o heart_n and_o reins_o god_n judge_v the_o righteous_a and_o god_n be_v angry_a with_o the_o wicked_a every_o day_n if_o he_o turn_v not_o he_o will_v whet_v his_o sword_n he_o have_v bend_v his_o bow_n and_o make_v it_o ready_a and_o conclude_v i_o will_v praise_v the_o lord_n according_a to_o his_o righteousness_n and_o will_v sing_v praise_n to_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n most_o high_a 7._o psal._n 8_o etc._n etc._n where_o the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o which_o the_o psalmist_n praise_v he_o be_v his_o judge_a and_o defend_v a_o righteous_a cause_n thus_o in_o 9_o psalm_n 8_o 9_o 10._o he_o shall_v judge_v the_o world_n in_o righteousness_n he_o shall_v minister_v judgement_n to_o the_o people_n in_o uprightness_n the_o lord_n also_o will_v be_v a_o refuge_n to_o the_o oppress_a a_o refuge_n in_o time_n of_o trouble_n and_o they_o that_o know_v thy_o name_n will_v put_v their_o trust_n in_o thou_o for_o thou_o lord_n have_v not_o forsake_v they_o that_o seek_v thou_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o multiply_v text_n to_o this_o purpose_n where_o god_n be_v express_o declare_v to_o be_v a_o irreconcilable_a enemy_n to_o all_o injustice_n and_o violence_n the_o protector_n of_o the_o widow_n the_o fatherless_a and_o oppress_v and_o of_o all_o just_a and_o righteon_n man_n but_o those_o conclude_v a_o great_a deal_n too_o much_o who_o will_v prove_v from_o such_o text_n as_o these_o that_o no_o righteous_a man_n nor_o righteous_a cause_n shall_v ever_o be_v oppress_v that_o good_a man_n shall_v always_o be_v prosperous_a and_o the_o wicked_a always_o miserable_a for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o be_v not_o the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n when_o these_o psalm_n be_v pen_v and_o therefore_o this_o can_v not_o possible_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o they_o how_o many_o complaint_n do_v the_o psalmist_n make_v against_o his_o enemy_n those_o who_o be_v wrongful_o his_o enemy_n 69._o psalm_n 4._o that_o his_o enemy_n be_v lively_a and_o strong_a and_o they_o that_o hate_v he_o wrongful_o be_v multiply_v 38._o psalm_n 19_o how_o passionate_o do_v he_o pray_v for_o protection_n against_o his_o enemy_n how_o long_o will_v thou_o forget_v i_o o_o lord_n for_o ever_o how_o long_o will_v thou_o hide_v thy_o face_n from_o i_o how_o long_o shall_v i_o take_v counsel_n in_o my_o soul_n have_v sorrow_n in_o my_o heart_n daily_o how_o long_o shall_v my_o enemy_n be_v exalt_v over_o i_o 13._o psalm_n 1_o 2._o the_o 37th_o psalm_n be_v a_o plain_a proof_n that_o wicked_a man_n be_v very_o prosperous_a in_o those_o day_n though_o they_o be_v threaten_v with_o final_a destruction_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n the_o 73d_o psalm_n give_v we_o a_o large_a description_n of_o the_o prosperity_n and_o pride_n of_o bad_a man_n many_o of_o who_o spend_v their_o life_n and_o end_v their_o day_n prosperous_o i_o be_v envious_a at_o the_o foolish_a when_o i_o see_v the_o prosperity_n of_o the_o wicked_a for_o there_o be_v no_o band_n in_o their_o death_n but_o their_o strength_n be_v firm_a they_o be_v not_o in_o trouble_n as_o other_o man_n neither_o be_v they_o plague_v as_o other_o man_n behold_v these_o be_v the_o ungodly_a who_o prosper_v in_o the_o world_n they_o increase_v in_o riches_n the_o prosperity_n of_o bad_a man_n and_o the_o misery_n and_o affliction_n of_o the_o good_a be_v in_o those_o day_n a_o great_a difficulty_n in_o providence_n and_o be_v so_o to_o the_o psalmist_n himself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o whatever_o he_o say_v of_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n and_o his_o care_n of_o righteous_a man_n and_o his_o abhorrence_n of_o all_o wickedness_n and_o injustice_n can_v signify_v that_o god_n will_v always_o defend_v man_n in_o their_o just_a right_n that_o he_o will_v always_o prosper_v a_o righteous_a cause_n and_o righteous_a man_n for_o this_o be_v against_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n and_o we_o can_v suppose_v the_o psalmist_n so_o inconsistent_a with_o himself_o as_o in_o the_o same_o breath_n to_o compalin_n that_o wicked_a man_n be_v prosperous_a and_o good_a man_n afflict_v and_o to_o affirm_v that_o the_o just_a and_o righteous_a judge_n of_o the_o world_n will_v always_o punish_v unjust_a oppressor_n and_o protect_v the_o innocent_a nay_o indeed_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n prove_v the_o contrary_a for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o unjust_a oppressor_n if_o no_o body_n can_v be_v oppress_v in_o their_o just_a right_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o divine_a providence_n do_v at_o least_o for_o a_o time_n suffer_v some_o man_n to_o be_v very_o prosperous_a in_o their_o oppression_n and_o do_v not_o always_o defend_v a_o just_a and_o innocent_a cause_n for_o if_o he_o do_v there_o can_v be_v no_o innocent_a oppress_a man_n to_o be_v relieve_v nor_o any_o oppressor_n to_o be_v punish_v and_o if_o it_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o justice_n and_o righteousness_n of_o providence_n to_o permit_v such_o thing_n for_o some_o time_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o it_o be_v at_o the_o discretion_n of_o providence_n how_o long_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v oppress_v and_o the_o oppressor_n go_v unpunished_a the_o plain_a account_n then_o of_o this_o matter_n as_o it_o be_v represent_v in_o scripture_n be_v this_o 1._o that_o as_o god_n be_v infinite_o just_a and_o righteous_a himself_o so_o he_o love_v justice_n and_o righteousness_n among_o man_n he_o love_v righteousness_n and_o righteous_a man_n and_o hate_v all_o injustice_n violence_n and_o injury_n for_o the_o righteous_a lord_n must_v love_v righteousness_n and_o hate_v iniquity_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o divine_a justice_n be_v superior_a to_o all_o human_a right_n and_o his_o authority_n absolute_a and_o sovereign_a to_o dispose_v of_o all_o his_o creature_n and_o of_o all_o they_o have_v as_o his_o own_o wisdom_n direct_v yet_o man_n can_v invade_v each_o other_o right_n without_o injustice_n and_o when_o right_n and_o property_n be_v settle_v by_o human_a law_n it_o be_v
and_o not_o only_o restore_v peace_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o make_v christianity_n the_o religion_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o if_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n consist_v in_o give_v we_o wise_a instruction_n i_o be_o sure_a this_o furnish_v we_o with_o many_o when_o thing_n be_v reduce_v to_o that_o extremity_n as_o to_o be_v past_o human_a relief_n it_o make_v it_o visible_a to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o it_o be_v god_n do_v where_o there_o be_v force_n against_o force_n and_o counsel_n against_o counsel_n though_o providence_n determine_v the_o event_n human_a power_n and_o counsel_n very_o often_o monopolise_v the_o glory_n and_o leave_v god_n out_o but_o when_o god_n do_v that_o which_o man_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v able_a to_o do_v that_o they_o can_v think_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v do_v this_o awaken_v a_o sense_n of_o a_o invisible_a power_n and_o make_v the_o divine_a glory_n and_o providence_n know_v to_o the_o world_n when_o god_n expose_v his_o own_o church_n and_o people_n to_o such_o a_o suffer_a state_n and_o threaten_v they_o with_o final_a ruin_n it_o be_v a_o severe_a summons_n to_o repentance_n and_o warn_v they_o not_o to_o trust_v in_o vain_a word_n cry_v the_o temple_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o temple_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o god_n will_v purge_v his_o own_o house_n and_o no_o external_n relation_n or_o privilege_n shall_v secure_v we_o from_o vengeance_n if_o we_o walk_v not_o worthy_a of_o that_o holy_a vocation_n wherewith_o we_o be_v call_v but_o such_o deliverance_n as_o these_o give_v we_o great_a reason_n never_o to_o despair_v they_o teach_v we_o that_o no_o case_n be_v desperate_a when_o god_n will_v save_v and_o therefore_o the_o less_o expectation_n we_o at_o any_o time_n have_v of_o human_a succour_n the_o more_o earnest_o ought_v we_o to_o implore_v the_o divine_a protection_n and_o learn_v to_o live_v upon_o faith_n and_o trust_v in_o god_n when_o good_a man_n be_v reduce_v to_o such_o extremity_n it_o make_v they_o more_o fervent_a and_o importunate_a in_o their_o prayer_n more_o serious_a in_o their_o repentance_n more_o sensible_a how_o much_o they_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o god_n and_o such_o surprise_v and_o unexpected_a deliverance_n inflame_v their_o devotion_n make_v their_o praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n more_o hearty_a and_o sincere_a which_o give_v great_a glory_n to_o god_n and_o better_v their_o own_o mind_n 5th_o the_o sudden_a revolution_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o various_a and_o unexpected_a change_n of_o man_n fortune_n which_o be_v think_v one_o great_a calamity_n of_o human_a life_n be_v intend_v by_o god_n to_o instruct_v we_o in_o some_o necessary_a and_o excellent_a part_n of_o wisdom_n some_o crafty_a politician_n like_o mariner_n steer_v their_o course_n as_o the_o wind_n blow_v and_o change_v as_o it_o change_v they_o have_v no_o other_o rule_n for_o their_o action_n but_o to_o guess_v as_o well_o as_o they_o can_v where_o their_o advantage_n or_o safety_n lie_v but_o providence_n very_o often_o disappoint_v they_o in_o this_o by_o such_o hasty_a change_n and_o short_a turn_n as_o make_v they_o giddy_a and_o this_o teach_v we_o to_o act_v by_o rule_n not_o by_o a_o politic_a foresight_n of_o event_n our_o rule_n can_v never_o deceive_v we_o what_o be_v just_a and_o right_a and_o true_a be_v always_o safe_a but_o our_o politic_n may_v for_o thing_n may_v not_o go_v as_o we_o expect_v the_o various_a change_n of_o man_n fortune_n teach_v we_o to_o treat_v all_o man_n with_o great_a humanity_n not_o to_o be_v insolent_a when_o we_o be_v prosperous_a nor_o to_o despise_v our_o inferior_n for_o we_o know_v not_o what_o they_o nor_o we_o may_v be_v before_o we_o die_v civility_n and_o modesty_n of_o conversation_n be_v always_o safe_a but_o pride_n and_o insolence_n may_v create_v we_o enemy_n who_o may_v in_o time_n how_o mean_a soever_o they_o be_v at_o present_a be_v able_a to_o return_v our_o insolence_n the_o divine_a providence_n so_o order_v human_a affair_n as_o to_o teach_v we_o most_o of_o the_o wise_a rule_n of_o human_a life_n both_o for_o our_o religious_a and_o civil_a conversation_n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o manifest_a proof_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n six_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n be_v often_o see_v in_o the_o wise_a mixture_n and_o temperament_n of_o mercy_n and_o judgement_n when_o he_o correct_v but_o not_o destroy_v humble_v but_o do_v not_o cast_v down_o when_o he_o make_v we_o sensible_a of_o his_o displeasure_n and_o give_v we_o just_a reason_n to_o fear_v but_o without_o despair_n when_o as_o the_o psalmist_n speak_v he_o lifts_z up_o and_o cast_v down_o keep_v we_o under_o the_o discipline_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_n and_o try_v our_o faith_n and_o patience_n and_o submission_n and_o both_o threaten_v and_o invite_v we_o to_o repentance_n by_o the_o interchangeable_a scene_n of_o prosperous_a and_o adverse_a event_n thus_o the_o psalmist_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v with_o good_a man_n the_o step_n of_o a_o good_a man_n be_v order_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o he_o delight_v in_o his_o way_n though_o he_o fall_v he_o shall_v not_o utter_o be_v cast_v down_o for_o the_o lord_n uphold_v he_o with_o his_o hand_n 37._o psal._n 23_o 24._o thus_o 94._o psal_n 14_o 15._o for_o the_o lord_n will_v not_o cast_v off_o his_o people_n neither_o will_v he_o forsake_v his_o inheritance_n but_o judgement_n shall_v return_v unto_o righteousness_n and_o all_o the_o upright_a in_o heart_n shall_v follow_v it_o and_o he_o prove_v this_o by_o his_o own_o experience_n unless_o the_o lord_n have_v be_v my_o help_n my_o soul_n have_v almost_o dwell_v in_o silence_n when_o i_o say_v my_o foot_n slip_v thy_o mercy_n o_o lord_n hold_v i_o up_o 17_o 18_o verse_n a_o example_n of_o this_o you_o have_v 27._o isaiah_n have_v he_o smite_v they_o that_o be_v israel_n as_o he_o smite_v those_o that_o smite_v he_o he_o smite_v israel_n but_o not_o as_o he_o smite_v the_o enemy_n of_o israel_n or_o be_v he_o slay_v according_a to_o the_o slaughter_n of_o they_o that_o be_v slay_v by_o he_o in_o measure_n when_o it_o shoot_v forth_o will_v thou_o debate_v with_o it_o he_o stay_v his_o rough_a wind_n in_o the_o day_n of_o his_o east_n wind_n this_o be_v to_o sing_v to_o god_n of_o mercy_n and_o of_o judgement_n to_o learn_v righteousness_n by_o the_o thing_n which_o we_o suffer_v but_o still_o to_o trust_v in_o his_o help_n chap._n ix_o concern_v those_o duty_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o providence_n i_o have_v now_o finish_v what_o i_o intend_v with_o relation_n to_o the_o nature_n and_o justification_n of_o providence_n and_o all_o that_o remain_v be_v to_o explain_v and_o enforce_v those_o duty_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o providence_n natural_a religion_n be_v found_v on_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o god_n there_o be_v no_o object_n of_o our_o worship_n if_o there_o be_v no_o providence_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n for_o our_o worship_n but_o a_o god_n that_o make_v the_o world_n and_o take_v care_n of_o all_o the_o creature_n that_o be_v in_o it_o deserve_v the_o praise_n and_o adoration_n of_o all_o a_o god_n who_o neither_o make_v the_o world_n nor_o govern_v it_o be_v nothing_o to_o we_o we_o have_v no_o relation_n to_o he_o he_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o we_o nor_o we_o with_o he_o but_o a_o god_n in_o who_o we_o live_v and_o move_v and_o have_v our_o be_v be_v the_o supreme_a object_n of_o our_o love_n and_o fear_v and_o reverence_n and_o hope_v and_o trust_v and_o of_o all_o those_o religious_a and_o devout_a affection_n which_o be_v due_a to_o our_o maker_n and_o sovereign_a lord_n this_o be_v so_o plain_a that_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o name_v it_o but_o the_o nature_n and_o extent_n of_o those_o duty_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o providence_n deserve_v a_o more_o particular_a consideration_n as_o to_o instance_n in_o some_o of_o the_o chief_a 1._o to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n in_o every_o thing_n that_o befall_v we_o to_o attribute_v all_o the_o evil_n we_o suffer_v and_o all_o the_o good_a thing_n we_o enjoy_v to_o his_o sovereign_n will_v and_o appointment_n this_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o the_o other_o duty_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o providence_n and_o the_o general_a neglect_n of_o this_o make_v we_o defective_a in_o all_o the_o rest_n now_o if_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v the_o absolute_a government_n of_o all_o event_n you_o must_v confess_v it_o your_o duty_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o providence_n and_o to_o acknowledge_v god_n in_o every_o thing_n for_o this_o be_v only_o apply_v the_o general_a doctrine_n of_o providence_n to_o particular_a event_n without_o which_o particular_a application_n the_o general_a belief_n of_o a_o
punishment_n that_o if_o we_o admit_v of_o it_o there_o be_v a_o end_n of_o all_o religion_n of_o all_o virtuous_a endeavour_n of_o all_o great_a and_o generous_a attempt_n it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o pray_v to_o god_n or_o to_o trust_v in_o he_o or_o to_o resist_v temptation_n or_o to_o be_v diligent_a in_o our_o business_n or_o prudent_a and_o circumspect_a in_o our_o action_n for_o what_o will_v be_v will_v be_v or_o if_o any_o mean_n be_v to_o be_v use_v that_o be_v no_o matter_n of_o our_o choice_n or_o care_n but_o we_o shall_v do_v it_o as_o necessary_o and_o mechanical_o as_o a_o watch_n move_v and_o point_n to_o the_o hour_n of_o the_o day_n for_o fate_n have_v by_o the_o same_o necessity_n determine_v the_o mean_n and_o the_o end_n and_o we_o can_v do_v no_o more_o nor_o less_o than_o fate_n have_v determine_v i_o shall_v not_o now_o trouble_v you_o with_o a_o account_n of_o the_o various_a opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n about_o fate_n none_o of_o who_o 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than_o the_o creation_n of_o a_o new_a world_n will_v be_v but_o have_v god_n destroy_v the_o whole_a race_n of_o man_n and_o create_v a_o new_a man_n to_o inhabit_v the_o new_a world_n this_o will_v have_v argue_v some_o defect_n in_o the_o first_o creation_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n for_o destroy_a man_n to_o make_v he_o again_o but_o a_o design_n to_o make_v he_o better_o to_o correct_v that_o in_o a_o second_o trial_n which_o experience_n have_v discover_v to_o be_v faulty_a in_o the_o first_o but_o though_o the_o wisdom_n of_o government_n will_v admit_v of_o various_a trial_n and_o experiment_n the_o wisdom_n of_o creation_n wont_a the_o government_n of_o free_a agent_n must_v be_v accommodate_v to_o their_o nature_n and_o disposition_n not_o only_o to_o what_o god_n make_v they_o but_o to_o what_o they_o make_v themselves_o and_o therefore_o the_o method_n of_o government_n must_v change_v as_o man_n change_v themselves_o but_o the_o nature_n of_o all_o thing_n 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