we_o owe_v to_o providence_n 345_o a_o particular_a acknowledgement_n of_o providence_n in_o all_o event_n ibid._n submission_n to_o the_o providential_a will_v of_o god_n 347_o concern_v submission_n to_o god_n under_o affliction_n and_o suffering_n 348_o submission_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n with_o respect_n to_o our_o several_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o life_n 354_o concern_v hope_n and_o trust_v in_o the_o divine_a providence_n 366_o concern_v the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n and_o thanksgiving_n 378_o a_o discourse_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n the_o introduction_n my_o chief_a design_n in_o this_o follow_a treatise_n be_v so_o to_o explain_v the_o nature_n of_o providence_n as_o to_o reconcile_v man_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o and_o to_o possess_v they_o with_o a_o religious_a awe_n and_o reverence_n of_o the_o supreme_a and_o absolute_a lord_n of_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o the_o mistake_v about_o the_o nature_n of_o providence_n be_v the_o principal_a objection_n against_o it_o which_o tempt_v some_o man_n to_o deny_v a_o providence_n or_o so_o weaken_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o in_o other_o that_o they_o be_v very_o little_a the_o better_a for_o believe_v it_o that_o a_o divine_a providence_n do_v govern_v the_o world_n i_o have_v prove_v large_o enough_o for_o my_o present_a design_n in_o the_o discourse_n concern_v a_o future_a judgement_n 3._o which_o i_o refer_v my_o reader_n to_o but_o that_o this_o work_n may_v not_o seem_v to_o want_v a_o foundation_n i_o have_v not_o whole_o omit_v the_o proof_n of_o a_o providence_n but_o have_v at_o least_o say_v enough_o to_o convince_v those_o of_o a_o providence_n who_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n which_o must_v be_v suppose_v in_o a_o discourse_n of_o providence_n the_o whole_a be_v divide_v into_o nine_o chapter_n i._o the_o necessary_a connection_n between_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n and_o of_o a_o providence_n ii_o the_o general_a notion_n of_o providence_n and_o particular_o concern_v a_o preserve_v providence_n iii_o concern_v god_n govern_v providence_n iv._o the_o sovereignty_n of_o providence_n v._o the_o justice_n of_o providence_n vi_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n vii_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n viii_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n ix_o the_o duty_n we_o owe_v to_o providence_n the_o explication_n of_o these_o thing_n will_v not_o only_o answer_v many_o difficulty_n in_o providence_n but_o will_v give_v we_o a_o clear_a notion_n of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o of_o some_o of_o the_o principal_a duty_n of_o religion_n chap._n i._n the_o necessary_a connection_n between_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n and_o of_o a_o providence_n instead_o of_o other_o argument_n to_o prove_v a_o providence_n i_o shall_v at_o present_a insist_v only_o on_o this_o that_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n infer_v a_o providence_n that_o if_o we_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o make_v the_o world_n we_o must_v believe_v that_o the_o same_o god_n who_o make_v the_o world_n do_v govern_v it_o too_o 1._o for_o first_o it_o be_v as_o absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a to_o think_v that_o the_o world_n be_v govern_v by_o chance_n as_o to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v make_v by_o chance_n for_o chance_n can_v no_o more_o govern_v than_o it_o can_v make_v the_o world_n one_o principal_a act_n of_o providence_n be_v to_o uphold_v all_o thing_n in_o be_v to_o preserve_v their_o nature_n power_n operation_n to_o make_v this_o low_a world_n again_o every_o year_n by_o new_a production_n for_o nature_n seem_v to_o decay_v and_o die_v and_o revive_v again_o in_o almost_o as_o wonderful_a a_o manner_n and_o as_o unintelligible_a to_o we_o as_o it_o be_v first_o make_v now_o though_o it_o be_v very_o absurd_a to_o say_v that_o chance_n which_o act_n by_o no_o rule_n nor_o with_o any_o counsel_n or_o design_n can_v make_v a_o world_n which_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n and_o character_n of_o a_o admirable_a wisdom_n in_o its_o contrivance_n yet_o it_o seem_v more_o absurd_a to_o say_v that_o chance_n can_v preserve_v that_o it_o can_v uphold_v the_o thing_n it_o have_v make_v that_o it_o can_v repair_v the_o decay_n of_o nature_n nay_o restore_v it_o when_o it_o seem_v lose_v that_o it_o can_v not_o only_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n twice_o but_o repeat_v it_o infinite_o in_o new_a production_n that_o chance_n can_v give_v law_n to_o nature_n 1._o and_o impose_v a_o necessity_n on_o it_o to_o act_v regular_o and_o uniform_o that_o be_v that_o chance_n shall_v put_v a_o end_n to_o chance_n and_o introduce_v necessity_n and_o fate_n be_v there_o not_o a_o wise_a and_o powerful_a providence_n it_o be_v ten_o thousand_o time_n more_o likely_a that_o chance_n shall_v unmake_v and_o dissolve_v the_o world_n than_o that_o it_o shall_v at_o first_o make_v it_o for_o a_o world_n that_o come_v together_o by_o chance_n and_o have_v nothing_o to_o keep_v it_o together_o but_o the_o chance_n that_o make_v it_o which_o be_v as_o uncertain_a and_o mutable_a as_o chance_n be_v will_v quick_o unmake_v itself_o shall_v the_o sun_n but_o change_v his_o place_n come_v near_o this_o earth_n or_o remove_v far_o from_o it_o there_o be_v a_o end_n of_o this_o low_a world_n and_o if_o it_o be_v place_v there_o by_o chance_n it_o be_v wonderful_a that_o in_o so_o many_o age_n some_o new_a unlucky_a chance_n have_v not_o remove_v it_o and_o therefore_o the_o psalmist_n attribute_n not_o only_o the_o creation_n but_o the_o preservation_n of_o all_o thing_n to_o god_n praise_v he_o sun_n and_o moon_n praise_v he_o you_o star_n of_o light_n praise_v he_o all_o you_o heaven_n and_o you_o water_n that_o be_v above_o the_o heaven_n let_v they_o praise_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o he_o speak_v the_o word_n and_o they_o be_v make_v he_o command_v and_o they_o be_v create_v he_o have_v make_v they_o fast_o for_o ever_o he_o have_v give_v they_o a_o law_n which_o shall_v not_o be_v break_v 148._o psal._n 3_o 4_o 5_o 6._o 2_o the_o same_o wisdom_n and_o power_n which_o make_v the_o world_n must_v govern_v it_o too_o it_o be_v only_o a_o create_a power_n that_o can_v preserve_v that_o which_o owe_v its_o very_a be_v to_o power_n must_v depend_v upon_o the_o power_n that_o make_v it_o for_o it_o can_v have_v no_o principle_n of_o self-subsistence_n independent_a on_o its_o cause_n it_o be_v only_o create_v wisdom_n that_o perfect_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o see_v all_o the_o spring_n of_o motion_n that_o can_v correct_v the_o error_n of_o nature_n that_o can_v suspend_v or_o direct_v the_o influence_n of_o natural_a cause_n that_o can_v govern_v heart_n change_v man_n purpose_n inspire_v wisdom_n and_o counsel_n restrain_v or_o let_v loose_v their_o passion_n it_o be_v only_o a_o infinite_a mind_n that_o can_v take_v care_n of_o all_o the_o world_n that_o can_v allot_v every_o creature_n its_o portion_n that_o can_v adjust_a the_o interest_n of_o state_n and_o kingdom_n that_o can_v bring_v good_a out_o of_o evil_a and_o order_n out_o of_o confusion_n in_o a_o word_n the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n require_v such_o wisdom_n and_o such_o power_n as_o no_o be_v have_v but_o he_o who_o make_v it_o and_o therefore_o if_o the_o world_n be_v govern_v it_o must_v be_v govern_v by_o the_o maker_n of_o it_o 3_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o be_v as_o we_o call_v god_n a_o pure_a infinite_a eternal_a mind_n it_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o he_o must_v govern_v the_o world_n those_o who_o deny_v a_o providence_n will_v not_o allow_v that_o god_n see_v or_o take_v notice_n of_o what_o be_v do_v here_o below_o the_o epicurean_o though_o in_o civility_n and_o compliment_n to_o the_o superstition_n of_o mankind_n rather_o than_o from_o a_o real_a belief_n and_o sense_n of_o a_o deity_n they_o do_v own_o a_o god_n nay_o a_o great_a many_o god_n fruatur_fw-la such_o as_o they_o be_v yet_o never_o allow_v their_o god_n to_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o our_o affair_n longè_fw-la which_o will_v have_v disturb_v their_o profound_a ease_n and_o rest_v the_o sole_a happiness_n of_o the_o lazy_a unactive_a epicurean_a deity_n and_o this_o secure_v they_o from_o the_o fear_n of_o their_o god_n who_o live_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o they_o and_o know_v nothing_o concern_v they_o and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n this_o be_v represent_v in_o scripture_n that_o wicked_a man_n will_v not_o believe_v that_o god_n see_v or_o hear_v or_o take_v any_o notice_n of_o what_o they_o do_v 64._o psalm_n 5._o they_o encourage_v themselves_o in_o a_o evil_a matter_n they_o commune_v of_o lay_v snare_n secret_o they_o say_v who_o shall_v see_v they_o 10._o psalm_n 11._o he_o have_v say_v in_o his_o heart_n god_n have_v forget_v he_o hide_v his_o face_n he_o will_v never_o see_v it_o
beget_v the_o drop_n of_o the_o dew_n out_o of_o who_o womb_n come_v the_o ice_n and_o the_o hoary_a frost_n of_o heaven_n who_o have_v gendr_v it_o by_o these_o and_o such_o like_a question_n express_v in_o unimitable_a word_n god_n convince_v job_n how_o ignorant_a he_o be_v of_o the_o most_o common_a and_o familiar_a work_n of_o nature_n which_o make_v it_o great_a presumption_n in_o so_o ignorant_a a_o creature_n to_o censure_v the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n and_o the_o force_n of_o the_o argument_n do_v not_o only_o consist_v in_o this_o that_o the_o very_a work_n of_o nature_n convince_v we_o that_o god_n be_v infinite_o wise_a than_o we_o be_v and_o can_v do_v great_a and_o excellent_a thing_n which_o be_v above_o our_o understanding_n and_o therefore_o that_o we_o never_o ought_v to_o censure_v any_o thing_n that_o god_n do_v because_o he_o be_v so_o much_o wise_a than_o we_o be_v that_o we_o be_v not_o competent_a judge_n of_o what_o he_o do_v which_o be_v a_o unanswerable_a argument_n to_o teach_v we_o the_o most_o profound_a reverence_n and_o the_o most_o absolute_a resignation_n of_o ourselves_o to_o god_n but_o the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n reach_v far_a that_o our_o ignorance_n of_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n be_v both_o the_o cause_n and_o the_o proof_n of_o our_o great_a ignorance_n of_o the_o work_n of_o providence_n for_o no_o be_v can_v know_v how_o to_o govern_v a_o world_n who_o do_v not_o know_v how_o to_o make_v it_o and_o he_o who_o do_v not_o know_v how_o to_o govern_v the_o world_n himself_o be_v a_o very_a unfit_a judge_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n for_o he_o can_v never_o know_v when_o the_o world_n be_v well_o and_o wise_o govern_v because_o he_o do_v not_o know_v what_o belong_v to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n the_o wise_a government_n of_o all_o creature_n must_v be_v proportion_v to_o their_o nature_n and_o therefore_o without_o understand_v the_o philosophy_n of_o nature_n the_o spring_n of_o motion_n the_o mutual_a dependence_n of_o cause_n and_o effect_n what_o end_n thing_n be_v make_v for_o and_o what_o use_v they_o serve_v we_o can_v never_o know_v what_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v nor_o what_o can_v be_v do_v or_o by_o what_o mean_v it_o be_v to_o be_v do_v and_o then_o can_v never_o tell_v when_o any_o thing_n be_v do_v as_o it_o shall_v be_v we_o know_v not_o what_o the_o rule_n nor_o what_o the_o end_v of_o god_n government_n be_v which_o make_v it_o impossible_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o government_n without_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n we_o must_v of_o necessity_n make_v as_o wild_a conjecture_n about_o providence_n as_o a_o blind_a man_n do_v of_o light_n and_o colour_n as_o for_o instance_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o talk_v a_o wise_a word_n about_o god_n government_n of_o mankind_n in_o what_o manner_n and_o by_o what_o mean_v he_o turn_v their_o heart_n direct_v and_o influence_n their_o counsel_n suggest_v thought_n to_o they_o and_o foresee_v their_o thought_n and_o how_o they_o will_v determine_v themselves_o when_o we_o know_v so_o little_a of_o the_o make_n and_o frame_n of_o our_o own_o mind_n where_o the_o spring_n of_o thought_n be_v and_o how_o we_o connect_v proposition_n and_o draw_v consequence_n what_o the_o power_n of_o the_o will_n be_v how_o we_o determine_v ourselves_o in_o indifferent_a matter_n where_o the_o balance_n be_v equal_a for_o though_o we_o feel_v all_o these_o power_n in_o ourselves_o yet_o we_o know_v not_o whence_o they_o be_v nor_o how_o they_o act_v and_o yet_o how_o many_o intricate_a question_n be_v there_o relate_v to_o the_o dispute_n of_o providence_n which_o be_v whole_o owe_v to_o such_o nice_a philosophical_a speculation_n which_o we_o know_v nothing_o of_o and_o yet_o which_o some_o man_n perplex_v themselves_o with_o and_o undertake_v very_o grave_o to_o determine_v such_o be_v the_o dispute_n about_o necessity_n and_o fate_n prescience_n and_o predetermination_n and_o the_o liberty_n of_o human_a action_n which_o as_o they_o be_v different_o determine_v make_v very_o different_a and_o contrary_a hypothesis_n of_o providence_n and_o either_o charge_n god_n with_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n or_o acquit_v he_o from_o any_o partnership_n in_o wickedness_n for_o all_o these_o question_n at_o last_o resolve_v themselves_o into_o this_o how_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n act_n and_o determine_v itself_o whether_o it_o be_v determine_v from_o abroad_o from_o a_o necessary_a train_n and_o series_n of_o fatal_a event_n or_o from_o the_o decree_n and_o predetermination_n or_o foreknowledge_n of_o god_n or_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o selfmoving_a be_v and_o determine_v itself_o from_o the_o principle_n of_o its_o own_o nature_n and_o its_o own_o free_a choice_n now_o unless_o we_o understand_v the_o philosophy_n or_o the_o natural_a frame_n and_o composition_n of_o our_o own_o mind_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o say_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o purpose_n in_o this_o cause_n any_o far_a than_o our_o own_o sense_n and_o feeling_n go_v and_o that_o be_v on_o the_o side_n of_o liberty_n for_o unless_o we_o be_v strange_o impose_v on_o we_o feel_v ourselves_o free_a but_o this_o may_v satisfy_v we_o that_o as_o to_o all_o the_o difficulty_n of_o providence_n which_o can_v be_v no_o other_o way_n resolve_v but_o by_o a_o knowledge_n of_o nature_n we_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v as_o ignorant_a of_o they_o as_o we_o be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o therefore_o our_o confess_a ignorance_n of_o nature_n be_v a_o good_a argument_n in_o all_o such_o case_n to_o make_v we_o very_o modest_a in_o censure_v providence_n we_o know_v enough_o both_o of_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n and_o of_o the_o work_n of_o providence_n to_o serve_v all_o the_o wise_a end_n and_o purpose_n of_o live_a which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v useful_a for_o we_o to_o know_v and_o all_o that_o god_n intend_v we_o shall_v know_v but_o the_o reason_n and_o cause_n of_o thing_n belong_v only_o to_o that_o wisdom_n which_o can_v make_v and_o govern_v a_o world_n we_o know_v as_o much_o of_o providence_n as_o we_o do_v of_o nature_n and_o will_v man_n set_v bound_n to_o their_o inquiry_n here_o which_o be_v as_o far_o as_o human_a understanding_n can_v reach_v we_o shall_v hear_v very_o few_o objection_n against_o providence_n our_o ignorance_n of_o nature_n and_o natural_a cause_n and_o the_o natural_a spring_n of_o motion_n how_o thing_n be_v make_v and_o how_o they_o act_n and_o for_o what_o end_v they_o be_v make_v which_o in_o many_o case_n we_o do_v but_o very_o imperfect_o guess_v at_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n that_o we_o never_o ought_v to_o admit_v any_o difficulty_n in_o nature_n as_o a_o sufficient_a objection_n against_o the_o be_v or_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o bar_n to_o all_o the_o moral_a evidence_n and_o assurance_n we_o have_v of_o both_o we_o have_v all_o the_o moral_a evidence_n we_o can_v have_v for_o any_o thing_n that_o god_n govern_v the_o world_n by_o a_o wise_a and_o holy_a and_o free_a providence_n that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o sin_n that_o our_o will_n at_o least_o as_o far_o as_o virtue_n and_o vice_n be_v concern_v be_v under_o no_o foreign_a force_n and_o constraint_n but_o choose_v and_o refuse_v and_o determine_v themselves_o with_o a_o natural_a liberty_n i_o say_v we_o have_v undeniable_a evidence_n of_o this_o from_o the_o wisdom_n justice_n and_o holiness_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n from_o the_o difference_n between_o virtue_n and_o vice_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n these_o thing_n be_v plain_a and_o such_o as_o we_o can_v understand_v and_o such_o as_o we_o can_v deny_v with_o any_o fair_a appearance_n of_o reason_n but_o now_o all_o the_o argument_n against_o providence_n and_o for_o necessity_n and_o fate_n be_v mere_a philosophical_a speculation_n which_o man_n vain_o pretend_v to_o when_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a they_o can_v know_v nothing_o of_o they_o as_o for_o instance_n some_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o wise_a and_o free_a providence_n that_o govern_v the_o world_n but_o that_o all_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v by_o a_o necessary_a chain_n of_o cause_n which_o fatal_o determine_v the_o will_n to_o choose_v and_o act_n as_o these_o cause_n move_v it_o now_o whether_o there_o be_v such_o a_o necessary_a chain_n of_o cause_n or_o not_o it_o be_v certain_a no_o man_n can_v know_v it_o who_o do_v not_o as_o perfect_o understand_v this_o great_a machine_n of_o the_o world_n and_o all_o its_o motion_n as_o a_o artist_n do_v all_o the_o wheel_n in_o a_o watch_n or_o clock_n nor_o can_v any_o man_n know_v how_o such_o a_o chain_n of_o cause_n shall_v move_v and_o determine_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n without_o understand_v the_o philosophy_n of_o human_a soul_n how_o
heart_n he_o who_o intend_v and_o resolve_v it_o and_o want_v nothing_o but_o a_o opportunity_n to_o commit_v adultery_n be_v a_o adulterer_n if_o god_n then_o must_v not_o permit_v sin_n he_o must_v not_o suffer_v man_n to_o will_n and_o to_o choose_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v wicked_a for_o this_o be_v the_o sin_n herein_o the_o immorality_n of_o the_o act_n consist_v consider_v then_o what_o the_o meaning_n of_o this_o be_v that_o god_n must_v not_o leave_v man_n to_o the_o liberty_n of_o their_o own_o choice_n but_o must_v always_o over-rule_v their_o mind_n by_o a_o irresistible_a power_n to_o choose_v that_o which_o be_v good_a and_o to_o refuse_v the_o evil_n but_o will_v any_o one_o say_v that_o this_o be_v to_o govern_v man_n like_o man_n be_v this_o the_o natural_a government_n of_o free_a agent_n to_o take_v away_o their_o liberty_n and_o freedom_n of_o choice_n do_v government_n signify_v destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o those_o creature_n which_o be_v to_o be_v govern_v do_v this_o become_v god_n to_o make_v a_o free_a agent_n and_o to_o govern_v he_o by_o necessity_n and_o force_n this_o i_o confess_v be_v a_o certain_a way_n to_o keep_v sin_n out_o of_o the_o world_n but_o it_o thrust_v holiness_n out_o of_o the_o world_n too_o for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o liberty_n of_o choice_n there_o can_v be_v neither_o moral_a good_a nor_o evil_a and_o this_o will_v be_v a_o more_o reasonable_a objection_n against_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n that_o it_o banish_v holiness_n out_o of_o the_o world_n i_o grant_v that_o god_n govern_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o well_o as_o their_o external_a action_n direct_v and_o influence_n their_o counsel_n suggest_v wise_a thought_n to_o they_o excite_v good_a man_n to_o great_a and_o virtuous_a action_n and_o lay_v invisible_a restraint_n upon_o the_o lust_n and_o passion_n of_o bad_a man_n turn_v their_o heart_n change_v their_o counsel_n and_o divert_v they_o from_o ill-laid_a design_n especial_o when_o they_o have_v no_o external_a restraint_n on_o they_o and_o the_o pursue_v such_o counsel_n will_v be_v very_o hurtful_a to_o the_o world_n or_o to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n nay_o i_o deny_v not_o but_o in_o such_o case_n god_n may_v by_o a_o irresistible_a power_n and_o influence_n govern_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n not_o to_o make_v they_o good_a but_o to_o make_v they_o the_o instrument_n of_o providence_n in_o do_v such_o good_a as_o they_o have_v no_o inclination_n to_o do_v and_o to_o chain_v up_o their_o passion_n that_o they_o may_v not_o do_v that_o hurt_n which_o they_o intend_v to_o do_v as_o i_o have_v show_v at_o large_a above_o and_o i_o see_v nothing_o in_o this_o 3._o which_o unbecome_v the_o wise_a and_o sovereign_a lord_n of_o the_o world_n sometime_o by_o a_o immediate_a power_n to_o govern_v the_o mind_n as_o well_o as_o the_o body_n of_o man_n that_o they_o shall_v no_o more_o be_v able_a to_o will_n and_o choose_v than_o they_o be_v to_o do_v what_o they_o themselves_o please_v for_o though_o god_n have_v make_v man_n a_o reasonable_a creature_n and_o free_a agent_n he_o have_v not_o whole_o put_v he_o out_o of_o his_o own_o power_n but_o that_o when_o he_o see_v fit_a he_o can_v lay_v invisible_a restraint_n upon_o he_o or_o clap_v a_o counter_a bias_n upon_o his_o mind_n which_o shall_v lead_v he_o contrary_a to_o the_o natural_a tendency_n of_o his_o own_o will_n and_o lust_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o natural_a world_n though_o god_n have_v endow_v all_o creature_n with_o natural_a virtue_n and_o quality_n and_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o his_o providence_n suffer_v they_o to_o produce_v their_o natural_a effect_n yet_o he_o have_v reserve_v to_o himself_o a_o sovereign_a authority_n over_o nature_n to_o reverse_v its_o law_n or_o suspend_v its_o influence_n by_o a_o immediate_a and_o supernatural_a power_n and_o i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o god_n may_v not_o do_v this_o in_o the_o moral_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o natural_a world_n when_o the_o good_a government_n of_o the_o world_n require_v it_o but_o though_o god_n may_v thus_o sometime_o by_o a_o supernatural_a power_n influence_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o chain_v up_o their_o lust_n and_o passion_n yet_o this_o be_v not_o the_o natural_a government_n of_o mankind_n consider_v as_o free_a agent_n and_o it_o will_v no_o more_o become_v god_n always_o to_o over-rule_v man_n will_n in_o this_o manner_n than_o it_o will_v always_o to_o overpower_v nature_n and_o to_o govern_v the_o natural_a world_n not_o by_o its_o natural_a virtue_n and_o power_n but_o by_o constant_a miracle_n and_o if_o the_o ordinary_a and_o natural_a government_n of_o mankind_n consider_v as_o reasonable_a and_o free_a agent_n require_v that_o god_n shall_v leave_v man_n to_o the_o liberty_n and_o freedom_n of_o their_o own_o choice_n which_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v judge_v and_o that_o be_v capable_a of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n than_o it_o be_v no_o reasonable_a objection_n against_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n that_o god_n permit_v man_n to_o choose_v wicked_o that_o he_o do_v not_o always_o by_o a_o irresistible_a and_o sovereign_a power_n hinder_v the_o internal_a act_n of_o sin_n especial_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o god_n give_v man_n all_o those_o internal_a assistance_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o lay_v all_o those_o internal_a restraint_n upon_o their_o lust_n and_o passion_n which_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o liberty_n of_o human_a action_n though_o we_o know_v not_o in_o what_o manner_n the_o holy_a spirit_n work_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n yet_o this_o we_o know_v if_o we_o believe_v the_o gospel_n of_o our_o saviour_n that_o god_n work_v in_o we_o both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v of_o his_o own_o good_a pleasure_n that_o he_o give_v his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o those_o who_o ask_v he_o to_o be_v a_o principle_n of_o a_o spiritual_a life_n in_o they_o and_o bad_a man_n themselves_o if_o they_o will_v but_o confess_v what_o they_o feel_v must_v tell_v you_o what_o struggle_n they_o find_v in_o their_o own_o mind_n before_o they_o can_v yield_v to_o the_o temptation_n of_o sin_n how_o in_o some_o case_n especial_o at_o their_o first_o entrance_n upon_o a_o sinful_a course_n of_o life_n natural_a modesty_n in_o other_o natural_a pity_n and_o compassion_n in_o other_o a_o natural_a greatness_n and_o generosity_n of_o mind_n give_v check_v to_o they_o how_o at_o first_o they_o blush_v at_o the_o thought_n of_o any_o wickedness_n and_o be_v reproach_v by_o their_o own_o conscience_n for_o it_o how_o they_o tremble_v at_o the_o thought_n of_o a_o future_a judgement_n or_o some_o present_a vengeance_n to_o overtake_v they_o and_o can_v never_o sin_v secure_o till_o they_o have_v laugh_v away_o the_o thought_n of_o god_n and_o of_o another_o world_n such_o care_n god_n have_v take_v to_o make_v sin_n uneasy_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o the_o love_n of_o virtue_n and_o if_o after_o all_o they_o will_v be_v wicked_a as_o free_a agent_n may_v be_v if_o they_o will_v this_o can_v be_v no_o blemish_n to_o the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n because_o it_o be_v no_o fault_n of_o providence_n to_o leave_v free_a agent_n to_o the_o freedom_n of_o their_o own_o choice_n two_o as_o for_o the_o external_a act_n of_o sin_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o god_n permit_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o wickedness_n to_o be_v actual_o commit_v such_o as_o theft_n murder_n adultery_n perjury_n and_o the_o like_a now_o this_o require_v a_o different_a consideration_n for_o in_o human_a government_n this_o be_v think_v a_o great_a miscarriage_n to_o suffer_v any_o wickedness_n to_o be_v actual_o commit_v which_o we_o can_v hinder_v the_o commission_n of_o no_o man_n will_v be_v think_v innocent_a much_o less_o a_o prince_n who_o shall_v see_v a_o man_n murder_v a_o virgin_n deflower_v a_o robbery_n or_o any_o other_o villainy_n commit_v without_o interpose_v to_o hinder_v the_o commission_n of_o such_o wickedness_n when_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o do_v it_o and_o how_o then_o can_v we_o vindicate_v the_o holiness_n of_o providence_n which_o see_v and_o observe_v and_o can_v easy_o hinder_v the_o commission_n of_o such_o wickedness_n as_o it_o daily_o permit_v now_o right_o to_o understand_v this_o matter_n we_o must_v consider_v 1._o that_o god_n can_v always_o by_o a_o immediate_a power_n hinder_v the_o actual_a commission_n of_o sin_n without_o a_o perpetual_a violation_n of_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n and_o therefore_o this_o do_v not_o proper_o belong_v to_o a_o ordinary_a providence_n which_o be_v the_o government_n of_o all_o creature_n according_a to_o their_o nature_n we_o know_v indeed_o that_o when_o jeroboam_fw-la in_o great_a anger_n stretch_v out_o his_o hand_n against_o the_o prophet_n
reason_n iacob_n name_n be_v change_v into_o israel_n when_o he_o wrestle_v all_o night_n with_o the_o angel_n and_o will_v not_o let_v he_o go_v till_o he_o have_v bless_v he_o thy_o name_n shall_v be_v call_v no_o more_o jacob_n but_o israel_n for_o as_o a_o prince_n have_v thou_o power_n with_o god_n and_o man_n and_o have_v prevail_v 32._o gen._n 28._o one_o will_v think_v that_o this_o be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o convince_v all_o man_n of_o the_o duty_n necessity_n and_o advantage_n of_o prayer_n for_o if_o god_n govern_v the_o world_n and_o we_o must_v expect_v his_o blessing_n and_o protection_n only_o in_o answer_n to_o our_o prayer_n if_o he_o himself_o make_v prayer_n the_o necessary_a condition_n of_o our_o receive_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o dispute_v the_o philosophy_n of_o it_o for_o we_o must_v ask_v if_o we_o will_v receive_v we_o can_v receive_v of_o none_o but_o god_n and_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o give_v to_o none_o but_o those_o who_o ask_v and_o therefore_o though_o we_o may_v receive_v many_o good_a thing_n without_o ask_v as_o god_n do_v good_a both_o to_o the_o evil_a and_o to_o the_o good_a yet_o we_o can_v never_o be_v secure_a that_o we_o shall_v receive_v and_o the_o good_a thing_n we_o do_v receive_v without_o ask_v seldom_o prove_v blessing_n to_o we_o and_o as_o seldom_o last_a but_o to_o satisfy_v these_o man_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a in_o the_o reasonableness_n and_o necessity_n of_o this_o duty_n and_o to_o give_v they_o a_o true_a notion_n of_o prayer_n let_v we_o brief_o consider_v their_o objection_n against_o it_o and_o the_o sum_n of_o all_o be_v this_o that_o they_o can_v conceive_v how_o our_o prayer_n shall_v signify_v any_o thing_n with_o god_n or_o obtain_v any_o blessing_n for_o we_o which_o he_o will_v not_o have_v bestow_v on_o we_o without_o our_o ask_n to_o be_v good_a and_o virtuous_a they_o will_v allow_v be_v necessary_a to_o entitle_v we_o to_o the_o favour_n and_o protection_n of_o providence_n and_o there_o be_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v do_v good_a to_o good_a man_n whether_o they_o ask_v or_o not_o but_o they_o can_v see_v for_o what_o wise_a end_n prayer_n serve_v or_o how_o it_o shall_v be_v any_o reason_n for_o god_n to_o give_v do_v not_o god_n know_v our_o want_n before_o we_o ask_v or_o do_v he_o need_v to_o be_v inform_v by_o our_o prayer_n what_o we_o will_v have_v he_o do_v for_o we_o be_v not_o our_o want_n and_o his_o own_o essential_a goodness_n a_o sufficient_a motive_n for_o he_o to_o give_v or_o do_v he_o want_v to_o be_v entreat_v and_o importune_v which_o will_v argue_v a_o want_n of_o goodness_n in_o short_a can_v god_n be_v move_v and_o change_v by_o our_o prayer_n to_o alter_v his_o counsel_n to_o do_v that_o good_a for_o we_o which_o otherwise_o he_o will_v not_o have_v do_v or_o to_o divert_v those_o evil_n which_o he_o intend_v to_o have_v bring_v on_o we_o which_o represent_v god_n as_o changeable_a as_o man_n and_o derogate_v from_o the_o immutability_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o counsel_n now_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o let_v we_o consider_v in_o the_o first_o place_n whether_o these_o objection_n do_v not_o prove_v too_o much_o that_o be_v whether_o they_o do_v not_o equal_o destroy_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o make_v any_o prayer_n or_o petition_n to_o man_n as_o well_o as_o to_o god_n there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n indeed_o upon_o this_o account_n that_o good_a man_n may_v be_v ignorant_a of_o our_o want_n and_o may_v need_v to_o be_v inform_v but_o be_v this_o the_o only_a reason_n of_o ask_v to_o inform_v man_n of_o our_o want_n do_v any_o good_a man_n think_v himself_o bind_v though_o he_o know_v our_o want_n to_o supply_v they_o without_o our_o ask_n do_v we_o think_v it_o any_o diminution_n to_o any_o man_n goodness_n that_o he_o will_v not_o give_v unless_o he_o be_v ask_v good_a man_n indeed_o do_v a_o great_a many_o good_a office_n without_o be_v ask_v and_o so_o do_v a_o good_a god_n but_o in_o most_o case_n they_o think_v it_o very_o reasonable_a to_o be_v ask_v and_o that_o it_o be_v pride_n and_o stomach_n not_o to_o ask_v and_o that_o be_v reason_n enough_o not_o to_o give_v it_o do_v not_o become_v some_o man_n to_o ask_v when_o it_o may_v become_v other_o to_o give_v for_o it_o require_v some_o interest_n and_o some_o pretence_n to_o favour_n and_o kindness_n to_o have_v a_o right_a to_o ask_v but_o all_o man_n expect_v that_o those_o who_o depend_v on_o they_o and_o know_v that_o they_o may_v have_v for_o ask_v shall_v ask_v for_o what_o they_o want_v parent_n expect_v this_o from_o their_o child_n and_o a_o prince_n from_o his_o subject_n and_o will_v see_v their_o want_n and_o let_v they_o want_v on_o till_o they_o think_v fit_a to_o ask_v and_o if_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n expect_v this_o from_o their_o dependent_n a_o wise_a and_o good_a god_n may_v as_o reasonable_o expect_v this_o from_o his_o creature_n who_o have_v their_o whole_a dependence_n on_o he_o for_o let_v any_o man_n show_v i_o the_o difference_n if_o it_o be_v consistent_a with_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o expect_v to_o be_v ask_v why_o may_v not_o a_o wise_a and_o good_a god_n expect_v this_o as_o well_o as_o a_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n thus_o as_o changeable_a as_o man_n be_v in_o their_o will_n and_o counsel_n and_o passion_n do_v we_o use_v to_o charge_v any_o man_n with_o fickleness_n and_o inconstancy_n only_o because_o he_o give_v when_o he_o be_v ask_v and_o will_v not_o give_v when_o he_o be_v not_o ask_v that_o be_v do_v it_o prove_v any_o man_n to_o be_v mutable_a to_o change_v only_o as_o a_o wise_a and_o immutable_a rule_n require_v he_o to_o change_v such_o uniform_a and_o regular_a change_n as_o these_o prove_v a_o immutability_n of_o counsel_n and_o if_o this_o be_v the_o stand_a rule_n of_o providence_n it_o argue_v no_o more_o change_n in_o god_n to_o give_v when_o we_o ask_v and_o not_o to_o give_v when_o we_o do_v not_o ask_v than_o it_o be_v to_o punish_v a_o man_n when_o he_o be_v wicked_a and_o to_o reward_v he_o when_o he_o be_v good_a the_o passion_n and_o affection_n of_o human_a nature_n be_v the_o most_o fickle_a and_o inconstant_a thing_n and_o when_o they_o move_v mechanical_o by_o external_a and_o sensible_a impression_n either_o against_o reason_n or_o at_o least_o without_o it_o they_o betray_v man_n to_o that_o uneveness_n and_o uncertainty_n in_o all_o their_o action_n as_o disparage_v both_o their_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n for_o when_o they_o do_v good_a by_o such_o blind_a impulse_n and_o strong_a and_o heady_a passion_n they_o do_v good_a by_o chance_n and_o another_o torrent_n of_o different_a passion_n may_v do_v as_o much_o hurt_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o the_o immutability_n of_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o be_v move_v by_o passion_n when_o reason_n and_o not_o mere_a sense_n move_v they_o for_o reason_n be_v a_o even_a and_o steady_a mover_n to_o say_v that_o a_o man_n passion_n and_o affection_n be_v move_v by_o reason_n to_o do_v that_o which_o he_o never_o intend_v to_o have_v do_v without_o that_o reason_n do_v not_o unbecome_v the_o wise_a and_o best_a man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o to_o say_v that_o a_o good_a man_n be_v move_v by_o prayer_n and_o entreaty_n and_o complaint_n to_o pity_v and_o compassion_n and_o to_o do_v good_a contrary_a to_o his_o former_a intention_n and_o inclination_n be_v no_o reproach_n to_o he_o nor_o be_v it_o any_o reproach_n to_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o providence_n to_o say_v that_o god_n be_v move_v by_o our_o prayer_n and_o entreaty_n to_o do_v that_o for_o we_o which_o otherwise_o he_o will_v not_o have_v do_v for_o it_o neither_o unbecome_v god_n nor_o man_n to_o be_v move_v by_o reason_n we_o live_v in_o a_o critical_a age_n which_o will_v not_o allow_v we_o to_o speak_v intelligible_o of_o god_n because_o we_o want_v word_n sufficient_o to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o motion_n and_o act_n of_o the_o divine_a mind_n and_o the_o passion_n of_o creature_n our_o conception_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n be_v very_o imperfect_a and_o so_o must_v our_o word_n necessary_o be_v and_o therefore_o unless_o you_o will_v venture_v the_o censure_n of_o some_o man_n who_o conceal_v their_o atheism_n under_o a_o religious_a silence_n and_o veneration_n and_o will_v not_o allow_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v say_v or_o think_v of_o god_n for_o fear_v of_o think_v and_o speak_v dishonourable_o of_o he_o you_o must_v not_o say_v that_o god_n hear_v or_o see_v because_o he_o have_v no_o bodily_a ear_n or_o eye_n or_o that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o affection_n in_o god_n as_o love_n or_o hatred_n joy_n