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A53569 Twenty sermons preached upon several occasions by William Owtram ...; Sermons. Selections Owtram, William, 1626-1679.; Gardiner, James, 1637-1705. 1682 (1682) Wing O604; ESTC R2857 194,637 508

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Providence concerns it self in the Administration Rule and Government of the affairs of mankind Which though it be a general subject yet must I stay a while upon it because the truth of this one thing is the very foundation of all Religion and more especially of that particular part of it which we are to exercise at this time which is to render our thanks to God for restoring our lawful Prince to us and the blessings attending his Restitution namely our Religion Laws and Liberties If this was not done by Divine Providence it would be flattery or mistake to return any thanks to God for it but if it was as it was indeed then to neglect to praise him for it would be a Sacrilegious ingratitude Now therefore let us a while reflect upon the Arguments and Demonstrations that make it evident there is a Providence that is that God concerns himself and interposes his power and wisdom in the Administration of humane affairs and all the concernments in the World 1. And first of all had we no more than the light of nature to give us assurance that this is so even that might effectually serve to do it That very light evidently shews that there is a God who made the World and all the Creatures therein contained from the admirable structure and contrivance clearly appearing in he whole and every part thereof And such are the works of Gods Creation as evidently shew an infinite wisdom power and bounty in him that is the Author of them and there is nothing more unreasonable than to imagine that infinite wisdom power and goodness either cannot or will not interpose in the ordering of the affairs of men No man will say he cannot do it for this is against the natural notion of a God and is most evidently contradicted by what he hath already done in the Creation of the World a work of infinite power and wisdo● And if any will say he will not do it his reason necessarily must be this namely want of concernment in God for us that is want of kindness to us the noblest works of his own hands which is most evidently contradicted in the love already shewed to us in that he hath not only made us but provided all things needful for us and given us infinitely great advantages over all the rest of his visible Creatures and still continues all these favours from whence it appears that there is nothing more unreasonable than to imagine or suspect that God either cannot or that he will not interpose in the administration of our affairs It is no toyl to him to do it his wisdom and power are never weary To do it is suitable to that goodness which he hath already shewed unto us and besides it is most extream folly to fancy that God would imploy an infinite power and wisdom in the Creation of the World and then abandon it unto chance and concern himself no further in it The same wisdom that could not but make it for an end cannot but still pursue the end for which he made it in the ordering Rule and Government of it To act for no end argues folly to cease to pursue an end propounded evidently argues want of wisdom from whence it appears that the wise God both had an end in the Creation of the World and that he still pursues that end by the Rule and Government of his Providence 2. Thus far speaks the light of nature but now if we rise a degree higher and take a view of Revelation made by God in his Holy Word here we find express witness and Authentick record of Gods Providence in the rule and Government of the World 1. For first of all God doth in most express Language own the Government of the World assume and vindicate it to himself see now saith he that I even I am he and there is no God with me I kill and I make alive I wound and I heal neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand Deuter. 32.39 Whereunto add that of the Prophet I am God and there is none like else I am God and there is none like me declaring the end from the beginning and from antient times the things that are not yet done Saying my counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure lsaiah 46.9 10. From whence observe that God expresly declares himself to be the Governour of the World assumes this as his proper right and certainly God doth not declare himself to do what indeed he doth not nor assumes what doth not belong to him 2. And then further as God himself exprefly owns the Rule and Government of the World so do all wise men ascribe it to him Thou even thou art Lord alone saith Nehemiah Thou hast made heaven the heaven of heavens with all their host the earth and all things that are therein the Seas and all that is therein and thou preservest them all Nehem. 9.6 Where he ascribes as well the preservation as the Creation of all to God and certainly he did not design to flatter him by ascribing more than he did unto him 3. And add hereunto the style and Title wherein the Scriptures represent God They style him Lord and thereby own his right and title to the World They style him King and thereby own his Government of it The Lord is King for ever and ever Psal 10.16 and the Lord sitteth King for ever Psal 29.10 Nay they expresly style him Governour the Kingdom is the Lords and he is the Governour among the Nations Psal 22.28 and call upon the Nations to rejoyce under the righteousness of his reign O let the Nations he glad for joy for thou shalt judge the people righteously and govern the Nations upon earth Psal 67.4 Now so universal is Gods Providence that it is concerned in every Creature in man as bearing his own Image in meaner Creatures as made for man Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing and yet one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father But the very hairs of your head are numbered fear not therefore for ye are of more value than many sparrows Math. 10.29 So far doth God consider man that he concerned is in all his actions he commands he assists he rewards the good he forbids and punishes what is evil and though he permit it to be done though he do not irresistably hinder it yet hath he an end in that permission which is to bring good out of evil and uses it for his own glory This is the nature this is the extent of Gods Providence a thing so necessary to be believed that all our Prayers all our thanksgivings all our obedience depend upon it He that believes God will do nothing hath no reason to pray for any thing He that believes he hath done nothing hath no reason to give him thanks He that believes he is unconcerned in the good or evil of mankind as every man must that