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
and_o to_o arbitrate_v the_o difference_n of_o prince_n and_o the_o fate_n of_o man_n and_o kingdom_n and_o if_o god_n govern_v man_n by_o nature_n he_o must_v govern_v nature_n too_o for_o necessary_a cause_n can_v be_v fit_v to_o the_o government_n of_o free_a agent_n without_o the_o direction_n and_o management_n of_o a_o divine_a providence_n which_o guide_v exert_n or_o suspend_v the_o influence_n of_o nature_n with_o as_o great_a freedom_n as_o man_n act_n man_n do_v not_o always_o deserve_v well_o or_o ill_o and_o if_o the_o kind_n or_o malign_a influence_n of_o nature_n must_v be_v temper_v to_o man_n desert_n to_o punish_v they_o when_o they_o do_v ill_a and_o to_o reward_v they_o when_o they_o do_v well_o natural_a cause_n which_o of_o themselves_o act_v necessary_o without_o wisdom_n or_o counsel_n must_v be_v guide_v by_o a_o wise_a hand_n thus_o reason_n tell_v we_o it_o must_v be_v if_o god_n govern_v the_o world_n and_o god_n challenge_v to_o himself_o this_o absolute_a and_o sovereign_a empire_n over_o nature_n god_n have_v bestow_v different_a virtue_n and_o power_n on_o natural_a cause_n and_o in_o ordinary_a case_n make_v use_v of_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n and_o neither_o act_n without_o they_o nor_o against_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o make_v some_o unthinking_a man_n resolve_v all_o into_o nature_n without_o a_o god_n or_o a_o providence_n because_o except_v the_o case_n of_o miracle_n which_o they_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o believe_v they_o see_v every_o thing_n else_o do_v by_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o god_n have_v make_v a_o world_n and_o make_v nature_n to_o no_o purpose_n to_o do_v every_o thing_n himself_o by_o a_o immediate_a power_n without_o make_v use_n of_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n but_o the_o ordinary_a government_n of_o nature_n do_v not_o signify_v to_o act_v without_o it_o or_o to_o over-rule_v its_o power_n but_o to_o steer_v and_o guide_v its_o motion_n to_o serve_v the_o wise_a end_n of_o his_o providence_n in_o the_o government_n of_o mankind_n for_o as_o god_n do_v not_o usual_o act_v without_o nature_n nor_o against_o its_o law_n so_o neither_o do_v nature_n act_n by_o steady_a and_o uniform_a motion_n without_o the_o direction_n of_o god_n but_o while_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o material_a world_n act_v necessary_o and_o exert_v its_o natural_a power_n god_n can_v temper_v suspend_v direct_v its_o influence_n without_o reverse_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n as_o for_o instance_n fire_n and_o water_n wind_n and_o rain_n thunder_n and_o lightning_n have_v their_o natutral_a virtue_n and_o power_n and_o natural_a cause_n and_o god_n produce_v such_o effect_n as_o they_o be_v make_v to_o produce_v by_o their_o natural_a power_n he_o warm_v we_o with_o fire_n invigorate_v the_o earth_n by_o the_o benign_a influence_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n and_o other_o star_n and_o planet_n refresh_v and_o moisten_v it_o with_o spring_n and_o fountain_n and_o rain_n from_o heaven_n fan_n the_o air_n with_o wind_n and_o purge_v it_o with_o thunder_n and_o lightning_n and_o the_o like_a but_o then_o when_o and_o where_o the_o rain_n shall_v fall_v and_o the_o wind_n shall_v blow_v in_o what_o measure_n and_o proportion_n time_n and_o season_n natural_a cause_n shall_v give_v or_o withhold_v their_o influence_n this_o god_n keep_v in_o his_o own_o power_n and_o can_v govern_v without_o alter_v the_o stand_a law_n of_o nature_n and_o this_o be_v his_o government_n of_o natural_a cause_n in_o order_n to_o reward_v or_o punish_v man_n as_o they_o shall_v deserve_v thus_o god_n reason_n with_o job_n concern_v his_o power_n and_o providence_n 38._o job_n 31_o 32_o etc._n etc._n can_v thou_o bind_v the_o sweet_a influence_n of_o the_o pleyade_n or_o loose_v the_o band_n of_o orion_n can_v thou_o bring_v forth_o mazzaroth_n in_o his_o season_n or_o can_v thou_o guide_v arcturus_n with_o his_o son_n know_v thou_o the_o ordinance_n of_o heaven_n or_o can_v thou_o set_v the_o dominion_n thereof_o in_o the_o earth_n can_v thou_o lift_v up_o thy_o voice_n to_o the_o cloud_n that_o abundance_n of_o water_n may_v cover_v thou_o can_v thou_o send_v lightning_n that_o they_o may_v go_v and_o say_v unto_o thou_o here_o we_o be_v this_o be_v above_o human_a power_n but_o belong_v to_o the_o government_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n fire_n and_o hail_n snow_n and_o vapour_n and_o stormy_a wind_n fulfil_v his_o word_n 148._o psal._n 8._o sometime_o god_n restrain_v the_o influence_n of_o nature_n shut_v up_o heaven_n that_o it_o shall_v not_o rain_v 2_o chr._n 7._o 13._o at_o other_o time_n he_o call_v to_o the_o cloud_n that_o abundance_n of_o water_n may_v cover_v the_o earth_n he_o give_v the_o former_a and_o the_o latter_a rain_n in_o its_o season_n and_o preserve_v to_o we_o the_o appoint_a week_n of_o harvest_n 5._o jer._n 24_o as_o he_o promise_v to_o israel_n 11_o deut_n 14_o 15._o i_o will_v give_v you_o the_o rain_n of_o your_o land_n in_o his_o due_a season_n the_o first_o rain_n and_o the_o latter_a rain_n that_o thou_o may_v gather_v in_o thy_o corn_n and_o thy_o wine_n and_o thy_o oil_n and_o i_o will_v send_v grass_n in_o thy_o field_n for_o thy_o cattle_n that_o thou_o may_v eat_v and_o be_v full_a he_o prescribe_v in_o what_o proportion_n it_o shall_v rain_v 2._o joel_n 23_o 24._o be_v glad_a you_o child_n of_o zion_n and_o rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n for_o he_o have_v give_v you_o the_o former_a rain_n moderate_o and_o he_o will_v cause_v to_o come_v down_o for_o you_o the_o former_a rain_n and_o the_o latter_a rain_n in_o the_o first_o month_n nay_o god_n appoint_v on_o what_o place_n it_o shall_v rain_v 34._o ezek._n 26._o and_o i_o will_v make_v thou_o and_o the_o place_n round_o about_o my_o hill_n a_o blessing_n and_o i_o will_v cause_v the_o shower_n to_o come_v down_o in_o his_o season_n there_o shall_v be_v shower_n of_o blessing_n 4._o amos_n 7_o 8._o and_o also_o i_o have_v withhold_v the_o rain_n from_o you_o when_o there_o be_v yet_o three_o month_n to_o the_o harvest_n and_o i_o cause_v it_o to_o rain_v upon_o one_o city_n and_o cause_v it_o not_o to_o rain_v upon_o another_o city_n one_o piece_n be_v rain_v upon_o and_o the_o piece_n whereupon_o it_o rain_v not_o wither_a so_o two_o or_o three_o city_n wander_v to_o one_o city_n to_o drink_v water_n but_o they_o be_v not_o satisfy_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o give_v any_o tolerable_a account_n of_o such_o text_n as_o these_o without_o confess_v that_o god_n keep_v the_o direction_n and_o government_n of_o all_o natural_a cause_n in_o his_o own_o hand_n for_o particular_a effect_n and_o all_o the_o change_n of_o nature_n can_v never_o be_v attribute_v to_o god_n unless_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o counsel_n determine_v natural_a cause_n to_o the_o produce_v such_o particular_a effect_n great_a part_n of_o the_o happiness_n or_o misery_n of_o this_o life_n be_v owe_v to_o the_o good_a or_o bad_a influence_n of_o natural_a cause_n that_o if_o god_n take_v care_n of_o mankind_n he_o must_v govern_v nature_n and_o when_o he_o promise_v health_n and_o plenty_n or_o threaten_v pestilence_n and_o famine_n how_o can_v he_o make_v good_a either_o if_o he_o have_v not_o reserve_v to_o himself_o a_o sovereign_a power_n over_o nature_n the_o sum_n be_v this_o that_o all_o natural_a cause_n be_v under_o the_o immediate_a and_o absolute_a government_n of_o providence_n that_o god_n keep_v the_o spring_n of_o nature_n in_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o turn_v they_o as_o he_o please_v for_o mere_a matter_n though_o it_o be_v endow_v with_o all_o natural_a virtue_n and_o power_n which_o necessary_o produce_v their_o natural_a effect_n yet_o it_o have_v no_o wisdom_n and_o counsel_n of_o its_o own_o can_v serve_v the_o end_n of_o a_o free_a agent_n without_o be_v guide_v by_o a_o wise_a hand_n and_o we_o see_v in_o a_o thousand_o instance_n what_o a_o empire_n human_a art_n have_v over_o nature_n not_o by_o change_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n which_o human_a art_n can_v never_o do_v but_o by_o such_o a_o skilful_a application_n of_o cause_n as_o will_v produce_v such_o effect_n as_o unguided_a and_o if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v untaught_a nature_n can_v never_o have_v produce_v and_o if_o god_n have_v subject_v material_a nature_n to_o human_a art_n sure_o he_o have_v not_o exempt_v it_o from_o his_o own_o guidance_n and_o power_n this_o show_v how_o necessary_a it_o be_v that_o god_n by_o a_o immediate_a providence_n shall_v govern_v nature_n for_o natural_a cause_n be_v excellent_a instrument_n but_o to_o make_v they_o useful_a they_o must_v be_v direct_v by_o a_o skilful_a hand_n and_o those_o various_a change_n which_o be_v in_o nature_n especial_o in_o this_o sublunary_a world_n which_o we_o be_v
of_o particular_a creature_n but_o of_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a and_o this_o in_o some_o case_n may_v make_v the_o great_a and_o most_o terrible_a act_n of_o severity_n such_o as_o be_v enough_o to_o affright_v and_o astonish_v the_o world_n act_n of_o the_o great_a goodness_n and_o mercy_n too_o which_o will_v vindicate_v the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n when_o god_n seem_v to_o be_v most_o severe_a and_o to_o have_v forget_v all_o goodness_n and_o compassion_n as_o to_o explain_v this_o in_o some_o particular_a case_n the_o good_a government_n of_o the_o world_n require_v the_o defence_n and_o protection_n of_o mankind_n from_o violent_a and_o unjust_a oppression_n and_o the_o most_o exemplary_a vengeance_n execute_v upon_o such_o private_a or_o public_a oppressor_n be_v a_o great_a act_n of_o goodness_n and_o a_o great_a deliverance_n to_o the_o oppress_a 136._o psalm_n the_o psalmist_n exhort_v we_o to_o give_v thanks_o to_o the_o lord_n for_o he_o be_v good_a for_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o and_o among_o other_o expression_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n and_o mercy_n he_o mention_n the_o plague_n of_o egypt_n and_o the_o deliverance_n of_o israel_n by_o the_o overthrow_n of_o pharaoh_n in_o the_o red-sea_n to_o he_o that_o smite_v egypt_n in_o their_o first-born_a for_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o and_o bring_v out_o israel_n from_o among_o they_o for_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o with_o a_o strong_a hand_n and_o with_o a_o stretched-out_a arm_n for_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o to_o he_o which_o divide_v the_o red-sea_n into_o part_n for_o his_o mercy_n etc._n etc._n and_o make_v israel_n to_o pass_v through_o the_o midst_n of_o it_o but_o overthrow_v pharaoh_n and_o his_o host_n in_o the_o red-sea_n for_o his_o mercy_n etc._n etc._n to_o he_o who_o smite_v great_a king_n and_o slay_v famous_a king_n sihon_n king_n of_o the_o amorites_n and_o og_n the_o king_n of_o bashan_n and_o give_v their_o land_n for_o a_o heritage_n even_o for_o a_o heritage_n to_o israel_n his_o servant_n for_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v well_o consider_v before_o we_o object_v the_o evil_n and_o calamity_n which_o befall_v bad_a man_n against_o the_o goodness_n of_o providence_n for_o there_o be_v few_o bad_a man_n who_o suffer_v any_o remarkable_a vengeance_n but_o that_o their_o suffering_n be_v a_o great_a kindness_n and_o deliverance_n to_o other_o and_o it_o may_v be_v to_o the_o public_a in_o break_v their_o power_n or_o take_v they_o out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o in_o all_o such_o case_n the_o psalmist_n have_v teach_v we_o a_o very_a proper_a hymn_n i_o will_v sing_v of_o mercy_n and_o judgement_n unto_o thou_o o_o lord_n will_v i_o sing_v 101._o psal._n 1_o thus_o the_o good_a government_n of_o the_o world_n require_v some_o great_a and_o last_a example_n of_o god_n justice_n and_o vengeance_n against_o sin_n and_o as_o terrible_a as_o such_o example_n be_v they_o be_v a_o great_a public_a good_a to_o the_o world_n some_o few_o such_o example_n as_o these_o will_v serve_v to_o warn_v a_o age_n nay_o many_o succeed_a age_n and_o generation_n of_o man_n which_o prevent_v the_o more_o frequent_a execution_n of_o vengeance_n and_o justify_v the_o patience_n and_o long-suffering_a of_o god_n to_o sinner_n if_o such_o example_n in_o any_o measure_n reform_v the_o world_n as_o god_n intend_v they_o shall_v it_o make_v this_o world_n a_o much_o happy_a place_n for_o the_o better_a man_n be_v the_o less_o hurt_n and_o the_o more_o good_a they_o will_v do_v and_o the_o less_o evil_a there_o be_v commit_v in_o the_o world_n the_o less_o mankind_n will_v suffer_v and_o the_o great_a blessing_n god_n will_v bestow_v on_o they_o and_o though_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o wickedness_n commit_v in_o the_o world_n after_o such_o terrible_a warning_n as_o these_o god_n may_v exercise_v great_a patience_n and_o forbearance_n towards_o sinner_n without_o the_o least_o blemish_n to_o his_o holiness_n or_o justice_n for_o such_o frightful_a execution_n convince_v the_o world_n of_o god_n justice_n and_o when_o god_n have_v public_o vindicate_v the_o honour_n of_o his_o justice_n he_o may_v try_v gentle_a method_n and_o glorify_v his_o mercy_n and_o patience_n towards_o sinner_n and_o thus_o god_n punish_v that_o he_o may_v spare_v be_v sometime_o very_o terrible_a in_o his_o judgement_n to_o prevent_v the_o necessity_n of_o strike_v often_o that_o sinner_n may_v have_v sufficient_a warning_n and_o that_o he_o may_v be_v good_a to_o sinner_n without_o encourage_v they_o in_o sin_n thus_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o old_a world_n by_o a_o deluge_n of_o water_n when_o they_o be_v past_o be_v reform_v be_v a_o warn_n to_o all_o sinner_n as_o long_o as_o this_o world_n last_v and_o be_v a_o public_a and_o stand_a confutation_n of_o atheism_n of_o such_o scoffer_n as_o say_v where_o be_v the_o promise_n of_o his_o come_n for_o since_o the_o father_n fall_v asleep_a all_o thing_n continue_v as_o they_o be_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o creation_n the_o constant_a and_o regular_a course_n of_o nature_n without_o any_o supernatural_a change_n and_o revolution_n tempt_v man_n to_o think_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n in_o the_o world_n who_o change_v time_n and_o season_n but_o this_o st._n peter_n tell_v we_o be_v visible_o confute_v by_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o old_a world_n for_o this_o they_o be_v willing_o ignorant_a of_o that_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o heaven_n be_v of_o old_a and_o the_o earth_n stand_v out_o of_o the_o water_n and_o in_o the_o water_n whereby_o the_o world_n that_o then_o be_v be_v overflow_v with_o water_n perish_v and_o this_o be_v reason_n enough_o to_o fear_v and_o expect_v what_o god_n have_v threaten_v that_o this_o present_a world_n shall_v be_v burn_v by_o fire_n but_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n which_o be_v now_o by_o the_o same_o word_n be_v keep_v in_o store_n reserve_v unto_o fire_n against_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o perdition_n of_o ungodly_a man_n 2_o peter_n 3._o 5_o 6_o 7._o such_o destruction_n as_o these_o can_v be_v attribute_v to_o no_o natural_a cause_n but_o the_o same_o word_n which_o make_v the_o world_n destroy_v the_o old_a world_n by_o water_n and_o will_v destroy_v this_o by_o fire_n which_o make_v it_o a_o visible_a demonstration_n of_o the_o power_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n by_o fire_n from_o heaven_n be_v not_o only_o a_o general_n warn_v to_o sinner_n but_o a_o example_n of_o a_o divine_a vengeance_n against_o all_o uncleanness_n and_o unnatural_a lusts._n as_o st._n jude_n tell_v we_o even_o as_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n and_o the_o city_n about_o they_o in_o like_a manner_n give_v themselves_o over_o to_o fornication_n and_o go_v after_o strange_a flesh_n be_v set_v forth_o for_o a_o example_n suffer_v the_o vengeance_n of_o eternal_a fire_n v_o 7._o thus_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o roman_n which_o be_v attend_v with_o the_o most_o terrible_a circumstance_n that_o we_o ever_o meet_v with_o in_o story_n be_v a_o last_a confutation_n of_o infidelity_n and_o a_o glorious_a testimony_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o religion_n so_o that_o most_o of_o the_o terrible_a example_n of_o god_n vengeance_n how_o terrible_a soever_o they_o be_v to_o those_o who_o suffer_v be_v act_n of_o great_a goodness_n to_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o belong_v to_o the_o goodness_n of_o government_n by_o some_o severe_a execution_n to_o protect_v and_o defend_v the_o innocent_a and_o reclaim_v other_o offender_n without_o the_o necessity_n of_o terrify_v the_o world_n in_o every_o age_n with_o such_o repeat_v severity_n nay_o we_o may_v observe_v far_o that_o when_o the_o world_n be_v grow_v very_o corrupt_a and_o degenerate_a and_o such_o sinner_n if_o they_o be_v suffer_v to_o continue_v in_o it_o will_v certain_o propagate_v their_o atheism_n infidelity_n and_o lewdness_n to_o all_o posterity_n it_o be_v great_a goodness_n to_o all_o succeed_a generation_n to_o cleanse_v the_o world_n of_o its_o impure_a inhabitant_n by_o some_o great_a destruction_n by_o sword_n or_o plague_n or_o famine_n to_o lessen_v the_o number_n of_o sinner_n and_o to_o possess_v those_o who_o escape_n with_o a_o great_a awe_n and_o reverence_n of_o god_n judgement_n nay_o to_o observe_v but_o one_o thing_n more_o many_o time_n these_o terrible_a shake_v and_o convulsion_n of_o the_o world_n be_v intend_v by_o god_n to_o open_v some_o new_a and_o more_o glorious_a scene_n of_o providence_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o four_o empire_n which_o prey_v upon_o each_o other_o and_o be_v at_o last_o swallow_v up_o by_o the_o roman_a power_n though_o they_o make_v great_a destruction_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o they_o carry_v learn_v and_o civility_n into_o