A01974:1255
Gods three arrows plague, famine, sword, in three treatises. I. A plaster for the…Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the…
Gods three arrows plague, famine, sword, in three treatises. I. A plaster for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friars, London.Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friers, London.
London: printed by George Miller for Edward Brewster, 1631
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
True it is that wars are ordered by God: so as this uncertainty of war is not without him. And yet is it not through any neglect or impotency in him. Our God is not like the Gods of the Heathen, who by such as took them for gods are accounted oftentimes unable to help in battle: yea 1when they came themselves to succour such as they favoured, they are said to be wounded. But our God is far from any such impotency. He is able at all times to make whom he will victorious. Only in his wisdom he seeth it meet sometimes to suffer enemies to have the better over his people. Though we could see no reason why he should suffer enemies to prevail, yet ought we to lay our hands upon our mouth, and not dare to impeach his power, wisdom, justice, truth, or any other of his infinite, excellent properties; but rather to say as good old Ely did, It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good. And as David, If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again. But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee, Here I am; let him do to me as seemeth good to him. Yet in Scripture many weighty reasons are implied, to demonstrate to us the equity of Gods providence in this particular. Some of these reasons are such as these that follow.
True it is that warres are ordered by God: so as this uncertainty of warre is not without him. And yet is it not thorow any neglect or impotency in him. Our God is not like the Gods of the Heathen, who by such as tooke them for gods are accounted oftentimes unable to helpe in battell: yea 1when they came themselves to succour such as they favoured, they are said to be wounded. But our God is farre from any such impotency. He is able at all times to make whom he will victorious. Onely in his wisdome he seeth it meet somtimes to suffer enemies to have the better over his people. Though we could see no reason why he should suffer enemies to prevaile, yet ought we to lay our hands upon our mouth, and not dare to impeach his power, wisdome, justice, truth, or any other of his infinite, excellent properties; but rather to say as good old Elie did, It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good. And as David, If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me againe. But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee, Here I am; let him do to me as seemeth good to him. Yet in Scripture many weighty reasons are implied, to demonstrate to us the equity of Gods providence in this particular. Some of these reasons are such as these that follow.