Thus much concerning the doctrine of Gods providence. Now follows the duties. First, seeing there is a providence of God over every thing that is, we are hereby taught to take good heed of the transgression of the least of Gods commandments. If men were persuaded that the Prince had an eye every where, doubtless many subjects in England would walk more obediently to the laws of the land then they do: and durst in no wise work such villainies as are daily practised. Well, howsoever it is with earthly princes, yet this all-seeing-presence is least wanting in God: he hath an eye every where: wheresoever thou art, there God beholdeth thee, as David saith,1 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that would understand and seek God. Therefore except thou be brutish and past shame take heed of sin. If men had but a spark of grace, the consideration of this would make them loath the practise of any evil work. Elijah saith to Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these three years. 2Where the Prophet confirmeth his speech with an oath, saying, As the Lord of hosts liveth it shall be so. And least Ahab should think he made no conscience what he said, he addeth this clause, that he stood in the presence of God. As if he should say: howsoever thou thinkest of me, yet as it stands me in hand, so do I make conscience of my word: for I stand in the presence of God, and therefore know it, as the Lord liveth there shall be no rain now dew these three years. So Cornelius having an eye to Gods providence, doth move himself, and all his household to a solemn hearing of the word of God delivered by the mouth of Peter, saying,3 that they were all present before God, to hear all things commanded of him. As these men had regard to Gods providence, so we likewise must behave our selves reverently, making conscience of our behaviour both in words and works: because wheresoever we be, we are in the presence of God. Secondly, if there be a providence of God over every thing, then we must learn contentation of mind in every estate: yea, in adversity under the cross when all goes against us we must be content, because Gods providence hath so appointed.4 So David in the greatest of his griefs was dumb and spake nothing; his reason was, because thou Lord didst it.
Thus much concerning the doctrine of Gods prouidence. Now followes the duties. First, seeing there is a prouidence of God ouer euery thing that is, we are hereby taught to take good heede of the transgression of the least of Gods commandements. If men were perswaded that the Prince had an eye euery where, doubtlesse many subiects in England would walke more obediently to the lawes of the land then they doe: and durst in no wise worke such villanies as are daily practised. Well, howsoeuer it is with earthly princes, yet this all-seeing-presence is least wanting in God: he hath an eye euery where: wheresoeuer thou art, there God beholdeth thee, as Dauid saith,1 God looked downe from heauen vpon the children of men, to see if there were any that would vnderstand and seeke God. Therefore except thou be brutish and past shame take heede of sinne. If men had but a sparke of grace, the consideration of this would make them loath the practise of any euill worke. Eliah saith to Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liueth before whome I stand, there shall be neither dewe nor raine these three yeares. 2Where the Prophet confirmeth his speach with an oath, saying, As the Lord of hosts liueth it shalbe so. And least Ahab should think he made no conscience what he said, he addeth this clause, that he stood in the presence of God. As if he should say: howsoeuer thou thinkest of me, yet as it stands me in hand, so doe I make conscience of my word: for I stand in the presence of God, and therefore know it, as the Lord liueth there shall be no raine now dew these three yeares. So Cornelius hauing an eye to Gods prouidence, doth mooue himselfe, and all his houshold to a solemne hearing of the word of God deliuered by the mouth of Peter, saying,3 that they were all present before God, to heare all things commanded of him. As these men had regard to Gods prouidence, so we likewise must behaue our selues reuerently, making conscience of our behauiour both in words and works: because wheresoeuer we be, we are in the presence of God. Secondly, if there be a prouidence of God ouer euery thing, then we must learne contentation of mind in euery estate: yea, in aduersitie vnder the crosse when all goes against vs we must be content, because Gods prouidence hath so appointed.4 So Dauid in the greatest of his griefes was dumbe and spake nothing; his reason was, because thou Lord didst it.
- 1Psal. 53.2.
- 21. King. 17.1.
- 3Act. 10.33.
- 4Psal. 39.9.
