1 Furthermore it shall be expedient here to note to what end the Scripture doth teach that all things are ordered by God:1 and first of all we must note, that we must consider the providence of God as well for the time to come as for the time past: secondly that it doth so order all things, that sometimes ⟨p. 53⟩it worketh by means, and sometimes without §1means, & sometimes against all means: lastly that §2it tendeth to this end that God may show that he careth §1 2 3for all mankind: and that he doth especially §3watch over his Church in governing the same. And §4now this must be added moreover, that although either §1the fatherly favour of God, or else the sharpness §2of his judgment do shine in the whole course of Gods providence: yet are the causes of those things which fall out sometimes hidden, so that this cogitation creepeth into our minds, that the affairs of men are turned over and whirled about with the blind sway of fortune: or else the flesh doth provoke us to murmur, as if God did make tennis balls of men to play withal. But we shall learn by the end,2 if we will be quiet, that God hath a right good reason for his purpose. Therefore let us reverence the secret judgements of God.
1 FVrthermore it shall be expedient here to note to what end the Scripture doth teach that all things are ordered by God:1 and first of all we must note, that we must consider the prouidence of God as well for the time to come as for the time past: secondly that it doth so order all things, that sometimes ⟨p. 53⟩it worketh by meanes, and somtimes without §1meanes, & somtimes against all meanes: lastly that §2it tēdeth to this end that God may shew that he careth §1 2 3for all mankinde: and that he doth especially §3watch ouer his Church in gouerning the same. And §4now this must be added moreouer, that although either §1the fatherly fauour of God, or else the sharpnes §2of his iudgmēt do shine in the whole course of Gods prouidēce: yet are the causes of those things which fall out sometimes hidden, so that this cogitation creepeth into our mindes, that the affaires of men are turned ouer and whirled about with the blinde sway of fortune: or else the flesh doth prouoke vs to murmure, as if God did make tennis bals of men to play withall. But we shall learne by the end,2 if we will be quiet, that God hath a right good reason for his purpose. Therefore let vs reuerence the secret iudgements of God.
- 1The end of Goddes providenceThe ende of Goddes prouidence
- 2We must mark the end of things. A note.We must marke the end of things. A note.
