A20225:39
A platform, made for the proof of Gods providence that is, for examining of…A platforme, made for the proofe of Gods prouidence that is, for examining of…
A platform, made for the proof of Gods providence that is, for examining of the truth of this doctrine, whether God by his providence rule all things generally, and every creature and action particularly / by Arthur Dent.A platforme, made for the proofe of Gods prouidence that is, for examining of the truth of this doctrine, whether God by his prouidence rule all things generally, and euery creature and action particularly / by Arthur Dent.
London: printed by Ed. Allde for Henry Gosson, 1608
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.
For that this argument hath been diversly handled, and men have been very curious in discoursing thereof: especially since what way soever they wind themselves, many absurdities do seem to follow them: it will be best I think for me to keep me in the high beaten way, least seeking by ways, I wander out of the way: I mean to discourse so of this doctrine, as I am taught in the word of God, and then diligently to remove all those things what soever they be, not beseming the most pure nature of God, which in the judgement of men, shall some hereof to follow.
For that this argument hath bene diuersly handled, and men haue bene verie curious in discoursing thereof: especially since what way soeuer they winde themselues, many absurdities do seeme to follow them: it will be best I thinke for me to keepe me in the high beaten way, least seeking by wayes, I wander out of the way: I meane to discourse so of this doctrine, as I am taught in the worde of God, and then diligently to remooue all those things what soeuer they be, not beseming ye most pure nature of God, which in ye iudgement of men, shall some hereof to follow.
But if my ignorance were so great, that I could not remove these inconveniences: yet not withstanding, are you and all Christians bound to receive with all humility this true doctrine: and to blame me not, the doctrine, if I be not able to clear it of all those things, which in the judgement of man may seem absurd: And although it is not my purpose, to examine all, that Philosophers and others say against the governing of every thing by the providence of God, yet in my mind, all that they can say against it, may by this one argument be easily overthrown. If he be a God (which they all confess, & though they would deny it, yet may it easily be proved against them) he is a most perfect thing: but that which is most perfect, hath nothing perfecter then it self, neither can we imagine any thing to be more perfect, then that which of it self, is truly and absolutely most perfect: therefore there is nothing, neither can we imagine any thing to be more perfect then God: here upon I infer, if God did not govern all things in general, & every thing in particular, we might well ⟨p. 12⟩