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…

This argument thus drawn from the nature of Gods justice (which seemeth to be contrary to his government by his providence, if he should see, moderate, and suffer all these outrages and disorders) is one of the chiefest props ⟨p. 36⟩of Epicurus his opinion: And this argument troubleth many that now live, & daily labour to bring Epicurus name in obloquy with all men, & yet are content to live like Epicures: and this argument also the Turks, and our capital enemies (the papists) object most against us: and sure it carrieth such weight with it, that David confesseth that he was so astonied, that his feet were almost gone: & his steppes had well-nigh slipped, when he saw the prosperity of the wicked, and punishments and hard entertainment of the godly, until he went into the sanctuary of God: then understood he their end, that is until David entered into Gods school, & learned by his word & holy spirit, that he ordered all things most wisely, & justly. After Pompey had been put to the worst in the battle fought betwixt Caesar and him, in the confines of Pharsalus, and escaped by flight to Mytilene, he went to Cratippus, and disputed with the Philosopher in his garden, whether he thought there was any God which by his providence ruled in earth: and for that before in very bad quarrels ⟨p. 37⟩•ee had had most prosperous success, as when he had subdued, and in battle vanquished the inhabitants of the East part of the world, and was now in a most good cause overcome, stripped of his army, and forced to fly away himself alone most shamefully: he hereof gathered that God regarded not what was •one amongst men, but that all things were •one by chance. Thus doth the wise men of […] world judge & speak of such events. But the holy ghost teacheth us to judge •ar otherwise of them: When Moses in his song Deut. 32. was to deliver to the people the threatenings of God, if they were disobedient, which afterward the rebellious Israelites felt, he useth this preface: Perfect is the work of the mighty God: for all his ways are judgement: God is true & without wickedness, just and righteous is he: teaching hereby that whatsoever the world doth prate of the causes of afflictions, that God with great wisdom, doth send forth of his treasures all sorts of calamities: some-time by them to punish the wicked, sometime to exercise the godly