The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

AFTER the everlasting¹ Decrees of GOD, and² the Creation of the World, his Kingdom thirdly standeth in governing the things created: Both the course which at the first Creation he set in nature, and the actions and events of things. Herein consider we first the generality of this government, that it reacheth to all in general, and to every thing in particular, past, present, or to come.

AFTER the euerlasting¹ Decrees of GOD, and² the Creation of the World, his Kingdome thirdly standeth in gouerning the things created: Both the course which at the first Creation hee set in nature, and the actions and euents of things. Herein consider wee first the generalitie of this gouernment, that it reacheth to all in generall, and to euery thing in particular, past, present, or to come.

1. 1Epicures, which deny all Providence of God. Those Philosophers that held nature (That is, some Power or Virtue, Spirit or Mind, as they term it, mingled and infused into the parts of the World, that holdeth up and stirreth all things) to be God. Whereas in truth, nature is nothing else, but that course & order which God at the first Creation set in things, and which he altereth and changeth at his pleasure, Deuter. 8. 3. Man liveth not by bread only, but by▪ every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of Jehovah.Epicures, which deny all Prouidence of God. Those Philosophers that held nature (That is, some Power or Vertue, Spirit or Minde, as they terme it, mingled and infused into the parts of the World, that holdeth vp and stirreth all things) to bee God. Whereas in truth, nature is nothing else, but that course & order which God at the first Creation set in things, and which hee altereth and changeth at his pleasure,