and such is his condescending Love, and inconceivable benignity, that he stiles himself by the most endearing ⟨p. 142⟩relation, their God. They are the prime part of his vigilant care. 'Tis St. Austin's affectionate ejaculation, O Omnipotent Goodness, that 1so particularly regardest every one of us, as if the sole objects of thy tender care, and all of us as single persons! The Sun applies its quickening influences for the production and growth of a single Plant as particularly as if there were no other things in the World to receive them; yet at the same time it passes from Sign to Sign in the Heavens, changes the Scenes of the Elements, produces new Seasons, and its active and prolific heat forms and transforms whatsoever is changed in Nature. This is a fit resemblance of the universal and special operations of Divine Providence; what a strong security doth this give to a Christian in the ⟨p. 143⟩midst of all Trouble in this corrupt and changeable World? How will it clear the mind from those miserable perplexities, and quiet those improvident, precipitant Passions that so often afflict the afflicted? Whatever Evils befall the Saints, are with the Knowledge, the Will, and by the efficiency of God, materially considered; and is he defective in Wisdom, Power, or Goodness, that what he does, either might or ought to be better otherwise? Indeed, sometimes the special ends of his Afflicting Providence are in such deep obscurity, that our Line is too short to fathom, and the manner how good shall result from Evil is unknown, but then we may conclude with evidence, 'tis for the best. When Caesarius a Primitive Saint was arguing in himself, how that Scripture ⟨p. 144⟩could be true, that the Earth was founded on the Waters; how the more weighty Element should not sink, and be overwhelmed by the other: he stopped the course of his Thoughts by this reflection, I forgot my self when I said to God, how can this be? and admires that which 2he could not comprehend. For inferior reasons we often pray, that particular Evils that are near, may be prevented; but if they overtake us, we may be satisfied that they are appointed by his supreme Reason and Everlasting Counsel. As in a Consort of Music, the parts are not formed when they are sung, but were composed before by the skill of the Musician, and every part assigned convenient to the Voices of the Persons.
and such is his condescending Love, and inconceivable benignity, that he stiles himself by the most endearing ⟨p. 142⟩relation, their God. They are the prime part of his vigilant care. 'Tis St. Austin's affectionate ejaculation, O Omnipotent Goodness, that 1so particularly regardest every one of us, as if the sole objects of thy tender care, and all of us as single persons! The Sun applies its quickening influences for the production and growth of a single Plant as particularly as if there were no other things in the World to receive them; yet at the same time it passes from Sign to Sign in the Heavens, changes the Scenes of the Elements, produces new Seasons, and its active and prolifick heat forms and transforms whatsoever is changed in Nature. This is a fit resemblance of the universal and special operations of Divine Providence; what a strong security doth this give to a Christian in the ⟨p. 143⟩midst of all Trouble in this corrupt and changeable World? How will it clear the mind from those miserable perplexities, and quiet those improvident, precipitant Passions that so often afflict the afflicted? Whatever Evils befal the Saints, are with the Knowledg, the Will, and by the efficiency of God, materially considered; and is he defective in Wisdom, Power, or Goodness, that what he does, either might or ought to be better otherwise? Indeed, sometimes the special ends of his Afflicting Providence are in such deep obscurity, that our Line is too short to fathom, and the manner how good shall result from Evil is unknown, but then we may conclude with evidence, 'tis for the best. When Caesarius a Primitive Saint was arguing in himself, how that Scripture ⟨p. 144⟩could be true, that the Earth was founded on the Waters; how the more weighty Element should not sink, and be overwhelmed by the other: he stopt the course of his Thoughts by this reflection, I forgat my self when I said to God, how can this be? and admires that which 2he could not comprehend. For inferiour reasons we often pray, that particular Evils that are near, may be prevented; but if they overtake us, we may be satisfied that they are appointed by his supreme Reason and Everlasting Counsel. As in a Consort of Musick, the parts are not formed when they are sung, but were composed before by the skill of the Musician, and every part assign'd convenient to the Voices of the Persons.
- 1O bone Omnipotens, qui sic unumquemque nostrum tanquam solum cures, & sic omnes tanquam singulos! Aug. Conf. lib. 13.
- 2Dial. 1.
