Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

Thus many apprehend the Evils that befall them, either merely as the Productions of Natural Causes, or as casual Events, or the Effects of the Displeasure and Injustice of Men, but never look on the other side of the Veil of the second Causes, to that invisible Providence that orders all. If a Disease strikes their Bodies, they attribute it to the extremity of Heat or Cold, that distempers their Humours: if a Loss comes in their Estates, 'tis ascribed to Chance, Carelessness and Falseness of some upon whom they depended; but God is concealed from their sight by the nearness of the immediate Agent. Whereas the principal Cause of all Temporal Evils is the over-ruling Providence of God. Shall there be Evil in a City, and the ⟨p. 135⟩¹Lord hath not done it? They come not only with his Knowledge and Will, but by his Efficiency. The Locusts that infected Egypt are as ²real an Effect of God's Wrath, as the most miraculous Plague, although an East Wind brought them, and a West Wind carried them away. The Arrow that was shot at a venture, and pierced between the Joints of Ahab's Armour, was directed by ³the Hand of God for his Destruction. Shimei's cursing of David, tho it was the overflowing of his Gall, the Effect of his Malignity, yet that holy King looked higher, and acknowledged the Lord hath bidden ⁴him. As the Lord is a God of Power, and can inflict what Judgments he pleaseth immediately; so he is a God of Order, and usually punisheth in this World by subordinate means. Now where-ever he strikes, tho his Hand is wrapped up in a Cloud, yet if it be not observed, ⟨p. 136⟩especially if by habitual Incogitancy Men consider not with whom they have to do in their various Troubles, this profane neglect is no less than a despising the Chastenings of the Lord.

Thus many apprehend the Evils that befal them, either meerly as the Productions of Natural Causes, or as casual Events, or the Effects of the Displeasure and Injustice of Men, but never look on the other side of the Vail of the second Causes, to that invisible Providence that orders all. If a Disease strikes their Bodies, they attribute it to the extremity of Heat or Cold, that distempers their Humours: if a Loss comes in their Estates, 'tis ascribed to Chance, Carelesness and Falseness of some upon whom they depended; but God is concealed from their sight by the nearness of the immediate Agent. Whereas the principal Cause of all Temporal Evils is the over-ruling Providence of God. Shall there be Evil in a City, and the