An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches

Moreover, if all this satisfy not Disputes, if it be worth the Cost, they may try the Case thus: Supposing that God hath told no man his Secrets, when he will immediately move any thing without second Causes, and that no second Causes, nor his own Operation by them can move any thing without another immediate Motion, Let them cut down the Pillars, or undermine their Houses, and say that by mere natural Causes the House cannot fall: Let them set fire on their Houses, and say that by mere natural Causes they cannot be burnt: Let them drink Poison, and say, By mere natural Causes it cannot hurt us: Or let them cut their Flesh, &c. For God never told them, ⟨p. 78⟩that he will immediately concur, and then there is no danger.

Moreover, if all this satisfie not Disputes, if it be worth the Cost, they may try the Case thus: Supposing that God hath told no man his Secrets, when he will immediately move any thing without second Causes, and that no second Causes, nor his own Operation by them can move any thing without another immediate Motion, Let them cut down the Pillars, or undermine their Houses, and say that by meer natural Causes the House cannot fall: Let them set fire on their Houses, and say that by meer natural Causes they cannot be burnt: Let them drink Poison, and say, By meer natural Causes it cannot hurt us: Or let them cut their Flesh, &c. For God never told them, ⟨p. 78⟩that he will immediately concurr, and then there is no danger.

Perhaps they will say, That Experience telleth us that God doth usually concur with them: I answer, And is not that because he worketh by them? What Experience or Reason have you, that God should still work immediately with▪ them, and yet not by them? We can prove that He worketh as the first Cause. But if you will prove that He doth it not as the first Cause moving the second Causes, but by immediate concomitancy, let us hear your proofs.