Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

He hath opened the Womb of the Earth to nourish us; and sent down the Records of Heaven, to direct us in our Pilgrimage: He hath provided the Earth for our habitation, while we are Travellers; and sent his Word to acquaint us with a felicity at the end of our Journey, and the way to attain in another World, what we want in this, viz. a happy Immortality.

He hath open'd the Womb of the Earth to nourish us; and sent down the Records of Heaven, to direct us in our Pilgrimage: He hath provided the Earth for our habitation, while we are Travellers; and sent his Word to acquaint us with a felicity at the end of our Journey, and the way to attain in another World, what we want in this, viz. a happy Immortality.

5. His Goodness in his Government is evident. In Conversions of Men. Though this Work be wrought by his Power, yet his Power was first solicited by his Goodness. It was his rich Goodness, that he would employ his power to pierce the scales of a heart as hard as those of the Leviathan. It was this that opened the Ears of Men to hear him, and draws them from the hurry of Worldly cares, and the Charms of Sensual Pleasures, and, which is the top of all, the impostures and Cheats of their own hearts. It is this that sends a spark of his wrath into Mens consciences, to put them to a stand in sin, that he might not send down a shower of Brimstone eternally to consume their persons. This it was that first showed you the Excellency of the Redeemer, and brought you to taste the sweetness of his Blood, and find your security in the Agonies of his Death. 'Tis his Goodness to call one man and not another, to turn Paul in his course, and lay hold of no other of his companions. 'Tis his Goodness to call any, when he is not bound to call one.

5. His Goodness in his Government is evident. In Conversions of Men. Though this Work be wrought by his Power, yet his Power was first sollicited by his Goodness. It was his rich Goodness, that he would employ his power to pierce the scales of a heart as hard as those of the Leviathan. It was this that opened the Ears of Men to hear him, and draws them from the hurry of Worldly cares, and the Charms of Sensual Pleasures, and, which is the top of all, the impostures and Cheats of their own hearts. It is this that sends a spark of his wrath into Mens consciencies, to put them to a stand in sin, that he might not send down a shower of Brimstone eternally to consume their persons. This it was that first shewed you the Excellency of the Redeemer, and brought you to taste the sweetness of his Bloud, and find your security in the Agonies of his Death. 'Tis his Goodness to call one man and not another, to turn Paul in his course, and lay hold of no other of his companions. 'Tis his Goodness to call any, when he is not bound to call one.