Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

2. As Goodness renders him fit to govern the World, so God doth actually govern the World. Can we understand this Perfection aright, and yet imagine, that he is of so Morose a Disposition, as to neglect the care of his Creatures? That his Excellency which was displayed in framing the World, should withdraw and wrap up it self in his own Bosom, without looking out, and darting it self out in the disposal of them? Can that which moved him first to Erect a World, suffer him to be unmindful of his own Work? Would he design first to display it in Creation, and afterwards obscure the Honour of it? That cannot be Entitled an Infinite permanent Goodness, which should be so indifferent, as to let the Creatures tumble together, as they please, without any order, after he had Moulded them in his hand. If Goodness be diffusive and communicative of it self, can it consist with the Nature of it, to extend it self to the giving the Creatures Being, and then withdraw and contract it self, not caring what becomes of them? 'Tis the Nature of Goodness after it hath communicated it self, to enlarge its Channels; That Fountain that springs up in a little hollow part of the Earth, doth in a short progress increase its Streams, and widen the Passages through which it runs: It would be a blemish to Divine Goodness, if it did desert what it made, and leave things to wild Confusions, which would be, if a good hand did not manage them, and a good Mind preside over them. This is the Lesson intended to us by all his Judgments,^* That the living may know, that the Most High Rules in the Kingdoms of Men. If he doth not actually govern the World, he must have devolved it somewhere, either to Men or Angels; Not to Men, who naturally want a goodness and Wisdom to govern themselves, much more to govern others exactly. And besides the misinterpretations of actions, they are liable to the want of Patience, to bear with the provocations of the World. Since some of the best at one time in the World, and in the greatest example of meekness and sweetness, would have kindled a Fire in Heaven to have consumed the Samaritans, for no other affront than a non Entertainment of their Master, and themselves^*. Nor hath he committed the disposal of things to Angels, either good or bad; though he useth them as Instruments in his Government, yet they are not the principal Pilots to Steer the World.