A treatise of divine providence I. In general, II. In particular, as relating to…

2. God orders them to bring forth temporal mercies. In Providence there are two things considerable. First Mans Will. 2. Gods purpose. What mans will intends as a harm in sin, God in his secret purpose orders to some eminent advantage. In the selling of Joseph, his Brothers intend the execution of their revenge. And God orders it for the advancement of himself and the preservation of his unrighteous Enemies, who might otherwise have starved. His Brothers sent him to frustrate his dream, and God to fulfil it. Our reformation and return from under the yoke of Antichrist, was by the wise disposal of God occasioned by the three great Idols of the World, the lust of the Eye, the lust of the Flesh, ⟨p. 81⟩and the pride of life; lust, covetousness and ambition, three vices notoriously eminent in Henry the Eighth, the first instrument in that work. What he did for the satisfaction of his Lust is ordered by God for the glory of his mercy to us. And though the Papists upon that account reflect upon our Reformation, they may as well reflect upon the glorious work of redemption, because it was in the wisdom of God brought about by Judas his covetousness, and the Jews malice.

2. God orders them to bring forth temporal mercies. In Providence there are two things considerable. First Mans Will. 2. Gods purpose. What mans will intends as a harm in sin, God in his secret pupose orders to some eminent advantage. In the selling of Joseph, his Brothers intend the execution of their revenge. And God orders it for the advancement of himself and the preservation of his unrighteous Enemies, who might otherwise have starved. His Brothers sent him to frustrate his dream, and God to fulfil it. Our reformation and return from under the yoke of Antichrist, was by the wise disposal of God occasioned by the three great Idols of the World, the lust of the Eye, the lust of the Flesh, ⟨p. 81⟩and the pride of life; lust, covetousness and ambition, three vices notoriously eminent in Henry the Eighth, the first instrument in that work. What he did for the satisfaction of his Lust is ordered by God for the glory of his mercy to us. And though the Papists upon that account reflect upon our Reformation, they may as well reflect upon the glorious work of redemption, because it was in the wisdom of God brought about by Judas his covetousness, and the Jews malice.