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

Secondly. 2. The second thing is, the grounds of the denial of providence. This Atheism has been founded,

1. Upon an overweening conceit of mens ⟨p. 118⟩own worths; when men saw themselves frustrated of the rewards they expected, and saw others that were instruments of Tyranny and Lust, graced with the favours they thought due to their own virtue, they ran into a conceit, that God did not mind the actions of men b•low. So that it was pride, interest, self-conceit and opinion of merit, rather then any well grounded reason introduced this part of Atheism into the World, for upon any cross this opinion of merit swelled up into blasphemous speeches against God. When we have any thoughts, (as we are apt to have) by our religious acts to merit at God's hand, we act against the absoluteness of his providence, as though God could be obliged to us by any other then his own promise. Methinks Job hath some spice of this in speaking so often of his own integrity, as though God dealt injuriously with him in afflicting him, God seems to charge him with it. Job. 40.8. [Wilt thou also disannul my judgment, wilt thou condemn me that thou mayest be righteous? As though in speaking so much of his own integrity, and in complaining expressions he would accuse God of injustice ⟨p. 119⟩and condemn him as an unrighteous governor; and in Job's answer you find no syllable or word of his integrity to God, but a self abhorrency, Job. 42.26. Wherefore I abhor my self in dust and ashes. I doubt that from this secret root arise those Speeches which we ordinarily have among men, what have I done that God should so afflict me? Though in a serious way it is a useful question tending to an enquiry into the sin that is the cause of it. But I doubt ordinarily there is too much of a reflection upon God, as though they had deserved other dealing at his hands. Take heed therefore of pride and conceits of our own worth, we shall else be led by it to disparaging conceits of God, which indeed are the roots of all actions contradictory to God's Will.