An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

For seeing the world continues in the midst of such confusions, it shows there is a mighty power, balancing these confusions so exactly, that they cannot ruin the world, If there were not an over-ruling power in God, wicked men ruling would soon ruin all. There are mysteries of providence, as well as of faith. And many are as much puzzled to interpret what God doth, as what he hath spoken. I find Heathens often stumbling at this stone, and ungodding their Idol gods at the sight of such distributions among men.¹ When evil takes away good men, this is my next thought (saith one of them) I am solicited to think there are no gods. Another observing how unequally men were buried, buries God in that observation. Licinus a cruel oppressor lies interred in a stately monument. Cato, a sober, grave, wise, and just Senator hath a mean and poor sepulchre, scarce looking above the ground. Pompey the great, that famous Commander and Conqueror had no tomb at all, he was buried no man knoweth where. When we see (saith he) things go thus, who would think that there are any gods?

For seeing the world continues in the midst of such confusions, it shews there is a mighty power, balancing these confusions so exactly, that they cannot ruine the world, If there were not an over-ruling power in God, wicked men ruling would soon ruine all. There are mysteries of providence, as well as of faith. And many are as much puzzl'd to enterpret what God doth, as what he hath spoken. I finde Heathens often stumbling at this stone, and ungodding their Idol gods at the sight of such distributions among men.¹ When evil takes away good men, this is my next thought (saith one of them) I am sollicited to thinke there are no gods. Another observing how unequally men were buried, buries God in that observation. Licinus a cruell oppressour lies interred in a stately monument. Cato, a sober, grave, wise, and just Senatour hath a mean and poor sepulchre, scarce looking above the ground. Pompey the great, that famous Commander and Conquerour had no tomb at all, he was buried no man knoweth where. When we see (saith he) things go thus, who would thinke that there are any gods?

1. 1Cum rapiunt mala fata bonos, ignoscite fasso, Sollicitor nullos esse putare Deos. Ovid. Marmoreo Licin tumulo jacet, & Cato parvo, Pompeius nullo: quis puter esse Deos?