A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

Thirdly, If at any time we can recall to mind, as indeed who is there that cannot, that God hath thus by his Providence prevented us from the commission of Sin, how should this oblige us thankfully to own this Mercy of God to us? May not all of us say, had not God taken away our power, had he not taken away the Objects of our Lusts, had he not diverted us some other way, we had now been deeply engaged in those Sins that the merciful Providence of God hath diverted us from? He it was that hedged up the broad way with Thorns, that so he might turn us into the narrow way that leads unto eternal Life and Happiness.

Fourthly, Hath God's Providence so many Ways and Methods to hinder the Commission of Sin, why then we may be assured that he will never permit it, but when it shall redound to his own Praise and Glory. It is an excellent Saying of ⟨p. 280⟩S. Austin, He that is most good will never suffer evil unless he were also most wise; whereby he is able to bring good out of evil. And therefore when we see wicked men let alone to accomplish their hellish designs, we may then quiet our selves with this, God knows how to make his own advantage out of their wickedness; he knows how from such Dung and Filth to reap a most fruitful Crop of Glory to himself: The Rage of Man, says the Psalmist, thou wilt restrain, and the residue thereof shall turn to thy praise; that wickedness which God doth not restrain, he will make redound to his own Praise and Glory.

Fourthly, and lastly, This may establish our hearts in peace, when we see the wickedness of Men most raging and violent, why they cannot sin unless God gives them a power; as Christ told Pilate, Thou hast no power over me, in John 19.10. except it be given thee from above. And certainly that God that gives them a power to sin, still keeps a power in his own hands to limit them in their Sins; and when their Lusts are most unruly, he can say to them, hitherto shall ye