A discourse concerning the Redeemer's dominion over the invisible world, and the entrance thereinto

Nor, perhaps, is it considered so deeply as it ought, that it hath seemed meet to the Supreme Wisdom, upon a most important reason, in the case of lengthening, or shortening the Lives of Men, not ordinarily, or otherwise, than upon a great occasion, to interrupt the tendencies of Natural Causes, But let Nature run its Course: For otherwise, very frequent innovations upon Nature, would make Miracles cheap, and common, and consequently, useless to their proper, great ends, which may be of greater significancy in the course of Gods Government over the World, than some addition to this, or that Life can be worth. And ⟨p. 163⟩therefore should this consideration repress our wonderment, why God doth not, when he so easily can, by one touch upon this, or that second Cause, prevent, or ease the grievous pains, which they often suffer that love him, and whom he loves. He reckons it fitter, and they will in due time reckon so too themselves, when the wise methods of his Government come to be unfolded, and understood, that we should any of us bear what is ungrateful to us, in point of pain, loss of Friends, or other unpleasing events of providence, than that he should make frequent, and less necessary breaches upon the common order, and course of Government which he hath established over a delinquent, sinful, World.

Nor, perhaps, is it considered so deeply as it ought, that it hath seemed meet to the Supream Wisdom, upon a most important reason, in the case of lengthning, or shortning the Lives of Men, not ordinarily, or otherwise, than upon a great occasion, to interrupt the tendencies of Natural Causes, But let Nature run its Course: For otherwise, very frequent innovations upon Nature, would make Miracles cheap, and common, and consequently, useless to their proper, great ends, which may be of greater significancy in the course of Gods Government over the World, than some addition to this, or that Life can be worth. And ⟨p. 163⟩therefore should this consideration repress our wonderment, why God doth not, when he so easily can, by one touch upon this, or that second Cause, prevent, or ease the grievous pains, which they often suffer that love him, and whom he loves. He reckons it fitter, and they will in due time reckon so too themselves, when the wise methods of his Government come to be unfolded, and understood, that we should any of us bear what is ungrateful to us, in point of pain, loss of Friends, or other unpleasing events of providence, than that he should make frequent, and less necessary breaches upon the common order, and course of Government which he hath establish't over a delinquent, sinful, World.