Sermons preached

1. Some think these words to be spoken in the Person of the Epicure or Atheist, whom Solomon introduceth as reasoning against Divine Providence, but it agreeth not with the Preface [I returned and saw under the Sun] which is usually prefixed before his Observations about the Vanity and Vexation that ariseth from mere Worldly Things.

1. Some think these words to be spoken in the Person of the Epicure or Atheist, whom Solomon introduceth as reasoning against Divine Providence, but it agreeth not with the Preface [I returned and saw under the Sun] which is usually prefixed before his Observations about the Vanity and Vexation that ariseth from meer Worldly Things.

2. This Text must be vindicated from them who set up an Idol of the Heathens blind Fortune, as if all things were carried by uncertain Chance. No, it is Occurrence (as before;) and though it be Chance to Men, it is Providence to God, the Universal and first Agent, who worketh all things according to the Counsel of his Will. It is not Chance to them, for he never misseth of his End: for his Knowledge is infallible, and his Power insuperable.

2. This Text must be vindicated from them who set up an Idol of the Heathens blind Fortune, as if all things were carried by uncertain Chance. No, it is Occurrence (as before;) and though it be Chance to Men, it is Providence to God, the Universal and first Agent, who worketh all things according to the Counsel of his Will. It is not Chance to them, for he never misseth of his End: for his Knowledg is infallible, and his Power insuperable.

3. From those who reject the use of Means, and all Operations, Dispositions, and Preparations of second Causes, as if they moved not, and God did not act or move by them. No, this is a false Deduction and Inference both in Naturals and Spirituals.