Sermons preached

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.

(1.) In Naturals, for God worketh by Means, and by Means prepared. Hos. 2. 21, 22. I will hear the Heavens, and they shall hear the Earth, &c. There is a Train of Causes governed and influenced by God. The second Causes have their Operation, but they are under the Government of the first, who worketh by them, and also suspendeth their Operations at his Pleasure. There are two extremes; one of Durandus, ⟨p. 253⟩