2. The working of Reason on the consideration of the state of all things in this world, complies with the innate principles and dictates of Conscience in this testimony. We suppose those concerning whom we treat do own the Being of God, and his Providence in the government of the world. Others deserve not the least of our consideration. Now those who are under the power of that Acknowledgement and Persuasion, must and do believe that God is infinitely Just and Righteous, infinitely Wise and Holy, and that he cannot otherwise be. But yet when they come to consider how these Divine Properties are exerted in the providential government of the world, which all Ages, Persons and Places must of necessity be subject unto, and disposed by, they are at a loss. The final impunity of flagitious sinners in this world, the unrelieved oppressions, afflictions, and miseries of the best, the prosperity of wicked Devilish designs, the defeating and overthrow of Holy, Just, Righteous undertakings and endeavours, promiscuous accidents to all sorts of persons, however differenced by Piety and Impiety, the prosperous course of men proud and blasphemous, who oppose God in Principles and Conversation no more than they are able, the secret undiscovered murders of Martyrs and Innocents in Inquisitions and Dungeons, the extreme confusion that seems to be in all things here below, with other things of the like kind innumerable, are ready to gravel and perplex the minds of men in this matter. They have greatly exercised the thoughts even of the Saints of God, and tried their Faith, as is evident, Psal. 73. ver. 4. to 17. Jer. 12. 1, 2. Hab. 1. 3, 4, 13. Job 21. 5, 6, 7, 8. &c. And the consideration hereof turned some of the wisest Heathens into Atheism or outrageous Blasphemies at their dying hours. But in this state even Reason rightly exerted will lead men to conclude, that upon the supposition of a Divine Being and Providence, it must needs be, that all these things shall be called over again, and then receive a final decision and determination, whereof in this world they are not capable. And among the Heathens there were proverbial Speeches which they uttered on occasion of great distresses which signified no less. As, Est profecto Deus qui haec videt. For
2. The working of Reason on the consideration of the state of all things in this world, complies with the innate principles and dictates of Conscience in this testimony. We suppose those concerning whom we treat do own the Being of God, and his Providence in the government of the world. Others deserve not the least of our consideration. Now those who are under the power of that Acknowledgement and Perswasion, must and do believe that God is infinitely Just and Righteous, infinitely Wise and Holy, and that he cannot otherwise be. But yet when they come to consider how these Divine Properties are exerted in the providential government of the world, which all Ages, Persons and Places must of necessity be subject unto, and disposed by, they are at a loss. The final impunity of flagitious sinners in this world, the unrelieved oppressions, afflictions, and miseries of the best, the prosperity of wicked Devilish designs, the defeating and overthrow of Holy, Just, Righteous undertakings and endeavours, promiscuous accidents to all sorts of persons, however differenced by Piety and Impiety, the prosperous course of men proud and blasphemous, who oppose God in Principles and Conversation no more than they are able, the secret undiscovered murthers of Martyrs and Innocents in Inquisitions and Dungeons, the extream confusion that seems to be in all things here below, with other things of the like kind innumerable, are ready to gravel and perplex the minds of men in this matter. They have greatly exercised the thoughts even of the Saints of God, and tried their Faith, as is evident, Psal. 73. ver. 4. to 17. Jer. 12. 1, 2. Habb. 1. 3, 4, 13. Job 21. 5, 6, 7, 8. &c. And the consideration hereof turned some of the wisest Heathens into Atheisme or outragious Blasphemies at their dying hours. But in this state even Reason rightly exerted will lead men to conclude, that upon the supposition of a Divine Being and Providence, it must needs be, that all these things shall be called over again, and then receive a final decision and determination, whereof in this world they are not capable. And among the Heathens there were proverbial Speeches which they uttered on occasion of great distresses which signified no less. As, Est profecto Deus qui haec videt. For
