A55308:250
Speculum theologiæ in Christo, or, A view of some divine truths which are either…
Speculum theologiæ in Christo, or, A view of some divine truths which are either practically exemplified in Jesus Christ, set forth in the Gospel, or may be reasonably deduced from thence / by Edward Polhill ..., Esq.
London: printed by A.M. and R.R. for Tho. Cockerill, 1678
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
This objection staggered the Heathens, that many of them denied a Providence upon this account. If there were a Providence,1 say they, Why had Phalaris or Dionysius a Kingdom? Why Rutilius or Camillus a banishment? Why Socrates a Cup of Poison? When they saw bloody impure Tyrants sitting upon the Throne, when good and just men tossed with miseries, and exposed to great afflictions, they hence concluded, That there was no such thing as Providence ruling over the world: Hence that of the Poet,
This objection staggered the Heathens, that many of them denied a Providence upon this account. If there were a Providence,1 say they, Why had Phalaris or Dionysius a Kingdom? Why Rutilius or Camillus a banishment? Why Socrates a Cup of Poyson? When they saw bloody impure Tyrants sitting upon the Throne, when good and just men toss'd with miseries, and exposed to great afflictions, they hence concluded, That there was no such thing as Providence ruling over the world: Hence that of the Poet,
- 1Minucius Felix, f. 5.Minucius Foelix, f. 5.
Cum rapiunt mala fata bonos, ignoscite fasso, Sollicitor nullos esse putare Deos.
Hence when Pompey in a good cause wanted success, a sad complaint was made, That, (res divinas multum habere caliginis) Providence, if any thing at all, was very dark. Nay, this objection was a scruple to the Saints under the Old Testament. Hence those expostulations, Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea are mighty in power?