A79420:156
A discourse of divine providence I. In general
A discourse of divine providence I. In general: that there is a providence exercised by God in the world. II. In particular: how all Gods providences in the world, are in order to the good of his people. By the late learned divine Stephen Charnock, B.D. sometime fellow of New-College in Oxon.A discourse of divine providence I. In general: that there is a providence exercised by God in the world. II. In particular: how all Gods providences in the world, are in order to the good of his people. By the late learned divine Stephen Charnock, B.D. sometime fellow of New-Colledg in Oxon.
London: printed by R. Roberts for Thomas Cockerill, 1684
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.
Answ. 1This consideration has heightened the minds of many against a providence. It was the notion of many Heathens, when they saw many who had acted with much gallantry for their Countries, afflicted, they questioned whether there were a superintendent power over the World. This hath also been the stumbling-block of many taught in an higher School than that of Nature, the Jews, Mal. 2.17. ⟨p. 84⟩17. ye say every one that doth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them, and where is the God of judgment? Yea, and the observation of the outward felicities of vice, and the oppressions of goodness, have caused fretting commotions in the hearts of God's People; the Psal. 73. is wholly designed to answer this case. Jeremiah, though fixed in the acknowledgement of God's righteousness, would debate the reason of it with God, Jer. 12.1. Righteous art thou, oh Lord, yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments; wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper, wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root, they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit. He perceiving it a universal case [wherefore are all they happy, &c.] did not know how to reconcile it with the righteousness of God. Nor Habakkuk with the holiness of God. Hab. 1.14. [thou art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; wherefore holdest thou thy tongue, when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? In point of God's goodness too, Job expostulates ⟨p. 85⟩the case with God, Job 10.3. Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thy hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked? You see upon the account of holiness, righteousness, goodness, the three great Attributes of God, it hath been questioned by good men, and upon the account of his wisdom by the wicked Jews.