A79420:182
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.
Q. 3. What hath been said in this, will also answer another Question, Why God doth not immediately punish notorious offenders, since the best governments in the world are such as call the violators of the Law to a speedy account, to keep up the honour of Justice? Thus the Epicures charge God with neglects of providence, because if he doth punish wicked men, it is later than is fit and just; because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the Sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Eccles. 8.11. Delay of Justice is an encouragement to Sin.
Q. 3. What hath been said in this, will also answer another Question, Why God doth not immediately punish notorious offenders, since the best governments in the world are such as call the violaters of the Law to a speedy account, to keep up the honour of Justice? Thus the Epicures charge God with neglects of providence, because if he doth punish wicked men, it is later than is fit and just; because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the Sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Eccles. 8.11. Delay of Justice is an encouragement to Sin.
Answ. 1. This is an argument for Gods ⟨p. 107⟩patience, none against his providence. Should he make such quick work, what would become of the world? Could it have held out to this day? If God had instantly taken revenge upon those that thus disparage his providence, the framer of such an objection had not been alive. No man is so perfectly good, but he might fall under the revenging stroke of his sword, if he pleased to draw it. Suffer God to evidence his patience here, since after the winding up of the World, he will have no time to manifest it. God doth indeed sometimes send the sharp arrow of some judgment upon a notorious offender, to let him understand that he hath not forgotten how to govern; but he doth not always do so, that his patience may be glorified in bearing with his rebellious creature.