A85485:111
The progress of divine providence, set out in a sermon preached in the Abbey…The progresse of divine providence, set out in a sermon preached in the Abbey…
The progress of divine providence, set out in a sermon preached in the Abbey Church of Westminster before the house of Peers, on the 24th of September, 1645. being the day of their monthly fast. / By William Gouge, one of the members of the Assembly.The progresse of divine providence, set out in a sermon preached in the Abbey Church of Westminster before the house of Peers, on the 24th of September, 1645. being the day of their monethly fast. / By William Gouge, one of the members of the Assembly.
London: printed by G.M. for Joshua Kirton next Goldsmiths-hall, 1645London: printed by G.M. for Ioshua Kirton next Goldsmiths-hall, 1645
Title page typeset from the transcription.
THE PROGRESS OF GODS Providence.THE PROGRESSE OF GODS Providence.
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.
2. God provides better things for the later times,1 to make those better things to be the more earnestly desired and longed for, before they come: and to be the more highly prized, and the better esteemed, after they are exhibited. It is said, That many Prophets and righteous men desired to see and hear the things which were seen and heard in Christs days, which were the last days. It is also said, ⟨p. 18⟩that the Prophets searched diligently, what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, 2when it testified before hand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Certainly the putting off the great blessing of the exhibition of Christ to the later times, made it to be the more desired, and the better esteemed. When he was exhibited, the Angel that brought the first tidings thereof,3 thus expresseth it, Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. And the blessed Virgin, so soon as she conceived him in her womb, thus breaks out, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 4And good old Zechariah, when the fore-runner of Christ was born, thus in great joy breaks out,5 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, &c. And another good old man, having embraced Christ, when he was but a little infant, sweetly sings forth this Swan-like song,6 Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Their long expectation of Christ thus affected them, when at length their longing was satisfied.
2. God provides better things for the later times,1 to make those better things to be the more earnestly desired and longed for, before they come: and to be the more highly prized, and the better esteemed, after they are exhibited. It is said, That many Prophets and righteous men desired to see and hear the things which were seen and heard in Christs daies, which were the last daies. It is also said,