N01078:68
The just man's prerogative. A sermon preached privately, Sept. 27. 1706. on a solemn…
The just man's prerogative. A sermon preached privately, Sept. 27. 1706. on a solemn occasion; for the consolation of a sorrowful family, mourning over the immature death, of a pious son, viz Mr. Simeon Stoddard, who was found barbarously murdered, in Chelsea-Fields near London, May 14. 1706. / By S. Willard. ; [Two lines from II Samuel]
printed by B. Green. Sold by Nicholas Boone, 1706
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
1. All our Afflictions are brought upon us, by God's Providence. Indeed Sin is the Meritorious procuring cause, of all Afflictions. Men are brought Low, for their Iniquity, Psal. 106.43. Your Sins have with-holden good things from you, Jer. 5.25. Yet God's Providence, is the Supreme Efficient cause of all our Troubles: Amos 3.6. Is there any evil (that is, Affliction) in the City, and the Lord hath not done it? No, there's none. Isa. 45.7. I form the light, I create darkness; I make Peace, I create Evil; I the Lord do all these things. By Darkness and Evil, we are to understand Afflictions; and they are of God's Creating. They rise not out of the dust, but are sent by him who dwells in ⟨p. 6⟩Heaven. If we meet with Sickness, tis of God's sending: He Wounds and Heals as he pleaseth. If we are Disappointed in our Undertakings; this also is of God. Tis of the Lord of Hosts, that People labour in the very fire, and weary themselves for very Vanity, Hab. 2.13. Tis through God's blast, that men Earn Wages, to put into Bags with holes. If Death snatches away our dearest Relations; Death is but God's Messenger in so doing: for our Times are in Gods Hand, Psal. 31.15. Yea if the Spite and Malice of Wicked Men and Devils, are never so plainly Instrumental, in bringing Afflictions upon us; yet we should look on God's Providence, as the Supreme Governing Efficient cause of those Afflictions. The Devil could not be a Lying Spirit in the Mouths of Ahab's Prophets; nor hurt Job in his Person or Estate; nor Sift Peter with hellish Temptations; nor so much as hurt an herd of Swine, without Divine Permission. Satan can no more, nor longer, molest us; than God sees meet to permit him. Though he's a Roaring Lyon, yet he's in Chains. So Men can do us no more harm, than what God is pleased to permit of. Even in the mischiefs which they wickedly do to us, they are but Instruments of a Spotless Divine Providence. Though Sabeans and Chaldeans had robbed Job; yet Job says, Chap. 1. v. 21. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord. Judas and Pilate, the Jews and Gentiles, were all Instrumental in Murdering the Lord Jesus: With wicked hands they