Temptations to Evil, not from God. 21 The counfels of God concerning mens SE R M. fins, and the agency of his providence about I. them, not in over-ruling the ifhue, but in afcertaining, and by its influence determin- ing them, as intending events, ought alfo to be confidered with the utmoft caution. That from eternity he forefaw all things which ever come to pafs, even the worft anions of his creatures, is a principle which, I hope, may be maintained with great fafety; for liimple prefcience hath no manner of effect on the futurity of things, more than bare knowledge bath on what is prefent ; and to fuppofe that he a ±ually doth, and had before determined to bring good out of the evil works to the being, of which he is no way accefläry, is moll worthy of his perfeEt reaitude and goodnefs. But a pe- remptory decree concerning the being of of fuch evil works, and in purfuance of it, a pofitive influence on the agent, nay, and as it is called, an inward ph;/ical predeter- mination to effeEt them ; thefe notions, I am afraid, cannot well enough be reconciled to the moral perfeétions of the deity, though I do not queflion but fome have gone into them with very pious intentions, and even from a miflaken refped to his abfolute fu- premacy and independence. My brethren, C 3 let
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