. (39) • I 2. The defign· of Providence (as it refpech 'the Elect) is the accomplifhment of .Gods good pur.- ,pofe and promife. Providence .g0verns the World, and · the purpofe and promife governs Providence. All the works of Providence have rationem medio– f/Jtm ad· ftnt.m. ·God cloth nothing in vain : it is_pot ·Conliflent with the wifdom of God, to do ·any thing for nothing. Gotil would have his People look far– ther than the the things that are before them,becaufe all thofe things have a farther afpeet themfelves. All · the worksofProviden~e have a Jouole afpeCl; they look b,acfzwar,d, to the purpofe and promife; and they look f~rward, to the end for which they are : s they look backward, fo they hav~ truth in them, exatl:ly anfwering the p1:1rpofe and promife from whi~h they have their birth. As. they look forward, to their end, fo they have good in them ; and that good·{their·fubfervience to their·end) is the reafon of their being. . Here pate 2 ~things. , · , · ·1. That the fubferviency of things to their end, is the goodnefs 'of them; if the eftd be good, the means mufi (as (uch) be good alfo: If what qod hath pur– ,pofe~ and ptomifed be good, then all things that fall in between, having the refpe& of means to their ac.. complilhment, mufi npon that a~count be good. If our croifd-and affiicl:ions;do fubferve the bringing about of Gods good will, and good ,word, we mull: fay' concerning rhem,Goodarc the 117ork...s ofthe Lord. It is not, how any thing looks,or feels at prefent,'Juc wha't it means, and to what it tends. If the pc;,tion be bitter, and yer it tends to health ; if the Mdfen– ger be· ill-looked, and ill-favoured, and yet con1es upon a good errand,you may .hid them wekom. And thus all the Providences of.God 1 are good. If you , D 4- · fhould
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