6o2 Spiritual PerjeElzon. :~!~i::~:~. 1j~~~e!het~~~i~~~~ ~~·f~hl~c~sa: 1 ~~3beg~~~iuci~ 0~·~1~~; :~e~~!~~~~/:1j~0 p~~v~:;~~~ed .,,J1r,rrml 11?11 ~u~~~;~::;s p;~~i~~:c:.re ~~r;~e~bc~t' a~l0 tl~~~i~~daend0~:r~~~~:;~ ~~~ef1i~hee J1~e ~~~~~~p:~Jo~~~~! of the Wickcd , nor the Sufferings of his People from his perfell Knowledge. How many Millions of Inhabitants are in the \Vorld. how different their Conditions and Circum llan;es, ebbing or flowing, but they are all aB:ually and dillinilly known to God. Without Ius Univerral and Infalhble Knowledge, It were impof!ible that God fhould Govern the World and Judge it. TorqreatuJ Man!im, a Noble Roman, thou ~h blind through Age, was choren Conful and General,. to Rule the State, and the Arn~y. llut ~o Argumcms, no Intreaties caul? perfwade bun to Confcnt to it : he _anfwer'd, Tb.e 11 WIU ab[oh#tl1 ab{!trd, tl·at the L zves and Ejlat(J of othtrJ {boiJid be Commzttd to hi& f>rovidu~ee and ProuBzon, rvh~ mujl manage afl things hJ the Eyes of others. The Perfeaian of Gods Knowled~e qualifies him to Govern the World, and is the Foundation of Trufl: in him. He re/!J the m1mber of the Stars, that f~..em innumerable, Pfat. 147.41. And from hence the P{a!mift encourages the Church, that was t~en dirpers'd in Captivity, that he cot~ld gatl·er the oret·cafii of Ifratl, though fcatter'd 10 flrange Countries, and Luke n. 7 . build up Jeru/alem. He not only numbers the Stars, bttt the hairs of our Heads; that are of fo rmall Confideration. All Creatures arc fupported in their Beings and Ope· rations by illS Power, therefore 'tis impoflible they fl1ould be without his Knowledge, ~~fu. that any thing lhould be done by them, or befal them without his dirpofing 2. The Providence of God is not merely Theoretical, but AB:ive, and orders all Dcut. 16. thin ~s. lie rides upon the heavens: th::a is, regulates their Motions as eafily as a ski[. ful Rider manage< a Horrc. The Stars, tl:>t in the Language of Scripture are the Ar· p[Jl. r 4 7. 4 mits of Heaven, for their Number, Order. and AClions, he caDs by their names: that is, abrol utely Commands them. For his Call is always effeB:ual, and exailly accomplifh'd. As in the Creation, He j}ake, and it !P.U dONe: he commanded, and it flood fafl. So in the m. 40. 16. Con[:rvation and Gove::rnment of the World, his Word is as Powerful. Lift up JOllY E1es on high, and hehold rvho bath created thrfe things, that bringeth or~t their hojl bJ num· ber: he caUeth t/;em all by names, by the greatntjf of hu might, for that he U ftronx in r Kings 10. porver, not one faileth. He is not only the God of the hills, b11t of the vallqs: There is nothing fa inconfiderable, bur is under the immediate dirporal of his Providence. A Mut. to. Sparrow worth but hJif a {arthint,, does not faD to the gror1nd, nor a hair of our heAds without his difpofal. All the Carualt ies and Contingencies in the World are order'd by him. The Arrow fhot at a venture was direB:ed by an Invifible Eye and Hand, 1 Kingul. to frnite the King of Ifrael between the Joynts of h1s Harncfs, and wound lum to Death. The moll arbitrary and free Caufes are under his determining Influence. The Hearts of kings are in his hands, .tnd are turn'd h1_ him tt>S river~ of wat:rs, wh_ich .a Gardiner turns into reveral Channels for tO make hiS Ground fruitful. Sm t,hat iS dtreilly con· trary to his Law, is not o~ly permitted and rellrain'd, but order' cl as a means ~a iJJu. firate his Providence, jullice and Goodnefs. Jofeph's malicious Brethren fold hrm into ERJfl, but God fenr him to make prov.ifion for the Family of ,1acob. in a ,<ime of extreme Fami ne. He permitted the lyiog Spmc to decetve Ahab_, by .mrptrwg hiS fa Ire Prophets to encourage him to go to /{amoth-Gdead, that he m1ght Fall m Battel. He gtves Rtches and Honour to his Enemies, who prefumpruouOy break his Laws of the greateft Con· fequence, and forefees they will abure them , and prodigally perilh. It was au incredible Conception to the Heathen, tbat One God was able to govern the World: But his Pon,er and Vnderjlanding are truly infinite; and 'tis mare eafy to him, than for a Man to life a Feather. The Accidents in this World are innumerable, but cannot difiraQ an infinite erernal Mind, nor caufe wearincfs in the Almighty . Every Agent mull: be unitc,d by aB:ive Power with the ObjeB:s upon which it immedi· ately wori<S. The Power of God is his Elfence. not a feparable quahty ; he." mu· mate and prefi:nt with all thiogs. One Sun is rufficicnt to meafure Times, dtllmgut!h Seafons, and ro prefcrve an intire \Vorld of living Creatures; the mean:ll War~ or HCrb is cherifh'd by its Heat, as if all its Influences were confin'd for rhetr prefervmg. And is not an infinite God fuRicient to rupporr, and dirpore all things ? 3· Divine Providence is more fpecial and tender towards God's peculiar People. The l Chron. 16. Eyes of the Lnrd rtm to and (ro through tbe 1vhole Ear1h, to /hew htmfei(Jl.rong in behalf of thofe TVho{e Hearts a ~e perfeil towards him. HM tender Mercies, (hts excenfiv7 At· tribute) iJ over all hid J¥orl:s: But more eminemly exercifed according to thetr de· grees of Goodnefs, and his Propriety in them. Our Savwur infers by the ~~~f~
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