above, and against them, at his pleasure." IV. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his providence, that it extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men, and that not by a bare permission,

m Rom. iv. 19, 20, 21. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead; when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. And being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

n 2 Kings vi. 6. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither, and the iron did swim, Dan. iii. 27. And the princes, governors and captains, and the king's counsellors being gathered together saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

IV. o Rom. xi. 32, 33. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all-O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 2 Sam. xxiv. 1. with 1 Chron. xxi. 1. And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them, to say, Go number Israel and Judah. 1 Chron. x. 4, 13, 14. Then said Saul to his ar mour-bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse.me. But his armour-bearer would not, for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword and fell upon it.So Saul died, for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit to inquire of it; and inquired not of the Lord; therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. 2 Sam. xvi. 10. And the king said, What have 1 >to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, be cause the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. Whọ

but such as hath joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding, and otherwise ordering and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to his own holy ends; yet so, as the sinfulness thereof proceedeth only from the creature, and not from God; who being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin."

shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? See also Acts iv. 27, 28. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

p Psal. lxxvi. 10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee; the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. 2 Kings xix. 28. Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way which thou camest.

q Gen. 1. 20. But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Isai. x. 6, 7, 12. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of th streets. Howbeit, he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.-Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion, and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.

r 1 John ii. 16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world, Psal. 1. 21. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence: Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.-See also, James i. 13, 14, 17. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God can not be tempted with

V. The most wise, righteous and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption, and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled;s and to raise them to a more close and constant dependance for their support upon himself, and to make them more. watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends.

VI. As for those wicked and ungodly men

evil, neither tempteth he any man:-But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

V. s 2 Chron. xxxii. 25, 26, 31. But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. Notwithstanding Heze. kiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.Howbeit, in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

t 2 Cor. xii. 7, 8, 9. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. -For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might > depart from me And he said unto me, My grace is suffi cient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Psal. Ixxiii. throughout. Psal. lxxvii. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12. Mark xiv. 66th v. to the end. John xxi. 15, 16, 17.

whom God as a righteous judge, for former sins, 2 doth blind and harden," from them he not only withholdeth his grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their understandings, and wrought upon in their hearts; but sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had; and exposeth them to such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin; and withal gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan; whereby it comes

VI. v Rom. i. 24, 26, 28, and xi. 7, 8. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves; For this cause God gave them up unto vile affec tions; for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for, but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear unto this day.

w Deut. xxix. 4. Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears so hear, unto this day.

x Mat. xiii. 12. But whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. See Mat. xxv. 29.

y 2. Kings viii. 12, 13. And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord, and he answered, because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel; Their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child. And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The Lord hath showed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.

z Psal. lxxxi. 11, 12. But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them

to pass that they harden themselves, even under those means which God useth for the softening of others.a

VII. As the providence of God doth, in general, reach to all creatures; so, after a most special manner, it taketh care of his church, and disposeth all things to the good thereof.b

up unto their own hearts' lust; and they walked in their own counsels. 2 Thess. ii. 10, 11, 12. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth; that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

a Exod. viii. 15, 12. That when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said: And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go. 2 Cor. ii. 15, 16. For we are unto God, a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish:To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other, the savour of life unto life. Isai. viii. 14. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for astone of stumbling, and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel; for a gin, and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. See also Exod. vii. 3. 1 Pet. ii. 7, 8. Isai. vi. 9, 10, with Acts xxviii. 26, 27.

VII. b Amos ix. 8,9, Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the Lord-For lo, I will com mand, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. Rom. viii. 28. And we know that all things work together for good, them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.