- From the Works of Providence in the Government of the world; And that continual experience which we have of some Wise and Powerful Being, who doth preside over and govern all things; Not only by his general concourse, in preserving all kinds of things in their Beings, and regulating them in their Operations: But chiefly in his wise and just government over mankind and humane affairs, which may appear by such effects
as are Ordinary, Extraordinary.
- For the more common effects of it, namely that general success which in the ordinary course of things doth accompany honest and virtuous actions: And the punishment and vengeance that doth one time or other in this world usually befall such as are wicked: Both Virtue and Vice being generally, and for the most part, sufficiently distinguished by Rewards and Punishments in this life.
There are indeed some instances to the contrary, concerning the Miseries of Good men, and the Prosperity of the Wicked; But these have been by several of the wisest Heathen, Plato, Plutarch, Tully, Seneca &c. sufficiently vindicated, by the clearest Principles of Reason, from being any prejudice to the wise Government of Providence.
It is not either Necessary or Convenient, that Happiness and Prosperity in this Life, which is the usual reward of Virtue, should have either such a Physical or Mathematical Certainty, as could not possibly fail. Because,
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It would not be consistent with our dependent conditions, that worldly prosperity should be so infallibly under the power of our own endeavours, as that God himself might not sometimes interpose for our disappointment. If I may have leave to suppose, what I am now proving, namely a Wise and Omnipotent Providence, It must needs appear highly reasonable, that it should be left to his Infinite Wisdom and Power, to make what reserved cases he pleases, from the ordinary course of things. From whence it will follow, that these unequal dispensations can be no sufficient ground for the disbelief of Providence.
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It would very much prejudice another great Principle of Religion, which is of mighty influence for the regulating of mens lives and actions in this world, namely, the Belief and Expectation of a future state of Rewards and Punishments.
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If temporal prosperity did infallibly attend all good actions, This would be a diminution to Virtue it self. Men would do good by a kind of natural necessity, which would abate just so much from the Virtue of their Actions, as it does from the Liberty of them. It is sufficient, that Moral Actions should have Moral Motives. And that Virtue doth generally and for the most part, make men prosperous and happy in this world. We know by experience, that all Mankind do in their most weighty affairs, think it sufficient to depend upon such causes as do commonly and for the most part prove effectual to the ends for which they are designed. So that this very thing which is usually looked upon as the greatest objection against Providence, is really and truly an argument for it.
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For extraordinary effects of it. If we give any credit to the universal History of all Ages and Nations, It will by that appear,
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That there have many times happened such special signal Providences for the punishing of obstinate sinners, and for the deliverance of such as were Religious, in answer to their Prayers, whereby the Supreme Governour of the World hath so visibly pointed out his will and meaning, and so plainly manifested his power, that every impartial man must be forced to say, doubtless there is a God that judges in the earth.
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That sometimes Miracles have been wrought, which could not be effected without the help of some Superior Power; And sometimes there have been plain prophesies and predictions concerning such future things, as in their various circumstances were contingent. Of which the Annals of all Ages and Nations, as well Heathens as Christians, do give very particular and large accounts. And though we may safely grant, that some of the stories to this purpose, delivered either from the more ancient or later times, were fabulous and vain; yet for a man to deny that ever such things happened in the world, but that they were all meer forgeries and designs to cheat Posterity, this were to subvert the Credit of all History; which is so immodest a thing, as any sober man would be ashamed of.
These arguments are more largely discussed by others, who have writ upon this subject: But there is one particular which to me seems very considerable to this purpose, though but little notice of it be taken by others: And that is, The state of the Jewish Nation, who for these 1600 years have been driven out of their own Countrey, having now no particular place of abode, belonging to them as a Nation; but are scattered and dispersed over all the habitable world, hated and despised where-ever they are permitted to dwell; very frequently persecuted, impoverished, banished, murdered in vast multitudes; And notwithstanding all this, they are not yet so mixed and blended with other Nations, as to be lost amongst them; But are still kept up a distinct people, There being no instance like this in any story. As if they were intended for a standing memorial and example to the world, of the divine power and vengeance. To me it seems, amongst rational arguments one of the plainest, not only for the proof of a Deity, and a just Providence in pursuing that Nation with such exemplary Vengeance; But likewise for the autority of Scripture, and the truth of the Christian Religion.