The Christians Alphabet, Part 2 · Section 7
G Of Gods prouidence in gouerning and preseruing all things.
Q. Rehearse the Letter G?
A. GOuerned and preserued are all things by the prouidence of God.
For otherwise Satan and wicked men might doe what they list: yea, and eueryevery creature would perish in a moment.
Q. Proue that all things are gouerned by the prouidence of God.
1All governed by Gods prouidence.A. It is written Pro. 15.3. The eyes of the Lord are in eueryevery place, beholding the euill and the good. And Mat. 10.29.30 That one sparrow shall not fall on the ground without your Father: but the very hayres of your head are all numbred.
Q. Shew some instances or examples of Gods prouidence, gouerning and ordering all things?
A. It is euident by many examples in the word of God, Exampl… many.that nothing doth come to passe by fortune or chance, but that all things are ordered by the will and prouidence of God: therefore it is said Ps. 135.6. Whatsoeuer the Lord pleased, that did he, in heauen and in earth; in the sea and in all deepe places.
Q. Shew some instance of things in heauen?
A. It is said Psal. 29.3.1In heauen. The God of glory maketh it to thunder. Psal. 135 7. He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth, hee maketh lightenings for the raine: he bringeth the winde out of his trea…ures. Iob. 37.6. He saith to the snow be thou vponupon the earth, likewise to the small raine, and to the great raine of his power. Therefore it is said Psal. 147.7.8. Sing vntounto the Lord with thanksgiuing, which couereth the heauen with cloudes, and prepareth raine for the earth.
Q. GiueGive some example of Gods worke in the sea?
A. It is written Isa. 51.15▪ I am the Lord,2In the sea. thy God, that diuided the sea, whose waues roared. And Psal. 107.23.24. They that goe downe to the sea in ships, see the workes of the Lord, and his wonders in the deepe. 25. For he commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind which lifteth vp the waue… thereof. And againe ver. 29. Hee maketh the storme a calme, so that the waues thereof are still.
Q. Shew some instances of Gods prouidence in ordering things vponupon the earth?
A. First all things both good and euill are ordered by Gods prouidence, 3In the earth.see Isa. 45.7.1Instance I forme the light and create darknesse: I make peace, and create euill: I the Lord doe all these things. Iob. 5.18. Hee maketh the wound and bindeth it vp: hee smiteth and his hands make whole. And 1 Sam. 2.6. The Lord killeth and maketh aliue: he bringeth down to the graue, and raiseth vp.
Q. GiueGive a second instance of Gods prouidence in things vponupon the earth?
A. Secondly it is said Dan. 2.21.2Instance of things in earth. That he changeth the times and seasons: hee remoueth Kings, and setteth vp Kings. And Psal. 75.7. God is the Iudge, he putteth downe one, and setteth vp another.
Q. GiueGive a third instance of this prouidence?
A.3Instance Thirdly it is said Pro. 16.1. The preparations of the heart in man, and the answere of the tongue is from the Lord. And ver. 9. A mans heart deuiseth his way; but the Lord directeth his steps. And Prou. 21.1. The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the riuers of waters, he turneth it whithersoeuer he will.
Q. GiueGive a fourth instance of this prouidence?
A. Fourthly, the prouidence of God doth so order all things, 4Instancethat there is nothing so casuall to vsus, but it is infallibly certaine in the decree of God. See Pro. 16.33. The lot is cast into the lap: but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
Q. Proue that all things are preserued by the prouidence of God?
2All preserued by Gods prouidence.A. It is written Psal. 36.6. O Lord thou preseruest man and beast. And Psal. 145.15. The eyes of all waite vponupon thee, and thou giuest them their meat in due season. Psal. 119.91. It is said of all Gods creatures: That they continue euen to this day, by thine ordinances: for all are thy seruants.
Q. Proue that Satan cannot doe what he list?
A. It is euident Iob. 1.11. and 2.5.3Satan cannot do what he list. Because Satan could not touch Iob, either in his substance, or his children, or his person, without Gods permission. And Mat. 8.31. The deuils could not enter into the heard of swine, without the leaue of Christ.
Q. Proue that wicked men cannot doe what they list?
A. It is manifest in that Christ said to Pilate Ioh. 19.11.4Wicked men cannot doe what they list. Thou couldest hauehave no power at all against me, except it were giuen thee from aboue. And Act. 4.27. It is said, That Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were gathered together, to doe whatsoeuer the hand and counsell of God determined before to bee done.
Q. Proue that without Gods prouidence eueryevery creature would perish in a moment?
5Without Gods prouidence all perish. Leu. 26.26 Eze. 4.16. and 5.16. Isa. 3.1. and 14.13.A. It is euident, Act. 17.25.28. in that it is said, That he giueth to all, life, breath and all things: and that in him wee liue, and moue, and hauehave our being. And Deu. 8.3. Man liueth not by bread onelyonly, but by eueryevery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.