The History of the Creation, Treatise · Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI.
Of the actuall providence of God. The Obiect of it. What the word signifieth: in 3. things. Proofe that there is a providence: by Texts, and Arguments. Description, shewing what it is: demonstrated in the parts, and branches of it. Providence generall and speciall: Acts of it. Speciall providence in saving the elect by Christ, what: and in what parts. Uses.
THe next great externall worke of God after the creation, is his actuall providence, by which hee doth rule and dispose all things created, and doth order all actions which are done, and all events which come to passe in the World, to the manifestation of his glorious goodnesse.
This great worke of God doth reach through all other externall Object of providence.works, which are done either by God himselfe or any other; and doth comprehend with in the compasse of it all Gods works which hee doth in the World, whether they bee works of wisedome and power in ruling and preserving his creatures, or workes of iustice in punishing and destroying, or workes of mercy and grace in redeeming repairing and saving the World; and in bringing his chosen to eternall blessednesse. Yea there is no worke done, nor any event which comes to passe at any time, or in any age of the World; which God doth not overrule and order by his providence. For, as hee is infinite in wisedome and power, able to decree and ordaine from all eternity all things most wisely, and to create and bring to passe all things according to the counsell of his will by a mighty hand of power, which cannot bee resisted. So also hee is wonderfull in goodnesse and bounty, to provide, most carefully all things needfull in aboundance, for the being and welbeing of his creatures, and to order governe and dispose all things good and evill, most wisely to the good of his elect, the iust punishment and destruction of the wicked, and to his owne glory.
Wherefore that wee may better understand this point, and proceed profitably in the handling of it. We are first to consider the signification of the name, and the true sense of the word; And after to insist upon the thing it selfe, and to define and describe this actuall providence of God.
The word providence is sometimes taken in a large sense, and What the word signifieth.signifies Gods care and respect of all creatures; both in decreeing, and ordaining their being and all things which befall them, and in executing his eternall decree according to the counsell of his owne will; for in all these things God did shew a provident care and respect.
Sometimes the word is used more strictly and that three 1.wayes.
First, for the provident care and respect of God in decreeing things for the best, that they should so come to passe as they have done, or shall doe at any time hereafter, of this providence the Apostle speakes Hebr. 11. 40. where hee saith, God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not bee made perfect, this may bee called Gods providence in willing and decreeing.
Secondly, it signifies Gods provident care, which hee shewed 2.in the creation of the World, and all things therein. For hee first created things above which could subsist, and bee perfect by themselves without the inferiour elements and the creatures in them, as the highest heavens, and their inhabitants the Angels; then hee created the visible heavens, which might bee ready by their light to bee of use for other th…ngs below in such measure as was needfull; then hee created the spacious regions of the aire, through which that light might shine to other elements, and all creatures which hee was about to create in them; and before hee created any living creatures, which could not well subsist nor move themselves without greater light then that of the naked heavens, hee created the Sun, Moone, and Starres, which might both give light sufficient to those creatures, and also might cherish and comfort them and all other things, which were made to serve for their use. And before hee created mankind male and female in his owne image, fit to rule under him in the inferiour World, hee prepared and made ready for them all creatures, which they might rule over; all kinds of delicate food in great variety and aboundance, and a Lordly palace and place of pleasure wherein to dwell, in which he put them so soone as they were created. As God in all this shewed his provident care for man and all creatures, to make them every one perfect in their kind with naturall perfection in the creation: so I have noted this his actuall providence in the severall passages of the creation and have unfolded it so farre as for the present was necessary.
Thirdly, this word is frequently used to signifie Gods provident care in ordering and governing the whole created World, 3.and preserving all creatures therein, and in disposing every thing which doth befall them and come to passe in the World, to some good end, according to the counsell of his owne will. This is the actuall providence which now comes to bee distinctly handled, and unfolded in the next place after the creation.
But before I come to describe this providence of God, and to Proofe that providence is.lay open the nature, object, severall parts and kinds of it, I hold it necessary to prove clearly out of the holy Scriptures, that there is in God such a providence and provident care, which hee doth shew and exercise in the ruling and governing of the whole World, and ordering, and disposing all things to their severall ends; And that God is not a carelesse, sleepie and slumbering one, who doth neglect, and not see, regard, and care for any things here below, as some blind fooles, desperate Atheists, and wicked Men have imagined and spoken, as the Psalmist sheweth, Psalme 10. 11. 13. and 94. 7. who say, that the Lord doth not see, God hath forgotten, …ee hideth his face, hee will never see, nor regard, nor require what is done among men in the World.
For the manifest proofe of Gods providence, I will first rehearse some notable testimonies, even plaine texts of holy Scripture, which being laid together may minister to us sufficient matter, and occasion, to describe and set forth the actuall providence of God, and all things wherein it doth consist, and which thereto belong.
Psalme 14. 2. The Lord looketh downe from heaven upon Texts of Scripture which set forth Gods actuall providence.the Children of men to see if there bee any that doe understand and seeke after God.
Psalme 33. 13, 14, 15. The Lord loooketh from heaven, hee beholdeth all the Sons of men, from the place of his habitation, hee looketh upon all the inhabitants of the Earth. Hee fashioneth all their hearts alike, hee considereth all their works.
Psalme 34. 15, 16. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his eares are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them, that doe evill to cut off the remembrance of them from the Earth.
Psalme 36. 6. Thy iudgments O Lord are a great deepe▪ thou preservest man and beasts.
Psalme 104. 27, 28, 29, 30. All living things wait upon the Lord, that hee may give them their meat in due season. Hee giveth to them, and they gather it; hee openeth his hand, and they are filled with good, when he hideth his face they are troubled, when hee taketh away their breath they dye and returne to their dust; when hee sendeth forth his Spirit they are created, and hee renueth the face of the Earth.
Psalme 113. 5. Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high. 6. Who humbleth himselfe to behold the things that are in Heaven and in Earth. 7. He raiseth the poore out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill, that he may set him with Princes.
Psalme 138. 6. Though the Lord b… high: yet he hath respect to the lowly.
Job 13. 7. But aske now the beasts, and they shall teach; and the fowles of the Aire, and they shall tell thee. 8. Or speake to the Earth, and it shall teach thee; and the fishes of the Sea shall declare unto thee. 9. Who knoweth not in all these, that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this. 10 In whose hand is the soule of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.
2 Chron, 16. 9. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the Earth, to shew himselfe strong for them whose Heart is perfect.
Isa. 41. 22. and 4…. 8, 9. The Lord proveth himselfe to bee the onelyonly true God by his provident care over all things, and his foresight and prediction of things which afterwards hee bringeth to passe; and that Idols are no Gods, because they cannot do any such things.
Matth. 6. 26. Behold the fowles of the Aire, they sow not, neither doe they reap, nor gather into barnes; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.
Matth. 10. 29, 30. Are not two sparrowes sold for a farthing, and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father; But the very haires of your head are all numbred.
Hebr. 4. 13. All things are naked, and opened to his eyes, neither is there any creature, which is not manifest in his sight.
1 Pet. 5. 7. Cast your care upon him for hee careth for you.
These texts laid together doe aboundantly shew Gods actuall providence, and the extent of it to all things created, and doe Minister to us every Doctrine which concernes the object, parts, and kinds of it.
And besides these Scriptures, wee have strong Arguments to prove the actuall providence of God.
First, hee who is the Omnipotent Creatour, Lord, and Possessor of Heaven and Earth, and all things therein, infinite in Arg. 1.wisedome, knowledge, goodnesse, mercy, justice, must needs have a provident care to order, rule, dispose, and preserve all things which belong to him: Now such a one is God, as I have aboundantly proved before in unfolding his attributes; hee is infinite in power, wisedome, knowledge, goodnesse, and the like; the Creatour and supreme Lord of all things. The whole World is his, and all things therein belong to him; Psalme 50. 12. Therefore, undoubtedly, hee hath a provident care of all, and an eye and hand in ordering all things.
Secondly, the workes which God doth, and the things Arg. 2.which hee brings to passe in the World, doe shew his wi…e care and providence. Hee giveth raine in due season for a blessing to his obedient people; & he withholdeth it from the wicked for a iust punishment, & makes their heaven as brasse, & their Earth as iron; he blesseth men in their basket and store, & in the increase of their cattell and the fruite of their ground; and he againe for sin maketh fruitfull lands barren, and destroyes their cattell with murraine and with thunderbolts, Levit. 26. Deut. 28. Iob 12. 12. Psalm, 107. 34. By him Kings are set up to rule, and Princes and Iudges to execute iustice, and to judge, not for themselves but for him, Prov. 8. 15. 2 Chron. 19. 6. He breaketh downe and shutteth up, and none can resist him, hee leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh Iudges fooles; Hee looseth the band of Kings, and poureth contempt upon Princes; Hee increaseth he nations and destroyeth them, hee enlargeth the nations and straiteneth them, Job 12. 14, and all Kingdomes are disposed by him, Dan. 2. 37.
Thirdly, the miracles which God worketh by them who Arg. 3.call upon his name, and the extraordinary things which come to passe, whereof there is no naturall cause, nor any cause at all but his owne will, and pleasure, and provident hand do prove the same. The miracles and wonders which hee shewed in Egypt and the wildernesse, so often as Moses called and prayed unto him: His staying of the Sun for a whole day at Iosh…ah's prayer, Iosh. 10. His thundering on the Philistines at the prayer of Samuel, 1 Sam. 7. 10. His raising of the dead at the prayer of his Prophets and Apostles, 1 King. 17. 2 King. 4. and Act. 9. His giving of heroicall gifts, strength, and courage beyond all humane reason to some men for the deliverance of his oppressed People, as to Samson, David, and his worthies, and divers others. All these shew Gods watchfull care over the World, and his actuall providence, ordering and disposing all things.
This point thus, proved, as it serves to discover the impiety, Vse Of confutation and …eproofe.profanenesse and desperate blindnesse of Epicures, who utterly reiect and deny the whole providence of God; and those desperate Atheists, such as Caligula, Nere, and others, who scoffed and derided all them who taught and beleeved it; and those heathen Philosophers, who held that God had no care or respect of things u…der heaven, but blind fortune ruled here below; and all things here are casuall and come by chance: So it admonisheth us & all men to beware of giving way to such doubts and feares of infirmity which their owne corrupt flesh, or Satan by mears thereof doth suggest into their hearts to weaken & destroy their faith in Gods Providence: Let no man admit such a thought into his heart, That God hath forgotten to be gracious, and that it is in vaine to serve God: there is no profit in walking humbly before him, in keeping his ordinance, in mens purging their hearts, and washing their hands in innocency; because they that worke wickednesse and tempt God doe prosper, and they who deale trecherously are set up, and exalted. But above all, let us abhorre all presuming conceipts, that all things come to passe by blind chance, and God doth not see nor regard our wicked thoughts, purposes, and practises; neither will hee call us to account for them. For what is this, but to deny the Lord to be God? It is even the way to pull speedy wrath, and vengeance on our owne heads.
Gods providence being proved, that it is: I proceed to shew by way of plaine description what it is; and wherein it doth consist. The summe of which description is this.
The actuall providence of God is Gods exercise of his wisedome, power, goodnesse, iustice, and mercy in ruling, ordering, and governing Description of Gods actuall providence.the whole World, in watching over all his creatures with a carefull eye, in doing all good, and permitting all evill which are done in the World; and in disposing all things, good and evill, to the manifestation of his glory, and the eternall salvation of his elect in Christ, according to his owne eternall purpose and the counsell of his will.
This description consists of two maine and principall parts. The first sheweth, what Gods actuall providence is in generall, in these words, Gods exercise of his wisedome, power, goodnesse, iustice and mercy. The second sheweth the speciall nature of it, and the speciall things wherein it doth consist, and whereby it is distinguished from all Gods other outward actions, and exercises of his wisedome, power, and goodnesse. This is comprised in the rest of the words.
First, it is Gods exercise of his wisedome, power, goodnesse, mercy and iustice and in this it agreeth with the creation, and all other Parts 1.outward actions of God, for every such action is either an exercise of his wisedome, or of his power, or of his goodnesse, or of his mercy, or of his justice, or of all, or the most part of them all together. And indeed Gods actuall providence beareth sway in all his outward actions, which hee doth either immediatly by himselfe, or mediatly by the ministery of his subordinate instruments; and it also over-ruleth and disposeth things which are evill, which are not done by God himselfe moving the doers of them; but come to passe by the permission and sufferance of him, wittingly, and willingly suffering his creatures to abuse the power which they have from him. This point is manifest by the Lords owne words, Isa. 45. 7. where hee saith, I forme the light and create darknesse; I make peace, and create evill; I the Lord do all these things: And by that speech of the Prophet Amos. Chap. 3. 6. Shall there be evill in a City, and the Lord hath not done it.
The true sense and meaning of which words Saint Augustine Enchirid. ad Laur. c. 95.doth notably expresse; where he saith, nothing is done, unlesse God omnipotent doth will that it be done, either by doing it himselfe, or suffering it to be done; for it could not be done if he did not suffer it; neither verily doth he unwillingly without or against his will: but willingly and with his will suffer every thing to be. To which purpose hee hath divers other speeches; as that God being good would not suffer any evill to be done, unlesse as he is omnipotent he could bring good out of them; neither is that done without Gods will which is done against his will, that is, his word and approbation.
In the second maine part there are divers speciall branches 2. Branches in particular.shewing the speciall things whereby Gods actuall providence is distinguished from his other outward actions. The first is, that it consists in Gods ruling ordering and governing the whole World, and watching over his creatures with a carefull eye. The second, that it comprehends in it Gods doing of all good, and his permission, and suffering of all evill. The third, that by it God disposeth all things, which are done in the World to the manifestation of his glory, and the eternall salvation of his elect in Christ. The fourth and last is, that it is no other exercise of wisedome, power, goodnesse, mercy, and justice, but in executing things which hee hath decreed from all eternity, even ruling, ordering, and disposing all things wisely after the counsell of his owne will.
For the first point to wit, that God exerciseth his actuall 1.providence in ruling, ordering, and disposing, the whole World and all therein as supreme Lord, King. Iudge, and Ruler thereof; the Scriptures aboundantly testifie, as Gen. 18. 25. and Psalm. 50. 6. Psalm. 82. 1. and 2. Chron. 19. 6. where God is said to bee the Iudge of all the Earth; yea the Iudge both in Heaven and Earth, who sitteth chiefe among all Iudges and is with them in the iudgement. Also in those places where the Kingdome, Dominion, and Rule over all is said to belong to God, and hee is said to bee the King which reigneth and ruleth all to the utmost ends of the Earth, yea to be a great King above all Gods; and the onelyonly potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords, as I Chron. 29. 10. 11. Psalm. 10. 16. and 29. 10. and 4. 27. and 95. 3. and his Kingdome is said to rule over all, Psalm. 103, 19, and that not for a time, but from generation to generation, Psalm, 145. 13. It is he who setteth bounds to the tumultuous Seas beyond which they cannot passe, Iob 38. 8. Psalm. 104. 9. and ruleth over the raging waves, Psalm. 89. 9. and stilleth th… when they arise. And that hee hath a watchfull eye over all creatures, even to preserve man and beast, it appeares Psalm. 36. 6. and that as his eyes are upon them that feare him, and hope in his mercy to deliver their soule from death, and to keep… them alive in famine, Psalm. 33. 18. 19 So his face is against them that do evill, to cut off the remembrance of them, Psalm. 34. 16.
The second point is, that Gods providence is exercised both in the doing of all good, and in permitting, and suffering wittingly 2.and willingly all evill, which commeth to passe in the World, and so it consists of two parts, action, and permission. This also is fully proved and confirmed, Isa. 41. 23. and 45. 7. where the Lord proves himselfe to bee the onelyonly true God by disposing all things, both forming the light, and making peace by his active hand and power; and also creating evill and darknesse, by permitting and giving up the Divell and his wicked instruments to abuse his power, which hee hath given them to doe evill and to worke wickednesse as wee see in Pharaoh whose heart hee is said to harden, yea and to raise him up, by giving him up to his owne lusts, and into the hand of Satan who hardened him and made his heart obdurate; so that the more God plagued him with great plagues, which naturally tend to breake a stout heart, and to pull downe pride; the more did his corruption rise up and rebell, and the more did Satan stirre him up against God, and his people; and made him run desperatly into the devouring gulfe of destruction. Wee see this also in Gods permitting Satan to afflict Iob, and to tempt him to blasphemy by stripping him naked of all that hee had; tormenting his body, and battering his soule with sore temptations of his wife and friends, and with skaring dreames and terrible visions as wee read, Iob 1. and 2. and 7. 14. Also the Apostle in expresse words affirmeth, that God being provoked by mens wilfull sins, doth in just wrath give them to uncleanesse through the lusts of their owne hearts, and to vile affections and a reprobate minde to worke all iniquity with greedinesse, Rom. 1. 24, 26, 28. and doth give them the Spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see and eares that they should not heare. Rom. 11. 8. not by putting such a Spirit into them, so as hee sheddeth his Spirit on men through Christ, but by suffering Satan, the Spirit of lying, and of all blindnesse and wickednesse to enter into them (which hee would doe into all men, if God did not restraine him); and by casting them out of his protection; as wee see in the evill Spirit which vexed Saul, and in the lying Spirit which deceived Ahab by entering into his Prophets and speaking lyes by their mouths, 1 Sam. 16. 14. and 2 King. 22. 22. And thus wee see, that in all evils of sin Gods providence is exercised by way of voluntary permission. But as for all good things which come to passe, God hath in them an approving will, and a working hand, and worketh in men both to will and to doe; yea every thought and purpose of good, 2 Cor. 3. 5. Philip. 2. 13. and without him we can doe nothing, Ioh. 15. 5. So that in all morall duties, and in all good and godly workes, God worketh in men by his Spirit immediatly, and giveth them, hearts will and power to doe them, and they are but his instruments to performe these good things, as Ioseph professeth ascribing all his piety and charity which hee shewed in nourishing his bretheren and their families to God. And all naturall good things, God worketh either immediatly by his owne hand alone, as in the creation, wherein hee gave being to all things without any meanes at all: or by instruments and meanes which hee himselfe hath first created, hee giveth light by the Sun, Moone, and Starres, and by them, and the whole Heavens which are turned about by his counsels, and by their influ…nce hee refresheth and nourisheth all creatures on Earth; and also doth by them both use correction and shew mercy, Iob 37. 12, 13. and Matth. 5. 45.
There are besides these other things, which are good and profitable, not simply in their owne nature, but by accident and in some respect, as for example, for men to abstaine from marriage and from begetting children for the increase of mankind is not a thing naturally or morally good in it selfe, being a refraining from the use of Gods ordinance; but yet in case of urgent necessity, when Gods Ministers and Servants doe live in times and places of persecution, and are driven to flee and wander from place to place naked, and destitute of meanes, whereby to maintaine Wives, and Children; Saint Paul tells us, it is good for a Man to live single, and not to touch a Woman, 1 Cor. 7. 1, 35. for by this meanes he shall avoid much distraction, and more freely attend the service of God. Also for men to fast, and afflict their bodies by abstaining from comfortable nourishment, and necessary food for a time is not simply good in it selfe: but yet it is profitable for taming the proud and rebellious flesh, and for furthering of our humiliation in times of private and publike calamities, when Gods hand is heavy upon us, or upon our Land, and the feare of his threatning judgments which hang over our heads doe terrifie us, these and such like are called good things, that is, profitable, expedient, and by accident, and in some respect and condition good.
Other things there bee which in their owne nature are evill and hurtfull, and evils of affliction and punishment, as crosses of Gods people, and plagues which though they hurt and destroy the outward man and the flesh, yet by God grac… they worke to the saving of their soules, and the amendment of their lives as wee read Psalme 119. 67, 71. and 1 Cor. 5. 5. and 11. 32. and in that respect are called good. And the plagues and destructions which befall the wicked, which to them are dreadfull and wofull evils and curses; but as they tend to the deliverance of Gods Church from their …rsecutions and oppressions; to the purging of his land; and the magnifying of Gods justice and power; so they are good in the issue and event, and in respect of Gods purpose intending good by them.
Now in all these, God hath an active and working band, as well as a permitting will; and his actuall providence ruleth in them. Hee gives men the gift of continency, and power over their owne wils to live single, and to make themselves Eunuches for his Kingdomes sake as our Saviours words shew, Matth. 19. 11, 12. and the words of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 7. 37. Hee cals upon men in his word, and by his grace stirres them up to fasting, weeping, mourning, and afflicting of their bodies for the greater humiliation of their soules. Joel. 1. 14. and 2. 12. and Zach. 12. 10. Hee doth sometimes by his owne hand afflict his people when hee sends among them sore diseases which are the stroke of his hand. Job 36. 18. and Psalme 39. 10. and by his owne immediate hand hee strikes and consumes the wicked. Iob 34. 25, 26. as wee see in the drowning of the old World, in the destruction of Pharaoh, Ananias, and Saphyra, and divers others. Sometimes hee doth by good instruments afflict and punish his people, and plague and consume the wicked; as by his Angell hee punished Israels sin and Davids pride. 2 Sam. 24. 17. and destroyed the host of Senacherib, 2 King. 19. and smotte Herod, Act. 12. And by Joshua, Moses, David, destroyed the Canaanites and the Philistines, and other enemies of his Church. Sometimes by evill instruments hee afflicteth and punisheth his owne people, and plagueth and destroyeth the wicked; by Absalom and Shimei hee punished David, and by wicked Jehu hee destroyed the wicked family of Ahab; by Satan and the wicked Sabaeans and Chald…ans hee afflicted and tryed Job; and by the proud King of Ashur hee punished Israel and Judah, and destroyed the Idolatrous nations as appeares Isa. 10. where hee is called the rod of Gods wrath, and proud Nebuchadnezar is called his servant in punishing his people the Iewes, and destroying the obstinate among them, and in crushing the wicked nations, Ier. 25. 9. For he in whom all doe live, move, and have all being, Act. 17. 28. gave to those wicked Kings power and might; and though their owne lusts, and unsatiable desire and ambition stirred them up, and so …he act was in the wicked themselves, yet hee over-ruled and disposed their malice to performe his purpose, and to execute his most just judgements.
And thus wee see, that Gods actions are most wise and just in those evils which hee executeth by wicked instruments, and that which they doe with a wicked mind and for an evill end; God doth justly give them power to doe, and permits them to abuse his power, to their owne ends, when hee purposeth to direct all to a good end, and so doth. And therefore though no evill is done in the World, but by his providence; yet is hee no author or efficient cause of sin: the sinfulnesse of the action is of the evill instruments and the power of it, and the disposing of it to good, that onelyonly is Gods. And although men who are limited Rom. 3. 8.by Gods law, may doe no least sin or evill for a good end, that greatest good may come thereof, and if they doe, it is sin in them; yet God, who is supreme Lord of all, and whose will is the rule of all righteousnesse, and who by his omnipotency can raise out of the greatest evill a farre greater good, and can make the Divels malice and mans fall, the occasion of bringing Christ into the World, and a way to shew his infinite goodnesse and mercy in saving and redeeming his elect, and to magnifie his glorious power and justice in their eyes, by destroying the wicked with eternall destruction, the sight whereof brings them to a more full fruition of his glory, and makes them farre more sensible of his goodnesse to them, and of their owne eternall blessednesse; hee may doe what seemes good to his heavenly wisedome: and evill so farre as he willeth it, and hath an hand in the ordering of it, is no sin, but doth more shew his goodnesse, and unspotted purity, and holinesse.
The third thing is, that God by his actuall providence disposeth all things which are done in the World, to the manifestation of 3.his glory, and the eternall salvation of his elect in Christ. The glory of God is two wayes made manifest by his actuall providence.
First, in a more generall way, by a more generall providence. Gods actuall providence is generall or speciall. 1.Secondly, by a more speciall way, which is called his speciall providence.
First, by the generall, th… whole World is ruled by an universall motion, and all things in the World, every one according to the proper nature and naturall disposition and inclination of it. For, as the Apostle saith, Hee giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and in him wee all live, move and have our being, Act. 17. 25, 28. Hee by his mighty word sustaineth all things, Hebr. 1. 3. His name is excellent in all the World, in which he sheweth his glory, Psalme 8. 1. The Heavens declare his glory, and the firmament sheweth his handy-worke: day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge; and that by the Suns going round about the World, and discovering by his light all things from one end of Heaven and Earth to another, Psalme 19. 1, 2.
This generall providence appeares, First, by his consecration of things. Secondly, by his destruction of so many as hee in his just will and judgement thinks fit. Thirdly, by his governing of all things according to his eternall counsell, and just will.
First, hee doth universally conserve and uphold all things Gods conservation of his creatures.in the World, by the light, motion and influence which hee hath given to the heavens in the creation; which are continually turned about by his counsels, that they may doe whatsoever hee commandeth them upon the face of the World in the Earth, Iob 37. 12. Hee maketh his Sun to shine on the evill and on the good, and sendeth raine on the iust and uniust, Matth. 5. 45. Hee giveth food to all flesh, Psalme 136. 27. H… giveth meat to the beasts, and feedeth the young ravens which crie, Psalme 147. 9. He provideth for the fowles of the aire their food, though they neither sow, nor reape; and cloatheth the grasse of the field, Matth. 6. 26, 30.
This conservation is, first, by succession. For when any creatures 1. By Succession.passe away, hee maketh others of their race and kind to succeed by a continuall generation and propagation, as it were by a continued creation. The forming and fashioning of men in the wombe is ascribed to him, Iob 10. 8. 9, 10. and 31. 15. and Psalme 139. 13. So that as men and other living creatures dye; their off spring and progeny succeed in their place, and by this meanes, he doth renue the face of the Earth, Psalme 104. 30. and not onelyonly one generation of living creatures passeth away, and another commeth in the place, so that the earth is alwayes replenished; but day and night succeed continually by the going and returning of the Sun; and the winde whorleth about continually going and returning according to his circuits; The waters doe all run into the Sea, and yet the Rivers are supplied by springs which come from the Sea, by secret passages under the Earth, as the wise-Man sheweth, Eccles. 1. 4, 5, 6, 7.
Secondly, hee preserveth all things universally by changing 2. By mutation.mutable things from an evill to a good, and from a lesse good to a better condition. Hee girdeth the weake with strength, Job 12. 18. 1 Sam 2. 4. Hee maketh the barren wombe fruitfull, Psalme 113. 9. Hee turneth the wildernesse into standing pooles of water, and dry ground into water springs, and maketh the barren desert a fruitfull field, Psalme 107. 35. Isa. 41. 18. and 51. 3. Hee raiseth the needy out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, 1 Sam. 2. 8. and Psalme 113. 7. And because the universality of creatures cannot bee preserved without Gods carefull keeping and preserving every particular; therefore God hath an eye to every singular thing, and his provident hand is reached forth to every one of them, in so much that our haires are numbred; and not one small sparrow can fall on the ground without him, Matth. 10. 29, 30. Hee cloathed the grasse of the field, even every Lillie, Matth. 6. 30. Hee reckons up our teares, Psalme 56. 9. and is with every one in his going out and comming in; in his downe sitting and uprising, Psalme 139. 1. 2. Isa. 27. 28.
Secondly, his generall providence appeareth, and is exercised in the destruction which hee himselfe according to 2. Gods destroying of creatures.his just will bringeth upon the whole Earth, or upon whole Nations and Cities, or upon some notable persons. The destruction of the whole World in the dayes of Noah came by his hand and providence, for hee said, Behold I will bring a flood of waters and will destroy all flesh, Gen. 6. 13. and hee foretold his purpose so to doe an hundred yeares before. And the destruction of Sodome and Gomorrha was by fire which hee rained upon them, Gen. 19. Hee smotte Egypt with plagues and destroyed the first borne, and also Pharaoh and his host, Exod. 12. and 14. Psalme 135. 10. And the Cana…nites by Joshua and Israel, Josh. 10. and 11. and Senacheribs host. 2 King. 19. And the murmuring Israelites together with Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, Num. 16. Vzzah, 2. Sam. 6. 6. Herod. Act. 12. and many others. By this destroying, and abolishing of men and other creatures, and by his consuming and wasting of them; by smitting the earth with barrennesse, and sending pestilence, and warre, hee makes men know, that hee is Jehovah the righteous Iudge, and the Nations to see and feele that they are, but mortall men as the Psalmist testifieth, Psalme 9 21. and 46. 11.
Thirdly this generall providence is seene in his government Gods governing of his creatures.of all things, according to his owne just will and good pleasure; Hee doth after a generall manner rule inferiour things by the light and influence of the Heavens, and of the Sun, Moone, and Starres; By the Sun hee rules the day, and by the Moone and Starres hee governes the night, Psalme 136. 8. 9. And as his eyes are upon all things, and upon all the wayes and workes of men; so hee fashioneth their hearts, Psalme 33. 15. Hee keepeth the waters of the Sea within their bounds beyond which they doe not passe, Psalme 104. 9. Hee hath a set time and season for every thing, and for every purpose under Heaven, Eccles. 3. 1. And this government hee exerciseth by motion and direction of motions; and by cohibition.
First, by motion, for hee moveth all things, not onelyonly the mindes 1. By motion.& wils of men by turning their hearts at his pleasure, Ier. 12. 24. Act. 17. 28. Psalme 105. 25. and Prov. 21. 1. but also things without life by a naturall inclination, which hee giveth to every thing in his kind as the Psalmist sheweth in the Sun, Moone, and Starres, the windes and the waters, Psalme 104. 19. 25.
And as hee moveth every creature, so hee directeth all their And by direction of all motions.motions as appeares, Psalme 37. 23. Prov. 20. 24. Ier. 10. 23. In so much, that what men do with a wicked mind, & for an evill end, God turns it to the contrary, & brings good out of it. Iosephs bretheren intended his hurt & destruction in selling him for a slave; God turned it to his honour, and to the saving of them and much people alive, Gen. 50. 20. Pharoh rose to magnifie himselfe against God, and his people: God so ruled and directed his rage and furie, that hee shewed his power in him, and magnified his name in all the Earth; by turning Pharaoh's fiercenesse to his owne praise and glory, and to Pharaoh's destruction, Exod. 9. 16. The Iewes out of malice and envie crucified and murdered Christ: God out of his death raised life, and made his death, which they devised for his shame and ignominy, a glorious triumph over the Divell and all the powers of darknesse, and a way to exaltation, Act. 2. 23. They hardened their hearts to persecute the Apostles, and to drive the Preachers of the Gospell out of their land, and to quench the light thereof: God turned this their hardnesse and fall to the salvation of the Gentiles; for by this meanes the Gospell came to bee preached in all nations, Rom. 11. 11. Wicked heretiques raise up heresies to corrupt Gods Church, and God so orders their doings, that they who are approved, are thereby made manifest, and come to shine as lights in the midst of a perverse generation, 1 Cor. 11. 19. Pauls troubles and persecutions were intended for the overthrow of the Gospell: God made them fall out to the furtherance of it, Phil. 1. 12. The Philistines invaded the land of Israel, with purpose to doe mischiefe to Israel, and to wast their land: but God directed this motion of their hearts, and by his providence appointed it as a meanes to recall Saul from pursuing David, when hee had inclosed him on every side; and so saved him to bee a Saviour of Israel, and a destroyer of the Philistines, 1 Sam. 23. 27, 28.
Secondly, God governs the World and all things therein by cohibition, that is, restraining, and hindering the actions and motions 2 By cohibition.of creatures, in his wisedome and by his power, when hee thinks it fit Hee with-held Abimelech from touching Sarah Abrahams wife, that hee might not sin, and staine himselfe ignorantly, Gen. 20. 6. Hee suffered not the destroyer of the first borne in Egypt to enter into the house of any of the Israelites, Exod. 12. 23. Hee kept back the waters of Jordan from running downward, so that it was dryed for Israel to passe over on foote, Iosh. 3. Hee restraineth the influences of Heaven, and the clouds from raine, and makes the Heavens as brasse, and the Earth as iron, for the punishment of wicked transgressors, and rebellious people, Deut. 28. 13. Iob 26. 8. and 38. 31. Hee bringeth the counsell of the heathen to nought, and maketh the devices of the people of none effect, Psalme 33. 10. Hee withheld Laban from his evill purpose of hurting Iacob, Gen. 31. 42. And his terrour restrained the Cities round about, so that they pursued not after Iacobi Sons to take revenge on them, for the slaying of the Shechemites, Gen. 35. 5. And by his Spirit he forbad Paul and his companions to preach the Gospell in Asia, Act. 16. 6. In a word, as hee doth by a generall governing order all things universally and all events, even the heavens, the Earth, the Seas, Winter, Summer, and all seasons of the yeare, men and beasts, and makes an harmony and concord among things which are contrarie, tempering, moderating and keeping them in their proper places, and doth set up and pull downe Kingdomes & states. Dan. 2. 37. and 4. 25. So hee rules every singular creature and every singular event, turning harvest dayes into a tempestuous time of thunder and raine; as when hee terrified Israel to shew them their sin in asking a King, 1 Sam. 12. 16. So that wee need no further proofe of this point. Let that which is before said and proved, suffice to shew how God by a generall way of providence actually disposeth all things to the manifestation of his glory.
The speciall way by which God manifesteth his glory is by Gods speciall providence.working things, and by ordering, ruling and disposing them to the revealing of his glory, more specially in the salvation of his elect in Christ, which divines doe call his speciall providence.
This providence God exerciseth by his Son Christ, as hee is the Mediatour, Redeemer, Saviour, King, and Head of the Church universall; and by his Spirit sent forth in the name of Christ, and shed on the elect aboundantly through him in their regeneration. This consists and sheweth it selfe in all the gracious benefits and blessings which God bestoweth upon men for salvation; and in the judgements which hee executeth on his enemies, the wicked, by which hee delivereth his Church out of their cruell, bloody persecuting and oppressing hands; and doth magnifie and declare his justice and power, and more fully reveale and communicate himselfe to them for their greater blessednesse.
The briefe Description of this speciall providence which I conceive to bee most plaine is. That it is Gods exercise of his wisedome, Described.power, iustice, mercy, and all his goodnesse in executing his speciall decree of predestination, by which hee ordained all the elect both Angels and men to eternall blessednesse; and all the rest to eternall distruction, and withall did decree all the meanes which serve and tend to bring every one of them to their sevreall ends; and by which in the time appointed they are all brought to their decreed end according to his eternall purpose, and the counsell of his will.
In the large prosecution of this point of Gods speciall providence, wee have just occasion offered to lay open all the rest of the great works of God, which fall within the compasse of the Divine art of sacred Divinity. For they all are contained under these two maine heads, to wit: 1 The meanes which serve for the effecting, and obtaining of the utmost end of reasonable creatures unto which God hath ordained them. 2. The end it selfe the manifestation of his glory more specially in the eternall blessednesse of his elect, which blessednesse doth consist in the eternall fruition of God in all his glory; and the sense thereof is exceedingly increased by their beholding of the eternall misery and destruction of the ungodly, their escape and deliverance, from which whole they consider and remember their joy and rejoycing shallbee doubled.
For in all wise providence there is a good end purposed, intended and decreed, and a provident ordaining, ordering and actuall disposing of the meanes which are necessary for the obtaining and effecting of that end, and therefore the speciall providence of God who is most wise and provident, infinite in goodnesse and power, must needs bee exercised in doing the most excellent workes, and in ordering and disposing them according to his eternall counsell and decree, to the best, and most excellent end of all, which is the fourth and last point in the Description of Gods actuall providence.
Now the meanes which God hath ordained for the manifestation of the glory of his grace and goodnesse in the eternall blessednesse of his elect they goe before in execution; though the end is first in Gods intention. And therefore they come to bee handled in the first place. And they all may be reduced to two maine heads. The first is mans fall; The second is mans restauration.
In the fall of man, sive things come to bee considered… First, the Commandement of God at which man stumbled and which the Divell made the occasion of mans fall. The second is the fall it selfe, what it was, and wherein it did consist. The third is the state of rebellion, into which man did fall. The fourth is the multitude of evils, which did accompany and follow mans sin and fall. The fifth is the small reliques of good, which remained in mans nature after his fall.
The Commandement of God is plainely laid downe, Gen. 2. 16, 17. And therefore I will first insist upon that portion of Scripture, and after will proceed to the description of the fall, as it is laid downe in the third Chapter.
But before I proceed further, let me conclude this Doctrine of Gods actuall providence with some use and application.
First, it is matter of admirable comfort to all true Christians Vse 1. Comfo… to the faithfull.and faithfull people of God, in that the Lord whom they have chosen for their God, their rocke and confidence, is so wise and provident above all; ordering and disposing all things which come to passe in the World in wonderfull wisedome and by an omnipotent hand to his owne glory and the salvation of his elect in Christ. Whatsoever good commeth at any time, it is the gift of God; and all good blessings and benefits which they receive and enjoy from any hand or by any meanes, they are so many tokens and pledges of his love and fatherly care, and of his eye of providence watching over them for good. And whatsoever evils of any kind breake into the World by the malice of the Divell, and the outrage of wicked men; they are no other, nor no more, but such as God in his wisedome and goodnesse is pleased willingly to permit and suffer for a far greater good to his own people; and as he over-rules them all: and hath set them their bounds beyond which they cannot passe; so he disposeth and turneth them all to his owne glory, and the manifestation of his justice and power in saving of his Church and people, and in confounding and destroying all his and their enemies, wherefore in times of peace, plenty and prosperity, when all good things and blessings of all sorts abound; Let us rejoyce and glory in the Lord and give him the praise of all, and offer up daily and continuall sacrifices of thankfulnesse with cheerefull hearts and willing Who learne also to bee thankfull.minds; studying and striving with all our might, and to the utmost of our power; to use and employ all his blessings to the best advantage for his glory, the good of his Church, and the profit of our owne soules; being well assured, that these are his talents committed to our trust, which if wee by our faithfulnesse doe increase, wee shall in the day of account and reckoning, receive the reward of good stewards and faithfull servants, and bee received into the joy of our Lord.
But on the contrary, in evill and perillous time; when iniquity aboundeth sinnes of all sorts are increased; piety and charity are waxen cold, religion is skorned, the godly persecuted and oppressed, justice judgement and truth troden downe and trampled: Let us not faint nor feare nor bee dejected as men without hope; For the Lord our God, and our keeper is a provident God, his eyes neither slumber nor sleep; hee seeth and observeth all these things, and without his will and knowledge no evill can come to passe. As the Scripture saith of Pharaoh, to may wee say in this case; that even for this same purpose God hath raised up these wicked persecutors and outrageous sinners; that is in his just wrath hath given them up to Satan and their owne lusts to multiply sin and oppression, that he may shew his power in them, and make his justice glorious, and name famous throughout all the earth: When the nations rage, and the Kingdomes are moved, God can give his voice, and the earth shall melt and all the works of the wicked shall bee dissolved.
Secondly, here is matter of terrour to the wicked, both them who commit sins in secret, and presume to goe on in their lewd Vse 2. Terrour to the wicked.courses with a conceipt, that none seeth nor taketh notice of their abominations; and also them who multiply their sins openly, and without feare increase their persecutions and oppressions, and vex and afflict the meeke of the Earth, and breake Gods people in pieces; thinking that they shall never bee called to account, and putting farre from them the day of reckoning: Behold here, the Lord who is the judge all the earth, is a most provident God; all their doings are naked and opened to his eyes, and he observes all their wayes and wicked workes; their power strength and greatnesse is from him, and he wittingly and willingly suffers them to abuse them to sin, and to oppression and wrong, and onelyonly so long as he pleaseth, that when they have filled up their measure, hee may bring them to judgement, and may make them a skorne, derision, and footestole to the righteous whom they have skorned, hated and oppressed.
Thus much for the actuall providence of God.
FINIS.
End of the text · George Walker, The History of the Creation (1641)