God the good Creator of all things, in his infinite Power and Wisdom, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all Creatures, and Things, from the greatest even to thea least, by his most wise and holy Providence, to the end for which they were created, according unto his infallible Foreknowledge, and the free and immutable Counsel of hisb own Will; to the praise of the glory of his Wisdom, Power, Justice, infinite Goodness and Mercy.c
a. Hebrews 1:3; Job 38:11; Isaiah 46:10–11; Psalm 135:6
Although in relation to the foreknowledge and Decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly; so that there is not any thing, befalls anya by chance or without his Providence; yet by the same Providence he ordereth them to fall out according to the nature of second Causes, eitherb necessarily, freely, or contingently.c
The Almighty Power, unsearchable Wisdom, and infinite Goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his Providence, that his determinate Counsel extendeth itself even to the first Fall, and all other sinful Actions both of Angels and Men; (and that not by a bare permission) which also he most wisely and powerfullya boundeth, and otherwise ordereth, and governeth, in a manifold dispensation to his most holyb Ends: Yet so, as the sinfulness of their Acts proceedeth only from the Creatures, and not from God; who being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be, the Author orc Approver of Sin.d
a. Romans 11:32–34; 2 Samuel 24:1; 1 Chronicles 21:1
The most wise, righteous, and gracious God, doth oftentimes, leave for a season his own Children to manifold Temptations, and the Corruptions of their own Heart, 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; 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 other just and holy Ends. So that whatsoever befalls any of his Elect is by his appointment, for his Glory,a and their good.b
a. 2 Chronicles 32:25–26, 31; 2 Samuel 24:1; 2 Corinthians 12:7–9
As for those wicked and ungodly Men, whom God as a righteous Judge, for former Sin doth blind and harden; from them he not only withholdeth hisa Grace, whereby they might have been enlightned in their understanding, and wrought upon in their Hearts; but sometimes also withdrawethb the Gifts which they had, and exposeth them to suchc Objects as their Corruptions makes occasion of Sin; and withal,d gives them over to their own Lusts, and temptations of the World, and the power of Satan, whereby it comes to pass, that theye harden themselves, even under those means which God useth for the softning of others.f
As the Providence of God doth in general reach to all Creatures, so after a more special manner it taketh Care of his Church, and disposeth of all things to the good thereof.a
