Chapter 5: Of Providence

God the great Creator of all things doth uphold,^a direct, dispose, and governe all creatures, actions, and things,^b from the greatest even to the least,^c by his most wise and holy Providence,^d according to his infallible fore-knowledge,^e and the free, and immutable counsell of his own Will,^f to the praise of the glory of his wisedome, power, justice, goodnesse, and mercy.^g

God the great Creator of all things does uphold,^a direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things,^b from the greatest even to the least,^c by his most wise and holy Providence,^d according to his infallible fore-knowledge,^e and the free, and immutable counsel of his own Will,^f to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.^g

Although, in relation to the fore-knowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to passe immutably, and infallibly:^a yet, by the same Providence, he ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.^b

Although, in relation to the fore-knowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly:^a yet, by the same Providence, he orders them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.^b

God, in his ordinary Providence maketh use of meanes,^a yet is free to work without,^b above,^c and against them at his pleasure.^d

God, in his ordinary Providence makes use of means,^a yet is free to work without,^b above,^c and against them at his pleasure.^d

The almighty power, unsearchable wisdome, and infinit goodnesse of God so farre manifest themselves in his Providence, that it extendeth it selfe even to the first Fall, and all other sinnes of Angels and Men;^a and that not by a bare permission,^b but such as hath joyned with it a most wise and powerfull bounding,^c and otherwise ordering, and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to his owne holy ends:^d yet so, as the sinfulnesse thereof proceedeth onely from the creature, and not from God, who being most holy and righteous, neither is, nor can be the Author or Approver of sin.^e

The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God so far manifest themselves in his Providence, that it extends it self even to the first Fall, and all other sins of Angels and Men;^a and that not by a bare permission,^b but such as has joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding,^c and otherwise ordering, and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to his own holy ends:^d yet so, as the sinfulness thereof proceeds 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.^e

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

The most wise, righteous, and gracious God does 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;^a and, to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for various other just and holy ends.^b

As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a righteous judge, for former sinnes doth blinde and harden,^a from them he not onely withholdeth his grace, whereby they might have been inlightened in their understandings, and wrought upon in their hearts;^b but, sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had,^c and exposeth them to such objects as their corruption makes occasions of sin;^d and withall, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan:^e whereby it comes to passe that they harden themselves, even under those meanes, which God useth for the softning of others.^f

As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a righteous judge, for former sins does blind and harden,^a from them he not only withholds his grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their understandings, and wrought upon in their hearts;^b but, sometimes also withdraws the gifts which they had,^c and exposes them to such objects as their corruption makes occasions of sin;^d and withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan:^e whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves, even under those means, which God uses for the softening of others.^f

As the providence of God doth in generall, reach to all Creatures; so after a most speciall manner, it taketh care of his Church, and disposeth all things to the good thereof.^a

As the providence of God does in general, reach to all Creatures; so after a most special manner, it takes care of his Church, and disposes all things to the good thereof.^a