THE

PROVIDENCE OF GOD.

PSALM xcvii, 1.

The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice.

WHOEVER is fully convinced of the existence of God, and of his glorious perfections, will, of course, next inquire into the nature of the relation in which such a Being stands towards his creatures. After having made them, does he take no farther care of them? Has he left them to blind fate or undirected chance? Has he forsaken the works of his own hands?___Or does he always graciously preserve, and keep, and guide them ?—This is an important in

quiry, which demands the serious attention of every reasonable being. I trust that I shall now be able to make it satisfactorily appear, that He who created, continually sustains and governs the universe: or, in other words, that He continually exercises over it, and over all that it contains, an infinitely wise and beneficent Providence. The Lord reigneth, let the • earth rejoice.'

THE doctrine of Divine Providence, while it is confessedly the immediate support of all religion, is likewise the most consoling and elevating subject of thought, that can present itself to a sober and uncorrupted mind. Upon the truth or falsehood of it, all that is most important and dear to us depends. Without believing in it, every thing around us must assume a dreary and melancholy aspect. We are, in this case, like orphans wandering without protector or guide. We can have no proper knowledge, either of our nature, or of our end. The world appears a vast scene of confusion. All seems vanity and vexation of spirit.' The universe has lost its regulating principle; all rational beings are de

But

prived of their most valuable prospects; the support of the righteous is taken away, and the hope of the afflicted has perished. suppose the doctrine of Providence is fully established, and firmly believed in, the whole face of nature is changed; confusion and darkness vanish, and order and light divine spread everywhere around us. 'The Lord reigneth, and the inhabitants

of the earth rejoice.' All things seem to be ordered wisely and well. Partial evil seems appointed for the general good, and misery, a necessary part of the grand scheme, which has for its object, the production of the greatest possible happiness.

My present design therefore is, to explain and prove the doctrine of Divine Providence.The discussion of this subject will undoubtedly suggest some highly pleasing and important reflections.

FIRST, I shall explain, in a few sentences, what I here mean by the Providence of God. By the Providence of God, I mean that constant exercise of his power, and wisdom, and goodness, by which all his creatures are preserved and governed; by

which the term of their existence is prescribed, and the manner of their dissolution accomplished; by which their number is, at different periods, either fixed, or multiplied, or diminished; by which all their circumstances are arranged, and all their movements regulated.-In one word, when I say that the whole creation is ever under benevolent and right direction, I express the doctrine of Providence in its highest and strictest sense.

IN asserting this doctrine, we, by inevitable consequence, deny that any thing takes place by chance or fate, or without the knowledge and determination of God. We maintain, that the universe is continually pervaded and actuated by Him, and that all is under his immediate direction and controul. We maintain, that, from the beginning, He has so planned and conducted the boundless system, and will also, in future, so conduct it, as infallibly to promote the most glorious end, and that, in the meantime, every intermediate operation and effect must follow his will, and execute his design. We maintain that the world is not like a vessel whose rudder is

broken, and whose pilot is gone, and which is left to be driven about without any order; but that it is the vast engine of the Almighty, having all its parts formed and adjusted by his unerring skill; all its motions directed by his Supreme Intelligence, and made finally to fulfil his gracious purpose. We maintain that it is not like a state whose ruler has abdicated the throne, and left the jarring passions, and capricious humours of his subjects, without guidance or restraint; but that it is an immeasurable kingdom which never is, and never can be, in confusion; that the will of its Sovereign can never be defeated by man, or by any other creature; and that all its agents and fortunes, are so incessantly influenced as to be for ever harmoniously conspiring to produce the greatest and happiest consummation.-' The Lord,' we say, is a great God, and a great King ' above all gods. Let then the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let ' men say among the nations, The Lord ⚫ reigneth!'

HAVING thus stated the doctrine of Divine Providence, let us now, in the SECOND