Sin, and denounced the most awful Threatnings against it, than which nothing can poffibly be better fitted to deter Men from indulging themselves in a Course of prefumptuous Sin and Disobedience. He hath fo formed our Natures as in the most important Inftances to give us an inward Senfe of the Evil of Sin, fo that the Practice of it is followed, in Minds which are not depraved and corrupted with vicious Prejudices and Paffions, with an inward Diffatisfaction and Remorfe; and Conscience is placed within us as a Witness and Judge, to remonftrate against the committing of it, and to condemn it when committed. Add to this, that in the general Course of God's providential Dealings, there are many Things which are defigned to fhew the Evil of Sin, and the pernicious Confequences which attend it. The Scripture teacheth us to regard all the Miferies to which the Nature of Man is now fubject, as the Effects and Punishments of Sin. And befides the Evils brought upon particular Perfons by their Sins, there have been from Time to Time Calamities and Events of an extraordinary Nature, relating to large Communities, which may be looked upon as Tokens of the divine Difpleasure against the Sins of Men. Thus doth a wife and holy Provi

dence

dence take many Ways to convince Men of the Evil of Sin, and to excite in them a Hatred and Abhorrence of it. And upon the whole it may be faid, that God hath by his Law, and in the Course of his Providence, done as much to encourage Men to Holiness and Virtue, and to discourage and deter them from Vice and Wickedness, as is fuitable to this State of Trial, and becoming him as a moral Governor in the present Circumstances of Mankind.

To which it may be added, that God in his holy Providence often over-ruleth Mens finful Actions to wife and valuable Purposes. And therefore his permitting Men to commit them is no juft Objection against his Providence. It hath been shewn that God frequently over-rules the evil Actions of Men for punishing their own Wickedness or that of others, or for correcting and chastening his backsliding Servants; that in many Inftances he causeth Good to arife out of them, and turneth them to quite different Purposes than were intended by the Actors of them; and that the Permiffion of Sin giveth Occafion to the exercifing and bringing forth into open Light, fome of the nobleft Affections and Difpofitions of the human Nature, as alfo fome of the divine Attributes, which would not otherwise be fo eminently confpicuous;

fuch

fuch as God's impartial Juftice and Righteousness, the Wisdom of his moral Government, his Patience and Long-suffering towards Sinners, the Riches of his Grace and Mercy in pardoning the truly penitent, and reftoring them to his Favour. And finally, it hath given Occafion to all the admirable Methods of our Redemption and Salvation by Jefus Chrift, which will lay a Foundation for everlasting Love, Joy, and Praise.

And now to conclude, Since it appears that the Sin which is actually committed in the World is far fhort of what would be committed if a wife and holy Providence did not interpofe to prevent it: Since God could not entirely hinder Men from doing evil Actions without laying them under fuch Restraints as are inconfiftent with the Liberty of moral Agents conftituted in a State of Trial: Since he hath done all that was proper for him as a moral Governor, to diffuade and deter Men from the Practice of Sin; and to engage them to the Practice of Righteoufnefs and true Holinefs And finally, fince in his most wise and fovereign Providence he over-rules the Sins of Men to answer many valuable Purpofes, and often brings great Good out of thofe Evils: All thefe Confiderations taken together fully vindicate the Conduct of

Divine Providence in permitting Mens finful Actions, and fhew that in this his Wisdom is to be adored, and at the fame Time that the Purity and Holiness of his Nature and Government is free from the leaft Stain or Blemish. And this no Doubt would appear to us with a brighter and more convincing Evidence, if we had a more diftinct and compleat View of the divine Administrations.

On

On God's Government and Dif pofal of the Events which befall

us.

DISCOURSE XI.

MATT. X. 30.

The very Hairs of your Head are all num

HAV

bered.

AVING confidered the Providence of God as extending its Care and Government both to the Hearts of Men, and to their outward Actions, it remaineth that we now confider it as difpofing and governing the Events in which they are concerned. These are of various Kinds, relating to their Lives, Fortunes, Conditions, VOL. I.

and