Chapter 5: Of Providence

Question 1.

Does God uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, their actions, and all things from the greatest, even to the least?

Yes. (Hebrews 1:3; Daniel 4:34-35; Psalm 135:6; Acts 17:25-26, 28; Job 38, 39, 40, 41, chapters.)

Well then, do not the Socinians, Arminians, and that great Philosopher Durandus, with others called the Epicureans err, who deny, that God preserves all things immediately: to be the immediate cause of all things, which fall out: to govern things, which are contingent, and the free acts of the will of man, and evil actions?

Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

(1) Because, it is God, that works all in all (1 Corinthians 12:5-6). (2) Because, he works all things, according to the counsel of his own will (Ephesians 1:11). (3) Because, of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things (Romans 11:36).

Question 2.

Does the Almighty Power, unsearchable wisdom and infinite goodness of God so far manifest themselves in his providence, that it extends itself, even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels, and men; and that not by a bare permission, but such as has joined with it, a most wise, and powerful bounding, and otherwise ordering, and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to his own holy ends?

Yes. (Romans 11:32-34; 2 Samuel 24:1; 1 Kings 21:22-23; 1 Chronicles 10:4, 13-14; 2 Samuel 16:10; Acts 14:16; Psalm 76:10; 2 Kings 19:28; Genesis 50:20.)

Well then, do not the Lutherans, Papists, Arminians, and Socinians err, who maintain, that the Lord concurs only to sinful actions, by a bare, naked, and idle permission? Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

(1) Because, the Scripture says, God blinds their eyes, and hardens their hearts, even actively, and judicially (John 12:40; Exodus 7:3; Deuteronomy 2:30; Romans 9:18). (2.) Because, God is said to punish one sin, with another (Romans 1:24, 26, 28; 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12). (3) From the practice of Job, and David, who, when they were afflicted, and persecuted looked to God, and took it patiently (Job 1:21).

Question 3.

Does the sinfulness of the action proceed only from the creature, and not from God?

I answer, from the creature only (James 1:13-14, 17; 1 John 2:16; Psalm 50:21).

Well then, do not the Libertines err, who affirm, God (without blasphemy be it spoken) to be the Author and Cause of all sin? Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

(1) From David's testimony (Psalm 5:4). (2) From Moses his testimony (Deuteronomy 32:4). (3) From Daniel's testimony (Daniel 9:14). (4) From the testimony of James (James 1:13). (5) From the testimony of John (1 John 2:16; 1 John 1:5). (6) From the testimony of Paul (Romans 3:3-5). (7) From the testimony of Habakkuk (Habakkuk 1:13). From reason: (1) because God is in the highest degree, essentially, and infinitely holy, and good, and therefore pure, and free, from every spot, and blemish (Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 78:41; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Leviticus 11:44). (2) Because, God is absolutely perfect, and therefore he cannot fail, or be deficient in working. (3) Because, God is the Judge of the World? He is the Forbidder, the Hater, and Revenger, of all sin, and unrighteousness, as contrary to his holy nature, and law (Exodus 20; Romans 3:5-6; Genesis 18:25; Romans 1:17; Psalm 5:4). (4) Because, by his own most absolute, and most supreme dominion, Sovereignty, and infinite perfection, He is in, and of himself, above all law whatever, and under the command of none, in Heaven; or in Earth.