1. e. not confidering, that the Goodness

God leadeth to Repentance. Rodness of

ii.

11. 4. But let fuch Perfons confider that the Goodnefs M of d God is not a foft weak Tenderness like that of a too fond and indulgent Parent, or of a good-natured, but unfteady Prince, who has not Refolution enough to vindicate his Authority and Laws from Contempt: But his Goodnefs, as was before obferved, is fuch as becometh the wife and jult Governor of the World, and is exercifed in fuch a Manner as is agreeable to his moft perfect Wisdom, Righteoufnefs, and Equity. If therefore we be f base and difingenuous as to continue and abound in Sin, because Grace aboundeth, we shall find in the Iffue that abufed Goodness is the moft dreadful Thing in the World. By wilful continued Impenitency and Difobedience we shall shut our Souls against the

4

Influences and Irradiations of the

fupreme

Love and Goodness. And then though God be infinitely good, we fhall be miferable, we fhall banifh ourfelves from the Joys ys of his beatific Prefence, and fhall draw down upon us the moft awful Effects of his righteous Difpleafure. It is only in a Courfe of fincere Piety and Virtue that we can expect to be admitted to the facred Intimacies of Communion with

*

the

the God of Love, and may upon good Grounds look forwards with Joy to that glorious State where infinite Love fhall take us into its nearest Embraces, and we shall be perfectly happy in the immediate Vifion and Fruition of the Deity to all Eternity.

The Lord is good to all, and his tender Mercies are over all his Works.

IN

my former Difcourfe on these Words feveral Principles were laid down for leading us into right Notions of the divine Goodness, and the Manner in which it is exercised towards his Creatures; and then we proceeded to make a general Reprefentation of the Goodness of Providence towards Mankind in this present

State.

It now remains that we confider the Objections which are urged against it. And thefe are principally drawn from the great Difference that is made between fome of the human Race and others in the Distributions of the Gifts and Bleffings of Divine Providence; or from the Variety of Evils and Miseries to which Mankind are fubject in this present State, and which could fcarce be supposed to be the Cafe if infinite Goodness governed the World.

First, It is objected against the universal Goodness of God, that there is great Difference made between fome and others of the human Race, in the Distribution of the Gifts and Bleffings of Divine Providence. The Matter of Fact cannot well be denied. It is true that with regard to the Incapacity of Mens outward Conditions and Circumftances it might eafily be fhewn, that the Difference arifing from thence between fome and others in real Satisfaction and Enjoyment, is not near fo great as many are apt to imagine; fince a low Station hath its Advantages, and Perfons in mean Circumftances are often free from Inconveniences, to which thofe in higher Stations and more fplendid Circumftances are fubject. It may be faid therefore, that Happiness is in this Refpect more equally diffused among Mankind, than it seems to

be

be to a fuperficial Obferver. Yet ftill it must be acknowledged that the Goodness of Providence is more remarkably difpenfed to fome of the human Race than to others. Some whole Nations are in a more advantageous Situation than others, with refpect to Opportunities of Improvement in Arts and Sciences, and useful Knowledge, efpecially in moral and religious Knowledge. Nor can it be denied, that in the fame Nation fome particular Perfons have fuperior Genius's and Capacities, finer Endowments than others, happier natural Tempers and Difpofitions, better Education and Inftruction, and greater Advantages for virtuous Improvement. Thefe Things are to be regarded as under the Direction of Divine" Providence. And this is analogous to its Way of acting in all Parts of the Univerfe that we are acquainted with, fince we may every where obferve different Degrees of Excellence and Happiness among different Species of Beings, and among the several Individuals of the fame Species.

די

But granting this to be the Truth of the Fact, it is not eafy to fee with what Pretence of Reafon it can be made an Objection against the Goodness of Divine Providence. Doth it follow that God is not good, though he doeth much Good to all, because the Effects of his Goodnefs are exVOL. I. tended

X