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py those powers. Whatever, therefore, in the government of God counteracts the tendencies of our nature toward improper dependence on creatures, ought to be regarded as the result of Infinite Benevolence.

I. What is the nature of this mutability? II. What instructions does it furnish us?

I. What is the nature of this mutability?

It is not to be confounded with chance. In strict truth nothing can be called accidental, though in common language there may be no impropriety in speaking of an unlooked for event in such style. It is not chance, which divests us at one period of life of those graces or powers which we possess at another. It is not chance, which bestows an abundant fortune, or takes it away. It is not chance, which throws us on the bed of sickness, or restores us to health. Events like these, however unexpected, are in no case to be accounted for on the hypothesis of an Accidental Cause.

It involves not the idea of confusion in the plan of God. Though much apparent disorder meets the eye of man, yet in truth, the most perfect unity of design, and concert of operation, are every where preserved. All things, whether prosperous or adverse, joyful or afflictive, are conspiring to one and the same grand result. They are so many links in that extended chain of events, by which Infinite Wisdom will in the end fully develope its resources. Light shall shine out of darkness-order shall proceed from confusion, and from evil, good shall be educed.

All things are under the government of fixed laws. Perhaps we should be more correctly understood, if we should say that the Providence of God regulates all things. agreeably to certain uniform principles. What those principles are, we are able to learn from their operation. In many instances, we can discern the connection between effects and their immediate causes; or, from observing any effect uniformly to follow any cause, we form a notion of mutual dependence between such effect and cause. But in innumerable instances, we are unable to discover such a connection, and are obliged to resolve the effects we see, into the Sovereign will of Jehovah. Now whether we perceive the connection or not, a connection subsists-not independently between an effect and its immediate cause, but between every effect and the will of God.

It is the will of God, that the spendthrift should come to poverty, that the man of sobriety, industry and prudence, should rise to wealth. It is the will of God, that the vicious should suffer a long train of ills from which the virtuous are exempted. It is the will of God that the profligate man of wealth should rear up a family for infamy, and that the seed of the righteous should not be seen begging bread. We may observe, or imagine as many secondary causes as we will-but the good pleasure of God is the First Cause. He has established those principles which in their operation lead inevitably to such results.

The mutability of all human affairs then, is to be traced to the counsels of Infinite Intelligence. The sparrow falls not to the ground, without his direction. The mote wafted on the breeze, wanders not from the path he prescribes. Let sickness and death, penury and distress go where

they will; let them assail the feeble or the strong, the prince or the peasant, the gay or the gloomy, they are but his messengers-they execute his purposes.

II. What instructions does this mutability of all earthly things furnish us?

1. That whatever we possess comes from God. If there be no immutable laws independent of the will of God, and laws with which we are well enough acquainted, to make them the rule of our conduct, then it is evident that no acquisitions we may make, are either the result of immutable laws, or of our obedience to them. Whatever success in enterprize we may ascribe to fortune, is justly ascribed only to God. Whatever felicity of plan we may ascribe to our own superior wisdom, is justly ascribed only to God; and when beyond our expectations, or even contrary to them, we are loaded with benefits, they flow only from the hand of God. "He giveth us richly all things to enjoy." "He opens his hand, and satisfieth the desire of every living thing." "He preserveth the strangers, and relieveth the fatherless and widow."." He openeth the eyes of the blind-raiseth them that be bowed down-executeth judgment for the oppressed, and giveth food to the hungry;" wherefore, ❝ put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man in whom is no help." "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”

What is there splendid in riches-what is there delightful in applause-what is there elevating in knowledgewhat is there precious in friendship-what is there tender in the heart of charity?-it is the gift of God, these are the bounties of his wise and gracious Providence. "I re

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Benson, Henry J.
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