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PROVIDENCE, PROVIDENTIAL CONTROL.

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the most distinctive feature of New England divinity, and its sublime and soul-stirring energies have perhaps done more to lay the foundation for New England influence, than any other doctrine of religion or morals. [See 31, 101.]

761. PROVIDENCE, SYSTEMATIC.

Em. God always acts systematically in governing the world. He governs every creature and every object in subserviency to his ultimate design in creation. He has a regard to the whole material world, in moving, directing, and disposing of every particle of matter; and he has as constant regard to the whole moral world, in his conduct towards every rational being. Both the natural and moral worlds are always transparent in his view. And whenever he causes any thing to move in the natural world, or any creature to act in the moral world, he has a regard to his whole system. He has a paternal and impartial regard to his whole family in heaven and earth, in his treatment of every angel, and in his treatment of every man. A wise and kind parent will have an impartial regard to his whole family, and will not favor one child to the injury of the whole. And if he have a large family, he will treat every one of his children differently from what he would, if he had but one child. So the wise and kind Parent of the universe treats angels differently from what he would if there were no men; and he treats men differently from what he would if there were no angels. They are all connected like one family; and God's conduct, in the course of providence, is governed by these mutual relations, though neither angels nor men discover all these relations and connections; and of course do not, in a thousand cases, see the reasons of the dispensations of providence and grace. It is because God governs all beings and all objects systematically, that his judgments are a great deep and his ways past finding out. [See 920.]

762. PROVIDENTIAL CONTROL.

Washington, in his first presidential address to Congress, said, "It would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being, who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and

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whose providential aids can supply every human defect; that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people, a government instituted by themselves, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration, to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that I express your sentiments, no less than my own. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States. Every step by which we have been advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.

Sh. Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well,

When our deep plots do pall: and that should teach us,
There's a divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will.

Pope. All nature is but art, unknown to thee;

All chance, direction which thou canst not see;
All discord, harmony not understood;

All partial evil, universal good.

Kossuth. There is a Providence in every fact.

763. PROVISION, DIVINE.

He who feeds the ravens, will not starve the doves.

Ed. God made very bountiful provision for the wants of his creatures. The treasures of knowledge, holiness, and happiness are manifold, magnificent, rich, exhaustless, and free. He has created the innumerable bodies of light which garnish the heavens, and spread them through regions of space we cannot measure, as an emblem of the infinitely more rich and glorious objects provided for the future entertainment of his holy and happy creatures. The beneficence of the upper heavens, will resemble the profusion of its lower arch. Though many despise all the provisions God has made for knowledge, holiness, and true happiness, and provoke him to subject them to terrible evils in an eternal vindication of his law and Gospel; yet, the great multitude that no man can number, who can appreciate them, will

PROVISIONS OF THE GOSPEL, PROVOCATION.

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find their highest earthly participations or even anticipations of these provisions Divine, are like a drop to the ocean. [See 68, 395.]

764. PROVISIONS OF THE GOSPEL.

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Ed. In their richness, magnitude, and glory, the provisions of the Gospel are incomprehensible to creatures. We know not the amazing import of becoming kings and priests unto God, and the bride, the Lamb's wife, for we are told that the saints know not what they shall be. 'Eye hath not seen," etc. But the reasons of these marvellous provisions lie in the glory of God. "Not for - be it known unto you." In order to exercise and display his grace, there must be the highlyfavored and exalted subjects of grace.

sakes your

765. PROVOCATION.

To be able to bear provocation, augurs great wisdom; to forgive it, evinces a great mind.

Ed. All sins against Divine goodness, Divine authority, and especially Divine grace, are just provocations of Divine displeasure and wrath.

Ib. None of his creatures provoke God to jealousy, more emphatically than those for whom he has done the most, when they grievously backslide from his holy covenant, crucify his Son afresh, and bring reproach upon his religion, and dishonor upon his name. The forbearance of God toward his enemies, and toward his wayward children, is marvellous beyond description, and will appear more and more so, forever and ever. The best saints obtain but a feeble, infantile glance at the subject in this life, but the day of judgment will unfold it.

766. PRUDENCE, PRUDENTIAL.

Those who live in glass houses, should never throw stones. Confide not in him who has once deceived you.

Dr. Dow. It is generally better to wait, than to strive against wind and tide.

Little boats keep near the shore,

But larger crafts may venture more.

Before you attempt, consider whether you can perform.

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PRUDENCE, PRUDENTIAL.

Keep out of a hasty man's way for a while; out of a sullen man's, always.

Signor, arrigo, meo, I pensieri streti, et il viseo sciolto — Your thoughts close, and your countenance loose, will go safely over the world.

Neither praise nor dispraise any, before you know them.

Prevention is better than cure.

bad habits which are never cured.

Ed. Especially from those

Sh. Do not cast away an honest man for a villain's accusation.

Seneca.

There is none so great, but he may need the help and service, and stand in fear of the power and unkindness, even of the meanest of mortals. Ed. Therefore avoid giving needless offence to great and small.

Short reckonings make long friends.

Never buy what you do not want, because it is cheap.

Of a bad paymaster get what you can, though it be but a

straw.

Em. A good retreat is next to a victory.

Ib. Be careful to avoid the breakers.

1b.

Ib.

If you wish to rise, don't strike twelve at first.

Never strive to be, what you know you cannot be; nor to do, what you know you cannot do.

Ib. I proposed gradually to lead my people into the knowledge of the most important and self-denying doctrines of the Gospel. And in order to do this to the best advantage, I usually brought in those truths which are the most displeasing to the human heart, by way of inference. In this way, the hearers were constrained to acknowledge the premises, before they saw the conclusions; which, being clearly drawn, it was too late to deny. I believe there is hardly any other way, to lead prejudiced persons to the knowledge and acknowledgment of some of the most essential doctrines of the Gospel.

1b. God gave the Jews some apparently insignificant rites · and ceremonies, that were not typical, nor moral, nor political, but prudential, to keep them separate from those nations by

PUBLIC SENTIMENT, PUBLIC WORSHIP, PULPIT.

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whom they were in danger of being corrupted. They were such as directly counteracted the customs and manners of the heathen. [See 369, 703, 998.]

767. PUBLIC SENTIMENT, PUBLIC OPINION.

Em. Every individual ought to have an habitual awe, veneration, and respect for the public eye, which continually observes and criticises his visible actions and moral conduct. Such a proper respect for the public opinion appears beautiful, in any person, in any rank or condition of life; and while it commands esteem, it leads to that mode of conduct which deserves it.

Ed. Public opinion, or public sentiment, is able to sustain or pull down any law of the commonwealth.

Ib. A person's first care should be to secure the approbation of the God above; then, to keep a conscience void of offence, and lastly, to secure the esteem and favorable opinion of mankind. The general esteem and favorable opinion of mankind, and especially the approbation of an enlightened conscience, greatly strengthens a hope of future acceptance with God, which is an anchor of the soul," of great consequence amid the trials and changes of life. [See 715.]

768. PUBLIC WORSHIP.

Prof. Park. A church-going, are apt to be a law-abiding people.

Ed. The true design of public worship is, first, to honor God, and unite in celebrating his praise; second, to get valuable religious instructions and impressions; third, to set an example of respect for religious order. To determine cases of duty respecting public worship, therefore, persons should consider something more than the simple question, whether they can get more instruction by attending, or remaining at home.

769. PULPIT.

Cowper. The pulpit, therefore, and I name it, fill'd
With solemn awe, that bids me well beware

With what intent I touch that holy thing,

Must stand, acknowledg'd, while the world shall stand,

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