1. God hath an indisputable and peculiar right to the government of
Things are not ordered in the world cæco impetu, not by blind fortune, but an all-seeing Deity, who hath the management of all sublunary affairs. Τὶς μεγάλη δὑναμὶς τῆς προνόιας; † πάντα ὑπʼ ἀρὶστου νοῦ γίνεται, was the theological maxim of the Stoics.
Before I come particularly to explain the providence of God, I shall lay down some propositions as the foundations of this doctrine.
1. God hath an indisputable and peculiar right to the government of the world. None ever questioned God's right, no, nor his act, but those that were swelled with an unreasonable ambition, such as Nebuchadnezzar, who for this cause underwent the punishment of a seven years' banishment from the society of men, Dan. 4:17.
None indeed that acknowledge a God, did or can question God's right, though they may question his will and actual exercise of his right. He is the creator, and therefore is the sovereign Lord and Ruler. The world is his family, and, as a master, he hath an undoubted right to govern his own family: he gave all creatures their beings, and therefore hath a right to enact their laws, appoint their stations, and fix their ends. It is as much his property and prerogative to rule, as it is to create. Creation is so peculiarly proper to God, that it is not communicable to any creature, no, not to angels, though of a vast capacity in other things, and that because they are creatures themselves. It is as impossible for one creature, or all, to govern the world, and manage all the boisterous passions of men to just and glorious ends, as to create them. It is true, God useth instruments in the executive part of his providence; but he doth not design the government of the world only by instruments. He useth them not for necessity, but ornament. He created the world without them, and therefore can govern the world without them.
Virtus creativa est fundamentum providentiæ, et argumentum ad providentiam . This right is founded upon that of creation, as he is the efficient cause of it. This right is also founded upon the excellency of his being; that which is excellent having a right to rule,