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1689 5.4 Of Divine Providence
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Of Divine Providence

Section 5.4

The Almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his Providence, that his determinate Councel extendeth it self even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions both of Angels, and Men; (and that not by a bare permission) which also he most wisely and powerfully boundeth, and otherwise ordereth, and governeth, in a manifold dispensation to his most holy ends: yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceedeth only from the Creatures, and not from God; who being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be, the author or approver of sin.

See also in WCF: 5.1 See also in WLC: Q18, Q19, Q20 See also in WSC: Q11, Q12 Compare: Of Providence
Romans 11:32-34
[32] For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. [33] Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! [34] “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”
2 Samuel 24:1
[1] Again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”
1 Chronicles 21:1
[1] Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.
2 Kings 19:28
[28] Because you have raged against me and your complacency has come into my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back on the way by which you came.
Psalms 76:10
[10] Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.
Genesis 1:20
[20] And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.”
Isaiah 10:6, 7, 12
[6] Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. [7] But he does not so intend, and his heart does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few; [12] When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes.
Psalms 1:21
1 John 2:16
[16] For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world.
See also in WCF
5.1
See also in WLC
Q18 Q19 Q20
See also in WSC
Q11 Q12
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Of Providence

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5.3 5.5

Chapter 5: Of Divine Providence

God's most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing

Of Divine Providence

Section 5.1

God the good Creator of all things, in his infinite power, and wisdom, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all Creatures, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, to the end for the which they were Created; according unto his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable Councel of his own will; to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness and mercy.

Of Divine Providence

Section 5.2

Although in relation to the foreknowledge and Decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly; so that there is not any thing, befalls any by chance, or without his Providence; yet by the same Providence he ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.

Of Divine Providence

Section 5.3

God in his ordinary Providence maketh use of means; yet is free to work, without, above, and against them at his pleasure.

Of Divine Providence

Section 5.4

The Almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his Providence, that his determinate Councel extendeth it self even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions both of Angels, and Men; (and that not by a bare permission) which also he most wisely and powerfully boundeth, and otherwise ordereth, and governeth, in a manifold dispensation to his most holy ends: yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceedeth only from the Creatures, and not from God; who being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be, the author or approver of sin.

Of Divine Providence

Section 5.5

The most wise, righteous, and gracious God, doth oftentimes, leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruptions of their own heart, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption, and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close, and constant dependence for their support, upon himself; and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends.

Of Divine Providence

Section 5.6

As for those wicked and ungodly men, whom God as a righteous judge, for former sin doth blind and harden; from them he not only withholdeth his Grace, whereby they might have been inlightned in their understanding, and wrought upon in their hearts: But sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had, and exposeth them to such objects as their corruptions makes occasion of sin; and withall gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan, whereby it comes to pass, that they harden themselves, even under those means which God useth for the softning of others.

Of Divine Providence

Section 5.7

As the Providence of God doth in general reach to all Creatures, so after a most special manner it taketh care of his Church, and disposeth of all things to the good thereof.