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mer of our bodies, who for wife purposes hath conjoined them in a myfterious union, and by our conftitution fubjected us to fuch regulations, effects and confequences, is really benevolent, conftantly and infinitely benevolent. That all his works, man especially, as far as they are his works, are very good; that his goodness endures throughout all generations, and his praise therefore fhould always endure.

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SERMON VI.

The Goodness of Divine Providence, to Mankind in particular.

MATTHEW v. 45.

He maketh his fun to nfe on the evil and on the good; and fendeh rain on the just and on the unjuft.

N these words, our divine Mafter pro

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pounds to the imitation of his difciples the goodness of our heavenly Father, manifefted in the courfe of his providence. He not only formed mankind, and placed them upon this earth, which he had most wisely and bountifully prepared and furnished for their habitation, but with a benignity fuperior to their ingratitude and ill defert, preferves them in a capacity of enjoying his bounties, and continues the healthfulness and fertility of the world on which they

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live. With these words therefore we begin our illuftration and proof of the goodness of God as preferver. The goodness of Divine providence over mankind, both natural and moral, we fhal now endeavour to evince; introducing the proof with the mention of his univerfal benevolence, in preserving the whole animal creation.

The producing one creature capable of enjoying good, on purpose that he might enjoy it, is a proof of goodness, or kind intention in the Creator. The benevolence which produces an infinite variety of these, must be confeffed equal to the effect produced, that is infinite. Such also must we acknowledge the Benevolence, which preferves to all these the capacities for enjoying good, and which minifters the proper fupplies; upholding all in life and vigour, continuing the order, beauty and fertility of the world, and its fubfervience to the well being of the numberlefs living creatures, which the universal Creator hath placed upon it. Should the great First Cause cease his influence and fupport, mankind and all other living creatures would fink into the duft.

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The continual direction of infinite wisdom, and the exertion of equal power, are evidently required, to maintain in regular action fuch an infinite variety of fine machines, as are the bodies of all living creatures; to continue the circulation of the blood and other fluids, and the fecretion of the feveral juices and fpirits, and preferve unto all life, breath and motion.

It evidently requires alfo the constant exertion of the fame perfections, to turn round the vaft orb of the fun, and to dart his beams, and by them enlighten and warm the world; and to direct and perform the regular revolution of this earth, around the great delegated fource of light and heat-to raise the vapours and fend them down again in dews and fhowers, and from the mafs of earth to produce in endless fucceffion plants, and herbs, and trees, to fupply food for all flesh. The numberless particles which compose the earth and waters, are in themselves motionless, being void of life and thought, incapable of knowing those infinitely various purposes to which they are made fubfervient, or of pursuing them. It requires there

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