A Body of Divinity, Vol. 3 (of 4): Wherein the doctrines of the Christian religion are explained and defended, being the substance of several lectures on the Assembly's Larger Catechism — John Shaqi
A Body of Divinity, Vol. 3 (of 4): Wherein the doctrines of the Christian religion are explained and defended, being the substance of several lectures on the Assembly's Larger CatechismRidgley, Thomas
Religion
A Body of Divinity, Vol. 3 (of 4): Wherein the doctrines of the Christian religion are explained and defended, being the substance of several lectures on the Assembly's Larger Catechism
3. Sometimes our outward circumstances in the world, give a different
turn to our passions, and hinder us from entertaining any inclinations
to religion; therefore, they suppose, that there is a farther hand of
providence in ordering the various changes or conditions of life, as to
what concerns the prosperous or adverse circumstances thereof, whereby a
sanguine temper is changed to that which has more of a melancholy or
thoughtful disposition in it, more inclined to be afraid of those sins
that are like to be prejudicial to him; an angry and choleric temper,
changed to another that has a greater mixture of meekness and humility;
and whatever hinderance may arise from his conversing with those who
tempt him to lay aside all thoughts about religion, or by loading it
with reproach, to make him ashamed to pretend to it, the providence of
God so orders circumstances and things, as to make them unacceptable to
him, or him disinclined to converse with them: by this means there
arises a congruity, as they call it, between men’s natural dispositions
and that grace which they are called, by the gospel, to exert, when they
are persuaded to comply with it, without which the overture would be in
vain.
4. Providence farther performs its part, by over-ruling some concurring
circumstances external to, and thought of, by him, in casting his lot
among those who are able and desirous to persuade him to alter his
sentiments, in matters of religion whose industry and zeal for his good,
accompanied with their skilfulness in managing those persuasive
arguments used to convince him, have a great tendency to prevail upon
him; hereby he is persuaded to give the hearing to that which before he
despised, and made the subject of ridicule; and sometimes the motives
and inducements that are used, accompanied with the pathetic way of
address, in those whose ministry he attends on, is very conducive to
answer the end attained thereby, namely, his conviction and altering his
conduct of life, pursuant thereunto; all which is under the unforeseen
direction of providence.
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