h as the seasons; day and night;
provision made for the wants and for the comfort and pleasure of men and
animals; the body and mind of man; the laws which govern the material
world, carried put in a great variety of ways; in the infinite variety,
and yet extensive and convenient classification, of objects; human
languages; moral agency of intelligent beings, &c. (3.) The wisdom of
God, as exhibited in his Word; _First_, its perfect adaptation to the
wants of the world; its variety of authorship, style, matter, manner,
&c.; _Second_, the truths revealed; particularly the plan of redemption.
Rom. 11:33.

_Practical Reflections._ (1.) Ps. 48:14. (2.) The folly of setting up
our own reason in opposition to the word of God. Isa. 40:13, 14. Rom.
11:34, 35. (3.) The folly of self-conceit. Prov. 26:12. (4.) From whom
all wisdom comes. Prov. 2:6. (5.) What is the only true wisdom. Job
28:28.

II. DOCTRINES.

1. _The Decrees of God._ Doctrine: That God foreordains whatsoever comes
to pass.

Proved, (1.) By reason. Otherwise, he would work without a plan, and
could not certainly know what would take place hereafter; which is
inconsistent with the idea of infinite wisdom. Acts 15:18. (2.) From
Scripture. Job 23:13. Isa. 46:10. Jer. 10:23.

This doctrine does not destroy the freedom and accountability of the
creature. Acts 2:23. This is not to be understood in any such sense as
to make God the author of sin. Jas. 1:13. If the will of God is done,
the greatest possible good will be accomplished. Ps. 119:68, f.c. How we
ought to feel, in view of this doctrine. Phil. 4:4. Duty of submission.
Luke 22:42. Jas. 4:7.

2. _The Sovereignty of God._ Doctrine: That God rules the universe,
according to his own pleasure, independently and without control, giving
no further account of his conduct than he pleases.

Proved, (1.) By reason: _First_, his will the greatest good; _Second_,
he has power to accomplish it; _Third_, if he fails to accomplish his
will, he will be under constraint, which is inconsistent with the idea
of an infinite being. Were he to fail of accomplishing his own will, he
would not be qualified for a righteous governor. (2.) From Scripture.
Ps. 115:3. Dan. 4:35. Eccl. 8:3, l.c. Job 33:13.

_Reflections._ (1.) God does not act _arbitrarily_, without sufficient
cause, or merely for the sake of doing his own will. His actions are
controlled by a supreme desire for the greatest good, and always founded
on the best o