terrors? Doth he threaten evils which can never come?

Or if this argument was necessary to be used with man before be fell,
is it needless since he hath fallen?

But _God our Savior will have all men to saved_; and shall not that
which he wills be effected? Can any thing contrary to his pleasure
take place?

Much doth take place in this world, which, is not pleasing to God;
which he doth not will, or approve. This may be predicated generally
of sin. "Sin is the abominable thing which he hates.--He is angry
with the wicked every day." Would he be angry, if all which is done
was pleasing in his sight?

God is holy. Sin is opposition to his nature, forbidden by his law,
and declared to be his abhorrence. To suppose that he should hate and
forbid sin, yet approve of it and be pleased with it, is absurdity and
folly.

God permits sin; but neither wills nor approves it. "Christ pleased
not himself." * Much is permitted under his administration, which he
doth not order, but forbids and abhors. Yea, God orders some things,
as moral governor (in consequence of other things done contrary to his
directions) which are not pleasing to him, considered in themselves.
"He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men"--But
finds it necessary to afflict. Grief and sorrow are known under the
divine administration, and ordered out to mortals by providential
dispensation. But these natural evils are always in consequence of
moral evil, which is not the effect of divine influence, but ariseth