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of the incident alluded to , peculiarly striking- and important , I hope you will allow me room in your next Number far the insertion of the following observations . In the first place , I must observe , that both your correspondent and the
Write * in the " Inquirer" have singularly misconceived the doetrifte of a particular Providence , —at least in th 6 shape in which it is maintained by th £ excellent person who is the subject of their remarks . According to Dr , Hartley , a general Providence implies
the adaptation of the circumstances of the world to promote the happiness of the whole ;—a particular Providence consists in the adaptation of these circumstances with a view to the greatest good of each individual . The latter , as well as the former , he thinks that
sound philosophy and revelation equally require us to admit . The general arguments for a divine moral govern ment , says Dr , Price , ( Dissertation on Providence , Sect . L ) , " prove what ha * been called a particular , in oppo ~ sion to a general Providence . We
cannot conceive of any reasons to influence the Deity to exercise any providence over the world , which are not likewise reasons for extending it to all that happens in the world . As far as it is confined to generals , or overlooks any individual or any event ,
it ia incomplete , and therefore , unsuitable to the idea of a perfect Being . " In conformity with the views here stated , this eminent writer goes on to represent every creature in the universe as equally under the Divine care , and every ch&nge that takes place as
resulting from the immediate exertion of Divine power * Having adverted to the hypothesis of those who choose rather to suppose that the same per- * feet direction of - affairs takes place in consequence of an original establishment , without any subsequent
divine agency , he observes , "If an exact foreknowledge of ^ , 11 actio ns and events , and such a perfect original establishment in consequence of it , ati I have m « ntiojied r are thought by any to be impossible ; . and if , for this
reason , no more is supposed than that powers- were given to beings , and geu i&mh lows settled , and then tirontd suffered ta arise as they . wouldy Witl ^ < m $ any ^ particuliur cat « or stuperinten Antojr escrowedw& £ tagnt > in . thia
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case , the doctrine of a Providence will be entirely rejected ; and if such sentiments are true * the universe is a chaos 5 the character of the Parent of it is imperfect ; all trust in him , all supplications to him are absurd and no part of practical religion has any good foundation . *'
If these views be correct , it follows that every thing which has happened , or is to happen in tl ^ universe , was immediately contemplated by the Divine mind , a $ d formed from the beginning an essential part of the
general plan ; that every individual entered separately and distinctly into the view of his Creator ; that not merely our existence , not merely our welfare in general , but every moment ' s existence , every the minutest eircuuisfcailce which ministers to our welfare .
was foreseen and provided for before time eommeneed his course . It also follows that the execution , as well a& the original design * is in the hands o f the dame great and wise Being , and that in * every event which happens we behold the immediate exertion of
divitte power . Both those changes which appear to tts to involve extensive and important consequences , and those which if * our wisdom we denominate trifling and insignificant * the bursting
of a bubble and of a world are equally parts of one system , equally indispensable links of the great chain of events by which the purposes of the Divine government are accomplished .
But the believer ia a particular Providence , thus defcued , is not called upon to suppose that there are frequent , or any , deviations from the plan originally laid down ; or that any events , except those proper miracles , for the reality of which we have
scriptural evidence , are brought about m a manner different from that ; which our observation ef the ordinary course of nature wduld lead us to expect . So fa * from it , a belief in permanent and uniform laws of mature ,, ( cons idered , however , not ate operating causes , but roertgly a » the mocks in which the
Divine agency is uficeatfingjy exerted , ) forms are eaeenUal part of hi « System . The notion that aoy interferenee takes place , to suspend or attest these general laws , ia otfd < 3 r to present or &odiiy certain eonfiequ ^ nees afisipg f rom them TVjuwh had flo £ j > e& * Iwreseen oir intended , he juetly rejects , as unpW ^
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409 Mr * W . % \ " frnm !* Reply to Remarks an a Particular Providence"
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1823, page 400, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1786/page/32/
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