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A MORAL QUESTION.
Concerning the Choice which God hath made of Women for the pre∣servation of States reduced to Extremity.
IT is noted in the Book of Judges, and observed there as a wonder and prodig••••••, that meeknesse was once born of force, and that nou∣rishment 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of him that devout•• It is a wonder which 〈…〉〈…〉 of prodigie, and which nevertheless hath not been yet observed▪ that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is a portion of meekness, and that the hand•• accu∣sed to have been the Autho•••• of Death, have brought safety and given 〈◊〉〈◊〉. However, this second wonder is true, and no lesse surprizing then the first, not lesse proper to frame a 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Problem, and a specious 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The examples thereof are likewise less 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and more known; 〈…〉〈…〉 to be seen of them almost in all the Regions of History; And God hath renewed them a•• often as he hath chosen the hand•• of Women other to establish tottering States, or to support their 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
The great wonder in this is, that God hath almost made this choice 〈…〉〈…〉 Counsels and Hope, and in the last confusion 〈…〉〈…〉 And in occasions wherein the Arms of the strong were 〈…〉〈…〉 Heads exhausted▪ he hath raised up Women, who 〈…〉〈…〉 the valiant and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who have taken away 〈…〉〈…〉 and the Sword held over the Head of Nations: who have chased away from surrendred ••owns Armies already victorious; who 〈…〉〈…〉 and Courage to vanquished King, who 〈…〉〈…〉 and fallen Crown. It suffi••••th to be∣lieve that such works are not done, but by the hand of God, and with much of hi•• spirit and by the Vertue of miracles. There are neverthe∣le•••• appearances and Reasons within the reach of out sight, which in this particular make good his Providence.
〈…〉〈…〉 Power appears therein more independant, and his Wisd••m 〈◊〉〈◊〉 infallible and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. There is very often De••eption in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Thought, and mistake 〈…〉〈…〉 in our Terms. We take Force 〈…〉〈…〉 and that which we call Power, ought to be called 〈…〉〈…〉 and a Weaknesse with a great Train. 〈…〉〈…〉 was to be truly powerful, to take Towns, and overcome 〈…〉〈…〉 Canons and other Arm••, but with broken Po•••• and 〈…〉〈…〉 This were to be extraordinarily strong▪ not to throw 〈…〉〈…〉 with many Engine, but to break in 〈…〉〈…〉 with blowing on the ••ace of it; to ••leave a Mount••••n with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Snow. And the Art as well as the Courage of 〈…〉〈…〉 might be called Divine, who in the sight of a Storm should 〈…〉〈…〉 with ••ails of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Paper.