Popular errors, in generall poynts concerning the knowledge of religion having relation to their causes, and reduced into divers observations / by Jean D'Espaigne.

CHAP. XIII. Of hidden reasons of some impertinent opini∣ons on this subject.

According to the vulgar, all publick ca∣lamities, or particular, are but pu∣nishments of sinne, or corrections, or tri∣alls. But they ought to be referred to many other causes which are to us unknown. VVe see not the providence of God but in par∣cells. If we could see his works in their to∣tall, and join all ages together, we might perceive in their linking together an order of causes, and justice, which cannot be ob∣served in retaile. Some hold that the per∣sonall sins of the fathers are not punished in their children, unlesse when they are made partakers thereof with them; And notwithstanding many children, never having committed any evill, have been borne with notable infirmities, which their fathers sinnes have drawn upon them. The piety of Josias hindred not that

God should visit in his own person, the i∣dolatrie of Manasses, although with such a temper as turned this punishment into mercy. In the contentions of these times, touching Gods foreknowledge, reproba∣tion, and such like points, every man at∣tempts to produce such an opinion that God may be found just. To this purpose all the distinctions, and reasons are sought out, which may be conceived. But if God himself should heare out of the midst of a whirlwind; that man which thinks he well pleadeth the cause of God, will be found to have maintianed it with bad ar∣guments; And without doubt, we shall heare of reasons whereof man never thought upon.