No peculiar favorite
If it is said, The charge lies here: when you impute this to providence, you imagine yourself the peculiar favorite of heaven. I answer: you have forgotten some of the last words I spoke — he presides over all as over each one. His providence is over all men in the universe as much as over any single person. Do you not see that he who, believing this, imputes anything which befalls him to providence does not in this make himself any more the favorite of heaven than he supposes every man under heaven to be? Therefore you have no pretense, upon this ground, to charge him with enthusiasm.
1771 text
29. *If it be said, The charge lies here: “when you impute this to providence, you imagine yourself the peculiar favourite of heaven.” I answer, you have forgot some of the last words I spoke, Præsidet universis tanquam singulis. His providence is over all men in the universe, as much as over any single person. Don’t you see, that he who believing this, imputes any thing which befalls him to providence, does not therein make himself any more the favourite of heaven, than he supposes every man under heaven to be? Therefore you have no pretence, upon this ground, to charge him with Enthusiasm.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 37 in the 1771 Works. Acts 26:24.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.