Wesley Corpus

19. But what say the wise men of the world to this They answer, with all readiness, "Who doubts of this We are not Atheists. We all acknowledge a providence: That is, a general providence; for, indeed the particular providence, of which some talk, we know not what to make of: Surely the little affairs of men are far beneath the regard of the great Creator and Governor or the universe! Accordingly, "He sees with equal eyes, as Lord of all, A hero perish, or a sparrow fall." Does he indeed I cannot think it; because (whatever that fine poet did, or his patron, whom he so deeply despised, and yet grossly flattered) I believe the Bible; wherein the Creator and Governor of the world himself tells me quite the contrary. That he has a tender regard for the brute creatures, I know: He does, in a measure, "take care for oxen:" He "provideth food for the cattle,"as well as "herbs for the use of men." "The lions roaring after their prey, do seek their meat from God." "He openeth his hand, and filleth all things living with plenteousness." The various troops of sea and land In sense of common want agree; All wait on thy dispensing hand, And have their daily alms from Thee. They gather what thy stores disperse, Without their trouble to provide: Thou ope'st thy hand; the universe, The craving world, is all supplied. Our heavenly Father feedeth the fowls of the air: But mark! "Are no ye much better than they" Shall he not then "much more feed you," who are pre-eminent by so much odds He does not, in that sense, look upon you and them "with equal eyes;" set you on a level with them; least of all, does he set you on a level with brutes, in respect of life and death: "Right precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Do you really think the death of a sparrow is equally precious in his sight He tells us, indeed, that "not a sparrow falleth on the ground without our Father;" but he asks. at the same time, "Are ye not of more value than many sparrows 20. But, in support of a general, in contradiction to a particular providence, the same elegant poet lays it down as an unquestionable maxim,