DIVINE PROVIDENCE

A CLASSIC WORK FOR MODERN READERS

STEPHEN CHARNOCK

Edited by Carolyn B. Whiting

p.o. box 817 • phillipsburg • new jersey 08865-0817

© 2022 by Carolyn B. Whiting

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—except for brief quotations for the purpose of review or comment, without the prior permission of the publisher, P&R Publishing Company, P.O. Box 817, Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865-0817.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked kjv are taken from the King James Version.

Scripture quotations from the New Testament use the ESV’s alternate, footnoted translation of adelphoi (“brothers and sisters”).

Italics within Scripture quotations indicate emphasis added.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Charnock, Stephen, 1628-1680, author. | Whiting, Carolyn B., editor.

Title: Divine providence : a classic work for modern readers / Stephen Charnock ; edited by Carolyn B. Whiting.

Description: Phillipsburg, New Jersey : P&R Publishing, [2022] | Includes index. | Summary: “This modern English edition of Charnock’s masterwork arms us to trust in the One who orchestrates all things for his glory and the good of the church. Includes study questions”-- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2022010870 | ISBN 9781629950167 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781629950174 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Providence and government of God--Christianity.

Classification: LCC BT135 .C45 2022 | DDC 231/.5--dc23/eng/20220315

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022010870

To Sinclair B. Ferguson,

who taught me to read and love the Puritans

“Isn’t it the most wonderful thing to be a Christian!”

Contents

Analytical Outline

Foreword by Derek W. H. Thomas

Editor’s Preface

Preface to the Original 1680 Edition

1. The Eyes of the Lord

Part 1: God Exercises His Providence in the World

2. Foundations for the Doctrine of Providence

3. Providence Is Universal

4. The Mystery of Providence

5. The Wonderful Ways of God

6. The Supremacy of Providence

7. Is God the Author of Sin?

8. Why Do the Wicked Prosper?

9. Why Do the Good Suffer?

10. Providence Denied

11. The Perilous Ways in Which People Deny Providence

12. The Comfort of Knowing Providence

13. Seeking God

Part 2: God Orders All His Providences for the Good of His People

14. The Church Is God’s Treasure

15. The World Is Ordained for the Church

16. God Gives Gifts and Common Grace to the Church

17. Angels Are for the Good of the Church

18. Evil Is Ordered to the Good of the Church

19. Sin and Afflictions Are Ordered to the Good of the Church

20. All Providence Works for the Good of the Church

21. All Providence Is for the Glory of God’s Grace ...