Let. 24. Lord BoLINGBROKE. 4⁰9

writer had no right to paſs ſo ſevere a cenſure upon it as he has done, ſince it comes ſo near to his own.

But I believe you will think it is time to quit this ſubject, and paſs on to ſome other things in Lord Bolingbrake's works, which relate to things of no ſmall importance, and which will deſerve a particular conſideration.

I am yours,&c.

SA, S 26 2

L. ETIBR XXIV.

The docͦtrine of divine providence nearly connetͦted with that of the exiſtence of God. Lord Bolingbroke's account of it conſidered. He acknowleges a general, but denies a particular providence, and aſſerts that providence relates only to collective bodies, but doth not extend to individuals. The true notion of providence ſtated. M bat we are to underſtand by a particular providence. The reaſonableneſs of believing it, and thbe great importance of it Peton. Theé contrary ſcheme is abſurd and incon- Aiſtent with it ſelf, and of ꝛbe worſt conſequence to man-

Lind. The oljections againſt a particular providence examined. Concerning occaſional interpoſitions. They are not properly miraculous, nor deviations from the general lavos of providence, but applications of iboſe lavs to particular caſes. To acknotolege ſuch interpo- Fitions is not to ſuppoſe ibe world governed by miracles, nor to introduce an uni verſal Theocracy like tbe ewiſh. Angels may be employed in particular caſes as miniſters of providence.

§ 1½,

H E doctrine of divine providence hath a very near con- nection wich that of the exiſtence of the Deity, and is no

leſs neceſſary to be believed. To acknowlege a God, that brought all things into exiſtence, and yet to deny that he after- wards