§ 1. Preservation 575
The Nature of Preservation. — Preservation is not a Continued Creation. — Objections to the Doctrine of a Continuous Crea- tion. — Scriptural Doctrine on the Subject . . . .581 § 2. Grovernment 581
Statement of the Doctrine. — Proof of the Doctrine.
1. The Evidence of the Operation of Mind everywhere . 583
2. From our Religious Nature 584
3. From Predictions and Promises 585
4. From Experience 586
The Scriptural Doctrine 586
The Bible teaches — 1. God's Providence over Nature ; 2. Over
the Animal World ; 3. Over Nations ; 4. Over Individuals, over the Free Acts of Men ; 5. God's Providence in Relation to Sin . 589 §3. Different Theories of the Divine Government .... 591
1. Tlie Deistical Theory of God's Relation to the World . . 591
2. The Theory of Entire Dependence 592
3. Tlie Doctrine that there is no Efficiency except in Mind . . 595
4. Tlie Theory of Preestablished Harmony . . . . '597
5. The Doctrine of Concursus 598
Remarks on the Doctrine of Concursus 603
§ 4. The Principles involved in the Scriptural Doctrine of Providence . 605 The Providence of God over the Material Universe. — 1. The External World has a real Objective Existence. — 2. Matter is active. — The Laws of Nature. — The Uniformity of the Laws of Nature consistent with the Doctrine of Providence . . 609
God's Providence in Relation to Vital Processes . . . 610
The Providence of God over Rational Creatures .... 613 Distinction between the Providential Efficiency of God and the
Influences of the Holy Spirit 614