eternal subjects of his goodness is the end of the creation, that the
7. It seems to argue that God's goodness to them who are to be the eternal subjects of his goodness is the end of the creation, that the whole creation, in all parts of it, and all God's disposals of it, is spoken of as theirs. 1 Cor. 3:21–22, "All things are yours. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours." The terms are very universal; and both works of creation and providence are mentioned: and 'tis manifestly the design of the Apostle to be understood of every work of God whatsoever. Now, how can we understand this any otherwise, than that all things are for their benefit; and that God made and uses all for their good?
8. All God's works, both his works of creation and providence, are represented as works of goodness or mercy to his people in the 136th Psalm. His wonderful works in general, ver. 4, "To him who alone doth great wonders; for his mercy endureth forever." The works of creation in all parts of it, ver. 5–9, "To him that by wisdom made the heavens; for his mercy endureth forever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters; for his mercy endureth forever. To him that made great lights; for his mercy endureth forever. The sun to rule by day; for his mercy endureth forever. The moon and stars to rule by night; for his mercy endureth forever." And God's works of providence, in the following part of the psalm.
9. That expression in the blessed sentence pronounced on the righteous at the Day of Judgment [Matt. 25:34], "Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world," seems to hold forth as much, as that the eternal expressions and fruits of God's goodness to them was God's end in creating the world, and in his providential disposals ever since the creation: that God in all his works, in laying the foundation of the world, and ever since the