Those things which men call fortuitous events, are proofs of divine providence

Also his providence, power, and wisdom.

8. To this purpose the Psalmist, (Psalm 107) mentioning how God, in a wondrous manner, often brings sudden and unexpected succor to the miserable when almost on the brink of despair, whether in protecting them when they stray in deserts, and at length leading them back into the right path, or supplying them with food when famishing for want, or delivering them when captive from iron fetters and foul dungeons, or conducting them safe into harbor after shipwreck, or bringing them back from the gates of death by curing their diseases, or, after burning up the fields with heat and drought, fertilizing them with the river of his grace, or exalting the meanest of the people, and casting down the mighty from their lofty seats: — the Psalmist, after bringing forward examples of this description, infers that those things which men call fortuitous events, are so many proofs of divine providence, and more especially of paternal clemency, furnishing ground of joy to the righteous, and at the same time stopping the mouths of the ungodly. But as the greater part of mankind, enslaved by error, walk blindfold in this glorious theater, he exclaims that it is a rare and singular wisdom to meditate carefully on these works of God, which many, who seem most sharp-sighted in other respects, behold without profit. It is indeed true, that the brightest manifestation of divine glory finds not one genuine spectator among a hundred. Still, neither his power nor his wisdom is shrouded in darkness. His power is strikingly displayed when the rage of the wicked, to all appearance irresistible, is crushed in a single moment; their arrogance subdued, their strongest bulwarks overthrown, their armor dashed to pieces, their strength broken, their schemes defeated without an effort, and audacity which set itself above the heavens is precipitated to the lowest depths of the earth. On the other hand, the poor are raised up out of the dust, and the needy lifted out of the dung hill, (Psalm 113:7,) the oppressed and afflicted are rescued in extremity, the despairing animated with hope, the unarmed defeat the armed, the few the many, the weak the strong. The excellence of the divine wisdom is manifested in distributing everything in due season, confounding the wisdom of the world, and taking the wise in their own craftiness, (1 Corinthians 3:19;) in short, conducting all things in perfect accordance with reason.

John Calvin-Institutes of the Christian Religion-Book I-Chapter 5-Henry Beveridge Translation 

Confession statement 32

Published in 1646

The Text used: There has been some updating of Old English words but otherwise no changes have been made to the original texts.

CONFESSION OF FAITH of seven congregations or churches of Christ in London. which are commonly, but unjustly, called Anabaptists; published for the vindication of the truth and information of the ignorant; likewise for the taking off those aspersions which are frequently, both in pulpit and print, unjustly cast upon them. Printed in London, Anno 1646.

XXXII THE only strength by which the saints are enabled to encounter with all oppositions and trials, is only by Jesus Christ, who is the captain of their salvation, being made perfect through sufferings; who hath engaged His faithfulness and strength to assist them in all their afflictions, and to uphold them in all their temptations, and to preserve them by His power to His everlasting kingdom.

John 16:33,15:5; Phil.4:11; Heb.2:9,10; 2 Tim.4:18.

The First London Baptist Confession 1644/46 

Question 4-Puritan Catechism

Q. What is God?

A. God is Spirit, (John 4:24) infinite, (Job 11:7) eternal, (Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17) and unchangeable (James 1:17) in his being, (Ezekiel 3:14) wisdom, power, (Psalms 147:5) holiness, (Revelation 4:8) justice, goodness and truth. (Ezekiel 34:6,7)

Charles Haddon Spurgeon-A Puritan Catechism

Confession statement 5

Published in 1646

The Text used: There has been some updating of Old English words but otherwise no changes have been made to the original texts.

CONFESSION OF FAITH of seven congregations or churches of Christ in London. which are commonly, but unjustly, called Anabaptists; published for the vindication of the truth and information of the ignorant; likewise for the taking off those aspersions which are frequently, both in pulpit and print, unjustly cast upon them. Printed in London, Anno 1646.

V. GOD in His infinite power and wisdom, doth dispose all things to the end for which they were created; that neither good nor evil befalls any by chance, or without His providence; and that whatsoever befalls the elect, is by His appointment, for His glory, and their good.

Job 38:11: Isa.46:10,11; Eccles.3:14; Mark 10:29.30; Exod.21:13; Prov.16:33; Rom.8:28.

The First London Baptist Confession of 1644/1646

Chapter V : Of Divine Providence

1. God the good Creator of all things, in his infinite power, and wisdom, doth (a) uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all Creatures, and things, from the greatest even to the (b) least, by his most wise and holy providence, to the end for the which they were Created; according unto his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable Councel of his (c) own will; to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness and mercy.

a Heb. 1.3. Job 38.11. Isa. 46 10,11. Ps. 135.6.

b Mat. 10.29,30,31.

c Eph. 1.11.

2. Although in relation to the foreknowledge and Decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass (d) immutably and infallibly; so that there is not any thing, befalls any (e) by chance, or without his Providence; yet by the same Providence he ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either (f) necessarily, freely, or contingently.

d Act. 2.23.

e Pro. 16.33.

f Gen. 8.22.

3. God in his ordinary Providence (g) maketh use of means; yet is free (h) to work, without, (i) above, and (k) against them at his pleasure.

g Act. 27.31.44. Isa. 55.10 11.

h Hos. 1.7

i Rom.4.19,20,21.

k Dan. 3.27.

4. The Almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his Providence, that his determinate Councel (l) extendeth it self even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions both of Angels, and Men; (and that not by a bare permission) which also he most wisely and powerfully (m) boundeth, and otherwise ordereth, and governeth, in a manifold dispensation to his most holy (n) ends: yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceedeth only from the Creatures, and not from God; who being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be, the author or (o) approver of sin.

l Rom.11 32,33.34. 2 Sam. 24 1. 1 Chro. 21.1.

m 2 Kings 19.28. Ps. 76.10.

n Gen. 50 20. Isa. 10 6,7.12.

o Ps. 50.21 1 Joh. 2.16.

5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God, doth oftentimes, leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruptions of their own heart, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption, and deceitfulness of their hearts, (p) that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close, and constant dependence for their support, upon himself; and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends. So that whatsoever befalls any of his elect is by his appointment, for his glory, (q) and their good.

p 2 Chro. 32.25,26.31. 2 Sam. 24 1. 2 Cor. 12.7,8,9.

q Rom. 8.28.

6. As for those wicked and ungodly men, whom God as a righteous judge, for former sin doth (r) blind and harden; from them he not only withholdeth his (s) Grace, whereby they might have been inlightned in their understanding, and wrought upon in their hearts: But sometimes also withdraweth (t) the gifts which they had, and exposeth them to such (u) objects as their corruptions makes occasion of sin; and withall (x) gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan, whereby it comes to pass, that they (y) harden themselves, even under those means which God useth for the softning of others.

r Rom.1.24.26.28. ch. 11.7,8.

s Deut. 29.4.

t Mat. 13.12.

u Deut. 2.30. 2 King. 8.12,13.

x Psal. 81.11,12. 2 Thes. 2.10,11,12.

y Exod. 8.15.32. Is. 6.9,10. 1 Pet. 2.7,8.

7. As the Providence of God doth in general reach to all Creatures, so after a most special manner it taketh care of his (z) Church, and disposeth of all things to the good thereof.

z 1 Tim. 4.10. Amos 9.8.9. Isa. 43.3,4,5.

The 1677/89LondonBaptist Confession

Chapter II : Of God and Of the Holy Trinity

1. The Lord our God is but (a) one only living, and true God; whose (b) subsistence is in and of himself, (c) infinite in being, and perfection, whose Essence cannot be comprehended by any but himself; (d) a most pure spirit, (e) invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light, which no man can approach unto, who is (f) immutable, (g) immense, (h) eternal, incomprehensible, (i) Almighty, every way infinit, (k) most holy, most wise, most free, most absolute, (l) working all things according to the councel of his own immutable, and most righteous will, (m) for his own glory, most loving, gracious, merciful, long suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, (n) the rewarder of them that diligently seek him, and withall most just, (o) and terrible in his judgements, (p) hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the (q) guilty.

a 1 Cor. 8.4 6. Deut. 6.4.

b Jer 10.10. Isaiah 48.12.

c Exod 3.14.

d Joh. 4.24.

e 1 Tim. 1.17. Deut. 4.15,16.

f  Mal. 3.6.

g 1 King. 8.27. Jer. 23.23.

h Ps. 90.2.

i Gen. 17.1.

k Isa. 6.3.

l Ps. 115.3. Isa. 46.10.

m Pro. 16.4. Rom. 11.36.

n Exod. 34.6,7. Hebr. 11.6.

o Neh. 9.32,33.

p Ps. 5.5,6.

q Exod. 34.7. Nahum. 1,2,3.

2. God having all (r) life, (s) glory, (t) goodness, blessedness, in and of himself: is alone in, and unto himself all-sufficient, not (u) standing in need of any Creature which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but onely manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them, he is the alone fountain of all Being, (x) of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things, and he hath most soveraign (y) dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever himself pleaseth; in his sight (z) all things are open and manifest, his knowledge is (a) infinite, infallible, and independant upon the Creature, so as nothing is to him contingent, or uncertain; he is most holy in all his Councels, in (b) all his Works, and in all his Commands; to him is due (c) from Angels and men, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience as Creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever he is further pleased to require of them.

r Joh. 5.26.

s Ps. 148.13.

t Ps. 119.68.

u Job, 22.2,3.

x Rom. 11.34.35,36.

y Dan. 4.25. and v.34,35.

z Heb. 4.13.

a Ezek. 11.5 Act. 15.18.

b Ps. 145.17.

c Rev. 5.12,13,14.

3. In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, (d) the Father the Word (or Son) and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and Eternity, each having the whole Divine Essence, (e) yet the Essence undivided, the Father is of none neither begotten nor proceeding, the Son is (f) Eternally begotten of the Father, the holy Spirit (g) proceeding from the Father and the Son, all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and Being; but distinguished by several peculiar, relative properties, and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our Communion with God, and comfortable dependance on him.

d 1 Joh. 5.7. Mat. 28.19. 2 Cor. 13.14.

e Exod. 3.14. Joh. 14.11. 1 Cor. 8.6.

f Joh. 1.14.18.

g Joh. 15.26. Gal. 4.6.

The 1677/89 London Baptist Confession of Faith