Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

My Lord, It is not the vast bulk of an Estate, nor the best humane security in the World, but the vigilant care ⟨image 3⟩of Divine Providence, that guards both It, and its Owners from the stroke of ruin. 'Tis the fear of God within us, and the Providence of God round about us, which make the firm and solid basis of all sanctified and durable prosperity. It is beyond all debate, that there is a Providence of God always enfolding those in everlasting arms, that bear his Image. The Impress of that Image upon you, and the Embraces of those Arms about you, will advance you higher, and secure you better, than your Noble Birth or Estate could ever do.

My Lord, It is not the vast bulk of an Estate, nor the best humane security in the World, but the vigilant care ⟨image 3⟩of Divine Providence, that guards both It, and its Owners from the stroke of ruine. 'Tis the fear of God within us, and the Providence of God round about us, which make the firm and solid basis of all sanctified and durable prosperity. It is beyond all debate, that there is a Providence of God alwayes enfolding those in everlasting arms, that bear his Image. The Impress of that Image upon you, and the Embraces of those Arms about you, will advance you higher, and secure you better, than your Noble Birth or Estate could ever do.

My Lord, Providence hath moulded you, è melJori luto, made you both the Offspring and Head of an Illustrious Family, planted you in a rich and pleasant Soil, caused many Noble Branches to spring from you, drawn your life even unto old age, through the delights and honours of this world. And now that you have tried ⟨image 4⟩all those things that make the fairest pretensions to happiness; what have you found in all these painted beauties, and false glossing excellencies which have successively courted you? Which of them all can you pronounce self-desirable? Which can you call objectum par amori? What is it to have the flesh indulged, sense gratified, fancy tickled? What have you found in meats and drinks, in stately Houses and pleasant Gardens; in Gold and Silver, in Honour and Applause to match the Appetite of your Nobler Soul? Surely (My Lord) to turn from them all with a generous disdain, as one that knows where to find better entertainment; is much more Noble, than wholly to immerse, and lose our Spirits in those sensual fruitions, as many do, alas, too many in our days!