A39659:153
Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence
Divine conduct, or, The mystery of Providence wherein the being and efficacy of Providence is asserted and vindicated : the methods of Providence as it passes through the several stages of our lives opened : and the proper course of improving all Providences / directed in a treatise upon Psalm 57 ver 2 by John Flavell ...Divine conduct, or, The mysterie of Providence wherein the being and efficacy of Providence is asserted and vindicated : the methods of Providence as it passes through the several stages of our lives opened : and the proper course of improving all Providences / directed in a treatise upon Psalm 57 ver 2 by John Flavell ...
London: printed by R.W. for Francis Tyton, 1678
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And yet all this is but the enamelling of the §2Case, or polishing the Casket wherein the rare Jewel lies. Providence hath not only built the house, but brought the Inhabitant (I mean the soul) into the possession of it. A glorious piece it is, that bears the very Image of God upon it, being all in all, and all in every part. How noble are its Faculties and Affections? How nimble, various and indefatigable are its Motions? How comprehensive is its Capacity? It's a Companion for Angels, nay, capable o• Espousals to Christ, and eternal Communion with God. It's the Wonder of Earth, and the Envy of Hell.
And yet all this is but the enamelling of the §2Case, or polishing the Casket wherein the rare Jewel lies. Providence hath not only built the house, but brought the Inhabitant (I mean the soul) into the possession of it. A glorious piece it is, that bears the very Image of God upon it, being all in all, and all in every part. How noble are its Faculties and Affections? How nimble, various and indesatigable are its Motions? How comprehensive is its Capacity? It's a Companion for Angels, nay, capable o• Espousals to Christ, and eternal Communion with God. It's the Wonder of Earth, and the Envy of Hell.
Suppose now (and why should you not suppose, what you so frequently behold in the world?) that Providence had so permitted and ordered it, that thy soul had entered into thy body with one or two of its faculties wounded and defective: Suppose its Understanding had been cracked; what a miserable life hadst thou lived in this world? neither capable of service nor comfort. And truly, when I have considered those works of Providence, in bringing into the world in all Countries and Ages some such spectacles of pity; some deprived of the use of reason, and differing from Beasts, in little more than shape and •igure; and others, though sound in their understandings, yet deformed or defective in their bodies, monstrous, misshapen and loathsome Creatures; I can resolve the design of this