Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

In nothing doth Providence shine forth more gloriously in this world, than it doth in this performance for the people of God. How curiously soever its hand had moulded your bodies, how tenderly soever it had preserved them, and how bountifully soever it had provided for them; if it had hot also ordered some means or other for your Conversion, all the former favours and benefits it had done for you, had signified little. This, O ⟨p. 58⟩this is the most excellent benefit you ever received from its hand. You are more beholden to it for this, than for all your other mercies. And in opening this performance of Providence, I cannot but think your hearts must be deeply affected. This is a subject which every gracious heart loves to steep its thoughts in. It's certainly the sweetest History that ever they repeated: they love to think and talk of it. The Places where, and Instruments by whom this work was wrought, are exceedingly endeared to them for the works sake: yea, endeared to that degree, that for many years after their hearts have melted, when they have but passed occasionally by those places, or but seen the faces of those persons, that were used as Instruments in the hand of Providence for their good. As no doubt, but * Jacob's Beth-ell was ever after that night sweet to his thoughts:¹ so other Saints have had their Bethels as well as he. O blessed Places, Times and Instruments! O the deep, the sweet impressions, never to be razed out of the memory or heart, that this Providence hath made upon those on whom it wrought this blessed Effect at years of discretion, and in a more sensible way!

In nothing doth Providence shine forth more gloriously in this world, than it doth in this performance for the people of God. How curiously soever its hand had moulded your bodies, how tenderly soever it had preserved them, and how bountifully soever it had provided for them; if it had hot also ordered some means or other for your Conversion, all the former favours and benefits it had done for you, had signified little. This, O ⟨p. 58⟩this is the most excellent benefit you ever received from its hand. You are more beholden to it for this, than for all your other mercies. And in opening this performance of Providence, I cannot but think your hearts must be deeply affected. This is a subject which every gracious heart loves to steep its thoughts in. It's certainly the sweetest History that ever they repeated: they love to think and talk of it. The Places where, and Instruments by whom this work was wrought, are exceedingly endeared to them for the works sake: yea, endeared to that degree, that for many years after their hearts have melted, when they have but passed occasionally by those places, or but seen the faces of those persons, that were used as Instruments in the hand of Providence for their good. As no doubt, but * Jacob's Beth-el was ever after that night sweet to his thoughts: