Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

But lest any poor soul should be discouraged under the display of this Providence, because he cannot remember the Time, Place, Instruments and Manner wherein, and by which Conversion-work was wrought; I will therefore premise this necessary distinction, to prevent injury to some, whilst I design benefit to others.

Conversion, as to the subjects of it, may be considered two ways; either as it is more sensibly wrought in persons of riper years, who in ⟨p. 59⟩their youthful days were more profane and vile; or upon persons in their tender years, into whose hearts Grace was more insensibly, and undiscernably instilled by Gods blessing upon pious Education. In the former sort, the distinct acts of the Spirit, as illuminating, convincing, humbling, drawing them to Christ, and sealing them are more evident and discernible: in the latter, more obscure and confused; they can remember, that God gave them an Esteem and liking of godly persons, Care of duty, and Conscience of sin; but as to the Time, Place, Instruments and Manner of the work, they can give but a slender account of them: however, if the work be savingly wrought in them, there is no reason they should be troubled, because the Circumstances of it are not so evident to them, as they are to others. Let the substance and reality of the work appear, and there is no reason to afflict your selves, because of the inevidence of such Circumstances.

Conversion, as to the subjects of it, may be considered two wayes; either as it is more sensibly wrought in persons of riper years, who in ⟨p. 59⟩their youthful daies were more prophane and vile; or upon persons in their tender years, into whose hearts Grace was more insensibly, and undiscernably instilled by Gods blessing upon pious Education. In the former sort, the distinct acts of the Spirit, as illuminating, convincing, humbling, drawing them to Christ, and sealing them are more evident and discernable: in the latter, more obscure and confused; they can remember, that God gave them an Esteem and liking of godly persons, Care of duty, and Conscience of sin; but as to the Time, Place, Instruments and Manner of the work, they can give but a slender account of them: however, if the work be savingly wrought in them, there is no reason they should be troubled, because the Circumstances of it are not so evident to them, as they are to others. Let the substance and reality of the work appear, and there is no reason to afflict your selves, because of the inevidence of such Circumstances.