Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

And as it orders very strange occasions to §2awaken and rouse souls at first, so it works no less wonderfully in carrying on the work to perfection; and this it doth two ways.

And as it orders very strange occasions to §2awaken and rouse souls at first, so it works no less wonderfully in carrying on the work to perfection; and this it doth two wayes.

(1.) By quickening and reviving dying convictions and troubles for sin. Souls after their first awakening, are apt to lose the sense and impression of their first troubles for sin; but Providence is vigilant to prevent it; and doth effectually prevent it sometimes, by directing the Minister to some discourse or passage, that shall fall as pat, as if the case of such a person had been studied by ⟨p. 72⟩him, and designedly spoken to. How often have I found this in the cases of many souls, who have professed they have stood amazed, to hear the very thoughts of their hearts discovered by the Preacher, who knew nothing of them! Sometimes by directing them to some proper rousing Scripture, that suites their present case. And sometimes by suffering them to fall into some new sin, which shall awaken all their former troubles again, and put a new efficacy and activity into the Conscience. The world is full of Instances in all these cases, and because most Christians have experience of these things in themselves, it will be needless to recite them here. Search but a few years back, and you may remember, that according to this Account (at least, in some particulars) Providence ordered the matter with you. Have you not found some rod or other prepared by Providence, to rouse you out of your security? Why, this is so common a thing with Christians, that they many times presage an affliction coming from the frames they find their own hearts in.