Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

Nor can we here forget that miraculous work of Providence, in a time of great extremity, which was wrought for that good Gentlewoman Mrs. Honeywood, (and is somewhere mentioned by the same Author) who under a deep and sad desertion, refused and put off all comfort, seeming to despair utterly of the grace and mercy of God. A worthy Minister being one day with her, and reasoning against her desperate conclusions, she took a Venice-glass from the Table, and said, Sir, I am as sure to be damned, as this glass is to be broken; and therewith threw it forcibly to the ground; but to the astonishment of both▪ the glass remained whole and sound, which the Minister taking up with admiration, rebuked her presumption, and showed her what a wonder Providence had wrought for her satisfaction, and it greatly altered the temper of her mind. O how unsearchable are his ways! and his paths past finding out! Lo, these are part of his ways; but how small a portion do we know of him?

Nor can we here forget that miraculous work of Providence, in a time of great extremity, which was wrought for that good Gentlewoman Mrs. Honeywood, (and is somewhere mentioned by the same Author) who under a deep and sad desertion, refused and put off all comfort, seeming to despair utterly of the grace and mercy of God. A worthy Minister being one day with her, and reasoning against her desperate conclusions, she took a Venice-glass from the Table, and said, Sir, I am as sure to be damned, as this glass is to be broken; and therewith threw it forcibly to the ground; but to the astonishment of both▪ the glass remained whole and sound, which the Minister taking up with admiration, rebuked her presumption, and shewed her what a wonder Providence had wrought for her satisfaction, and it greatly altered the temper of her mind. O how unsearchable are his wayes! and his paths past finding out! Lo, these are part of his wayes; but how small a portion do we know of him?

And now suffer me to expostulate a little with thy soul Reader, hast thou been duly sensible of thy obligation to Providence, for this inestimable favour? O what hath it done for thee! there are divers kinds of mercies conveyed to men by the hand of Providence, but none like this: in all the Treasury of its benefits, none is found like this. Did it cast thee into the way of Conversion, and order the means and occasions of it for thee, when thou little thoughtest of any such thing? How dear and sweet, should the remembrance of it be to thy soul! Methinks it should astonish and melt you every time you reflect upon it. Such Mercies should never grow stale, or look like common things to you: for do but seriously consider the following particulars.