A39659:337
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 so much corruption there remains in good men, that they would certainly plunge themselves under much more guilt than they do, if Providence did not take greater care of them than they do of themselves: for though they make conscience of keeping themselves, and daily watch their hearts and ways, yet such is the deceitfulness of sin, that if Providence did not lay blocks in their way, it would (more frequently than it doth) entangle and defile them. And this it doth divers ways.
And so much corruption there remains in good men, that they would certainly plunge themselves under much more guilt than they do, if Providence did not take greater care of them than they do of themselves: for though they make conscience of keeping themselves, and daily watch their hearts and wayes, yet such is the deceitfulness of sin, that if Providence did not lay blocks in their way, it would (more frequently than it doth) entangle and defile them. And this it doth divers wayes.
(1.) Sometimes by stirring up others to interpose with seasonable counsels, which effectually dissuade them from prosecuting an evil design. Thus Abigail meets David in the nick of time, and dissuades him from his evil purpose, 1 Sam. 25. 34.
(1.) Sometimes by stirring up others to interpose with seasonable counsels, which effectually disswade them from prosecuting an evil design. Thus Abigail meets David in the nick of time, and disswades him from his evil purpose, 1 Sam. 25. 34.
And I find it recorded (as on another account was noted before) of that holy man Mr. Dod, that being late at night in his Study, he was strongly moved (though at an unseasonable hour) to visit a Gentleman of his acquaintance; and not knowing what might be the design of Providence therein, he obeyed, and went; when he came to the house, after a ew knocks at the door, the Gentleman himself came to him, and asked him, whether he had any business to him: Mr. Dod answered, no: but that he could not be quiet till he had seen him. O Sir, (replied the Gentleman,) you are sent of God at this hour, for just now (and with that, takes the Halter out of his pokcet,) I was going to destroy my self. And thus was the mischief prevented.