Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

We find also in the Life of Mr. Bolton, written by Mr. Bagshaw, That whilst he was in Oxford, he had familiar acquaintance with Mr. Anderton, a good Scholar, but a strong Papist, who knowing Mr. Bolton's good parts, and perceiving that he was in some outward wants, took this advantage, ⟨p. 99⟩and used many arguments to persuade him to be reconciled to the Church of Rome, and to go over with him to the English Seminary, assuring him he should be furnished with all necessaries, and have gold enough. Mr. Bolton being at that time, poor in mind and purse, accepted the motion, and a day and place was appointed in Lancashire, where they should meet and take shipping and be gone: but Mr. Anderton came not, and so he escaped the share.

We find also in the Life of Mr. Bolton, written by Mr. Bagshaw, That whilst he was in Oxford, he had familiar acquaintance with Mr. Anderton, a good Scholar, but a strong Papist, who knowing Mr. Bolton's good parts, and perceiving that he was in some outward wants, took this advantage, ⟨p. 99⟩and used many arguments to perswade him to be reconciled to the Church of Rome, and to go over with him to the English Seminary, assuring him he should be furnished with all necessaries, and have gold enough. Mr. Bolton being at that time, poor in mind and purse, accepted the motion, and a day and place was appointed in Lancashire, where they should meet and take shipping and be gone: but Mr. Anderton came not, and so he escaped the share.

(3.) Sometimes by laying some strong affliction upon the body,¹ to prevent a worse evil. And this is the meaning of Hosea 2. 6. I will hedge up her way with thorns. Thus Basil was a long time exercised with a violent head-ache, which (as he observed) was used by Providence to prevent Lust. Paul had a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan sent to buffet him: and this affliction, whatever it was, was ordained to prevent pride in him,