Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

(4.) Sometimes sin is prevented in the Saints, by the better information of their minds at the Sacred Oracles of God. Thus, when sinful motions began to rise in David's mind, from the prosperity of the wicked, and his own afflicted state, and grew to that height, that he began to think, all he had done in the way of religion, was little better than lost labour; he is set right again, and the temptation dissolved, by going into the Sanctuary, where God showed him how to take new measures of persons and things; to judge them by their ends and issues, not their present appearances, Psal. 73. 12, 13, 17.

(4.) Sometimes sin is prevented in the Saints, by the better information of their minds at the Sacred Oracles of God. Thus, when sinful motions began to rise in David's mind, from the prosperity of the wicked, and his own afflicted state, and grew to that height, that he began to think, all he had done in the way of religion, was little better than lost labour; he is set right again, and the temptation dissolved, by going into the Sanctuary, where God shewed him how to take new measures of persons and things; to judge them by their ends and issues, not their present appearances, Psal. 73. 12, 13, 17.

(5.) And sometimes the Providence of God prevents the sins of his people, by removing them out of the way of Temptations by death. In which sense we may understand that Text, Isa. 57. 1. The Righteous is taken away from the Evil to come; the evil of Sin as well as Sufferings. When the Lord sees his people low spirited, and not able to grapple with strong trials and temptations which are drawing on, it is with respect to them a merciful Providence, to be disbanded by death, and set out of harms way.

(5.) And sometimes the Providence of God prevents the sins of his people, by removing them out of the way of Temptations by death. In which sense we may understand that Text,