Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

The ensuing Treatise is an Essay to that purpose, in which thou wilt find some remarks set upon Providence, in its passage through the several Stages of our life. But Reader, thou only art able to compile the History of Providence for thy self, because the memorials that furnish it, are only in thine own hands. However, here thou mayest find a pattern, and general Rules to direct thee in that great and difficult work, which is the very end, and design of this Manual.

The ensuing Treatise is an Essay to that purpose, in which thou wilt find some remarques set upon Providence, in its passage through the several Stages of our life. But Reader, thou only art able to compile the History of Providence for thy self, because the memorJals that furnish it, are only in thine own hands. However, here thou maist find a pattern, and general Rules to direct thee in that great and difficult work, which is the very end, and design of this Manual.

I have not had much regard to the dress, and ornament in which this Discourse is to go abroad, for I am debtor both to the strong and weak, the wise and foolish: and in all my observation I have not found, that ever God hath made much use of laboured periods, Rhetorical flowers, and Elegancies to improve the power of Religion in the world: Yea, I have observed, how Providence hath sometimes rebuked good men, when upon other Subjects they have too much affected those pedantic fooleries in withdrawing from them its usual aids, and exposing them to shame; and much more may it do so, when it self is the Subject.

I have not had much regard to the dress, and ornament in which this Discourse is to go abroad, for I am debtor both to the strong and weak, the wise and foolish: and in all my observation I have not found, that ever God hath made much use of laboured periods, Rhetorical flowers, and Elegancies to improve the power of Religion in the world: Yea, I have observed, how Providence hath sometimes rebuked good men, when upon other Subjects they have too much affected those pedantick fooleries in withdrawing from them its usual aids, and exposing them to shame; and much more may it do so, when it self is the Subject.