Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

A Question may be moved here,¹ Whether it be the genius and property of a gracious spirit, to forbear sin, because of the rod of affliction? They have surely higher motives and nobler principles than these. This is the temper of a carnal and slavish spirit.

A Question may be moved here,¹ Whether it be the genJus and property of a gracJous spirit, to forbear sin, because of the rod of afflictJon? They have surely higher motives and nobler principles than these. This is the temper of a carnal and slavish spirit.

1. 1[…].〈…〉.

Indeed it is so, when this is the sole or principal restraint from sin: when a man abhors not sin, because of the intrinsic filth, but only because of the troublesome consequents and effects. But this is vastly different from the case of the Saints under sanctified afflictions; for as they have higher motives and nobler principles, so they have lower and more sensible ones too; and these are, in their kind and place, very useful to them. (2.) Besides, you must know, that afflictions work in another way upon gracious hearts to restrain them from sin, or warn them against sin, th•n they do upon others. It is not so much ⟨p. 111⟩the smart of the rod which they feel, as the tokens of Gods displeasure, which affrights and scares them, Job 10. 17. Thous renewest thy witnesses against me, &c. and this is that which principally affects them. See