A39659:379
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.
(2.) Notwithstanding this double sense of Gods command, and preventive afflictions, yet sin is too hard for the best of men: their corruptions carry them through all to sin. And when it is so, not only doth the Spirit work internally, but Providence also works externally in order to their reduction. The ways of sin are not only made bitter unto them, by the remorse of Conscience, but by those afflictive rods upon the outward man, with which God also follows it; and in both these respects, I find that place expounded, Eccles. 10. 8. Whoso breaketh an hedge, a Serpent shall bite him. If, as some expound it, the hedge be the Law of God, then the Serpent is the remorse of Conscience, and the sharp teeth of affliction, which he shall quickly feel, if he be one that belongs to God.
(2.) Notwithstanding this double sence of Gods command, and preventive afflictions, yet sin is too hard for the best of men: their corruptions carry them through all to sin. And when it is so, not only doth the Spirit work internally, but Providence also works externally in order to their reductJon. The wayes of sin are not only made bitter unto them, by the remorse of Conscience, but by those afflictive rods upon the outward man, with which God also follows it; and in both these respects, I find that place expounded, Eccles. 10. 8. Whoso breaketh an hedge, a Serpent shall bite him. If, as some expound it, the hedge be the Law of God, then the Serpent is the remorse of Conscience, and the sharp teeth of afflictJon, which he shall quickly feel, if he be one that belongs to God.
The design and aim of these afflictive Providences, is to purge and cleanse them from that pollution into which temptations have plunged them, Isa. 27. 9. By this shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit, to take away his sin. To the same purpose is that place,