Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

Is Jonah so transported with his Gourd? God will prepare a Worm to smite it, Jonah 4. 6, 7.

How many Husbands, Wives and Children hath Providence smitten upon this very account? It might have spared them longer, if they had been loved more regularly, and moderately. This hath blasted many an Estate, and hopeful project; and it is a merciful dispensation for our good.

(4.) The strength of our unmortified Corruption shows it self in our pride, and the swelling vanity of our hearts when we have a name and esteem among men; when we are applauded and honoured, when we are admired for any gift or excellency that is in us, this draws forth the pride of the heart, and shows the vanity that is in it. So you read, Prov. 27. 21. As the •ining pot for silver, and the furnace for▪ gold, so is a man to his praise: (i.e.) as the furnace will discover what dross is in the metal when it is melted, so will praise and commendations, discover what pride is in the heart of him that receives them. This made a good man say, He that praises me, wounds me. And which is more strange, this corruption may be felt in the heart, even when the last breath is ready to expire. It was the saying of one of the German Divines, when those about him recounted for his encouragement the many services he had done for God, auferte ignem (saith he) adhuc enim paleas habeo. Take away the sire, ⟨p. 115⟩for there is still the chaff of pride in me. To crucify this corruption Providence takes off the bridle of restraint from ungodly men, and sometimes permits them to traduce the names of Gods servants, as Shimei did David's. Yea, they shall fall into disesteem among their friends, as Paul did among the Corinthians; and all this to keep down the swelling of their spirits at the sense of those excellencies that are in them: The design of these Providences being nothing else, but to hide pride from man. Yea, it deserves a special remark, that when some good men have been engaged in a public and eminent work, and have therein, it may be, too much sought their own applause, God hath withheld usual assistance at such times from them, and caused them to salter so in their work, that they have come off with shame and pity at such times, how ready and presential soever they have been at other times. It were easy to give divers remarkable examples to confirm this Observation. But I pass on.