A39659:395
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.
(6.) Corruption discovers it self in dependence upon Creature comforts, and sensible props. Oh how apt are the best men, to lean upon these things, and stay themselves upon them! Thus did Israel stay themselves upon Egypt, as a feeble man would lean upon his staff; but God suffered it both to fail them, and wound them, Ezek. 29. 6, 7, 8. So for single persons, how apt are they to depend upon their sensible supports? Thus we lean on our Relations, and the inward thoughts of our hearts are, that they shall be to us so many springs of comfort to refresh us throughout our lives; but God will show us by his Providence our mistake and error in these things. Thus an Husband is smitten, to draw the soul of a Wife nearer to God in dependence upon him, 1 Tim. 5. 5. So for Children, we are apt to say of this or that Child, as Lamech of Noah, Gen.5. 29. This same shall comfort us; but the wind passes over these flowers and they are ⟨p. 117⟩withered, to teach us, that our happiness is not bound up in these enjoyments. So for our Estates, when the world smiles upon us, and we have got a warm nest, how do we prophesy of rest and peace in those acquisitions, minding, with good Baruch, great things for our selves; but Providence by a particular or general calamity over-turns our projects, as Jer. 45. 4, 5. and all this to reduce our hearts from the Creature, to God our only rest.
(6.) Corruption discovers it self in dependance upon Creature comforts, and sensible props. Oh how apt are the best men, to lean upon these things, and stay themselves upon them! Thus did Israel stay themselves upon Egypt, as a feeble man would lean upon his staff; but God suffered it both to fail them, and wound them, Ezek. 29. 6, 7, 8. So for single persons, how apt are they to depend upon their sensible supports? Thus we lean on our Relations, and the inward thoughts of our hearts are, that they shall be to us so many springs of comfort to refresh us throughout our lives; but God will shew us by his Providence our mistake and error in these things. Thus an Husband is smitten, to draw the soul of a Wife nearer to God in dependence upon him,