Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

There are divers things to be distinctly pondered, and valued in one single Providence, before you can judge the amount and worth of it: as (1.) The seasonableness of mercy may give it a very great value. When it shall be timed so opportunely, and •all out in such a nick, as may make it a thousand fold more considerable to you than the same mercy would have been at another time. Thus when our wants are suffered to grow to an extremity, and all visible hopes •ail, then to have relief given in, wonderfully enhances the price of such a mercy, Isa. 41. 17, 18.

(2.) The peculiar care and kindness of Providence to us, is a consideration which exceedingly heightens the mercy in it self, and endears it to us. So, when in general calamities upon the world, w• are exempted by the favour of Providence, covered under its wings; when God shall ⟨p. 130⟩call to us in evil days, Come my people, enter thou into thy chambers, as it is in Isa. 26. 20, 21. When such Promises shall be fulfilled to us in times of want and famine, as Psal. 33. 18, 19. When others are abandoned and exposed to misery, who have every way as much, it may be much more visible security against it; and yet they delivered up, and we saved: Oh, how endearing are such Providences! Psal. 91. 7, 8.

(2.) The peculJar care and kindness of Providence to us, is a consideration which exceedingly heightens the mercy in it self, and endears it to us. So, when in general calamities upon the world, w• are exempted by the favour of Providence, covered under its wings; when God shall