A39659:452
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.
Consult the Events of Providence in this case, and see, whether the Word be not verified therein? Did you ever lean upon an Egyptian reed, and it did not break under you, and pierce as well as deceive you? O how often hath this been evident in our experience! Whatsoever we have over-loved, idolized,1 and leaned upon, God hath from time to time broken it, and made us to see the vanity of it; so that we find, the readiest course to be rid of our comforts, is to set our hearts inordinately or immoderately upon them▪ for our God is a jealous God, and will not part with his glory to another. The World is full of examples of persons deprived of their comforts, ⟨p. 137⟩Husbands, Wives, Children, Estates, &c. upon this account, and by this means. If Jonah be over-joyed in his Gourd, a Worm is presently prepared to smite it. Hence it is, that so many graves are opened for the burying of our Idols out of our sight. If David say, My mountain shall stand strong, I shall not be moved; the next news he shall hear, is of darkness and trouble, Psal. 30. 6, 7. O how true and faithful do we find these sayings of God to be! Who cannot put to his seal, and say, Thy words are truth?
Consult the Events of Providence in this case, and see, whether the Word be not verified therein? Did you ever lean upon an EgyptJan reed, and it did not break under you, and pierce as well as deceive you? O how often hath this been evident in our experience! Whatsoever we have over-loved, idolized,1 and leaned upon, God hath from time to time broken it, and made us to see the vanity of it; so that we find, the readiest course to be rid of our comforts, is to set our hearts inordinately or immoderately upon them▪ for our God is a jealous God, and will not part with his glory to another. The World is full of examples of persons deprived of their comforts, ⟨p. 137⟩Husbands, Wives, Children, Estates, &c. upon this account, and by this means. If Jonah be over-joyed in his Gourd, a Worm is presently prepared to smite it. Hence it is, that so many graves are opened for the burying of our Idols out of our sight. If David say, My mountain shall stand strong, I shall not be moved; the next news he shall hear, is of darkness and trouble,