Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

(3.) Consider, that if ever you be rescued out of that miserable condition you are in, such cross Providences, as these you complain of, are the most probable means to do it. Alas! prosperity and success is not the way to save, but destroy you, Prov. 1. 32. You must be bound in fetters, and holden in cords of affliction, if ever your ear be opened to instruction, Job 36. 8, 9, 10. Woe to you, if you go on smoothly in the way in which you are, and meet with no crosses.

(3.) Consider, that if ever you be rescued out of that miserable condition you are in, such cross Providences, as these you complain of, are the most probable means to do it. Alas! prosperity and success is not the way to save, but destroy you, Prov. 1. 32. You must be bound in fetters, and holden in cords of affliction, if ever your ear be opened to instruction, Job 36. 8, 9, 10. Wo to you, if you go on smoothly in the way in which you are, and meet with no crosses.

(4.) Lastly, Consider, all your troubles under which you complain, are pulled down upon your heads by your own sins. You turn Gods mercies into sin, and then fret against God, because he turns your sins into sorrow. Your ways and doings procure these things to you. Lay your hand therefore upon your mouth and say, Why doth the living man complain, a man for the punishment ⟨p. 155⟩of his sin, Lam. 3. 39. But I must turn to the Lords people, who have least pretences of all men to be dissatisfied with any of Gods Providences, and yet are but too frequently sound in that temper. And to them I shall offer the following considerations.