Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

Communion with God properly and strictly taken, consists in two things; viz. Gods manifestation of himself to the soul, and the souls answerable returns to God. This is that [Greek or Hebrew] fellowship we have here with God. Now God manifests himself to his people by Providences as well as Ordinances; neither is there any grace in a sanctified soul hid from the gracious influences of his Providential manifestations. Sometimes the Lord manifests his displeasure and anger against the sins of his people in correcting and rebuking Providences. His rods have a chiding voice, Micah 6. 9. Hear the rod and who hath appointed it. This discovery of Gods anger kindly melts and thaws a gracious soul, and produces a double sweet effect upon it, namely, repentance for sins past, and due caution against future sins. ⟨p. 164⟩(1.) It thaws and melts the heart for sins committed. Thus David's heart was melted for his sin, when the hand of God was heavy upon him in affliction, Psal. 32. 4, 5. Thus the Captive Church, upon whom fell the saddest and most dismal Providence that ever befell any of Gods people in any age of the world; see how their hearts are broken for sin under this severe rebuke, Lam. 2. 17, 18, 19. And then, (2. For caution against sin for the time to come; it's plain, that the rebukes of Providence leave that effect also upon gracious hearts, Ezra 9. 13, 14. Psal. 85. 8.

Communion with God properly and strictly taken, consists in two things; viz. Gods manifestation of himself to the soul, and the souls answerable returns to God. This is that 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 fellowship we have here with God. Now God manifests himself to his people by Providences as well as Ordinances; neither is there any grace in a sanctified soul hid from the gracious influences of his Providential manifestations. Sometimes the Lord manifests his displeasure and anger against the sins of his people in correcting and rebuking Providences. His rods have a chiding voice,