A39659:583
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.
It gives great encouragement to faith, as it answers the objections of unbelief drawn from the subject. Now these Objections are of two sorts also.
(1.) Such as are drawn from our great unworthiness. How (saith Unbelief) can so sinful and vile a creature expect, that ever God should do this or that for me? 'Tis true, we find he did great things for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses &c. but these were men of eminent holiness, men that obeyed God, and denied themselves for him, and lived more in a day to his glory, than ever I did all my days.
(1.) Such as are drawn from our great unworthiness. How (saith Unbelief) can so sinful and vile a creature expect, that ever God should do this or that for me? 'Tis true, we find he did great things for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses &c. but these were men of eminent holiness, men that obeyed God, and denyed themselves for him, and lived more in a day to his glory, than ever I did all my dayes.
Well, but what signifies all this to a soul, that under all its sensible vileness and unworthiness hath tasted the goodness of God as well as they? As unworthy as I am, God hath been good to me notwithstanding: his mercy appeared first to me, when I was worse than I am now, both in condition and disposition; and therefore I will still expect the continuance of his goodness to me, though I deserve it not. If when we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, how much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life? Rom. 5. 10.
Well, but what signifies all this to a soul, that under all its sensible vileness and unworthiness hath tasted the goodness of God as well as they? As unworthy as I am, God hath been good to me notwithstanding: his mercy appeared first to me, when I was worse than I am now, both in conditJon and dispositJon; and therefore I will still expect the continuance of his goodness to me, though I deserve it not. If when we were EnemJes we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, how much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life?