Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

Now there be six things in Providence, that are exceedingly endearing of the Lord Jesus Christ to his people: and these are the most sweet and delicious parts of all our enjoyments.

The purchase of all those mercies which Providences §1convey to us, is by his own blood: for not only spiritual and eternal mercies, but even all our temporal ones, are the acquisition of his blood. Look, as sin forfeited all, so Christ restored all these mercies again to us by his death. Sin had so shut up the womb of mercy, that had not Christ made an atonement by his death, it could never have brought forth one mercy to all eternity for us. It is with him that God freely gives us all things, Rom. 8. 32. Heaven it self, and all things needful to bring us thither,¹ among which, is principally included the Tutelage and Aid of Divine Providence: so that whatever good we receive from the hand of Providence, we must put it upon the score of Christs blood; and when we receive it, we may say, 'Tis the price of blood: 'Tis a mercy rising up out of the death of Christ:² It cost him dear, though it come to me ⟨p. 188⟩freely: It's sweet in the possession, but costly in the acquisition. Now this is a most endearing consideration: did Christ dye, that these mercies might live? Did he pay his invaluable blood to purchase these comforts, that I possess? O what transcendent, matchless love, was the love of Christ! You have known Parents that have laid out all their stock of money to purchase Estates for their Children; but when did you hear of any that spent the whole stock and treasure of their blood, to make a purchase for them? If the life of Christ had not been so afflictive and sad to him, ours could not have been so sweet and comfortable to us: 'tis through his poverty we are enriched,