Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

Let a man but set himself to think deliberately and closely of the ways of providence towards him, let him but follow the Tract […] providence, as it hath led him all along the way that he hath gone, and if there be any principle of gracious tenderness in him, he shall meet with variety of occasions to excite and draw it forth. Reader, go back with thy serious thoughts (1.) To the beginning of the ways of God with thee, the mercies that brake out early in thy youth, even the first born mercies from the womb of Providence; and thou wilt say, What need I go farther? Here is enough, not only to moves, but overwhelm my heart. May I not from this time cry unto thee, my Father, thou art the guide of my youth, Jer. 3. 4. What a critical time is the time of youth? it's the moulding age; and (ordinarily) according to the course of those leading Providences, after Providences do steer their course. What levity, rashness, ignorance and strong propensions to sin and ruin accompanied that age? How many being then left to the sway ⟨p. 193⟩of their own lusts, run themselves into those sins and miseries, which they never recover themselves from to their dying day? These, like the errors of the first concoction, are rarely rectified afterwards. Did the Lord guide thee by his Providence, when but a Child? Did he then preserve thee from those follies and miscarriages, which blast the very blossom, and nip the bud, so that no good fruit is to be expected afterwards? Did he then cast thee into such families, or among such company and acquaintance, as moulded and formed thy spirit to a better temper? Did he then direct thee into that way of employment, wherein thou hast seen so large a train of happy consequents ever since following thee? And wilt thou not from henceforth say, My Father, my Father, thou art the guide of my youth?

Let a man but set himself to think deliberately and closely of the wayes of providence towards him, let him but follow the Tract 〈…〉 •rovidence, as it hath led him all along the way that he hath gone, and if there be any principle of gracious tenderness in him, he shall meet with variety of occasions to excite and draw it forth. Reader, go back with thy serious thoughts (1.) To the beginning of the wayes of God with thee, the mercies that brake out early in thy youth, even the first born mercies from the womb of Providence; and thou wilt say, What need I go farther? Here is enough, not only to moves, but overwhelm my heart. May I not from this time cry unto thee, my Father, thou art the guide of my youth,