Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

Two things destroy the peace and tranquillity of our lives, our bewailing past disappointments, or fearing future ones. But would we once learn prevision and provision to be divine prerogatives, and take notice how often Providence baffles those that pretend to it, causing the good they foresaw (according to their conjectures) coming to their hand, yet to balk them and •lee from them: and the evil they thought themselves sufficiently secured from, to invade them. I say, would we consider how Providence daily baffles these Pretensions of men, and asserts its own Dominion, it would greatly conduce to the tranquillity of our lives.

This is a great truth, that there is no face of Adversity of formidable, but being viewed from this station, would become amicable. Now there be several things in the consideration of Providence, that naturally and kindly compose the mind of a Christian to peace, and bring it to a sweet rest, whilst events hang in a doubtful suspense.

As First, The Supremacy of Providence, and §1its uncontrollable power in working. This is often seen in the good that it brings us in a way that's above the thoughts and cares of our minds, or labour of our hands. I had not thought (said Jacob) to have seen thy face; and lo, God hath showed me thy seed also, Gen. 48. 11. There is a frequent coincidency of Providences in a way of surprisal, which from no appearance, or the remotest tendency of outward causes could be foreseen, but rather falls visibly cross to the present Scheme, and posture of our affairs. Nothing tends to convince us of the vanity and ⟨p. 198⟩folly of our own solicitudes and projections, more than this doth.