A39659:636
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.
The conjectures Christians may make of the §4way of Providence towards them, from what its former methods have been towards them, is exceeding quieting and comfortable. It's usual with Christians, to compare times with times, and to guess at the issue of one Providence by another. The Saints do know what course Providence usually holds, and accordingly with great probability collect what they may expect from what in like cases they have formerly observed. Christian, examine thine own heart, and its former observations, and thou wilt find, as Psal. 89. 30, 31, 32. that it's usually the way of God to prepare some smart rods to correct thee, when either thy heart hath secretly revolted from God, and is grown vain, careless and sensual, or when thy steps have declined, and thou hast turned aside to the commission of iniquity. And then when those rods have been sanctified to humble, reduce and purge thy heart, it's usually observed, that those sad Providences are then upon the change, and then the Lord changes the voice of his Providence towards thee, Jer. 3. 12, 13. ⟨p. 200⟩Go, and proclaim these words towards the North, and say, Return thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord, and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you, for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, &c.
If therefore I find the blessed effects of the rod upon me, that it hath done its work, to break the hard heart, and pull down the proud heart, and awaken the drowsy heart, and quicken the slothful, negligent, lazy heart; now with great probability I may conjecture, a more comfortable aspect of Providence will quickly appear, the refreshing and reviving time is nigh.
If therefore I find the blessed effects of the rod upon me, that it hath done its work, to break the hard heart, and pull down the proud heart, and awaken the drowsie heart, and quicken the slothful, negligent, lazy heart; now with great probability I may conjecture, a more comfortable aspect of Providence will quickly appear, the refreshing and reviving time is nigh.