A39659:650
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.
(2.) By these rebukes of sin, the evil of sin is discovered more sensibly to us, and we are made to see more clearly the evil of it in these glasses of affliction which Providence at such times sets before us, than formerly we ever saw. Jer. 2. 19. Thine own wickedness shall correct thee; and thy backslidings shall reprove thee, know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord of Hosts. O the Gall and Wormwood that we taste in it under God's rebukes for it!
(3.) Providence blasts and frustrates all sinful projects to the people of God: whoever thrives in them, they shall not. Isa. 30. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. And this also convinces them of the folly that is in sin, and makes them cleave to the way of simplicity and integrity.
Holiness is promoted in the soul by cautioning and warning the soul against sin for time to come. Job 34. 31▪ I have born chastisement, I will not offend any more. O happy Providences, how smart soever, that make the soul for ever afraid of sin! surely such rods are well bestowed. This gives God his end: and if ever we sorrowed after a godly sort, in the day of our troubles it will work this carefulness. 2 Cor. 7. 11. Behold this self same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, &c. O if ever a man have been under a sanctified rod which hath showed him the evil of sin, and kindly humbled him for it; and a temptation should again