A39659:759
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.
It is a good sign afflictive Providences are §5sanctified to us, when we draw near to God under them and turn to him that smites us. A wicked man under affliction revolts more and more, Isa. 1. 5. turns not to him that smites him, Isa. 9. 13. but grows worse than before; formality is turned into stupidity and dedolency.
But if God afflict his own people with a sanctified rod, it awakens them to a more earnest seeking of God: it makes them pray more frequently, ⟨p. 242⟩spiritually and fervently than ever. When Paul was buffeted by Satan, he besought the Lord thrice, 2 Cor. 12. 8.
We may conclude our afflictions to be sanctified, and to come from the love of God to us, when they do not alienate our hearts from God, but inflame our love to him. This is a sure rule, Whatever ends in the increase of our love to God, proceeds from the love of God to us. A wicked man finds his heart rising against God when he smites him; but a gracious heart cleaves the closer to him: he can love, as well as justify an afflicting God. All this is come upon us: yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy Covenant▪ our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way: though thou hast sore broken us in the place of Dragons, and covered us with the shadow of Death,