Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

The other partial and imperfect in the way to §2glory, where we only view it in its single acts, or at most, in some branches and more observable course of actions.

Betwixt these two is the same difference, as betwixt the sight of the dis-jointed wheels and scattered pins of a Watch, and the sight of the whole united in one frame, and working in one orderly motion: or, betwixt an ignorant Spectators viewing some more observable vessel or joint of a dissected body; and the accurate Anatomist's discerning the course of all the veins and arteries of the body, as he follows the several branches of them through the whole, and plainly sees the proper places, figure, and use of each, with their mutual respect to one another.

O how ravishing and delectable a sight is that! to behold at one view the whole design of Providence, and the proper place, and use of every single act, which we could not understand in this world: for what Christ said to Peter, John 13. 7. is as applicable to some providences in which we are now concerned, as it was to that particular action; What I do thou knowest not now, but hereafter thou shalt know it. All the dark intricate puzzling Providences at which we were sometimes so stumbled, and sometimes amazed, which we could neither reconcile with the promise, nor with each other; nay, which we so unjustly censured and bitterly bewailed, as if they had fallen out quite cross to our happiness: we shall than see to be unto us, as the difficult passage through the Wilderness was unto Israel, the right way to a City of habitation, Psalm 107. 7