A39659:770
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.
But then Positively.
Those mercies and comforts are undoubtedly sanctified to men, which humble their souls kindly before God in the sense of their own vileness and unworthiness of them, Gen. 32. 10. And Jacob said, I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, &c.
Those mercies and comforts are undoubtedly sanctified to men, which humble their souls kindly before God in the sense of their own vileness and unworthiness of them, Gen. 32. 10. And Jacob said, I am not worthy of the least of all the mercJes, &c.
Sanctified mercies are commonly turned into Cautions against sin, Ezra 9. 13. they are so many bands of restraint upon the soul that hath them, to make them shun sin.
They will engage a mans heart in love to the God of his mercies, Psal. 18. 1. compared with the Title.
They never satisfy a man as his Portion, nor will the soul accept all the prosperity in the world upon that score, Heb. 11. 26. Esteeming the reproach, of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
They never satisfie a man as his Portion, nor will the soul accept all the prosperity in the world upon that score, Heb. 11. 26. Esteeming the reproach, of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Nor do they make men regardless of Public sins or miseries, Nehem. 2. 1, 2, 3. compared with Acts 7. 23.
Nor do they make men regardless of Publick sins or miseries, Nehem. 2. 1, 2, 3. compared with Acts 7. 23.
It's a sure sign that mercies are sanctified, when they make the soul more expedite and enlarged for God in duty, 2 Chron. 17. 5, 6. Therefore the Lord stablished the Kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents, and he had riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord, &c.
It's a sure sign that mercJes are sanctifJed, when they make the soul more expedite and enlarged for God in duty, 2 Chron. 17. 5, 6. Therefore the Lord stablished the Kingdom in his hand, and all Iudah brought to Iehoshaphat presents, and he had riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lift up in the wayes of the Lord, &c.
To conclude, That which is obtained by prayer, and returned to God again in due praise ⟨p. 247⟩carries its own testimonials with it, that it came from the love of God, and is a sanctified mercy to the soul.
And so much of this Third Case.
The Fourth Case.
How may we attain unto an evenness and steadiness of spirit under the Changes, and contrary Aspects of Providence upon us?
HOw may we attain unto an evenness and steddiness of spirit under the Changes, and contrary Aspects of Providence upon us?
Three things are supposed in this Case.
1. That Providence hath various and contrary Aspects upon the people of God. 2. That it is a common thing with them, to experience great disorders of spirit under those Changes of Providence. 3. That these disorders may be (at least in a great measure) prevented, by the due use and application of those rules and helps that God hath given us in such Cases.
That Providence hath various, yea, contrary §1Aspects upon the people of God, is a case so plain, that it needs no more than the mentioning, to let it in to all our Understandings. Which of all the people of God have not felt this truth? Providence rings the changes all the world over. He increaseth the Nations, and destroyeth them; he enlargeth the Nations, and straiteneth them again, Job 12. 23. The same it doth ⟨p. 248⟩with persons, Psal. 102. 10. Thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. See what a sad Alteration Providence made upon the Church, Lam. 1. 1, 12. How doth the City sit solitary that was full of people! How is she become as a Widow! She that was great among the Nations, and Princess among the Provinces, how is she become tributary! Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger. And how great an Instance was Joh of this truth, Job 29. per tot. and 30. compared? How many thousands have complained with Naomi, whose condition hath been so strangely altered, that others have said as the people of Bethlehem did of her, Is this Naomi? Ruth 1. 19, 20, 21.
That Providence hath various, yea, contrary §1Aspects upon the people of God, is a case so plain, that it needs no more than the mentioning, to let it in to all our Understandings. Which of all the people of God have not felt this truth? Providence rings the changes all the world over. He encreaseth the NatJons, and destroyeth them; he enlargeth the NatJons, and straitneth them again, Job 12. 23. The same it doth ⟨p. 248⟩with persons, Psal. 102. 10. Thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. See what a sad Alteration Providence made upon the Church, Lam. 1. 1, 12. How doth the City sit solitary that was full of people! How is she become as a Widow! She that was great among the NatJons, and Princess among the Provinces, how is she become tributary! Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fJerce anger. And how great an Instance was Joh of this truth, Job 29. per tot. and 30. compared? How many thousands have complained with Naomi, whose condition hath been so strangely altered, that others have said as the people of Bethlehem did of her, Is this Naomi? Ruth 1. 19, 20, 21.