A39659:786
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.
These Vicissitudes of Providence commonly cause great disorders of spirit in the best men. Look as intense heat and cold try the strength and soundness of the constitution of our bodies, so the alterations made by Providence upon our conditions, try the strength of our graces; and too often discover the weakness and corruption of holy men. Hezekiah was a good man; but yet his weakness and corruption was bewrayed by the alterations Providence made upon his conditions. When sickness and pains summoned him to the grave, what bitter complaints and despondencies are recorded? in Isa. 38. per tot. and when Providence lifted him up again into a prosperous condition, what ostentation and vain glory did he discover? Isa. 39. 2. David had more than a common stock of inherent grace, yet not enough to keep him in an equal ⟨p. 249⟩temper of spirit under great alterations, Psal. 30. 6, 7. In my prosperity I said I shall never be moved; thou hidest thy face and I was troubled. It is not every man can say with Paul, I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound every where, and in all things I am instructed both to be full, and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need, Phil. 4. 12. He is truly rich in grace, whose riches or poverty neither hinders the acting, nor impoverisheth the stock of his graces.
These Vicissitudes of Providence commonly cause great disorders of spirit in the best men. Look as intense heat and cold try the strength and soundness of the constitution of our bodies, so the alteratJons made by Providence upon our conditions, try the strength of our graces; and too often discover the weakness and corruption of holy men. HezekJah was a good man; but yet his weakness and corruption was bewrayed by the alterations Providence made upon his conditions. When sickness and pains summoned him to the grave, what bitter complaints and despondencies are recorded? in Isa. 38. per tot. and when Providence lifted him up again into a prosperous condition, what ostentation and vain glory did he discover?