A39659:873
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.
(1.) Trust not your slippery memories with such a multitude of remarkable passages of Providence as you have, and shall meet with in your way to Heaven. It's true, things that greatly affect us, are not easily forgotten by us; and yet, how ordinary is it for new impressions to ra•e out former ones? It was a saying of that Worthy man Dr. Harris, My memory (said he) never failed me in all my life; for indeed, I durst never trust it. Written memorials secure us against that hazard; and besides, makes them useful to others when we are gone. So that you carry not away all your treasure to ⟨image 146⟩heaven with you, but leave these choice Legacies to your surviving friends. Certainly it were not so great a loss, to lose your Silver, your Goods and Chattels, as it is to lose your Experiences which God hath this way given you in this world.
(1.) Trust not your slippery memories with such a multitude of remarkable passages of Providence as you have, and shall meet with in your way to Heaven. It's true, things that greatly affect us, are not easily forgotten by us; and yet, how ordinary is it for new impressions to ra•e out former ones? It was a saying of that Worthy man Dr. H•rris, My memory (said he) never failed me in all my life; for indeed, I durst never trust it. Written memorials secure us against that hazard; and besides, makes them useful to others when we are gone. So that you carry not away all your treasure to ⟨image 146⟩heaven with you, but leave these choice Legacies to your surviving friends. Certainly it were not so great a loss, to lose your Silver, your Goods and Chattels, as it is to lose your Experien•es which God hath this way given you in this world.
(2.) Take heed of clasping up those rich treasures in a Book, and thinking it enough to have noted them there: but have frequent recourse to them, as oft as new wants, ears or difficulties arise, and assault you. Now, it's seasonable to consider and relect, Was I never so distress before? Is this the first plunge that ever befell me? Let me consider the days of old, the years of acJent times, as Asaph did,