A Saint Indeed

7. Help. Again it may stay thy heart, if thou consider; That in these troubles, God is about that work, which if thou didst see the design of, thy Soul would rejoice. We poor creatures are bemisted with much ignorance, and are not able to discern, how particular providences work ⟨p. 55⟩towards Gods end; and therefore like Israel in the wilderness are often murmuring because providence leads us about in a howling desert, where we are exposed to straits; though yet, then he led them, and is now leading us, by the right way, to a City of habitations: if you could but see how God in his secret Counsel hath exactly laid, the whole plot and design of thy salvation; even to the smallest means and circumstances, this way, and by these means; such a one shall be saved, and by no other; such a number of afflictions I appoint for this man, at this time, and in this order; they shall befall him, thus, and thus they shall work for him; could you I say but discern the admirable harmony of divine dispensations, their mutual relations to each other; together with the general respect and influence, they all have into the last end; of all the conditions in the world, you would choose that you are now in; had you liberty to make your own choice. Providence is like a curious piece of Arras, made up of a thousand shreds; which single we know not what to make of, but put together and stitched up orderly they represent a beautiful history to the eye: as God works ⟨p. 56⟩all things according to the counsel of his own will, So that counsel of God hath ordained this, as the best way to bring about thy salvation: such a one hath a proud heart, so many humbling providences I appoint for him, such a one an earthly heart; so many impoverishing providences f•r him: Did you but see this, I need say no more to support the most d•••cted […].

7. Help. Again it may stay thy heart, if thou consider; That in these troubles, God is about that work, which if thou didst see the design of, thy Soul would rejoyce. We poor creatures are bemisted with much ignorance, and are not able to discern, how particular providences work ⟨p. 55⟩towards Gods end; and therefore like Israel in the wilderness are often murmuring because providence leads us about in a howling desart, where we are expsed to straits; though yet, then he led them, and is now leading us, by the right way, to a City of habitations: if you could but see how God in his secret Counsel hath exactly laid, the whole plot and design of thy salvation; even to the smallest means and circumstances, this way, and by these means; such a one shall be saved, and by no other; such a number of afflictions I appoint for this man, at this time, and in this order; they shall befall him, thus, and thus they shall work for him; could you I say but dicern the admirable harmony of divine dispensations, their mutual relations to each other; together with the general respect and influence, they all have into the last end; of all the conditions in the world, you would chuse that you are now in; had you liberty to make your own choice. Providence is like a curious piece of Arras, made up of a thousand shreds; which single we know not what to make of, but put together and sticht up orderly they represent a beautiful history to the eye: as God works