3. Observe with a melting heart how the care of thy God hath disposed and directed thy way to unforeseen advantages; had he not ordered thy steps when, and as he did, thou hadst not been in possession of those Temporal and Spiritual mercies that sweeten thy life at this day. Surely the steps of good men are ordered by the Lord; and as for thee Christian, what reason hast thou with an heart overflowing with love and thankfulness to look up and say, My father thou art the guide of my youth? It is sweet to live by faith upon Divine care. Oh what a Serene life might we live, careful for nothing, but making known our request unto God in every thing, Phil. 4. 6. casting all our care on him that careth for us, 1 Pet. 5. 7. perplexing our thoughts about nothing, but rolling every burden upon godly Faith. Thus lived holy Musculus when reduced to extreme poverty, and ⟨p. 250⟩danger at the same time; then it was that he solaced his Soul with that comfortable Distich, a good lesson for others,
Est Deus in coelis, qui providus omnia curat,
Credentes nusquam deseruisse potest.
The Provident care of his heavenly father, made his heart as quiet as the child at the breast Christian, thou knowest not what distressful days are coming upon the earth, nor what personal trials shall befall thee in this world; but I advise thee as thou valuest the tranquility and comfort of thy life: Shut up thy self by Faith in this Chamber of Divine Care, it is thy best security in this world: Reflect frequently and thankfully upon the manifold supports, supplies, and salvations thou hast already had from this fountain of mercies, and be not discouraged at new difficulties. When an eminent Christian was told of some that way-laid him to destroy him; his answer was, Si Deus mei curam non habet, quid vivo? In like manner thou mayest say, if God had not taken care for thee, how couldst thou have lived till now? How couldest thou have overlived so many troubles, fears, and dangers as thou hast done?
3. Observe with a melting heart how the care of thy God hath disposed and directed thy way to unforeseen advantages; had he not ordered thy steps when, and as he did, thou hadst not been in possession of those Temporal and Spiritual mercies that sweeten thy life at this day. Surely the steps of good men are ordered by the Lord; and as for thee Christian, what reason hast thou with an heart overflowing with love and thankfulness to look up and say, My father thou art the guide of my youth? It is sweet to live by faith upon Divine care. Oh what a Serene life might we live, careful for nothing, but making known our request unto God in every thing, Phil. 4. 6. casting all our care on him that careth for us, 1 Pet. 5. 7. perplexing our thoughts about nothing, but rolling every burthen upon godly Faith. Thus lived holy Musculus when reduced to extreme poverty, and ⟨p. 250⟩danger at the same time; then it was that he solaced his Soul with that comfortable Distich, a good lesson for others,
Est Deus in coelis, qui providus omnia curat,
Credentes nusquam deseruisse potest.
The Provident care of his heavenly father, made his heart as quiet as the child at the breast Christian, thou knowest not what distressful days are coming upon the earth, nor what personal trials shall befal thee in this world; but I advise thee as thou valuest the tranquility and comfort of thy life: Shut up thy self by Faith in this Chamber of Divine Care, it is thy best security in this world: Reflect frequently and thankfully upon the manifold supports, supplies, and salvations thou hast already had from this fountain of mercies, and be not discouraged at new difficulties. When an eminent Christian was told of some that way-laid him to destroy him; his answer was, Si Deus mei curam non habet, quid vivo? In like manner thou mayest say, if God had not taken care for thee, how couldst thou have lived till now? How couldest thou have overlived so many troubles, fears, and dangers as thou hast done?
