this_o duty_n be_v to_o be_v perform_v by_o they_o five_o what_o singular_a benefit_n result_v to_o they_o from_o such_o observation_n and_o then_o apply_v the_o whole_a in_o such_o use_v as_o offer_v themselves_o from_o the_o point_n the_o first_o general_n head_n first_o i_o shall_v undertake_v the_o proof_n and_o defence_n of_o this_o great_a truth_n that_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o saint_n in_o this_o world_n be_v certain_o conduct_v by_o the_o wisdom_n and_o care_n of_o specjal_n providence_n and_o herein_o i_o address_v myself_o with_o cheerfulness_n to_o perform_v as_o i_o be_o able_a a_o service_n for_o that_o providence_n which_o have_v throughout_o my_o life_n perform_v all_o thing_n for_o i_o as_o the_o text_n speak_v there_o be_v a_o twofold_a consideration_n of_o providence_n according_a to_o its_o twofold_a object_n and_o manner_n of_o dispensation_n the_o one_o be_v general_a exercise_v about_o all_o creature_n rational_a and_o irrational_a animate_v and_o inanimate_a the_o other_o specjal_n and_o peculiar_a christ_n have_v a_o universal_a empire_n over_o all_o thing_n ephes._n 1._o 22._o the_o head_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n by_o way_n of_o dominjon_n but_o a_o head_n to_o the_o church_n by_o way_n of_o unjon_n and_o specjal_n influence_n john_n 17._o 2._o the_o saujour_n of_o all_o man_n but_o especjal_o of_o they_o that_o beljeve_v 1_o tim._n 4._o 10._o the_o church_n be_v his_o specjal_n care_n and_o charge_n he_o rule_v the_o world_n for_o its_o good_a as_o a_o head_n consult_v the_o welfare_n of_o the_o body_n heathen_n general_o deny_v providence_n and_o no_o wonder_n since_o they_o deny_v a_o god_n for_o the_o same_o argument_n that_o prove_v one_o will_v prove_v the_o other_o aristotle_n the_o prince_n of_o heathen_a philosopher_n can_v not_o by_o the_o utmost_a search_n of_o reason_n find_v out_o the_o world_n original_a and_o therefore_o conclude_v it_o be_v from_o eternity_n the_o epicurean_o do_v in_o a_o sort_n acknowledge_v a_o god_n but_o yet_o deny_v a_o providence_n and_o whole_o exclude_v he_o from_o any_o interest_n or_o concern_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n as_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o felicity_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o the_o divine_a be_v to_o be_v divert_v and_o cumber_v with_o the_o care_n and_o labour_n of_o government_n this_o assertion_n be_v so_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n themselves_o blushy_a not_o at_o its_o absurdity_n but_o i_o guess_v at_o the_o design_n and_o one_o of_o they_o speak_v it_o out_o in_o broad_a language_n itaque_fw-la imposuistis_fw-la cervicibus_fw-la nostris_fw-la sempiternum_fw-la dominum_fw-la quem_fw-la djes_n &_o noctes_fw-la timeremus_fw-la quis_fw-la enim_fw-la non_fw-la timeat_fw-la omnja_n providentem_fw-la &_o cogitantem_fw-la &_o animadvertentem_fw-la &_o omnja_n ad_fw-la se_fw-la pertinere_fw-la putantem_fw-la curjosum_fw-la &_o plenum_fw-la negotii_fw-la deum_fw-la vell._n apud_fw-la cicer._n de_fw-fr natura_fw-la deorum_fw-la they_o foresee_v that_o the_o concession_n of_o a_o providence_n will_v impose_v a_o eternal_a yoke_n upon_o their_o neck_n by_o make_v they_o accountable_a for_o all_o they_o do_v to_o a_o high_a tribunal_n and_o that_o they_o must_v necessary_o pass_v the_o time_n of_o their_o sojourn_v here_o in_o fear_n whilst_o all_o their_o thought_n word_n and_o way_n be_v strict_o note_v and_o record_v in_o order_n to_o a_o account_n by_o a_o all-seeing_a and_o righteous_a god_n and_o therefore_o labour_v to_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o be_v not_o which_o they_o have_v no_o mind_n shall_v be_v but_o these_o atheistical_a and_o foolish_a conceit_n fall_v flat_a before_o the_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o this_o so_o great_a and_o clear_a a_o truth_n now_o my_o business_n here_o be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o deal_v with_o profess_a atheist_n who_o deny_v the_o existence_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o deride_v all_o evidence_n bring_v from_o scripture_n of_o the_o extraordinary_a event_n that_o fall_v out_o in_o favour_n of_o that_o people_n that_o be_v call_v his_o but_o rather_o to_o convince_v those_o that_o profess_o own_o all_o this_o yet_o never_o have_v taste_v religion_n by_o experience_n suspect_v at_o least_o that_o all_o these_o thing_n which_o we_o call_v specjal_n providence_n to_o the_o saint_n be_v but_o natural_a event_n or_o mere_a contingencjes_n and_o thus_o whilst_o they_o profess_v to_o own_o a_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n which_o profession_n be_v but_o the_o effect_n of_o their_o education_n they_o do_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n live_v like_o atheist_n and_o both_o think_v and_o act_n as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n and_o real_o i_o doubt_v this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o the_o man_n of_o this_o generation_n but_o if_o it_o be_v indeed_o so_o that_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n in_o general_n and_o more_o especial_o those_o of_o the_o saint_n be_v not_o conduct_v by_o divine_a providence_n but_o as_o they_o will_v persuade_v we_o by_o the_o steady_a course_n of_o natural_a cause_n beside_o which_o if_o at_o any_o time_n we_o observe_v any_o event_n to_o fall_v out_o it_o be_v mere_o casual_a and_o contingent_a or_o that_o which_o proceed_v from_o some_o hide_a and_o secret_a cause_n in_o nature_n if_o this_o indeed_o be_v so_o let_v they_o that_o be_v tempt_v to_o believe_v it_o rational_o satisfy_v the_o follow_a demand_n first_o demand_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o so_o many_o signal_n mercy_n and_o deliverance_n have_v befall_v the_o people_n of_o god_n above_o the_o power_n and_o against_o the_o course_n of_o natural_a cause_n to_o make_v way_n for_o which_o there_o have_v be_v a_o sensible_a suspension_n and_o stop_v put_v to_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o no_o natural_a effect_n can_v exceed_v the_o power_n of_o its_o natural_a cause_n nothing_o can_v give_v to_o another_o more_o than_o it_o have_v in_o itself_o and_o it_o be_v as_o clear_v that_o whatsoever_o act_n natural_o act_v necessary_o fire_n burn_v adultimum_fw-la svi_fw-la posse_fw-la to_o the_o uttermost_a of_o its_o power_n water_n overflow_v and_o drown_v all_o that_o they_o can_v lion_n and_o other_o rapacious_a and_o cruel_a â—easts_n especial_o when_o hungry_a tear_n and_o devour_v their_o prey_n and_o for_o arbitrary_a and_o rational_a agent_n they_o also_o act_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n and_o law_n of_o their_o nature_n a_o wicked_a man_n when_o his_o heart_n be_v full_o set_v in_o he_o and_o his_o will_n stand_v in_o a_o full_a bend_v of_o resolution_n will_v certain_o if_o he_o have_v power_n in_o his_o hand_n and_o opportunity_n to_o execute_v his_o conceive_a mischief_n give_v it_o vent_v and_o perpetrate_v the_o wicked_a device_n of_o his_o heart_n for_o have_v once_o conceive_v mischief_n and_o travail_v in_o pain_n with_o it_o according_a to_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n he_o must_v bring_v it_o forth_o as_o it_o be_v psal._n 7._o 14._o but_o if_o any_o of_o these_o inanimate_a brutal_a or_o rational_a agent_n when_o there_o be_v no_o natural_a obstacle_n or_o remora_fw-la have_v their_o power_n suspend_v and_o that_o when_o the_o effect_n be_v near_o the_o birth_n and_o the_o design_n at_o the_o very_a article_n of_o execution_n so_o that_o though_o they_o will_v yet_o can_v hurt_v to_o what_o think_v you_o be_v this_o to_o be_v assign_v and_o refer_v yet_o so_o it_o have_v often_o be_v see_v where_o god_n interest_n have_v be_v immediate_o concern_v in_o the_o danger_n and_o evil_n of_o the_o event_n the_o sea_n divide_v itself_o in_o its_o own_o channel_n and_o make_v a_o wall_n of_o water_n 〈◊〉_d on_o each_o side_n to_o give_v god_n distress_a israel_n a_o safe_a passage_n and_o that_o not_o in_o a_o calm_a but_o when_o the_o wave_n thereof_o roar_v *_o as_o it_o be_v isa._n 51._o 15._o the_o fire_n when_o blow_v up_o to_o the_o most_o intense_a and_o vehement_a flame_n have_v no_o power_n to_o singe_v one_o hair_n of_o god_n faithful_a witness_n when_o at_o the_o same_o instant_n it_o have_v power_n to_o destroy_v their_o intend_a executjoner_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n dan._n 3._o 22._o yea_o we_o find_v it_o have_v some_o time_n be_v sufficient_a to_o consume_v but_o not_o to_o torment_v the_o body_n as_o in_o that_o know_a instance_n of_o bless_a baynchaâ—_n who_o tell_v his_o enemy_n the_o flame_n be_v to_o he_o as_o a_o bed_n of_o rose_n the_o hungry_a lion_n put_v off_o their_o natural_a fierceness_n and_o become_v gentle_a and_o harmless_a when_o danjel_n be_v cast_v among_o they_o for_o a_o prey_n the_o like_a account_n the_o church_n sâ—ory_n give_v we_o of_o polycarpe_n and_o djonysjus_fw-la areopagiâ—a_fw-la 55._o who_o the_o fire_n will_v not_o touch_v but_o stand_v aâ—ter_v the_o manner_n of_o a_o ship-man_n fail_v fill_v with_o the_o wind_n about_o they_o be_v these_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o course_n and_o
vulgar_a that_o will_v enable_v they_o to_o penetrate_v the_o mystery_n and_o relish_v the_o sweetness_n of_o providence_n better_o than_o other_o for_o doubtless_o many_o that_o live_v immediate_o upon_o providence_n for_o daily_a bread_n do_v thereby_o gain_v a_o near_a acquaintance_n with_o it_o than_o those_o who_o outward_a enjoyment_n flow_v to_o they_o in_o a_o more_o plentiful_a and_o state_v course_n but_o those_o that_o excel_v in_o grace_n and_o experience_n those_o that_o walk_v and_o converse_v with_o god_n in_o all_o his_o dispensation_n towards_o they_o these_o be_v the_o person_n who_o be_v most_o full_o and_o immediate_o capable_a of_o these_o high_a pleasure_n of_o the_o christian_a life_n the_o daily_a flow_n and_o increase_v whereof_o in_o your_o lordship_n noble_a person_n and_o family_n be_v the_o hearty_a desire_n of_o from_o my_o study_n at_o dartmouth_n aug._n 10._o 1677._o your_o lordship_n most_o humble_a servant_n john_n flavell_n to_o the_o ingenuous_a reader_n those_o especial_o that_o be_v the_o heedful_a observer_n of_o the_o way_n of_o providence_n reader_n there_o be_v two_o way_n whereby_o the_o bless_a god_n condescend_v to_o manifest_v himself_o to_o man_n his_o word_n and_o his_o work_n of_o the_o write_a word_n we_o must_v say_v no_o word_n like_o these_o be_v ever_o write_v since_o the_o begin_n of_o time_n which_o can_v as_o one_o speak_v take_v life_n and_o root_n in_o the_o soul_n yea_o do_v it_o as_o real_o as_o the_o seed_n do_v in_o the_o ground_n and_o be_v fit_v to_o be_v engraft_v and_o naturalize_v there_o so_o as_o no_o coalition_n in_o nature_n can_v be_v more_o real_a than_o this_o james_z 1._o 21._o this_o be_v the_o most_o transcendent_a and_o glorious_a medjum_n of_o manifestation_n god_n have_v magnifj_v his_o word_n above_o all_o his_o name_n psal._n 138._o 2._o however_o the_o manifestation_n of_o god_n by_o his_o work_n whether_o of_o creatjon_n or_o providence_n have_v their_o value_n and_o glory_n but_o the_o prime_a glory_n and_o excellency_n of_o his_o providentjal_n work_v consist_v in_o this_o that_o they_o be_v the_o very_a fulfilling_n and_o real_a accomplishment_n of_o his_o write_a word_n by_o a_o wise_a and_o heedful_a attendance_n hereunto_o we_o may_v learn_v that_o excellent_a art_n which_o be_v not_o unfit_o call_v by_o some_o scjentja_n architectonica_fw-la a_o art_n to_o clear_v the_o mysterious_a occurrence_n of_o providence_n by_o reduce_v they_o to_o the_o write_a word_n and_o there_o lodge_v they_o as_o effect_n in_o their_o proper_a cause_n and_o doubtless_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o rare_a essay_n man_n can_v pursue_v against_o atheism_n to_o show_v not_o only_a how_o providence_n concur_v in_o a_o most_o obvious_a tendency_n to_o confirm_v this_o great_a conclusion_n thy_o word_n be_v truth_n but_o how_o it_o sometime_o extort_v also_o the_o confession_n of_o a_o god_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o word_n from_o those_o very_a tongue_n which_o have_v bold_o deny_v it_o aeschyles_o the_o persjan_a relate_v their_o discomfiture_n by_o the_o grecjan_a army_n â—ragoed_v make_v this_o not_o able_a observation_n when_o the_o grecjan_a force_n hot_o pursue_v we_o say_v he_o and_o we_o must_v needs_o venture_v over_o the_o great_a water_n strymon_n then_o freeze_v but_o beginning_n to_o thaw_v when_o a_o hundred_o to_o one_o we_o have_v all_o die_v for_o it_o with_o my_o eye_n i_o then_o see_v many_o of_o those_o gallant_n who_o i_o have_v hear_v before_o so_o bold_o maintain_v there_o be_v no_o god_n every_o one_o upon_o their_o knee_n with_o eye_n and_o hand_n lift_v up_o beg_v hard_o for_o help_n and_o mercy_n and_o entreat_v that_o the_o ice_n may_v hold_v till_o they_o get_v over_o many_o thousand_o seal_n have_v providence_n force_v the_o very_a enemy_n of_o god_n to_o set_v to_o his_o truth_n which_o great_o tend_v to_o our_o confirmation_n therein_o but_o especial_o to_o see_v how_o the_o word_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n do_v enlighten_v each_o other_o and_o how_o the_o scripture_n contain_v all_o those_o event_n both_o great_a and_o small_a which_o be_v dispose_v by_o providence_n in_o their_o season_n and_o how_o not_o only_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o word_n be_v in_o the_o general_a faithful_o fulfil_v to_o the_o church_n in_o all_o her_o exigence_n and_o distress_n but_o in_o particular_a to_o every_o member_n of_o it_o they_o be_v all_o furnish_v by_o providence_n with_o multitude_n of_o experience_n to_o this_o use_n and_o end_n o_o how_o useful_a be_v such_o observation_n and_o as_o the_o profit_n and_o use_v so_o the_o delight_n and_o pleasure_n result_v from_o the_o observation_n of_o providence_n be_v exceed_v great_a it_o will_v doubtless_o be_v a_o part_n of_o our_o entertainment_n in_o heaven_n to_o view_v with_o transport_v delight_n how_o the_o design_n and_o method_n be_v lay_v to_o bring_v we_o thither_o and_o what_o will_v be_v a_o part_n of_o our_o blessedness_n in_o heaven_n may_v well_o be_v allow_v to_o have_v a_o prime_a ingrediency_n into_o our_o heaven_n upon_o earth_n to_o search_v for_o pleasure_n among_o the_o due_a observation_n of_o providence_n be_v to_o search_v for_o water_n in_o the_o ocean_n for_o providence_n do_v not_o only_o ultimate_o design_n to_o bring_v you_o to_o heaven_n but_o as_o intermediate_v thereunto_o to_o bring_v by_o this_o mean_n much_o of_o heaven_n into_o your_o soul_n in_o the_o way_n thither_o how_o great_a a_o pleasure_n be_v it_o to_o discern_v how_o the_o most_o wise_a god_n be_v providential_o steer_v all_o to_o the_o port_n of_o his_o own_o praise_n and_o his_o people_n happiness_n whilst_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v busy_o employ_v in_o manage_v the_o sail_n and_o tug_v at_o the_o oar_n with_o a_o quite_o opposite_a design_n and_o purpose_n to_o see_v how_o they_o promote_v his_o design_n by_o oppose_v it_o and_o fulfil_v his_o will_n by_o resist_v it_o enlarge_v his_o church_n by_o scatter_v it_o and_o make_v their_o rest_n to_o come_v the_o more_o sweet_a to_o their_o soul_n by_o make_v their_o condition_n so_o restless_a in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v pleasant_a to_o observe_v in_o general_a but_o to_o record_v and_o note_v its_o particular_a design_n upon_o ourselves_o with_o what_o profound_a wisdom_n infinite_a tenderness_n and_o incessant_a vigilancy_n it_o have_v manage_v all_o that_o concern_v we_o from_o first_o to_o last_o be_v ravish_v and_o transport_v o_o what_o a_o history_n may_v we_o compile_v of_o our_o own_o experience_n whilst_o with_o a_o melt_a heart_n i_o trace_v the_o footstep_n of_o providence_n all_o along_o the_o way_n it_o have_v lead_v we_o to_o this_o day_n and_o set_v our_o remark_n upon_o its_o more_o eminent_a performance_n for_o we_o in_o the_o several_a stage_n of_o our_o life_n here_o it_o prevent_v and_o there_o it_o deliver_v here_o it_o direct_v and_o there_o it_o correct_v in_o this_o it_o grjeve_v and_o in_o that_o it_o reljeve_v here_o be_v the_o poison_n and_o there_o the_o antidote_n this_o providence_n raise_v a_o dismal_a cloud_n and_o that_o dispel_v it_o again_o this_o straighten_a and_o that_o enlarge_v here_o a_o want_n and_o there_o a_o supply_n this_o relation_n wither_v and_o that_o spring_v up_o in_o its_o room_n word_n can_v express_v the_o high_a delight_n and_o gratification_n a_o gracious_a heart_n may_v â—ind_v in_o such_o employment_n as_o this_o o_o what_o a_o world_n of_o rarity_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o providence_n the_o blind_a heedless_a world_n make_v nothing_o of_o they_o they_o can_v find_v one_o sweet_a bit_n where_o a_o gracious_a soul_n will_v make_v a_o rich_a feast_n plutarch_n relate_v very_o exact_o how_o timoleon_n be_v miraculous_o deliver_v from_o the_o conspiracy_n of_o two_o murderer_n by_o their_o meeting_n in_o the_o very_a nick_n of_o time_n a_o certain_a person_n who_o to_o revenge_v the_o death_n of_o his_o father_n kill_v one_o of_o they_o just_a as_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o give_v timoleon_n the_o fatal_a blow_n though_o he_o know_v nothing_o of_o the_o business_n and_o so_o timoleon_n escape_v the_o danger_n and_o what_o do_v this_o wonderful_a work_n of_o providence_n think_v you_o yield_v the_o relator_n why_o though_o he_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o ingenious_a among_o the_o heathen_a sage_n yet_o all_o he_o make_v of_o it_o be_v only_o this_o the_o spectator_n say_v he_o wonder_v great_o at_o the_o artifice_n and_o contrivance_n which_o fortune_n use_v this_o be_v all_o he_o can_v see_v in_o it_o have_v a_o spiritual_a and_o wise_a christian_a have_v the_o dissect_n and_o anatomise_v of_o such_o a_o work_n of_o providence_n what_o glory_n will_v it_o have_v yield_v to_o god_n what_o comfort_n and_o encouragement_n to_o the_o soul_n the_o bee_n make_v a_o sweet_a meal_n upon_o one_o single_a flower_n than_o the_o ox_n do_v upon_o the_o whole_a meadow_n
law_n of_o nature_n to_o what_o secret_a natural_a cause_n can_v they_o be_v ascribe_v in_o like_a manner_n we_o find_v the_o vile_a and_o â—iercest_a of_o wicked_a man_n have_v be_v withhold_v by_o a_o invisible_a hand_n of_o restraint_n from_o injure_v the_o lord_n people_n by_o what_o secret_a cause_n in_o nature_n be_v jeroboam_n hand_n dry_v up_o and_o make_v inflexible_a at_o the_o same_o instant_n it_o be_v stretch_v out_o against_o the_o man_n of_o god_n 1._o king_n 13._o 4._o no_o wild_a beast_n rend_v and_o devour_v their_o prey_n more_o greedy_o than_o wicked_a man_n will_v destroy_v the_o people_n of_o god_n that_o dwell_v among_o they_o be_v it_o not_o for_o this_o providential_a restraint_n upon_o they_o so_o the_o psalmist_n express_v his_o case_n in_o the_o word_n follow_v my_o text_n my_o soul_n be_v among_o lion_n and_o i_o lie_v among_o they_o that_o be_v set_v on_o fire_n the_o disciple_n be_v send_v forth_o as_o sheep_n into_o the_o midst_n of_o wolf_n mat._n 10._o 16._o it_o will_v not_o avail_v in_o this_o case_n to_o object_n those_o miraculous_a event_n depend_v only_o upon_o scripture_n testimony_n which_o the_o atheist_n be_v not_o conclude_v by_o for_o beside_o all_o that_o may_v be_v allege_v for_o the_o authority_n of_o that_o testimony_n which_o be_v needless_a to_o produce_v to_o man_n that_o own_o it_o what_o be_v it_o less_o that_o every_o eye_n see_v or_o may_v see_v at_o this_o day_n do_v we_o not_o behold_v a_o weak_a defenceless_a handful_n of_o man_n wonderful_o and_o except_o this_o way_n unaccountable_o preserve_v from_o ruin_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o potent_a enrage_a and_o truculent_a enemy_n that_o fain_o will_v but_o can_v destroy_v they_o when_o as_o yet_o no_o natural_a impediment_n can_v be_v assign_v why_o they_o can_v and_o if_o this_o pose_v we_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v when_o we_o see_v event_n produce_v in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o good_a of_o god_n choose_v by_o those_o very_a hand_n and_o mean_n which_o be_v 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