Afflictions and the Hidden Design of Providence
HELP 7. It may stay thine heart, if thou consider that in these troubles God is about that work in which, if thou didst see its design, thy soul would rejoice. We poor creatures are beclouded with much ignorance, and are not able to discern how particular providences work toward God’s ends; 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 he then 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 plan 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 shall they 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 to the last end, of all conditions you would choose that you are now in, had you liberty to make your own choice. Providence is like a curious piece of needle-work, made up of a thousand shreds, which singly we know not what to make of, but put together in order, they represent a beautiful history to the eye. As God works 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 an one hath an earthly heart; so many impoverishing providences for him. Did you but see this, I need say no more to support the most dejected heart.—Selected for REVIEW from Rev. John Flavel, written A. D. 1667.