A thousand different ways
Yet, as we find no command in holy writ for any particular order to be observed in this, so neither do the providence and the Spirit of God adhere to any order without variation. The means into which different men are led, and in which they find the blessing of God, are varied, transposed, and combined together, in 1,000 different ways.
Yet still our wisdom is to follow the leadings of his providence and his Spirit. We are to be guided in this, more especially as to the means in which we ourselves seek the grace of God, partly by his outward providence, giving us the opportunity of using sometimes one means, sometimes another, and partly by our experience of that by which his free Spirit is pleased most to work in our heart.
And in the meantime, the sure and general rule for all who groan for the salvation of God is this. Whenever opportunity serves, use all the means which God has ordained. For who knows in which God will meet you, with the grace that brings salvation?
1771 text
3. Yet as we find no command in holy writ, for any particular order to be observed herein, so neither do the providence and the Spirit of God, adhere to any without variation: but the means into which different men are led, and in which they find the blessing of God, are varied, transposed and combined together, a thousand different ways. Yet still our wisdom is, to follow the leadings of his providence and his Spirit: to be guided herein (more especially as to the means wherein we ourselves seek the grace of God) partly by his outward providence, giving us the opportunity of using sometimes one means, sometimes another: partly by our experience, which it is whereby his free Spirit is pleased most to work in our heart. And in the mean time, the sure and general rule for all who groan for the salvation of God, is this, whenever opportunity serves, use all the means which God has ordained. For who knows, in which God will meet thee, with the grace that bringeth salvation?