---
title: 'Grasty: Links in the Chain of Providence'
type: post
author: 'R. Andrew Myers'
date: 2024-07-07
url: https://confessional.org/blog/2024-grasty-links-in-the-chain-of-providence
---

# Grasty: Links in the Chain of Providence

“\[Edmund\] Bunny wrote a little book called ‘Christian Exercises on Resolution \[1584\].” This volume fell into the hands of Richard Baxter. He read it, and was awakened. Baxter sends forth his ‘Call to the Unconverted’ \[1658\], and it touches the heart of Philip Doddridge. Doddridge writes ‘Rise and Progress’ \[1745\] and a \[William\] Wilberforce is converted. Wilberforce, disgusted with formalism, publishes his ‘Practical View’ \[1797\]. This volume bestirs the heart of a \[Legh\] Richmond and \[Thomas\] Chalmers. Now, again, let the reader go backward, and trace this stream to its fountainhead, and yonder, in the earnest words of a scarcely remembered Bunny, will be found the germ of awakenings, revivals, ecclesiastical disruptions, and political changes, whose influence has been felt over the civilized world.” — [**John S. Grasty**](/authors/john-sharshall-grasty), *Faith*'*s Battles and Victories; or, Thoughts For Troublous Times* (1869), pp. 196-197