The great duty of resignation to the divine will in afflictions enforced from the example of our suffering Saviour / by William Bates ...
         Bates, William, 1625-1699.
      
       
         
           1684
        
      
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             The great duty of resignation to the divine will in afflictions enforced from the example of our suffering Saviour / by William Bates ...
             Bates, William, 1625-1699.
          
           [17], 208 p. : port.
           
             Printed by J.D. for Brabazon Aylmer ...,
             London :
             1684.
          
           
             Errata: p. [17].
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
             Marginal notes.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Resignation.
           Obedience.
        
      
    
     
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           The
           Great
           Duty
           OF
           RESIGNATION
           TO
           THE
           DIVINE
           WILL
           IN
           Afflictions
           ,
           Enforced
           from
           the
           Example
           of
           our
           Suffering
           SAVIOUR
           .
        
         
           By
           William
           Bates
           ,
           D.
           D.
           
        
         
           
             Nihil
             fit
             visibiliter
             &
             sensibiliter
             ,
             quod
             non
             de
             interiori
             ,
             invisibili
             ,
             &
             intelligibili
             aula
             summi
             Imperatoris
             ,
             aut
             jubeatur
             ,
             aut
             permittatur
             in
             ista
             totius
             Creaturae
             amplissima
             quadam
             immensaque
             Republica
             .
          
           Aug.
           lib.
           tert
           .
           de
           Trin.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             J.
             D.
          
           for
           
             Brabazon
             Aylmer
          
           ,
           at
           the
           three
           Pigeons
           over
           against
           the
           Royal-Exchange
           in
           Cornhil
           ,
           1684.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           
             
               Gulielmus
               Batesius
               ,
               S.
               S.
               Theol
               :
               Prof
               :
               Aetat
               :
               57.
               
               Nov
               :
               1682.
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           PREFACE
           .
        
         
           
             THE
             first
             Man
             by
             Rebellion
             against
             his
             Maker
             ,
             lost
             his
             Innocence
             and
             Felicity
             ,
             and
             conveyed
             a
             sad
             inheritance
             of
             Sin
             and
             Misery
             to
             his
             Universal
             Progeny
             :
             Ever
             since
             it
             has
             been
             esteemed
             a
             principal
             part
             of
             Wisdom
             to
             prepare
             the
             Minds
             of
             Men
             to
             encounter
             with
             innumerable
             Evils
             that
             surround
             them
             ,
             
             and
             to
             preserve
             a
             well-order'd
             ,
             contented
             state
             of
             Soul
             ,
             when
             actually
             under
             the
             greatest
             Afflictions
             .
             All
             the
             famous
          
           Sophy's
           
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             the
             most
             celebrated
             Professors
             of
             Patience
             ,
             could
             not
             attain
             to
             this
             Skill
             .
             Their
             consolatory
             Discourses
             composed
             with
             Wit
             and
             Eloquence
             ,
             are
             like
             artificial
             fruits
             of
             Wax
             ,
             that
             seem
             to
             surpass
             the
             productions
             of
             Nature
             ,
             but
             can
             only
             please
             the
             sight
             ,
             and
             afford
             no
             real
             refreshment
             to
             the
             taste
             .
             Or
             ,
             like
             Rings
             of
             Steel
             that
             are
             joined
             by
             the
             attractive
             virtue
             of
             the
             Load-stone
             ,
             that
             make
             a
             Chain
             
             fair
             to
             the
             Eye
             ,
             but
             of
             no
             strength
             and
             use
             .
             It
             was
             inexcusable
             Ignorance
             ,
             their
             not
             resolving
             Temporal
             Evils
             to
             their
             proper
             Original
             ,
             the
             righteous
             Providence
             of
             God.
             They
             erected
             a
             blind
             &
             foolish
             Power
             under
             the
             title
             of
             Fortune
             ,
             to
             preside
             in
             this
             Sphere
             of
             mutability
             ;
             they
             always
          
           
           
             boast
             of
             their
             playing
             a
             Prize
             with
             Fortune
             ,
             and
             triumph
          
           
           
             over
             a
             Phantome
             of
             their
             own
             Fiction
             .
             This
             Conceit
             was
             both
             impious
             and
             uncomfortable
             ;
             impious
             ,
             to
             take
             the
             Scepter
             of
             Government
             from
             God's
             hand
             ,
             and
             attribute
             to
             that
             foolish
             Pleasure
             
             of
             Fortune
             ,
             what
             is
             ordered
             by
             his
             Providence
             :
             and
             uncomfortable
             ,
             for
             they
             fancied
             their
             Deity
             to
             be
             blind
             ,
             without
             discerning
             between
             the
             worthy
             and
             unworthy
             ,
             and
             inexorable
             to
             the
             complaints
             of
             the
             injured
             ,
             and
             the
             Prayers
             of
             the
             miserable
             .
             The
             common
             Topicks
             from
             whence
             they
             hardned
             themselves
             are
             ,
             That
             none
             are
             exempted
             in
             this
             open
             state
             from
             Afflicting
             accidents
             ,
             the
             common
             tribute
             of
             Mankind
             ;
             that
             't
             is
             in
             vain
             to
             struggle
             with
             what
             is
             irresistible
             ,
             that
             Death
             is
             the
             balm
             and
             close
             of
             all
             Evils
             .
             And
             the
             best
             of
             their
             
             moral
             Arguments
             for
             Patience
             under
             Sufferings
             ,
             such
             as
             the
             dignity
             of
             the
             reasonable
             Soul
             ;
             and
             that
             nothing
             inferior
             to
             it
             should
             have
             power
             ,
             or
             is
             worthy
             to
             put
             it
             into
             confusion
             ;
             that
             Vertue
             is
             the
             noblest
             Perfection
             ,
             and
             is
             encreas'd
             by
             the
             most
             difficult
             Exercise
             ;
             that
             't
             is
             best
             to
             yield
             up
             our selves
             to
             the
             Divine
             disposal
             .
             These
             Arguments
             are
             with
             infinite
             more
             advantage
             propounded
             in
             the
             Sacred
             Scriptures
             :
             and
             for
             Christians
             to
             attend
             to
             the
             instructions
             of
             natural
             Reason
             ,
             and
             neglect
             the
             Divine
             Revelations
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             is
             
             a
             folly
             like
             that
             of
             the
             silly
          
           Indians
           of
           Mexico
           ,
           
             who
             having
             plenty
             of
             Wax
             ,
             the
             natural
             work
             of
             the
             Bees
             ;
             yet
             〈◊〉
             made
             use
             of
             Fire
             brands
             to
             light
             them
             in
             the
             Night
             that
             afforded
             a
             little
             Light
             mixt
             with
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             Smoak
             .
             Briefly
             ,
             they
             had
             but
             wavering
             conjectures
             of
             the
             future
             State
             ;
             and
             the
             recompences
             thereof
             ,
             from
             whence
             are
             derived
             the
             most
             powerful
             Motives
             of
             Active
             and
             Passive
             Obedience
             to
             the
             commanding
             and
             disposing
             Will
             of
             God
             ;
             But
             in
             the
             Scripture
             are
             laid
             down
             in
             the
             clearest
             manner
             ,
             and
             with
             infallible
             
             assurance
             ,
             such
             Principles
             as
             are
             effectual
             to
             compose
             the
             Mind
             to
             patient
             Suffering
             ,
             and
             to
             meet
             with
             valiant
             Resolution
             all
             the
             terrible
             contrarieties
             in
             the
             way
             to
             Heaven
             .
             It
             declares
             ,
             that
             Sin
             opened
             an
             entrance
             unto
             all
             the
             current
             adversities
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             evident
             signs
             of
             God's
             displeasure
             against
             it
             .
             In
             anguish
             we
             are
             apt
             to
             dispute
             with
             Providence
             ,
             and
             an
             imagination
             of
             Innocence
             kindles
             Discontent
             :
             Of
             this
             impatience
             ,
             some
             even
             of
             the
             best
             Moral
             Heathens
             were
             guilty
          
           ;
           Titus
           and
           Germanicus
           
           
             charged
             the
             Gods
             with
             their
             untimely
             ,
             and
             in
             their
             apprehension
             undeserved
             Deaths
             ;
             but
             the
             due
             sence
             of
             Sin
             will
             humble
             and
             quiet
             the
             Mind
             under
             Sufferings
             ,
             it
             directs
             us
             to
             consecrate
             our
             Sorrows
             ,
             to
             turn
             the
             flowing
             Stream
             into
             the
             Channel
             of
             Repentance
             .
             And
             thus
             the
             Passion
             of
             Grief
             ,
             which
             ,
             if
             terminated
             on
             external
             Troubles
             ,
             is
             barren
             and
             unprofitable
             ,
             it
             can
             neither
             retrieve
             our
             lost
             Comforts
             ,
             nor
             remove
             any
             oppressing
             Evil
             ;
             if
             it
             be
             imployed
             for
             our
             offences
             ,
             prepares
             us
             for
             Divine
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             is
             infinitely
             beneficial
             to
             
             us
             .
             And
             thus
             by
             curing
             the
             Cause
             of
             Afflictions
             ,
             our
             Guilt
             that
             deserves
             them
             ,
             we
             take
             away
             the
             malignity
             and
             poison
             of
             them
             .
             The
             Word
             of
             God
             assures
             us
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             perturbations
             and
             discords
             in
             the
             passages
             of
             our
             Lives
             are
             ordered
             by
             his
             Wisdom
             and
             Will
             ,
             so
             that
             without
             extinguishing
             the
             two
             eyes
             of
             Reason
             and
             Faith
             ,
             we
             must
             acknowledg
             his
             Providence
             ,
             and
             observe
             his
             design
             in
             all
             ,
             which
             is
             either
             to
             excite
             us
             when
             guilty
             of
             a
             careless
             neglect
             ,
             or
             remiss
             performance
             of
             our
             Duty
             ,
             or
             to
             reclaim
             us
             from
             our
             excursions
             and
             deviations
             
             from
             the
             narrow
             way
             that
             leads
             to
             Life
             .
             Indeed
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             common
             nor
             more
             fatal
             ,
             than
             for
             afflicted
             persons
             to
             seek
             by
             carnal
             diversions
             and
             contemptible
             comforts
             to
             overcome
             their
             Melancholy
             ,
             and
             the
             sense
             of
             Divine
             Judgments
             ;
             and
             hereby
             they
             add
             new
             Guilt
             ,
             and
             provoke
             new
             displeasures
             .
          
           
           
             This
             presages
             and
             accelerates
             final
             Ruine
             ;
             for
             such
             whom
             Afflictions
             do
             not
             reform
             ,
             are
             left
             as
             incorrigible
             .
          
        
         
           
             But
             above
             all
             encouragements
             ,
             the
             Gospel
             sets
             before
             us
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             our
             Redeemer
             ,
             
             and
             directs
             all
             his
             Disciples
             in
             sincerity
             to
             accustom
             themselves
             to
             the
             contemplation
             and
             expectation
             of
             Troubles
             on
             Earth
             ;
             it
             tells
             them
             't
             is
             a
             branch
             of
             their
             Religion
             ,
          
           to
           Suffer
           with
           him
           that
           they
           may
           Reign
           with
           him
           .
           
             And
             what
             is
             more
             reasonable
             ,
             than
             if
             our
             Saviour
             endured
             superlative
             Sufferings
             to
             purchase
             Eternal
             Glory
             for
             us
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             with
             the
             same
             Mind
             bear
             lighter
             Afflictions
             to
             prepare
             us
             for
             it
             ?
             If
             this
             Principle
             be
             alive
             and
             active
             in
             our
             Breasts
             ,
             that
             our
             present
             Afflictions
             shall
             determine
             
             in
             our
             future
             Happiness
             ,
             when
             Time
             shall
             cease
             and
             Eternity
             succeed
             ;
             this
             will
             encourage
             us
             to
             serve
             God
             with
             our
             best
             affections
             when
             our
             days
             are
             overcast
             with
             Sorrow
             ,
             as
             in
             a
             bright
             Prosperity
             :
             this
             will
             secure
             our
             passage
             through
             a
             stormy
             ,
             tempestuous
             World
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             were
             a
             truly
             Pacifick
             Sea
             ,
             knowing
             that
             Divine
             Providence
             always
             guides
             us
             to
             the
             Port
             of
             eternal
             Tranquility
             .
             This
             is
             the
             substance
             of
             what
             is
             amplified
             in
             the
             following
             Treatise
             .
             And
             whilst
             there
             are
             Miseries
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             no
             Discourses
             are
             
             more
             seasonable
             and
             useful
             than
             those
             that
             lighten
             our
             oppressing
             Sorrows
             ,
             and
             that
             enable
             us
             with
             uniformity
             and
             constancy
             in
             all
             the
             changes
             of
             this
             mortal
             Life
             ,
             to
             pursue
             our
             eminent
             End.
             The
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             great
             Comforter
             apply
             these
             Truths
             to
             the
             Hearts
             of
             the
             Afflicted
             .
          
        
         
           
             William
             Bates
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           Errata
           .
        
         
           PAge
           24.
           
             l.
             1.
             for
          
           as
           objects
           are
           greater
           ,
           r.
           appear
           greater
           .
           Page
           116.
           l.
           11.
           for
           their
           subtilty
           ,
           r.
           stability
           .
           Page
           120.
           l.
           10.
           for
           now
           
             Joseph
             ,
             r.
          
           now
           that
           Joseph
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           GREAT
           DUTY
           OF
           Resignation
           :
        
         
           
             Matth.
             26.
             39.
             
          
           
             
               And
               he
               went
               a
               little
               further
               ,
               and
               fell
               on
               his
               face
               ,
               and
               prayed
               ,
               saying
               ,
               O
               my
               Father
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               possible
               ,
               let
               this
               Cup
               pass
               from
               me
               ;
               Nevertheless
               ,
               not
               as
               I
               will
               ,
               but
               as
               thou
               wilt
               .
            
          
        
         
           THE
           Words
           are
           our
           Saviour's
           Prayer
           at
           his
           private
           Passion
           in
           the
           Garden
           .
           In
           Paradise
           was
           the
           first
           Scene
           of
           
           Man's
           Sin
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           Garden
           the
           
           first
           Scene
           of
           
             Christ's
             Sorrows
          
           .
        
         
           He
           was
           now
           in
           the
           near
           view
           of
           his
           extream
           Sufferings
           ;
           the
           fatal
           hour
           approach'd
           when
           he
           was
           to
           die
           with
           all
           the
           concurrent
           circumstances
           of
           Shame
           and
           Cruelty
           .
           His
           Nature
           was
           Humane
           and
           Holy
           ,
           and
           therefore
           apprehensive
           of
           Misery
           and
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God.
           In
           this
           Exigency
           
             He
             fell
             on
             his
             Face
          
           ,
           a
           posture
           of
           humble
           Reverence
           ,
           and
           with
           earnestness
           prayed
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             O
             my
             Father
          
           ,
           an
           expression
           of
           his
           stedfast
           Trust
           in
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           :
           
             If
             it
             be
             possible
          
           ,
           not
           with
           respect
           to
           his
           Absolute
           Power
           ,
           for
           by
           that
           he
           could
           easily
           have
           preserved
           him
           ;
           but
           with
           respect
           to
           his
           Sovereign
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           Eternal
           Decree
           :
           
             Let
             this
             Cup
             pass
             from
             me
             ,
          
           that
           implies
           a
           compleat
           Deliverance
           from
           the
           rage
           of
           the
           
           Powers
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           perverted
           World
           in
           conjunction
           with
           them
           .
           He
           suffered
           innocent
           Nature
           to
           act
           as
           Nature
           ,
           for
           he
           submitted
           to
           our
           Infirmities
           ,
           but
           without
           our
           Imperfections
           .
           
             Nevertheless
             not
             as
             I
             will
             ,
             but
             as
             thou
             wilt
             :
          
           His
           Petition
           was
           qualified
           with
           an
           Act
           of
           Submission
           ;
           the
           desire
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           that
           recoil'd
           from
           such
           Sufferings
           ,
           was
           over-ruled
           by
           the
           resignation
           of
           Grace
           .
           There
           was
           no
           repugnancy
           ,
           but
           a
           subordination
           between
           the
           Sensitive
           Will
           and
           the
           rational
           Will
           ,
           directed
           by
           his
           Mind
           ,
           that
           foresaw
           the
           blessed
           effects
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           ,
           
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
          
           ,
           with
           the
           
             Salvation
             of
             lost
             Mankind
          
           .
           And
           that
           just
           horror
           ,
           with
           the
           strong
           aversion
           of
           his
           Nature
           from
           such
           a
           terrible
           Death
           ,
           renders
           his
           willingness
           more
           conspicuous
           and
           
           meritorious
           .
           As
           Man
           ,
           the
           apprehension
           of
           it
           put
           him
           into
           an
           Agony
           ;
           but
           as
           Mediatour
           ,
           by
           a
           firm
           resolution
           and
           clear
           choice
           he
           submitted
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           the
           example
           of
           our
           suffering
           Saviour
           ,
           lays
           an
           obligation
           on
           us
           to
           transcribe
           his
           Copy
           ;
           his
           Titles
           in
           Scripture
           declare
           both
           his
           Eminency
           and
           Exemplariness
           .
           He
           is
           our
           Head
           ,
           and
           our
           Leader
           ,
           the
           Captain
           of
           our
           Salvation
           ,
           whom
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           follow
           in
           taking
           up
           our
           Cross
           :
           His
           Sufferings
           were
           designed
           not
           only
           for
           our
           Redemption
           ,
           but
           for
           our
           Instruction
           and
           Imitation
           .
           What
           he
           commands
           as
           God
           ,
           he
           perform'd
           as
           Man
           ,
           that
           we
           might
           voluntarily
           yield
           up
           our selves
           to
           the
           Holiness
           and
           Equity
           of
           his
           Law.
           Thus
           from
           the
           patern
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           
           Deportment
           ,
           the
           point
           of
           Doctrine
           is
           this
           :
        
         
           
             The
             entire
             resignation
             of
             our
             Wills
             to
             the
             disposing
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             is
             the
             indispensible
             Duty
             of
             Christians
             under
             the
             sharpest
             Afflictions
             .
          
        
         
           In
           the
           explication
           and
           proof
           of
           this
           Point
           ,
           I
           shall
        
         
           I.
           Consider
           what
           is
           consistent
           with
           this
           Resignation
           .
        
         
           II.
           What
           is
           implied
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           III.
           The
           Reasons
           to
           convince
           us
           of
           this
           Duty
           of
           resigning
           of
           our selves
           ,
           and
           all
           our
           Interests
           to
           God
           ;
           and
           then
           apply
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           will
           ,
           first
           ,
           Consider
           what
           is
           
           consistent
           with
           this
           
             voluntary
             Resignation
          
           .
           
           That
           will
           appear
           in
           the
           following
           particulars
           .
        
         
           First
           ;
           an
           earnest
           deprecation
           of
           an
           impending
           Judgment
           ,
           is
           
           reconcilable
           with
           our
           Submission
           to
           the
           pleasure
           of
           God
           ,
           declared
           by
           the
           Event
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           with
           humility
           and
           importunity
           desired
           the
           removing
           of
           the
           Cup
           of
           Bitterness
           .
           We
           must
           distinguish
           between
           God's
           Law
           ,
           and
           his
           Decree
           and
           Counsel
           ;
           The
           Law
           is
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           and
           requires
           an
           intire
           exact
           subjection
           in
           all
           our
           Faculties
           ,
           even
           in
           our
           internal
           Desires
           ,
           in
           the
           first
           motions
           of
           the
           Will
           ;
           the
           least
           velleity
           ,
           or
           rising
           of
           the
           Heart
           against
           the
           Divine
           Command
           ,
           is
           irregular
           and
           culpable
           ;
           for
           not
           only
           the
           acts
           of
           Sin
           are
           forbidden
           in
           every
           Command
           respectively
           ,
           but
           all
           the
           incitations
           of
           Concupiscence
           ,
           
           before
           the
           deliberate
           judgment
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           or
           the
           actual
           consent
           of
           the
           Will.
           But
           the
           Decree
           of
           God
           is
           not
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           and
           Secret
           ,
           till
           manifested
           by
           the
           event
           of
           things
           .
           This
           being
           premised
           ,
           the
           Reasons
           are
           evident
           why
           we
           may
           pray
           against
           an
           Affliction
           that
           threatens
           us
           ,
           without
           violating
           our
           Duty
           .
        
         
           First
           ;
           Because
           Afflictions
           are
           Evils
           which
           the
           Will
           naturally
           declines
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           desirable
           things
           in
           themselves
           .
           They
           are
           not
           beneficial
           and
           productive
           of
           our
           good
           by
           any
           proper
           efficacy
           and
           operation
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           over-ruling
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           gracious
           assistance
           of
           his
           Spirit
           .
           When
           
           Aaron's
           Rod
           was
           put
           into
           the
           Sanctuary
           ,
           and
           became
           green
           and
           flourishing
           with
           Blossoms
           and
           Almonds
           ,
           't
           was
           not
           from
           any
           inherent
           
           vertue
           of
           its
           own
           ,
           but
           from
           the
           special
           influence
           of
           the
           Divine
           Power
           ;
           for
           the
           other
           Rods
           remained
           dead
           and
           dry
           :
           thus
           the
           happy
           effects
           of
           the
           Afflicting
           Rod
           are
           from
           Divine
           Grace
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ;
           There
           are
           proper
           Temptations
           that
           attend
           the
           afflicted
           State.
           Many
           are
           encompass'd
           in
           a
           sad
           Circle
           ,
           their
           Sins
           procure
           Afflictions
           ,
           and
           their
           Afflictions
           occasion
           many
           Sins
           .
           Indeed
           ,
           Tribulation
           that
           is
           sanctified
           ,
           by
           a
           happy
           gradation
           
             worketh
             Patience
          
           ;
           
           and
           
             Patience
             ,
             Experience
          
           of
           the
           Divine
           Mercy
           ;
           and
           
             Experience
             ,
             Hope
          
           ,
           and
           
             Hope
             maketh
             not
             ashamed
          
           .
           But
           when
           it
           meets
           with
           a
           stubborn
           Spirit
           ,
           there
           are
           fearful
           descents
           of
           Sin
           :
           Tribulation
           excites
           Impatience
           ,
           and
           Impatience
           causeth
           Perplexity
           ,
           and
           that
           Despair
           ,
           and
           
             Despair
             Confusion
          
           .
           The
           Devil
           lays
           
           his
           trains
           in
           every
           condition
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           by
           immoderate
           Sorrow
           ,
           sometimes
           by
           inordinate
           Joy
           ,
           doth
           mischief
           to
           the
           Soul.
           And
           as
           more
           perish
           by
           Surfeits
           than
           Abstinence
           ,
           yet
           the
           Diseases
           that
           are
           caused
           by
           emptiness
           ,
           are
           more
           dangerous
           and
           incurable
           than
           those
           that
           proceed
           from
           fulness
           :
           So
           more
           are
           ruined
           by
           Prosperity
           than
           Adversity
           :
           But
           the
           guilty
           Passions
           that
           ferment
           and
           rage
           in
           Adversity
           ,
           are
           more
           pernicious
           ,
           and
           more
           hardly
           temper'd
           and
           subdued
           ,
           than
           the
           Luxurious
           Appetites
           that
           are
           fomented
           and
           drawn
           forth
           by
           Prosperity
           .
           We
           are
           directed
           by
           our
           Saviour
           to
           pray
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           
             not
             be
             led
             into
             Temptation
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             delivered
             from
             all
             Evil.
             
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ;
           a
           mournful
           sense
           of
           Afflictions
           sent
           from
           God
           is
           
           
           consistent
           with
           a
           dutiful
           resignation
           of
           our selves
           to
           his
           Will.
           'T
           was
           the
           vain
           boast
           of
           the
           Philosophers
           ,
           that
           their
           Instructions
           would
           fortify
           Men
           with
           such
           magnanimous
           Principles
           ,
           and
           generous
           Spirits
           ,
           as
           with
           an
           equal
           calm
           tranquillity
           of
           Mind
           to
           encounter
           all
           the
           fierce
           and
           sorrowful
           Accidents
           to
           which
           they
           might
           be
           exposed
           here
           :
           They
           speak
           high
           against
           Fortune
           and
           Fate
           ,
           and
           resolve
           stubbornly
           ,
           that
           no
           misery
           ,
           whether
           Poverty
           or
           Disgrace
           ,
           Torments
           or
           Death
           ,
           should
           extort
           from
           them
           a
           confession
           that
           it
           was
           Misery
           .
           'T
           was
           one
           of
           their
           Axioms
           ,
           That
           a
           
           Wise
           Man
           is
           not
           subject
           to
           the
           vicissitudes
           and
           instability
           of
           things
           here
           below
           ;
           That
           he
           suffers
           no
           conflict
           of
           contrary
           Passions
           in
           his
           Breast
           ;
           that
           he
           is
           always
           
           above
           in
           the
           *
           Serene
           ,
           where
           no
           Tempests
           can
           disturb
           ,
           no
           Eclipse
           can
           darken
           his
           Mind
           :
           But
           these
           proud
           pretensions
           were
           empty
           of
           reality
           .
           Indeed
           such
           a
           perfect
           exemption
           from
           all
           afflicting
           Passions
           is
           neither
           possible
           nor
           regular
           in
           our
           present
           state
           :
           not
           possible
           ,
           for
           the
           best
           Men
           are
           not
           all
           Spirit
           ,
           but
           united
           to
           Flesh
           ;
           and
           when
           the
           Body
           is
           under
           strong
           pains
           ,
           the
           Soul
           suffers
           in
           its
           sufferings
           ;
           and
           while
           we
           are
           thus
           compounded
           ,
           the
           loss
           of
           those
           Comforts
           that
           support
           and
           sweeten
           the
           present
           Life
           ,
           must
           cause
           Grief
           .
           'T
           is
           easy
           to
           utter
           brave
           Expressions
           ,
           and
           lay
           down
           severe
           Precepts
           in
           contempt
           of
           Evils
           *
           when
           they
           are
           at
           a
           distance
           ,
           but
           hard
           to
           sustain
           
           the
           Spirit
           under
           the
           actual
           feeling
           of
           them
           ;
           't
           is
           one
           thing
           to
           discourse
           of
           a
           Battel
           ,
           and
           another
           to
           be
           engaged
           in
           the
           heat
           of
           it
           .
           But
           supposing
           by
           a
           Philosophical
           Charm
           the
           Heart
           were
           so
           hardned
           as
           to
           be
           proof
           against
           the
           most
           piercing
           afflictions
           ,
           such
           a
           forced
           insensibility
           is
           not
           regular
           ,
           but
           proceeds
           from
           the
           extinction
           of
           Humanity
           and
           Piety
           ,
           and
           that
           will
           appear
           by
           considering
           Afflictions
           in
           a
           natural
           or
           moral
           respect
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           in
           a
           natural
           respect
           ,
           for
           so
           they
           are
           destructive
           or
           oppressive
           
           Evils
           ,
           and
           a
           pensive
           feeling
           of
           them
           is
           suitable
           to
           the
           Law
           of
           our
           Creation
           :
           for
           the
           Humane
           Nature
           is
           framed
           with
           such
           Senses
           and
           Passions
           ,
           as
           according
           to
           God's
           intention
           should
           be
           affected
           suitably
           to
           the
           quality
           of
           their
           objects
           ;
           and
           if
           the
           Soul
           acts
           rationally
           ,
           't
           is
           
           moved
           accordingly
           .
           A
           Saint
           on
           Earth
           is
           not
           a
           Saint
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           raised
           above
           all
           Disasters
           and
           Troubles
           ,
           freed
           from
           all
           hurtful
           impressions
           from
           without
           ,
           and
           sorrowful
           impressions
           within
           ,
           but
           is
           liable
           to
           afflicting
           evils
           :
           And
           it
           is
           becoming
           his
           Duty
           to
           have
           his
           passions
           pliable
           to
           his
           condition
           ,
           but
           without
           excess
           ;
           the
           Eyes
           must
           not
           be
           drown'd
           ,
           nor
           dry
           ,
           but
           tenderly
           affected
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ;
           Considered
           in
           a
           moral
           respect
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           sent
           from
           
           the
           high
           and
           just
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           absolutely
           necessary
           there
           should
           be
           an
           humble
           resentment
           of
           his
           Displeasure
           .
           This
           is
           a
           consequent
           of
           the
           former
           ;
           for
           if
           our
           affections
           are
           seared
           up
           ,
           that
           we
           do
           not
           feel
           the
           stroke
           ,
           how
           shall
           we
           regard
           the
           hand
           that
           smites
           us
           ?
           If
           we
           are
           
           not
           sensible
           of
           Affliction
           ,
           we
           are
           secure
           in
           our
           Sins
           .
           Natural
           Sorrow
           is
           introductive
           of
           Godly
           Sorrow
           .
           There
           are
           two
           extreams
           to
           be
           avoided
           by
           the
           afflicted
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           direction
           of
           Solomon
           in
           the
           person
           of
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           repeated
           by
           the
           Apostle
           :
           
             My
             Son
             ,
             despise
             not
             thou
             the
             chastening
             of
             the
          
           
           
             Lord
             ,
             nor
             faint
             when
             thou
             art
             rebuked
             of
             him
             .
          
           Some
           are
           discouraged
           and
           over-born
           by
           Afflictions
           as
           insupportable
           :
           others
           are
           stubborn
           and
           careless
           ,
           and
           never
           
           lay
           them
           to
           heart
           :
           they
           never
           look
           upward
           to
           the
           original
           efficient
           Cause
           ,
           an
           Offended
           God
           ;
           nor
           inward
           to
           the
           impulsive
           deserving
           Cause
           ,
           their
           Sins
           ;
           but
           esteem
           them
           fortuitous
           Events
           that
           happen
           in
           this
           mutable
           state
           ,
           without
           a
           design
           to
           correct
           and
           reform
           Sinners
           ;
           or
           to
           proceed
           
           from
           a
           blind
           necessity
           ,
           things
           of
           course
           ;
           or
           meerly
           regard
           the
           second
           Causes
           and
           Instruments
           of
           their
           Troubles
           :
           accordingly
           ,
           when
           they
           meet
           with
           Calamities
           ,
           all
           their
           care
           is
           by
           a
           perverse
           shift
           to
           seek
           for
           relief
           onely
           in
           Temporal
           Comforts
           ;
           without
           serious
           applying
           themselves
           to
           God
           ,
           whose
           end
           in
           sending
           Troubles
           ,
           is
           to
           reclaim
           us
           from
           Sin
           to
           Holiness
           ,
           from
           Earth
           to
           Heavens
           ,
           from
           the
           Creatures
           to
           himself
           .
        
         
           This
           secret
           Atheism
           ,
           like
           a
           benumming
           Opium
           ,
           stupifies
           the
           Conscience
           ;
           and
           the
           insensibility
           of
           God's
           hand
           inflicting
           Evils
           ,
           is
           as
           different
           from
           Christian
           Patience
           and
           Constancy
           ,
           as
           a
           mortal
           Lethargy
           is
           from
           the
           quiet
           ,
           soft
           Sleep
           of
           Health
           :
           Nothing
           kindles
           his
           Anger
           more
           than
           neglecting
           it
           ;
           't
           is
           equally
           provoking
           with
           
           the
           despising
           of
           his
           Love
           :
           It
           is
           a
           symptom
           of
           a
           wretched
           state
           of
           Soul
           ;
           if
           there
           proceed
           no
           sighs
           and
           groans
           ,
           no
           signs
           of
           grief
           from
           the
           sense
           of
           God's
           displeasure
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           sad
           evidence
           there
           is
           no
           Spiritual
           Life
           .
           Indolence
           under
           the
           effects
           of
           God's
           Anger
           ,
           is
           like
           the
           stilness
           of
           the
           Dead
           Sea
           ,
           whose
           Calm
           is
           a
           Curse
           .
           The
           Jews
           ,
           tho
           intitled
           the
           People
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           deeply
           charg'd
           for
           this
           prodigious
           Madness
           ;
           
             O
             Lord
             ,
             thou
             hast
             struck
             them
             ,
             but
             they
             have
             not
             grieved
             ;
             thou
             hast
             consumed
             them
             ,
             but
             they
             refused
             to
             receive
             correction
             :
             they
             have
             made
             their
             faces
             harder
             than
             a
             Rock
             ,
             they
             have
             refused
             to
             return
             .
          
           Jer.
           5.
           3.
           
           We
           have
           whole
           Quarries
           of
           such
           obdurate
           Wretches
           amongst
           us
           ;
           this
           impenitent
           disregard
           of
           God's
           hand
           is
           a
           dreadful
           presage
           
           of
           future
           and
           more
           heavy
           Judgments
           .
           
             Who
             ever
             hardned
             himself
             against
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             prospered
             ?
             Do
             we
             provoke
             the
             Lord
             to
             Jealousy
             ,
             are
             we
             stronger
             than
             he
             ?
          
           The
           most
           refractory
           Sinner
           he
           can
           compel
           to
           acknowledg
           with
           bitter
           lamentations
           his
           Wickedness
           ,
           and
           weakness
           ,
           how
           unable
           he
           is
           to
           contend
           with
           his
           Judge
           .
           But
           supposing
           a
           respite
           from
           Punishment
           here
           ,
           there
           is
           an
           Hell
           prepared
           for
           stubborn
           Sinners
           ,
           where
           is
           Weeping
           and
           Wailing
           for
           ever
           .
           Whom
           the
           Rods
           do
           not
           awaken
           ,
           the
           Scorpions
           shall
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ;
           I
           shall
           now
           proceed
           to
           explicate
           what
           is
           included
           in
           the
           resignment
           of
           our selves
           to
           God
           in
           times
           of
           Affliction
           .
           This
           will
           be
           made
           evident
           by
           considering
           the
           leading
           powers
           and
           faculties
           
           which
           Grace
           sanctifies
           and
           works
           in
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           natural
           subordination
           .
        
         
           The
           Understanding
           approves
           
           the
           severest
           dispensations
           of
           Providence
           to
           be
           good
           ,
           that
           is
           for
           reasons
           though
           sometimes
           unsearchable
           ,
           yet
           always
           righteous
           ,
           and
           for
           gracious
           ends
           to
           the
           Saints
           .
           When
           Hezekiah
           heard
           the
           heavy
           Prophecy
           ,
           that
           all
           his
           Treasures
           should
           be
           carried
           to
           Babylon
           ,
           and
           his
           Royal
           Progeny
           should
           become
           Slaves
           there
           ,
           he
           said
           to
           
             Isaiah
             ,
             Good
             is
             the
             Word
             of
             the
             Lord
             which
             thou
             hast
             spoken
             .
          
           His
           
           sanctified
           Mind
           acknowledged
           it
           to
           be
           a
           just
           Correction
           of
           his
           vain
           Pride
           ,
           and
           quietly
           submitted
           to
           it
           :
           And
           as
           there
           is
           a
           satisfaction
           of
           Mind
           in
           the
           rectitude
           ,
           so
           in
           the
           graciousness
           of
           his
           Proceedings
           .
           The
           misapprehension
           and
           
           mis-belief
           of
           God's
           design
           in
           afflicting
           ,
           causeth
           Impatience
           and
           Murmuring
           ;
           but
           when
           the
           Mind
           is
           convinced
           ,
           that
           he
           afflicts
           us
           for
           our
           Benefit
           ,
           that
           Bodily
           Diseases
           are
           Medicinal
           Advantages
           ,
           the
           remedies
           of
           the
           Soul
           ;
           that
           the
           losses
           of
           Earthly
           Comforts
           prepare
           us
           for
           Divine
           Enjoyments
           ;
           that
           the
           way
           which
           is
           sowed
           with
           Thorns
           ,
           and
           watered
           with
           Tears
           ,
           leads
           to
           Heaven
           ;
           the
           Heart
           is
           compliant
           with
           the
           sharpest
           methods
           of
           Providence
           .
           But
           these
           things
           will
           be
           more
           fully
           opened
           under
           the
           several
           heads
           of
           Arguments
           to
           enforce
           the
           Duty
           .
        
         
           This
           Resignment
           principally
           consists
           in
           the
           consent
           and
           subjection
           
           of
           the
           Will
           to
           the
           Orders
           of
           Heaven
           .
           The
           Will
           is
           an
           imperious
           Faculty
           ,
           naturally
           impatient
           of
           opposition
           to
           its
           Desires
           ,
           and
           
           we
           pay
           the
           highest
           honour
           to
           God
           in
           the
           lowest
           submission
           of
           our
           Wills
           to
           his
           Appointments
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           the
           Will
           cannot
           make
           a
           direct
           choice
           of
           Evil
           ,
           nor
           love
           Afflictions
           ,
           but
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           by
           a
           powerful
           Operation
           so
           disposeth
           it
           ,
           as
           to
           renounce
           its
           own
           inclinations
           when
           discordant
           with
           the
           Will
           of
           God.
           And
           the
           more
           humble
           ,
           ready
           and
           entire
           the
           Submission
           is
           ,
           the
           more
           difficult
           and
           harsh
           the
           denial
           of
           our
           natural
           desire
           is
           ,
           the
           more
           supernatural
           Grace
           shines
           and
           is
           acceptable
           .
           It
           is
           the
           perfection
           of
           Holiness
           to
           do
           what
           God
           loves
           ,
           and
           to
           love
           what
           God
           does
           .
           There
           is
           a
           rare
           example
           of
           this
           in
           
           David's
           carriage
           ,
           when
           under
           his
           greatest
           Affliction
           :
           't
           was
           in
           his
           flight
           from
           his
           Son
           Absalom
           ,
           who
           endeavoured
           to
           deprive
           him
           of
           
           his
           Kingdom
           and
           Life
           .
           
             And
             the
          
           
           
             King
             said
             unto
          
           Zadock
           
             the
             Priest
             ,
             Carry
             back
             the
             Ark
             of
             God
             into
             the
             City
             :
             if
             I
             shall
             find
             favour
             in
             his
             eyes
             ,
             he
             will
             bring
             me
             again
             ,
             and
             shew
             me
             both
             it
             and
             his
             Habitation
             ;
             but
             if
             he
             shall
             say
             ,
             I
             have
             no
             delight
             in
             thee
             ,
             behold
             ,
             here
             I
             am
             ,
             let
             him
             do
             to
             me
             as
             seems
             good
             unto
             him
             .
          
           O
           happy
           frame
           !
           his
           Spirit
           was
           so
           equally
           ballanced
           ,
           That
           if
           God
           would
           suffer
           a
           Rebel
           that
           violated
           the
           most
           tender
           and
           strict
           relations
           of
           a
           Son
           and
           Subject
           to
           a
           Gracious
           Father
           and
           Sovereign
           ,
           the
           Murtherer
           of
           his
           Brother
           ,
           and
           a
           Parricide
           in
           his
           desires
           ,
           to
           usurp
           his
           Throne
           ,
           he
           humbly
           submitted
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           Duty
           of
           Resignation
           consists
           in
           the
           composure
           of
           the
           Affections
           
           to
           a
           just
           measure
           and
           temper
           ,
           when
           under
           the
           sharpest
           
           Discipline
           .
           Of
           the
           Passions
           ,
           some
           are
           tender
           and
           melting
           ,
           others
           are
           fierce
           and
           stormy
           ,
           and
           if
           a
           ponderous
           oppressing
           Evil
           happen
           ,
           or
           the
           loss
           of
           that
           good
           that
           was
           very
           pleasing
           ,
           they
           sometimes
           join
           together
           ,
           as
           the
           Clouds
           at
           the
           same
           time
           dissolve
           in
           Showers
           ,
           and
           break
           forth
           in
           Thunder
           and
           Lightning
           .
           Now
           when
           sanctified
           Reason
           hath
           a
           due
           Empire
           over
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           Soul
           possesseth
           it self
           in
           Patience
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           happy
           effect
           of
           Resignation
           to
           the
           Divine
           disposal
           .
           Of
           this
           we
           have
           an
           eminent
           instance
           in
           the
           afflicted
           Saint
           forementioned
           .
           When
           David
           was
           so
           wickedly
           reproached
           by
           Shimei
           ,
           and
           Abishai
           fired
           with
           Indignation
           ,
           would
           presently
           have
           taken
           exemplary
           revenge
           ,
           by
           stopping
           his
           Breath
           for
           ever
           :
           
             Should
             this
             dead
             Dog
             
             Curse
             my
             Lord
             the
             King
             ?
             Let
             me
          
           
           
             go
             over
             ,
             I
             pray
             thee
             ,
             and
             take
             off
             his
             Head.
          
           How
           cool
           and
           calm
           was
           
           David's
           Spirit
           ?
           he
           felt
           no
           aestuations
           nor
           tumults
           within
           ,
           exprest
           no
           outragious
           complaints
           ,
           but
           said
           ,
           
             Let
             him
             Curse
             ,
             because
             the
             Lord
             hath
             said
             to
             him
             ,
             Curse
          
           David
           .
           There
           is
           a
           twofold
           excess
           of
           the
           Sorrowful
           Affections
           in
           Troubles
           :
        
         
           
             I.
             In
             the
             degrees
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             II.
             In
             the
             continuance
             .
          
        
         
           First
           ;
           In
           the
           degrees
           of
           them
           ,
           when
           they
           exceed
           their
           causes
           .
           Afflictive
           things
           that
           deeply
           wound
           us
           ,
           are
           usually
           represented
           by
           the
           reflection
           of
           Sorrow
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           heightning
           Circumstances
           ,
           the
           Loss
           as
           unvaluable
           ,
           the
           Evil
           as
           intollerable
           .
           
           As
           objects
           are
           greater
           than
           their
           true
           proportion
           when
           seen
           through
           a
           Mist
           ;
           so
           do
           Evils
           ,
           apprehended
           through
           Grief
           :
           and
           after
           such
           a
           false
           judgment
           the
           Passions
           take
           their
           violent
           course
           ,
           and
           the
           Spirit
           sinks
           under
           overwhelming
           heaviness
           .
           The
           Soul
           is
           disabled
           from
           performing
           what
           belongs
           to
           it
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           general
           and
           particular
           Calling
           ,
           and
           cannot
           with
           freedom
           wait
           upon
           God
           ,
           but
           neglects
           its
           duty
           and
           felicity
           .
           'T
           was
           the
           complaint
           of
           the
           afflicted
           Poet
           ,
           
             
               Hei
               mihi
               quod
               miseros
               prudentia
               prima
               relinquit
               .
            
          
           The
           first
           effect
           of
           misery
           is
           black
           confusion
           in
           the
           thoughts
           ,
           that
           the
           Mind
           doth
           not
           distinctly
           consider
           ,
           and
           apply
           such
           things
           as
           
           would
           be
           effectual
           to
           mitigate
           ,
           or
           remove
           it
           .
           Besides
           ,
           as
           when
           the
           Stream
           overflows
           the
           Channel
           ,
           it
           runs
           foul
           and
           turbid
           :
           so
           immoderate
           Sorrow
           often
           causeth
           secret
           Discontent
           and
           Anger
           at
           the
           Almighty
           ,
           disquieting
           and
           tormenting
           risings
           of
           heart
           against
           his
           Providence
           .
           All
           things
           are
           disordered
           and
           turbulent
           in
           the
           little
           and
           marvelous
           Monarchy
           of
           the
           Soul.
           And
           such
           seeds
           of
           incitation
           are
           in
           our
           corrupt
           Nature
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           extremity
           of
           Anguish
           ,
           the
           furious
           Passions
           swell
           into
           a
           Storm
           ,
           and
           break
           the
           restraints
           of
           Reason
           and
           Grace
           .
           Job
           in
           a
           hot
           fit
           expostulates
           strangely
           with
           God
           ,
           
             Is
             it
             good
             unto
             thee
             that
             thou
          
           
           
             shouldest
             oppress
          
           ?
           He
           was
           a
           Holy
           Man
           ,
           and
           a
           Prophet
           ,
           who
           in
           the
           Paroxism
           of
           his
           Passion
           
             curst
             the
          
           
           
             day
             of
             his
             Birth
          
           .
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ;
           There
           is
           an
           Excess
           in
           the
           continuance
           .
        
         
           Deep
           Grief
           doth
           more
           arrest
           the
           Thoughts
           upon
           its
           object
           ,
           than
           the
           Affection
           of
           Joy
           doth
           .
           The
           Mind
           is
           not
           so
           easily
           diverted
           from
           what
           afflicts
           ,
           as
           from
           what
           delights
           .
           The
           main
           strain
           of
           the
           Soul
           is
           towards
           the
           mournful
           Object
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           Comforts
           to
           support
           the
           fainting
           Spirts
           ,
           there
           still
           remains
           a
           sad
           remembrance
           of
           that
           which
           torments
           :
           a
           swarm
           of
           stinging
           thoughts
           continually
           wound
           and
           inflame
           the
           Breast
           :
           no
           Counsels
           prevail
           ,
           but
           the
           Soul
           is
           resolved
           in
           its
           grief
           ,
           and
           always
           restless
           with
           a
           bitter
           desire
           of
           what
           is
           irrecoverable
           .
           Thus
           the
           Prophet
           describes
           the
           misery
           of
           
             Rachel
             ,
             weeping
             for
             her
             Children
             ,
             and
             would
             not
             be
             comforted
             ,
             because
             they
             were
             not
             .
          
           
           
           As
           some
           Venomous
           Creatures
           turn
           all
           that
           they
           eat
           into
           Poison
           :
           so
           obstinate
           Sorrow
           takes
           occasion
           from
           every
           thing
           to
           encrease
           it self
           .
           This
           consumes
           the
           strength
           ,
           and
           the
           Mourner
           lives
           only
           to
           feel
           his
           Misery
           ,
           and
           thinks
           Death
           too
           slow
           for
           him
           ,
           that
           was
           so
           precipitate
           for
           the
           person
           lamented
           .
           Thus
           by
           the
           fixed
           contemplation
           of
           its
           Trouble
           ,
           the
           Soul
           is
           distracted
           from
           its
           heavenly
           Original
           ,
           and
           from
           pursuing
           its
           blessed
           End
           ,
           and
           indulgeth
           its
           Sorrow
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           loss
           of
           a
           Temporal
           Comfort
           were
           utterly
           undoing
           to
           it
           .
           This
           obstinate
           grief
           is
           inconsistent
           with
           a
           resigned
           frame
           of
           Spirit
           .
           Though
           in
           great
           Afflictions
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           a
           conflict
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           Wisdom
           to
           let
           Grief
           breath
           forth
           ,
           and
           have
           a
           passage
           ,
           yet
           Grace
           will
           
           asswage
           the
           Fury
           ,
           and
           limit
           the
           time
           ,
           by
           regarding
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           by
           deriving
           from
           the
           Springs
           of
           Comfort
           above
           some
           inward
           refreshings
           ,
           when
           the
           Streams
           below
           totally
           fail
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           now
           propound
           the
           Arguments
           that
           will
           clearly
           convince
           us
           of
           this
           Duty
           of
           Resignation
           ;
           some
           of
           which
           are
           powerful
           to
           silence
           all
           rebellious
           Arguings
           ,
           and
           suppress
           all
           the
           transports
           of
           the
           Passions
           ;
           others
           to
           raise
           the
           drooping
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           incline
           the
           Heart
           to
           a
           calm
           yielding
           ,
           and
           compleat
           subjection
           to
           the
           Divine
           Will.
           
        
         
           The
           first
           Argument
           ariseth
           from
           God's
           Original
           Supream
           Right
           in
           our
           Persons
           ,
           and
           all
           things
           we
           enjoy
           .
           He
           is
           the
           Fountain
           of
           Being
           ,
           and
           produced
           us
           out
           
           the
           depth
           of
           our
           native
           nothing
           ,
           and
           made
           us
           little
           lower
           than
           the
           Angels
           .
           He
           is
           the
           Author
           of
           all
           our
           Good
           ,
           the
           just
           and
           true
           Proprietor
           of
           all
           his
           Benefits
           .
           From
           hence
           results
           his
           Sovereignty
           and
           Dominion
           over
           us
           ,
           which
           is
           declared
           in
           his
           Law
           ,
           and
           the
           dispensations
           of
           his
           Providence
           .
           His
           Law
           is
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           Lives
           and
           Actions
           ,
           his
           Governing
           Providence
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           Sufferings
           and
           Passions
           .
           There
           is
           indispensibly
           due
           ,
           a
           free
           and
           full
           Obedience
           to
           his
           Commands
           ,
           and
           an
           intire
           universal
           Resignation
           to
           the
           Orders
           of
           his
           Providence
           .
           The
           enjoyment
           of
           all
           our
           Blessings
           is
           from
           his
           pure
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           rich
           Bounty
           ,
           which
           requires
           our
           humble
           and
           affectionate
           Thankfulness
           ;
           and
           his
           resumption
           of
           them
           should
           be
           entertained
           with
           
           a
           Holy
           and
           a
           Patient
           Submission
           .
           He
           gives
           them
           freely
           ,
           and
           may
           recall
           them
           at
           his
           Pleasure
           .
           In
           whatsoever
           instance
           his
           Will
           is
           declared
           ,
           we
           must
           with
           Humility
           and
           Meekness
           submit
           ;
           for
           he
           hath
           an
           equal
           Empire
           in
           disposing
           all
           things
           that
           are
           equally
           his
           own
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           bound
           by
           an
           equal
           Obedience
           to
           acknowledg
           his
           Dominion
           .
           When
           Eli
           received
           the
           terrible
           message
           of
           the
           ruine
           of
           his
           Family
           ;
           the
           final
           excision
           of
           it
           from
           the
           dignity
           of
           the
           Priesthood
           ,
           he
           patiently
           submits
           :
           
             It
             is
             the
             Lord
             ,
             let
             him
             do
             what
             seemeth
             him
             good
             .
          
           
           The
           meer
           desire
           of
           exemption
           from
           his
           over-ruling
           Will
           ,
           is
           a
           heinous
           Sin
           ,
           and
           a
           stubborn
           uncompliance
           with
           it
           in
           the
           issues
           of
           things
           ,
           is
           direct
           Rebellion
           ,
           mixt
           with
           ingratitude
           ,
           obstructive
           to
           
           our
           present
           Peace
           ,
           and
           future
           Happiness
           .
           If
           the
           Afflicted
           would
           for
           a
           while
           suspend
           their
           Tears
           and
           Sighs
           ,
           and
           with
           free
           Reason
           consider
           ,
           that
           what
           relation
           soever
           they
           had
           in
           their
           dearest
           Loss
           ,
           whether
           of
           a
           Father
           ,
           a
           Son
           ,
           of
           a
           Husband
           or
           Wife
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           amiable
           and
           passionate
           terms
           ,
           yet
           God
           hath
           a
           nearer
           right
           and
           juster
           claim
           in
           those
           Persons
           ,
           being
           his
           by
           the
           best
           Titles
           of
           Creation
           and
           Redemption
           ,
           it
           would
           silence
           murmurings
           and
           impatience
           ,
           and
           stop
           the
           scope
           of
           inordinate
           Sorrow
           .
           Our
           Propriety
           in
           them
           was
           derived
           from
           his
           Favour
           ,
           and
           our
           Possession
           was
           depending
           on
           his
           Will
           ,
           for
           his
           Right
           in
           all
           his
           Creatures
           is
           unalienable
           .
           This
           consideration
           was
           the
           foundation
           of
           
           Job's
           Patience
           ;
           
           when
           he
           was
           stript
           of
           all
           his
           outward
           Comforts
           ,
           how
           composed
           was
           he
           in
           his
           Mind
           !
           how
           considerate
           in
           his
           words
           !
           he
           reflects
           upon
           his
           Native
           Poverty
           ,
           
             Naked
             came
             I
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             and
          
           
           
             naked
             shall
             I
             return
             thither
          
           ,
           and
           Adores
           God's
           Dominion
           :
           
             The
             Lord
             hath
             given
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             hath
             taken
             ,
             blessed
             be
             his
             Name
             .
          
           Add
           farther
           ,
           that
           which
           by
           immediate
           connection
           follows
           ,
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           glorious
           Majesty
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           our
           natural
           meanness
           and
           unworthiness
           .
           The
           distance
           and
           disproportion
           is
           so
           vast
           between
           him
           and
           us
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           not
           able
           to
           conceive
           the
           full
           and
           just
           Idea
           of
           his
           Excellent
           Greatness
           :
           We
           are
           fain
           to
           assist
           our
           Minds
           in
           the
           Thoughts
           of
           God
           by
           sensible
           representations
           ;
           
           and
           to
           express
           our
           Conceptions
           by
           borrowed
           terms
           ;
           His
           Immensity
           by
           the
           Ocean
           ;
           his
           Eternity
           ,
           by
           the
           returning
           of
           a
           Circle
           into
           it self
           ;
           his
           Power
           ,
           by
           Thunder
           ;
           his
           Majesty
           by
           the
           Sun
           in
           its
           Meridian
           splendours
           .
           As
           the
           flying
           Fishes
           ,
           (
           Shoals
           of
           which
           are
           met
           in
           sailing
           to
           the
           
             Indies
             ,
          
           )
           can
           fly
           no
           longer
           than
           their
           Wings
           remain
           moist
           ;
           when
           those
           Membranes
           are
           dry
           ,
           they
           cannot
           move
           ,
           and
           are
           forc'd
           to
           dip
           themselves
           again
           in
           the
           Sea
           ,
           that
           by
           softening
           them
           ,
           they
           may
           renew
           their
           Flight
           :
           Thus
           when
           we
           ascend
           in
           our
           Minds
           to
           God
           ,
           we
           form
           no
           Conceptions
           but
           what
           take
           their
           rise
           from
           sensible
           things
           ,
           which
           infinitely
           fall
           short
           of
           his
           Perfections
           .
           Who
           can
           fully
           understand
           the
           transcendent
           Excellencies
           of
           his
           Nature
           ?
           Who
           can
           describe
           
           what
           is
           ineffable
           ,
           and
           most
           worthy
           
           to
           be
           ador'd
           with
           silent
           admiration
           and
           extasy
           of
           Mind
           ?
           
             He
             dwells
             in
             that
             Light
             which
             is
             inaccessible
          
           ;
           the
           Angels
           ,
           the
           most
           comprehensive
           Spirits
           ,
           
             vail
             their
             faces
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             his
             Glory
             .
          
           He
           is
           his
           own
           Original
           ,
           but
           without
           Beginning
           ;
           alone
           ,
           but
           not
           solitary
           ;
           one
           ever
           Blessed
           God
           ,
           yet
           communicates
           his
           intire
           Deity
           to
           the
           Son
           and
           Spirit
           ;
           he
           is
           not
           divided
           in
           number
           ,
           nor
           confused
           in
           Unity
           .
           He
           is
           not
           compell'd
           by
           Necessity
           ,
           nor
           chang'd
           by
           Liberty
           ,
           nor
           measur'd
           by
           Time
           :
           If
           we
           ascend
           to
           the
           first
           Fountains
           of
           all
           Ages
           ,
           then
           his
           Infinite
           Understanding
           comprehended
           in
           one
           clear
           view
           ,
           the
           whole
           compass
           ,
           extent
           and
           duration
           of
           all
           things
           .
           His
           powerful
           Word
           made
           the
           visible
           and
           invisible
           World
           ,
           and
           upholds
           
           them
           .
           That
           which
           was
           spoken
           with
           Flattery
           ,
           of
           a
           Roman
           Emperour
           ,
           by
           Seneca
           ,
           (
           who
           as
           much
           degenerated
           from
           the
           dignity
           of
           a
           Stoical
           Philosopher
           ,
           in
           licking
           Nero
           ,
           as
           in
           biting
           Alexander
           )
           is
           absolutely
           true
           of
           the
           Sovereign
           Lord
           of
           the
           World
           :
           His
           Providence
           
           is
           the
           Band
           that
           unites
           the
           parts
           of
           the
           Universal
           Common-Wealth
           ,
           the
           Vital
           Spirit
           and
           Vertue
           that
           sustains
           all
           :
           Without
           his
           Eye
           and
           Hand
           ,
           his
           dispositive
           Wisdom
           and
           Power
           ,
           the
           whole
           frame
           would
           disband
           ,
           and
           fall
           into
           Confusion
           and
           Ruine
           .
           He
           is
           seated
           upon
           the
           Throne
           of
           the
           Universe
           .
           
             Thousand
             thousands
             of
             glorious
             Spirits
             minister
             unto
             him
             ,
             and
             ten
             thousand
             times
             ten
             thousand
             stand
             before
             him
             ,
          
           in
           the
           quality
           and
           humility
           of
           his
           Servants
           ,
           ready
           to
           execute
           his
           Commands
           .
           He
           is
           the
           
           Judg
           of
           the
           Living
           and
           the
           Dead
           ,
           that
           disposeth
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Hell
           for
           Ever
           .
           And
           what
           is
           Man
           ?
           a
           little
           Breathing
           Dust.
           He
           is
           infinitely
           above
           us
           ,
           and
           so
           strangely
           condescends
           ,
           in
           having
           a
           tender
           care
           of
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           Psalmist
           was
           swallowed
           up
           in
           Extasy
           and
           Amazement
           at
           the
           thoughts
           of
           it
           :
           
             Lord
             ,
             What
             is
             Man
             that
             thou
             art
             mindful
             of
             him
             ?
             or
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             that
             thou
             regardest
          
           
           him
           ?
           Nay
           ,
           we
           are
           beneath
           his
           Anger
           ,
           as
           a
           Worm
           is
           not
           worthy
           of
           the
           indignation
           of
           an
           Angel.
           Now
           the
           more
           we
           magnify
           God
           ,
           and
           exalt
           his
           Authority
           in
           our
           Judgments
           ,
           the
           more
           our
           Wills
           are
           prepared
           to
           yield
           to
           him
           :
           
             His
             Excellency
             will
             make
             us
             afraid
             to
             oppose
             his
             Providence
             .
          
           When
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           appeared
           to
           Saul
           ,
           in
           his
           Glory
           ,
           and
           commanded
           in
           
           Person
           ,
           he
           presently
           lets
           fall
           his
           Arms
           of
           Defiance
           ;
           and
           says
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             what
             wilt
             thou
             have
             me
             to
             do
             ?
          
           His
           
           Resignation
           was
           absolute
           ;
           nothing
           was
           so
           hard
           to
           do
           ,
           nothing
           so
           formidable
           to
           suffer
           ,
           but
           he
           was
           ready
           to
           accomplish
           and
           endure
           in
           obedience
           to
           Christ.
           The
           more
           we
           debase
           and
           vilify
           our selves
           ,
           the
           more
           easy
           it
           will
           be
           to
           bear
           what
           God
           inflicts
           ;
           Humility
           disposeth
           to
           Submission
           .
           Our
           Passions
           are
           not
           excited
           at
           the
           breaking
           of
           an
           ordinary
           Glass
           ;
           but
           if
           a
           Vessel
           of
           Christal
           be
           broken
           ,
           it
           moves
           us
           :
           the
           lower
           esteem
           we
           have
           of
           our selves
           ,
           the
           less
           we
           shall
           be
           transported
           for
           any
           breach
           that
           is
           made
           upon
           us
           .
           We
           read
           in
           the
           History
           of
           Job
           ,
           many
           heavy
           Complaints
           uttered
           by
           him
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           ,
           all
           the
           sad
           Figures
           of
           passionate
           Eloquence
           
           made
           use
           of
           to
           represent
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           fruitless
           Essays
           of
           his
           Friends
           ,
           that
           did
           rather
           exasperate
           than
           appease
           his
           Spirit
           :
           And
           it
           is
           very
           observable
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           Lord
           interposed
           himself
           to
           justify
           the
           ways
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           he
           did
           not
           charge
           upon
           him
           the
           guilt
           of
           his
           Sins
           that
           deserved
           the
           severest
           Judgments
           ,
           but
           appears
           in
           his
           Glory
           ,
           and
           reminds
           himof
           his
           original
           nothing
           .
           
             Where
             wast
             thou
             when
             I
             laid
             the
          
           
           
             Foundations
             of
             the
             Earth
             ?
             declare
             ,
             if
             thou
             hast
             Understanding
             .
          
           He
           opens
           to
           him
           some
           of
           the
           Excellencies
           of
           the
           Deity
           in
           the
           works
           of
           Creation
           and
           Providence
           ,
           and
           the
           present
           effect
           was
           ,
           Job
           adored
           with
           humble
           Reverence
           the
           Divine
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           acknowledged
           his
           own
           unworthiness
           .
           
             Behold
             ,
             I
             am
             vile
             ,
             what
             shall
             I
             answer
             thee
             ?
             I
             
             will
             lay
             my
             hand
             upon
             my
             mouth
             ;
             now
             mine
             eyes
             see
             thee
             ,
             I
             abhor
             my self
             ,
             and
             repent
             in
             Dust
             and
             Ashes
             .
          
           The
           thickest
           smoak
           by
           ascending
           dissipates
           and
           vanishes
           .
           If
           the
           troubled
           Soul
           did
           ascend
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           consider
           that
           even
           the
           worst
           Evils
           are
           either
           from
           the
           operation
           or
           permission
           of
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           the
           Cloudy
           disturbing
           Thoughts
           and
           Passions
           would
           be
           presently
           scattered
           .
           David
           had
           a
           blessed
           experiment
           of
           this
           in
           his
           distress
           :
           
             I
             was
             dumb
             ,
             and
             opened
          
           
           
             not
             my
             mouth
             ,
             because
             thou
             didst
             it
             .
          
           Such
           an
           awful
           apprehension
           he
           had
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           transcendently
           superiour
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           unaccountable
           for
           his
           Proceedings
           .
           When
           any
           impatient
           Thoughts
           arise
           ,
           we
           should
           presently
           chain
           them
           up
           ,
           for
           there
           is
           Folly
           and
           Fury
           in
           them
           ;
           What
           am
           I
           ,
           that
           my
           sullen
           
           Spirit
           should
           dispute
           against
           the
           Orders
           of
           Heaven
           ?
           that
           my
           Passions
           should
           resist
           the
           Will
           of
           of
           the
           highest
           Lord
           ?
           that
           my
           Desires
           should
           depose
           him
           from
           his
           Throne
           ?
           For
           thus
           by
           implication
           and
           consequence
           they
           do
           ,
           who
           are
           vex'd
           at
           his
           Providence
           .
           A
           Holy
           Soul
           will
           tremble
           at
           the
           Thoughts
           of
           it
           .
           Methinks
           God
           speaks
           to
           the
           afflicted
           and
           disturbed
           Soul
           ,
           in
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Psalm
           ,
           
             Be
             still
             ,
             and
             know
             that
             I
             am
             God.
          
           The
           actual
           consideration
           of
           his
           Supremacy
           will
           be
           powerful
           to
           lay
           the
           growing
           Storm
           of
           Passions
           .
           Impatience
           ariseth
           from
           the
           ignorance
           of
           God
           and
           our selves
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ;
           The
           Righteousness
           of
           God
           in
           all
           his
           ways
           ,
           if
           duely
           considered
           ,
           will
           compose
           the
           Afflicted
           Spirit
           to
           quiet
           and
           
           humble
           submission
           .
           He
           is
           never
           injurious
           to
           us
           when
           he
           deprives
           us
           of
           our
           sweetest
           and
           most
           precious
           comforts
           ,
           because
           we
           have
           incurred
           the
           forfeiture
           of
           all
           .
           He
           is
           not
           cruel
           in
           laying
           the
           heaviest
           punishments
           upon
           us
           ,
           for
           we
           deserve
           them
           .
           If
           we
           were
           free
           from
           actual
           Sins
           ,
           yet
           our
           depraved
           nature
           ,
           so
           repugnant
           to
           the
           pure
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           involves
           us
           under
           an
           Obligation
           to
           Punishment
           .
           If
           we
           had
           not
           been
           attained
           with
           the
           guilt
           of
           Original
           Sin
           ,
           yet
           the
           Sins
           committed
           in
           the
           course
           of
           our
           Lives
           ,
           make
           us
           deeply
           obnoxious
           to
           Divine
           Justice
           :
           How
           much
           more
           the
           concurrent
           guilt
           of
           Original
           and
           Actual
           Sins
           ?
           The
           acts
           of
           Sin
           are
           transient
           and
           pass
           away
           ;
           but
           the
           guilt
           and
           stain
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           the
           Conscience
           of
           Sin
           remain
           ,
           and
           no
           less
           than
           Eternal
           
           Punishment
           is
           commensurate
           to
           the
           obliquity
           .
           From
           hence
           there
           is
           the
           clearest
           Reason
           to
           justify
           God
           in
           all
           his
           Proceedings
           .
           
             Righteousness
             establishes
             his
             Throne
          
           .
           The
           Prophet
           saith
           ,
           
             Thy
             Righteousness
             is
             like
             the
             great
             Mountains
             ,
             thy
             Judgments
          
           
           
             are
             a
             great
             Deep
          
           .
           The
           special
           ends
           of
           God
           in
           severe
           dispensations
           ,
           are
           sometimes
           indiscernible
           ,
           but
           never
           unjust
           ;
           his
           Righteousness
           is
           obvious
           to
           every
           eye
           .
           The
           actual
           consideration
           of
           this
           is
           powerful
           to
           silence
           the
           uproar
           of
           the
           Passions
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           us
           lie
           humbly
           at
           his
           Feet
           under
           the
           sorest
           Chastisements
           .
           
             I
             will
             bear
             the
             Indignation
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           (
           without
           
           murmuring
           ,
           saith
           the
           Afflicted
           Church
           )
           
             because
             I
             have
             sinned
             against
             him
             .
          
           As
           disobedience
           in
           our
           Inclinations
           and
           Actions
           ,
           is
           a
           tacit
           reflection
           upon
           the
           equity
           of
           his
           
           Law
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           restraints
           of
           it
           were
           unreasonable
           ;
           so
           Impatience
           and
           fretful
           Discontent
           is
           upon
           the
           equity
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           afflicting
           dispensations
           of
           it
           were
           not
           due
           to
           us
           :
           And
           the
           sense
           of
           our
           Sinfulness
           ,
           and
           God's
           Righteousness
           ,
           is
           an
           excellent
           preventive
           of
           it
           .
           If
           thou
           art
           in
           great
           Afflictions
           ,
           and
           feelest
           any
           tumultuous
           Thoughts
           ,
           any
           rebellious
           Risings
           within
           thee
           ,
           Consider
           thou
           art
           a
           Sinner
           ,
           guilty
           of
           ten
           Thousand
           Provocations
           ,
           and
           darest
           thou
           appear
           before
           his
           inlightned
           and
           terrible
           Tribunal
           ,
           and
           challenge
           him
           for
           any
           unrighteous
           Proceedings
           ?
           
             Wherefore
             doth
             a
             living
             Man
             complain
             ,
          
           
           
             a
             Man
             for
             the
             punishment
             of
             his
             Sins
             ?
             Surely
             it
             is
             meet
             to
             be
             said
             unto
             God
             ,
             I
             will
             not
             offend
             any
             more
             .
          
           
           
             That
             which
             I
             know
             not
             ,
             teach
             thou
             
             me
             ;
             and
             if
             I
             have
             done
             Iniquity
             ,
             I
             will
             do
             no
             more
             .
          
           Besides
           ,
           all
           the
           Punishments
           of
           Men
           here
           ,
           are
           with
           Merciful
           allays
           ,
           not
           in
           just
           proportion
           to
           their
           Guilt
           .
           The
           Church
           in
           its
           calamitous
           State
           ,
           described
           in
           the
           most
           doleful
           Lamentations
           of
           Jeremiah
           ,
           when
           the
           greatest
           number
           of
           the
           Jews
           perished
           by
           the
           Sword
           ,
           or
           Famine
           that
           attended
           the
           War
           ,
           their
           City
           and
           Temple
           were
           laid
           in
           Ruines
           ,
           and
           the
           unhappy
           People
           that
           escaped
           the
           fury
           of
           the
           Chaldeans
           ,
           were
           the
           Captives
           and
           Triumphs
           of
           their
           Enemies
           ;
           yet
           in
           that
           unparallell'd
           Affliction
           she
           acknowledges
           ,
           
             It
             is
             the
             Lord's
             Mercies
             that
          
           
           
             we
             are
             not
          
           utterly
           and
           totally
           consumed
           ,
           and
           lays
           her
           Mouth
           in
           the
           Dust
           ,
           a
           posture
           of
           the
           lowest
           abasement
           .
           And
           Holy
           Ezra
           reflecting
           upon
           that
           dreadful
           Calamity
           ,
           
           acknowledgeth
           their
           Punishment
           was
           beneath
           their
           desert
           ,
           as
           their
           Deliverance
           was
           above
           their
           expectation
           :
           
             And
             for
          
           
           
             all
             that
             is
             come
             upon
             us
             for
             our
             evil
             deeds
             and
             great
             trespasses
             ,
             seeing
             thou
             hast
             punished
             us
             less
             than
             our
             iniquities
             deserve
             ,
             and
             given
             us
             such
             a
             deliverance
             as
             this
             .
          
           Our
           Deserts
           are
           less
           than
           the
           least
           of
           God's
           Mercies
           ,
           and
           our
           Offences
           greater
           than
           the
           greatest
           of
           his
           Judgments
           .
           This
           should
           make
           us
           not
           onely
           patiently
           submit
           ,
           
             but
             humbly
             accept
             the
             punishment
             of
             our
             iniquity
             ,
             as
             far
             less
             than
             what
             is
             deserved
             .
          
           If
           
           the
           Sentence
           of
           Death
           against
           a
           Malefactor
           be
           exchanged
           for
           Banishment
           ,
           or
           Banishment
           be
           remitted
           for
           a
           short
           Confinement
           ,
           is
           there
           not
           incomparable
           more
           cause
           to
           be
           thankful
           for
           what
           is
           pardoned
           ,
           than
           to
           complain
           for
           
           what
           is
           suffered
           ?
           What
           Ingratitude
           is
           it
           to
           be
           impatient
           and
           murmuring
           for
           these
           
             light
             Afflictions
             that
             are
             but
             for
             a
             moment
             ,
          
           when
           we
           deserve
           an
           eternal
           and
           insupportable
           weight
           of
           Misery
           in
           Hell
           ?
           It
           is
           infinitely
           more
           becoming
           us
           and
           safe
           ,
           to
           argue
           against
           our
           irregular
           Passions
           ,
           than
           to
           tax
           his
           Righteous
           Dispensations
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ;
           His
           Power
           is
           Immense
           and
           uncontrollable
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           a
           vain
           attempt
           to
           contend
           with
           him
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           Eternal
           Order
           of
           his
           Decrees
           could
           be
           altered
           or
           broken
           .
           The
           Contest
           between
           God
           and
           the
           Sinner
           ,
           is
           whose
           Will
           shall
           stand
           .
           It
           is
           his
           glorious
           work
           to
           depress
           the
           Proud
           ,
           and
           subdue
           the
           stubborn
           refractory
           Spirits
           .
           The
           Punishment
           of
           the
           first
           Pride
           in
           the
           Angels
           ,
           is
           
           an
           Eternal
           and
           terrible
           example
           of
           his
           powerful
           Justice
           ;
           and
           how
           intolerable
           a
           Crime
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           Heaven
           could
           not
           bear
           ,
           but
           presently
           opened
           ,
           and
           the
           Guilty
           fell
           into
           the
           bottomless
           Pit.
           Now
           Pride
           is
           a
           seminal
           Evil
           ,
           and
           lies
           at
           the
           root
           of
           Stubborness
           ,
           and
           impatience
           under
           Judgments
           .
           Proud
           Dust
           is
           apt
           to
           fly
           in
           God's
           Face
           upon
           every
           motion
           of
           the
           Afflicting
           Passions
           .
           And
           by
           the
           resistance
           of
           Self-Will
           he
           is
           provoked
           to
           more
           Severity
           .
           
             Wo
             be
             to
             him
             that
             strives
             with
             his
             Maker
             .
          
           
           This
           is
           to
           be
           like
           a
           restive
           Horse
           or
           Mule
           ,
           without
           Understanding
           ,
           that
           flings
           and
           foams
           when
           the
           Burthen
           is
           laid
           upon
           him
           ,
           but
           gets
           nothing
           but
           Blows
           ,
           without
           the
           removal
           of
           the
           Burthen
           .
           It
           is
           our
           Duty
           and
           Interest
           to
           observe
           the
           Blessed
           Apostles
           direction
           :
           
           
             Humble
             your selves
             under
             the
          
           
           
             mighty
             hand
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             exalt
             you
             .
          
           There
           is
           a
           passive
           humbling
           by
           his
           irresistible
           Providence
           ,
           and
           an
           active
           voluntary
           humbling
           ,
           which
           implies
           a
           subjection
           to
           his
           Law
           ,
           and
           a
           submission
           to
           his
           Providence
           :
           This
           is
           infinitely
           pleasing
           to
           him
           ,
           't
           is
           the
           right
           disposition
           that
           prepares
           us
           for
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           certain
           way
           of
           Exaltation
           ;
           for
           then
           God
           obtains
           his
           End.
           The
           humble
           Prostrating
           our selves
           at
           his
           Feet
           to
           receive
           his
           Correction
           ,
           causes
           his
           Bowels
           to
           relent
           ,
           and
           stops
           his
           Hand
           :
           the
           seeming
           humiliation
           of
           Ahab
           procured
           a
           respite
           of
           those
           fearful
           Judgments
           denounced
           against
           his
           House
           .
           It
           is
           said
           of
           the
           generosity
           of
           the
           Lion
           ,
           that
           he
           spares
           his
           prostrate
           Adversary
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           our
           Salvation
           
           depends
           upon
           our
           humble
           demeanour
           under
           afflictive
           Dispensations
           .
           
             We
             have
             had
             Fathers
             of
             our
             Flesh
             which
             corrected
             us
             ,
             and
             we
             gave
             them
             reverence
             ,
             shall
             we
             not
          
           
           
             much
             more
             be
             in
             subjection
             to
             the
             Father
             of
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             live
             ?
          
           Unsubmission
           induces
           a
           deadly
           guilt
           upon
           the
           Rebellious
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ;
           His
           Paternal
           Love
           in
           sending
           Afflictions
           is
           a
           sufficient
           Argument
           to
           win
           our
           compliance
           with
           his
           Will.
           The
           blessed
           Apostle
           applying
           Lenitives
           to
           the
           Afflicted
           ,
           propounds
           two
           Divine
           Truths
           ,
           that
           if
           seriously
           thought
           of
           ,
           and
           stedfastly
           believed
           ,
           are
           powerful
           to
           mitigate
           the
           acerbity
           of
           all
           Sufferings
           ,
           and
           support
           the
           Spirit
           in
           the
           greatest
           Agony
           .
           The
           first
           is
           ,
           
             God
             scourgeth
             every
             Son
             whom
             he
             receiveth
             :
          
           And
           the
           other
           that
           is
           
           
           joined
           with
           it
           is
           ,
           
             Whom
             the
             Lord
             loves
             he
             chasteneth
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Rule
           is
           general
           ,
        
         
           First
           ;
           All
           his
           Sons
           are
           under
           the
           Discipline
           of
           the
           Rod
           :
           and
           who
           would
           be
           so
           unhappy
           as
           to
           be
           exempted
           from
           that
           number
           for
           all
           the
           prosperity
           of
           the
           World
           ?
           Afflictions
           sanctified
           ,
           are
           the
           conspicuous
           Seal
           of
           their
           Adoption
           ,
           and
           Title
           to
           Heaven
           .
           And
           who
           would
           forfeit
           the
           honour
           of
           that
           Adoption
           ,
           and
           lose
           the
           benefit
           annext
           to
           it
           ,
           the
           eternal
           Inheritance
           ,
           rather
           than
           patiently
           bear
           his
           Fatherly
           Chastisements
           ?
           Others
           that
           enjoy
           a
           perpetual
           Spring
           of
           Pleasure
           here
           ,
           are
           declared
           Bastards
           and
           not
           Sons
           :
           they
           are
           indeed
           within
           the
           compass
           of
           his
           Universal
           Providence
           ,
           but
           not
           of
           that
           peculiar
           
           care
           that
           belongs
           to
           his
           Sacred
           and
           Select
           Progeny
           .
           His
           Corrections
           are
           an
           Argument
           of
           his
           Authority
           as
           our
           Father
           ,
           and
           an
           assurance
           that
           we
           are
           his
           Children
           :
           this
           should
           induce
           us
           not
           only
           with
           submiss
           temper
           of
           Soul
           ,
           but
           with
           thankfulness
           to
           receive
           the
           sharpest
           Correction
           from
           the
           hands
           of
           our
           Heavenly
           Father
           .
           This
           was
           the
           reason
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           meek
           yielding
           himself
           to
           the
           violence
           and
           cruelty
           of
           his
           Enemies
           .
           
             The
             Cup
             which
             my
             Father
             hath
             given
             me
             ,
             shall
             I
             not
             drink
             it
             ?
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ;
           Chastisement
           is
           the
           effect
           of
           his
           Paternal
           Love
           :
           He
           is
           the
           Father
           of
           our
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           that
           Divine
           Relation
           carries
           with
           it
           a
           special
           Love
           to
           the
           Spirits
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           degree
           of
           Eminence
           ,
           as
           to
           secure
           and
           advance
           
           their
           happiness
           ,
           though
           to
           the
           destruction
           of
           the
           Flesh.
           The
           Soul
           is
           of
           incomparable
           more
           worth
           than
           the
           Body
           ,
           as
           the
           bright
           Oriental
           Pearl
           than
           the
           mean
           Shell
           that
           contains
           it
           :
           this
           God
           most
           highly
           values
           ,
           for
           this
           he
           gave
           so
           great
           a
           Price
           ,
           and
           on
           it
           draws
           his
           Image
           .
           If
           Temporal
           Prosperity
           were
           for
           our
           best
           advantage
           ,
           how
           willingly
           would
           God
           bestow
           it
           on
           us
           ?
           
             He
             that
             spared
             not
             his
             own
             Son
             ,
             but
             gave
             him
             up
             for
             us
             all
             ,
          
           
           
             how
             shall
             he
             not
             with
             him
             also
             freely
             give
             us
             all
             things
             ?
          
           Which
           words
           among
           all
           that
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           hath
           dictated
           to
           the
           Interpreters
           of
           God's
           Heart
           to
           his
           People
           ,
           are
           most
           expressive
           of
           his
           ●ove
           and
           Bounty
           ▪
           and
           most
           for
           their
           comfort
           .
           He
           that
           gives
           Grace
           and
           〈◊〉
           ●●●ost
           real
           testimonies
           〈…〉
           certainly
           withholds
           
           no
           good
           thing
           from
           them
           .
           I
           shall
           produce
           one
           convincing
           instance
           of
           this
           .
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           who
           by
           an
           incomparable
           Priviledg
           was
           rapt
           up
           to
           the
           Coelestial
           Paradise
           ,
           and
           heard
           ineffable
           things
           ,
           yet
           was
           tormented
           by
           the
           Angel
           of
           Satan
           ,
           and
           his
           earnest
           repeated
           Prayer
           for
           deliverance
           ,
           not
           presently
           granted
           .
           Did
           not
           God
           love
           that
           blessed
           Apostle
           ,
           whose
           internal
           Love
           to
           Christ
           almost
           equall'd
           the
           Seraphims
           ,
           those
           pure
           everlasting
           Flames
           ,
           and
           was
           expressed
           in
           the
           invariable
           tenour
           of
           his
           Life
           ,
           by
           such
           miraculous
           Actions
           and
           Sufferings
           for
           the
           propagating
           and
           defence
           of
           the
           Faith
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           Glory
           of
           his
           Name
           ?
           
             If
             we
             love
             him
             because
             he
             first
             loved
             us
             ,
          
           as
           St.
           John
           testifies
           ,
           certainly
           he
           that
           returned
           such
           a
           superlative
           Affection
           to
           Christ
           ,
           received
           the
           greatest
           
           Love
           from
           him
           .
           Now
           ,
           if
           Christ
           did
           love
           Paul
           ,
           why
           did
           he
           not
           upon
           his
           earnest
           repeated
           Prayer
           ,
           deliver
           him
           from
           his
           wounding
           Trouble
           ,
           whatsoever
           it
           was
           ?
           That
           Permission
           was
           a
           demonstration
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           Christ
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           acknowledged
           by
           himself
           ;
           
             Lest
             I
             should
             be
             exalted
             above
             measure
             through
             the
          
           
           
             abundance
             of
             Revelation
             ,
             there
             was
             given
             to
             me
             a
             Thorn
             in
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             and
             the
             Messenger
             of
             Satan
             to
             buffet
             me
             .
          
           That
           the
           Afflictions
           of
           the
           Saints
           proceed
           from
           God's
           Love
           ,
           will
           be
           evident
           ,
           by
           considering
           ,
        
         
           I.
           His
           gracious
           Design
           in
           sending
           them
           .
        
         
           II.
           His
           compassionate
           Providence
           over
           them
           ,
           and
           his
           assisting
           Power
           afforded
           to
           his
           People
           in
           their
           Troubles
           .
        
         
         
           III.
           The
           happy
           issue
           out
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           First
           ;
           His
           gracious
           Design
           in
           sending
           them
           .
           
             God
             doth
             not
             afflict
             willingly
             ,
             but
             if
             need
             be
             ,
             not
             for
             his
             own
             pleasure
             ,
             but
             for
             our
             profit
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             be
             partakers
             of
             his
             Holiness
             .
          
           The
           expression
           is
           high
           and
           emphatical
           ,
           his
           
           Holiness
           ,
           the
           brightest
           Glory
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           the
           divinest
           Gift
           of
           his
           Love.
           
        
         
           The
           two
           principal
           parts
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           are
           ,
           ceasing
           from
           doing
           Evil
           ,
           and
           learning
           to
           do
           well
           .
           And
           Afflictions
           are
           ordained
           and
           sent
           as
           profitable
           for
           both
           these
           effects
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           For
           the
           prevention
           or
           cure
           of
           Sin
           ,
           which
           is
           an
           evil
           incomparably
           worse
           in
           its
           nature
           ,
           and
           terrible
           consequents
           in
           this
           and
           
           the
           next
           World
           ,
           than
           all
           meer
           afflicting
           temporal
           Evils
           .
           Sin
           defiles
           and
           debaseth
           the
           Soul
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           proper
           excellency
           of
           Man
           ,
           and
           separates
           from
           God
           our
           supream
           Good.
           
             Your
             Sins
             have
             separated
             between
             you
             and
             your
             God
             ,
             and
             have
             hid
             his
             face
             from
             you
             .
          
           All
           Afflictions
           that
           can
           befall
           us
           here
           
           in
           our
           persons
           or
           concernments
           ,
           the
           most
           disgraceful
           Accidents
           ,
           the
           most
           reproachful
           contumelious
           Slanders
           ,
           the
           most
           loathsom
           contagious
           Diseases
           ,
           that
           cause
           our
           dearest
           Friends
           to
           withdraw
           from
           us
           ,
           yet
           cannot
           deprive
           us
           of
           Union
           with
           God
           by
           Faith
           and
           Love
           ,
           nor
           of
           the
           fruition
           of
           his
           propitious
           Presence
           .
           Lazarus
           when
           covered
           with
           Ulcers
           ,
           was
           kissed
           with
           the
           Kisses
           of
           his
           Mouth
           :
           But
           Sin
           hath
           this
           pernicious
           effect
           ,
           it
           separates
           from
           
           his
           gracious
           Presence
           here
           ,
           and
           ,
           if
           continued
           in
           without
           Repentance
           ,
           will
           exclude
           from
           his
           Glorious
           Presence
           for
           ever
           .
           Now
           Afflictions
           are
           Medicinal
           Applications
           for
           the
           cure
           of
           Sin
           ,
           the
           Disease
           and
           Death
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           therefore
           infinitely
           worse
           than
           the
           sharpest
           Remedies
           .
        
         
           The
           beginnings
           and
           progress
           of
           Conversion
           to
           God
           ,
           are
           usually
           by
           sanctified
           Afflictions
           .
           Indeed
           ,
           considering
           our
           folly
           ,
           and
           perverse
           abuse
           of
           his
           Blessings
           ,
           they
           are
           the
           most
           congruous
           means
           for
           our
           Recovery
           .
           The
           Light
           of
           God's
           Law
           doth
           not
           so
           powerfully
           convince
           us
           of
           the
           Evil
           of
           Sin
           till
           felt
           in
           the
           effects
           of
           it
           .
           
             Thy
             own
             wickedness
             shall
             correct
             thee
             ,
             and
          
           
           
             thy
             backslidings
             shall
             reprove
             thee
             ;
             know
             therefore
             and
             see
             that
             it
             is
             an
             evil
             thing
             and
             a
             bitter
             ,
             that
             thou
             hast
             forsaken
             
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             my
             fear
             is
             not
             in
             thee
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             .
          
           The
           Instructions
           of
           the
           Rod
           ,
           are
           more
           sensible
           than
           of
           the
           Word
           ;
           as
           the
           feeling
           of
           a
           tormenting
           Disease
           ,
           produceth
           another
           kind
           of
           understanding
           of
           it
           than
           the
           reading
           of
           its
           nature
           in
           Books
           of
           Physick
           :
           and
           they
           make
           us
           more
           attentive
           to
           God's
           Call
           ,
           and
           leave
           a
           deeper
           impression
           upon
           us
           .
           It
           is
           Elihu
           his
           observation
           ,
           
             If
             Sinners
             be
             bound
             in
             Fetters
             ,
             and
             held
             in
             Cords
             ,
             then
             he
          
           
           
             shews
             them
             their
             works
             ,
             and
             their
             transgressions
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             exceeded
             .
          
           Affliction
           clarifies
           their
           Sight
           ,
           makes
           Sin
           to
           be
           as
           heinous
           in
           the
           view
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           as
           in
           its
           own
           foul
           nature
           .
           It
           follows
           ,
           
             He
             openeth
             also
             the
             Ear
             to
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             commandeth
             that
             they
             return
             from
          
           
           
             their
             iniquity
          
           .
           Gentle
           Methods
           
           were
           lost
           upon
           them
           ,
           but
           by
           Judgments
           he
           effectually
           commands
           ,
           they
           relent
           and
           return
           to
           their
           Duty
           .
           And
           after
           Conversion
           we
           need
           their
           Discipline
           ,
           to
           make
           us
           more
           circumspect
           and
           obedient
           .
           The
           Psalmist
           declares
           ,
           
             It
             is
             good
             for
             me
             that
             I
             have
             been
             afflicted
             .
          
           For
           before
           he
           was
           afflicted
           
           he
           went
           astray
           :
           He
           was
           reduced
           from
           the
           errour
           of
           his
           ways
           by
           his
           Troubles
           :
           And
           't
           was
           his
           experimental
           observation
           ,
           
             I
             know
             in
             faithfulness
          
           (
           from
           the
           constancy
           of
           Love
           )
           
             thou
             hast
             afflicted
             me
          
           .
           Nothing
           so
           cools
           our
           Zeal
           to
           Eternal
           things
           ,
           as
           the
           Love
           of
           the
           World.
           Vital
           heat
           declines
           and
           languishes
           ,
           as
           the
           Peaverish
           heat
           is
           inflamed
           ;
           and
           till
           we
           feel
           the
           vexations
           ,
           we
           are
           allured
           by
           the
           vanities
           of
           the
           World
           :
           therefore
           God
           is
           pleased
           by
           such
           bitter
           
           means
           to
           make
           us
           more
           Holy
           and
           Heavenly
           .
           Sometimes
           he
           removes
           with
           Jealousy
           those
           objects
           to
           which
           our
           hearts
           are
           so
           intirely
           engaged
           ,
           that
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           them
           intercepts
           the
           ascending
           of
           our
           Affections
           to
           himself
           .
           Besides
           ,
           he
           will
           not
           suffer
           us
           to
           perish
           in
           Prosperity
           .
           
             We
             are
             chastened
             of
             the
             Lord
             for
             our
             amendment
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             not
             be
             condemned
          
           
           
             with
             the
             unreformed
             World.
          
           And
           is
           not
           this
           an
           infallible
           testimony
           of
           his
           Love
           ?
           David
           said
           ,
           
             Let
             the
             Righteous
             smite
             me
             ,
             and
             it
             shall
          
           
           
             be
             a
             kindness
             ;
             let
             him
             reprove
             me
             ,
             and
             it
             shall
             be
             an
             excellent
             oil
             .
          
           If
           he
           valued
           the
           Reprehensions
           that
           were
           not
           contumelious
           and
           injurious
           ,
           not
           to
           upbraid
           but
           reform
           him
           ,
           as
           a
           favour
           and
           dear
           obligation
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           should
           we
           the
           corrections
           of
           our
           Heavenly
           
           Father
           ?
           And
           it
           will
           be
           a
           greater
           incitement
           to
           an
           humble
           and
           grateful
           acceptance
           of
           this
           Discipline
           ;
           if
           we
           consider
           what
           a
           severe
           neglect
           it
           is
           ,
           when
           God
           suffers
           the
           Wicked
           to
           lead
           a
           Voluptuous
           Life
           without
           disturbance
           :
           They
           are
           encircled
           with
           Riches
           and
           Honours
           ,
           softned
           with
           Pleasures
           ,
           charmed
           with
           inticing
           objects
           ,
           and
           thus
           become
           hardned
           in
           Sin
           :
           they
           are
           Riotous
           and
           Luxurious
           ,
           and
           give
           the
           Reins
           to
           their
           corrupt
           ,
           unruly
           Appetites
           without
           controll
           ;
           the
           Slaves
           of
           Sense
           ,
           led
           onely
           by
           Principles
           of
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           hereby
           are
           inexcusable
           ,
           and
           made
           ripe
           for
           Perdition
           ,
           and
           reserved
           for
           final
           Vengeance
           .
           Others
           ,
           though
           not
           guilty
           of
           scandalous
           enormities
           ,
           yet
           are
           by
           continual
           Prosperity
           ,
           setled
           upon
           their
           Lees
           ,
           careless
           and
           secure
           ,
           
           
             neglect
             the
             great
             Salvation
          
           ,
           and
           say
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           
             It
             is
             good
             to
             be
             here
          
           ;
           and
           their
           Damnation
           is
           as
           certain
           ,
           though
           not
           so
           visible
           ,
           as
           of
           those
           who
           commit
           gross
           and
           open
           Wickedness
           .
           Sad
           Preterition
           !
           In
           the
           midst
           of
           Pleasures
           they
           are
           truly
           miserable
           .
           They
           have
           just
           reason
           to
           be
           abandoned
           to
           Sorrow
           ,
           being
           forsaken
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God.
           The
           Bramble
           is
           not
           cut
           ,
           when
           the
           Vine
           is
           pruned
           till
           it
           bleeds
           in
           order
           to
           its
           fruitfulness
           :
           this
           letting
           them
           alone
           to
           take
           their
           fill
           of
           Pleasures
           ,
           is
           a
           heavy
           presage
           of
           final
           ruine
           .
           
           When
           the
           Patient
           is
           desperate
           ,
           the
           Physitian
           lays
           no
           restraint
           upon
           the
           Diseased
           Appetite
           ,
           but
           permits
           him
           to
           take
           what
           he
           craves
           .
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           the
           Intention
           of
           God
           is
           by
           Affliction
           to
           exercise
           and
           illustrate
           their
           Graces
           .
           The
           most
           
           excellent
           Christian
           Vertues
           would
           be
           comparatively
           of
           little
           use
           without
           hard
           Trials
           .
           Unfeigned
           Faith
           in
           the
           Truth
           and
           Power
           of
           God
           to
           accomplish
           his
           Promises
           ,
           Sincere
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           humble
           Self-denial
           ,
           Persevering
           Patience
           then
           appear
           in
           their
           radiancy
           and
           vigour
           .
           What
           a
           blessed
           advantage
           is
           it
           ,
           by
           the
           loss
           of
           Temporal
           Comforts
           to
           encrease
           in
           the
           Graces
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ?
           they
           are
           the
           truest
           Riches
           ,
           the
           fullest
           Joy
           ,
           and
           the
           highest
           honour
           of
           a
           Christian.
           St.
           Peter
           declares
           ,
           
             the
             trial
             of
             our
             Faith
             is
             much
             more
             precious
             than
             of
             Gold
          
           
           
             that
             perisheth
          
           ;
           't
           is
           refined
           and
           resplendent
           by
           the
           fire
           of
           Affliction
           ,
           and
           
             will
             be
             found
             unto
             Praise
             ,
             and
             Honour
             ,
             and
             Glory
             ,
             at
             the
             appearing
             of
             Christ.
          
           It
           is
           the
           advice
           of
           St.
           
             James
             ,
             Count
             
             it
             all
             Joy
             when
             ye
             fall
             into
             divers
          
           
           
             Temptations
             .
             Knowing
             this
             ,
             that
             the
             trial
             of
             your
             Faith
             worketh
             Patience
             :
          
           Though
           Afflictions
           simply
           considered
           ,
           may
           be
           very
           grievous
           ,
           yet
           if
           we
           advisedly
           weigh
           ,
           and
           rightly
           compare
           things
           ,
           even
           when
           our
           sorrowful
           Passions
           are
           moved
           ,
           our
           Judgments
           will
           esteem
           them
           matter
           of
           Joy
           ,
           not
           onely
           in
           expectation
           of
           Future
           Happiness
           ,
           but
           as
           Divine
           Grace
           is
           thereby
           drawn
           forth
           in
           the
           most
           noble
           Operations
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           the
           ultimate
           design
           of
           God
           in
           afflicting
           his
           People
           ,
           is
           thereby
           to
           bring
           them
           to
           Heaven
           .
           Affliction
           mortifies
           the
           Lusts
           of
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           purifies
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           
             and
             makes
             us
             fit
             for
             the
             Inheritance
             of
             the
             Saints
             in
             Light.
          
           By
           persevering
           Patience
           in
           Sufferings
           ,
           they
           are
           approved
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           obtain
           a
           Right
           and
           Title
           to
           
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Glory
           .
           For
           according
           to
           the
           tenor
           of
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           ,
           Heaven
           shall
           be
           conferred
           as
           a
           reward
           to
           
           those
           that
           overcome
           .
           If
           there
           be
           no
           Enemy
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           no
           Fight
           ;
           and
           if
           no
           Fight
           ,
           no
           Victory
           ;
           if
           no
           Victory
           ,
           no
           Triumph
           ;
           only
           those
           who
           Conquer
           are
           Crowned
           .
        
         
           The
           beloved
           Disciple
           ,
           with
           his
           Brother
           ,
           though
           allied
           to
           our
           Saviour
           by
           Consanguinity
           ,
           who
           expected
           by
           special
           favour
           to
           be
           glorified
           without
           a
           preparatory
           Trial
           ,
           yet
           he
           tells
           them
           ,
           
             without
             drinking
             of
             his
             Cup
             ,
             they
             could
             not
             have
             a
             share
             in
             his
             Kingdom
             ,
          
           and
           this
           should
           reconcile
           our
           Spirits
           to
           all
           our
           Troubles
           :
           for
           the
           Apostle
           declares
           ,
           who
           was
           a
           competent
           Judg
           ,
           having
           been
           throughly
           
           acquainted
           with
           Griefs
           ,
           and
           had
           a
           Prospect
           into
           the
           Glorious
           Kingdom
           ,
           
             Ireckon
             that
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             this
             present
             Life
             ,
             are
             not
             worthy
             to
             be
          
           
           
             compared
             to
             the
             Glory
             that
             shall
             be
             revealed
             in
             us
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           God's
           Love
           is
           discovered
           in
           his
           compassionate
           Providence
           over
           them
           ,
           and
           assisting
           Power
           afforded
           to
           them
           in
           their
           Afflictions
           :
           He
           speaks
           to
           the
           afflicted
           and
           disconsolate
           ,
           
             My
             Son
             ,
             despise
          
           
           
             not
             thou
             the
             Chastening
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             nor
             faint
             when
             thou
             art
             rebuked
             of
             him
             :
          
           To
           sweeten
           by
           that
           tender
           expression
           ,
           the
           rigour
           of
           his
           Discipline
           ;
           to
           signify
           his
           dear
           sympathy
           with
           their
           Anguish
           and
           Sufferings
           .
        
         
           Heavenly
           Consolation
           !
           God
           himself
           bears
           a
           share
           in
           their
           Sorrows
           ,
           
             is
             afflicted
             in
             their
             Afflictions
          
           :
           And
           the
           effect
           of
           this
           
           Love
           is
           ,
           that
           he
           always
           tempers
           and
           moderates
           their
           Trials
           ,
           to
           their
           Strength
           ;
           or
           increases
           their
           Strength
           in
           proportion
           to
           the
           Trial
           .
           His
           Corrections
           are
           deliberate
           Dispensations
           ,
           that
           proceed
           from
           Judgment
           ,
           not
           from
           Fury
           ,
           which
           the
           Prophet
           earnestly
           deprecates
           .
           
           His
           Rods
           are
           bound
           up
           with
           Mercy
           ,
           his
           Faithfulness
           joins
           with
           his
           Affection
           ,
           in
           moderating
           their
           Sufferings
           .
           It
           is
           one
           Clause
           of
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           ,
           made
           with
           Christ
           ,
           typified
           by
           
             David
             ,
             If
             his
             Children
             break
             my
             Statutes
             ,
             and
             keep
             not
             my
             Commandments
             ,
          
           
           
             then
             will
             I
             visit
             their
             transgression
             with
             a
             Rod
             ,
             to
             amend
             ,
             not
             to
             destroy
             them
             ;
             but
             my
             loving
             Kindness
             I
             will
             not
             take
             away
             from
             them
             ,
             nor
             suffer
             my
             Faithfulness
             to
             fail
             .
          
           The
           Apostle
           assures
           Believers
           ,
           
             That
             God
             is
             faithful
             ,
             who
             will
             
             not
             suffer
             them
             to
             be
             tempted
             above
          
           
           
             what
             they
             are
             able
             ,
             but
             will
             with
             the
             Temptation
             make
             a
             way
             to
             escape
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             able
             to
             bear
             it
             .
          
           Our
           Redeemer
           in
           his
           Agony
           was
           relieved
           by
           Heavenly
           Succour
           ,
           the
           presence
           of
           an
           Angel
           with
           a
           message
           of
           Comfort
           :
           St.
           Paul
           found
           it
           verified
           by
           his
           own
           Experience
           ,
           
             That
             as
             the
             Sufferings
          
           
           
             of
             Christ
             abounded
             in
             him
             ,
             so
             his
             Consolations
             abounded
             by
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             Divine
             Power
             was
             accomplished
             ,
             illustriously
             appeared
             in
             supporting
             his
             weakness
             .
          
           How
           many
           have
           enjoyed
           Comforts
           of
           a
           more
           precious
           nature
           ,
           and
           more
           abundant
           ,
           in
           want
           of
           Supplies
           from
           the
           World
           ,
           than
           in
           the
           possession
           of
           them
           ?
           When
           there
           is
           a
           total
           Eclipse
           below
           ,
           the
           blessed
           Comforter
           descends
           with
           Light
           ,
           and
           
           fills
           the
           Soul
           with
           Joy
           ,
           in
           Believing
           .
        
         
           The
           Historian
           tells
           us
           of
           a
           *
           clear
           Vein
           of
           Water
           ,
           that
           springs
           from
           Mongibel
           ,
           (
           that
           great
           Furnace
           ,
           that
           always
           sends
           forth
           Smoak
           or
           Flames
           ,
           )
           yet
           is
           so
           cool
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           distilled
           from
           a
           Snowy
           Mountain
           :
           thus
           the
           Saints
           in
           the
           Fiery
           Trial
           ,
           have
           been
           often
           refreshed
           with
           Divine
           Comforts
           ,
           and
           such
           humble
           Submissions
           ,
           and
           gracious
           Thanksgivings
           have
           proceeded
           from
           their
           Lips
           ,
           as
           have
           been
           very
           comfortable
           to
           those
           about
           them
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ;
           The
           Issue
           out
           of
           all
           is
           the
           most
           sensible
           declaration
           of
           God's
           Love
           to
           them
           .
           The
           continuance
           is
           limited
           by
           his
           tender
           Love
           ,
           till
           they
           are
           prepared
           for
           Mercy
           .
           The
           Prosperity
           of
           the
           Wicked
           is
           Wine
           in
           
           the
           beginning
           ,
           and
           Lees
           at
           the
           bottom
           ;
           but
           the
           worst
           and
           afflicted
           state
           of
           the
           Saints
           is
           first
           ,
           and
           will
           at
           length
           certainly
           end
           in
           Felicity
           .
           In
           the
           Tragedy
           of
           Job
           ,
           the
           Devil
           was
           the
           Author
           ,
           Chaldeans
           and
           Sabaeans
           were
           the
           Actors
           ,
           
             but
             the
             end
             was
             from
             the
             Lord.
          
           We
           are
           instructed
           by
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             That
             although
             no
             Chastisement
             for
             the
             present
             seems
             to
             be
          
           
           
             joyous
             ,
             but
             grievous
             ,
             nevertheless
             ,
             afterward
             it
             yieldeth
             the
             peaceable
             fruit
             of
             righteousness
             ,
             unto
             them
             that
             are
             exercised
             thereby
             .
          
           It
           is
           an
           allusion
           to
           the
           Rewards
           in
           the
           Olympick
           Games
           ,
           when
           the
           persons
           that
           overcame
           in
           those
           Exercises
           ,
           were
           crowned
           with
           Wreaths
           of
           Olive
           Leaves
           ,
           the
           Emblem
           of
           Peace
           .
           Thus
           Christians
           who
           with
           unfainting
           perseverance
           in
           their
           Duty
           ,
           suffer
           Affliction
           ,
           shall
           be
           rewarded
           
           with
           Holiness
           in
           conjunction
           with
           Peace
           .
           This
           peaceable
           fruit
           of
           Righteousness
           is
           not
           the
           natural
           product
           of
           Affliction
           :
           Grapes
           do
           not
           spring
           from
           Thorns
           ,
           nor
           Figs
           from
           Thistles
           ;
           neither
           can
           it
           be
           so
           properly
           ascribed
           to
           the
           afflicted
           person
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           powerful
           Vertue
           and
           special
           Grace
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           who
           sanctifies
           Afflictions
           ,
           and
           makes
           them
           profitable
           for
           effecting
           God's
           intention
           by
           them
           .
           And
           when
           the
           afflicted
           person
           becomes
           more
           humble
           ,
           more
           holy
           ,
           more
           weaned
           from
           the
           World
           ,
           more
           resigned
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           
             this
             Fruit
             unto
             Holiness
          
           will
           compensate
           all
           their
           Pains
           and
           Sorrows
           .
           And
           in
           conjunction
           with
           Holiness
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           Divine
           Peace
           ,
           a
           Joyful
           calm
           and
           quietness
           of
           Conscience
           in
           the
           sense
           of
           
           God's
           favour
           ;
           his
           answers
           of
           Peace
           are
           usually
           a
           reward
           according
           to
           the
           operations
           of
           Grace
           ;
           His
           Comforts
           are
           dispensed
           ,
           as
           encouragements
           to
           Obedience
           .
           Besides
           ,
           when
           the
           Sinful
           Corruptions
           are
           purged
           out
           ,
           which
           caused
           perpetual
           disturbance
           ,
           and
           our
           Affections
           and
           Actions
           are
           correspondent
           to
           the
           Divine
           Law
           ,
           there
           is
           that
           clearness
           and
           serenity
           of
           Mind
           ,
           that
           rest
           and
           ease
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           arising
           from
           its
           just
           and
           due
           subordination
           unto
           God
           ,
           which
           the
           disobedient
           ,
           in
           all
           their
           seeming
           prosperity
           ,
           never
           enjoy
           .
           
             There
             is
             no
             peace
          
           ,
           saith
           my
           God
           ,
           
             to
             the
             Wicked
          
           .
           These
           beginnings
           of
           happiness
           are
           obtained
           here
           ,
           but
           the
           perfection
           of
           it
           is
           in
           the
           next
           Life
           .
           
             Blessed
             is
             the
             Man
             that
             endureth
             Temptation
             ,
          
           
           
             for
             when
             he
             is
             tryed
             he
             shall
             
             receive
             the
             Crown
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             which
             God
             hath
             promised
             to
             them
             that
             love
             him
             .
          
           The
           richness
           and
           value
           of
           the
           
             Crown
             of
             Life
          
           is
           so
           great
           ,
           that
           God
           ,
           the
           most
           wise
           and
           just
           esteemer
           of
           things
           ,
           gave
           the
           precious
           Blood
           of
           his
           Son
           to
           purchase
           it
           for
           us
           .
           It
           is
           a
           Felicity
           so
           transcendent
           in
           its
           quality
           ,
           and
           stable
           in
           its
           duration
           ,
           that
           the
           Blessed
           God
           cannot
           give
           us
           a
           greater
           ;
           for
           what
           greater
           good
           is
           conceivable
           than
           himself
           ?
           and
           what
           more
           stable
           enjoyment
           of
           it
           than
           Eternity
           ?
           The
           hope
           of
           this
           makes
           a
           Christian
           Blessed
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           greatest
           miseries
           .
           
             Our
             light
             Afflictions
             that
             are
             but
             for
          
           
           
             a
             moment
             ,
             work
             for
             us
             a
             far
             more
             exceeding
             and
             eternal
             weight
             of
             Glory
             .
          
        
         
           Fifthly
           ;
           The
           infinite
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           orders
           all
           things
           in
           the
           
           best
           manner
           for
           his
           own
           Glory
           ,
           and
           the
           final
           good
           of
           his
           People
           .
           If
           he
           governed
           by
           absolute
           Empire
           ,
           none
           in
           Heaven
           or
           Earth
           might
           say
           to
           him
           ,
           What
           dost
           thou
           ?
           but
           there
           is
           an
           inseparable
           connection
           between
           his
           Wisdom
           and
           his
           Will
           ;
           he
           is
           
             the
             King
             Eternal
          
           ,
           
           and
           
             the
             only
             Wise
             God
          
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           joins
           those
           Divine
           Titles
           .
           In
           this
           the
           excellence
           of
           the
           Divine
           Liberty
           shines
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           always
           regulated
           by
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           :
           
             He
             works
             all
             things
             according
             to
             the
             Counsel
             of
             his
             Will
             :
          
           
           this
           is
           spoken
           according
           to
           humane
           conceptions
           ,
           but
           must
           be
           understood
           in
           a
           sense
           becoming
           the
           Perfections
           of
           God
           :
           for
           Counsel
           cannot
           properly
           be
           attributed
           to
           God
           ,
           whose
           Understanding
           is
           Infinite
           ,
           and
           in
           one
           view
           comprehends
           all
           things
           ;
           but
           as
           
           those
           things
           are
           most
           compleat
           that
           are
           the
           product
           of
           our
           deliberate
           reasonings
           and
           deep
           contrivance
           ;
           
             so
             his
             work
             is
             perfect
             ,
             for
             all
             his
             ways
             are
             Judgment
             .
          
           When
           
           ever
           we
           are
           dissatisfied
           or
           displeased
           with
           his
           Proceedings
           ,
           it
           is
           from
           the
           Error
           of
           our
           Minds
           ,
           and
           the
           Viciousness
           of
           our
           Affections
           .
           we
           presume
           to
           correct
           his
           Providence
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           defective
           in
           regulating
           the
           affairs
           of
           this
           lower
           World
           ;
           but
           
             he
             is
             wonderful
             in
             Counsel
             ,
             and
             excellent
             in
             Working
             .
          
           In
           the
           
           Creation
           ,
           this
           regular
           and
           beautiful
           World
           was
           formed
           out
           of
           Darkness
           and
           Confusion
           :
           And
           his
           Providence
           ,
           that
           is
           now
           misterious
           and
           vailed
           to
           us
           ,
           will
           bring
           into
           glorious
           Order
           and
           sweet
           Agreement
           ,
           those
           things
           in
           their
           final
           resolution
           ,
           that
           now
           seem
           so
           perplext
           to
           our
           Apprehensions
           .
           
           'T
           was
           a
           confounding
           reproach
           from
           God
           to
           
             Job
             ,
             Who
             is
          
           
           
             this
             that
             darkens
             Counsel
             by
             words
             without
             knowledg
             ?
          
           His
           passionate
           exclamations
           were
           such
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           Divine
           Wisdom
           had
           not
           disposed
           all
           the
           Afflicting
           circumstances
           in
           the
           series
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           ;
           and
           that
           Holy
           Man
           being
           convinced
           of
           his
           presumptuous
           Folly
           ,
           repeats
           the
           Charge
           against
           himself
           with
           tears
           of
           Confusion
           :
           
             Who
             is
             he
             that
             hideth
             Counsel
             without
             Knowledg
             ?
          
           
           
             therefore
             have
             I
             uttered
             that
             I
             understood
             not
             ,
             things
             too
             wonderful
             for
             me
             ,
             which
             I
             knew
             not
             ;
             wherefore
             I
             abhor
             my self
             ,
             and
             repent
             in
             Dust
             and
             Ashes
             :
          
           More
           particularly
           ,
        
         
           First
           ;
           all
           things
           are
           so
           wisely
           ordered
           ,
           that
           God
           shall
           be
           glorified
           in
           the
           event
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           the
           noblest
           disposition
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           to
           prefer
           the
           advancement
           of
           his
           
           Glory
           ,
           before
           all
           the
           Comforts
           of
           this
           Life
           ,
           and
           Life
           it self
           .
           Our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           in
           the
           Fore-thoughts
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           ,
           was
           in
           distress
           and
           perturbation
           of
           Mind
           ,
           like
           the
           darkening
           of
           the
           Sky
           before
           a
           great
           Shower
           :
           
             Now
             is
             my
             Soul
             troubled
             ,
             what
             shall
             I
             say
             ?
          
           
           
             Father
             ,
             save
             me
             from
             this
             Hour
             .
          
           But
           the
           short
           conflict
           of
           Nature
           was
           presently
           at
           an
           end
           ,
           he
           willingly
           yielded
           up
           himself
           to
           be
           a
           Sacrifice
           to
           the
           Divine
           Honour
           ,
           and
           said
           ,
           
             Father
             ,
             glorify
             thy
             Name
             .
             Moses
          
           and
           Paul
           ,
           whose
           admirable
           Zeal
           ,
           had
           only
           a
           Parallel
           between
           themselves
           in
           the
           same
           degree
           of
           Holy
           heat
           ,
           desired
           the
           Salvation
           of
           the
           Jews
           before
           their
           own
           ,
           if
           God
           might
           be
           more
           glorified
           by
           it
           .
           This
           is
           the
           first
           Petition
           in
           Order
           and
           Dignity
           ,
           in
           that
           compleat
           form
           of
           Prayer
           
           composed
           by
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           as
           the
           Rule
           of
           all
           our
           desires
           .
           
             Thy
             Name
             be
             Hallowed
             and
             Glorified
             in
             us
             ,
             and
             by
             us
             .
          
           The
           admirable
           History
           of
           
           Jephtha's
           only
           Daughter
           ,
           is
           applicable
           to
           this
           purpose
           ;
           she
           joifully
           came
           forth
           to
           meet
           her
           Father
           ,
           returning
           Victorious
           and
           Triumphant
           after
           his
           War
           with
           the
           Ammonites
           .
           
           He
           had
           made
           a
           rash
           Vow
           ,
           to
           offer
           up
           in
           Sacrifice
           to
           God
           ,
           who
           ever
           should
           first
           meet
           him
           after
           his
           Victory
           ;
           and
           upon
           the
           sight
           of
           his
           Daughter
           ,
           was
           so
           deeply
           wounded
           with
           Sorrow
           ,
           that
           his
           Triumph
           was
           converted
           into
           Lamentations
           :
           but
           the
           Grief
           was
           only
           in
           the
           Father
           ;
           for
           in
           that
           first
           surprise
           of
           such
           a
           terrible
           Sentence
           to
           be
           executed
           upon
           her
           ,
           she
           did
           not
           answer
           his
           Tears
           with
           Tears
           ,
           nor
           Lamentations
           with
           Lamentations
           ,
           but
           said
           unto
           him
           ,
           
           
             My
             Father
             ,
             if
             thou
             hast
             opened
             thy
             mouth
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             do
             to
             me
             ,
             according
             to
             that
             which
             hath
             proceeded
             out
             of
             thy
             mouth
             ,
             for
             as
             much
             as
             the
             Lord
             hath
             taken
             Vengeance
             for
             thee
             on
             thine
             Enemies
             .
          
           Methinks
           the
           admirable
           Love
           and
           Generosity
           in
           a
           young
           Virgin
           ,
           to
           whom
           her
           Father's
           Honour
           and
           Exaltation
           was
           more
           dear
           than
           her
           Life
           ,
           upbraids
           us
           for
           our
           unwilling
           submission
           to
           those
           Providential
           Dispensations
           that
           are
           ungrateful
           to
           Flesh
           and
           Blood
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           is
           advanced
           .
           If
           we
           were
           called
           to
           Martyrdom
           for
           his
           Truth
           ,
           and
           our
           Lives
           should
           bleed
           forth
           ,
           as
           Sacrifices
           on
           the
           Altar
           ,
           or
           our
           Bodies
           be
           consumed
           as
           Incense
           on
           the
           Censer
           ;
           it
           were
           an
           unjust
           and
           ungrateful
           complaint
           ,
           to
           express
           passionate
           reluctancy
           against
           his
           Providence
           .
           If
           there
           were
           
           other
           consequences
           of
           our
           present
           Sufferings
           ,
           but
           the
           glorifying
           God
           ,
           we
           should
           be
           content
           .
           That
           is
           the
           worthiest
           end
           which
           he
           proposeth
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           will
           accomplish
           :
           His
           Divine
           excellencies
           will
           be
           illústrated
           by
           the
           wickedness
           of
           Men
           ,
           that
           at
           present
           obscures
           the
           Glory
           of
           his
           Government
           ;
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           Power
           ,
           Holiness
           ,
           Mercy
           and
           Justice
           will
           be
           acknowledged
           ,
           admired
           ,
           and
           magnified
           at
           last
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           His
           Wisdom
           will
           order
           all
           things
           ,
           even
           the
           most
           afflicting
           and
           dolorous
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           of
           his
           People
           .
           This
           is
           a
           fearful
           Paradox
           to
           a
           carnal
           Mind
           ,
           that
           judgeth
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           as
           present
           things
           are
           pleasant
           or
           unpleasant
           to
           sense
           ,
           without
           regard
           to
           what
           is
           future
           .
           'T
           is
           like
           
           Sampson's
           Riddle
           to
           the
           
             Philistims
             ,
             Out
             of
             the
             
             Devourer
             came
             Meat
             ,
             and
             out
             of
             the
             Strong
             came
             sweetness
          
           ;
           But
           to
           the
           Mind
           that
           hath
           spiritual
           discerning
           ,
           and
           judgeth
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           as
           things
           are
           conducive
           or
           destructive
           to
           the
           happiness
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           clear
           undoubted
           Truth
           .
           
             We
             know
          
           ,
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           with
           the
           greatest
           assurance
           ,
           
             that
             all
             things
             work
             together
             for
             good
          
           
           
             to
             them
             that
             love
             God.
          
           All
           things
           the
           most
           adverse
           to
           their
           present
           desires
           ,
           are
           so
           disposed
           and
           over-ruled
           by
           his
           Providence
           ,
           as
           if
           there
           were
           a
           secret
           intelligence
           and
           concert
           between
           them
           ,
           to
           promote
           the
           Happiness
           of
           the
           Saints
           :
           thus
           in
           mixt
           Bodies
           the
           contrary
           qualities
           are
           reduced
           to
           such
           a
           just
           measure
           and
           temperament
           by
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           the
           Divine
           Maker
           ,
           that
           a
           sound
           and
           healthful
           constitution
           results
           from
           them
           .
           
           We
           have
           a
           rare
           instance
           of
           this
           in
           the
           History
           of
           Joseph
           ,
           his
           envious
           Brethren
           were
           the
           Instruments
           of
           his
           Exaltation
           :
           they
           sold
           him
           for
           a
           Slave
           into
           Egypt
           to
           frustrate
           his
           Prophetick
           Dreams
           ,
           and
           there
           ,
           by
           many
           admirable
           turns
           of
           Providence
           ,
           he
           was
           advanced
           to
           the
           highest
           Dignity
           ;
           and
           then
           was
           verified
           in
           him
           and
           his
           Brethren
           ,
           
             that
             his
             Sheaf
             arose
             and
             stood
             upright
             ,
             and
             their
             Sheaves
             stood
             round
             ,
             and
             did
             obeisance
             to
             his
             Sheaf
             .
          
           God
           had
           reserved
           purposes
           of
           greater
           good
           for
           Joseph
           ,
           than
           if
           he
           had
           continued
           under
           his
           Fathers
           tender
           Eye
           and
           Care
           ;
           therefore
           't
           is
           said
           in
           his
           History
           ,
           that
           they
           perfideously
           
             sold
             him
             but
             God
             sent
             him
             .
          
           He
           that
           attentively
           reads
           the
           Journeys
           of
           the
           Israelites
           through
           the
           Wilderness
           to
           Canaan
           ,
           cannot
           but
           wonder
           
           at
           the
           Circuits
           and
           indirect
           motions
           in
           their
           tedious
           Travel
           for
           Forty
           Years
           ;
           and
           when
           near
           the
           Borders
           of
           the
           place
           ,
           so
           long
           and
           ardently
           desired
           ,
           they
           were
           often
           commanded
           to
           retreat
           in
           the
           same
           Line
           wherein
           they
           had
           advanced
           to
           it
           :
           had
           they
           chose
           the
           shortest
           way
           ,
           and
           disobeyed
           the
           Divine
           Conducter
           ,
           they
           had
           never
           entred
           into
           the
           Land
           of
           Promise
           :
           but
           following
           the
           Pillar
           that
           directed
           their
           March
           ,
           though
           they
           seem'd
           lost
           in
           their
           intricate
           wandrings
           ,
           yet
           they
           obtained
           the
           joyful
           possession
           of
           it
           .
           This
           was
           a
           Type
           of
           the
           Saints
           passage
           through
           a
           troublesom
           World
           ,
           to
           the
           true
           rest
           above
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           are
           guided
           through
           many
           cross
           ways
           directly
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Heaven
           .
           
             Who
             knows
          
           ,
           saith
           Solomon
           ,
           
             what
             is
             good
             for
             a
             Man
             in
             this
             Life
             ,
          
           
           
           
             all
             the
             days
             of
             his
             vain
             Life
             ,
             which
             he
             spendeth
             as
             a
             shadow
             ?
          
           That
           which
           is
           desir'd
           with
           importunity
           ,
           as
           tending
           to
           his
           Happiness
           ,
           often
           proves
           his
           Woe
           :
           Some
           had
           not
           been
           so
           wicked
           ,
           and
           consequently
           so
           miserable
           ,
           if
           their
           Lusts
           had
           not
           been
           excited
           by
           Riches
           and
           Power
           :
           others
           had
           not
           been
           secured
           from
           destructive
           Temptations
           ,
           but
           in
           a
           low
           and
           afflicted
           state
           .
           'T
           is
           therefore
           both
           our
           Duty
           and
           Interest
           not
           to
           pray
           absolutely
           for
           any
           temporal
           thing
           ;
           but
           when
           our
           Desires
           are
           most
           passionate
           ,
           to
           say
           with
           the
           humility
           and
           holiness
           ,
           the
           reverence
           and
           obedience
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             Not
             my
             Will
             ,
             but
             thine
             be
             done
             .
          
           We
           shall
           find
           our selves
           more
           happy
           by
           the
           Divine
           disposal
           of
           things
           ,
           than
           if
           we
           had
           obtained
           our
           dearest
           Wishes
           ,
           and
           most
           ardent
           Prayers
           .
           
           And
           when
           we
           shall
           come
           to
           the
           top
           of
           the
           Holy
           Hill
           ,
           and
           look
           down
           on
           the
           various
           Circuits
           of
           Providence
           by
           which
           we
           ascended
           ,
           we
           shall
           then
           understand
           that
           Wisdom
           and
           Love
           conducted
           us
           safely
           to
           Felicity
           ;
           we
           shall
           approve
           and
           admire
           all
           the
           Divine
           methods
           in
           order
           to
           our
           blessed
           End.
           Now
           the
           belief
           of
           this
           should
           compose
           us
           to
           a
           patient
           and
           cheerful
           resignation
           of
           our selves
           to
           God's
           Providence
           and
           Pleasure
           .
           Who
           would
           not
           accept
           of
           the
           Counsel
           of
           a
           Friend
           that
           proceeds
           from
           Love
           ,
           though
           his
           Judgment
           were
           not
           so
           exact
           as
           to
           be
           relied
           on
           ?
           Much
           more
           should
           we
           thankfully
           receive
           the
           Appointments
           of
           God
           ,
           whose
           Knowledg
           and
           Affection
           are
           equally
           superlative
           ,
           in
           whom
           there
           is
           united
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           
           a
           Father's
           (
           and
           the
           tenderness
           of
           a
           Mother's
           )
           Love
           to
           his
           Children
           .
           Briefly
           ,
           as
           Jonathan
           by
           tasting
           the
           Honey
           at
           the
           end
           of
           his
           Rod
           ,
           had
           his
           eyes
           enlightened
           ,
           so
           the
           end
           of
           the
           severest
           Chastisements
           will
           convince
           them
           ,
           that
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           was
           more
           benign
           and
           propitious
           than
           they
           could
           imagine
           .
           
             His
             ways
             are
             as
             far
             above
             our
             ways
             ,
             and
             his
             thoughts
             above
             our
             thoughts
             ,
             as
             the
             Heavens
             are
             above
             the
             Earth
             .
          
           This
           Point
           is
           applicable
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           First
           ;
           by
           way
           of
           Reproof
           for
           
           our
           unsubmissive
           behaviour
           in
           Afflictions
           ,
           our
           uncompliance
           with
           the
           Divine
           Disposals
           .
           Some
           are
           in
           a
           secret
           discontent
           at
           God's
           Afflicting
           Providence
           ;
           and
           this
           razeth
           the
           memory
           of
           former
           Mercies
           ,
           and
           takes
           away
           the
           relish
           
           of
           present
           Mercies
           ;
           as
           the
           sweet
           Showers
           of
           Heaven
           that
           fall
           into
           the
           Sea
           are
           turned
           into
           its
           brackish
           taste
           :
           such
           neither
           enjoy
           God
           nor
           themselves
           .
           What
           egregious
           folly
           and
           vile
           ingratitude
           is
           this
           !
           All
           we
           have
           ,
           is
           from
           his
           most
           free
           favour
           ;
           and
           shall
           we
           peevishly
           slight
           his
           Benefits
           ,
           because
           our
           Desires
           are
           not
           gratified
           in
           every
           respect
           ?
           Others
           are
           moved
           with
           Anger
           and
           Vexation
           for
           the
           Evils
           that
           befal
           them
           :
           as
           the
           Red-hot
           Iron
           under
           the
           blows
           of
           the
           Hammer
           casts
           abroad
           Fiery
           Sparks
           ;
           so
           their
           stubborn
           fierce
           Spirits
           ,
           when
           afflicted
           ,
           break
           forth
           in
           expressions
           of
           impatience
           and
           displeasure
           .
           They
           count
           it
           a
           base
           abjectness
           of
           Mind
           ,
           a
           despicable
           Pusillanimity
           to
           humble
           themselves
           under
           God's
           Judgments
           ,
           and
           with
           contrition
           for
           their
           Sins
           
           to
           implore
           his
           Clemency
           .
           
             The
             voice
             of
             the
             Lord
             maketh
             the
             Hinds
             to
             calve
             the
             timerous
             and
             weak
             creatures
             :
             But
             when
             the
             Heavens
             roar
             ,
             the
             Lions
             Thunder
             back
             again
             .
          
           Thus
           strong
           and
           stubborn
           Sinners
           ,
           when
           they
           feel
           the
           effects
           of
           God's
           Anger
           ,
           are
           raging
           and
           furious
           in
           their
           Passions
           and
           Expressions
           .
           
             The
             foolish
             Man
             perverteth
             his
             way
             ,
             his
             most
             grievous
             sufferings
             are
             the
             fruits
          
           
           
             of
             his
             Sins
             ,
             and
             his
             Heart
             fretteth
             against
             the
             Lord
             as
             the
             inflicter
             of
             them
             .
          
           This
           is
           a
           high
           indignity
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           an
           injury
           to
           themselves
           .
           For
           a
           vile
           Creature
           ,
           a
           base
           guilty
           Wretch
           to
           murmur
           and
           storm
           against
           God's
           righteous
           Judgments
           ,
           argues
           a
           Prodigious
           Forgetfulness
           ,
           both
           of
           its
           dependance
           and
           obnoxiousness
           to
           the
           Divine
           Tribunal
           .
           It
           is
           said
           of
           the
           adherents
           of
           Antichrist
           ,
           
             that
             they
             were
             
             scorched
             with
             great
             heat
             ,
             and
             blasphemed
          
           
           
             the
             name
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             hath
             power
             over
             the
             Plagues
             ,
             and
             they
             repented
             not
             to
             give
             him
             Glory
             .
          
           Infinite
           Insolence
           !
           Such
           obstinate
           Souls
           the
           Prince
           of
           Darkness
           possesses
           as
           his
           peculiar
           Dominion
           ;
           they
           have
           more
           need
           of
           Conversion
           than
           Consolation
           .
           Besides
           ,
           by
           impatience
           and
           vexatious
           fretting
           ,
           they
           exasperate
           their
           pains
           ,
           turn
           the
           Rod
           into
           a
           Serpent
           ,
           Vipers
           into
           Dragons
           ;
           and
           God's
           mighty
           hand
           is
           more
           heavy
           by
           their
           resistance
           .
           Bold
           Expostulations
           irritate
           his
           Anger
           ,
           rather
           than
           incline
           his
           Mercy
           ;
           the
           wilful
           Man
           never
           wants
           Woe
           .
           
             With
             the
             froward
          
           ,
           saith
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           thou
           
           
             wilt
             shew
             thy self
             froward
          
           ,
           or
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           rendred
           in
           the
           Margent
           ,
           wrestle
           .
           The
           strongest
           Sinner
           is
           not
           a
           Match
           for
           the
           Almighty
           ;
           if
           his
           
           Anger
           excite
           his
           Power
           ,
           how
           easily
           ,
           
             how
             suddenly
             are
             they
             destroyed
             without
             remedy
             ?
          
           Stubborn
           impatience
           under
           the
           inflictions
           of
           God's
           righteous
           Providence
           ,
           is
           the
           nearest
           Step
           to
           final
           ruine
           .
           Others
           are
           so
           dejected
           and
           broken
           with
           Afflictions
           ,
           that
           their
           continuance
           in
           the
           World
           is
           but
           a
           Living
           Death
           :
           every
           thing
           entertains
           their
           Grief
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           means
           afforded
           for
           their
           reviving
           and
           comfort
           are
           ineffectual
           .
           Sorrow
           flows
           into
           Despair
           ,
           they
           lament
           and
           languish
           as
           if
           their
           case
           were
           hopeless
           and
           remediless
           .
           The
           Fountain
           of
           this
           black
           Stream
           ,
           is
           a
           superlative
           esteem
           and
           affection
           to
           inferiour
           things
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           reserved
           for
           the
           Blessed
           Creator
           ?
           If
           a
           temporal
           Loss
           be
           the
           most
           afflicting
           Evil
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           sign
           that
           God
           was
           not
           valued
           and
           
           loved
           as
           the
           chiefest
           Good.
           The
           difficulty
           of
           receiving
           Consolation
           ,
           shews
           the
           necessity
           of
           their
           being
           afflicted
           :
           the
           Language
           of
           such
           resolved
           Sorrow
           is
           ,
           
             They
             have
             taken
             away
             my
             Gods
             ,
             and
             what
             have
             I
             more
             ?
          
           The
           sole
           objects
           of
           their
           felicity
           are
           removed
           ,
           and
           they
           refuse
           to
           be
           comforted
           ;
           as
           if
           no
           less
           Sacrifice
           were
           due
           to
           the
           remembrance
           of
           their
           loss
           ,
           but
           Life
           it self
           .
           What
           a
           disparagement
           is
           this
           of
           the
           Divine
           Excellencies
           ?
           
             Are
             the
             consolations
             of
             God
             small
             to
             us
             ?
          
           Is
           not
           his
           Love
           able
           to
           compensate
           the
           loss
           of
           a
           frail
           ,
           mutable
           ,
           mortal
           Creature
           ?
           Cannot
           he
           please
           and
           satisfy
           us
           without
           the
           fruition
           of
           one
           Earthly
           Comfort
           ?
           This
           dejection
           of
           Spirit
           is
           equally
           undutiful
           as
           uncomfortable
           ;
           our
           Griefs
           are
           sometimes
           as
           vain
           and
           as
           guilty
           as
           our
           Joys
           ;
           there
           is
           a
           
           tincture
           of
           Disobedience
           in
           our
           Tears
           :
           for
           we
           are
           commanded
           
             to
             mourn
             as
             if
             we
             mourned
             not
             ,
             for
             the
             fashion
             of
             the
             World
             passeth
             away
             ,
          
           and
           we
           at
           once
           break
           his
           Law
           and
           our
           own
           Peace
           .
           Our
           Disobedience
           in
           this
           is
           aggravated
           ,
           as
           being
           contrary
           not
           only
           to
           the
           Authority
           and
           Sanctity
           of
           the
           Law-giver
           ,
           but
           to
           his
           Loving-Kindness
           and
           Compassion
           .
           Ah
           ,
           the
           miserable
           blindness
           of
           Humane
           Minds
           !
           and
           the
           more
           miserable
           ,
           because
           voluntary
           .
           Who
           is
           more
           deservedly
           unhappy
           than
           one
           that
           sits
           upon
           the
           bank
           of
           a
           River
           ,
           and
           yet
           is
           Tormented
           and
           Dies
           with
           Thirst
           ?
           the
           clear
           ,
           fresh
           Stream
           passeth
           before
           him
           ,
           allures
           and
           invites
           him
           ,
           but
           he
           will
           not
           stoop
           to
           drink
           ;
           this
           is
           the
           case
           of
           those
           who
           neglect
           and
           refuse
           the
           Spiritual
           Consolations
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
           that
           are
           compared
           to
           the
           flowing
           Rivers
           of
           Living
           Water
           ,
           for
           their
           
           cooling
           ,
           refreshing
           quality
           .
           They
           meritoriously
           and
           actively
           bring
           trouble
           to
           their
           Souls
           ;
           their
           Passions
           are
           the
           Instruments
           of
           their
           Misery
           .
           He
           that
           is
           his
           own
           Executioner
           ,
           has
           no
           excuse
           of
           Dying
           ;
           he
           is
           justly
           ,
           because
           wilfully
           miserable
           .
           Consider
           also
           what
           a
           reproach
           is
           cast
           upon
           Christianity
           ,
           that
           so
           many
           vertuous
           Heathens
           in
           great
           Afflictions
           ,
           were
           in
           some
           measure
           supported
           by
           the
           Precepts
           of
           Humane
           Wisdom
           ;
           and
           that
           Christians
           ,
           to
           whom
           there
           is
           revealed
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           that
           an
           Eternal
           state
           of
           Glory
           and
           Joy
           shall
           be
           the
           reward
           of
           their
           patient
           Sufferings
           ,
           remain
           utterly
           disconsolate
           .
           I
           will
           single
           out
           one
           example
           .
           Stilpon
           the
           Philosopher
           ,
           when
           his
           City
           was
           destroywith
           
           his
           Wife
           and
           Children
           ,
           and
           he
           escap't
           alone
           from
           the
           Fire
           ,
           
           being
           asked
           whether
           he
           had
           lost
           any
           thing
           ?
           replied
           ,
           
             All
             my
             Treasures
             are
             with
             me
             ,
          
           Justice
           ,
           Vertue
           ,
           Temperance
           ,
           Prudence
           ,
           and
           this
           inviolable
           Principle
           ,
           not
           to
           esteem
           any
           thing
           as
           my
           proper
           Good
           ,
           that
           can
           be
           ravish't
           from
           me
           :
           his
           Mind
           was
           erect
           and
           stedfast
           under
           the
           Ruins
           of
           his
           Country
           .
           And
           others
           upon
           lower
           and
           less
           generous
           considerations
           ,
           have
           born
           up
           in
           their
           Sufferings
           .
           How
           do
           such
           Examples
           upbraid
           us
           ,
           that
           their
           Twilight
           excells
           our
           Noon-day
           Brightness
           ?
           If
           common
           Cordials
           raised
           such
           couragious
           Spirits
           in
           them
           ,
           shall
           not
           the
           Waters
           of
           Life
           ,
           the
           Divine
           strong
           Comforts
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           fortify
           us
           to
           bear
           all
           Sufferings
           with
           a
           valiant
           Resignation
           to
           the
           
           good
           Will
           of
           God
           ?
           Can
           the
           Spirit
           of
           a
           Man
           ,
           by
           rational
           Principles
           sustain
           his
           Infirmities
           ,
           and
           cannot
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           great
           Comforter
           ,
           support
           us
           under
           all
           Troubles
           ?
           What
           a
           blot
           is
           this
           to
           Religion
           ?
           Those
           who
           will
           not
           be
           comforted
           ,
           will
           not
           be
           Christians
           ;
           by
           the
           same
           Holy
           Spirit
           who
           is
           stiled
           the
           Comforter
           ,
           we
           are
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           .
           If
           the
           precious
           Promises
           of
           the
           Gospel
           do
           not
           alleviate
           our
           Sorrows
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           from
           Infirmity
           ,
           but
           from
           Infidelity
           .
           'T
           is
           an
           incredible
           Miracle
           ,
           that
           a
           person
           can
           be
           in
           reality
           a
           Christian
           ,
           and
           not
           capable
           of
           Consolation
           ;
           as
           if
           Eternal
           Life
           were
           not
           purchased
           by
           Christ
           for
           his
           People
           ,
           or
           the
           present
           Sufferings
           were
           comparable
           to
           the
           future
           Glory
           ?
           or
           the
           possession
           of
           it
           were
           to
           be
           obtained
           after
           a
           
           years
           of
           hard
           trial
           :
           But
           if
           it
           were
           delayed
           so
           long
           ,
           that
           sensible
           duration
           should
           not
           sink
           our
           Spirits
           ;
           for
           the
           Misery
           that
           passeth
           with
           Time
           ,
           is
           not
           of
           moment
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           Blessedness
           that
           is
           establish'd
           for
           Ever
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ;
           Let
           us
           be
           excited
           to
           transcribe
           this
           Divine
           Lesson
           
           (
           so
           full
           of
           excellency
           and
           difficulty
           )
           in
           our
           Hearts
           and
           Lives
           .
           'T
           is
           easy
           in
           Speculation
           to
           consent
           to
           the
           reasonableness
           of
           this
           Duty
           ,
           but
           how
           hard
           to
           practise
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           bear
           not
           too
           sensibly
           such
           Evils
           as
           are
           incurable
           here
           ?
           A
           deliberate
           ,
           universal
           ,
           constant
           subjection
           to
           God's
           Will
           ,
           though
           contrary
           to
           our
           Carnal
           desires
           and
           interests
           ,
           how
           rarely
           is
           it
           to
           be
           found
           among
           those
           who
           in
           Title
           and
           Profession
           are
           his
           Servants
           ?
           
           In
           Active
           Obedience
           ,
           some
           will
           readily
           perform
           some
           particular
           Commands
           ,
           but
           withdraw
           subjection
           from
           the
           rest
           ;
           they
           seem
           to
           make
           Conscience
           of
           the
           Duties
           of
           Piety
           ,
           but
           neglect
           Righteousness
           ;
           or
           else
           are
           just
           in
           their
           Dealings
           ,
           and
           careless
           of
           Devotion
           .
           Some
           are
           liberal
           but
           irreconcilable
           ;
           they
           will
           give
           for
           their
           Honour
           ,
           but
           forgive
           no
           Contempt
           or
           Injury
           ;
           and
           as
           the
           dividing
           living
           Twins
           destroys
           them
           ,
           so
           the
           Life
           and
           Sincerity
           of
           Obedience
           ,
           that
           consists
           in
           the
           union
           and
           intireness
           of
           its
           parts
           ,
           is
           destroyed
           by
           dividing
           our
           respects
           to
           some
           commands
           ,
           neglecting
           the
           rest
           .
           And
           in
           
             Passive
             Obedience
          
           ,
           many
           will
           submit
           to
           lighter
           and
           shorter
           afflictions
           ,
           but
           if
           an
           Evil
           comes
           that
           nearly
           touches
           the
           heart
           ,
           or
           that
           remains
           long
           without
           
           redress
           ,
           they
           become
           impatient
           ,
           or
           so
           dejected
           as
           to
           neglect
           their
           Duty
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           superadd
           to
           the
           former
           Arguments
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Necessity
           ,
           the
           Equity
           ,
           and
           the
           Policy
           of
           our
           Dutiful
           Resignation
           to
           God's
           Providence
           is
           clearly
           set
           forth
           ,
           some
           other
           Motives
           and
           Directions
           ,
           that
           may
           be
           useful
           and
           effectual
           for
           this
           end
           .
        
         
           First
           ;
           Look
           frequently
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           the
           Author
           and
           finisher
           of
           our
           Faith
           :
           The
           Divine
           Wisdom
           ,
           to
           reform
           the
           World
           ,
           assumed
           the
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           and
           expressed
           in
           a
           Holy
           Conversation
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           a
           living
           Copy
           of
           his
           Precepts
           ,
           to
           direct
           us
           in
           the
           various
           parts
           of
           our
           Duty
           ;
           and
           because
           the
           exercise
           of
           Humility
           ,
           Self
           Denial
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Suffering
           Graces
           ,
           is
           so
           difficult
           to
           
           our
           frail
           and
           tender
           Nature
           ;
           he
           ascended
           the
           Cross
           ,
           and
           instructs
           us
           by
           Suffering
           to
           suffer
           with
           his
           Affections
           ,
           leaving
           us
           his
           Example
           ,
           as
           the
           best
           Lecture
           of
           our
           Duty
           ;
           His
           Sufferings
           concern
           us
           not
           only
           in
           point
           of
           Merit
           but
           Conformity
           .
           We
           can
           never
           enjoy
           the
           benefit
           of
           his
           Passion
           ,
           without
           following
           his
           Patern
           .
           His
           example
           is
           the
           Rule
           of
           the
           highest
           Perfection
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           under
           the
           greatest
           obligation
           to
           imitate
           and
           honour
           him
           who
           is
           our
           Sovereign
           and
           Saviour
           ,
           to
           whom
           we
           owe
           our
           Redemption
           from
           everlasting
           Misery
           ,
           and
           the
           Inheritance
           of
           Glory
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           Apostle's
           advice
           to
           the
           afflicted
           ,
           
             to
             consider
             him
             that
             endured
             such
             contradiction
             of
          
           
           
             Sinners
             against
             himself
             ,
             that
             ye
             be
             not
             wearied
             ,
             and
             faint
             in
             your
             minds
             .
          
           This
           deduction
           is
           with
           greater
           force
           
           to
           make
           us
           humble
           and
           patient
           ;
           If
           we
           consider
           ,
        
         
           First
           ;
           the
           Infinite
           Dignity
           of
           his
           Person
           .
           He
           was
           the
           Eternal
           and
           Onely
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           descended
           from
           the
           Throne
           of
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           divested
           himself
           of
           his
           Robes
           of
           insupportable
           Light
           ,
           that
           concealed
           and
           manifested
           his
           Glory
           to
           the
           Angels
           ,
           and
           was
           obedient
           to
           the
           Death
           of
           the
           Cross
           :
           what
           are
           the
           highest
           and
           best
           of
           
           Men
           to
           him
           ?
           Were
           it
           not
           extreamly
           unbecoming
           and
           undutiful
           for
           a
           Subject
           to
           refuse
           Obedience
           to
           a
           just
           Law
           ,
           if
           the
           King
           that
           made
           the
           Law
           should
           voluntarily
           observe
           it
           ,
           and
           reserve
           no
           other
           advantage
           to
           himself
           ,
           but
           the
           honour
           of
           enacting
           it
           ?
           Our
           Saviour
           did
           not
           stand
           upon
           the
           dignity
           and
           liberty
           of
           his
           Person
           being
           equal
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           our
           
           King
           ,
           but
           intirely
           complied
           with
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           shall
           we
           complain
           of
           its
           rigour
           ?
        
         
           Secondly
           ;
           The
           Greatness
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           .
           They
           were
           incomparable
           as
           to
           their
           value
           ,
           so
           in
           their
           degrees
           .
           He
           endured
           the
           equal
           extremities
           of
           Infamy
           and
           Torment
           ,
           that
           are
           so
           contrary
           to
           the
           inclinations
           of
           Mankind
           .
           He
           was
           Crowned
           with
           a
           cruel
           Diadem
           of
           Thorns
           ,
           Scourged
           ,
           Spit
           upon
           ,
           Derided
           ,
           Crucified
           ;
           Insensible
           Nature
           ,
           as
           if
           capable
           of
           Understanding
           and
           Affection
           ,
           was
           disordered
           in
           its
           whole
           frame
           at
           his
           Death
           .
           The
           Heavens
           sympathized
           ,
           in
           Eclipses
           of
           the
           Sun
           ,
           in
           the
           darkness
           of
           the
           Air
           at
           Mid-day
           ,
           as
           Midnight
           ;
           the
           Earth
           quak't
           with
           deep
           Tremblings
           ,
           and
           the
           Rocks
           were
           rent
           a
           sunder
           .
           And
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           his
           Soul
           from
           the
           
           incensed
           Justice
           of
           God
           were
           inconceivably
           great
           .
           What
           is
           the
           worst
           we
           suffer
           either
           immediately
           from
           God
           ,
           or
           instrumentally
           from
           Men
           ,
           to
           his
           bitter
           Passion
           ?
           Our
           Sufferings
           are
           but
           superficial
           shadows
           of
           Misery
           ,
           compared
           to
           his
           deep
           Sorrows
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ;
           His
           Sufferings
           were
           most
           undeserved
           :
           For
           he
           was
           the
           Holy
           One
           of
           God
           ,
           his
           Conception
           without
           the
           least
           taint
           of
           Sin
           ,
           his
           Life
           of
           strictest
           Purity
           ,
           and
           compleat
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Divine
           Law.
           We
           may
           read
           the
           process
           of
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           understand
           their
           Guilt
           in
           his
           Passion
           .
           
             He
             was
             made
             Sin
             for
             us
             ,
          
           (
           a
           Sacrifice
           to
           atone
           the
           Divine
           Displeasure
           )
           
             who
             knew
             no
             Sin
          
           :
           As
           David
           when
           Guilty
           of
           Adultery
           and
           Murder
           ,
           was
           fired
           with
           disdain
           at
           the
           relation
           of
           an
           incompassionate
           
           Rich
           Man
           ,
           killing
           the
           single
           Lamb
           of
           his
           poor
           Neighbour
           ,
           and
           sparing
           his
           own
           numerous
           Flock
           ;
           and
           when
           the
           Prophet
           unveiled
           the
           Parable
           ,
           and
           surprised
           him
           with
           that
           piercing
           reproach
           ,
           
             Thou
             art
             the
             Man
          
           !
           he
           presently
           by
           that
           Fiction
           in
           another
           ,
           was
           convinced
           of
           his
           own
           true
           guilt
           ,
           and
           was
           extreamly
           afflicted
           in
           the
           sense
           of
           it
           :
           Thus
           we
           are
           apt
           to
           conceive
           indignation
           against
           the
           Murderers
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           the
           Apostate
           Apostle
           ,
           the
           Malicious
           Priest
           ,
           the
           Unrighteous
           Judg
           ,
           the
           Bloody
           Soldiers
           .
           But
           Conscience
           (
           as
           a
           true
           Nathan
           )
           may
           charge
           us
           to
           have
           been
           in
           that
           wicked
           Conspiracy
           against
           the
           Lord
           of
           Glory
           ,
           for
           our
           Sins
           Condemned
           and
           Crucified
           him
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           our
           Sins
           were
           the
           impulsive
           cause
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           ,
           so
           
           our
           good
           is
           the
           effect
           of
           them
           .
           He
           suffered
           the
           Death
           of
           the
           Cross
           ,
           that
           his
           Blood
           might
           be
           our
           Ransom
           ,
           his
           Ignominy
           the
           purchase
           of
           our
           Glory
           ,
           his
           Torments
           the
           merit
           of
           our
           Blessedness
           ,
           his
           Death
           the
           Seed
           of
           Immortal
           Life
           to
           us
           ;
           but
           we
           suffer
           the
           just
           punishment
           of
           our
           own
           Sins
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ;
           His
           willing
           Obedience
           ,
           Divine
           Patience
           ,
           and
           invincible
           Constancy
           in
           Suffering
           for
           us
           .
           In
           his
           distress
           ,
           the
           whole
           Army
           of
           Heaven
           were
           in
           readiness
           for
           his
           Protection
           and
           Rescue
           ,
           upon
           the
           least
           signification
           of
           his
           Will
           ;
           
             If
             I
             prayed
             to
             my
             Father
             ,
             he
             would
             send
             me
             twelve
             Legions
             of
             Angels
             .
          
           Nay
           ,
           he
           had
           the
           Springs
           and
           Keys
           of
           the
           Divine
           Power
           in
           his
           hands
           ,
           and
           could
           by
           a
           Word
           have
           destroyed
           his
           
           Enemies
           ;
           
             but
             he
             freely
             gave
             himself
             for
             us
             ,
          
           and
           without
           resistance
           ,
           without
           complaint
           took
           up
           his
           Cross.
           Now
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           who
           had
           the
           fulness
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           communicates
           to
           us
           the
           first
           Fruits
           of
           it
           ,
           Faith
           and
           Love
           ,
           Humility
           and
           Patience
           ,
           Peace
           and
           Joy
           to
           support
           us
           under
           Affliction
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ;
           Consider
           the
           excellent
           reward
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           .
           He
           was
           abased
           below
           Men
           ,
           and
           is
           advanced
           above
           all
           the
           Angelical
           Orders
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           Eternal
           Argument
           of
           their
           Praises
           ;
           Never
           were
           Sufferings
           so
           grievous
           ,
           never
           was
           Issue
           so
           glorious
           .
           
             For
             the
             Joy
          
           
           
             that
             was
             set
             before
             him
             ,
             he
             endured
             the
             Cross
             ,
             despised
             the
             shame
             ,
             and
             is
             set
             down
             at
             the
             right
             hand
             of
             the
             Majesty
             on
             high
             .
          
           Now
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           hath
           promised
           ,
           
             To
             him
          
           
           
             that
             overcomes
             ,
             will
             I
             grant
             to
             sit
             with
             
             me
             in
             my
             Throne
             ,
             even
             as
             I
             also
             overcame
             ,
             and
             am
             set
             down
             with
             my
             Father
             in
             his
             Throne
             .
          
           Unfainting
           Perseverance
           in
           our
           Duty
           shall
           be
           rewarded
           with
           the
           Glory
           of
           our
           Redeemer
           .
           And
           is
           not
           the
           prospect
           and
           expectation
           of
           this
           sufficient
           to
           confirm
           our
           Minds
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           patiently
           bear
           the
           greatest
           Afflictions
           ?
        
         
           Secondly
           ;
           The
           Consideration
           of
           the
           Suffering
           Saints
           in
           all
           Ages
           ,
           is
           a
           powerful
           perswasive
           to
           Patience
           .
           Thus
           the
           Apostle
           James
           directs
           Christians
           ,
           
             Take
             ,
             my
             Brethren
          
           
           
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             who
             have
             spoken
             in
             th●
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             for
             an
             example
             of
             suffering
             Affliction
             ,
             and
             of
             Patience
             .
          
           And
           we
           have
           great
           encouragement
           from
           hence
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           those
           who
           are
           of
           most
           precious
           account
           with
           God
           ,
           
           and
           highly
           favoured
           by
           him
           ,
           are
           usually
           exercised
           with
           sharp
           Afflictions
           .
           The
           singularity
           and
           greatness
           of
           a
           Calamity
           exasperates
           the
           Sorrow
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           apprehended
           as
           a
           sign
           of
           extraordinary
           Guilt
           in
           the
           Afflicted
           ,
           and
           of
           severe
           displeasure
           in
           God
           that
           sends
           it
           ;
           but
           to
           prevent
           Trouble
           that
           ariseth
           from
           that
           apprehension
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           records
           the
           heavy
           Afflictions
           that
           happened
           to
           God's
           chosen
           Servants
           and
           Favourites
           .
           Moses
           ,
           whom
           God
           honoured
           with
           the
           most
           condescending
           and
           familiar
           Discoveries
           of
           himself
           ,
           was
           tried
           by
           long
           Afflictions
           .
           David
           ,
           a
           Man
           after
           God's
           own
           Heart
           ,
           was
           a
           long
           time
           hurled
           to
           and
           fro
           by
           Tempestuous
           Persecutions
           from
           his
           unjust
           and
           implacable
           Enemies
           .
           Isaiah
           ,
           who
           was
           dignified
           with
           such
           Heavenly
           
           Revelations
           ,
           that
           his
           describing
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           Christ
           seems
           rather
           the
           History
           of
           an
           Evangelist
           ,
           than
           the
           Vision
           of
           a
           Prophet
           ,
           was
           sawn
           asunder
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Their
           Nature
           was
           as
           frail
           as
           ours
           ,
           their
           Afflictions
           as
           cutting
           and
           sensible
           ,
           yet
           how
           patiently
           and
           couragiously
           did
           they
           endure
           the
           most
           cruel
           Sufferings
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           We
           have
           the
           same
           blessed
           Comforter
           to
           assist
           us
           ,
           as
           they
           had
           ,
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           .
           He
           that
           is
           stiled
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Power
           ,
           infuseth
           a
           holy
           Magnanimity
           to
           bear
           the
           heaviest
           Sufferings
           .
           Now
           it
           is
           the
           Apostles
           Inference
           from
           the
           History
           of
           the
           Saints
           under
           the
           Old
           Testament
           ,
           some
           of
           whom
           died
           Martyrs
           ,
           and
           others
           lived
           Martyrs
           ,
           by
           their
           constant
           and
           generous
           suffering
           various
           evils
           for
           Divine
           Truth
           .
           
             Wherefore
             seeing
             
             we
             are
             compassed
             about
             with
             so
             great
          
           
           
             a
             Cloud
             of
             Witnesses
             ,
             let
             us
             lay
             aside
             every
             weight
             ,
             and
             the
             Sin
             that
             doth
             so
             easily
             beset
             us
             ,
             and
             let
             us
             run
             with
             patience
             the
             race
             that
             is
             set
             before
             us
             .
          
           The
           Metaphorical
           Expression
           ,
           a
           
             Cloud
             of
             Witnesses
          
           ,
           imports
           a
           numerous
           Company
           ,
           and
           is
           by
           some
           of
           the
           Ancients
           interpreted
           as
           an
           Allusion
           to
           the
           Benefit
           we
           receive
           from
           the
           Natural
           Clouds
           ,
           that
           refresh
           the
           Air
           ,
           and
           skreen
           us
           from
           the
           scorching
           heat
           of
           the
           Sun.
           The
           Allusion
           is
           too
           subtile
           and
           strain'd
           ,
           but
           the
           Benefit
           is
           real
           ;
           for
           the
           admirable
           examples
           of
           their
           Patience
           and
           Courage
           are
           powerful
           to
           refresh
           sorrowful
           Spirits
           ;
           
             We
             are
             encompassed
             with
             them
             as
             a
             Theatre
             :
          
           There
           is
           no
           kind
           of
           Affliction
           ,
           and
           no
           part
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           whereof
           there
           is
           not
           presented
           to
           us
           some
           example
           for
           our
           
           Encouragement
           and
           Imitation
           .
           It
           is
           also
           worthy
           of
           Observation
           ,
           that
           Christians
           have
           a
           special
           Obligation
           ,
           Encouragement
           ,
           and
           Assistance
           to
           bear
           Afflictions
           with
           chearful
           Spirits
           ,
           above
           the
           Believers
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           .
           For
           under
           the
           Mosaic
           Dispensation
           ,
           outward
           Prosperity
           ,
           Riches
           ,
           Honour
           ,
           Victory
           ,
           long
           Life
           were
           the
           open
           Expressions
           of
           God's
           Favour
           ,
           promised
           by
           the
           terms
           of
           that
           Covenant
           ,
           as
           Rewards
           to
           Obedience
           .
           Yet
           even
           then
           ,
           some
           of
           the
           most
           excellent
           Saints
           were
           illustrious
           Examples
           of
           patient
           suffering
           Afflictions
           .
           But
           in
           the
           Gospel
           God
           hath
           declared
           ,
           that
           his
           design
           is
           to
           train
           up
           his
           Children
           by
           Sufferings
           for
           their
           future
           Happiness
           ,
           that
           
             through
             many
             Tribulations
             they
             must
             enter
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God.
          
           And
           we
           
           find
           the
           truth
           of
           this
           by
           manifold
           Experience
           ,
           from
           the
           first
           Ages
           of
           the
           Christian
           Church
           .
           St.
           John
           by
           Revelation
           ,
           
             Beheld
             a
             great
             multitude
          
           ,
           
           
             which
             no
             Man
             could
             number
             ,
             of
             all
             Nations
             ,
             and
             Kindreds
             ,
             and
             People
             ,
             and
             Tongues
             ,
             that
             stood
             before
             the
             Throne
             ,
             and
             before
             the
             Lamb
             ,
             cloathed
             with
             white
             Robes
             ,
             and
             Palms
             in
             their
             Hands
             :
             And
             they
             all
             came
             out
             of
             great
             Tribulation
             ,
             and
             had
             washed
             their
             Robes
             ,
             and
             made
             them
             white
             in
             the
             Blood
             of
             the
             Lamb.
          
           Now
           since
           the
           Cross
           is
           an
           Appendix
           to
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           we
           should
           with
           more
           prepared
           Minds
           submit
           to
           it
           .
           Besides
           ,
           if
           Believers
           then
           ,
           who
           enjoyed
           only
           Star-Light
           ,
           less
           clear
           discoveries
           of
           the
           glorious
           World
           to
           come
           ,
           were
           so
           patient
           and
           constant
           in
           suffering
           for
           the
           Truth
           ;
           How
           much
           more
           should
           we
           be
           animated
           in
           our
           Troubles
           ,
           to
           
           whom
           the
           
             Sun
             of
             Righteousness
          
           appears
           ,
           revealing
           Life
           and
           Immortality
           by
           the
           Gospel
           ?
           If
           they
           who
           were
           partakers
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           in
           lesser
           degrees
           ,
           were
           supported
           ;
           should
           not
           Christians
           that
           receive
           the
           Graces
           of
           the
           Spirit
           in
           richer
           abundance
           ,
           be
           more
           comforted
           ?
        
         
           Thirdly
           ;
           All
           Creatures
           obey
           the
           Will
           of
           the
           Creator
           :
           All
           the
           lower
           Rank
           ,
           
             Fire
             and
             Hail
             ,
             Snow
             and
             Vapours
             ,
             and
             stormy
             Winds
             fulfil
          
           
           
             his
             Word
             .
             The
             Sun
             stood
             still
          
           till
           Joshua
           had
           compleated
           his
           Victory
           ,
           
             it
             started
             back
          
           to
           confirm
           the
           Faith
           of
           Hezekiah
           .
           Nay
           ,
           sensible
           Creatures
           will
           contradict
           their
           own
           Natures
           at
           God's
           Command
           .
           The
           Ravens
           fed
           Elias
           ,
           and
           the
           Lions
           spared
           Daniel
           .
           And
           Creatures
           of
           the
           Superior
           Order
           exactly
           fulfil
           his
           Will.
           
             The
             Angels
             that
             excel
             in
             strength
             ,
             do
             his
             Commandments
             :
             
             hearkning
             to
             the
             Voice
             of
             his
          
           
           Word
           .
           They
           do
           not
           usurp
           upon
           his
           Royalty
           ,
           nor
           make
           use
           of
           their
           Power
           to
           deny
           subjection
           to
           his
           Pleasure
           .
           Now
           if
           the
           Inferior
           Creatures
           ,
           who
           are
           under
           less
           Obligations
           ,
           and
           cannot
           understand
           their
           Duty
           ;
           if
           Superior
           Creatures
           that
           excel
           us
           in
           Nobility
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           Dignity
           of
           State
           ,
           perfectly
           obey
           God
           :
           should
           not
           their
           example
           strongly
           incite
           us
           to
           submit
           to
           his
           Will
           ?
        
         
           Fourthly
           ;
           It
           is
           our
           most
           glorious
           Perfection
           to
           have
           our
           Wills
           united
           to
           the
           Divine
           Will.
           In
           Heaven
           Grace
           is
           in
           its
           exaltation
           ,
           the
           Spirits
           of
           just
           Men
           are
           made
           perfect
           by
           their
           compliance
           with
           the
           Divine
           Will
           that
           absolutely
           governs
           there
           .
           A
           private
           Will
           that
           compounds
           with
           God
           upon
           sordid
           Capitulations
           ,
           that
           excepts
           
           against
           doing
           or
           suffering
           what
           is
           distasteful
           and
           harsh
           to
           the
           carnal
           part
           ,
           How
           unreasonable
           ,
           how
           degenerous
           and
           base
           is
           it
           ?
           But
           when
           the
           Will
           is
           obedient
           ,
           enlarged
           and
           uniform
           with
           God
           ,
           't
           is
           enobled
           .
           If
           our
           slow-paced
           Thoughts
           could
           conceive
           things
           as
           easily
           ,
           suddenly
           and
           clearly
           as
           the
           Angels
           do
           ,
           our
           Minds
           would
           be
           in
           the
           highest
           Elevation
           :
           And
           
           is
           it
           not
           a
           more
           valuable
           and
           desirable
           Perfection
           to
           will
           as
           God
           does
           ,
           than
           to
           understand
           as
           the
           Angels
           ?
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           Patience
           has
           a
           special
           eminence
           above
           other
           Graces
           ,
           and
           advances
           a
           Christian
           to
           the
           highest
           Honour
           and
           Perfection
           that
           is
           attainable
           here
           .
           All
           Graces
           are
           of
           the
           same
           Divine
           Extraction
           ,
           and
           have
           the
           same
           general
           effect
           upon
           the
           Soul
           :
           They
           come
           from
           
           God
           ,
           and
           produce
           a
           God-like
           Temper
           and
           Disposition
           :
           But
           they
           are
           distinguish'd
           by
           their
           Objects
           and
           Operations
           ;
           some
           are
           Heroick
           ,
           exercis'd
           about
           great
           things
           ,
           and
           produce
           more
           noble
           Actions
           :
           others
           are
           humble
           and
           conversant
           in
           meaner
           things
           ,
           and
           their
           Operations
           are
           less
           eminent
           .
           As
           amongst
           the
           Birds
           ,
           the
           Eagles
           fly
           aloft
           ,
           and
           only
           stoop
           for
           a
           great
           Prey
           :
           The
           Bees
           fly
           from
           Flower
           to
           Flower
           ,
           and
           extract
           a
           little
           Dew
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           all
           Honey
           .
           It
           is
           the
           Counsel
           of
           St.
           James
           to
           the
           afflicted
           ,
           
             Let
             Patience
             have
             her
             perfect
             Work
             ,
          
           in
           bearing
           Afflictions
           though
           heavy
           and
           continued
           ,
           
             that
             you
             may
             be
             perfect
             ,
             and
             entire
             ,
             wanting
             nothing
             .
          
           A
           singular
           Perfection
           and
           Encomium
           is
           attributed
           to
           Patience
           ,
           in
           that
           the
           trial
           and
           exercise
           of
           it
           is
           the
           most
           difficult
           
           part
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           and
           without
           it
           we
           can
           neither
           obey
           the
           Commands
           ,
           nor
           obtain
           the
           Promises
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           Patience
           is
           the
           truest
           Fortitude
           ,
           and
           draws
           forth
           other
           Divine
           Graces
           in
           their
           excellent
           activity
           .
           What
           the
           temper
           is
           to
           material
           Weapons
           that
           are
           blunted
           or
           broken
           in
           the
           Combate
           without
           it
           ,
           Patience
           is
           to
           other
           Graces
           ,
           their
           stability
           is
           derived
           from
           it
           .
           This
           was
           the
           most
           glorious
           perfection
           of
           Christ's
           Obedience
           ,
           
             For
             it
             became
             him
             for
             whom
             are
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             by
             whom
             are
             all
          
           
           
             things
             ,
             in
             bringing
             many
             Sons
             to
             Glory
             ,
             to
             make
             the
             Captain
             of
             their
             Salvation
             perfect
             through
             Sufferings
             .
          
           Patience
           is
           not
           only
           defensive
           Armour
           ,
           but
           has
           noble
           Operations
           .
           When
           our
           Saviour
           was
           nailed
           to
           the
           Cross
           ,
           and
           was
           the
           Mark
           wherein
           all
           the
           poisoned
           Arrows
           
           of
           Rage
           and
           Malice
           were
           received
           ,
           he
           seemed
           only
           to
           Suffer
           ,
           yet
           even
           then
           performed
           the
           most
           
             divine
             Exploits
          
           ,
           and
           obtained
           the
           most
           glorious
           Victory
           ;
           he
           reconciled
           God
           ,
           disarm'd
           the
           Law
           ,
           subdued
           Satan
           ,
           broke
           the
           Gates
           of
           Hell
           ,
           destroyed
           Death
           ,
           and
           rescued
           us
           miserable
           forlorn
           Captives
           .
           Upon
           this
           account
           Chrysostom
           breaks
           forth
           in
           rapturous
           Expressions
           ,
           That
           our
           Saviour
           suffering
           on
           the
           Cross
           ,
           was
           more
           glorious
           than
           in
           his
           creating
           the
           World.
           Thus
           the
           Patience
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           which
           in
           appearance
           is
           only
           a
           quiet
           bearing
           Affliction
           from
           God
           ,
           yet
           produceth
           many
           blessed
           effects
           :
           A
           Believer
           ,
           while
           he
           feels
           the
           weight
           of
           
             God's
             Hand
          
           ,
           uncessantly
           seeks
           his
           Face
           with
           the
           most
           ardent
           Affections
           .
           He
           doth
           not
           murmur
           against
           the
           Displeasure
           
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           mourns
           bitterly
           that
           he
           hath
           deserved
           it
           .
           He
           surrenders
           himself
           to
           the
           Divine
           Pleasure
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           purest
           Act
           of
           Obedience
           .
           He
           subdues
           his
           unruly
           Passions
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           more
           noble
           Victory
           than
           the
           Atchievements
           of
           the
           most
           celebrated
           Conquerors
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           power
           of
           Grace
           is
           very
           conspicuous
           in
           resisting
           pleasant
           Temptations
           ,
           the
           pernicious
           attractives
           of
           the
           Senses
           and
           carnal
           Appetites
           ;
           but
           more
           in
           the
           Battels
           of
           Patience
           ,
           by
           how
           much
           't
           is
           more
           easy
           to
           Nature
           to
           be
           content
           without
           unnecessary
           and
           superficial
           Pleasures
           ,
           than
           to
           endure
           oppressing
           and
           painful
           Evils
           .
           I
           will
           produce
           an
           instance
           in
           both
           kinds
           ,
           recorded
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           for
           the
           Veneration
           and
           Imitation
           of
           all
           .
           The
           first
           is
           that
           of
           Joseph
           ,
           whose
           unspotted
           
           Chastity
           was
           discovered
           by
           rejecting
           the
           impure
           desires
           of
           his
           Master's
           Wife
           .
           Three
           powerful
           Tempters
           join'd
           to
           draw
           his
           Consent
           ,
           Solitude
           ,
           Youth
           ,
           and
           Solicitation
           ;
           Solitude
           with
           its
           Silence
           ,
           is
           often
           more
           persuasive
           to
           the
           commission
           of
           Sin
           than
           the
           strongest
           Eloquence
           ;
           because
           there
           being
           none
           that
           sees
           ,
           takes
           away
           the
           shame
           of
           being
           seen
           in
           guilty
           and
           foul
           Actions
           .
           Youth
           is
           violent
           in
           its
           Appetites
           ,
           and
           needs
           no
           intreaties
           to
           induce
           it
           to
           gratify
           them
           :
           The
           Sensual
           Fancy
           reigns
           ,
           and
           has
           such
           a
           ravishing
           power
           upon
           the
           Will
           ,
           that
           to
           corrupt
           Nature
           the
           Temptation
           is
           irresistible
           ,
           and
           without
           Divine
           Strength
           ,
           an
           instance
           of
           overcoming
           it
           ,
           would
           be
           as
           rare
           as
           a
           Phoenix
           in
           the
           World.
           Besides
           ,
           Joseph
           was
           her
           Slave
           ,
           and
           was
           tempted
           
           by
           intreaties
           mixt
           with
           inticements
           from
           a
           Superiour
           ,
           that
           (
           like
           a
           Bow
           that
           draws
           Strength
           from
           its
           bending
           )
           by
           making
           a
           show
           of
           subjection
           acquires
           a
           double
           Empire
           .
           But
           he
           had
           a
           reverence
           of
           his
           invisible
           Observer
           and
           Judge
           :
           
             How
             shall
             I
             do
             this
             great
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             sin
             against
             God
             ?
          
           Now
           Joseph
           in
           the
           Flower
           of
           his
           Age
           ,
           was
           not
           emboldened
           by
           Solitude
           ,
           nor
           excited
           by
           Concupiscence
           ,
           nor
           poison'd
           by
           the
           breath
           of
           the
           Basilisk
           ,
           was
           an
           admirable
           effect
           of
           Divine
           Grace
           .
           He
           preserved
           his
           sincere
           and
           constant
           Innocence
           ,
           as
           the
           Sun
           its
           undefiled
           lustre
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           all
           the
           feculent
           exhalations
           that
           ascend
           from
           the
           Earth
           .
        
         
           The
           other
           Instance
           is
           Job
           ,
           whose
           Victorious
           Grace
           in
           the
           comparison
           ,
           is
           more
           glorious
           than
           
           that
           of
           Joseph
           ;
           for
           as
           the
           lapses
           of
           those
           who
           by
           Terrors
           and
           Torments
           violate
           the
           Law
           ,
           are
           less
           culpable
           ,
           and
           more
           excusable
           ,
           than
           of
           those
           who
           by
           Sensual
           Allurements
           transgress
           the
           Divine
           Commands
           :
           The
           Humane
           Nature
           
           being
           capable
           of
           such
           dolorous
           impressions
           as
           infinitely
           exceed
           all
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           Sense
           ;
           and
           consequently
           the
           yielding
           from
           fear
           of
           vehement
           pains
           and
           extreme
           evils
           ,
           is
           less
           voluntary
           than
           what
           proceeds
           from
           the
           Love
           of
           Delights
           ;
           so
           proportionably
           that
           Vertue
           is
           more
           eminent
           that
           remains
           firm
           ,
           and
           preserves
           us
           in
           our
           Duty
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           Batteries
           of
           extream
           Evils
           ,
           than
           that
           which
           preserves
           us
           by
           flight
           from
           the
           deceitful
           sensitive
           good
           .
        
         
           The
           Holy
           Ghost
           has
           given
           us
           a
           particular
           Narrative
           of
           
           Job's
           
           Troubles
           ,
           and
           his
           behaviour
           under
           them
           :
           The
           loss
           of
           a
           great
           Estate
           was
           but
           a
           preparative
           for
           worse
           Calamities
           ;
           his
           Ten
           Children
           were
           all
           destroyed
           in
           a
           day
           ;
           his
           Body
           was
           covered
           with
           Ulcers
           ;
           his
           Wife
           ,
           that
           in
           this
           desolate
           Condition
           was
           onely
           left
           to
           alleviate
           his
           Sorrows
           ,
           unspeakably
           encreas'd
           them
           ;
           yet
           under
           this
           heavy
           weight
           of
           Miseries
           ,
           he
           did
           not
           express
           one
           unbecoming
           complaint
           .
           His
           Patience
           exceeded
           all
           the
           Pains
           of
           his
           Body
           ,
           and
           Griefs
           of
           his
           Mind
           .
           Who
           loves
           God
           so
           ardently
           in
           his
           Prosperity
           as
           he
           did
           in
           his
           Afflictions
           ?
           Like
           Flaming
           Torches
           ,
           that
           reverst
           ,
           the
           Flame
           ascends
           with
           more
           force
           to
           Heaven
           .
           St.
           Austin
           admiring
           his
           Invincible
           Temper
           ,
           says
           ,
           that
           Job
           half
           dead
           on
           the
           Dunghil
           ,
           was
           stronger
           than
           Adam
           ,
           when
           
           Immortal
           in
           Paradise
           ;
           for
           with
           Indignation
           he
           repuls'd
           his
           Wife
           ,
           who
           was
           Satan's
           Instrument
           to
           tempt
           him
           to
           Despair
           and
           Blasphemy
           .
           How
           graceful
           and
           amiable
           a
           Spectacle
           is
           a
           patient
           Saint
           ?
           He
           attracts
           the
           Eye
           and
           Heart
           of
           God
           himself
           .
           What
           an
           honourable
           Testimony
           proceeded
           from
           his
           Mouth
           ,
           concerning
           Job
           ,
           to
           vindicate
           his
           Sincerity
           from
           the
           malice
           of
           the
           Accuser
           ?
           
             Hast
             thou
          
           
           
             seen
             my
             Servant
             Job
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             none
             like
             him
             on
             the
             Earth
             ?
          
           Unparallel'd
           Saint
           !
           who
           endured
           such
           a
           succession
           of
           Tragical
           Events
           with
           humility
           and
           submission
           !
           The
           active
           holiness
           of
           his
           Prosperous
           Life
           ,
           is
           not
           recorded
           with
           that
           Note
           of
           eminency
           and
           admiration
           ,
           as
           his
           Patient
           Sufferings
           ,
           for
           which
           he
           is
           universally
           Crowned
           with
           the
           Praises
           of
           
           the
           Saints
           in
           all
           Ages
           .
           
             Ye
             have
             heard
             of
             the
             Patience
             of
             Job
             !
          
           He
           is
           a
           spectacle
           that
           draws
           the
           regards
           of
           all
           ,
           more
           famous
           for
           his
           Patience
           than
           his
           Misery
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           saying
           of
           the
           Platonick
           Philosopher
           ,
           Take
           away
           from
           the
           Life
           of
           Hercules
           ,
           the
           Tyrants
           he
           supprest
           ,
           and
           the
           fierce
           Beasts
           he
           slew
           ,
           his
           Travels
           and
           Combats
           wherein
           his
           Courage
           was
           exercised
           and
           appear'd
           ,
           and
           you
           lessen
           his
           Vertue
           ,
           the
           Hero
           is
           lost
           ;
           He
           that
           in
           the
           Opinion
           of
           the
           Heathen
           World
           deserved
           a
           Deity
           ,
           and
           is
           crowned
           with
           Stars
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           will
           not
           have
           a
           spark
           of
           Glory
           on
           Earth
           to
           preserve
           his
           Fame
           alive
           in
           Memory
           .
           Thus
           ,
           take
           away
           from
           Job
           the
           Chaldean
           and
           Sabean
           Robbers
           ,
           the
           shower
           of
           Fire
           that
           consumed
           his
           Estate
           ,
           the
           Whirlwind
           raised
           by
           infernal
           Spirits
           ,
           
           that
           destroyed
           his
           Children
           ,
           his
           Diseases
           ,
           and
           his
           cruel
           Wife
           ,
           the
           exercises
           of
           his
           insuperable
           Patience
           ;
           and
           the
           honourable
           remembrance
           of
           Job
           is
           lost
           .
           If
           the
           Prince
           of
           Darkness
           had
           not
           tried
           all
           his
           Arts
           and
           Strength
           to
           overcome
           him
           ,
           and
           had
           not
           been
           foiled
           in
           his
           Attempts
           ,
           his
           Graces
           had
           not
           been
           so
           illustrious
           .
           St.
           Peter
           declares
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Glory
             ,
             and
             of
             God
             ,
             rests
             upon
             Suffering
             Christians
             .
          
           They
           are
           the
           Temples
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           Eternal
           Deity
           ,
           wherein
           he
           displays
           his
           Divine
           Vertue
           and
           Glorious
           Power
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           God
           usually
           conducts
           his
           People
           to
           the
           sublimest
           degrees
           of
           Grace
           and
           Glory
           by
           Suffering
           ;
           the
           more
           they
           are
           tryed
           and
           refined
           ,
           the
           brighter
           their
           Crown
           will
           be
           .
        
         
         
           5.
           
           'T
           is
           our
           Felicity
           quietly
           to
           resign
           our
           Wills
           to
           the
           Blessed
           Will
           of
           God.
           Patience
           ,
           considered
           as
           a
           Moral
           Vertue
           ,
           frees
           us
           from
           many
           Sorrows
           and
           Vexations
           that
           are
           supervenient
           to
           an
           Affliction
           ,
           and
           are
           caused
           meerly
           from
           the
           Distemper
           ,
           and
           unquiet
           disorderly
           agitations
           of
           our
           own
           Passions
           Nature
           instructs
           a
           Dog
           by
           licking
           his
           Wound
           to
           heal
           it
           ,
           a
           lively
           Emblem
           of
           the
           healing
           operation
           of
           discreet
           Patience
           to
           the
           Afflicted
           Spirit
           .
           Patience
           lines
           the
           Yoke
           ,
           and
           makes
           it
           softer
           and
           more
           easy
           to
           us
           .
           Besides
           ,
           an
           humble
           and
           full
           Submission
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           the
           Rule
           of
           Goodness
           ,
           brings
           down
           the
           Peace
           and
           Joy
           of
           Paradise
           into
           our
           Souls
           .
           The
           glorified
           Saints
           are
           raised
           above
           all
           Disasters
           and
           Troubles
           ;
           nothing
           can
           disturb
           
           the
           serenity
           ,
           or
           stain
           the
           purity
           of
           their
           state
           :
           From
           this
           Principle
           of
           Perfection
           and
           Felicity
           ,
           that
           God's
           Will
           is
           always
           accomplished
           ,
           to
           which
           their
           Wills
           are
           intirely
           subordinate
           ,
           in
           obedience
           to
           his
           Authority
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           proper
           inclination
           .
           As
           the
           Waters
           which
           in
           the
           Creation
           God
           transported
           above
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           are
           not
           moved
           as
           those
           here
           below
           by
           the
           furious
           agitation
           of
           the
           Winds
           ,
           but
           as
           if
           they
           were
           of
           a
           Coelestial
           nature
           ,
           have
           the
           same
           regular
           motion
           with
           the
           Heavens
           .
           The
           Angels
           ,
           whose
           Zeal
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           Love
           to
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men
           is
           incomparable
           ,
           yet
           they
           see
           the
           Rebellion
           of
           his
           Subjects
           ,
           whereby
           his
           Glory
           is
           obscured
           ,
           and
           the
           final
           destruction
           of
           Rebellious
           Sinners
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           diminution
           
           of
           their
           Felicity
           ,
           because
           they
           always
           acquiesce
           in
           the
           Divine
           Will
           ,
           that
           orders
           all
           things
           for
           the
           best
           end
           .
           And
           so
           far
           as
           our
           Wills
           are
           complying
           with
           the
           Divine
           Will
           ,
           we
           enjoy
           a
           tranquillity
           of
           Mind
           ,
           which
           afflictive
           accidents
           cannot
           disquiet
           .
           St.
           Austin
           describes
           Blessedness
           to
           consist
           in
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           our
           desires
           ,
           and
           in
           having
           only
           regular
           Desires
           :
           Now
           a
           Saint
           whose
           Will
           is
           absolutely
           resigned
           to
           God's
           Will
           ,
           has
           a
           foretaste
           of
           Blessedness
           here
           ;
           for
           whatsoever
           happens
           to
           him
           here
           ,
           is
           from
           God's
           Will
           that
           approves
           or
           permits
           it
           ,
           and
           herein
           he
           finds
           satisfaction
           .
           What
           a
           pure
           undisturbed
           Pleasure
           springs
           from
           this
           Consideration
           ,
           that
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Love
           of
           God
           chuseth
           always
           what
           is
           best
           for
           us
           ?
           This
           will
           
           make
           us
           contented
           in
           every
           state
           ,
           even
           when
           our
           Condition
           is
           not
           correspondent
           with
           our
           natural
           Desires
           ,
           our
           Desires
           are
           graciously
           accorded
           with
           our
           Condition
           .
           What
           expensive
           Industry
           has
           been
           used
           to
           procure
           the
           fancied
           
             Philosopher's
             Stone
          
           ,
           that
           changes
           all
           Metals
           into
           Gold
           ,
           which
           if
           obtained
           cannot
           make
           us
           happy
           ?
           For
           as
           the
           natural
           heat
           of
           the
           Body
           does
           not
           proceed
           from
           the
           Cloaths
           ,
           but
           from
           the
           Body
           that
           warms
           them
           :
           We
           see
           Persons
           in
           the
           Fit
           of
           an
           Ague
           shake
           with
           cold
           ,
           tho
           covered
           with
           Furs
           ;
           So
           true
           Felicity
           doth
           not
           proceed
           from
           the
           outward
           Condition
           ,
           but
           from
           the
           Temper
           of
           the
           Mind
           .
           The
           Rich
           often
           want
           Content
           in
           the
           confluence
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           are
           often
           disquieted
           with
           the
           fears
           of
           losing
           their
           Possessions
           :
           But
           
           Acquiescence
           in
           the
           Divine
           Disposal
           always
           brings
           satisfaction
           to
           the
           Soul.
           'T
           is
           an
           inviolable
           Treasure
           that
           cannot
           by
           the
           most
           violent
           Evils
           be
           taken
           from
           us
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           annex
           two
           Considerations
           more
           ,
           to
           shew
           how
           our
           Felicity
           is
           promoted
           by
           our
           patient
           Sufferings
           .
        
         
           First
           ;
           'T
           is
           a
           blessed
           Assurance
           of
           our
           Election
           by
           the
           most
           free
           and
           unchangeable
           Love
           of
           God.
           The
           Apostle
           tells
           afflicted
           Christians
           ,
           
             That
             whom
             he
             did
             foreknow
          
           ,
           
           
             he
             did
             predestinate
             to
             be
             conformed
             to
             the
             Image
             of
             his
             Son
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             be
             the
             first-born
             among
             many
             Brethren
             .
          
           If
           we
           suffer
           with
           his
           divine
           Patience
           ,
           with
           his
           humble
           and
           holy
           Affections
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           clear
           and
           certain
           evidence
           that
           we
           are
           appointed
           to
           reign
           with
           him
           .
           If
           we
           bear
           the
           Image
           of
           our
           suffering
           Saviour
           in
           
           our
           earthly
           State
           ,
           we
           shall
           bear
           his
           glorious
           Image
           in
           the
           Heavenly
           .
           The
           well-grounded
           Hope
           of
           this
           is
           very
           comfortable
           in
           the
           greatest
           Afflictions
           ,
           and
           will
           encourage
           us
           to
           persevere
           in
           humble
           Sufferings
           .
           For
           if
           his
           sovereign
           Pleasure
           has
           ordained
           us
           to
           Eternal
           Life
           ,
           how
           just
           is
           it
           that
           we
           should
           with
           an
           intire
           and
           resigned
           Submission
           yield
           up
           our selves
           to
           the
           conduct
           of
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           ways
           by
           which
           we
           shall
           obtain
           it
           ?
        
         
           Secondly
           ;
           By
           a
           Filial
           Submission
           to
           God's
           Chastisements
           we
           have
           a
           blessed
           Testimony
           of
           our
           Adoption
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           Apostle's
           comfortable
           Inference
           ,
           
             If
             ye
             endure
             Chastisements
             ,
             God
             dealeth
             with
             you
             as
             with
             Sons
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           if
           without
           murmuring
           or
           fainting
           ,
           if
           with
           that
           respect
           and
           subjection
           ,
           that
           
           is
           due
           to
           the
           high
           and
           holy
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           then
           we
           may
           be
           assured
           of
           his
           Paternal
           Relation
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           
             his
             Rod
             comforts
             us
          
           ,
           as
           the
           strokes
           of
           it
           are
           an
           Argument
           of
           his
           care
           and
           love
           to
           us
           .
           From
           hence
           proceeds
           inexpressible
           and
           peculiar
           Consolation
           to
           afflicted
           Christians
           :
           The
           same
           Affliction
           as
           to
           the
           matter
           and
           circumstances
           ,
           may
           be
           upon
           humble
           meek
           Sufferers
           ,
           and
           refractory
           stubborn
           Sinners
           
             that
             kick
             against
             the
             pricks
          
           ,
           but
           are
           distinguished
           by
           the
           intention
           of
           God.
           They
           are
           sent
           to
           the
           Humble
           as
           Corrections
           from
           the
           wise
           love
           of
           a
           Father
           ,
           who
           dearly
           regards
           their
           Souls
           ;
           to
           the
           Obdurate
           as
           Vengeance
           from
           the
           righteous
           severity
           of
           a
           Judge
           .
           Upon
           the
           Humble
           they
           fall
           as
           soft
           as
           a
           Shower
           of
           Snow
           ;
           upon
           the
           other
           as
           the
           Storm
           of
           
             fiery
             Hail
          
           
           upon
           the
           Egyptians
           :
           and
           the
           Issue
           of
           them
           is
           as
           different
           as
           Heaven
           and
           Hell.
           
        
         
           Lastly
           ;
           This
           sharp
           Discipline
           continues
           but
           during
           our
           Minority
           here
           ,
           when
           we
           arrive
           at
           the
           state
           of
           Perfection
           we
           shall
           not
           need
           it
           :
           And
           this
           Life
           is
           but
           a
           short
           transition
           to
           the
           next
           World.
           What
           comparison
           is
           there
           between
           a
           few
           Years
           and
           the
           Volume
           of
           Eternal
           Ages
           ?
           'T
           is
           the
           Consolatory
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             The
             time
             is
             short
             ,
             let
             those
             that
             weep
             be
             as
             if
             they
             wept
             not
             .
          
           Within
           a
           little
           while
           afflicted
           Saints
           shall
           ascend
           to
           the
           Region
           of
           Blessedness
           ,
           and
           no
           Cloud
           of
           Sorrow
           ,
           no
           Shadow
           of
           Fear
           ,
           no
           Darkness
           of
           Anxiety
           ,
           can
           reach
           so
           high
           to
           darken
           and
           disturb
           their
           Felicity
           :
           
             Weeping
             can
             endure
             but
             for
             a
             Night
             ,
             and
             Joy
             comes
             in
             the
             Morning
          
           
           of
           the
           everlasting
           Day
           .
           
             For
             a
             moment
             have
             I
             hid
             my
             Face
             from
             thee
             ,
          
           
           
             but
             with
             everlasting
             kindness
             will
             I
             receive
             thee
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord.
          
           Death
           is
           the
           last
           step
           out
           of
           Mortality
           and
           Misery
           .
           
             Be
             ye
             also
             patient
             ,
             stablish
          
           
           
             your
             Hearts
             ,
             for
             the
             coming
             of
             the
             Lord
             draws
             nigh
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ;
           To
           these
           Motives
           I
           shall
           add
           some
           Directions
           ,
           for
           the
           performance
           of
           this
           hard
           Duty
           .
        
         
           Direct
           .
           1.
           
           A
           stedfast
           Faith
           in
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           and
           Promises
           ,
           will
           compose
           the
           Soul
           to
           a
           quiet
           submission
           to
           God's
           Pleasure
           in
           the
           sharpest
           Troubles
           .
        
         
           All
           things
           are
           under
           the
           intimate
           Inspection
           ,
           the
           wise
           Conduct
           ,
           the
           powerful
           Influence
           of
           his
           Providence
           .
           This
           is
           one
           of
           
           those
           prime
           ,
           universal
           rich
           Truths
           ,
           from
           whence
           so
           many
           practical
           Consequences
           are
           derived
           .
           By
           vertue
           of
           it
           ,
           we
           may
           infallibly
           conclude
           ,
           that
           all
           things
           that
           come
           to
           pass
           ,
           are
           disposed
           in
           the
           best
           season
           ,
           and
           best
           manner
           ,
           for
           the
           best
           ends
           .
           If
           we
           were
           admitted
           to
           the
           Council
           of
           State
           above
           ,
           and
           understood
           the
           immediate
           reasons
           of
           every
           particular
           Decree
           ,
           we
           could
           not
           be
           more
           infallibly
           assur'd
           of
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           the
           Rectitude
           and
           Equity
           of
           his
           Dispensations
           ,
           then
           by
           this
           universal
           Principle
           that
           is
           applicable
           to
           all
           Events
           ,
           as
           Light
           to
           every
           Colour
           ;
           that
           what
           God
           appoints
           is
           best
           .
           That
           we
           may
           feel
           the
           blessed
           influence
           of
           it
           more
           effectually
           ,
           let
           us
           consider
           that
           divine
           Providence
           extends
           to
           the
           whole
           Creation
           :
           'T
           is
           infinite
           ,
           and
           
           over-ruling
           all
           things
           .
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           represent
           it
           in
           Scripture
           according
           to
           the
           narrowness
           of
           our
           Capacity
           :
           As
           Elisha
           contracted
           
           himself
           to
           the
           stature
           of
           the
           Shunamites
           Child
           ,
           applying
           his
           Mouth
           to
           his
           Mouth
           ,
           and
           his
           Hands
           to
           his
           Hands
           .
           Thus
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           
             He
             rides
             upon
             the
             Heavens
          
           ,
           to
           signify
           his
           absolute
           power
           in
           ordering
           all
           the
           motions
           of
           the
           most
           high
           ,
           vast
           and
           glorious
           part
           of
           the
           visible
           Universe
           .
           
             He
             telleth
             the
             number
             of
             the
             Stars
             ;
             he
             calleth
             them
             all
             by
             their
             Names
             .
          
           The
           Stars
           are
           the
           brightest
           and
           most
           active
           parts
           of
           the
           vast
           Region
           above
           us
           ,
           and
           are
           called
           the
           Host
           of
           Heaven
           with
           respect
           to
           their
           Number
           and
           Order
           .
           God
           is
           their
           General
           ;
           and
           tho
           they
           seem
           innumerable
           to
           our
           Senses
           ,
           yet
           the
           multitude
           is
           exactly
           known
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           yields
           
           ready
           and
           entire
           Obedience
           to
           his
           Pleasure
           .
           From
           whence
           the
           Psalmist
           infers
           ,
           
             Great
             is
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             of
             great
             Power
             ,
             his
             Understanding
             is
          
           
           infinite
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           nothing
           in
           the
           lower
           World
           exempted
           from
           the
           Empire
           and
           Activity
           of
           God's
           Providence
           .
           He
           is
           unmoveable
           ,
           and
           moves
           all
           ;
           invisible
           ,
           yet
           appears
           in
           all
           .
           The
           most
           casual
           things
           are
           not
           without
           his
           Guidance
           .
           A
           
           
             Man
             drew
             a
             Bow
             at
             a
             venture
             ,
          
           without
           express
           Aim
           ,
           but
           God
           directed
           the
           Arrow
           through
           the
           Joints
           of
           
           Ahab's
           Armour
           ,
           that
           penetrated
           to
           the
           Springs
           of
           Life
           .
           The
           minutest
           and
           least
           considerable
           things
           are
           ordered
           by
           him
           .
           A
           Sparrow
           does
           not
           fly
           or
           fall
           without
           his
           Disposal
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           an
           Hyperbolical
           Expression
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           but
           an
           absolute
           Truth
           ,
           
           
             That
             all
             the
             Hairs
             of
             our
             Head
             are
          
           
           
             numbred
             ,
             and
             not
             one
             falls
             to
             the
             Ground
             without
             his
             Licence
             .
          
           The
           voluntary
           and
           most
           indetermin'd
           causes
           of
           things
           are
           under
           his
           Conduct
           .
           The
           Hearts
           of
           Men
           ,
           even
           of
           Kings
           that
           are
           most
           absolute
           and
           unconfin'd
           ,
           are
           in
           the
           Hand
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           he
           turns
           them
           according
           to
           his
           Pleasure
           ;
           as
           the
           streams
           of
           Water
           are
           by
           several
           Trenches
           conveyed
           to
           refresh
           a
           Garden
           by
           the
           Skilful
           Husbandman
           .
        
         
           Sin
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           most
           disorderly
           thing
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           is
           not
           only
           within
           the
           compass
           of
           his
           Permission
           ,
           but
           is
           limited
           and
           disposed
           by
           his
           Providence
           :
           And
           such
           is
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           not
           permit
           it
           ,
           if
           his
           Power
           could
           not
           over-rule
           that
           Evil
           ,
           for
           a
           Good
           that
           preponderates
           the
           Evil.
           And
           
           all
           afflictive
           Evils
           ,
           by
           his
           own
           Declaration
           ,
           are
           the
           effects
           of
           his
           just
           and
           powerful
           Providence
           .
           
             Is
             there
             any
             evil
             in
             the
             City
             ,
             and
             I
             have
             not
             done
             it
             ?
          
           His
           Providence
           is
           comprehensive
           and
           complete
           :
           no
           unforeseen
           Accidents
           in
           the
           freest
           and
           most
           contingent
           things
           ,
           no
           unvoluntary
           obstruction
           in
           the
           most
           necessary
           things
           ,
           can
           break
           the
           intireness
           ,
           or
           discompose
           the
           order
           of
           his
           Providence
           .
           
             The
             Lord
             is
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             he
             doth
             whatsoever
             he
             pleaseth
             in
             Heaven
             and
             in
             Earth
             ,
             in
             the
             Sea
             and
             all
             the
             deep
             places
             .
          
           How
           exactly
           and
           easily
           does
           he
           manage
           and
           over-rule
           all
           things
           ?
           The
           whole
           World
           is
           his
           House
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           successive
           Generations
           of
           Men
           his
           Family
           ;
           some
           are
           his
           Sons
           ,
           and
           by
           voluntary
           subjection
           ;
           others
           his
           Slaves
           ,
           and
           by
           just
           constraint
           
           fulfil
           his
           Pleasure
           .
           'T
           was
           the
           saying
           of
           a
           Wise
           King
           instructed
           by
           Experience
           ,
           that
           the
           Art
           of
           Government
           ,
           was
           like
           the
           laborious
           Travel
           of
           a
           Weaver
           ,
           that
           requires
           the
           attention
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           the
           activity
           of
           the
           Body
           ;
           the
           Eyes
           ,
           Hands
           and
           Feet
           are
           all
           in
           exercise
           :
           And
           how
           often
           is
           the
           contexture
           of
           Human
           Counsels
           ,
           though
           woven
           with
           great
           care
           ,
           yet
           unexpectedly
           broke
           ?
           So
           many
           cross
           Accidents
           interpose
           ,
           so
           many
           emergencies
           beyond
           all
           prevention
           start
           up
           ,
           that
           frustrate
           the
           Designs
           and
           Hopes
           of
           the
           most
           Potent
           Rulers
           of
           this
           World.
           But
           God
           disposes
           all
           things
           with
           more
           facility
           than
           one
           of
           us
           can
           move
           a
           grain
           of
           Sand
           :
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           World
           has
           a
           less
           proportion
           to
           his
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           
           uncontrollable
           Power
           ,
           than
           a
           grain
           of
           Sand
           hath
           to
           the
           strength
           of
           a
           Man.
           His
           Counsel
           shall
           always
           stand
           ;
           all
           second
           Causes
           depend
           upon
           him
           in
           their
           Beings
           ,
           their
           agency
           and
           influences
           .
           Nothing
           is
           executed
           in
           this
           visible
           Kingdom
           below
           ,
           but
           by
           express
           Order
           from
           his
           invisible
           Court
           ;
           and
           all
           Occurrences
           are
           made
           use
           of
           for
           the
           accomplishing
           the
           designs
           of
           his
           Electing
           Mercy
           ,
           in
           the
           glorification
           of
           his
           Saints
           .
           Now
           all
           that
           is
           comfortable
           and
           reviving
           ,
           is
           contained
           in
           this
           Principle
           .
           If
           his
           Providence
           reaches
           to
           the
           Birds
           of
           the
           Air
           ,
           and
           the
           Lillies
           of
           the
           Field
           ,
           much
           more
           to
           the
           Saints
           ,
           in
           whom
           he
           hath
           a
           propriety
           ;
           and
           such
           is
           his
           condescending
           Love
           ,
           and
           inconceivable
           benignity
           ,
           that
           he
           stiles
           himself
           by
           the
           most
           endearing
           
           relation
           ,
           
             their
             God.
          
           They
           are
           the
           prime
           part
           of
           his
           vigilant
           care
           .
           'T
           is
           St.
           
           Austin's
           affectionate
           ejaculation
           ,
           
             O
             Omnipotent
             Goodness
             ,
             that
          
           
           
             so
             particularly
             regardest
             every
             one
             of
             us
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             sole
             objects
             of
             thy
             tender
             care
             ,
             and
             all
             of
             us
             as
             single
             persons
             !
          
           The
           Sun
           applies
           its
           quickening
           influences
           for
           the
           production
           and
           growth
           of
           a
           single
           Plant
           as
           particularly
           as
           if
           there
           were
           no
           other
           things
           in
           the
           World
           to
           receive
           them
           ;
           yet
           at
           the
           same
           time
           it
           passes
           from
           Sign
           to
           Sign
           in
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           changes
           the
           Scenes
           of
           the
           Elements
           ,
           produces
           new
           Seasons
           ,
           and
           its
           active
           and
           prolifick
           heat
           forms
           and
           transforms
           whatsoever
           is
           changed
           in
           Nature
           .
           This
           is
           a
           fit
           resemblance
           of
           the
           universal
           and
           special
           operations
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           ;
           what
           a
           strong
           security
           doth
           this
           give
           to
           a
           Christian
           in
           the
           
           midst
           of
           all
           Trouble
           in
           this
           corrupt
           and
           changeable
           World
           ?
           How
           will
           it
           clear
           the
           mind
           from
           those
           miserable
           perplexities
           ,
           and
           quiet
           those
           improvident
           ,
           precipitant
           Passions
           that
           so
           often
           afflict
           the
           afflicted
           ?
           Whatever
           Evils
           befal
           the
           Saints
           ,
           are
           with
           the
           Knowledg
           ,
           the
           Will
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           efficiency
           of
           God
           ,
           materially
           considered
           ;
           and
           is
           he
           defective
           in
           Wisdom
           ,
           Power
           ,
           or
           Goodness
           ,
           that
           what
           he
           does
           ,
           either
           might
           or
           ought
           to
           be
           better
           otherwise
           ?
           Indeed
           ,
           sometimes
           the
           special
           ends
           of
           his
           Afflicting
           Providence
           are
           in
           such
           deep
           obscurity
           ,
           that
           our
           Line
           is
           too
           short
           to
           fathom
           ,
           and
           the
           manner
           how
           good
           shall
           result
           from
           Evil
           is
           unknown
           ,
           but
           then
           we
           may
           conclude
           with
           evidence
           ,
           't
           is
           for
           the
           best
           .
           When
           Caesarius
           a
           Primitive
           Saint
           was
           arguing
           in
           himself
           ,
           how
           that
           Scripture
           
           could
           be
           true
           ,
           that
           the
           Earth
           was
           founded
           on
           the
           Waters
           ;
           how
           the
           more
           weighty
           Element
           should
           not
           sink
           ,
           and
           be
           overwhelmed
           by
           the
           other
           :
           he
           stopt
           the
           course
           of
           his
           Thoughts
           by
           this
           reflection
           ,
           
             I
             forgat
             my self
             when
             I
             said
             to
             God
             ,
             how
             can
             this
             be
             ?
          
           and
           admires
           that
           which
           
           he
           could
           not
           comprehend
           .
           For
           inferiour
           reasons
           we
           often
           pray
           ,
           that
           particular
           Evils
           that
           are
           near
           ,
           may
           be
           prevented
           ;
           but
           if
           they
           overtake
           us
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           satisfied
           that
           they
           are
           appointed
           by
           his
           supreme
           Reason
           and
           Everlasting
           Counsel
           .
           As
           in
           a
           Consort
           of
           Musick
           ,
           the
           parts
           are
           not
           formed
           when
           they
           are
           sung
           ,
           but
           were
           composed
           before
           by
           the
           skill
           of
           the
           Musician
           ,
           and
           every
           part
           assign'd
           convenient
           to
           the
           Voices
           of
           the
           Persons
           .
           Thus
           the
           various
           conditions
           and
           passages
           of
           our
           lives
           were
           so
           disposed
           
           by
           the
           Sovereign
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           from
           Eternity
           ,
           and
           as
           most
           fit
           for
           us
           .
           Whether
           the
           Evils
           proceed
           more
           immediately
           and
           intirely
           from
           his
           hand
           ,
           or
           by
           the
           intercurrence
           of
           second
           causes
           ;
           't
           is
           equally
           certain
           they
           come
           by
           the
           determinate
           Counsel
           and
           foreknowledg
           of
           God.
           Our
           Saviour
           answers
           
             Pilate
             ,
             Thou
             couldst
             have
             no
             power
             at
             all
             against
             me
             ,
             except
             it
             were
             given
             thee
             from
             above
             .
          
           All
           the
           afflictive
           Evils
           that
           proceed
           from
           the
           malice
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           increase
           their
           Guilt
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           are
           ordered
           by
           his
           Providence
           ,
           for
           the
           Spiritual
           and
           Eternal
           Good
           of
           his
           People
           ;
           this
           consideration
           will
           prevent
           much
           Sin
           and
           Trouble
           that
           the
           best
           Men
           are
           liable
           to
           in
           their
           perturbations
           and
           passions
           .
           There
           is
           nothing
           more
           exasperates
           an
           afflicted
           Mind
           than
           the
           
           apprehension
           that
           one
           unjustly
           suffers
           ,
           
             
               Leniter
               ex
               merito
               quicquid
               patiare
               ferendum
               est
               :
            
             
               —
               Quae
               venit
               indignè
               poena
               dolenda
               venit
               .
            
          
           A
           righteous
           punishment
           even
           Nature
           consents
           is
           to
           be
           received
           with
           meek
           submission
           ;
           but
           to
           be
           patient
           under
           unjust
           Persecutions
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           provok't
           by
           Injuries
           and
           Enemies
           ,
           is
           one
           of
           the
           hardest
           things
           in
           the
           World.
           If
           by
           a
           flash
           of
           Lightning
           ,
           or
           by
           a
           shower
           of
           Rain
           ,
           we
           are
           blasted
           or
           wet
           ,
           we
           endure
           it
           patiently
           ;
           but
           if
           one
           throw
           Wild-fire
           or
           Water
           on
           us
           ,
           we
           resent
           the
           indignity
           with
           Anger
           and
           Vexation
           .
           Now
           ,
           if
           we
           in
           our
           deliberate
           Thoughts
           consider
           ,
           that
           God
           not
           only
           permits
           ,
           
           but
           sends
           all
           the
           Evils
           we
           most
           unworthily
           suffer
           from
           Men
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           commands
           our
           quiet
           ,
           humble
           behavior
           under
           them
           ,
           nay
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           over-rule
           all
           so
           as
           the
           issue
           shall
           be
           blessed
           ,
           what
           tranquillity
           and
           acquiescence
           will
           it
           produce
           in
           the
           sharpest
           Dispensations
           of
           his
           Providence
           ?
           But
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           exclude
           Providence
           out
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           Mind
           is
           involved
           in
           Darkness
           with
           all
           its
           Terrors
           .
           Atheism
           is
           the
           Gulf
           of
           Impiety
           and
           Infelicity
           .
           
             None
             says
             ,
             where
             is
             God
             ,
             my
             Maker
             ,
             that
             gives
             Songs
             in
             the
             Night
             ,
          
           that
           converts
           Poisons
           into
           Remedies
           ,
           the
           saddest
           Evils
           into
           means
           of
           the
           best
           Good
           ,
           and
           our
           Afflictions
           into
           Consolations
           .
           He
           that
           lives
           without
           God
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           if
           he
           loseth
           what
           he
           superlatively
           loves
           ,
           or
           falls
           under
           an
           incurable
           Evil
           ,
           has
           no
           other
           remedy
           
           but
           a
           resolution
           to
           endure
           it
           as
           well
           as
           he
           can
           :
           And
           he
           is
           extreamly
           miserable
           that
           has
           no
           Joy
           here
           ,
           nor
           hopes
           of
           it
           hereafter
           ,
           nor
           the
           encouragement
           of
           a
           happy
           Issue
           to
           bear
           it
           patiently
           .
        
         
           In
           conjunction
           with
           the
           belief
           of
           God's
           Providence
           ,
           our
           belief
           of
           his
           Promises
           ,
           that
           his
           Truth
           is
           unchangeable
           ;
           for
           the
           performance
           of
           them
           ,
           is
           requisite
           to
           preserve
           the
           afflicted
           Spirit
           in
           a
           calm
           and
           submissive
           state
           .
           A
           present
           Evil
           strikes
           the
           imagination
           and
           senses
           in
           another
           manner
           than
           a
           future
           Spiritual
           Good.
           Now
           
             Faith
             is
             the
             substance
             of
             things
          
           
           
             hoped
             for
          
           ,
           &c.
           it
           makes
           invisible
           things
           to
           be
           the
           greatest
           realities
           to
           the
           Soul
           ;
           the
           steady
           reliance
           upon
           the
           Divine
           Attributes
           engaged
           them
           to
           fulfil
           his
           Promises
           ,
           and
           is
           of
           an
           invincible
           efficacy
           
           to
           strengthen
           the
           Soul
           in
           every
           distress
           .
           
             O
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             ,
             blessed
             is
             the
             Man
             that
             trusteth
             in
             thee
             .
          
           His
           
           uncontrollable
           power
           governs
           all
           the
           Orders
           of
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           the
           Honour
           of
           his
           Truth
           is
           so
           Sacred
           ,
           
             that
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             shall
             pass
             away
             without
             the
             failing
             of
             any
             good
             thing
             promised
             to
             his
             People
             .
          
           Faith
           assists
           Patience
           ;
           as
           the
           Blood
           that
           is
           a
           natural
           Balsam
           ,
           flows
           to
           the
           wounded
           part
           to
           heal
           and
           consolidate
           it
           .
           These
           Graces
           are
           inseparable
           ,
           and
           are
           recorded
           with
           special
           observation
           ,
           as
           the
           Fountains
           of
           Courage
           under
           Sufferings
           .
           
             Here
             is
             the
             Faith
             and
             Patience
             of
             the
          
           
           
             Saints
             ;
             and
             we
             are
             directed
             to
             follow
             them
             who
             through
             Faith
             and
             Patience
             have
             inherited
             the
             Promises
             .
          
           Other
           Graces
           are
           engaged
           in
           the
           Christian
           Combate
           ,
           and
           strive
           for
           Victory
           ,
           but
           Faith
           and
           Patience
           are
           
           Crowned
           .
           And
           to
           support
           us
           in
           great
           Troubles
           ,
           a
           firm
           affiance
           in
           the
           Divine
           Promises
           as
           belonging
           to
           us
           is
           of
           infinite
           Moment
           .
           
             I
             will
             greatly
             rejoice
             ,
             and
             trust
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           
           
             my
             Soul
             shall
             be
             joiful
             in
             my
             God.
          
           The
           general
           apprehension
           of
           God's
           Mercy
           is
           ineffectual
           to
           support
           us
           :
           and
           to
           claim
           a
           Title
           in
           him
           without
           a
           real
           Evidence
           ,
           is
           vain
           .
           But
           a
           regular
           Trust
           ,
           an
           applicative
           Faith
           ,
           in
           conjunction
           with
           our
           sincere
           performing
           the
           Conditions
           of
           the
           Promises
           ,
           is
           to
           a
           Christian
           ,
           like
           the
           sacred
           locks
           of
           
           Sampson's
           hair
           ,
           whilst
           they
           remained
           ,
           he
           was
           invincible
           ;
           but
           when
           cut
           off
           ,
           he
           became
           weak
           as
           other
           Men.
           Our
           Comforts
           rise
           and
           fall
           according
           to
           the
           stronger
           or
           weaker
           degrees
           of
           our
           Faith
           :
           Peter
           walked
           firm
           upon
           the
           Waves
           till
           he
           doubted
           ,
           and
           then
           
           began
           to
           sink
           .
           One
           of
           the
           sorest
           and
           most
           dangerous
           Temptations
           of
           the
           Afflicted
           is
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           out
           of
           God's
           Favour
           .
           The
           Mourning
           Veil
           darkens
           the
           Eyes
           of
           their
           minds
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           see
           his
           compassionate
           Countenance
           ,
           they
           cannot
           reconcile
           his
           Gracious
           Promises
           with
           his
           Providential
           Dispensations
           ;
           the
           good
           things
           he
           hath
           prepared
           for
           hereafter
           ,
           with
           the
           Evils
           he
           sends
           here
           .
           As
           Gideon
           complained
           to
           the
           Angel
           ,
           
             If
             God
             be
             with
             us
             ,
             how
             comes
             all
             this
             Evil
             to
             us
             ?
          
           And
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Darkness
           takes
           the
           advantage
           of
           great
           Troubles
           to
           tempt
           sad
           Souls
           to
           despondency
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           utterly
           forsaken
           of
           God.
           If
           this
           Temptation
           prevail
           ,
           
             if
             the
             Heavens
             be
             as
             Brass
             ,
             and
             the
             Earth
             as
             Iron
             ,
          
           if
           no
           Influences
           descend
           from
           above
           ,
           and
           there
           be
           no
           Springs
           below
           ,
           
           if
           Divine
           and
           Human
           Comforts
           fail
           ,
           there
           remains
           nothing
           but
           desperate
           Sorrow
           .
           S.
           Austin
           ,
           to
           repel
           this
           Temptation
           ,
           introduceth
           
           God
           answering
           the
           Afflicted
           and
           Discomforted
           :
           
             Is
             this
             thy
             Faith
             ?
             Did
             I
             promise
             Temporal
             Prosperity
             to
             you
             ?
             Were
             you
             made
             a
             Christian
             for
             this
             ,
             that
             you
             might
             flourish
             in
             this
             World
             ?
          
           The
           Faith
           of
           our
           Adoption
           is
           confirmed
           by
           his
           Corrections
           .
           If
           they
           are
           profitable
           to
           us
           ,
           if
           we
           are
           refined
           ,
           not
           hardned
           by
           the
           Fiery
           Trial
           ,
           we
           have
           a
           clear
           Testimony
           of
           our
           Interest
           in
           him
           .
           
             I
             will
             bring
             them
             through
             the
             Fire
             ,
             and
          
           
           
             they
             shall
             be
             refined
             as
             Silver
             and
             Gold
             is
             tryed
             ;
             and
             they
             shall
             say
             the
             Lord
             is
             my
             God.
             
          
        
         
           Briefly
           ,
           Let
           us
           strengthen
           our
           Faith
           of
           the
           glorious
           State
           ,
           and
           our
           Title
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           it
           will
           make
           us
           firm
           against
           all
           the
           violent
           Impressions
           
           of
           Adversity
           ;
           it
           will
           produce
           a
           joyful
           exultation
           even
           in
           the
           afflicted
           State.
           The
           Christian
           that
           with
           stedfast
           Faith
           ,
           and
           attentive
           Consideration
           ,
           looks
           on
           the
           inestimable
           ,
           infinite
           Felicity
           ,
           is
           regardless
           of
           all
           things
           in
           the
           World
           in
           comparison
           with
           it
           .
           Sacred
           History
           reports
           of
           Saul
           the
           Persecutor
           ,
           who
           was
           transformed
           into
           an
           Apostle
           ,
           that
           a
           sudden
           Light
           from
           Heaven
           of
           that
           excessive
           brightness
           encompassed
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           struck
           blind
           ,
           and
           saw
           no
           Man
           :
           This
           may
           be
           easily
           and
           justly
           applied
           to
           every
           sincere
           Believer
           in
           a
           moral
           sence
           ;
           the
           first
           effect
           of
           the
           spiritual
           Light
           that
           shines
           in
           the
           Eyes
           of
           his
           Mind
           ,
           and
           discovers
           unseen
           eternal
           things
           ,
           is
           to
           darken
           his
           sight
           of
           the
           things
           that
           are
           temporal
           :
           Even
           the
           greatest
           things
           here
           are
           not
           of
           such
           moment
           
           as
           to
           allure
           or
           terrify
           him
           from
           profecuting
           his
           blessed
           End.
           St.
           Peter
           declares
           of
           persecuted
           Christians
           ,
           
             That
             believing
             they
             rejoice
          
           
           
             with
             Joy
             unspeakable
             and
             full
             of
             Glory
             .
          
           The
           Martyrs
           dearly
           embraced
           the
           Cross
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           prized
           the
           Thorns
           of
           his
           Crown
           ,
           more
           than
           all
           the
           Roses
           of
           Pleasure
           ,
           than
           all
           the
           Diadems
           of
           earthly
           Dignity
           ,
           in
           expectation
           of
           the
           blessed
           
             Reward
             .
             Tertullian
          
           wrote
           to
           the
           noble
           Confessors
           of
           Christ
           that
           were
           imprisoned
           in
           
             Africa
             ,
             How
             willingly
             would
             we
             change
             our
             Prosperity
             with
             your
             precious
             Miseries
             ?
          
           If
           weak
           nature
           be
           sensible
           of
           your
           hard
           Restraint
           and
           Sufferings
           ,
           take
           flight
           by
           your
           Thoughts
           to
           Paradise
           .
           The
           Persecutors
           cannot
           lay
           Fetters
           
           upon
           your
           Spirits
           ,
           but
           when
           
           you
           please
           you
           may
           ascend
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           ,
           where
           you
           shall
           reign
           for
           ever
           .
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           counterpoise
           the
           Darkness
           ,
           and
           Straitness
           ,
           the
           Loathsomness
           and
           Sufferings
           of
           your
           Prison
           ,
           with
           the
           Light
           and
           Amplitude
           ,
           the
           Riches
           and
           Abundance
           ,
           the
           Joy
           and
           Glory
           of
           the
           Celestial
           Kingdom
           ,
           which
           no
           Words
           are
           significant
           enough
           or
           worthy
           to
           express
           .
           A
           
           Saint
           whose
           Blessedness
           is
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           cannot
           be
           made
           utterly
           unhappy
           by
           Afflictions
           on
           Earth
           .
           He
           will
           serve
           God
           with
           as
           much
           Love
           and
           as
           good
           a
           Will
           ,
           when
           poor
           ,
           despised
           ,
           disconsolate
           ,
           as
           in
           a
           flourishing
           condition
           ,
           and
           with
           this
           peculiar
           satisfaction
           ,
           that
           his
           sincerity
           is
           then
           most
           evident
           :
           For
           the
           Service
           that
           is
           without
           respect
           
           to
           a
           present
           Sallary
           ,
           is
           not
           base
           and
           mercenary
           for
           a
           temporal
           Interest
           .
           Besides
           ,
           that
           Obedience
           is
           more
           eminent
           and
           acceptable
           that
           is
           with
           Sufferings
           ,
           and
           the
           Reward
           shall
           be
           answerable
           to
           our
           Obedience
           .
           One
           Draught
           of
           the
           River
           that
           makes
           glad
           the
           City
           of
           God
           above
           ,
           can
           sweeten
           all
           the
           bitterness
           of
           the
           World.
           In
           short
           ,
           the
           Christians
           Hope
           is
           in
           the
           Apostle's
           Expression
           ,
           
             The
             Anchor
             of
             the
             Soul
             sure
             and
             stedfast
             ,
             that
             enters
             within
             the
             Veil
             ,
          
           it
           is
           fastened
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           confirmed
           by
           the
           fidelity
           of
           God's
           Promises
           ,
           and
           the
           prevailing
           Intercession
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           secured
           us
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           all
           the
           turbulent
           Agitations
           in
           the
           wide
           Sea
           below
           .
           Hope
           makes
           us
           not
           only
           patient
           but
           joyful
           in
           all
           our
           Sufferings
           .
           A
           Christian
           encouraged
           by
           the
           blessed
           Hope
           ,
           
           comes
           with
           joy
           to
           Death
           ,
           as
           the
           Door
           that
           opens
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Glory
           ,
           and
           immortal
           blessedness
           .
        
         
           Direct
           .
           2.
           
           Let
           God
           be
           the
           supreme
           Object
           of
           our
           Esteem
           and
           Affections
           ;
           and
           whatsoever
           Evils
           we
           sustain
           ,
           will
           be
           made
           light
           and
           easy
           to
           us
           .
           The
           Apostle
           assures
           us
           ,
           
             That
             all
             things
             ,
             even
             the
             most
             afflicting
             ,
             work
             for
             the
             good
             of
          
           
           
             those
             that
             love
             God.
          
           That
           Heavenly
           Affection
           is
           not
           only
           the
           condition
           that
           intitles
           us
           to
           that
           Promise
           ,
           that
           by
           special
           priviledge
           makes
           all
           the
           Evils
           of
           this
           World
           advantagious
           to
           the
           Saints
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           the
           qualification
           by
           which
           't
           is
           accomplished
           .
           By
           Love
           we
           enjoy
           God
           ,
           and
           Love
           will
           make
           us
           willing
           to
           do
           or
           suffer
           what
           he
           pleaseth
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           have
           fuller
           Communion
           
           with
           him
           .
           In
           God
           all
           perfections
           are
           in
           transcendent
           eminence
           ,
           they
           are
           always
           the
           same
           and
           always
           new
           .
           He
           gives
           all
           things
           without
           any
           diminution
           of
           his
           Treasures
           :
           He
           receives
           the
           Praises
           and
           Services
           of
           the
           Angels
           without
           any
           advantage
           or
           increase
           of
           his
           Felicity
           .
           By
           possessing
           him
           ,
           all
           that
           is
           amiable
           and
           excellent
           in
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           may
           be
           enjoyed
           in
           a
           manner
           incomparably
           better
           than
           in
           the
           Creatures
           themselves
           .
           His
           infinite
           Goodness
           can
           supply
           all
           our
           wants
           ,
           satisfy
           all
           our
           desires
           ,
           allay
           all
           our
           Sorrows
           ,
           conquer
           all
           our
           Fears
           .
           One
           Beam
           of
           his
           Countenance
           can
           
             revive
             the
             Spirit
             dead
             in
             Sorrow
             ,
          
           and
           
             buried
             in
             Despair
          
           .
           The
           Prophet
           Jeremy
           in
           the
           Desolation
           of
           his
           Countrey
           ,
           supports
           himself
           with
           his
           Interest
           in
           God.
           
             The
             Lord
             is
             my
             Portion
             ,
             saith
             my
             Soul.
          
           
           
           The
           Expression
           signifies
           the
           Truth
           and
           Strength
           of
           his
           affectionate
           choice
           of
           God
           as
           his
           chiefest
           Good.
           What
           Loss
           can
           make
           a
           Christian
           poor
           ,
           whose
           Treasure
           is
           above
           ?
           What
           Danger
           anxious
           ,
           whose
           Heart
           is
           fixed
           ,
           trusting
           in
           the
           Lord
           ?
           What
           Disaster
           unhappy
           ,
           whose
           Blessedness
           is
           in
           Heaven
           ?
           What
           Death
           can
           destroy
           him
           ,
           whose
           Life
           is
           hid
           with
           Christ
           in
           God
           ?
           Deprive
           him
           of
           all
           the
           contents
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           yet
           by
           communion
           with
           God
           ,
           Heaven
           descends
           to
           him
           ,
           or
           he
           ascends
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           where
           God
           is
           all
           in
           all
           :
           The
           blessed
           Reward
           is
           not
           reserved
           wholly
           till
           hereafter
           .
           Divine
           Joy
           is
           not
           deferred
           till
           our
           entrance
           into
           the
           Celestial
           Kingdom
           :
           There
           't
           is
           a
           refined
           Joy
           from
           all
           mixture
           of
           Sorrow
           ,
           't
           is
           infinitely
           increased
           ;
           there
           spiritual
           Joy
           meets
           eternal
           
           Joy
           ;
           but
           it
           begins
           here
           :
           The
           gracious
           Soul
           has
           a
           taste
           and
           sight
           how
           good
           the
           Lord
           is
           ,
           as
           an
           earnest
           of
           the
           fulness
           of
           Joy
           in
           Heaven
           .
           Hope
           brings
           some
           Leaves
           of
           the
           Tree
           of
           Life
           to
           refresh
           us
           with
           their
           fragrancy
           ;
           but
           Love
           ,
           of
           its
           Fruits
           to
           strengthen
           us
           .
           As
           transplanted
           Fruits
           ,
           where
           the
           Soil
           is
           defective
           ,
           and
           the
           Sun
           less
           favourable
           ,
           are
           not
           of
           that
           Beauty
           and
           Goodness
           as
           in
           their
           Original
           Countrey
           ;
           so
           heavenly
           Joys
           in
           this
           Life
           are
           inferior
           in
           their
           degree
           to
           those
           of
           the
           blessed
           above
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           very
           reviving
           .
           
             In
             the
             multitude
             of
             my
             Thoughts
             within
          
           
           
             me
             ,
             thy
             Comforts
             delight
             my
             Soul.
          
           'T
           is
           the
           triumphant
           Exultation
           of
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           
             Although
             the
             Figtree
             shall
             not
             blossom
             ,
             neither
             shall
             Fruit
             be
             in
          
           
           
             the
             Vines
             ,
             the
             labour
             of
             the
             Olive
             shall
             fail
             ,
             and
             the
             Fields
             shall
             yield
             no
             Meat
             ,
             
             the
             Flock
             shall
             be
             cut
             off
             from
             the
             Fold
             ,
             and
             there
             shall
             be
             no
             Herd
             in
             the
             Stalls
             :
             Yet
             will
             I
             rejoice
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             I
             will
             joy
             in
             the
             God
             of
             my
             Salvation
             .
          
           He
           supposeth
           himself
           in
           Extremity
           ,
           utterly
           destitute
           not
           only
           of
           the
           Refreshments
           ,
           but
           Supports
           of
           Life
           ;
           yet
           he
           knows
           how
           not
           only
           to
           be
           patient
           and
           contented
           ,
           but
           joyful
           in
           the
           most
           forlorn
           Condition
           .
           Joy
           is
           an
           Affection
           proper
           to
           the
           happy
           State.
           
             In
             the
             day
             of
             Prosperity
             ,
             rejoice
             .
          
           And
           in
           his
           deepest
           Affliction
           he
           had
           such
           a
           Felicity
           in
           the
           favour
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           no
           external
           want
           could
           diminish
           .
           The
           Tree
           of
           Life
           brought
           forth
           Fruits
           for
           every
           Month
           ;
           Our
           blessed
           Redeemer
           typified
           by
           it
           ,
           has
           Consolations
           for
           the
           most
           deplorable
           and
           desolate
           Condition
           .
           If
           he
           says
           to
           the
           afflicted
           Soul
           ,
           I
           am
           thy
           Salvation
           ,
           
           and
           within
           a
           little
           while
           thou
           shalt
           be
           with
           me
           for
           ever
           in
           Glory
           ,
           it
           sufficeth
           .
           
             Rejoice
             in
             the
             Lord
             always
             ;
             again
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             rejoice
             .
          
           It
           is
           the
           most
           affectionate
           counsel
           of
           the
           Apostle
           .
           These
           are
           not
           inaccessible
           heights
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           points
           of
           Perfection
           ,
           to
           which
           none
           can
           arrive
           unless
           extraordinary
           Saints
           ;
           but
           are
           the
           experimental
           practice
           of
           humble
           sincere
           Christians
           ,
           that
           say
           with
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           
             Whom
             have
             we
             in
             Heaven
             but
             thee
             ?
             and
             there
             is
             none
             upon
             Earth
             we
             desire
             besides
             thee
             .
          
           The
           guilty
           principle
           of
           vexatious
           discontents
           and
           immoderate
           griefs
           ,
           under
           outward
           losses
           and
           troubles
           ,
           is
           a
           false
           Judgment
           ;
           that
           God
           without
           the
           World
           is
           not
           sufficient
           for
           our
           compleat
           Felicity
           :
           Who
           ,
           unless
           a
           Person
           distracted
           and
           foolish
           ,
           would
           say
           that
           the
           magnificent
           
           Feast
           of
           Ahasuerus
           ,
           that
           was
           prepared
           to
           shew
           the
           Riches
           and
           Glory
           of
           his
           Kingdom
           ,
           was
           mean
           and
           poor
           ,
           because
           there
           was
           not
           set
           before
           the
           numerous
           Guests
           in
           Dishes
           of
           Gold
           ,
           Grass
           and
           Acorns
           ,
           the
           Food
           of
           Brutes
           ?
           'T
           is
           equal
           folly
           to
           imagine
           that
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           an
           infinite
           Good
           ,
           suitable
           to
           the
           spiritual
           immortal
           nature
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           all-sufficient
           to
           fill
           the
           vast
           capacity
           and
           desires
           of
           our
           angelical
           Faculties
           ,
           the
           Understanding
           and
           Will
           ,
           by
           his
           glorious
           Perfections
           ;
           that
           God
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           cannot
           make
           us
           happy
           in
           his
           Love
           ,
           because
           our
           lower
           animal
           Faculties
           ,
           our
           Senses
           ,
           have
           not
           in
           our
           Communion
           with
           him
           what
           is
           pleasing
           to
           their
           carnal
           Appetites
           .
           The
           Spouse
           in
           the
           Canticles
           is
           represented
           as
           a
           
             Lilly
             among
             Thorns
          
           ,
           incompassed
           and
           opprest
           
           with
           injurious
           Enemies
           ,
           yet
           she
           breaks
           forth
           in
           triumphant
           Joy
           ,
           
             I
             am
             my
             Beloved's
             ,
             and
             he
             is
             mine
          
           ;
           by
           an
           irrevocable
           donation
           she
           gave
           her
           Heart
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           reciprocally
           he
           gave
           himself
           to
           her
           ;
           she
           despised
           all
           inferiour
           things
           ,
           and
           rested
           in
           his
           Love
           as
           her
           sole
           Felicity
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           none
           are
           concerned
           to
           lose
           the
           weak
           light
           of
           a
           Candle
           at
           Noon-day
           ,
           when
           the
           Sun
           pours
           forth
           a
           deluge
           of
           Light
           to
           illustrate
           all
           things
           ;
           and
           the
           Soul
           that
           enjoys
           the
           propitious
           Presence
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           satisfied
           therewith
           when
           lower
           Comforts
           fail
           .
        
         
           Direct
           .
           3.
           
           Let
           us
           moderate
           our
           Valuations
           and
           Affections
           to
           things
           below
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           a
           Consequence
           of
           the
           former
           ;
           for
           if
           the
           Heart
           be
           full
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           will
           not
           admit
           any
           inferior
           
           Object
           to
           rival
           him
           in
           his
           Throne
           .
           If
           we
           consider
           the
           vast
           distance
           between
           the
           Perfections
           of
           the
           Creator
           ,
           and
           the
           faint
           Reflections
           of
           them
           in
           the
           Creature
           ,
           our
           Respects
           and
           Love
           should
           be
           accordingly
           .
           Reason
           ,
           Authority
           ,
           Example
           ,
           Experience
           convince
           us
           that
           all
           things
           below
           are
           empty
           Vanities
           ;
           it
           is
           restless
           folly
           to
           seek
           for
           Happiness
           here
           ,
           and
           to
           borrow
           the
           Language
           of
           the
           Angel
           ,
           
             to
             seek
             the
             living
             among
             the
             dead
             .
          
           If
           our
           Felicity
           be
           from
           the
           Light
           and
           Warmth
           of
           Creatures
           ,
           how
           easily
           is
           it
           quenched
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           in
           irrecoverable
           Darkness
           ?
           When
           there
           is
           exorbitant
           Love
           ,
           and
           dissolute
           Joy
           in
           the
           possessing
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           extreme
           and
           desperate
           Sorrow
           in
           losing
           .
           One
           irregular
           Passion
           feeds
           and
           maintains
           another
           .
           The
           Heart
           is
           disposed
           to
           
           contrary
           Extremities
           ,
           and
           passes
           from
           the
           Fire
           to
           the
           Frost
           :
           The
           unequal
           Spirit
           swells
           or
           sinks
           according
           to
           the
           outward
           Condition
           .
           It
           is
           the
           wise
           advice
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             that
             we
             rejoice
             as
             if
             we
             rejoiced
          
           
           not
           ,
           and
           then
           ,
           
             we
             shall
             weep
             as
             if
             we
             wept
             not
             :
          
           Afflictions
           are
           intolerable
           or
           light
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           apprehension
           of
           them
           ;
           an
           indifferency
           of
           temper
           to
           the
           things
           of
           this
           World
           disposeth
           to
           Self-denial
           universally
           ,
           as
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           try
           us
           .
           This
           was
           the
           holy
           and
           happy
           temper
           of
           
             David
             ,
             Surely
             I
             behaved
             and
             quieted
             my self
             as
             a
             Child
             that
             is
             weaned
             of
             his
             Mother
             ,
             my
             Soul
          
           
           
             is
             even
             as
             a
             weaned
             Child
          
           ;
           indifferent
           to
           manage
           a
           Scepter
           or
           a
           Sheep-hook
           ,
           according
           to
           God's
           Pleasure
           .
           If
           we
           can
           deny
           our selves
           ,
           we
           shall
           humbly
           yield
           to
           God.
           If
           we
           can
           sincerely
           say
           ,
           
             Not
             our
             Wills
          
           ,
           we
           
           shall
           readily
           repeat
           our
           Saviour's
           Submission
           ,
           
             But
             thy
             Will
             be
             done
          
           .
        
         
           Direct
           .
           4.
           
           A
           prudent
           forecast
           of
           possible
           Evils
           as
           future
           to
           us
           ,
           arms
           us
           with
           Patience
           to
           sustain
           them
           .
           Since
           Man
           was
           expelled
           from
           the
           terrestrial
           Paradise
           ,
           and
           is
           below
           the
           celestial
           ,
           he
           is
           liable
           to
           innumerable
           afflicting
           Accidents
           .
           His
           condition
           here
           is
           like
           an
           open
           Sea
           ,
           so
           voluble
           and
           inconstant
           ,
           so
           violent
           and
           furious
           :
           Sometimes
           the
           Ships
           are
           raised
           upon
           the
           top
           of
           the
           Waves
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           sailed
           in
           the
           Air
           ;
           and
           sometimes
           plunged
           into
           the
           Waters
           and
           ready
           to
           be
           swallowed
           up
           :
           Such
           frequent
           changes
           happen
           in
           our
           passage
           to
           Eternity
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           mercifully
           ordered
           so
           by
           the
           Divine
           Wisdom
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           so
           use
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           abuse
           it
           ,
           and
           our
           
           selves
           by
           over-waluing
           and
           affecting
           it
           .
           It
           is
           a
           contemplation
           of
           Theodoret
           ,
           that
           the
           Sun
           and
           Moon
           ,
           the
           most
           glorious
           Luminaries
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           so
           beneficial
           to
           the
           Earth
           ,
           would
           be
           honoured
           as
           Deities
           ,
           if
           they
           always
           appeared
           with
           the
           same
           invariable
           tenour
           of
           Light
           :
           And
           therefore
           God
           wisely
           disposed
           of
           their
           Motions
           ,
           that
           at
           the
           revolution
           of
           certain
           Periods
           ,
           they
           should
           suffer
           an
           Eclipse
           ,
           that
           the
           ignorant
           World
           might
           be
           convinced
           they
           were
           but
           parts
           of
           Nature
           appointed
           for
           the
           Service
           of
           Man
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           worthy
           of
           divine
           Honour
           .
           Thus
           we
           see
           ,
           that
           often
           the
           brightest
           and
           fullest
           Prosperity
           is
           eclipsed
           ,
           to
           convince
           us
           by
           the
           miserable
           changes
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           that
           the
           best
           estate
           of
           Man
           is
           altogether
           Vanity
           ,
           and
           that
           these
           things
           are
           utterly
           insufficient
           
           to
           make
           us
           happy
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           worthy
           of
           the
           chief
           Regard
           and
           Affection
           of
           our
           immortal
           Souls
           .
           To
           set
           our
           Hearts
           on
           them
           is
           to
           build
           on
           the
           Sand
           ,
           and
           to
           expose
           our selves
           to
           ruinous
           Falls
           by
           every
           Storm
           .
           A
           sudden
           blast
           overthrows
           the
           Fabrick
           of
           Fancy
           ,
           our
           conceited
           Happiness
           in
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           perishing
           things
           .
           Our
           greatest
           Comforts
           may
           occasion
           our
           greatest
           Afflictions
           :
           
             The
             Glory
             of
             a
             Family
             may
             occasion
             the
             Grief
             of
             it
             .
          
           Now
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           mutable
           nature
           of
           things
           here
           below
           ,
           keeps
           the
           Heart
           loose
           from
           them
           ,
           fortifies
           us
           with
           proper
           Thoughts
           to
           bear
           Evils
           that
           happen
           ,
           and
           prevents
           Disappointments
           ,
           that
           is
           an
           aggravating
           circumstance
           of
           our
           Troubles
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           vexation
           to
           the
           Mind
           .
           The
           Israelites
           when
           transported
           
           from
           the
           Land
           of
           Canaan
           to
           Babylon
           ,
           felt
           the
           rigors
           of
           their
           Captivity
           the
           more
           sensibly
           ,
           in
           that
           they
           were
           confident
           in
           their
           term
           and
           state
           in
           that
           Land
           ,
           as
           their
           permanent
           Inheritance
           :
           to
           be
           expelled
           from
           so
           rich
           a
           Country
           wherein
           they
           promised
           themselves
           Rest
           ,
           was
           a
           high
           degree
           of
           their
           Misery
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           indeed
           a
           prevision
           of
           Evils
           that
           may
           befal
           us
           ,
           that
           has
           Torment
           ,
           that
           anticipates
           and
           exasperates
           Misery
           .
           Fear
           ,
           that
           gives
           the
           Signal
           of
           approaching
           Evils
           ,
           often
           brings
           more
           terrour
           than
           caution
           ,
           and
           like
           a
           timerous
           Centinel
           by
           a
           false
           Allarm
           ,
           astonishes
           rather
           than
           prepares
           the
           Mind
           to
           encounter
           with
           Danger
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           strictly
           forbids
           such
           perplexing
           apprehensions
           of
           future
           Evils
           ,
           as
           most
           unbecoming
           
           Christians
           ,
           who
           are
           under
           the
           perpetual
           Providence
           of
           their
           heavenly
           Father
           .
           
             Take
             no
             thought
             for
             the
             Morrow
             ,
             the
             Morrow
             shall
             take
          
           
           
             thought
             for
             the
             things
             of
             it self
             .
          
           But
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           to
           be
           secure
           in
           our
           Prosperity
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           should
           always
           enjoy
           a
           favourable
           course
           of
           things
           ,
           as
           if
           our
           most
           flourishing
           Comforts
           did
           not
           spring
           from
           an
           earthly
           Original
           ,
           and
           might
           be
           suddenly
           blasted
           ,
           or
           easily
           cut
           down
           ,
           is
           to
           lay
           our selves
           open
           to
           surprizing
           Disorders
           and
           Perplexities
           when
           Evils
           befal
           us
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           wise
           Counsel
           of
           St.
           Peter
           to
           Believers
           ,
           
             Think
             it
             not
             strange
             concerning
          
           
           
             the
             fiery
             Trial
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             try
             you
             ,
             as
             if
             some
             strange
             thing
             happened
             to
             you
             :
          
           For
           unexpected
           Adversity
           falls
           upon
           the
           Soul
           in
           its
           full
           weight
           ,
           and
           suddenly
           overthrows
           it
           .
           Uncomfortable
           Accidents
           
           strike
           to
           the
           Heart
           ,
           when
           't
           is
           not
           arm'd
           to
           receive
           the
           Blow
           :
           Whereas
           the
           remembrance
           of
           our
           frail
           and
           fickle
           State
           ,
           makes
           us
           less
           troubled
           in
           afflictive
           changes
           ,
           because
           prepared
           for
           what
           may
           happen
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           Direct
           .
           5.
           
           Serious
           and
           mournful
           Reflections
           upon
           our
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           what
           we
           deserve
           from
           divine
           Justice
           ,
           is
           both
           a
           Motive
           and
           a
           Means
           to
           suppress
           Impatience
           and
           Indignation
           ,
           and
           to
           allay
           inordinate
           grief
           in
           our
           Sufferings
           .
           We
           are
           directed
           by
           the
           wise
           Preacher
           ,
           
             In
             the
             Day
             of
             Adversity
             consider
             :
          
           It
           is
           a
           proper
           season
           to
           review
           Conscience
           ,
           
             to
             search
             and
             try
             our
             ways
             ,
          
           to
           take
           a
           sad
           and
           serious
           examination
           of
           our
           Lives
           .
           If
           God
           should
           exact
           the
           rigid
           score
           of
           our
           Debts
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           as
           miserable
           as
           we
           
           are
           sinful
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           the
           greatest
           reason
           to
           justify
           him
           ,
           and
           accuse
           our selves
           ;
           much
           more
           when
           our
           Punishment
           is
           far
           below
           our
           Deserts
           .
        
         
           Humility
           is
           the
           Mother
           of
           Meekness
           ,
           they
           are
           Graces
           of
           the
           same
           Complexion
           and
           Features
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           in
           the
           order
           of
           the
           Beatitudes
           ,
           first
           declared
           ,
           
             Blessed
             are
             the
             poor
             in
             Spirit
             ,
          
           that
           have
           a
           low
           conceit
           of
           themselves
           ,
           as
           nothing
           in
           Spirituals
           ,
           and
           worse
           
           than
           nothing
           in
           Sin
           ;
           as
           empty
           of
           all
           that
           is
           Holy
           and
           Good
           ,
           and
           compounded
           of
           all
           Evil
           :
           And
           
             Blessed
             are
             those
             that
             mourn
          
           ,
           in
           a
           sence
           of
           their
           Sins
           :
           And
           then
           ,
           
             Blessed
             are
             the
             Meek
          
           :
           And
           these
           are
           very
           congruously
           joyned
           ,
           for
           Meekness
           is
           a
           Disposition
           inseparable
           from
           the
           other
           .
           He
           that
           duly
           considers
           himself
           to
           be
           a
           wretched
           Creature
           ,
           a
           worthless
           
           Rebel
           ,
           and
           is
           humbly
           and
           sorrowfully
           affected
           for
           his
           unworthiness
           ,
           his
           Passions
           will
           be
           subdued
           ;
           and
           as
           melted
           Metal
           receives
           any
           form
           ,
           so
           he
           patiently
           suffers
           what
           God
           inflicts
           .
           
             A
             broken
             Heart
             is
             an
             acceptable
             Sacrifice
             to
          
           
           God
           ,
           and
           implies
           a
           tender
           sense
           of
           Sin
           ,
           as
           the
           Offence
           and
           Dishonour
           of
           the
           holy
           and
           gracious
           God
           ,
           in
           allusion
           to
           a
           broken
           Bone
           ,
           that
           has
           an
           exquisite
           sense
           of
           any
           hurt
           :
           And
           it
           may
           be
           extended
           to
           signify
           a
           Heart
           that
           is
           compliant
           and
           submissive
           to
           God's
           Will
           ,
           in
           allusion
           to
           a
           Horse
           that
           is
           broken
           ,
           and
           easily
           managed
           by
           the
           Reins
           of
           the
           Rider
           .
           Contrition
           for
           Sin
           is
           always
           joyned
           with
           Resignation
           to
           the
           chastizing
           Providence
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           Godly
           Sorrow
           will
           
           lessen
           natural
           Sorrow
           .
           Sin
           first
           deserves
           our
           Grief
           ,
           and
           the
           sharpest
           accents
           of
           our
           Lamentation
           should
           be
           placed
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           sensible
           we
           are
           of
           it
           ,
           the
           lighter
           will
           Affliction
           be
           to
           us
           .
           As
           the
           opening
           a
           Vein
           stops
           by
           Revulsion
           ,
           a
           flux
           of
           Blood
           in
           another
           part
           ;
           so
           the
           turning
           the
           Stream
           of
           Sorrow
           ,
           from
           Affliction
           to
           Sin
           ,
           is
           a
           powerful
           means
           to
           make
           it
           cease
           :
           There
           is
           Health
           in
           the
           bitterness
           of
           Physick
           ,
           and
           Joy
           in
           the
           depth
           of
           this
           Sadness
           .
           Briefly
           ,
           Repentance
           inclines
           the
           Heart
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           opens
           his
           tender
           compassions
           to
           the
           Afflicted
           .
           We
           have
           an
           admirable
           example
           of
           this
           in
           the
           case
           of
           afflicted
           Ephraim
           ;
           upon
           his
           Penitential
           complaint
           ,
           the
           expression
           of
           his
           Grief
           and
           shame
           for
           his
           Sin
           ,
           God
           graciously
           answers
           ,
           Is
           Ephraim
           
             my
             dear
             Son
             ?
             Is
          
           
           
           
             he
             a
             pleasant
             Child
             ?
             for
             since
             I
             spake
             against
             him
             ,
             I
             do
             earnestly
             remember
             him
             still
             :
             therefore
             my
             Bowels
             are
             troubled
             for
             him
             ;
             I
             will
             surely
             have
             Mercy
             on
             him
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord.
          
           When
           the
           relenting
           Sinner
           is
           covered
           with
           Tears
           ,
           the
           great
           Comforter
           descends
           ,
           and
           brings
           healing
           to
           the
           troubled
           Waters
           :
           this
           advice
           is
           more
           necessary
           for
           the
           Afflicted
           ,
           because
           usually
           the
           stroaks
           of
           Providence
           are
           properly
           a
           Reproof
           and
           Correction
           for
           Sin
           :
           the
           application
           of
           a
           Corrosive
           ,
           implies
           ,
           that
           some
           corrupt
           matter
           is
           to
           be
           discharged
           ;
           God
           is
           provoked
           by
           their
           neglects
           ,
           and
           though
           Love
           cannot
           hate
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           angry
           ,
           and
           without
           renewing
           their
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           recovering
           his
           Favour
           ,
           their
           Afflictions
           are
           very
           uncomfortable
           .
           'T
           is
           extreamly
           sad
           to
           feel
           the
           sting
           of
           a
           
           guilty
           Conscience
           within
           ,
           and
           the
           displeasure
           of
           God
           without
           .
           The
           Burthen
           is
           heavy
           and
           oppressing
           that
           is
           laid
           upon
           a
           wounded
           Back
           .
           It
           is
           therefore
           our
           best
           Wisdom
           and
           Duty
           
             to
             search
             our
             Hearts
             and
             try
             our
             Ways
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             discover
             what
             is
             the
             procuring
             cause
             of
             our
             Troubles
             ,
             and
             turn
             unfeignedly
             to
             the
             Lord.
          
           This
           will
           endear
           Afflicted
           Souls
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           incline
           him
           to
           afford
           gracious
           supports
           to
           them
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           sometimes
           our
           Sufferings
           are
           designed
           for
           Trial
           ,
           especially
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           for
           Righteousness
           sake
           .
           Counterfeit
           Coin
           ,
           though
           with
           a
           fair
           Stamp
           and
           Inscription
           ,
           is
           discovered
           by
           the
           Fire
           ;
           thus
           meer
           titular
           Christians
           ,
           specious
           Hypocrites
           ,
           are
           made
           known
           by
           Persecutions
           :
           but
           true
           substantial
           Gold
           endures
           the
           Fire
           without
           loss
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           't
           is
           tryed
           ,
           the
           
           more
           't
           is
           refined
           .
           Thus
           the
           true
           Christian
           ,
           whom
           neither
           the
           gain
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           nor
           the
           loss
           of
           Life
           can
           remove
           from
           the
           stedfast
           owning
           of
           the
           Holy
           Truth
           ,
           has
           a
           clear
           manifestation
           of
           his
           Sincerity
           .
           And
           it
           is
           a
           peculiar
           favour
           and
           honour
           ,
           when
           God
           calls
           forth
           his
           Servants
           to
           the
           hardest
           Trials
           for
           his
           Names
           sake
           ;
           't
           is
           the
           noblest
           way
           of
           Service
           ,
           a
           special
           Conformity
           to
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           more
           glorious
           than
           the
           resembling
           his
           power
           in
           doing
           Miracles
           :
           In
           this
           the
           Saints
           here
           have
           a
           capacity
           of
           serving
           God
           above
           the
           Angels
           ;
           for
           the
           obedience
           of
           the
           Angels
           is
           always
           joined
           with
           their
           Happiness
           ,
           but
           the
           obedience
           of
           the
           Saints
           here
           ,
           is
           often
           attended
           with
           Adversity
           ,
           and
           is
           more
           valuable
           to
           them
           upon
           that
           account
           :
           As
           a
           Soldier
           of
           Courage
           and
           Generosity
           ,
           
           when
           he
           is
           chosen
           from
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Army
           for
           some
           bold
           Exploit
           ,
           values
           the
           choice
           of
           the
           General
           ,
           as
           a
           signal
           mark
           of
           the
           esteem
           of
           his
           Valour
           and
           Fidelity
           .
           
             To
             you
             it
             is
             given
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             believe
             ,
             but
             to
             suffer
             for
             Christ's
             sake
             .
          
           This
           is
           just
           matter
           of
           Joy.
           Innocence
           with
           the
           faithful
           companion
           of
           it
           ,
           a
           good
           Conscience
           ,
           makes
           our
           Sufferings
           from
           the
           rage
           and
           violence
           of
           Men
           ,
           to
           be
           comfortable
           .
           There
           may
           be
           a
           Feast
           within
           the
           House
           ,
           when
           a
           Storm
           of
           Hail
           rattles
           upon
           the
           Tiles
           .
           But
           it
           is
           sometimes
           so
           ordered
           by
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           that
           the
           Evils
           we
           suffer
           are
           of
           a
           mixt
           nature
           ,
           partly
           Chastisements
           ,
           and
           partly
           Trials
           .
           This
           was
           the
           case
           of
           the
           Believing
           Hebrews
           ,
           to
           whom
           the
           Apostle
           
           directs
           his
           Counsel
           ;
           their
           Persecution
           was
           from
           the
           unrighteous
           
           Pagans
           for
           a
           cause
           purely
           Religious
           ,
           but
           't
           was
           permitted
           by
           the
           righteous
           God
           ,
           as
           a
           punishment
           for
           their
           Sins
           .
           And
           here
           the
           Divine
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           is
           admirable
           ,
           that
           the
           same
           Affliction
           is
           instrumental
           for
           the
           purifying
           of
           his
           Servants
           from
           Sin
           ,
           and
           the
           advancement
           of
           his
           glorious
           Gospel
           .
           The
           first
           and
           most
           immediate
           effect
           of
           his
           Discipline
           ,
           is
           the
           humbling
           and
           sanctifying
           them
           to
           prepare
           them
           for
           his
           Love
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           are
           fortified
           to
           bear
           couragiously
           the
           worst
           Evils
           for
           his
           sake
           .
        
         
           Direct
           .
           6.
           
           Apply
           the
           Mind
           to
           consider
           the
           Blessings
           we
           receive
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Evils
           we
           endure
           .
           Whilst
           the
           intence
           Thoughts
           are
           fixt
           upon
           the
           Cross
           ,
           the
           Soul
           is
           rackt
           with
           inward
           Tortures
           ,
           but
           
           did
           we
           turn
           our
           Eyes
           upon
           our
           Enjoyments
           ,
           and
           the
           Comforts
           that
           are
           interwoven
           with
           our
           Troubles
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           a
           means
           not
           only
           to
           compose
           us
           to
           Patience
           but
           Thankfulness
           .
           The
           Apostle
           directs
           us
           
             to
             trust
             in
             the
             Living
             God
             ,
             who
             giveth
             all
             things
          
           
           
             richly
             to
             enjoy
          
           .
           In
           the
           poorest
           and
           lowest
           state
           of
           Life
           ,
           we
           have
           many
           Favours
           and
           effects
           of
           his
           rich
           Bounty
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           the
           ignorance
           of
           our
           deservings
           and
           of
           our
           enjoyments
           that
           causeth
           Discontent
           and
           Murmuring
           under
           our
           Troubles
           .
           Particularly
           ,
           this
           Consideration
           will
           be
           effectual
           to
           repress
           the
           Discontent
           that
           is
           apt
           to
           kindle
           in
           our
           Breasts
           ,
           upon
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           different
           Dispensations
           of
           Providence
           ;
           that
           some
           are
           exempted
           from
           the
           current
           Adversities
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           live
           in
           
           ease
           and
           pleasure
           ,
           whilst
           we
           are
           deprived
           of
           many
           outward
           Comforts
           .
           Suppose
           a
           Sick
           person
           in
           extream
           Poverty
           ,
           were
           received
           by
           a
           rich
           and
           liberal
           Lord
           into
           his
           House
           ,
           and
           convenient
           Food
           ,
           and
           precious
           Medicines
           were
           provided
           for
           him
           ,
           without
           his
           desert
           or
           possibility
           of
           retribution
           ;
           Would
           he
           be
           so
           foolish
           and
           insolent
           ,
           as
           to
           complain
           of
           unkind
           and
           unworthy
           usage
           ,
           because
           some
           others
           in
           the
           Family
           have
           a
           more
           plentiful
           Table
           and
           richer
           Habit
           allowed
           them
           ?
           On
           the
           contrary
           ,
           let
           us
           look
           down
           to
           those
           who
           are
           below
           us
           :
           How
           many
           are
           poor
           and
           miserable
           in
           the
           want
           of
           all
           things
           needful
           for
           the
           support
           of
           Life
           ?
           How
           many
           are
           under
           tormenting
           pains
           ,
           or
           in
           desperate
           sadness
           ,
           and
           have
           no
           taste
           and
           comfort
           in
           their
           abundance
           ?
           How
           many
           are
           fallen
           
           into
           deep
           Misery
           ,
           and
           that
           aggravated
           by
           the
           afflicting
           Memory
           of
           former
           Happiness
           ?
           How
           many
           are
           surrounded
           by
           their
           cruel
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           see
           no
           refuge
           ,
           no
           sanctuary
           for
           their
           escape
           ,
           but
           a
           necessity
           of
           perishing
           ?
           And
           can
           we
           pretend
           a
           better
           title
           to
           the
           Mercies
           of
           God
           than
           our
           fellow-Worms
           ?
           Our
           Original
           is
           from
           nothing
           ,
           and
           our
           Works
           are
           sinful
           ;
           that
           we
           are
           not
           so
           desolately
           miserable
           as
           others
           ,
           when
           equally
           Guilty
           ,
           is
           from
           the
           rich
           goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           should
           make
           us
           thankful
           .
        
         
           Add
           further
           ;
           Let
           the
           most
           afflicted
           Saint
           in
           the
           World
           compare
           his
           Condition
           with
           that
           of
           the
           most
           prosperous
           wicked
           Persons
           ,
           and
           the
           comparison
           will
           be
           effectual
           to
           endear
           God
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           
           quiet
           his
           Passions
           under
           Sufferings
           .
        
         
           The
           good
           things
           of
           this
           World
           in
           their
           abundance
           ,
           variety
           ,
           and
           excellence
           ,
           cannot
           make
           a
           Sinner
           truely
           happy
           :
           the
           Miseries
           of
           this
           Life
           in
           all
           kinds
           and
           degrees
           ,
           cannot
           make
           a
           good
           Man
           utterly
           miserable
           ;
           nay
           they
           are
           inestimably
           more
           happy
           in
           their
           Sufferings
           than
           the
           Wicked
           in
           their
           Prosperity
           .
           Manna
           rains
           from
           Heaven
           while
           they
           are
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           supports
           and
           comforts
           are
           from
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           shed
           abroad
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ;
           and
           their
           present
           Afflictions
           are
           a
           Seed
           of
           Eternal
           Joy
           ,
           qualify
           and
           prepare
           them
           for
           the
           Joy
           of
           Heaven
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           ,
           from
           whose
           Judgment
           we
           receive
           the
           true
           Weights
           and
           Measures
           of
           things
           ,
           to
           regulate
           our
           Esteem
           and
           Affections
           ,
           declares
           
           his
           Disciples
           when
           under
           the
           sharpest
           Persecutions
           of
           the
           Tongues
           or
           Hands
           of
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           under
           Disgrace
           ,
           Calumnies
           ,
           Tortures
           and
           Death
           ,
           even
           then
           he
           declares
           them
           
             Blessed
             ,
             for
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             belongs
             to
             them
          
           ;
           &
           Heaven
           is
           such
           a
           transcendent
           Blessedness
           ,
           that
           the
           lively
           hope
           of
           it
           as
           the
           reward
           and
           end
           of
           our
           Afflictions
           makes
           us
           Blessed
           here
           .
           And
           the
           most
           prosperous
           Sinners
           ,
           are
           by
           the
           same
           infallible
           Rule
           ,
           miserable
           here
           ;
           for
           the
           irresistible
           ,
           irremediable
           Misery
           that
           is
           ordain'd
           and
           prepar'd
           for
           them
           in
           Hell.
           They
           would
           deceive
           themselves
           with
           the
           Paintings
           of
           Happiness
           ,
           with
           an
           aiery
           imaginary
           happiness
           ;
           whilst
           the
           Senses
           are
           filled
           ,
           the
           Soul
           is
           empty
           ;
           but
           they
           shall
           not
           long
           enjoy
           the
           ease
           of
           their
           ignorance
           and
           security
           ;
           the
           
           World
           can
           do
           no
           more
           to
           make
           them
           happy
           ,
           than
           if
           one
           should
           compound
           and
           temper
           a
           draught
           ,
           and
           give
           it
           to
           the
           Poor
           and
           Miserable
           ,
           that
           induces
           Sleep
           and
           pleasant
           Dreams
           for
           a
           few
           hours
           ,
           but
           when
           they
           awake
           they
           are
           still
           poor
           and
           miserable
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           pronounceth
           a
           Woe
           to
           the
           rich
           and
           full
           ,
           
             to
             those
             that
             laugh
             now
             ,
             for
             they
             shall
             weep
             and
             mourn
             :
          
           their
           false
           deceitful
           felicity
           will
           end
           in
           real
           Misery
           .
           It
           is
           *
           S.
           
           Austin's
           Question
           ,
           Who
           would
           not
           prefer
           Grief
           with
           a
           sober
           Mind
           before
           the
           Jollity
           of
           a
           Phrenzy
           ?
           Who
           would
           be
           a
           merry
           Mad
           Man
           ?
           for
           he
           is
           only
           happy
           in
           his
           Fancy
           ,
           and
           fancies
           himself
           so
           ,
           only
           because
           he
           is
           Distracted
           ;
           and
           according
           to
           the
           Rules
           of
           true
           Wisdom
           ,
           the
           worst
           estate
           of
           a
           Saint
           ,
           when
           lamenting
           and
           languishing
           under
           Troubles
           ,
           
           is
           more
           eligible
           than
           the
           best
           estate
           of
           a
           Sinner
           when
           triumphing
           in
           Prosperity
           .
        
         
           Direct
           .
           7.
           
           Lastly
           ;
           Frequent
           and
           fervent
           Prayer
           to
           the
           Father
           of
           Mercies
           ,
           and
           God
           of
           all
           Consolation
           ,
           is
           a
           blessed
           means
           to
           support
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           humble
           and
           obedient
           to
           the
           Afflicting
           Providence
           of
           God.
           'T
           is
           Divine
           Counsel
           ,
           
             Is
             any
             Afflicted
             ?
             let
             him
             Pray
             .
          
           'T
           is
           Prayer
           opens
           the
           Heart
           ,
           and
           carnal
           Grief
           breaths
           out
           ;
           Prayer
           opens
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           Divine
           Joy
           flows
           into
           the
           Soul
           ;
           the
           King
           of
           Glory
           keeps
           no
           State
           ,
           there
           is
           always
           easie
           access
           to
           his
           Throne
           ,
           and
           his
           Ears
           are
           always
           open
           to
           his
           humble
           Suppliants
           .
           His
           most
           gracious
           Nature
           inclines
           him
           to
           sustain
           us
           in
           our
           dejections
           .
           We
           have
           a
           powerful
           
           Plea
           from
           his
           Compassions
           to
           encourage
           our
           Prayers
           in
           great
           Troubles
           .
           
             He
             will
             regard
             the
             Prayer
             of
             the
             destitute
             ,
             and
             not
             despise
             their
             Prayer
             .
          
           The
           most
           glorious
           Attribute
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           
             the
             Comforter
          
           ,
           is
           most
           useful
           and
           beneficial
           to
           afflicted
           Suppliants
           ;
           Affliction
           is
           the
           Season
           ,
           and
           Prayer
           the
           Sphere
           of
           his
           Activity
           .
           That
           our
           Prayers
           may
           prevail
           ,
           these
           following
           Rules
           must
           be
           observed
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           They
           must
           be
           addressed
           with
           an
           humble
           trust
           on
           the
           Mercies
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           incline
           him
           to
           relieve
           and
           sustain
           the
           afflicted
           .
           Thus
           St.
           James
           directs
           the
           Afflicted
           ,
           
             to
             ask
          
           
           
             in
             Faith
             ,
             nothing
             wavering
          
           .
           We
           read
           in
           Scripture
           of
           his
           Bowels
           ,
           the
           light
           of
           his
           Countenance
           ,
           his
           melting
           Eye
           ,
           the
           soft
           ,
           serene
           ,
           compassionate
           Expresses
           of
           his
           most
           gracious
           Nature
           towards
           his
           suffering
           
           People
           .
           He
           doth
           not
           esteem
           himself
           more
           honoured
           with
           the
           glorious
           Titles
           of
           our
           Creator
           and
           King
           ,
           than
           with
           the
           amiable
           endearing
           Name
           of
           our
           Father
           ;
           and
           with
           a
           confidence
           becoming
           that
           relation
           ,
           we
           are
           directed
           by
           his
           Divine
           Son
           to
           make
           our
           requests
           to
           him
           .
           'T
           is
           recorded
           
           of
           Augustus
           the
           Emperour
           ,
           that
           when
           one
           presented
           a
           Petition
           to
           him
           in
           a
           timerous
           and
           shy
           manner
           ,
           that
           generous
           Prince
           ,
           whose
           Humanity
           was
           equal
           to
           his
           Dignity
           ,
           was
           moved
           with
           displeasure
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           had
           been
           a
           tacit
           reproach
           that
           he
           was
           of
           an
           untractable
           fierce
           Nature
           .
           Thus
           't
           is
           a
           disparagement
           of
           God's
           benignity
           and
           clemency
           ,
           when
           we
           pray
           to
           him
           in
           a
           diffident
           manner
           :
           He
           is
           more
           pleased
           in
           doing
           of
           us
           good
           ,
           than
           we
           can
           be
           in
           receiving
           it
           .
           Indeed
           ,
           
           if
           the
           Promises
           of
           God
           did
           not
           encourage
           our
           Hopes
           ,
           we
           should
           not
           presume
           so
           much
           of
           his
           affection
           ,
           as
           to
           lay
           the
           burden
           of
           our
           Cares
           and
           Sorrows
           on
           his
           Arms
           ;
           but
           Heaven
           is
           not
           fuller
           of
           Stars
           to
           enlighten
           the
           darkness
           of
           the
           Night
           ,
           than
           the
           Scripture
           is
           of
           precious
           Promises
           for
           the
           refreshing
           the
           disconsolate
           .
           When
           the
           Church
           complained
           ,
           
             The
             Lord
             hath
             forsaken
             me
             ,
             and
             my
             Lord
             hath
             forgotten
             me
          
           ;
           
           What
           assurance
           does
           he
           give
           of
           his
           most
           tender
           and
           unchangeable
           Love
           to
           her
           ;
           
             Can
             a
             Woman
             forget
             her
             sucking
             Child
             ,
             that
             she
             should
             not
             have
             compassion
             on
             the
             Son
             of
             her
             Womb
             ?
             yea
             ,
             they
             may
             forget
             ,
             yet
             will
             I
             not
             forget
             thee
             .
             Behold
             ,
             I
             have
             graven
             thee
             upon
             the
             palms
             of
             my
             hands
             :
          
           If
           he
           cannot
           forget
           himself
           ,
           he
           cannot
           forget
           his
           People
           .
           
           'T
           is
           his
           dear
           Title
           ,
           
             God
             that
             comforts
          
           
           
             those
             who
             are
             cast
             down
          
           .
        
         
           Add
           to
           this
           ,
           the
           interest
           of
           the
           Saints
           in
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           who
           ever
           lives
           to
           make
           Intercession
           for
           them
           .
           None
           is
           more
           tenderly
           inclined
           to
           Mercy
           ,
           than
           he
           that
           has
           suffered
           Misery
           :
           And
           he
           felt
           our
           Sorrows
           that
           he
           might
           afford
           relief
           and
           succour
           to
           us
           .
           Whilst
           our
           Saviour
           was
           upon
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           was
           followed
           by
           a
           multitude
           of
           diseased
           miserable
           Persons
           ,
           Vertue
           went
           out
           of
           him
           and
           healed
           them
           all
           :
           And
           since
           his
           Ascent
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           has
           he
           withdrawn
           that
           universal
           Healing
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           left
           us
           under
           irremediable
           and
           unmitigable
           Sorrows
           ?
           Did
           his
           compassionate
           Eye
           regard
           all
           that
           were
           afflicted
           ,
           and
           are
           we
           now
           out
           of
           his
           sight
           ?
           Then
           such
           was
           his
           indulgent
           Humility
           ,
           that
           altho
           he
           could
           
           have
           performed
           the
           Cure
           by
           a
           Word
           ,
           yet
           he
           readily
           offered
           to
           attend
           a
           sick
           Servant
           ,
           
             I
             will
             come
             and
             heal
             him
          
           ;
           and
           now
           he
           is
           raised
           from
           his
           humble
           state
           on
           Earth
           to
           the
           Throne
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           does
           he
           disdain
           to
           extend
           his
           merciful
           Hand
           for
           our
           Relief
           ?
           No
           ,
           his
           Heart
           and
           Love
           is
           the
           same
           in
           Heaven
           as
           upon
           the
           Earth
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           he
           is
           exempted
           from
           all
           passionate
           Frailties
           ,
           all
           afflicting
           Affections
           that
           are
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           Felicity
           and
           Glory
           of
           his
           Kingdom
           :
           But
           he
           still
           retains
           the
           same
           solid
           Love
           ,
           the
           same
           God-like
           Compassion
           ,
           the
           same
           ready
           Will
           to
           support
           and
           deliver
           his
           People
           in
           Misery
           .
           Nay
           ,
           if
           the
           change
           of
           his
           state
           could
           have
           made
           any
           in
           him
           ,
           it
           could
           be
           no
           other
           than
           what
           is
           recorded
           to
           the
           immortal
           Honour
           of
           Vespatian
           ,
           by
           one
           that
           
           had
           experience
           of
           his
           royal
           Bounty
           :
           That
           the
           raising
           him
           to
           the
           Imperial
           Throne
           made
           no
           alteration
           
           in
           his
           Breast
           ,
           but
           that
           his
           Power
           was
           enlarged
           equal
           to
           his
           Will
           of
           doing
           Good.
           Our
           Saviour
           in
           his
           exaltation
           at
           the
           right
           Hand
           of
           God
           ,
           has
           all
           Power
           equal
           to
           his
           infinite
           Love
           that
           is
           suitable
           to
           the
           permanent
           relation
           between
           him
           and
           the
           Saints
           :
           He
           is
           their
           Head
           ,
           and
           they
           his
           Members
           :
           And
           was
           there
           ever
           such
           a
           Miracle
           ,
           or
           rather
           Monster
           in
           Nature
           ,
           that
           the
           Head
           the
           most
           eminent
           part
           ,
           the
           Seat
           of
           all
           the
           Senses
           ,
           did
           not
           resent
           a
           Wound
           made
           in
           the
           Foot
           ,
           the
           lowest
           and
           most
           servile
           part
           of
           the
           Body
           ?
           Does
           it
           not
           presently
           express
           its
           real
           Complaints
           ?
           For
           the
           natural
           union
           of
           the
           parts
           ,
           communicates
           the
           sence
           of
           the
           pain
           suffered
           by
           any
           to
           the
           
           whole
           .
           And
           such
           is
           the
           spiritual
           Union
           ,
           between
           the
           divine
           Head
           and
           his
           Members
           ,
           that
           from
           Heaven
           he
           rebuk'd
           the
           cruel
           Persecutor
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           in
           language
           expressing
           the
           connexion
           of
           Charity
           between
           himself
           and
           them
           ,
           
             Saul
             ,
             Why
             persecutest
             thou
             me
             ?
          
           He
           does
           
           not
           say
           why
           persecutest
           thou
           my
           Saints
           ,
           why
           my
           Servants
           ,
           but
           
             Why
             me
          
           ?
           Tho
           he
           is
           not
           capable
           of
           any
           sorrowful
           sence
           ,
           yet
           his
           Affections
           are
           quick
           and
           vigorous
           to
           his
           People
           .
           If
           it
           were
           possible
           that
           his
           Joy
           ,
           wherewith
           he
           is
           infinitely
           blessed
           ,
           should
           be
           increas'd
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           in
           the
           effusions
           of
           his
           Goodness
           to
           afflicted
           Christians
           .
           
             Let
             us
             therefore
             come
             boldly
             unto
             the
             Throne
             of
             Grace
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             obtain
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             find
             Grace
             to
             help
             in
             time
             of
             need
             .
          
           How
           heavy
           soever
           the
           Calamities
           are
           ,
           
           let
           them
           not
           sink
           our
           Spirits
           into
           Despair
           ,
           but
           raise
           them
           to
           nearer
           approaches
           to
           the
           God
           of
           Consolation
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Prayers
           of
           the
           afflicted
           must
           be
           always
           with
           submissive
           deference
           to
           the
           Will
           and
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           manner
           ,
           the
           degrees
           ,
           and
           time
           of
           his
           delivering
           them
           .
           Afflictions
           are
           not
           peremptory
           and
           immutable
           Dispensations
           ,
           but
           conditional
           for
           holy
           and
           good
           Ends
           ,
           and
           we
           may
           humbly
           pray
           for
           their
           removal
           .
           'T
           is
           no
           resisting
           of
           Providence
           ,
           to
           address
           to
           the
           divine
           Majesty
           with
           frequent
           and
           fervent
           Requests
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           please
           to
           take
           his
           chastizing
           Hand
           off
           from
           us
           .
           Upon
           
           David's
           humble
           Prayer
           ,
           the
           destroying
           Angel
           was
           commanded
           to
           cease
           ;
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           Judgment
           Mercy
           interposed
           ,
           
             It
             is
             enough
          
           .
           But
           
           we
           are
           apt
           to
           be
           impatient
           in
           our
           Troubles
           ,
           and
           by
           hasty
           impetuous
           desires
           of
           Ease
           and
           Deliverance
           ,
           disturb
           our
           tranquility
           ,
           and
           offend
           God.
           As
           those
           who
           are
           diseased
           with
           a
           Rheumatism
           ,
           being
           worse
           in
           the
           Night
           than
           the
           Day
           ,
           impatiently
           long
           for
           the
           rising
           Sun
           to
           dispel
           the
           oppressing
           Humors
           ,
           and
           cheer
           their
           Spirits
           :
           So
           in
           our
           Afflictions
           we
           impatiently
           renew
           our
           Requests
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             How
             long
             ?
             Lord
             ,
             make
             haste
             ,
          
           not
           reposing
           our selves
           on
           his
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           who
           will
           do
           what
           is
           best
           for
           us
           .
           God
           is
           both
           our
           Father
           and
           Physician
           ,
           and
           when
           the
           corrupt
           Humours
           are
           purged
           away
           ,
           will
           give
           Cordials
           and
           Restoratives
           to
           his
           afflicted
           Children
           .
           The
           Prophet
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             He
             that
             believes
             makes
             not
             haste
             ,
          
           he
           doth
           not
           by
           undue
           means
           seek
           to
           remedy
           his
           Evils
           ,
           nor
           passionately
           
           and
           unquietly
           sollicite
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           the
           Promises
           before
           the
           season
           appointed
           by
           the
           divine
           Decree
           ,
           for
           that
           is
           to
           desire
           that
           his
           Mercy
           should
           be
           displayed
           to
           the
           prejudice
           of
           his
           Immutability
           ,
           but
           humbly
           waits
           God's
           Pleasure
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Let
           the
           main
           desires
           of
           the
           Afflicted
           be
           for
           Divine
           Grace
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           never
           more
           necessary
           and
           useful
           than
           in
           Troubles
           )
           that
           they
           may
           glorify
           God
           ,
           and
           obtain
           their
           eminent
           End
           ,
           the
           Salvation
           of
           their
           Souls
           by
           them
           .
           We
           are
           often
           very
           ardent
           in
           our
           Prayers
           for
           trivial
           things
           ,
           neglecting
           the
           most
           necessary
           and
           important
           .
           As
           if
           a
           Prisoner
           loaden
           with
           Irons
           should
           passionately
           intreat
           ,
           that
           his
           Chains
           should
           be
           gilded
           ,
           not
           loosed
           .
           How
           many
           spend
           their
           zealous
           Affections
           in
           praying
           for
           temporal
           things
           ,
           
           wherein
           their
           Happiness
           does
           not
           consist
           .
           One
           of
           the
           reasons
           why
           God
           heaps
           upon
           rebellious
           Sinners
           the
           good
           things
           of
           this
           Life
           ,
           is
           to
           instruct
           us
           how
           despicable
           they
           are
           in
           his
           account
           ,
           things
           to
           be
           thrown
           away
           ,
           as
           he
           seems
           to
           do
           .
           And
           he
           often
           refuses
           the
           Petitions
           of
           his
           Servants
           concerning
           temporal
           
           things
           :
           When
           Pelopidus
           interceded
           with
           Epaminondas
           the
           wise
           Governor
           of
           the
           Thebans
           ,
           for
           the
           freedom
           of
           a
           base
           Fellow
           that
           for
           some
           Crime
           was
           committed
           to
           Prison
           ,
           he
           denied
           his
           Request
           ;
           and
           presently
           released
           him
           upon
           the
           desire
           of
           a
           vile
           Harlot
           :
           And
           gave
           this
           reason
           ,
           it
           was
           a
           favour
           not
           worthy
           the
           dignity
           of
           Pelopidas
           ,
           but
           suitable
           to
           the
           quality
           of
           such
           a
           Petitioner
           .
        
         
           And
           sometimes
           we
           pray
           for
           things
           dangerous
           and
           hurtful
           to
           
           our
           Souls
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           becoming
           the
           Providence
           and
           Love
           of
           our
           heavenly
           Father
           to
           deny
           our
           ill-counselled
           desires
           .
           Let
           us
           therefore
           be
           more
           intent
           and
           importunate
           in
           our
           Petitions
           ,
           that
           our
           Afflictions
           may
           be
           sanctified
           ,
           then
           removed
           .
           We
           have
           neither
           Understanding
           nor
           Strength
           ,
           how
           to
           order
           our selves
           ,
           how
           to
           bear
           and
           improve
           great
           Afflictions
           .
           St.
           Paul
           declares
           ,
           
             I
             have
             learned
             in
             every
             Condition
             to
             be
             content
             ?
          
           By
           the
           Revelation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           the
           Holy
           Spirits
           teaching
           that
           all
           his
           earthly
           troubles
           should
           end
           in
           the
           heavenly
           glory
           ,
           he
           was
           instructed
           in
           that
           Science
           of
           the
           Saints
           .
           We
           are
           therefore
           directed
           ,
           
             If
             any
             Man
             want
             Wisdom
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           how
           to
           manage
           himself
           patiently
           under
           Afflictions
           ,
           
             let
             him
             ask
             it
             of
             God
             ,
             who
          
           
           
             gives
             to
             all
             liberally
             ,
             and
             upbraids
             not
             .
          
           
           If
           Afflictions
           are
           sore
           and
           sudden
           ,
           it
           is
           very
           hard
           to
           compose
           and
           support
           the
           Spirit
           .
           The
           Passions
           are
           Servants
           of
           Sense
           ,
           rather
           than
           obedient
           to
           Reason
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           first
           violent
           Motions
           surprize
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           overcome
           it
           before
           it
           perceives
           the
           Assault
           ;
           he
           that
           is
           not
           a
           Master
           ,
           isa
           Slave
           to
           them
           .
           Or
           suppose
           no
           angry
           Resistance
           ,
           no
           impetuous
           Passions
           in
           the
           afflicted
           Breast
           ,
           yet
           the
           Heart
           bleeds
           inwardly
           ,
           and
           faints
           away
           .
           David
           had
           natural
           courage
           to
           encounter
           a
           Lion
           ,
           yet
           he
           was
           so
           disconsolate
           in
           his
           troubles
           that
           he
           was
           fain
           to
           argue
           against
           his
           Sadness
           :
           
             Why
             art
             thou
             cast
             down
             O
             my
             Soul
             ,
             why
             art
             thou
          
           
           
             disquieted
             within
             me
          
           ?
           And
           having
           raised
           his
           drooping
           Spirits
           ,
           yet
           he
           relapsed
           to
           his
           first
           Faintness
           ,
           till
           by
           supplies
           from
           God
           he
           was
           confirmed
           in
           hope
           of
           Deliverance
           .
           
           The
           Apostle
           implores
           the
           glorious
           Power
           of
           God
           ,
           That
           the
           Colossians
           might
           be
           
             strengthned
             with
             all
             Might
             ,
             unto
             all
             Patience
             ,
             and
             Long-suffering
          
           
           
             with
             joyfulness
          
           .
           We
           should
           sink
           under
           heavy
           Sufferings
           ,
           or
           be
           tired
           with
           the
           length
           of
           Miseries
           ,
           without
           his
           immortal
           Strength
           .
           But
           if
           the
           Power
           of
           God
           assist
           a
           weak
           Spirit
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           finally
           victorious
           over
           all
           the
           Evils
           of
           the
           World.
           How
           many
           Martyrs
           of
           the
           tender
           Sex
           ,
           who
           would
           naturally
           tremble
           at
           a
           drawn
           Sword
           ;
           yet
           by
           divine
           Support
           despised
           the
           Tormentors
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Instruments
           of
           Cruelty
           .
           In
           them
           was
           an
           imitation
           of
           that
           Miracle
           of
           divine
           Power
           ,
           when
           the
           three
           Children
           walked
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           flaming
           Furnace
           ,
           untouch'd
           by
           the
           Fire
           .
           God
           is
           stiled
           
             the
             God
             of
             Patience
             and
             Consolation
             .
          
           It
           is
           his
           sole
           
           Prerogative
           to
           comfort
           the
           afflicted
           .
           
             I
             ,
             even
             I
             ,
             am
             he
             that
             comforts
             you
             .
          
           The
           Woman
           in
           the
           Gospel
           that
           had
           a
           bloody
           Issue
           ,
           no
           human
           Art
           could
           afford
           her
           aid
           and
           relief
           :
           And
           when
           her
           Estate
           was
           wasted
           on
           the
           Physitians
           ,
           and
           her
           Strength
           by
           her
           Disease
           ,
           she
           came
           to
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           by
           touching
           the
           Hem
           of
           his
           Garment
           was
           presently
           healed
           .
           Thus
           the
           afflicted
           Spirit
           ,
           whom
           no
           worldly
           things
           are
           able
           to
           support
           and
           make
           joyful
           ,
           finds
           everlasting
           comfort
           in
           God.
           He
           satisfies
           the
           Soul
           with
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           establishes
           this
           Persuasion
           ,
           
             That
             all
             things
             shall
             turn
             for
             the
             best
             to
             his
             People
             .
          
           Now
           by
           Prayer
           the
           divine
           Power
           and
           Favour
           is
           engaged
           for
           our
           support
           and
           deliverance
           .
           How
           many
           Psalms
           of
           David
           begin
           in
           Tears
           ,
           and
           end
           in
           Triumph
           ?
           In
           his
           great
           Exigency
           ,
           
           when
           ready
           to
           be
           swallowed
           up
           by
           his
           Enemies
           ,
           he
           dispatch'd
           a
           flying
           Prayer
           to
           Heaven
           for
           relief
           ;
           
             Lord
             ,
             take
             bold
             of
             Shield
             ,
             and
             Buckler
             ,
             and
             stand
             up
             for
             my
             help
             :
          
           And
           the
           Almighty
           appeared
           in
           Arms
           for
           his
           Rescue
           .
           And
           he
           recounts
           another
           blessed
           experience
           of
           the
           efficacy
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           
             In
             the
          
           
           
             day
             when
             I
             cryed
             ,
             thou
             answered'st
             me
             :
             and
             strengthenest
             me
             with
             strength
             in
             my
             Soul.
          
           The
           Affliction
           was
           still
           incumbent
           ,
           but
           did
           not
           overwhelm
           him
           :
           which
           was
           a
           more
           gracious
           testimony
           of
           God's
           love
           ,
           than
           if
           it
           had
           meerly
           been
           taken
           away
           .
           It
           is
           said
           of
           the
           distressed
           ,
           
             They
             looked
             to
             him
             and
             were
             lightned
             .
          
           It
           is
           the
           Perfection
           and
           Propriety
           
           of
           the
           Saints
           in
           Heaven
           to
           see
           the
           glorious
           Face
           of
           God
           without
           Veil
           or
           Shadow
           ;
           but
           here
           some
           Rayes
           of
           his
           quickning
           Countenance
           
           comfort
           his
           afflicted
           Servants
           ,
           while
           they
           lift
           up
           their
           Eyes
           and
           Hearts
           to
           his
           Sanctuary
           ,
           a
           joyful
           Light
           breaks
           forth
           ,
           that
           leads
           them
           out
           of
           the
           dark
           Labyrinth
           of
           their
           troubled
           Thoughts
           .
           If
           the
           Saints
           remain
           disconsolate
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           for
           want
           of
           Mercy
           and
           Power
           in
           God
           to
           refresh
           their
           Sorrows
           ,
           but
           from
           neglecting
           to
           improve
           their
           Interest
           in
           him
           ,
           and
           deriving
           Spiritual
           Comforts
           from
           his
           fulness
           by
           humble
           believing
           Prayer
           .
           When
           the
           Disciples
           were
           surprized
           with
           a
           Storm
           in
           the
           Sea
           of
           Tiberias
           ,
           they
           toil'd
           with
           hard
           labour
           to
           save
           the
           Ship
           that
           was
           like
           to
           be
           over-whelmed
           by
           the
           Waves
           :
           but
           all
           in
           vain
           ,
           till
           by
           their
           Cries
           they
           waked
           our
           Saviour
           who
           was
           asleep
           in
           the
           Ship.
           
             He
             lifts
             up
             his
             Head
             ,
             and
             the
             proud
             Waves
             presently
             sink
             ;
             he
             speaks
             a
             word
             of
             Command
             ,
             
             and
             the
             boisterous
             Winds
             are
             silent
             ;
             and
             a
             great
             Tempest
             is
             changed
             into
             a
             great
             Calm
             .
          
           This
           may
           fitly
           represent
           the
           afflicted
           state
           of
           a
           
           Christian
           ,
           their
           Passions
           swell
           into
           a
           Storm
           ,
           they
           are
           ready
           to
           be
           overwhelm'd
           with
           Troubles
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           because
           Christ
           sleeps
           in
           them
           ;
           they
           have
           his
           Presence
           as
           if
           they
           had
           it
           not
           ,
           but
           earnest
           constant
           Prayer
           will
           awake
           him
           ,
           and
           his
           propitious
           Presence
           will
           secure
           them
           from
           Shipwrack
           ,
           and
           make
           their
           Breasts
           the
           true
           Pacifick
           Sea
           ,
           and
           bring
           them
           safely
           to
           the
           Blessed
           Eternal
           Shore
           .
        
         
           Briefly
           ;
           God
           teaches
           us
           to
           profit
           by
           our
           Afflictions
           ,
           and
           this
           affords
           matter
           of
           Joy
           and
           Thanksgiving
           .
           The
           Psalmist
           declares
           ,
           
             Blessed
             is
             the
             Man
             whom
             thou
             chastenest
             and
             instructest
             out
             of
             thy
             Law.
          
           The
           Divine
           Teacher
           gives
           a
           right
           
           understanding
           of
           Sufferings
           ,
           for
           what
           end
           they
           are
           sent
           ,
           and
           teacheth
           by
           the
           voice
           of
           the
           Rod
           to
           obey
           his
           Word
           ,
           He
           instructs
           us
           in
           our
           Duty
           with
           the
           clearest
           Convictions
           ,
           and
           infuseth
           gracious
           dispositions
           suitable
           to
           his
           Doctrine
           .
           He
           gives
           directing
           Light
           ,
           and
           a
           seeing
           Eye
           to
           perceive
           it
           ;
           he
           presents
           Heavenly
           Encouragements
           ,
           and
           prepares
           the
           Heart
           to
           receive
           them
           .
           Now
           what
           Paul
           speaks
           of
           the
           Cross
           of
           Christ
           ,
           is
           applicable
           to
           the
           Crosses
           of
           the
           Saints
           :
           
             God
             forbid
             that
             I
             should
             glory
             but
             in
             the
             Cross
             of
             Christ
             ,
             by
             which
             the
             World
             is
             crucified
             to
             me
             ,
             and
             I
             to
             it
             .
          
           The
           Cross
           of
           Christ
           made
           the
           Jews
           and
           Pagans
           to
           despise
           and
           reject
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           esteeming
           it
           to
           be
           gross
           folly
           to
           expect
           a
           glorious
           Immortal
           Life
           from
           one
           who
           was
           ignominiously
           put
           to
           
           Death
           ;
           yet
           that
           was
           the
           great
           Argument
           of
           the
           Apostles
           triumphant
           Joy
           ,
           because
           he
           felt
           the
           Vertue
           of
           it
           to
           unbind
           the
           charms
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           so
           admired
           by
           carnal
           Eyes
           .
           He
           looked
           upon
           it
           with
           the
           same
           disaffection
           and
           disregard
           ,
           as
           one
           that
           is
           near
           expiring
           :
           it
           appeared
           in
           his
           Eyes
           rather
           as
           a
           loathsom
           object
           ,
           than
           with
           amiable
           qualities
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           the
           Cross
           of
           a
           Christian
           be
           the
           means
           of
           internal
           Mortification
           ,
           if
           thereby
           this
           vain
           deceiving
           World
           be
           rendered
           contemptible
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           his
           Affections
           are
           inflamed
           to
           things
           above
           ,
           he
           will
           find
           cause
           to
           glory
           in
           Tribulation
           .
           To
           conclude
           this
           Argument
           ;
        
         
           There
           is
           no
           Affliction
           how
           great
           soever
           ,
           though
           with
           respect
           to
           natural
           means
           unremovable
           
           and
           unmitigable
           ,
           yet
           if
           it
           be
           sanctified
           by
           Divine
           Grace
           ,
           a
           Christian
           even
           while
           he
           is
           so
           afflicted
           ,
           has
           more
           cause
           of
           Joy
           than
           Grief
           ,
           more
           reason
           to
           bless
           God
           for
           it
           than
           to
           repine
           and
           complain
           .
           
             In
             every
             thing
             give
             Thanks
             ,
             for
             this
             is
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             concerning
          
           
           you
           .
           He
           turns
           Afflictions
           into
           Benefits
           ,
           and
           our
           affectionate
           Praises
           are
           due
           upon
           that
           account
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A26794-e160
           
             Plin.
             l.
             2.
             c.
             7.
             
          
           
             Sed
             tantum
             cum
             fortuna
             se
             digladiari
             momentis
             omnibus
             gloriantur
             .
             Lact
             lib.
             3.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             22.
             12
             ,
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A26794-e480
           
             1.
             
          
           
             1.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             5.
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             2.
             
          
           
             Nihil
             agis
             dolor
             ,
             quamvis
             sis
             molestus
             ,
             nunquam
             te
             esse
             confitebor
             malum
             .
             Possidomus
             .
          
           
             *
             Talis
             est
             sapientis
             animus
             qualis
             Mundi
             status
             super
             lunam
             ,
             sem
             per
             illic
             serenum
             .
             Seneca
             .
          
           
             *
             Magna
             verba
             excidunt
             ,
             cum
             Mors
             proprius
             accessit
             ,
             cum
             tortor
             manum
             poposcit
             ,
             possis
             illi
             dicere
             ,
             facile
             provocabas
             mala
             absentia
             .
             Seneca
             .
          
           
             1.
             
          
           
             2.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             5.
             
          
           
             2
             
          
           
             1.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             39.
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             2.
             
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             15.
             25.
             
          
           
             3.
             
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             16.
             9.
             10.
             
          
           
             Job
             10.
             3.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             20.
             14.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             31.
             15.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             3.
             17.
             
          
           
             Job
             1.
             21.
             
          
           
             St.
             Hillary
             
               declares
               of
               himself
            
             ,
             Non
             sibi
             relictum
             quicquam
             aliud
             a
             natura
             sua
             intelligere
             ,
             in
             quo
             majus
             officium
             praestare
             conditori
             suo
             posset
             quam
             ut
             tantum
             eum
             esse
             intelligeret
             ,
             quantus
             &
             intelligi
             non
             potest
             &
             potest
             credi
             .
             
               de
               Trin.
               lib.
               1.
            
             
          
           
             Ille
             est
             vinculum
             per
             quod
             res
             publica
             cohaeret
             :
             Ille
             spiritus
             vitalis
             ,
             quem
             tot
             millia
             trahunt
             :
             nihil
             ipsa
             futura
             nisi
             onus
             &
             praeda
             si
             mens
             illa
             Imperii
             sub
             trahatur
             
               lib.
               de
               Clem.
            
             
          
           
             Psal.
             8.
             
          
           
             Act.
             9.
             6.
             
          
           
             Job
             38.
             4
             
          
           
             Psal.
             39.
             8.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             36.
             6.
             
          
           
             Mic.
             7.
             9.
             
          
           
             Lam.
             3.
             39.
             
          
           
             Job
             34.
             31
             ,
             32.
             
          
           
             Lam.
             3.
             22.
             
          
           
             Ezra
             9.
             13.
             
          
           
             Levit.
             26.
             41.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             45.
             9.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             5.
             6.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             9.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             6.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             32.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             13.
             7.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             10.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             59.
             2.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             2.
             19.
             
          
           
             Job
             36.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             10.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             119
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             11.
             
          
           
             Psa.
             141.
             5.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             4.
             14.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             7.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             1.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             22.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             5.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             8.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             89.
             31
             ,
             32
             ,
             33.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             10.
             13.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             1.
             5.
             2
             
             Cor.
             12.
             9.
             
          
           
             *
             Acin
             quamvis
             de
             missum
             Etna
             nullus
             frigore
             ante
             vertit
             .
             Solin
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             11.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             1.
             12.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             4.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             1
             
          
           
             Eph.
             1.
             11.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             32.
             4.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             28.
             29.
             
          
           
             Job
             .
             32.
             2.
             
          
           
             Job
             .
             42.
             3.
             6.
             
          
           
             John
             12.
             27.
             
          
           
             Judg.
             11
             36.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             28.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             6.
             12.
             
          
           
             Vse
             1.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             19
             3.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             16.
             9.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             80.
             
          
           
             John
             3
             ,
             38
             ,
             39
             ,
          
           
             Omnia
             bona
             mea
             mecum
             sunt
             .
             Justitia
             ,
             Virtus
             ,
             Temperantia
             ,
             Prudentia
             ,
             hoc
             ipsum
             nihil
             boni
             put
             are
             quod
             eripi
             possit
             .
             Seneca
             Epist.
             9.
             
          
           
             Use
             2.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             3.
             
          
           
             Psa.
             104
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             2.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             3.
             21.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             5.
             10.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             1.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             7.
             9.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             148.
             8.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             103.
             
          
           
             Hic
             est
             magnus
             animus
             qui
             se
             Deo
             tradidit
             .
             Senec.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             2.
             
          
           
             Mille
             pia
             cer
             non
             vagliono
             un
             tormento
             .
          
           
             Job
             2.
             3.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             29.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             5.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             5.
             
          
           
             2
             King.
             4.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             147.
             5.
             
          
           
             1
             Kings
             22.
             34.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             10.
             
          
           
             O
             bone
             Omnipotens
             ,
             qui
             sic
             unumquemque
             nostrum
             tanquam
             solum
             cures
             ,
             &
             sic
             omnes
             tanquam
             singulos
             !
             
               Aug.
               Conf.
               lib.
            
             13.
             
          
           
             Dial.
             1.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             1.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             84.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             13.
             10.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             61.
             10.
             
          
           
             Respondit
             tibi
             Deus
             ,
             Haeccine
             est
             fides
             tua
             ?
             haec
             tibi
             promisi
             !
             Ad
             haec
             Christianus
             factus
             es
             ut
             in
             Seculo
             floreres
             ?
          
           
             Zech.
             13
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             8.
             
          
           
             Omnia
             Spiritui
             patent
             vagare
             spiritu
             ,
             spatiare
             spiritu
             .
             Nihil
             crus
             sent
             it
             in
             nervo
             cum
             animus
             in
             coelo
             est
             .
             
               Ad
               Martyr
            
             .
          
           
             Nullus
             iis
             dolor
             est
             de
             incursatione
             malorum
             praesentium
             ,
             quibus
             siducia
             est
             futurorum
             bonorum
             :
             Quid
             hoc
             ad
             Christianos
             ,
             quid
             ad
             Dei
             Servos
             ?
             quos
             Paradisus
             invitat
             ,
             quos
             gratia
             omnis
             &
             copia
             Regni
             coelestis
             expectat
             ?
             Cypr.
             cont
             .
             Demet.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             28.
             
          
           
             Lam.
             3.
             24.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             94.
             19.
             
          
           
             Hab.
             3.
             17
             ,
             18.
             
          
           
             Poenam
             de
             adversis
             mundi
             ille
             sentit
             ,
             cui
             laetitia
             &
             gloria
             omnis
             in
             mundo
             est
             .
             
               Cyp.
               ad
               Demet.
            
             
          
           
             Psal.
             131.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             6.
             34
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.
             12.
             
          
           
             ☜
             
          
           
             Psal.
             51.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             31.
             20.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             17.
             
          
           
             *
             Si
             duo
             istae
             proponantur
             ridere
             vis
             aut
             flere
             ?
             Quis
             est
             qui
             respondeat
             nisi
             ridere
             ?
             Sed
             tantum
             praevalet
             invictissima
             veritas
             ut
             eligat
             homo
             sanâmente
             flere
             ,
             quā
             mente
             alienata
             ridere
             .
             August
             .
             Tract
             .
             de
             Epict.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             1.
             6.
             
          
           
             Videris
             obolum
             porrigere
             elephanti
             .
             Macrob.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             49.
             14
             ,
             15
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             7.
             
          
           
             Nec
             quicquam
             in
             te
             mutavit
             fortunae
             amplitudo
             ,
             nisi
             ut
             prodesse
             tantundem
             posses
             &
             velles
             .
             Plin.
             
          
           
             Non
             dicit
             quid
             sanctos
             meos
             ,
             quid
             servos
             meos
             ,
             sed
             quid
             me
             persequeris
             ?
             Aug.
             
          
           
             Non
             audit
             Deus
             nisi
             quod
             dignum
             ducit
             suis
             beneficiis
             .
             Arab.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             1.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             42.
             
          
           
             Col.
             1.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             138.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             34.
             5.
             
          
           
             Si
             non
             dormiret
             in
             te
             Christus
             ,
             tempestates
             istas
             non
             patereris
             .
             Ideo
             fluctuabat
             Navis
             quia
             Christus
             dormiebat
             :
             Navis
             tua
             cor
             tuum
             .
             Aug.
             
          
           
             1
             Thess.
             1.
             5.