The art of contentment by the author of The whole duty of man, &c.
         Allestree, Richard, 1619-1681.
      
       
         
           1675
        
      
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             The art of contentment by the author of The whole duty of man, &c.
             Allestree, Richard, 1619-1681.
          
           [9], 214, [1] p. : ill.
           
             At the Theater in Oxford,
             [Oxford] :
             1675.
          
           
             "No absolute certainty has yet been reached regarding the authorship of The whole duty of man, and other treatises by the same author. The preponderance of opinion, however, is heavily in favour of Dr. Allestree". Cf. Halkett & Laing (2nd ed.)
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         eng
      
       
         
           Contentment -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           The
           ART
           of
           Contentment
           .
        
         
           By
           the
           Author
           of
           THE
           WHOLE
           DUTY
           OF
           MAN
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           It
           is
           but
           lost
           labor
           ,
           that
           ye
           hasten
           to
           rise
           up
           early
           ,
           and
           so
           late
           take
           rest
           ,
           and
           eat
           the
           bread
           of
           carefulness
           :
           for
           so
           he
           giveth
           his
           beloved
           sleep
           .
           Psal.
           127.
           3.
           
        
         
           At
           the
           THEATER
           in
           OXFORD
           .
           M.
           DC
           .
           LXXV
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           Imprimatur
           ,
        
         
           
             RAD.
             BATHVRST
             .
             Vice-Cancell
             .
             Oxon.
             
          
           
             
               Feb.
               24.
               1675.
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           PREFACE
           .
        
         
           THE
           desire
           of
           happiness
           is
           so
           coessential
           with
           our
           nature
           ,
           so
           interwoven
           and
           incorporate
           with
           it
           ;
           that
           nothing
           but
           the
           dissolution
           of
           the
           whole
           frame
           can
           extinguish
           it
           .
           This
           runs
           thro
           the
           whole
           race
           of
           mankind
           ,
           and
           amidst
           the
           infinit
           variety
           of
           other
           inclinations
           ,
           preserves
           its
           self
           entire
           .
           The
           most
           various
           contradictory
           tempers
           do
           
           yet
           conspire
           in
           this
           ,
           and
           men
           of
           the
           most
           unequal
           fortunes
           ,
           are
           yet
           equal
           in
           their
           wishes
           of
           being
           happy
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           concurrence
           as
           to
           the
           end
           is
           not
           more
           universal
           then
           the
           disagreement
           about
           the
           way
           .
           Every
           man
           would
           have
           happiness
           ,
           but
           wherein
           that
           consists
           ,
           or
           how
           it
           is
           to
           be
           attain'd
           ,
           has
           bin
           very
           diversly
           opin'd
           .
           Indeed
           the
           ultimate
           supreme
           happiness
           as
           it
           is
           originally
           inherent
           in
           God
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           wrapt
           up
           in
           those
           clouds
           and
           darkness
           ,
           which
           ,
           as
           the
           Psalmist
           saies
           ,
           are
           
             round
             about
             him
          
           Psal.
           18.
           11.
           
           And
           we
           can
           see
           nothing
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           in
           those
           gleams
           and
           raies
           he
           is
           pleas'd
           to
           dart
           out
           upon
           us
           ;
           so
           that
           all
           our
           estimates
           as
           to
           our
           final
           felicity
           ,
           must
           be
           mesur'd
           by
           those
           revelations
           he
           has
           made
           of
           it
           .
        
         
         
           But
           one
           would
           think
           our
           temporal
           happiness
           were
           as
           much
           a
           mystery
           as
           our
           eternal
           ,
           to
           see
           what
           variety
           of
           blind
           pursuits
           are
           made
           after
           it
           .
           One
           man
           thinks
           t
           is
           seated
           on
           the
           top
           pinnacle
           of
           honor
           ,
           and
           climbs
           till
           perhaps
           he
           falls
           head-long
           .
           Another
           thinks
           it
           a
           mineral
           ,
           that
           must
           be
           dig'd
           out
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           and
           toils
           to
           
             lade
             himself
             with
             thick
             clay
          
           ,
           Hab.
           2.
           6.
           and
           at
           last
           finds
           a
           grave
           ,
           where
           he
           sought
           his
           tresure
           .
           A
           third
           supposes
           it
           consists
           in
           the
           variety
           of
           pleasures
           ,
           and
           wearies
           himself
           in
           that
           pursuit
           ,
           which
           only
           cloies
           ,
           and
           disappoints
           .
           Yet
           every
           one
           of
           these
           can
           read
           you
           lectures
           of
           the
           gross
           mistake
           and
           folly
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           whilst
           himself
           is
           equally
           deluded
           .
        
         
           Thus
           do
           men
           chase
           an
           imaginary
           
           good
           ,
           till
           they
           meet
           with
           real
           evils
           ;
           herein
           exposing
           themselves
           to
           the
           same
           cheat
           Laban
           put
           upon
           Jacob
           ,
           they
           serve
           for
           Rachel
           ,
           and
           are
           rewarded
           with
           Leah
           ,
           court
           fancied
           beauty
           ,
           and
           marry
           loath'd
           deformity
           .
           Such
           delusive
           felicities
           as
           these
           are
           the
           largesses
           of
           the
           Prince
           of
           the
           Air
           ,
           who
           once
           attemted
           to
           have
           enveigled
           
             even
             Christ
             himself
          
           ,
           Mat.
           4.
           
        
         
           But
           Gods
           proposals
           are
           more
           sincere
           :
           he
           knows
           how
           sandy
           ,
           how
           false
           a
           foundation
           all
           these
           external
           things
           must
           make
           ,
           and
           therefore
           warns
           us
           not
           to
           build
           so
           much
           as
           our
           present
           satisfaction
           upon
           them
           ,
           but
           shews
           us
           a
           more
           certain
           ,
           a
           more
           compendious
           way
           to
           acquire
           what
           we
           gasp
           after
           ,
           by
           telling
           us
           that
           as
           Godliness
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           next
           ,
           so
           contentment
           for
           this
           
           world
           
             is
             great
             gain
          
           1
           Tim.
           6.
           6.
           
           It
           is
           indeed
           the
           
             unum
             necessarium
          
           ,
           the
           one
           point
           in
           which
           all
           the
           lines
           of
           wordly
           happiness
           are
           concentred
           ,
           and
           to
           complete
           its
           excellence
           ,
           t
           is
           to
           be
           had
           at
           home
           :
           nay
           indeed
           only
           there
           .
           We
           need
           not
           ramble
           in
           wild
           pursuits
           after
           it
           ,
           we
           may
           form
           it
           within
           our
           own
           breasts
           :
           no
           man
           wants
           materials
           for
           it
           ,
           that
           knows
           but
           how
           to
           put
           them
           together
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           directing
           to
           that
           skill
           is
           the
           only
           design
           of
           the
           ensuing
           Tract
           ,
           which
           coming
           upon
           so
           kind
           an
           errand
           ,
           may
           at
           least
           hope
           for
           an
           unprejudic'd
           reception
           .
           Contentment
           is
           a
           thing
           we
           all
           profess
           to
           aspire
           to
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           cannot
           be
           thought
           an
           unfriendly
           office
           to
           endeavor
           to
           conduct
           men
           to
           it
           .
           How
           far
           the
           ensuing
           considerations
           
           may
           tend
           to
           that
           end
           ,
           I
           must
           leave
           to
           the
           judgment
           ,
           and
           experience
           of
           the
           Reader
           ,
           only
           desiring
           him
           that
           he
           will
           weigh
           them
           with
           that
           seriousness
           which
           befits
           a
           thing
           wherein
           both
           his
           happiness
           and
           duty
           are
           concern'd
           :
           for
           in
           this
           (
           as
           in
           many
           other
           instances
           )
           God
           has
           so
           twisted
           them
           together
           ,
           that
           we
           cannot
           be
           innocently
           miserable
           .
           The
           present
           infelicities
           ,
           have
           an
           appendant
           guilt
           ,
           which
           will
           consign
           us
           to
           a
           more
           irreversible
           state
           of
           dissatisfaction
           hereafter
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           ART
           OF
           CONTENTMENT
           .
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             I.
             
          
           
             Of
             the
             necessary
             Connexion
             between
             Happiness
             and
             Contentment
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             GOD
             who
             is
             essentially
             happy
             in
             himself
             ,
             can
             receive
             no
             accession
             to
             his
             felicity
             by
             the
             poor
             contributions
             of
             men
             .
             He
             cannot
             therefore
             be
             suppos'd
             to
             have
             made
             them
             upon
             intuition
             of
             increasing
             ,
             but
             communicating
             his
             happiness
             .
             And
             this
             his
             original
             
             design
             is
             very
             visible
             in
             all
             the
             parts
             of
             his
             Economy
             towards
             them
             .
             When
             lapsed
             man
             had
             counterplotted
             against
             himself
             ,
             defeated
             the
             purpose
             of
             the
             Divine
             goodness
             ,
             and
             plunged
             his
             whole
             nature
             into
             the
             opposite
             state
             of
             endless
             misery
             ;
             he
             yet
             reinforc'd
             his
             first
             design
             ,
             and
             an
             expedient
             as
             full
             of
             wonder
             as
             mercy
             ,
             the
             death
             of
             his
             Son
             ,
             recovers
             him
             to
             his
             former
             capacity
             of
             bliss
             .
             And
             that
             it
             might
             not
             only
             be
             a
             bare
             capacity
             ,
             he
             has
             added
             all
             other
             methods
             proper
             to
             work
             upon
             a
             rational
             creature
             .
             He
             has
             shewed
             him
             his
             danger
             ,
             set
             before
             him
             in
             perspective
             that
             eternal
             Tophet
             ,
             which
             he
             is
             advis'd
             to
             shun
             .
             On
             the
             other
             side
             he
             has
             no
             less
             lively
             describ'd
             the
             heavenly
             Jerusalem
             ,
             the
             Celestial
             country
             to
             which
             he
             is
             to
             aspire
             :
             nay
             farther
             has
             levell'd
             his
             road
             to
             it
             ,
             leads
             him
             not
             as
             he
             did
             the
             Israelites
             thro
             the
             wilderness
             ,
             thro
             intricate
             mazes
             to
             puzle
             his
             understanding
             ;
             thro
             
               a
               land
               of
               drought
               wherein
               were
               fiery
               Serpents
               and
               Scorpions
               ,
            
             Deut.
             8.
             15.
             to
             discourage
             and
             affright
             him
             :
             but
             has
             in
             the
             Gospel
             chalkt
             out
             a
             plain
             ,
             a
             safe
             ,
             nay
             a
             plesant
             path
             ;
             as
             much
             superior
             both
             in
             the
             ease
             of
             the
             way
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             end
             to
             which
             it
             leads
             ,
             as
             heaven
             is
             to
             Canaan
             .
          
           
           
             2.
             
             BY
             doing
             this
             he
             has
             not
             only
             secured
             our
             grand
             and
             ultimate
             happiness
             ,
             but
             provided
             for
             our
             intermedial
             also
             .
             Those
             Christian
             duties
             which
             are
             to
             carry
             us
             to
             heaven
             ,
             are
             our
             refreshments
             ,
             our
             viaticum
             in
             our
             journy
             :
             his
             yoke
             is
             not
             to
             gall
             and
             fret
             us
             ,
             but
             an
             engine
             by
             which
             we
             may
             with
             ease
             (
             and
             almost
             insensibly
             )
             draw
             all
             the
             clogs
             and
             incumbrances
             of
             humane
             life
             .
             For
             whether
             we
             take
             Christianity
             in
             its
             whole
             complex
             ,
             or
             in
             its
             several
             and
             distinct
             branches
             ,
             t
             is
             certainly
             the
             most
             excellent
             ,
             the
             most
             compendious
             art
             of
             happy
             living
             :
             its
             very
             tasks
             are
             rewards
             ,
             and
             its
             precepts
             are
             nothing
             but
             a
             divine
             sort
             of
             Alchymy
             ,
             to
             sublime
             at
             once
             our
             nature
             and
             our
             plesures
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             THIS
             may
             be
             evidenc'd
             in
             every
             particular
             of
             the
             Evangelical
             law
             :
             but
             having
             formerly
             made
             some
             attemt
             towards
             it
             in
             another
             *
             tract
             ,
             I
             shall
             not
             here
             reassume
             the
             whole
             subject
             .
             I
             shall
             only
             single
             out
             one
             particular
             precept
             ,
             wherein
             happiness
             is
             not
             (
             as
             in
             the
             others
             )
             only
             implied
             ,
             and
             must
             be
             catcht
             at
             the
             rebound
             by
             consequence
             and
             event
             ;
             but
             is
             literally
             exprest
             ,
             and
             is
             the
             very
             matter
             of
             the
             duty
             ;
             I
             
             mean
             the
             precept
             of
             acquiescence
             and
             Contentment
             .
             Happiness
             and
             this
             true
             genuine
             Contentment
             ,
             being
             terms
             so
             convertible
             ,
             that
             to
             bid
             us
             be
             content
             ,
             is
             but
             another
             phrase
             for
             bidding
             us
             be
             happy
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             TEMPORAL
             enjoiments
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             plesure
             ,
             wealth
             ,
             honor
             ,
             and
             the
             rest
             ,
             tho
             they
             make
             specious
             pretences
             to
             be
             the
             mesure
             of
             human
             happiness
             ,
             are
             all
             of
             them
             justly
             discarded
             by
             the
             Philosopher
             in
             his
             Ethics
             ,
             upon
             this
             one
             consideration
             ,
             that
             coming
             from
             abroad
             they
             may
             be
             with-held
             or
             taken
             from
             us
             :
             and
             our
             tenure
             being
             precarious
             ,
             we
             even
             for
             that
             reason
             are
             unhappy
             in
             our
             most
             desirable
             possessions
             ,
             because
             we
             still
             are
             liable
             to
             be
             so
             .
             And
             therefore
             he
             concludes
             ,
             that
             felicity
             must
             be
             placed
             in
             the
             mind
             and
             soul
             ,
             which
             stands
             without
             the
             reach
             of
             fortune
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             practice
             of
             vertue
             ,
             which
             in
             its
             own
             nature
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             its
             contingent
             use
             is
             truly
             good
             ,
             and
             therefore
             certainly
             renders
             the
             possessors
             such
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             BUT
             this
             practice
             being
             diffused
             thro
             the
             whole
             extent
             of
             Moral
             duty
             ,
             Epictetus
             thought
             he
             had
             deserved
             well
             of
             human
             nature
             ,
             when
             he
             drew
             it
             up
             in
             two
             short
             words
             ,
             to
             sustain
             and
             abstain
             :
             that
             is
             to
             bear
             with
             constancy
             adverse
             events
             ,
             
             and
             with
             moderation
             enjoy
             those
             that
             are
             prosperous
             .
             Which
             complexure
             of
             Philosophy
             is
             yet
             more
             fully
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             more
             compendiously
             exprest
             in
             the
             single
             notion
             of
             Contentment
             :
             which
             involves
             the
             patient
             bearing
             of
             all
             misadventures
             ,
             and
             generous
             contemt
             of
             sensual
             illectives
             .
             This
             state
             of
             mind
             the
             Greeks
             express
             by
             calling
             it
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             or
             self-sufficiency
             ,
             which
             ,
             we
             know
             properly
             speaking
             ,
             is
             one
             of
             the
             incommunicable
             attributes
             of
             the
             divine
             nature
             :
             and
             the
             Stoics
             expresly
             pretend
             ,
             that
             by
             it
             mortal
             men
             are
             enabled
             to
             rival
             their
             Gods
             ;
             in
             Seneca's
             phrase
             ,
             to
             make
             a
             controversy
             with
             Jupiter
             himself
             .
             But
             abating
             the
             insolent
             blasphemy
             of
             an
             independent
             felicity
             ,
             Christianity
             acknowledges
             a
             material
             truth
             in
             the
             assertion
             :
             and
             St.
             Paul
             declares
             of
             himself
             ,
             that
             having
             
               learnt
               how
               to
               want
               and
               how
               to
               abound
               ,
               and
               in
               whatever
               state
               he
               happens
               to
               be
               in
               ,
               therewith
               to
               be
               content
               :
               he
               is
               able
               to
               do
               all
               things
               thro
               Christ
               that
               strengthens
               him
               ,
            
             Phil.
             4.
             11.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
               and
               having
               nothing
               ,
               to
               possess
               all
               things
               .
            
             2
             Cor.
             6.
             10.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             WHICH
             great
             event
             comes
             about
             ,
             not
             only
             because
             all
             good
             things
             are
             eminently
             in
             the
             divine
             nature
             ,
             and
             he
             who
             by
             Vertue
             and
             Religion
             possesses
             Him
             ,
             thereby
             
             by
             ,
             in
             a
             full
             equivalence
             has
             every
             thing
             ;
             but
             also
             upon
             human
             mesures
             ,
             and
             the
             principles
             of
             Philosophy
             :
             the
             compendious
             address
             to
             wealth
             ,
             as
             Plato
             rightly
             observ'd
             ,
             being
             not
             to
             encrease
             possessions
             ,
             but
             lessen
             desires
             .
             And
             if
             so
             ,
             t
             will
             follow
             that
             the
             contented
             man
             must
             be
             abundantly
             provided
             for
             ,
             being
             so
             entirely
             satisfied
             with
             what
             he
             has
             ,
             as
             to
             have
             no
             desires
             at
             all
             .
             Indeed
             t
             is
             truly
             said
             of
             covetous
             men
             ,
             and
             is
             equally
             verified
             of
             all
             who
             have
             any
             desire
             to
             gratify
             ,
             that
             they
             want
             no
             less
             what
             they
             have
             ,
             then
             what
             they
             have
             not
             :
             but
             the
             reverse
             of
             that
             Paradox
             is
             really
             made
             good
             by
             Contentment
             ,
             which
             bestowes
             on
             men
             the
             enjoiment
             of
             whatever
             they
             have
             ,
             and
             also
             whatever
             they
             have
             not
             ;
             and
             by
             teaching
             to
             want
             nothing
             ,
             abundantly
             secures
             not
             to
             want
             happiness
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             ON
             the
             other
             side
             this
             one
             grace
             being
             absent
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             in
             the
             power
             of
             any
             success
             or
             affluence
             to
             make
             life
             a
             tolerable
             thing
             .
             Let
             all
             the
             materials
             of
             earthly
             happiness
             be
             amast
             together
             and
             flung
             upon
             one
             man
             ,
             they
             will
             without
             contentment
             be
             but
             like
             the
             fatal
             prize
             of
             Tarpeia's
             treason
             ,
             who
             was
             prest
             to
             death
             with
             the
             weight
             of
             her
             booty
             .
             He
             that
             has
             the
             elements
             of
             felicity
             ,
             and
             yet
             cannot
             form
             
             them
             into
             a
             satisfaction
             ,
             is
             more
             desperately
             miserable
             then
             he
             that
             wants
             them
             :
             for
             he
             who
             wants
             them
             has
             yet
             something
             to
             hope
             for
             ,
             and
             thinks
             if
             he
             had
             them
             he
             might
             be
             happy
             ;
             but
             he
             who
             insignificantly
             possesses
             them
             ,
             has
             no
             reserve
             ,
             has
             not
             so
             much
             as
             the
             Flattery
             of
             an
             expectation
             :
             for
             he
             has
             nothing
             left
             to
             desire
             ,
             and
             yet
             can
             be
             as
             little
             said
             to
             enjoy
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             HE
             therefore
             that
             would
             have
             the
             extract
             ,
             the
             quintessence
             of
             happiness
             ,
             must
             seek
             it
             in
             Content
             .
             All
             outward
             accessions
             are
             but
             the
             dross
             and
             earthy
             part
             :
             this
             alone
             is
             the
             spirit
             ,
             which
             when
             t
             is
             once
             separated
             ,
             depends
             not
             upon
             the
             fate
             of
             the
             other
             ;
             but
             preserves
             its
             vigor
             when
             that
             is
             destroi'd
             .
             St.
             Paul
             whom
             I
             before
             mention'd
             ,
             is
             a
             ready
             instance
             of
             it
             ,
             who
             professes
             to
             be
             
               content
               in
               what
               ever
               state
            
             .
             Contentment
             being
             not
             so
             inseparately
             link'd
             to
             external
             things
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             may
             subsist
             apart
             .
             That
             those
             are
             often
             without
             it
             we
             are
             too
             sure
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             may
             be
             without
             them
             is
             as
             certainly
             true
             ;
             tho
             by
             our
             own
             default
             we
             have
             not
             so
             many
             examples
             of
             it
             .
             A
             heart
             that
             rightly
             computes
             the
             difference
             between
             temporals
             and
             eternals
             ,
             may
             resolve
             with
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             
               Altho
               
               the
               figtree
               shall
               not
               blossom
               ,
               neither
               shall
               fruit
               be
               in
               the
               vines
               ,
               the
               labor
               of
               the
               olive
               shall
               fail
               ,
               and
               the
               fields
               shall
               yield
               no
               meat
               ;
               the
               flocks
               shall
               be
               cut
               off
               from
               the
               fold
               ,
               and
               there
               shall
               be
               no
               herds
               in
               the
               stall
               ;
               yet
               I
               will
               rejoice
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               I
               will
               joy
               in
               the
               God
               of
               my
               Salvation
               .
            
             Hab.
             3.
             17.
             18.
             
             He
             that
             has
             God
             need
             not
             much
             deplore
             the
             want
             of
             any
             thing
             else
             :
             nor
             can
             he
             that
             considers
             the
             plenty
             and
             glory
             of
             his
             future
             state
             ,
             be
             much
             dejected
             with
             the
             want
             or
             the
             abjectness
             of
             his
             present
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             YET
             so
             indulgent
             is
             God
             to
             our
             infirmities
             ,
             that
             knowing
             how
             unapt
             our
             impatient
             natures
             are
             to
             walk
             only
             
               by
               faith
               ,
               and
               not
               at
               all
               by
               sight
            
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             7.
             he
             is
             pleas'd
             to
             give
             us
             fair
             antepasts
             of
             satisfaction
             here
             ,
             dispenses
             his
             temporal
             blessings
             tho
             not
             equally
             ,
             yet
             so
             universally
             ,
             that
             he
             that
             has
             least
             ,
             has
             enough
             to
             oblige
             not
             only
             his
             acquiescence
             ,
             but
             his
             thankfulness
             .
             Tho
             every
             man
             has
             not
             all
             he
             wishes
             ,
             yet
             he
             has
             that
             which
             is
             more
             valuable
             then
             that
             he
             complains
             to
             want
             ;
             nay
             which
             he
             himself
             could
             worse
             spare
             were
             it
             put
             to
             his
             option
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             AND
             now
             from
             such
             a
             disposure
             of
             things
             who
             would
             not
             expect
             that
             mankind
             should
             be
             the
             cheerfullest
             part
             of
             the
             
             creation
             :
             that
             the
             
               sun
               should
            
             not
             more
             
               rejoice
               to
               run
               his
               course
            
             Psal.
             19.
             5.
             then
             man
             should
             to
             finish
             his
             :
             that
             a
             journy
             which
             has
             so
             blessed
             an
             end
             ,
             and
             such
             good
             accommodation
             by
             the
             way
             ,
             should
             be
             past
             with
             all
             imaginable
             alacrity
             ,
             and
             that
             we
             should
             live
             here
             practicers
             and
             learners
             ,
             of
             that
             state
             of
             unmix'd
             interminable
             joies
             to
             which
             we
             aspire
             .
             But
             alas
             if
             we
             look
             upon
             the
             universality
             of
             men
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             it
             nothing
             so
             ;
             but
             while
             all
             other
             creatures
             gladsomly
             follow
             the
             order
             of
             their
             creation
             ,
             take
             plesure
             in
             those
             things
             God
             has
             assign'd
             for
             them
             ,
             we
             with
             a
             fullen
             perversness
             quarrel
             at
             what
             we
             should
             enjoy
             ,
             and
             in
             every
             thing
             make
             it
             our
             business
             ,
             not
             to
             fit
             it
             for
             our
             use
             ,
             but
             to
             find
             out
             some
             conceled
             quality
             which
             may
             render
             it
             unfit
             .
             We
             look
             insidiously
             upon
             our
             blessings
             ,
             like
             men
             that
             design'd
             only
             to
             pick
             a
             quarrel
             ,
             and
             start
             a
             pretence
             for
             mutining
             .
             From
             hence
             it
             is
             that
             man
             who
             was
             design'd
             the
             Lord
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             whose
             satisfaction
             all
             inferior
             beings
             were
             to
             contribute
             ,
             is
             now
             the
             unhappiest
             of
             the
             creatures
             :
             nay
             as
             if
             the
             whole
             order
             of
             the
             universe
             were
             inverted
             ,
             he
             becomes
             slave
             to
             his
             own
             vassals
             ,
             courts
             all
             these
             
             little
             sublunary
             things
             with
             such
             passion
             ,
             that
             if
             they
             prove
             coy
             and
             fly
             his
             embraces
             ,
             he
             is
             mad
             and
             desperate
             :
             if
             they
             fling
             themselves
             into
             his
             Arms
             ,
             he
             is
             then
             glutted
             and
             satiated
             ;
             like
             Amnon
             
               he
               hates
               more
               then
               he
               loved
            
             2
             Sam.
             13.
             15.
             and
             is
             sicker
             of
             his
             possession
             ,
             then
             he
             was
             of
             his
             desire
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             AND
             thus
             will
             it
             ever
             be
             till
             we
             can
             keep
             our
             desires
             more
             at
             home
             ,
             and
             not
             suffer
             them
             to
             ramble
             after
             things
             without
             our
             reach
             .
             That
             honest
             Roman
             who
             from
             his
             extraordinary
             industry
             upon
             his
             little
             spot
             of
             ground
             received
             such
             an
             increase
             as
             brought
             him
             under
             suspicion
             of
             witchcraft
             ,
             is
             a
             good
             example
             for
             us
             .
             God
             has
             placed
             none
             of
             us
             in
             so
             barren
             a
             soil
             ,
             in
             so
             forlorn
             a
             state
             ,
             but
             there
             is
             somthing
             in
             it
             which
             may
             afford
             us
             comfort
             ;
             let
             us
             husband
             that
             to
             the
             utmost
             ,
             and
             t
             is
             scarce
             imaginable
             what
             improvements
             ,
             even
             he
             that
             appears
             the
             most
             miserable
             may
             make
             of
             his
             condition
             .
             But
             if
             in
             a
             sullen
             humor
             we
             will
             not
             cultivate
             our
             own
             field
             ,
             because
             we
             have
             perhaps
             more
             mind
             to
             our
             neighbors
             ,
             we
             may
             thank
             our selves
             if
             we
             starve
             .
             The
             despising
             of
             what
             God
             has
             already
             given
             us
             ,
             is
             sure
             but
             a
             cold
             invitation
             to
             farther
             bounty
             .
             Men
             are
             indeed
             forced
             somtimes
             
             to
             reward
             the
             mutinous
             :
             but
             God
             is
             not
             to
             be
             so
             attaqued
             ,
             nor
             is
             it
             that
             sort
             of
             violence
             which
             can
             ever
             force
             heaven
             .
             The
             Heathen
             could
             say
             that
             Jupiter
             sent
             his
             plagues
             among
             the
             poorer
             sort
             of
             men
             ,
             because
             they
             were
             alwaies
             repining
             :
             and
             indeed
             there
             is
             so
             much
             of
             truth
             in
             the
             observation
             ,
             that
             our
             impatience
             and
             discontent
             at
             our
             present
             condition
             ,
             is
             the
             greatest
             provocation
             to
             God
             to
             make
             it
             worse
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             IT
             must
             therefore
             be
             resolv'd
             to
             be
             very
             contrary
             to
             our
             interest
             ,
             and
             surely
             t
             is
             no
             less
             too
             our
             duty
             .
             It
             is
             so
             if
             we
             do
             but
             own
             our selves
             men
             ,
             for
             in
             that
             is
             impli'd
             a
             subordination
             and
             submission
             to
             that
             power
             which
             made
             us
             so
             ;
             and
             to
             dispute
             his
             managery
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             make
             other
             distributions
             of
             it
             then
             he
             has
             don
             ,
             is
             to
             renounce
             our
             subjection
             ,
             and
             set
             up
             for
             dominion
             .
             But
             this
             is
             yet
             more
             intolerable
             as
             we
             are
             Christians
             ,
             it
             being
             a
             special
             part
             of
             the
             Evangelical
             discipline
             ,
             cherefully
             to
             conform
             to
             any
             condition
             :
             to
             
               know
               how
               to
               be
               abased
               ,
               and
               how
               to
               abound
               ,
               to
               be
               full
               and
               to
               be
               hungry
               ,
            
             Phil.
             4.
             12.
             
               to
               be
               careful
               for
               nothing
            
             ver
             .
             6.
             
             Nay
             so
             little
             do's
             Christ
             give
             countenance
             to
             our
             peevish
             discontents
             ,
             our
             wanton
             out-cries
             when
             we
             
             are
             not
             hurt
             ,
             that
             he
             requires
             more
             then
             a
             contentment
             ,
             an
             exultancy
             and
             transport
             of
             joy
             even
             under
             the
             heaviest
             pressures
             ,
             under
             reproches
             and
             persecutions
             .
             
               Rejoice
               ye
               in
               that
               day
               ,
               and
               leap
               for
               joy
            
             Lu.
             6.
             23.
             
             And
             sure
             nothing
             can
             be
             more
             contrary
             to
             this
             ,
             then
             to
             be
             alwaies
             whining
             and
             complaining
             ,
             crying
             in
             the
             Prophets
             phrase
             ,
             
               my
               leanness
               my
               leanness
               ,
               wo
               is
               me
               .
            
             Isa.
             24.
             16.
             
             When
             perhaps
             Moses's
             simile
             do's
             better
             fit
             our
             state
             ,
             
               Iesurun
               waxed
               fat
               and
               kicked
            
             .
             Deut.
             32.
             15.
             
          
           
             12.
             
             AND
             as
             this
             querulous
             humor
             is
             against
             our
             interest
             and
             duty
             ,
             so
             is
             it
             visibly
             against
             our
             ease
             .
             T
             is
             a
             sickness
             of
             the
             mind
             ,
             a
             perpetual
             gnawing
             and
             craving
             of
             the
             appetite
             without
             any
             possibility
             of
             satisfaction
             :
             and
             indeed
             is
             the
             same
             in
             the
             heart
             which
             the
             
               Caninus
               appetitus
            
             is
             in
             the
             stomach
             ,
             to
             which
             we
             may
             aptly
             enough
             apply
             that
             description
             we
             find
             in
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             
               he
               shall
               snatch
               on
               the
               right
               hand
               and
               be
               hungry
               ,
               and
               he
               shall
               eat
               on
               the
               left
               and
               not
               be
               satisfied
               ,
            
             Esay
             .
             9.
             20.
             
             Where
             this
             sharp
             ,
             this
             fretting
             humor
             abounds
             ,
             nothing
             converts
             into
             nurishment
             :
             every
             new
             accession
             do's
             but
             excite
             some
             new
             desire
             ;
             and
             as
             t
             is
             observ'd
             of
             a
             trencher-fed
             dog
             ,
             that
             he
             tasts
             not
             one
             bit
             for
             the
             greedy
             
             expectation
             of
             the
             next
             ;
             so
             a
             discontented
             mind
             is
             so
             intent
             upon
             his
             pursuits
             ,
             that
             he
             has
             no
             relish
             of
             his
             acquests
             .
             So
             that
             what
             the
             Prophet
             speaks
             of
             the
             Covetous
             ,
             is
             equally
             appliable
             to
             all
             other
             sorts
             of
             Male-contents
             :
             
               he
               enlarges
               his
               desire
               as
               hell
               ,
               and
               is
               as
               death
               ,
               and
               cannot
               be
               satisfied
               ,
            
             Hab.
             2.
             5.
             
             And
             sure
             if
             the
             
               desire
               accomplished
            
             be
             as
             Solomon
             saies
             
               sweet
               to
               the
               soul
            
             ,
             Prov.
             13.
             19.
             it
             must
             be
             exceedingly
             bitter
             ,
             to
             be
             thus
             condemned
             to
             endless
             unaccomplishable
             desires
             ;
             and
             yet
             this
             is
             the
             torture
             which
             every
             repining
             uncontented
             spirit
             provides
             for
             it self
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             WHAT
             a
             madness
             is
             it
             then
             for
             men
             to
             be
             so
             desperatly
             bent
             against
             their
             interest
             and
             duty
             ,
             as
             to
             renounce
             even
             their
             ease
             too
             for
             company
             ?
             One
             would
             think
             this
             age
             were
             sensual
             enough
             to
             be
             at
             defiance
             with
             the
             least
             shadow
             of
             uneasiness
             .
             It
             is
             so
             I
             am
             sure
             where
             it
             ought
             not
             ,
             every
             thing
             is
             laborious
             when
             t
             is
             in
             compliance
             with
             their
             duty
             ,
             a
             few
             minutes
             spent
             in
             praier
             
               Oh
               what
               a
               weariness
               is
               it
               !
            
             Mal.
             213.
             
             If
             they
             chance
             but
             to
             miss
             a
             meal
             ,
             they
             are
             ready
             to
             cry
             out
             ,
             their
             
               knees
               are
               weak
               thro
               fasting
            
             .
             Psa.
             109.
             23.
             yet
             they
             can
             without
             regret
             ,
             or
             any
             self-compassion
             ,
             
             macerate
             and
             cruciate
             themselves
             with
             anxious
             cares
             and
             vexations
             ,
             and
             as
             the
             Apostle
             speaks
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             10.
             
               pierce
               themselves
               thro
               with
               many
               sorrows
               .
            
             That
             proposal
             therefore
             which
             was
             very
             rashly
             made
             by
             St.
             Peter
             to
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             
               Master
               pity
               thy self
            
             ,
             Mat.
             16.
             22.
             which
             we
             render
             
               be
               it
               far
               from
               thee
            
             ,
             would
             here
             be
             an
             advised
             motion
             to
             the
             generality
             of
             mankind
             ,
             who
             are
             commonly
             made
             unhappy
             not
             by
             any
             thing
             without
             them
             ,
             but
             by
             those
             restless
             impatiencies
             that
             are
             within
             them
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             IT
             may
             therefore
             be
             a
             seasonable
             office
             to
             endevor
             the
             appeasing
             those
             storms
             ,
             by
             recalling
             them
             to
             those
             sober
             rational
             considerations
             ,
             which
             may
             shew
             as
             well
             the
             folly
             ,
             as
             uneasiness
             of
             this
             repining
             unsatisfiable
             humor
             .
             T
             is
             certain
             that
             in
             true
             reasoning
             ,
             we
             can
             find
             nothing
             whereon
             to
             found
             it
             ,
             but
             a
             great
             deal
             to
             enforce
             the
             contrary
             .
             Indeed
             t
             is
             so
             much
             against
             the
             dictate
             of
             reasonable
             nature
             to
             affect
             damage
             ,
             sin
             ,
             and
             torment
             ,
             that
             were
             there
             nothing
             else
             to
             be
             said
             but
             what
             I
             have
             already
             mention'd
             ,
             it
             might
             competently
             discover
             the
             great
             unreasonableness
             of
             this
             sin
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             BUT
             we
             need
             not
             confine
             our
             appeal
             
             to
             reason
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             only
             a
             judg
             of
             utility
             and
             advantage
             ;
             but
             enlarge
             it
             to
             another
             notion
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             judg
             of
             equity
             and
             right
             :
             in
             which
             respect
             also
             it
             gives
             as
             cleer
             and
             peremtory
             a
             sentence
             against
             all
             murmuring
             and
             impatience
             .
             To
             evince
             this
             I
             shall
             insist
             upon
             these
             particulars
             .
             1.
             that
             God
             is
             debtor
             to
             no
             man
             ,
             and
             therefore
             what
             ever
             he
             affords
             to
             any
             ,
             it
             is
             upon
             bounty
             not
             of
             right
             ,
             a
             benevolence
             not
             a
             due
             .
             2ly
             .
             that
             this
             bounty
             is
             not
             streight
             or
             narrow
             ,
             confin'd
             to
             some
             few
             particular
             persons
             ,
             and
             wholly
             overskipping
             the
             rest
             ,
             but
             more
             or
             less
             universally
             diffused
             to
             all
             .
             So
             that
             he
             who
             has
             the
             least
             ,
             cannot
             justly
             say
             but
             he
             has
             bin
             liberally
             dealt
             with
             .
             3ly
             that
             if
             we
             compare
             our
             blessings
             with
             our
             allaies
             ,
             our
             good
             things
             with
             our
             evil
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             our
             good
             far
             surmounting
             .
             4ly
             that
             we
             shall
             find
             them
             yet
             more
             so
             ,
             if
             we
             compare
             them
             with
             the
             good
             we
             have
             don
             ,
             as
             on
             the
             contrary
             we
             shall
             find
             our
             afflictions
             scarce
             discernible
             if
             balanced
             with
             our
             sins
             .
             5ly
             that
             as
             God
             is
             Rector
             of
             the
             universe
             ,
             so
             it
             appertains
             to
             him
             to
             make
             such
             allotments
             ,
             such
             distributions
             ,
             as
             may
             best
             preserve
             the
             state
             of
             the
             whole
             .
             6ly
             that
             God
             notwithstanding
             that
             universal
             care
             ,
             
             has
             also
             a
             peculiar
             aspect
             on
             every
             particular
             Person
             ,
             and
             disposes
             to
             him
             what
             he
             discerns
             best
             for
             him
             in
             special
             .
             7ly
             if
             we
             compare
             our
             adversities
             ,
             with
             those
             of
             other
             men
             ,
             we
             shall
             alwaies
             find
             somthing
             that
             equals
             if
             not
             exceeds
             our
             own
             .
             All
             these
             are
             certain
             irrefragable
             truths
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             none
             of
             them
             single
             but
             may
             ,
             if
             well
             prest
             upon
             the
             mind
             ,
             charm
             it
             into
             a
             calmness
             and
             resignation
             ;
             but
             when
             there
             is
             such
             a
             conspiration
             of
             arguments
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             a
             very
             obstinate
             perversness
             that
             can
             resist
             them
             :
             or
             should
             they
             fail
             to
             enforce
             a
             full
             conviction
             ;
             will
             yet
             introduce
             those
             subsidiary
             proofs
             which
             I
             have
             to
             alledg
             ,
             so
             advantagiously
             ,
             as
             will
             being
             put
             altogether
             ,
             amount
             unto
             perfect
             and
             uncontroulable
             Evidence
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             II.
             
          
           
             Of
             Gods
             Absolute
             Soveraignty
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THE
             first
             proposition
             that
             God
             is
             debtor
             to
             no
             man
             ,
             is
             too
             clear
             and
             apparent
             to
             require
             much
             of
             illustration
             :
             for
             as
             he
             is
             a
             free
             agent
             and
             may
             act
             as
             he
             pleases
             ,
             so
             he
             is
             the
             sole
             proprietary
             and
             can
             wrongfully
             detain
             from
             none
             ,
             because
             all
             original
             right
             is
             in
             himself
             .
             This
             has
             bin
             so
             much
             acknowledged
             by
             the
             blindest
             Heathens
             ,
             that
             none
             of
             them
             durst
             make
             insolent
             addresses
             to
             their
             Gods
             ,
             challenge
             any
             thing
             of
             them
             as
             of
             debt
             ,
             but
             by
             sacrifices
             and
             praiers
             own'd
             their
             dependance
             and
             wants
             ,
             and
             implor'd
             supplies
             .
             And
             sure
             Christianity
             teaches
             us
             not
             to
             be
             more
             sawcy
             .
             If
             those
             Deities
             who
             ow'd
             their
             very
             being
             to
             their
             votaries
             ,
             were
             yet
             acknowledged
             to
             be
             the
             spring
             and
             source
             of
             all
             ,
             we
             can
             with
             no
             pretence
             deny
             it
             to
             that
             supreme
             power
             in
             
               whom
               we
               live
               ,
               move
               ,
               and
               have
               our
               being
               .
            
             Acts.
             17.
             28.
             
             For
             if
             it
             were
             merely
             an
             
             act
             of
             his
             choice
             to
             give
             us
             a
             being
             ,
             all
             his
             subsequent
             bounties
             can
             have
             no
             other
             original
             then
             his
             own
             good
             plesure
             .
             We
             could
             put
             no
             obligation
             upon
             God
             before
             we
             were
             :
             and
             when
             we
             began
             to
             be
             ,
             we
             were
             his
             creatures
             ,
             and
             so
             by
             the
             most
             indisputable
             right
             owe
             our selves
             to
             him
             ,
             but
             can
             have
             no
             antecedent
             title
             on
             which
             to
             clame
             any
             thing
             from
             him
             :
             so
             that
             the
             Apostle
             might
             well
             make
             the
             challenge
             which
             he
             doth
             on
             Gods
             behalf
             ,
             
               who
               hath
               given
               any
               thing
               unto
               him
               ,
               and
               it
               shall
               be
               recompenc'd
               to
               him
               again
               ?
            
             Rom.
             11.
             35.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Now
             ordinary
             discretion
             teaches
             us
             not
             to
             be
             too
             bold
             in
             our
             expectations
             from
             one
             to
             whom
             we
             can
             plead
             no
             right
             .
             It
             has
             as
             little
             of
             prudence
             as
             modesty
             ,
             to
             press
             impudently
             upon
             the
             bounty
             of
             a
             Patron
             ,
             and
             do's
             but
             give
             him
             temtation
             (
             at
             least
             pretence
             )
             to
             deny
             .
             And
             if
             it
             be
             thus
             with
             men
             ,
             who
             possibly
             may
             somtimes
             have
             an
             interest
             ,
             sometimes
             a
             vanity
             to
             oblige
             us
             ;
             it
             must
             be
             much
             more
             so
             towards
             God
             ,
             who
             cannot
             be
             in
             want
             of
             us
             ,
             and
             therefore
             need
             not
             buy
             us
             :
             
               our
               good
            
             ,
             as
             the
             Psalmist
             speaks
             ,
             
               extends
               not
               to
               him
            
             .
             Psal.
             16.
             2.
             
             He
             has
             a
             fundamental
             right
             in
             that
             little
             we
             are
             ,
             which
             will
             stand
             good
             tho
             it
             should
             never
             be
             corroborated
             by
             greater
             benefits
             .
             
             With
             what
             an
             humble
             bashfulness
             should
             we
             then
             sue
             for
             any
             thing
             ,
             who
             have
             no
             argument
             to
             invite
             the
             least
             donation
             ?
             being
             already
             so
             preingag'd
             ,
             that
             we
             cannot
             mortgage
             so
             much
             as
             our selves
             in
             consideration
             of
             any
             new
             favor
             :
             and
             surely
             extravagant
             hopes
             do
             very
             ill
             befit
             people
             in
             this
             condition
             .
             We
             see
             the
             modesty
             of
             good
             Mephibosheth
             ,
             who
             tho
             he
             was
             by
             a
             slanderous
             accusation
             outed
             of
             half
             the
             estate
             David
             had
             given
             him
             ,
             yet
             upon
             a
             reflexion
             that
             he
             deriv'd
             it
             all
             from
             his
             good
             plesure
             ,
             disputed
             not
             the
             sentence
             ,
             but
             cherefully
             resign'd
             the
             whole
             to
             the
             same
             disposure
             ,
             from
             which
             he
             received
             it
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               Yea
               ,
               let
               him
               take
               all
               .
            
             2
             Sam.
             19
             ,
             30.
             
             A
             rare
             example
             and
             fit
             for
             imitation
             ,
             as
             being
             adapted
             to
             the
             present
             case
             ,
             not
             only
             in
             that
             one
             circumstance
             of
             his
             having
             receiv'd
             all
             from
             the
             King
             ,
             but
             also
             in
             that
             of
             the
             attainder
             of
             his
             blood
             ,
             which
             he
             confesses
             in
             the
             former
             part
             of
             the
             verse
             ,
             for
             
               all
               of
               my
               fathers
               house
               were
               but
               dead
               men
               before
               my
               Lord.
            
             And
             alas
             may
             we
             not
             say
             the
             very
             same
             ?
             was
             not
             our
             whole
             race
             tainted
             in
             our
             first
             Parent
             ?
             So
             that
             if
             God
             had
             not
             the
             primary
             title
             of
             vassalage
             ,
             he
             would
             in
             our
             fall
             have
             acquir'd
             that
             of
             confiscation
             and
             escheat
             .
             And
             can
             we
             
             think
             our selves
             then
             in
             terms
             to
             capitulate
             and
             make
             our
             own
             conditions
             ,
             and
             expect
             God
             should
             humor
             us
             in
             all
             our
             wild
             demands
             ?
          
           
             3.
             
             THIS
             is
             indeed
             to
             keep
             up
             that
             old
             rebellion
             of
             our
             Progenitor
             ,
             for
             that
             consisted
             in
             a
             discontent
             with
             that
             portion
             God
             had
             assign'd
             him
             ,
             and
             coveting
             what
             he
             had
             restrein'd
             him
             .
             Nay
             indeed
             it
             comes
             up
             to
             the
             height
             of
             the
             Devils
             proposal
             ,
             the
             attemting
             
               to
               be
               as
               God.
            
             Gen.
             3.
             5.
             
             For
             t
             is
             an
             endevor
             to
             wrest
             the
             managery
             out
             of
             his
             hands
             ,
             to
             supersede
             his
             Autority
             of
             dispensing
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             to
             carve
             for
             our selves
             .
             This
             is
             so
             mad
             an
             insolence
             ,
             that
             were
             it
             possible
             to
             state
             a
             case
             exactly
             parallel
             between
             man
             and
             man
             ,
             it
             would
             raise
             the
             indignation
             of
             any
             that
             but
             pretended
             to
             ingenuity
             .
             Yet
             this
             is
             ,
             without
             Hyperbole
             ,
             the
             true
             meaning
             of
             every
             murmuring
             repining
             thought
             we
             entertain
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             BUT
             as
             bad
             as
             it
             is
             ,
             who
             is
             there
             of
             us
             ,
             that
             can
             in
             this
             particular
             say
             
               we
               have
               made
               our
               heart
               clean
               ?
            
             Prov.
             20.
             9.
             
             T
             is
             true
             we
             make
             some
             formal
             ackowledgment
             sometimes
             that
             we
             receive
             all
             from
             Gods
             gift
             ,
             custom
             teaches
             us
             from
             our
             infancy
             after
             every
             meal
             we
             eat
             to
             give
             him
             thanks
             (
             tho
             even
             that
             is
             now
             thought
             too
             
             much
             respect
             ,
             and
             begins
             to
             be
             discarded
             as
             unfashionable
             .
             )
             Yet
             sure
             he
             cannot
             be
             thought
             to
             do
             that
             in
             earnest
             ,
             that
             has
             all
             the
             time
             of
             his
             eating
             bin
             grumbling
             that
             his
             table
             abounds
             not
             with
             such
             delicacies
             as
             his
             neighbors
             .
             And
             yet
             at
             this
             rate
             God
             knows
             are
             most
             of
             our
             thanksgivings
             .
             Indeed
             we
             have
             not
             so
             much
             ordinary
             civility
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             we
             have
             to
             men
             .
             The
             common
             proverb
             teaches
             us
             not
             too
             curiously
             to
             pry
             into
             the
             blemishes
             of
             what
             is
             given
             us
             :
             but
             on
             Gods
             gifts
             we
             sit
             as
             Censors
             ,
             nicely
             examine
             every
             thing
             which
             is
             any
             way
             disagreable
             to
             our
             fancies
             ,
             and
             as
             if
             we
             dealt
             with
             him
             under
             the
             notion
             of
             chapmen
             ,
             disparage
             it
             ,
             as
             Solomon
             saies
             buiers
             use
             to
             do
             ,
             
               it
               is
               naught
               ,
               it
               is
               naught
               ,
               saith
               the
               buier
            
             Prov.
             20.
             14.
             
             Nay
             we
             seem
             yet
             more
             absurdly
             to
             change
             the
             scene
             ,
             and
             as
             if
             God
             were
             to
             make
             oblations
             to
             us
             ,
             we
             as
             critically
             observe
             the
             defects
             of
             his
             benefactions
             ,
             as
             the
             Levitical
             priests
             were
             to
             do
             those
             of
             the
             sacrifice
             ,
             and
             (
             like
             angry
             Deities
             )
             scornfully
             reject
             ,
             what
             ever
             do's
             not
             perfectly
             answer
             our
             wanton
             appetites
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             AND
             now
             should
             God
             take
             us
             at
             our
             words
             ,
             withdraw
             all
             those
             blessings
             which
             we
             so
             fastidiously
             despise
             ,
             what
             a
             
             condition
             were
             we
             in
             ?
             T
             is
             sure
             we
             have
             nothing
             to
             plead
             in
             reverse
             of
             that
             judgment
             .
             There
             is
             nothing
             in
             it
             against
             justice
             :
             for
             he
             takes
             but
             his
             own
             .
             This
             he
             intimates
             to
             Israel
             Hos.
             2.
             9.
             
             I
             will
             
               return
               and
               take
               away
               my
               corn
               in
               the
               time
               thereof
               ,
               and
               my
               wine
               in
               the
               season
               thereof
               ,
               and
               will
               recover
               my
               wool
               and
               my
               flax
               :
            
             in
             which
             he
             asserts
             his
             own
             propriety
             ,
             my
             corn
             ,
             my
             wine
             &c
             ▪
             and
             recalls
             them
             to
             the
             remembrance
             that
             they
             were
             but
             usufructuaries
             :
             and
             t
             is
             as
             evident
             that
             our
             tenure
             is
             but
             the
             same
             .
             Nay
             this
             proceeding
             would
             not
             be
             repugnant
             even
             to
             mercy
             ,
             for
             even
             that
             is
             not
             obliged
             still
             to
             prostitute
             its
             self
             to
             our
             contemt
             .
             I
             am
             sure
             such
             a
             tolerance
             is
             beyond
             all
             the
             mesures
             of
             humane
             lenity
             .
             Should
             any
             of
             us
             offer
             an
             alms
             to
             an
             indigent
             wretch
             ,
             and
             he
             when
             he
             sees
             t
             is
             Silver
             ,
             should
             murmur
             and
             exclame
             that
             it
             is
             not
             Gold
             ,
             would
             we
             not
             draw
             back
             our
             hand
             ,
             and
             reserve
             our
             charity
             for
             a
             more
             worthy
             object
             ?
             T
             is
             true
             indeed
             Gods
             thoughts
             are
             not
             as
             our
             thoughts
             ,
             nor
             our
             narrow
             bowels
             equal
             mesures
             for
             the
             divine
             compassions
             ,
             and
             we
             experimentally
             find
             that
             his
             long-suffering
             infinitly
             exceeds
             ours
             ,
             yet
             we
             know
             he
             do's
             in
             the
             
             parable
             of
             the
             Lord
             and
             the
             servant
             Mat.
             18.
             declare
             that
             he
             will
             proportion
             his
             mercy
             by
             ours
             ,
             in
             that
             instance
             ;
             and
             we
             have
             no
             promise
             that
             he
             will
             not
             do
             it
             in
             this
             :
             nay
             we
             have
             all
             reason
             to
             expect
             he
             should
             ;
             for
             since
             his
             wisdom
             promts
             him
             to
             do
             nothing
             in
             vain
             ,
             and
             all
             his
             bounty
             to
             us
             is
             design'd
             to
             make
             us
             happy
             ,
             when
             he
             sees
             that
             end
             utterly
             frustrated
             by
             our
             discontents
             ,
             to
             what
             purpose
             should
             he
             continue
             that
             to
             us
             which
             we
             will
             be
             never
             the
             better
             for
             ?
          
           
             6.
             
             BESIDES
             tho
             he
             be
             exceedingly
             patient
             ,
             yet
             he
             is
             not
             negligent
             or
             insensible
             ,
             he
             takes
             particular
             notice
             ,
             not
             only
             with
             what
             diligence
             we
             employ
             ,
             but
             with
             what
             affections
             we
             resent
             every
             of
             his
             blessings
             .
             And
             as
             ingratitude
             is
             a
             vice
             odious
             to
             men
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             extremely
             provoking
             to
             God
             :
             so
             that
             in
             this
             sense
             also
             ,
             the
             words
             of
             our
             Savior
             are
             most
             true
             ,
             from
             
               him
               that
               hath
               not
               (
               i.e.
               )
            
             that
             hath
             not
             a
             grateful
             sense
             and
             value
             ,
             
               shall
               be
               taken
               away
               even
               that
               he
               hath
            
             Mat.
             25.
             29.
             
             But
             we
             may
             find
             a
             threatning
             of
             this
             kind
             yet
             more
             express
             to
             Israel
             ,
             
               because
               thou
               servedst
               not
               the
               Lord
               thy
               God
               with
               gladness
               and
               with
               joifulness
               of
               heart
               for
               the
               abundance
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               therefore
               shalt
               
               thou
               serve
               thine
               enemies
               ,
               whom
               the
               Lord
               God
               will
               send
               among
               thee
               ,
               in
               hunger
               and
               in
               thirst
               and
               in
               nakedness
               and
               in
               want
               of
               all
               things
            
             Deut
             28.
             27.
             28.
             
             a
             sad
             and
             dismal
             inversion
             ,
             yet
             founded
             wholly
             in
             the
             want
             of
             that
             cheerful
             recognition
             which
             God
             expected
             from
             them
             .
             And
             if
             Israel
             the
             lot
             of
             his
             own
             inheritance
             ,
             that
             people
             whom
             he
             had
             singled
             out
             from
             all
             the
             nations
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             could
             thus
             forfeit
             his
             favor
             by
             unthankfulness
             ,
             sure
             none
             of
             us
             can
             suppose
             we
             have
             any
             surer
             entail
             of
             it
             .
             In
             a
             word
             as
             God
             loves
             a
             cheerful
             giver
             ,
             so
             he
             also
             loves
             a
             cheerful
             receiver
             .
             One
             that
             complies
             with
             his
             end
             in
             bestowing
             ,
             by
             taking
             a
             just
             complacence
             in
             his
             gifts
             .
             But
             the
             querulous
             and
             unsatisfied
             ,
             reproch
             his
             bounty
             :
             accuse
             him
             of
             illiberality
             and
             narrowness
             of
             mind
             .
             So
             that
             he
             seems
             even
             in
             his
             honor
             engag'd
             to
             bring
             them
             to
             a
             righter
             apprehension
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             by
             a
             deprivation
             teach
             them
             the
             value
             of
             those
             good
             things
             ,
             which
             they
             could
             not
             learn
             by
             the
             enjoiment
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             IF
             therefore
             ingenuity
             and
             gratitude
             cannot
             ,
             yet
             at
             least
             let
             prudence
             and
             self-love
             engage
             us
             against
             this
             sin
             of
             Murmuring
             ,
             which
             we
             see
             do's
             abundantly
             justify
             the
             character
             the
             Wise
             man
             
             gives
             when
             he
             tells
             us
             
               t
               is
               unprofitable
            
             Wis.
             1.
             11.
             he
             might
             have
             said
             pernicious
             also
             ,
             for
             so
             it
             evidenly
             is
             in
             its
             effects
             .
             Let
             us
             then
             arm
             our selves
             against
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             that
             purpose
             impress
             deeply
             upon
             our
             minds
             the
             present
             consideration
             ,
             that
             God
             ows
             us
             nothing
             ,
             and
             that
             what
             ever
             we
             receive
             is
             an
             alms
             ,
             and
             not
             a
             tribute
             .
             Diogenes
             being
             asked
             what
             wine
             drank
             the
             most
             plesant
             ,
             answered
             ,
             that
             which
             is
             drunk
             at
             anothers
             cost
             .
             And
             this
             circumstance
             we
             can
             never
             miss
             of
             to
             recommend
             our
             good
             things
             to
             us
             :
             for
             be
             they
             little
             or
             much
             ,
             they
             come
             gratis
             .
             When
             therefore
             in
             a
             pettish
             mood
             we
             find
             our selves
             apt
             to
             charge
             God
             foolishly
             ,
             and
             to
             think
             him
             strait-handed
             towards
             us
             ,
             let
             us
             imagine
             we
             hear
             God
             expostulating
             with
             us
             ,
             as
             the
             housholder
             in
             the
             parable
             ,
             
               Friend
               I
               do
               thee
               no
               wrong
               :
               is
               it
               not
               lawful
               for
               me
               to
               do
               what
               I
               will
               with
               mine
               own
               ?
            
             Mat.
             20.
             15.
             
             If
             God
             have
             not
             the
             right
             of
             disposing
             ,
             let
             us
             find
             out
             those
             that
             have
             ,
             and
             see
             how
             much
             better
             we
             shall
             speed
             ,
             but
             if
             he
             hath
             ,
             let
             us
             take
             heed
             of
             disputing
             with
             him
             :
             we
             that
             subsist
             merely
             by
             his
             favor
             ,
             had
             need
             court
             and
             cherish
             it
             by
             all
             the
             arts
             of
             humble
             observance
             .
             Every
             man
             is
             ready
             to
             say
             how
             ill
             beggary
             
             and
             pride
             do
             agree
             .
             The
             first
             qualification
             we
             cannot
             put
             off
             ;
             O
             let
             us
             not
             provide
             it
             of
             the
             other
             so
             inconvenient
             so
             odious
             an
             adjunct
             .
             Let
             us
             leave
             off
             prescribing
             to
             God
             (
             which
             no
             ingenuous
             man
             would
             do
             to
             an
             earthly
             benefactor
             )
             and
             let
             us
             betake
             our selves
             to
             a
             more
             holy
             and
             succesful
             policy
             ,
             the
             acknowledgment
             of
             past
             mercies
             ,
             and
             our
             own
             unworthiness
             .
             This
             was
             Jacobs
             method
             ,
             
               I
               am
               not
               worthy
               of
               the
               least
               of
               all
               the
               mercies
               ,
               and
               of
               all
               the
               truth
               which
               thou
               hast
               shew'd
               unto
               thy
               servant
               :
               for
               with
               my
               staff
               I
               passed
               over
               this
               Iordan
               ,
               and
               now
               I
               am
               become
               two
               bands
               ,
            
             and
             with
             this
             humble
             preface
             he
             introduces
             his
             petition
             for
             rescue
             in
             his
             present
             distress
             ,
             
               Deliver
               me
               I
               pray
               thee
               from
               the
               hand
               of
               my
               brother
               ,
            
             &c.
             Gen.
             32.
             10.
             11.
             
             An
             excellent
             pattern
             of
             Divine
             Rhetoric
             ,
             which
             the
             success
             demonstrates
             to
             have
             bin
             very
             prevalent
             .
             And
             we
             cannot
             transcribe
             a
             better
             copy
             ,
             to
             render
             our
             desires
             as
             succesful
             .
             Indeed
             we
             are
             so
             utterly
             destitute
             of
             all
             arguments
             from
             our selves
             ,
             that
             we
             can
             make
             no
             reasonable
             form
             of
             address
             ,
             if
             we
             found
             it
             not
             in
             somthing
             of
             God
             :
             and
             there
             is
             nothing
             even
             in
             him
             adapted
             to
             our
             purpose
             ,
             but
             his
             mercy
             ;
             nor
             can
             that
             be
             so
             advantageously
             
             urged
             by
             any
             thing
             ,
             as
             by
             the
             former
             instances
             ,
             it
             has
             given
             of
             it self
             :
             for
             as
             God
             only
             is
             fit
             to
             be
             a
             precedent
             to
             himself
             ,
             so
             he
             loves
             to
             be
             so
             .
             Thus
             we
             find
             ,
             not
             only
             Moses
             ,
             but
             God
             often
             recollecting
             his
             miraculous
             favors
             towards
             Israel
             ,
             as
             an
             argument
             to
             do
             more
             :
             let
             us
             therefore
             accost
             him
             in
             his
             own
             way
             ,
             and
             by
             a
             frequent
             and
             grateful
             recounting
             of
             his
             former
             mercies
             ,
             engage
             him
             to
             future
             .
             Nor
             need
             we
             be
             at
             a
             loss
             for
             matter
             of
             such
             recollection
             ,
             if
             we
             will
             but
             seriously
             consider
             what
             we
             have
             already
             received
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             subject
             of
             the
             next
             Section
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             III.
             
          
           
             Of
             Gods
             Vnlimited
             Bounty
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             IT
             is
             the
             known
             character
             of
             an
             unworthy
             nature
             ,
             to
             write
             injuries
             in
             Marble
             ,
             and
             benefits
             in
             dust
             :
             and
             however
             some
             (
             as
             Seneca
             well
             observes
             )
             may
             acquit
             themselves
             of
             this
             imputation
             as
             to
             man
             ,
             yet
             scarce
             any
             do
             so
             in
             relation
             to
             God.
             T
             is
             true
             indeed
             the
             charge
             must
             be
             a
             little
             varied
             ;
             for
             God
             neither
             will
             nor
             can
             do
             us
             injury
             :
             yet
             we
             receive
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             adverse
             with
             such
             a
             resentment
             as
             if
             it
             were
             ,
             and
             engrave
             that
             in
             our
             memories
             with
             indelible
             characters
             ,
             whilst
             his
             great
             and
             reall
             benefits
             are
             either
             not
             at
             all
             observ'd
             ,
             or
             with
             so
             transient
             an
             advertence
             ,
             that
             the
             comparison
             of
             dust
             is
             beyond
             our
             pitch
             ,
             and
             we
             may
             be
             more
             properly
             said
             to
             write
             them
             in
             water
             .
             Nay
             so
             far
             are
             we
             from
             keeping
             records
             and
             registers
             of
             his
             favors
             ,
             that
             even
             those
             standing
             and
             fixt
             ones
             which
             sense
             can
             promt
             us
             to
             (
             without
             the
             aid
             of
             our
             memories
             )
             cannot
             obtain
             our
             notice
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             WERE
             it
             not
             thus
             ,
             it
             were
             impossible
             for
             men
             to
             be
             so
             perpetually
             in
             the
             
             complaining
             Key
             ,
             as
             if
             their
             voices
             were
             capable
             of
             no
             other
             sound
             .
             One
             wants
             this
             ,
             and
             another
             that
             ,
             and
             a
             third
             somthing
             beyond
             them
             both
             ,
             and
             so
             on
             
               ad
               infinitum
            
             ;
             when
             all
             this
             while
             every
             one
             of
             them
             enjoies
             a
             multitude
             of
             good
             things
             without
             any
             remark
             .
             That
             very
             breath
             wherewith
             they
             utter
             their
             complaints
             ,
             is
             a
             blessing
             ,
             and
             a
             fundamental
             one
             too
             :
             for
             if
             God
             should
             withdraw
             that
             ,
             they
             were
             incapable
             of
             whatsoever
             else
             they
             either
             have
             ,
             or
             desire
             .
             T
             is
             true
             that
             some
             mens
             impatiencies
             have
             risen
             so
             high
             ,
             as
             to
             cast
             away
             life
             ,
             because
             it
             was
             not
             clothed
             with
             all
             circumstances
             they
             wisht
             .
             Yet
             these
             are
             rare
             instances
             ,
             and
             do
             only
             shew
             such
             mens
             depraved
             judgment
             of
             things
             .
             A
             rich
             Jewel
             is
             not
             the
             less
             valuable
             ,
             because
             a
             mad
             man
             in
             his
             raving
             fit
             flings
             it
             into
             the
             fire
             :
             but
             as
             to
             the
             generality
             of
             men
             ,
             the
             devil
             (
             tho
             a
             liar
             )
             gave
             a
             true
             account
             of
             their
             sense
             ,
             when
             he
             said
             ,
             
               Skin
               for
               skin
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               a
               man
               hath
               will
               he
               give
               for
               his
               life
               .
            
             Job
             .
             2.
             4.
             
             And
             tho
             perhaps
             in
             an
             angry
             fit
             many
             men
             have
             with
             Jonas
             Chap.
             4.
             3.
             
               wisht
               to
               die
            
             ,
             yet
             ten
             to
             one
             should
             death
             then
             come
             ,
             they
             would
             be
             as
             willing
             to
             divert
             it
             ,
             as
             was
             the
             man
             in
             the
             Apologue
             ,
             who
             wearied
             with
             his
             burden
             of
             sticks
             ,
             flung
             
             it
             down
             and
             call'd
             for
             death
             ,
             but
             when
             he
             came
             ,
             own'd
             no
             other
             occasion
             for
             him
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             helpt
             up
             again
             with
             his
             bundle
             .
             I
             dare
             in
             this
             appeal
             to
             the
             experience
             of
             those
             ,
             who
             have
             seemed
             very
             weary
             of
             life
             ,
             whether
             when
             any
             suddain
             danger
             has
             surprised
             them
             ,
             it
             has
             not
             as
             suddenly
             altered
             their
             mind
             ,
             and
             made
             them
             more
             desire
             life
             ,
             then
             before
             they
             abhor'd
             it
             .
             T
             is
             the
             common
             saying
             ,
             As
             long
             as
             there
             is
             life
             there
             is
             hope
             :
             there
             is
             so
             as
             to
             secular
             concerns
             ,
             for
             what
             strange
             revolutions
             do
             we
             often
             see
             in
             the
             age
             of
             a
             man
             ?
             from
             what
             despicable
             beginnings
             have
             many
             arriv'd
             to
             the
             most
             splendid
             conditions
             ?
             Of
             which
             we
             have
             divers
             modern
             as
             well
             as
             ancient
             instances
             .
             And
             indeed
             t
             is
             admirable
             to
             see
             what
             time
             and
             industry
             will
             (
             with
             Gods
             blessing
             )
             effect
             .
             
               But
               there
               is
               no
               work
               ,
               nor
               device
               ,
               nor
               knowledg
               ,
               nor
               wisdom
               in
               the
               grave
               .
            
             Ecc.
             9.
             10.
             we
             can
             improve
             no
             more
             when
             we
             are
             once
             transplanted
             thither
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             BUT
             this
             is
             yet
             much
             more
             considerable
             in
             respect
             of
             our
             spiritual
             state
             .
             Our
             life
             is
             the
             
               day
               wherein
               we
               are
               to
               work
               .
            
             Joh.
             9.
             4.
             
             (
             yea
             to
             work
             out
             our
             Salvation
             :
             )
             but
             
               when
               the
               night
               comes
            
             (
             when
             death
             overtakes
             )
             
               no
               man
               can
               work
            
             .
             Now
             alas
             when
             t
             is
             consider'd
             how
             much
             of
             this
             day
             
             the
             most
             of
             us
             have
             loiter'd
             away
             ,
             how
             many
             of
             us
             have
             stood
             idle
             till
             the
             sixt
             or
             ninth
             hour
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             our
             concern
             not
             to
             have
             our
             day
             close
             before
             the
             eleventh
             .
             Nay
             alas
             t
             is
             yet
             worse
             with
             us
             :
             we
             have
             not
             only
             bin
             idle
             ,
             but
             very
             often
             ill
             busied
             ;
             so
             that
             we
             have
             a
             great
             part
             of
             our
             time
             to
             unravel
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             not
             to
             be
             don
             in
             a
             moment
             .
             For
             tho
             our
             works
             may
             fitly
             enough
             be
             represented
             by
             the
             Prophets
             comparison
             of
             a
             
               spiders
               web
            
             ,
             Isay.
             59.
             5.
             yet
             they
             want
             the
             best
             property
             even
             of
             that
             ;
             they
             cannot
             be
             so
             soon
             undon
             .
             Vices
             that
             are
             radicated
             by
             time
             and
             custom
             ,
             lie
             too
             deep
             to
             be
             lightly
             swept
             away
             .
             T
             is
             no
             easy
             thing
             to
             perswade
             our selves
             to
             the
             will
             of
             parting
             with
             them
             .
             Many
             violences
             we
             must
             offer
             to
             our selves
             ,
             a
             long
             and
             strict
             course
             of
             mortification
             must
             be
             gon
             thro
             ,
             ere
             we
             can
             find
             in
             our
             hearts
             to
             bid
             them
             be
             gon
             :
             and
             yet
             when
             we
             do
             so
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             so
             tractable
             as
             the
             Centurions
             servants
             .
             They
             will
             indeed
             come
             when-ever
             we
             bid
             them
             ,
             but
             they
             will
             scarce
             go
             so
             :
             they
             must
             be
             expell'd
             by
             force
             and
             by
             slow
             degrees
             ;
             we
             must
             fight
             for
             every
             inch
             of
             ground
             we
             gain
             from
             them
             :
             and
             as
             God
             could
             not
             assist
             the
             Israelites
             to
             subdue
             the
             Canaanites
             ,
             
             at
             once
             Deut.
             7.
             22.
             so
             neither
             ordinarily
             do's
             he
             us
             to
             master
             perfectly
             our
             corruptions
             .
             Now
             a
             process
             of
             this
             difficulty
             is
             not
             to
             be
             dispatcht
             on
             a
             sudden
             .
             And
             yet
             this
             is
             not
             all
             our
             task
             ,
             for
             we
             have
             not
             only
             ill
             habits
             to
             extirpate
             ,
             but
             we
             have
             also
             good
             ones
             to
             acquire
             :
             t
             is
             not
             a
             mere
             negative
             vertue
             will
             serve
             our
             turns
             ,
             nor
             will
             emty
             lamps
             enter
             us
             into
             the
             marriage
             chamber
             ,
             Mat.
             25.
             10.
             
             
               We
               must
               add
               to
               our
               faith
               vertue
               ,
               and
               to
               vertue
               knowledge
               ,
               and
               to
               knowledge
               temperance
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             2
             Pet.
             1.
             5.
             
             No
             link
             must
             be
             wanting
             of
             that
             sacred
             chain
             ,
             but
             we
             must
             (
             as
             the
             same
             Apostle
             advises
             )
             
               be
               holy
               in
               all
               manner
               of
               conversation
               .
            
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             15.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             AND
             now
             I
             would
             desire
             the
             Reader
             seriously
             to
             consider
             ,
             whether
             he
             can
             upon
             good
             grounds
             tell
             himself
             that
             this
             so
             difficult
             (
             and
             yet
             so
             necessary
             )
             a
             work
             is
             effectually
             wrought
             in
             him
             .
             If
             it
             be
             ,
             he
             is
             a
             happy
             man
             ,
             and
             can
             with
             no
             pretence
             complain
             of
             any
             external
             want
             :
             (
             he
             that
             is
             fed
             with
             Manna
             ,
             must
             be
             strangely
             perverse
             if
             he
             murmur
             for
             a
             belly-full
             of
             
               leeks
               and
               onions
            
             .
             Num.
             11.
             5.
             )
             But
             on
             the
             contrary
             he
             owes
             infinite
             thanks
             to
             God
             ,
             that
             has
             spared
             him
             time
             for
             this
             important
             business
             ,
             and
             did
             not
             put
             a
             period
             to
             his
             natural
             
             life
             ,
             before
             he
             had
             begun
             a
             spiritual
             .
             For
             I
             fear
             there
             are
             among
             the
             best
             of
             us
             few
             of
             so
             entire
             an
             innocence
             ,
             but
             they
             may
             remember
             some
             ,
             either
             habits
             or
             acts
             of
             sin
             ,
             in
             which
             it
             would
             have
             bin
             dreadful
             for
             them
             to
             have
             bin
             snatcht
             away
             .
             And
             then
             how
             comprehensive
             ,
             how
             prolifie
             a
             mercy
             has
             life
             bin
             to
             them
             ,
             when
             it
             has
             carried
             eternity
             in
             its
             womb
             ,
             and
             their
             continuance
             on
             earth
             has
             qualified
             them
             for
             heaven
             ?
             Neither
             are
             such
             persons
             only
             to
             look
             on
             it
             as
             a
             blessing
             in
             the
             retrospect
             ,
             as
             it
             relates
             to
             the
             past
             ,
             but
             also
             in
             the
             present
             and
             future
             :
             which
             if
             they
             continue
             to
             employ
             well
             ,
             do's
             not
             only
             confirm
             ,
             but
             advance
             their
             reward
             .
             Besides
             God
             may
             please
             by
             them
             to
             glorify
             himself
             ,
             make
             them
             instrumental
             to
             his
             service
             ;
             which
             as
             it
             is
             the
             greatest
             honor
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             also
             the
             greatest
             satisfaction
             to
             a
             good
             heart
             .
             He
             shews
             himself
             too
             mercenary
             that
             so
             longs
             for
             his
             reward
             ,
             as
             to
             grow
             impatient
             of
             his
             attendances
             :
             he
             that
             loves
             God
             ,
             thinks
             himself
             blest
             in
             the
             opportunity
             of
             doing
             work
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             in
             receiving
             wages
             .
             Thus
             we
             see
             how
             life
             is
             under
             all
             these
             aspects
             a
             mercy
             to
             a
             pious
             man
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             not
             only
             obliges
             him
             to
             contentment
             ,
             but
             gratitude
             .
          
           
           
             5.
             
             BUT
             supposing
             a
             man
             cannot
             give
             this
             comfortable
             account
             of
             his
             life
             ,
             but
             is
             conscious
             that
             he
             has
             spent
             it
             to
             a
             very
             different
             purpose
             ,
             yet
             do's
             not
             that
             at
             all
             lessen
             his
             obligations
             to
             God
             ,
             who
             meant
             he
             should
             have
             emploi'd
             it
             better
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             has
             not
             don
             so
             is
             merely
             his
             own
             fault
             .
             Nay
             indeed
             the
             worse
             his
             state
             is
             ,
             the
             greater
             mercy
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             God
             has
             not
             yet
             made
             it
             irreversible
             ,
             that
             he
             has
             not
             cut
             him
             off
             at
             once
             from
             the
             earth
             and
             the
             possibility
             of
             heaven
             too
             ,
             but
             affords
             him
             yet
             a
             longer
             
               day
               ,
               if
            
             yet
             
               he
               will
               hear
               his
               voice
            
             Psal.
             95.
             7.
             
             This
             long-suffering
             is
             one
             of
             the
             most
             transcendent
             acts
             of
             divine
             goodness
             ,
             &
             therefore
             the
             Apostle
             rightly
             stiles
             it
             
               the
               riches
               of
               his
               goodness
               and
               long-suffering
               and
               forbearance
            
             Rom.
             2.
             4.
             and
             so
             at
             last
             we
             commonly
             acknowledg
             it
             ,
             when
             we
             have
             worn
             it
             out
             ,
             and
             can
             no
             longer
             receive
             advantage
             by
             it
             .
             What
             a
             value
             do's
             a
             gasping
             despairing
             soul
             put
             upon
             a
             small
             parcel
             of
             that
             time
             ,
             which
             before
             he
             knew
             not
             how
             fast
             enough
             to
             squander
             ?
             Oh
             that
             men
             would
             set
             the
             same
             estimate
             on
             it
             before
             ,
             and
             then
             certainly
             ,
             as
             it
             would
             make
             them
             better
             husbands
             of
             it
             ,
             so
             it
             would
             also
             render
             them
             more
             thankful
             for
             it
             ,
             
               Accounting
               that
               the
               long-suffering
               
               of
               our
               Lord
               is
               Salvation
               .
            
             2
             Pet.
             3.
             15.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             INDEED
             did
             men
             but
             rightly
             compute
             the
             benefit
             of
             life
             upon
             this
             score
             ,
             all
             secular
             encumbrances
             and
             uneasinesses
             of
             it
             would
             be
             overwhelmed
             ,
             and
             stand
             only
             as
             Cyphers
             in
             the
             account
             .
             What
             a
             shame
             is
             it
             then
             that
             we
             should
             spend
             our
             breath
             in
             sighs
             and
             out-cries
             ?
             which
             if
             we
             would
             employ
             to
             those
             nobler
             ends
             for
             which
             t
             was
             given
             ,
             would
             supersede
             our
             complaints
             ,
             and
             make
             us
             confess
             we
             were
             well
             dealt
             with
             ,
             that
             
               our
               life
            
             (
             tho
             bare
             and
             stript
             of
             all
             outward
             accessaries
             )
             
               is
               given
               us
               for
               a
               prey
               .
            
             Jer.
             45.
             5.
             
             And
             indeed
             he
             that
             has
             yet
             the
             great
             work
             of
             life
             to
             do
             ,
             can
             very
             ill
             spare
             time
             or
             sorrow
             to
             bestow
             upon
             the
             regretting
             any
             temporal
             distress
             ,
             since
             his
             whole
             stock
             is
             little
             enough
             to
             bewail
             and
             repair
             his
             neglects
             of
             his
             eternal
             concerns
             .
             Were
             our
             lives
             therefore
             destitute
             of
             all
             outward
             comfort
             ,
             nay
             were
             they
             nothing
             but
             a
             scene
             of
             perpetual
             disasters
             ,
             yet
             this
             one
             advantage
             of
             life
             would
             infinitly
             outweigh
             them
             all
             ,
             and
             render
             our
             murmurings
             very
             inexcusable
             .
          
           
           
             7.
             
             BUT
             God
             has
             not
             put
             this
             to
             the
             utmost
             trial
             ,
             has
             never
             plac'd
             any
             man
             in
             such
             a
             state
             of
             unmixt
             calamity
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             still
             affords
             many
             and
             great
             allaies
             :
             he
             finds
             it
             fit
             somtimes
             to
             defalk
             some
             of
             our
             outward
             comforts
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             imbitter
             others
             ,
             but
             he
             never
             takes
             all
             away
             .
             This
             must
             be
             acknowledged
             ,
             if
             we
             do
             but
             consider
             how
             many
             things
             there
             are
             in
             which
             the
             whole
             race
             of
             mankind
             do
             in
             common
             partake
             .
             The
             four
             Elements
             ,
             fire
             and
             water
             ,
             air
             and
             earth
             ,
             do
             not
             more
             make
             up
             every
             mans
             composition
             ,
             then
             they
             supply
             his
             needs
             :
             the
             whole
             host
             of
             heaven
             ,
             the
             Sun
             ,
             Moon
             ,
             and
             Stars
             ,
             Moses
             will
             tell
             us
             ,
             are
             by
             
               God
               divided
               to
               all
               nations
               under
               the
               whole
               Heaven
               ,
            
             Deut.
             4.
             19.
             
             Those
             resplendent
             bodies
             ,
             equally
             afford
             their
             light
             and
             influence
             to
             all
             .
             The
             sun
             shines
             as
             bright
             on
             the
             poor
             Cottage
             ,
             as
             on
             the
             most
             magnificent
             Palace
             ;
             and
             the
             stars
             have
             their
             benign
             Aspects
             ,
             as
             well
             for
             him
             ,
             that
             
               is
               behind
               the
               Mill
            
             ,
             as
             for
             
               him
               that
               sitteth
               on
               the
               Throne
               .
            
             Ex.
             11.
             5.
             
             Propriety
             (
             the
             great
             incendiary
             below
             )
             breeds
             no
             confusion
             in
             those
             celestial
             Orbs
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             every
             mans
             tresure
             ,
             yet
             no
             mans
             peculiar
             (
             as
             if
             they
             meant
             to
             teach
             us
             ,
             that
             our
             love
             of
             appropriation
             
               descends
               not
               from
               
               above
            
             Jam.
             3.
             15.
             is
             no
             heavenly
             quality
             .
             )
          
           
             8.
             
             AND
             as
             they
             make
             no
             distinction
             of
             the
             ranks
             and
             degrees
             of
             men
             ,
             so
             neither
             do
             they
             of
             their
             vertues
             .
             Our
             Savior
             ,
             tells
             us
             God
             causes
             
               his
               Sun
               to
               rise
               on
               the
               good
               and
               on
               the
               evil
               ,
               and
               sendeth
               rain
               on
               the
               just
               and
               on
               the
               unjust
               ,
            
             Mat.
             5.
             45.
             
             If
             now
             we
             descend
             lower
             to
             the
             sublunary
             creatures
             ,
             they
             equally
             pay
             their
             homage
             to
             man
             ,
             do
             not
             disdain
             the
             dominion
             of
             the
             poor
             ,
             and
             submit
             to
             that
             of
             the
             rich
             ,
             but
             shew
             us
             that
             that
             their
             instinct
             extends
             to
             the
             whole
             nature
             .
             An
             horse
             draws
             the
             poor
             mans
             plough
             ,
             as
             tamely
             as
             the
             Princes
             chariot
             ,
             and
             the
             beggars
             hungry
             cur
             follows
             him
             with
             as
             much
             obsequiousness
             and
             affection
             as
             the
             pamper'd
             lap-dogs
             of
             the
             nicest
             Ladies
             .
             The
             sheep
             obey
             a
             poor
             mercenary
             shepherd
             as
             well
             as
             they
             did
             the
             Daughters
             of
             the
             wealthy
             Laban
             Gen.
             29.
             9.
             or
             of
             Iethro
             a
             Prince
             Exod.
             2.
             16.
             and
             as
             willingly
             yield
             their
             fleece
             to
             clothe
             Lazarus
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             purple
             for
             Dives
             .
             And
             as
             animals
             ,
             so
             vegetables
             are
             as
             communicative
             of
             their
             qualities
             to
             one
             man
             as
             another
             .
             The
             corn
             nurishes
             ,
             the
             fruits
             refresh
             ,
             the
             flowers
             delight
             ,
             the
             simples
             cure
             the
             poor
             man
             as
             well
             as
             the
             rich
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             BUT
             I
             foresee
             it
             will
             be
             objected
             ,
             
             that
             these
             natural
             privileges
             are
             insignificant
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             evacuated
             by
             those
             positive
             laws
             which
             bound
             propriety
             ,
             and
             that
             therefore
             tho
             one
             man
             could
             use
             the
             creatures
             as
             well
             as
             another
             ,
             yet
             every
             man
             has
             them
             not
             to
             use
             .
             I
             answer
             ,
             that
             for
             some
             of
             the
             things
             I
             have
             mention'd
             ,
             they
             are
             still
             in
             their
             native
             latitude
             ,
             cannot
             be
             inclosed
             or
             monopoliz'd
             .
             The
             most
             ravenous
             oppressor
             could
             never
             yet
             lock
             up
             the
             sun
             in
             his
             chest
             :
             
               he
               that
               laies
               house
               to
               house
               and
               land
               to
               land
               ,
               till
               there
               be
               no
               place
            
             Esay
             .
             5.
             8.
             cannot
             inclose
             the
             common
             air
             :
             and
             the
             like
             may
             be
             said
             of
             divers
             of
             the
             rest
             ,
             so
             that
             there
             are
             some
             (
             and
             those
             no
             mean
             )
             blessings
             ,
             which
             continue
             still
             the
             indefeisible
             right
             of
             mankind
             in
             general
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             As
             for
             those
             other
             things
             which
             are
             liable
             to
             the
             restrictive
             terms
             of
             meum
             and
             tuum
             ,
             t
             is
             not
             to
             be
             deni'd
             but
             there
             is
             vast
             difference
             in
             the
             dispensing
             them
             ;
             as
             great
             as
             Nathans
             parable
             describes
             ,
             when
             he
             speaks
             of
             the
             numerous
             flocks
             of
             the
             rich
             man
             ,
             and
             the
             
               single
               ewe
               lamb
               of
               the
               poor
               ,
            
             2
             Sam.
             12.
             2.
             yet
             there
             is
             scarce
             any
             so
             deplorably
             indigent
             ,
             but
             that
             by
             one
             means
             or
             other
             ,
             he
             has
             or
             may
             have
             the
             necessary
             supports
             of
             life
             .
             Perhaps
             they
             
             fall
             not
             into
             his
             lap
             by
             birth-right
             and
             inheritance
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             acquirable
             by
             labor
             and
             industry
             ,
             which
             is
             perhaps
             the
             better
             tenure
             .
             They
             cannot
             it
             may
             be
             arrive
             to
             
               Sodoms
               fulness
               of
               bread
            
             :
             yet
             if
             they
             have
             not
             her
             
               abundance
               of
               Idleness
            
             ,
             Ez.
             16.
             49.
             they
             commonly
             need
             not
             want
             that
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             height
             of
             Agurs
             wish
             ,
             
               food
               convenient
            
             ,
             Pro.
             30.
             8.
             
             T
             is
             true
             indeed
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             fold
             their
             hands
             in
             their
             bosom
             ,
             if
             with
             
               Solomons
               Sluggard
               ,
               they
               will
               not
               plough
               by
               reason
               of
               the
               cold
               ,
            
             they
             must
             take
             his
             fate
             in
             the
             summer
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             his
             ease
             in
             the
             winter
             ,
             
               they
               may
               beg
               in
               harvest
               ,
               and
               have
               nothing
               ,
            
             Prov.
             20.
             4.
             
             But
             then
             t
             is
             visible
             they
             are
             the
             Authors
             of
             their
             own
             necessities
             .
             And
             indeed
             to
             men
             of
             such
             lazy
             careless
             natures
             ,
             t
             is
             hard
             to
             say
             ,
             what
             degree
             of
             Gods
             bounty
             can
             keep
             them
             from
             want
             ,
             since
             we
             often
             see
             the
             fairest
             fortunes
             dissipated
             as
             well
             by
             the
             supine
             negligence
             ,
             as
             the
             riotous
             prodigality
             of
             the
             owners
             .
             And
             therefore
             if
             men
             will
             be
             idle
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             to
             accuse
             God
             ,
             but
             themselves
             if
             they
             be
             indigent
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             BUT
             then
             there
             is
             one
             case
             wherein
             men
             seem
             more
             inevitably
             expos'd
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             when
             by
             age
             ,
             sickness
             ,
             or
             decrepitness
             ,
             they
             are
             disabled
             from
             work
             ;
             
             or
             when
             their
             family
             is
             too
             numerous
             for
             their
             work
             to
             maintain
             .
             And
             this
             indeed
             seems
             the
             most
             forlorn
             state
             of
             poverty
             :
             yet
             God
             has
             provided
             for
             them
             also
             ,
             by
             assigning
             such
             persons
             to
             the
             care
             of
             the
             rich
             ;
             nay
             he
             has
             put
             an
             extraordinary
             mark
             of
             favor
             on
             them
             ,
             given
             them
             the
             honor
             of
             being
             his
             proxies
             and
             representatives
             ,
             made
             them
             letters
             of
             Attorny
             (
             as
             it
             were
             )
             to
             demand
             relief
             in
             his
             name
             ,
             and
             upon
             his
             account
             .
             And
             tho
             t
             is
             too
             true
             ,
             that
             even
             that
             Autority
             will
             not
             prevail
             with
             many
             of
             the
             rich
             to
             open
             their
             purses
             ,
             yet
             even
             in
             this
             Age
             of
             frozen
             charity
             ,
             there
             are
             still
             some
             who
             remember
             upon
             what
             terms
             they
             received
             their
             wealth
             ,
             and
             employ
             it
             accordingly
             .
             And
             tho
             the
             number
             of
             them
             is
             not
             so
             great
             as
             were
             to
             be
             wisht
             ,
             yet
             there
             are
             in
             all
             parts
             some
             scattered
             here
             and
             there
             like
             
               Cities
               of
               refuge
            
             in
             the
             Land
             ,
             Deut.
             19.
             2.
             to
             which
             these
             poor
             distressed
             creatures
             way
             flee
             for
             succour
             .
             And
             I
             think
             I
             may
             say
             ,
             that
             between
             the
             legal
             provisions
             that
             are
             made
             in
             this
             case
             and
             voluntary
             contributions
             ,
             there
             are
             not
             very
             many
             that
             want
             the
             things
             that
             are
             of
             absolute
             necessity
             :
             and
             we
             know
             St.
             Paul
             comprizes
             those
             in
             a
             small
             compass
             ,
             
               food
               and
               raiment
            
             ,
             and
             proposes
             
             them
             as
             sufficient
             materials
             of
             Content
             .
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             8.
             
             I
             say
             not
             this
             to
             contract
             any
             mans
             bowels
             ,
             or
             lessen
             his
             compassions
             to
             such
             poor
             wretches
             .
             For
             how
             much
             soever
             they
             lend
             ,
             I
             wish
             as
             Ioab
             did
             in
             another
             case
             to
             David
             ,
             the
             Lord
             
               increase
               it
               a
               hundred-fold
            
             ,
             2
             Sam.
             24.
             3.
             
             I
             only
             urge
             it
             as
             an
             evidence
             of
             the
             assertion
             I
             am
             to
             prove
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             is
             so
             pretermitted
             by
             God
             or
             his
             disposal
             of
             temporals
             ,
             but
             that
             even
             he
             that
             seems
             the
             most
             abandon'd
             has
             a
             share
             in
             his
             providence
             ,
             and
             consequently
             cannot
             justly
             murmur
             ,
             since
             even
             this
             state
             which
             is
             the
             highest
             instance
             of
             human
             indigence
             ,
             is
             not
             without
             its
             receits
             from
             God.
             
          
           
             12.
             
             BUT
             the
             number
             in
             this
             form
             are
             but
             few
             ,
             compar'd
             to
             those
             in
             a
             higher
             ,
             for
             between
             this
             and
             the
             highest
             affluence
             ,
             how
             many
             intermedial
             degrees
             are
             there
             ,
             in
             which
             men
             partake
             not
             only
             of
             the
             necessaries
             ,
             but
             comforts
             of
             life
             ;
             that
             have
             not
             only
             food
             and
             raiment
             ,
             but
             their
             distinction
             of
             holy-day
             and
             working-day
             fare
             and
             apparel
             ?
             He
             that
             is
             but
             one
             step
             advanced
             from
             beggery
             has
             so
             much
             ,
             he
             that
             has
             got
             to
             a
             second
             has
             more
             then
             is
             necessary
             ,
             and
             so
             every
             degree
             rises
             in
             plenty
             till
             it
             comes
             to
             vanity
             and
             excess
             ,
             
             and
             even
             there
             too
             there
             are
             gradual
             risings
             ,
             some
             having
             so
             much
             fewel
             for
             luxury
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             at
             as
             great
             a
             losse
             for
             invention
             ,
             as
             others
             can
             be
             for
             materials
             ,
             and
             complain
             that
             there
             are
             no
             farther
             riots
             left
             for
             them
             to
             essay
             .
             How
             many
             are
             there
             who
             have
             so
             cloi'd
             and
             glutted
             their
             senses
             ,
             that
             they
             want
             some
             other
             inlets
             for
             plesure
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             rich
             man
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             are
             in
             distress
             where
             to
             bestow
             their
             abundance
             ?
          
           
             13.
             
             AND
             sure
             such
             as
             these
             cannot
             deny
             that
             they
             have
             reciev'd
             good
             things
             ,
             yet
             generally
             there
             are
             none
             less
             contented
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             clear
             demonstration
             that
             our
             repinings
             proceed
             not
             from
             any
             defect
             of
             bounty
             in
             God
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             malignant
             temper
             of
             our
             own
             hearts
             .
             And
             as
             it
             is
             an
             easier
             thing
             to
             satisfy
             the
             cravings
             of
             an
             hungry
             ,
             then
             to
             cure
             the
             nauseous
             recoilings
             of
             a
             surfeited
             stomach
             ;
             so
             certainly
             the
             discontents
             of
             the
             poor
             ,
             are
             much
             easier
             allai'd
             then
             those
             of
             the
             rich
             ;
             the
             indigence
             of
             the
             one
             has
             contracted
             his
             desires
             ,
             and
             has
             taught
             him
             not
             to
             look
             farther
             then
             a
             little
             beyond
             bare
             necessaries
             ,
             so
             that
             a
             moderate
             Alms
             satisfies
             ,
             and
             a
             liberal
             transports
             him
             :
             but
             he
             who
             by
             a
             perpetual
             repletion
             has
             his
             desires
             stretcht
             
             and
             extended
             ,
             is
             capable
             of
             no
             such
             satisfaction
             :
             when
             his
             enjoiments
             forestall
             all
             particular
             pursuits
             ,
             and
             he
             knows
             not
             upon
             what
             to
             fasten
             his
             next
             wish
             ;
             yet
             even
             then
             he
             has
             some
             confus'd
             unform'd
             appetites
             ,
             and
             thinks
             himself
             miserable
             because
             he
             cannot
             tell
             what
             would
             make
             him
             more
             happy
             .
             And
             yet
             this
             is
             that
             envi'd
             state
             which
             men
             with
             so
             much
             greediness
             aspire
             to
             ,
             every
             man
             looks
             on
             it
             as
             the
             top
             of
             felicity
             to
             have
             nothing
             more
             to
             wish
             in
             the
             world
             .
             And
             yet
             alas
             even
             that
             when
             attain'd
             ,
             would
             be
             their
             torment
             .
             Let
             men
             never
             think
             then
             that
             contentment
             is
             to
             be
             caught
             by
             long
             and
             forreign
             chaces
             ;
             he
             is
             likliest
             to
             find
             it
             who
             sits
             at
             home
             ,
             and
             duly
             contemplates
             those
             blessings
             which
             God
             has
             brought
             within
             his
             reach
             ,
             of
             which
             every
             man
             has
             a
             fair
             proportion
             ,
             if
             he
             will
             advert
             to
             it
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             FOR
             besides
             these
             external
             accessions
             (
             of
             which
             the
             meanest
             have
             some
             ,
             the
             middle
             sort
             a
             great
             deale
             ,
             and
             the
             uppermost
             rather
             too
             much
             )
             man
             is
             a
             principality
             within
             himself
             ,
             and
             has
             in
             his
             composure
             so
             many
             excellent
             impresses
             of
             his
             Makers
             power
             and
             goodness
             ,
             that
             he
             need
             not
             ask
             leave
             of
             any
             exterior
             thing
             to
             be
             happy
             ,
             if
             he
             know
             but
             aright
             how
             
             to
             value
             himself
             :
             the
             very
             meanest
             part
             of
             him
             ,
             his
             body
             is
             a
             piece
             of
             admirable
             workman-ship
             ,
             of
             a
             most
             incomprehensible
             contrivance
             ,
             as
             the
             Psalmist
             saies
             ,
             he
             is
             fearfully
             and
             wonderfully
             made
             ;
             and
             t
             is
             astonishing
             to
             think
             of
             what
             a
             symmetry
             of
             parts
             this
             beautiful
             fabric
             is
             made
             up
             .
             Nor
             are
             they
             only
             for
             shew
             ,
             but
             use
             :
             every
             member
             ,
             every
             limb
             is
             endowed
             with
             a
             particular
             faculty
             to
             render
             it
             serviceable
             to
             the
             whole
             ;
             and
             that
             admirable
             contexture
             of
             veins
             and
             arteries
             ,
             sinues
             and
             muscles
             ,
             nerves
             and
             tendons
             ,
             none
             are
             superfluous
             ,
             but
             some
             way
             or
             other
             contributes
             to
             vegetation
             ,
             sense
             ,
             or
             motion
             ,
             nay
             the
             most
             noble
             and
             most
             useful
             parts
             are
             all
             of
             them
             double
             ,
             not
             only
             as
             a
             reserve
             in
             case
             of
             misadventure
             of
             one
             part
             ;
             but
             also
             as
             an
             instance
             of
             the
             bounty
             of
             the
             Donor
             .
             And
             indeed
             it
             is
             observable
             of
             Galen
             in
             his
             writings
             ,
             that
             after
             he
             had
             taken
             great
             care
             to
             exemt
             himself
             and
             all
             of
             his
             Profession
             from
             taking
             notice
             of
             the
             Deity
             ,
             by
             saying
             that
             to
             discourse
             concerning
             the
             Gods
             ,
             was
             the
             task
             of
             speculative
             Philosophers
             ;
             yet
             coming
             to
             write
             
               de
               usu
               partium
            
             ,
             and
             considering
             the
             frame
             of
             humane
             bodies
             ,
             and
             therein
             discovering
             the
             wonderful
             
             contrivance
             of
             every
             part
             in
             reference
             to
             its
             self
             ,
             and
             also
             to
             the
             whole
             ;
             their
             strength
             ,
             agility
             ,
             and
             various
             movement
             ,
             infinitly
             surpassing
             the
             powers
             of
             all
             Mechanic
             engines
             ;
             he
             seems
             to
             have
             had
             the
             fate
             we
             read
             of
             Saul
             in
             holy
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             against
             his
             genius
             and
             purpose
             ,
             to
             become
             a
             Prophet
             ;
             breaking
             frequently
             out
             into
             Hymns
             and
             sacred
             raptures
             ;
             saying
             ,
             these
             Mysteries
             are
             more
             divine
             then
             the
             Samothracian
             or
             Elusinian
             ;
             and
             confessing
             they
             both
             strictly
             require
             ,
             and
             infinitly
             excell
             the
             low
             returnes
             of
             human
             praise
             .
             But
             beyond
             the
             fabric
             of
             parts
             as
             organic
             ,
             what
             an
             extract
             of
             wonder
             are
             our
             senses
             ,
             those
             
               five
               operations
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             as
             the
             son
             of
             Syrach
             rightly
             (
             and
             by
             way
             of
             eminence
             )
             stiles
             them
             ,
             Ecclus.
             17.
             5
             ?
             By
             these
             we
             draw
             all
             outward
             objects
             to
             our selves
             ;
             what
             were
             the
             beauties
             of
             the
             universe
             to
             us
             ,
             if
             we
             had
             not
             sight
             to
             behold
             them
             ,
             or
             the
             most
             melodious
             sounds
             ,
             if
             we
             had
             not
             hearing
             ?
             and
             so
             of
             the
             rest
             .
             And
             yet
             these
             are
             not
             only
             generally
             given
             ,
             but
             also
             preserv'd
             to
             the
             greater
             part
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             would
             be
             to
             more
             ,
             did
             not
             our
             base
             undervaluing
             of
             common
             mercies
             ,
             force
             God
             somtimes
             to
             instruct
             us
             in
             their
             worth
             ,
             by
             making
             us
             feel
             what
             it
             is
             to
             want
             them
             .
          
           
           
             15.
             
             MULTITUDE
             of
             refreshments
             also
             God
             has
             provided
             for
             our
             bodies
             ,
             particularly
             that
             of
             sleep
             ,
             of
             which
             he
             has
             bin
             so
             considerate
             ,
             as
             in
             his
             distributions
             of
             time
             ,
             to
             make
             a
             solemn
             allotment
             for
             it
             :
             yet
             who
             almost
             when
             he
             lies
             down
             considers
             the
             mercy
             ,
             or
             when
             he
             rises
             refresht
             ,
             rises
             thankful
             also
             ?
             But
             if
             our
             rest
             at
             any
             time
             be
             interrupted
             by
             the
             cares
             of
             our
             mind
             ,
             or
             pains
             of
             our
             bodies
             ,
             then
             ,
             (
             and
             not
             till
             then
             )
             we
             consider
             ,
             that
             t
             is
             
               God
               who
               gives
               his
               belov'd
               sleep
            
             Psal.
             127.
             2.
             and
             think
             it
             a
             blessing
             worth
             our
             esteem
             .
             Thus
             it
             is
             with
             health
             ,
             strength
             ,
             and
             every
             thing
             else
             ,
             we
             despise
             it
             whilst
             we
             have
             it
             ,
             and
             impatiently
             desire
             it
             whilest
             we
             have
             it
             not
             ;
             but
             in
             the
             interim
             sure
             we
             cannot
             complain
             ,
             that
             Gods
             hand
             is
             shortned
             towards
             us
             ,
             when
             in
             the
             ordinary
             course
             of
             his
             providence
             we
             commonly
             enjoy
             these
             mercies
             many
             years
             ,
             which
             we
             find
             so
             much
             miss
             of
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             withdrawn
             but
             for
             a
             few
             houres
             .
             And
             indeed
             there
             is
             not
             a
             greater
             instance
             of
             human
             pravity
             then
             our
             senseless
             contemt
             of
             blessings
             ,
             merely
             because
             they
             are
             customary
             ;
             which
             in
             true
             reason
             is
             an
             argument
             why
             we
             should
             prize
             them
             the
             more
             .
             When
             we
             deal
             with
             men
             ,
             we
             
             discern
             it
             well
             enough
             ,
             he
             that
             gives
             me
             once
             a
             100.
             pounds
             ,
             I
             account
             not
             so
             much
             my
             benefactor
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             made
             it
             my
             annual
             revenue
             ;
             yet
             God
             must
             lose
             his
             thanks
             ,
             by
             multiplying
             his
             favors
             ;
             and
             his
             benefits
             grow
             more
             invisible
             by
             their
             being
             alwaies
             before
             us
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             BUT
             the
             body
             (
             with
             its
             enjoiment
             )
             is
             but
             the
             lowest
             instance
             of
             Gods
             bounty
             ,
             t
             is
             but
             a
             decent
             case
             for
             that
             inestimable
             Jewel
             he
             has
             put
             in
             it
             :
             the
             soul
             ,
             like
             the
             Ark
             ,
             is
             the
             thing
             for
             which
             this
             whole
             tabernacle
             was
             framed
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             a
             spark
             of
             Divinity
             in
             which
             alone
             it
             is
             that
             God
             accomplished
             his
             design
             of
             
               making
               man
               in
               his
               own
               image
            
             Gen.
             1.
             26.
             
             T
             would
             be
             too
             long
             to
             attemt
             an
             exact
             survey
             of
             its
             particular
             excellencies
             ,
             the
             mere
             intellectual
             powers
             wherewith
             it
             is
             indued
             ,
             have
             exercised
             the
             curiosity
             and
             raised
             the
             admiration
             of
             the
             great
             contemplators
             of
             nature
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             yet
             after
             all
             ,
             of
             so
             subtile
             composure
             is
             the
             soul
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             inscrutable
             even
             to
             it self
             :
             and
             tho
             the
             simplest
             man
             knows
             he
             has
             the
             faculties
             of
             Imagination
             ,
             Apprehension
             ,
             Memory
             ,
             Reflecting
             ;
             yet
             the
             learnedst
             cannot
             assign
             where
             they
             are
             seated
             ,
             or
             by
             what
             means
             they
             operate
             .
             T
             is
             enough
             
             to
             us
             that
             we
             have
             them
             ,
             and
             many
             excellent
             uses
             for
             them
             ;
             one
             whereof
             (
             and
             a
             most
             necessary
             one
             )
             is
             a
             thankful
             reflexion
             on
             the
             goodness
             of
             God
             who
             gave
             them
             .
             He
             might
             have
             made
             us
             in
             the
             very
             lowest
             form
             of
             creatures
             ,
             insensible
             stocks
             or
             stones
             ;
             or
             if
             he
             had
             advanc'd
             us
             a
             step-higher
             ,
             he
             might
             have
             fixt
             us
             among
             mere
             animals
             ,
             made
             us
             perhaps
             of
             the
             noxious
             ,
             at
             best
             of
             the
             tamer
             sort
             of
             beasts
             ;
             but
             he
             has
             plac'd
             us
             in
             the
             highest
             rank
             of
             visible
             creatures
             ,
             and
             not
             only
             given
             
               Dominion
               over
               the
               works
               of
               his
               hands
            
             Psal.
             8.
             6.
             but
             has
             given
             us
             reason
             wherewith
             to
             manage
             that
             soveraignty
             ,
             without
             which
             we
             had
             only
             bin
             the
             more
             masterful
             sort
             of
             brutes
             .
          
           
             17.
             
             YET
             still
             the
             soul
             is
             to
             be
             consider'd
             in
             a
             higher
             notion
             ,
             that
             of
             its
             immortality
             and
             capacity
             of
             endless
             bliss
             :
             and
             here
             indeed
             it
             owns
             its
             extraction
             ,
             and
             is
             an
             image
             of
             the
             first
             being
             ,
             whose
             felicity
             is
             coexistent
             with
             himself
             ;
             this
             as
             it
             is
             the
             most
             transcendent
             accomplishment
             of
             our
             nature
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             most
             universal
             .
             Whatever
             disparity
             there
             may
             be
             between
             man
             and
             man
             in
             other
             respects
             ,
             yet
             in
             this
             all
             are
             equal
             ,
             the
             poor
             begger
             at
             the
             gate
             has
             a
             soul
             as
             capacious
             of
             
             eternal
             happiness
             ,
             as
             he
             whose
             crumbs
             he
             begs
             for
             (
             nay
             somtimes
             better
             prepar'd
             for
             it
             ,
             as
             that
             parable
             shews
             Luke
             16.
             21.
             )
             And
             tho
             the
             dignities
             of
             earth
             are
             the
             prize
             of
             the
             rich
             and
             noble
             ,
             the
             subtle
             and
             designing
             ;
             yet
             heaven
             is
             as
             easily
             mounted
             from
             the
             dung-hill
             as
             the
             throne
             ,
             and
             an
             honest
             simplicity
             will
             sooner
             bring
             us
             thither
             ,
             then
             all
             the
             Machiavelian
             policy
             .
             Nay
             God
             has
             not
             only
             design'd
             us
             to
             so
             glorious
             an
             end
             ,
             but
             has
             don
             all
             on
             his
             part
             to
             secure
             us
             of
             it
             ,
             sent
             his
             Son
             to
             lead
             us
             the
             way
             ,
             his
             spirit
             to
             quicken
             us
             in
             it
             .
             We
             need
             not
             dispute
             how
             universal
             this
             is
             ;
             t
             is
             sure
             it
             concerns
             all
             to
             whom
             I
             am
             now
             speaking
             ,
             those
             that
             are
             within
             the
             pale
             of
             the
             church
             :
             and
             if
             it
             should
             prove
             confin'd
             only
             to
             them
             ,
             the
             more
             peculiar
             is
             their
             obligation
             ,
             that
             are
             thus
             singled
             out
             from
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             the
             greater
             ought
             to
             be
             their
             thankfulness
             .
             The
             heathen
             Philosopher
             made
             it
             matter
             of
             his
             solemn
             acknowledgment
             to
             fortune
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             born
             a
             Grecian
             and
             not
             a
             Barbarian
             :
             and
             sure
             the
             advantages
             of
             our
             Christianity
             are
             of
             a
             much
             higher
             strein
             ,
             and
             ought
             to
             be
             infinitly
             more
             celebrated
             .
             The
             Apostle
             we
             find
             often
             applauding
             this
             glorious
             privilege
             ,
             as
             that
             
             which
             makes
             
               fellow
               citizens
               with
               the
               Saints
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               houshold
               of
               God
               ,
            
             Ephes.
             3.
             19.
             nay
             which
             elevates
             us
             to
             a
             higher
             state
             ,
             
               the
               adoption
               of
               sons
            
             ,
             Gal.
             4.
             5.
             nor
             only
             Sons
             ,
             but
             
               Heirs
               also
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               joint
               Heirs
               with
               Christ
               ,
            
             Rom.
             8.
             17.
             
             And
             what
             ambition
             is
             there
             so
             greedy
             which
             this
             will
             not
             satisfy
             ?
             yet
             this
             is
             our
             common
             state
             ,
             the
             birth-right
             of
             our
             regeneration
             ,
             if
             we
             do
             not
             degrade
             our selves
             ,
             and
             with
             Esau
             basely
             sell
             our
             title
             .
          
           
             18.
             
             AND
             now
             methinks
             every
             man
             may
             interrogate
             himself
             in
             the
             same
             form
             ,
             wherein
             Ionadab
             did
             Amnon
             2
             Sam
             13.
             4.
             
               why
               art
               thou
               ,
               being
               the
               Kings
               son
               ,
               thus
               lean
               from
               day
               to
               day
               ?
            
             Why
             should
             a
             Person
             who
             is
             adopted
             by
             the
             King
             of
             Kings
             ,
             thus
             languish
             and
             pine
             ?
             What
             is
             there
             below
             the
             sun
             worthy
             his
             notice
             ,
             much
             less
             his
             desires
             ,
             that
             hath
             a
             Kingdom
             above
             it
             ?
             Certainly
             did
             we
             but
             know
             how
             to
             estimate
             our selves
             upon
             this
             account
             ,
             t
             were
             impossible
             for
             us
             with
             such
             sordid
             condescentions
             to
             court
             every
             petty
             wordly
             interest
             ,
             and
             so
             impatiently
             vex
             our selves
             when
             we
             cannot
             attain
             it
             .
             Alas
             how
             unworthily
             do
             we
             bear
             the
             name
             of
             Christians
             ,
             when
             that
             which
             carried
             the
             Forefathers
             of
             our
             Faith
             thro
             the
             most
             fiery
             trials
             ,
             
             cannot
             support
             us
             under
             the
             disappointment
             of
             any
             extravagant
             desire
             ?
             They
             had
             such
             
               respect
               to
               the
               recompence
               of
               the
               reward
               ,
            
             Heb.
             11.
             26.
             as
             made
             them
             cheerfully
             expose
             their
             Fame
             to
             ignominy
             ,
             their
             Goods
             to
             rapine
             ,
             their
             Bodies
             to
             the
             most
             exquisite
             tortures
             ,
             and
             their
             Lives
             to
             death
             .
             Yet
             the
             same
             hopes
             cannot
             work
             us
             to
             any
             tolerable
             degree
             of
             patience
             ,
             when
             we
             suffer
             but
             the
             smallest
             diminution
             in
             any
             of
             these
             .
             What
             shall
             we
             say
             ?
             Is
             Heaven
             grown
             less
             valuable
             ,
             or
             Earth
             more
             then
             it
             was
             then
             ?
             No
             surely
             ,
             but
             we
             are
             more
             infatuated
             in
             our
             estimates
             :
             we
             have
             so
             long
             abetted
             the
             rivalry
             of
             the
             hand-maid
             ,
             that
             the
             Mistress
             ,
             like
             Sarah
             ,
             appears
             despicable
             .
             Like
             Ionah
             we
             sit
             down
             sullen
             upon
             the
             withering
             of
             a
             gourd
             ,
             never
             considering
             that
             God
             has
             provided
             us
             a
             better
             shelter
             ,
             
               a
               building
               of
               God
               eternal
               in
               the
               Heavens
               .
            
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             1.
             
             Indeed
             there
             can
             be
             no
             temporal
             destitution
             so
             great
             ,
             which
             such
             an
             expectation
             cannot
             make
             supportable
             .
             Were
             we
             in
             Iobs
             condition
             sitting
             upon
             a
             dunghil
             ,
             and
             scraping
             our selves
             with
             a
             potsheard
             ,
             yet
             as
             long
             as
             we
             can
             say
             with
             him
             
               our
               Redeemer
               liveth
            
             .
             Job
             .
             19.
             25.
             we
             have
             all
             reason
             to
             say
             with
             him
             also
             ,
             
               blessed
               be
               the
               name
               of
               the
               Lord.
            
             
             Chap.
             1.
             21.
             
             What
             a
             madness
             is
             it
             then
             for
             us
             to
             expose
             our selves
             to
             be
             pierc'd
             and
             wounded
             by
             every
             temporal
             adversity
             ,
             who
             have
             so
             impenetrable
             an
             armour
             ?
             nay
             what
             an
             ungrateful
             contumely
             is
             it
             to
             that
             goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             shew
             that
             we
             cannot
             make
             him
             a
             counterpoise
             to
             the
             most
             trivial
             secular
             satisfaction
             ?
             on
             which
             account
             sure
             he
             may
             again
             take
             up
             that
             exprobrating
             complaint
             we
             find
             in
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             
               A
               goodly
               price
               that
               I
               was
               valued
               at
               by
               them
               .
            
             Zac.
             11.
             13.
             
          
           
             19.
             
             BUT
             how
             mean
             soever
             he
             is
             in
             our
             eies
             ,
             tho
             Christ
             seem
             the
             same
             to
             us
             in
             his
             glory
             which
             he
             did
             in
             his
             abjection
             ,
             to
             have
             no
             beauty
             that
             we
             should
             desire
             him
             ;
             yet
             he
             puts
             another
             rate
             upon
             himself
             ,
             and
             tell
             us
             that
             he
             
               that
               loves
               Father
               or
               Mother
               ,
               Son
               or
               Daughter
               more
               then
               me
               ,
               is
               not
               worthy
               of
               me
               .
            
             Mat.
             10.
             37.
             
             Now
             our
             love
             and
             our
             joy
             are
             passions
             coincident
             ,
             and
             therefore
             whatever
             we
             joy
             more
             in
             then
             we
             do
             in
             him
             ,
             we
             may
             be
             presum'd
             to
             love
             better
             ;
             and
             if
             he
             cannot
             endure
             the
             competition
             of
             those
             more
             ingenuous
             objects
             of
             our
             love
             he
             there
             mentions
             ,
             how
             will
             he
             suffer
             that
             of
             our
             vanities
             ,
             our
             childish
             wanton
             appetites
             ?
             And
             yet
             those
             are
             the
             things
             after
             which
             we
             so
             impatiently
             
             rave
             .
             For
             I
             believe
             I
             may
             truly
             affirm
             ,
             that
             if
             there
             were
             a
             scrutiny
             made
             into
             all
             the
             discontents
             of
             mankind
             ,
             for
             one
             that
             were
             fastned
             upon
             any
             great
             considerable
             calamity
             ,
             there
             are
             many
             that
             are
             founded
             only
             in
             the
             irregularity
             of
             our
             own
             desires
             .
          
           
             20.
             
             BY
             what
             has
             bin
             said
             we
             may
             justly
             conclude
             in
             the
             Prophets
             phrase
             ,
             
               God
               hath
               not
               bin
               to
               us
               a
               wilderness
               ,
               a
               land
               of
               darkness
               ,
            
             Jer.
             2.
             31.
             but
             has
             graciously
             dispen'st
             to
             us
             in
             all
             our
             interests
             .
             Yet
             the
             instances
             here
             given
             are
             only
             common
             ,
             such
             as
             relate
             to
             all
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             the
             far
             greater
             part
             of
             mankind
             :
             but
             what
             volums
             might
             be
             made
             ,
             should
             every
             man
             set
             down
             his
             own
             particular
             experiences
             of
             mercy
             ?
             In
             that
             case
             t
             would
             be
             no
             extravagant
             Hyperbole
             we
             find
             Joh.
             22.
             25.
             
             
               That
               even
               the
               world
               it self
               could
               not
               contain
               the
               books
               which
               should
               be
               written
               .
            
             God
             knows
             our
             memories
             are
             very
             frail
             ,
             and
             our
             observations
             slight
             in
             this
             point
             :
             yet
             abstracting
             from
             all
             the
             forgotten
             or
             neglected
             favors
             ,
             what
             vast
             catalogues
             may
             every
             man
             make
             to
             himself
             ,
             if
             he
             would
             but
             yet
             recollect
             ,
             what
             effects
             he
             has
             had
             of
             Gods
             bounty
             in
             giving
             ,
             of
             his
             providence
             in
             protecting
             ,
             of
             his
             grace
             in
             restraining
             ,
             
             and
             exciting
             ,
             of
             his
             patience
             in
             forbearing
             ?
             And
             certainly
             all
             these
             productions
             of
             the
             divine
             goodness
             were
             never
             design'd
             to
             die
             in
             the
             birth
             .
             The
             Psalmist
             will
             tell
             us
             ,
             
               the
               Lord
               hath
               so
               don
               his
               marvellous
               works
               ,
               that
               they
               ought
               to
               be
               had
               in
               remembrance
               .
            
             Ps.
             III.
             4.
             
             Let
             every
             man
             then
             make
             it
             his
             daily
             care
             to
             recount
             to
             himself
             the
             wonders
             God
             hath
             don
             ,
             as
             for
             the
             children
             of
             men
             in
             general
             ,
             so
             for
             himself
             in
             particular
             .
             When
             the
             Israelites
             murmured
             under
             their
             bondage
             ,
             Pharaoh
             imputes
             it
             to
             their
             idleness
             ,
             and
             prescribes
             them
             more
             work
             ,
             as
             the
             readiest
             cure
             :
             a
             piece
             indeed
             of
             inhuman
             Tyranny
             in
             him
             ,
             but
             may
             with
             equity
             and
             success
             be
             practiced
             by
             us
             upon
             our selves
             .
             When
             we
             find
             our
             appetites
             mutinous
             ,
             complaining
             of
             our
             present
             condition
             ,
             let
             us
             set
             our selves
             to
             work
             ,
             impose
             it
             as
             a
             task
             upon
             our selves
             to
             recollect
             the
             many
             instances
             of
             Gods
             mercies
             .
             And
             surely
             if
             we
             do
             it
             sincerely
             ,
             and
             with
             intention
             ,
             we
             cannot
             have
             past
             thro
             half
             our
             stages
             ,
             before
             our
             sullen
             murmurs
             will
             be
             beat
             out
             of
             countenance
             ,
             and
             retire
             with
             shame
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             confronted
             with
             such
             a
             cloud
             of
             witnesses
             ,
             such
             signal
             testimonies
             of
             Gods
             
             goodness
             to
             us
             :
             for
             when
             we
             have
             muster'd
             up
             all
             our
             little
             grievances
             ,
             most
             critically
             examin'd
             all
             our
             wants
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             them
             very
             unproportionable
             to
             our
             comforts
             ,
             and
             to
             our
             receits
             ;
             in
             which
             comparative
             notion
             ,
             the
             next
             Section
             is
             to
             consider
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             IV.
             
          
           
             Of
             the
             Surplusage
             of
             our
             Enjoiments
             above
             our
             Sufferings
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             TO
             regulate
             our
             estimate
             of
             those
             things
             which
             we
             either
             enjoy
             or
             suffer
             ,
             there
             are
             three
             precedent
             queries
             to
             be
             made
             :
             the
             first
             of
             their
             number
             or
             plenty
             ,
             the
             second
             of
             their
             weight
             ,
             the
             third
             of
             their
             constancy
             and
             continuance
             ;
             for
             according
             as
             they
             partake
             more
             of
             these
             properties
             ,
             every
             good
             is
             more
             good
             ,
             and
             every
             evil
             is
             more
             evil
             .
             It
             will
             therefore
             be
             our
             best
             method
             of
             trial
             in
             the
             present
             case
             ,
             to
             compare
             our
             blessings
             and
             our
             calamities
             in
             these
             three
             respects
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             AND
             first
             in
             that
             of
             plenty
             ,
             the
             mercies
             of
             God
             are
             the
             source
             of
             all
             our
             good
             ,
             are
             set
             out
             to
             us
             in
             holy
             scripture
             in
             the
             most
             superlative
             strein
             ,
             They
             are
             multitudes
             ,
             Psal.
             102.
             20.
             
             
               Plenteous
               redemtion
            
             ,
             Psal.
             130.
             7.
             
               as
               high
               as
               the
               heaven
            
             ,
             Psal.
             103.
             11.
             
             
               He
               fills
               all
               things
               living
               with
               plenteousness
               ,
            
             Psal.
             145.
             16.
             
             His
             mercies
             indeed
             
             are
             such
             as
             come
             not
             within
             the
             compass
             of
             number
             ,
             but
             stretch
             themselves
             to
             infinity
             ,
             and
             are
             best
             represented
             by
             such
             a
             calculation
             as
             God
             made
             to
             Abraham
             ,
             when
             he
             shew'd
             him
             the
             numerousness
             of
             his
             posterity
             by
             the
             innumerableness
             of
             the
             stars
             ,
             Gen.
             15.
             5.
             
             Were
             there
             but
             a
             single
             mercy
             apportion'd
             to
             each
             minute
             of
             our
             lives
             ,
             the
             sum
             would
             arise
             very
             high
             :
             but
             how
             is
             our
             Arithmetic
             confounded
             ,
             when
             every
             minute
             has
             more
             then
             we
             can
             distinctly
             number
             ?
             for
             besides
             the
             original
             stock
             mention'd
             in
             the
             last
             section
             ,
             and
             the
             accession
             of
             new
             bounty
             ,
             the
             giving
             us
             somewhat
             which
             we
             had
             not
             before
             ;
             what
             an
             accumulative
             mercy
             is
             it
             ,
             the
             preserving
             what
             we
             have
             ?
             We
             are
             made
             up
             of
             so
             many
             pieces
             ,
             have
             such
             varieties
             of
             interests
             ,
             spiritual
             ,
             temporal
             ,
             public
             ,
             and
             private
             ;
             for
             our selves
             ,
             for
             our
             friends
             ,
             and
             dependants
             ;
             that
             it
             is
             not
             a
             confused
             general
             regard
             that
             will
             keep
             all
             these
             in
             security
             one
             moment
             .
             We
             are
             like
             a
             vast
             building
             ,
             which
             costs
             as
             much
             to
             maintain
             ,
             as
             to
             erect
             .
             And
             indeed
             considering
             the
             corruptibleness
             of
             our
             materials
             ,
             our
             preservation
             is
             no
             less
             a
             work
             of
             omnipotence
             ,
             then
             our
             first
             forming
             :
             nay
             perhaps
             t
             is
             rather
             a
             greater
             .
             
             Our
             original
             clay
             tho
             it
             had
             no
             aptness
             ,
             yet
             it
             had
             no
             aversions
             to
             the
             receiving
             a
             human
             form
             ;
             but
             was
             in
             the
             hand
             of
             the
             potter
             to
             make
             it
             what
             he
             pleased
             :
             but
             we
             now
             have
             principles
             of
             decay
             within
             us
             ,
             which
             vehemently
             tend
             to
             dissolution
             ;
             we
             want
             the
             supplies
             of
             several
             things
             without
             us
             ,
             the
             failing
             whereof
             returns
             us
             again
             to
             our
             dust
             .
             Nay
             we
             do
             not
             only
             need
             the
             aid
             ,
             but
             we
             fear
             the
             hostility
             of
             outward
             things
             .
             That
             very
             air
             which
             somtimes
             refreshes
             us
             ,
             may
             at
             another
             starve
             and
             freeze
             us
             :
             that
             which
             warms
             and
             comforts
             us
             ,
             has
             also
             a
             power
             of
             consuming
             us
             .
             Yea
             that
             very
             meat
             which
             nurishes
             ,
             may
             choak
             and
             stifle
             us
             .
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             creature
             so
             despicable
             ,
             so
             inconsiderable
             ,
             which
             may
             not
             somtimes
             serve
             us
             ,
             and
             which
             may
             not
             at
             any
             time
             (
             if
             God
             permit
             )
             ruine
             us
             .
             Now
             whence
             is
             it
             that
             we
             so
             constantly
             ,
             so
             frequently
             find
             the
             good
             ,
             the
             benign
             efficacy
             of
             these
             things
             ,
             and
             so
             seldom
             ,
             so
             rarely
             the
             evil
             ?
             whence
             I
             say
             is
             it
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             active
             unwearied
             providence
             ,
             which
             draws
             forth
             the
             better
             properties
             of
             the
             creatures
             for
             our
             use
             ,
             and
             restrains
             the
             worser
             for
             our
             security
             ?
             which
             with
             a
             particular
             advertence
             watches
             not
             only
             over
             every
             Person
             ,
             
             but
             over
             every
             several
             concern
             of
             that
             person
             .
             And
             how
             astonishing
             a
             contemplation
             is
             this
             ?
             If
             the
             mere
             ebbing
             and
             flowing
             of
             the
             sea
             ,
             put
             the
             Philosopher
             into
             such
             an
             extasy
             ,
             that
             he
             flung
             himself
             into
             it
             ,
             because
             he
             could
             not
             comprehend
             the
             inscrutable
             cause
             of
             it
             ;
             in
             what
             perpetuall
             raptures
             of
             admiration
             may
             we
             be
             ,
             who
             have
             every
             minute
             within
             us
             ,
             and
             about
             us
             ,
             more
             and
             greater
             wonders
             ,
             and
             those
             too
             in
             our
             favor
             ,
             when
             we
             deserve
             rather
             the
             divine
             power
             should
             exert
             it self
             in
             our
             destruction
             ?
          
           
             3.
             
             BUT
             alas
             our
             danger
             from
             the
             visible
             creatures
             ,
             is
             little
             compar'd
             with
             those
             from
             the
             spirits
             of
             darkness
             .
             
               We
               wrestle
               not
               only
               with
               flesh
               and
               blood
               ,
               but
               with
               Principalities
               and
               Powers
               ,
               with
               spiritual
               wickedness
               ,
            
             &c.
             Eph.
             6.
             12.
             
             So
             inveterate
             is
             the
             enmity
             between
             the
             Serpent
             and
             the
             seed
             of
             the
             Woman
             in
             general
             ,
             that
             he
             watches
             all
             advantages
             against
             us
             ,
             not
             only
             in
             our
             souls
             ,
             but
             even
             our
             bodies
             ,
             our
             goods
             ,
             and
             in
             every
             part
             of
             our
             concerns
             .
             Thus
             we
             see
             he
             not
             only
             assaulted
             Iobs
             soul
             by
             the
             wicked
             insinuations
             of
             his
             Wife
             ,
             but
             (
             with
             more
             effect
             )
             his
             body
             with
             boiles
             and
             sores
             ,
             his
             possessions
             by
             teh
             Chaldeans
             and
             Sabeans
             ,
             and
             the
             images
             
             of
             himself
             ,
             his
             dearest
             Children
             ,
             by
             a
             wind
             from
             the
             wilderness
             .
             Job
             .
             1.
             
             And
             can
             we
             think
             his
             malice
             is
             now
             worn
             out
             ?
             no
             surely
             he
             still
             wishes
             as
             ill
             to
             mankind
             as
             ever
             ,
             and
             we
             should
             soon
             see
             the
             woful
             effects
             of
             it
             ,
             did
             not
             the
             same
             power
             which
             let
             him
             loose
             for
             Iobs
             trial
             ,
             restrain
             him
             for
             our
             safety
             .
             Nay
             had
             he
             but
             power
             to
             affright
             ,
             tho
             not
             to
             hurt
             us
             ,
             even
             that
             would
             make
             our
             lives
             very
             uncomfortable
             .
             We
             cannot
             hear
             the
             relation
             of
             Sprights
             or
             apparitions
             ,
             but
             our
             blood
             chills
             upon
             it
             ,
             and
             a
             horror
             runs
             thro
             our
             veins
             :
             what
             should
             we
             then
             do
             if
             he
             should
             make
             his
             night-walks
             thro
             our
             chambers
             ,
             and
             with
             his
             illusory
             terrors
             disturb
             our
             rest
             ?
             Yet
             all
             this
             and
             much
             more
             he
             would
             do
             ,
             if
             God
             did
             not
             chain
             up
             this
             
               old
               Dragon
            
             ,
             Rev.
             20.
             
             Nay
             if
             he
             were
             not
             at
             the
             expence
             of
             a
             guard
             about
             us
             ,
             and
             those
             no
             less
             then
             Angels
             .
             I
             shall
             not
             dispute
             whither
             every
             person
             hath
             not
             his
             peculiar
             Guardian
             :
             for
             tho
             many
             have
             not
             improbably
             asserted
             it
             ,
             we
             have
             ground
             enough
             of
             acquiescence
             in
             the
             general
             affirmation
             of
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             
               that
               they
               are
               all
               ministring
               Spirits
               ,
               sent
               forth
               to
               minister
               for
               them
               ,
               who
               shall
               be
               heires
               of
               Salvation
               ,
            
             Heb.
             1.
             14.
             
             And
             now
             if
             the
             Reader
             please
             to
             sum
             
             up
             how
             many
             are
             his
             concerns
             ,
             and
             how
             many
             are
             the
             dangers
             which
             await
             him
             in
             them
             all
             ,
             he
             cannot
             sure
             render
             the
             account
             of
             those
             mercies
             which
             preserve
             the
             one
             ,
             and
             divert
             the
             other
             ,
             in
             any
             other
             phrase
             then
             that
             of
             the
             Psalmist
             .
             
               They
               are
               more
               then
               I
               am
               able
               to
               express
               .
            
             Psa.
             40.
             7.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             WE
             may
             now
             challenge
             the
             most
             miserable
             ,
             or
             the
             most
             querulous
             man
             living
             ,
             to
             produce
             causes
             of
             complaint
             ,
             proportionable
             to
             those
             of
             thanks-giving
             .
             He
             that
             has
             the
             greatest
             stock
             of
             calamities
             ,
             can
             never
             vye
             with
             the
             heaps
             of
             benefits
             ;
             the
             disproportion
             is
             greater
             then
             that
             of
             the
             Armies
             of
             Ahab
             and
             Benhadad
             .
             1
             Kings
             .
             20.
             27.
             whereof
             the
             one
             was
             like
             
               two
               little
               flocks
               of
               Kids
               ,
               the
               other
               filled
               the
               country
               .
            
             God
             has
             told
             us
             that
             he
             
               afflicts
               not
               willingly
               ,
               nor
               grieves
               the
               children
               of
               men
               .
            
             Lam.
             3.
             33.
             whereas
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             he
             
               delighteth
               in
               mercy
            
             .
             Mich.
             7.
             18.
             
             We
             may
             judge
             by
             our selves
             which
             he
             is
             likeliest
             often
             to
             repete
             ,
             those
             acts
             which
             he
             doth
             with
             regret
             and
             reluctancy
             ,
             or
             those
             which
             he
             do's
             with
             plesure
             and
             delight
             .
             But
             we
             need
             no
             inferences
             where
             we
             have
             the
             attestation
             of
             experience
             .
             Let
             every
             man
             therefore
             make
             this
             his
             judge
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             let
             him
             every
             night
             
             recollect
             ,
             how
             many
             things
             within
             and
             about
             him
             he
             is
             concern'd
             in
             ,
             and
             consider
             how
             many
             of
             those
             have
             bin
             preserv'd
             intire
             to
             him
             ,
             still
             accounting
             every
             thing
             so
             continued
             as
             a
             new
             donation
             .
             If
             he
             begin
             with
             his
             Spiritual
             state
             ,
             t
             is
             too
             possible
             he
             may
             somtimes
             find
             he
             has
             lost
             his
             innocence
             ,
             committed
             some
             ,
             perhaps
             many
             sins
             :
             but
             even
             in
             these
             he
             will
             find
             cause
             to
             justify
             God
             ,
             if
             he
             do
             but
             recollect
             with
             what
             inward
             checks
             and
             admonitions
             ,
             and
             outward
             restraints
             ,
             God
             has
             endevored
             to
             bridle
             him
             .
             If
             he
             will
             break
             thro
             those
             fences
             ,
             that
             do's
             not
             at
             all
             derogate
             from
             the
             mercy
             of
             God
             which
             so
             guarded
             him
             ,
             but
             it
             rather
             illustrates
             his
             goodness
             ,
             that
             after
             so
             many
             quenchings
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             do's
             yet
             continue
             its
             influence
             .
             So
             that
             even
             he
             that
             has
             the
             most
             deplorably
             violated
             his
             integrity
             ,
             is
             yet
             to
             confess
             that
             Gods
             purpose
             was
             to
             have
             preserv'd
             it
             intire
             :
             and
             he
             might
             really
             so
             have
             kept
             it
             ,
             had
             he
             compli'd
             with
             those
             aids
             which
             were
             afforded
             him
             .
             But
             in
             temporal
             concerns
             we
             are
             not
             so
             apt
             to
             undermine
             our selves
             ,
             and
             therefore
             shall
             much
             more
             rarely
             find
             we
             have
             suffer'd
             detriment
             in
             them
             ,
             then
             in
             our
             spiritual
             ;
             but
             are
             there
             ordinarily
             like
             to
             meet
             with
             a
             
             better
             account
             .
             Let
             a
             man
             therefore
             consider
             what
             is
             lacking
             to
             him
             of
             all
             the
             secular
             good
             things
             he
             had
             in
             the
             morning
             ,
             and
             tell
             me
             whither
             for
             the
             most
             part
             he
             may
             not
             give
             such
             an
             account
             ,
             as
             the
             Israelitish
             officers
             did
             of
             their
             men
             after
             the
             slaughter
             of
             the
             
               Midianites
               ,
               that
               he
               hath
               not
               lost
               one
               .
            
             Num.
             31.
             39.
             
             Or
             if
             somtimes
             he
             do
             suffer
             a
             diminution
             ,
             yet
             at
             the
             worst
             he
             will
             find
             that
             many
             more
             good
             things
             have
             bin
             preserv'd
             to
             him
             ,
             then
             have
             bin
             taken
             from
             him
             .
             A
             man
             may
             perhaps
             meet
             with
             some
             dammage
             in
             his
             estate
             ,
             yet
             t
             is
             manifold
             odds
             that
             that
             dammage
             is
             but
             partial
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             has
             still
             more
             left
             then
             is
             lost
             .
             Or
             if
             it
             be
             more
             intire
             ;
             yet
             if
             he
             have
             his
             health
             ,
             his
             limbs
             ,
             his
             senses
             ,
             his
             friends
             ,
             and
             all
             things
             beside
             his
             estate
             left
             him
             ,
             so
             that
             for
             one
             thing
             he
             has
             lost
             ,
             he
             still
             retains
             a
             multitude
             ,
             he
             may
             say
             of
             it
             as
             the
             Disciples
             of
             the
             few
             Loaves
             ,
             
               what
               is
               this
               among
               so
               many
               ?
            
             Mat.
             14.
             17.
             
             Aristippus
             being
             bemoan'd
             for
             the
             losse
             of
             a
             Farm
             ,
             repli'd
             with
             some
             shaprness
             upon
             hsi
             Condoler
             ,
             you
             have
             but
             one
             field
             ,
             and
             I
             have
             yet
             three
             left
             ,
             why
             should
             I
             not
             rather
             grieve
             for
             you
             ?
             intimating
             that
             a
             man
             is
             not
             so
             much
             to
             estimate
             what
             he
             has
             lost
             ,
             as
             what
             he
             has
             left
             .
             A
             piece
             
             of
             wisdom
             which
             if
             we
             would
             transcribe
             ,
             we
             might
             quickly
             convince
             our selves
             ,
             that
             even
             in
             our
             most
             adverse
             estate
             there
             are
             as
             Elijah
             speaks
             ,
             
               more
               with
               us
               then
               against
               us
               ,
            
             2
             King.
             6.
             16.
             that
             our
             enjoiments
             are
             more
             then
             our
             sufferings
             ,
             and
             Gods
             acts
             of
             grace
             ,
             do
             far
             out-number
             those
             of
             his
             severity
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             AND
             as
             they
             do
             out-number
             ,
             so
             also
             do
             they
             out-weigh
             them
             .
             The
             mercies
             we
             receive
             from
             God
             are
             (
             as
             the
             last
             Section
             has
             shew'd
             )
             of
             the
             greatest
             importance
             ;
             the
             most
             substantial
             solid
             goods
             ,
             and
             the
             greatest
             of
             all
             ,
             I
             mean
             those
             which
             concern
             our
             eternal
             state
             ,
             are
             so
             firmly
             fixt
             on
             us
             ,
             that
             unless
             we
             will
             voluntarily
             quit
             our
             clame
             ,
             t
             is
             not
             in
             the
             power
             of
             men
             or
             devils
             to
             defeat
             us
             .
             Light
             bodies
             are
             easily
             blown
             away
             by
             every
             gust
             of
             wind
             ,
             but
             this
             
               weight
               of
               glory
            
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostle
             calls
             it
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             4.
             17.
             continues
             firm
             and
             stable
             ,
             is
             proof
             against
             all
             storms
             ,
             like
             the
             
               shadow
               of
               a
               great
               rock
               in
               a
               weary
               Land.
            
             Isai.
             32.
             2.
             
             Those
             dark
             adumbrations
             we
             have
             of
             it
             ,
             might
             have
             served
             to
             refresh
             and
             deceive
             the
             tediousness
             of
             our
             pilgrimage
             ,
             and
             therefore
             the
             most
             formidable
             calamities
             of
             this
             life
             are
             below
             all
             mesures
             of
             comparison
             with
             this
             hope
             of
             our
             calling
             ,
             this
             
               riches
               of
               the
               glory
               of
               our
               inheritance
               .
            
             
             Eph.
             3.
             16.
             
             The
             heaviest
             and
             most
             pressing
             of
             our
             afflictions
             are
             to
             that
             ,
             
               but
               like
               the
               small
               dust
               of
               the
               balance
               :
            
             Esa.
             40.
             15.
             so
             that
             if
             we
             should
             here
             stop
             our
             inquisition
             ,
             we
             have
             a
             sufficient
             resolution
             of
             the
             present
             question
             ,
             and
             must
             conclude
             ,
             that
             God
             has
             given
             us
             an
             abundant
             counterpoise
             of
             all
             ,
             we
             either
             do
             or
             can
             suffer
             here
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             IF
             therefore
             there
             be
             any
             so
             forlorn
             as
             to
             temporals
             ,
             that
             he
             can
             fetch
             thence
             no
             evidence
             of
             Gods
             fatherly
             care
             of
             him
             ,
             yet
             this
             one
             consideration
             may
             solve
             his
             doubts
             ,
             and
             convince
             him
             that
             he
             is
             not
             abdicated
             by
             him
             .
             We
             read
             of
             no
             
               gifts
               Abraham
            
             gave
             Isaac
             ,
             yet
             to
             the
             sons
             of
             the
             concubins
             t
             is
             said
             he
             did
             Gen.
             25.
             6.
             
             It
             had
             bin
             a
             very
             fallacious
             inference
             ,
             if
             Isaac
             should
             have
             concluded
             himself
             neglected
             ,
             because
             his
             far
             greater
             portion
             was
             but
             in
             reversions
             .
             And
             it
             will
             be
             the
             same
             in
             any
             of
             us
             ,
             if
             we
             argue
             an
             unkindness
             from
             any
             temporal
             wants
             who
             have
             the
             entail
             of
             an
             eternal
             inheritance
             .
             But
             surely
             
               God
               do's
               not
               leave
               himself
               without
               witness
               ,
            
             Act.
             14.
             17.
             even
             in
             secular
             things
             ;
             there
             is
             no
             man
             breathing
             but
             has
             some
             blessings
             of
             his
             left
             hand
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             his
             right
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             already
             mention'd
             :
             
             and
             unless
             it
             be
             some
             few
             prodigies
             of
             Calamity
             in
             whose
             punishment
             or
             patience
             God
             designs
             signally
             to
             glorify
             himself
             ,
             there
             are
             none
             who
             enjoy
             not
             greater
             comforts
             of
             life
             then
             those
             they
             want
             ,
             I
             mean
             such
             as
             are
             really
             greater
             ,
             tho
             perhaps
             ,
             to
             their
             prejudicate
             fancies
             they
             do
             not
             appear
             so
             .
             Thus
             in
             point
             of
             health
             ,
             if
             a
             man
             be
             disaffected
             in
             one
             part
             ,
             yet
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             his
             body
             may
             be
             (
             and
             often
             is
             )
             well
             ;
             or
             if
             he
             have
             a
             complication
             ,
             and
             have
             more
             then
             one
             disease
             ,
             yet
             there
             is
             no
             man
             that
             has
             all
             ,
             or
             half
             so
             many
             as
             are
             incident
             to
             human
             bodies
             ,
             so
             that
             he
             is
             comparatively
             more
             healthy
             then
             sick
             .
             So
             again
             it
             is
             not
             very
             common
             for
             a
             man
             to
             loose
             a
             limb
             ,
             or
             sense
             ,
             the
             generality
             of
             men
             keep
             them
             to
             their
             last
             ;
             and
             they
             who
             do
             ,
             have
             in
             that
             an
             overbalance
             to
             most
             outward
             adversities
             ;
             and
             even
             they
             who
             are
             so
             unhappy
             to
             loose
             one
             ,
             yet
             commonly
             keep
             the
             rest
             ;
             at
             least
             the
             Major
             part
             :
             or
             if
             at
             any
             time
             any
             man
             is
             left
             a
             mere
             breathing
             trunk
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             by
             such
             stupifying
             diseases
             as
             dead
             the
             sense
             ,
             or
             such
             mortal
             ones
             as
             soon
             take
             them
             away
             ;
             and
             so
             the
             remedy
             overtakes
             the
             Malady
             .
             Besides
             it
             pleases
             God
             very
             often
             ,
             to
             make
             
             compensation
             for
             the
             want
             of
             one
             member
             or
             faculty
             by
             improving
             the
             use
             of
             another
             .
             We
             have
             seen
             feet
             supply
             all
             the
             necessary
             uses
             of
             hands
             to
             those
             who
             have
             had
             none
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             a
             thing
             of
             daily
             observation
             that
             men
             that
             are
             blind
             ,
             have
             the
             greater
             internal
             light
             :
             have
             their
             intellects
             more
             vigorous
             and
             active
             ,
             by
             their
             abstractions
             from
             visible
             objects
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             THUS
             also
             it
             is
             in
             the
             matter
             of
             wealth
             ,
             he
             that
             is
             forced
             to
             get
             his
             bread
             by
             the
             swet
             of
             his
             browes
             ,
             t
             is
             true
             he
             cannot
             have
             those
             delicacies
             wherewith
             rich
             men
             abound
             ;
             yet
             his
             labor
             helps
             him
             to
             a
             more
             poignant
             ,
             more
             savory
             sauce
             then
             a
             whole
             College
             of
             Epicures
             can
             compound
             .
             His
             hunger
             gives
             a
             higher
             gust
             to
             his
             dry
             crust
             ,
             then
             the
             surfeited
             stomach
             can
             find
             in
             the
             most
             costly
             ,
             most
             elaborate
             mixtures
             :
             so
             verifying
             the
             observation
             of
             
               Solomon
               ,
               the
               full
               soul
               loatheth
               the
               hony
               comb
               ,
               but
               to
               the
               hungry
               soul
               every
               bitter
               thing
               is
               sweet
               ,
            
             Prov.
             27.
             7.
             
             He
             cannot
             
               indeed
               stretch
               himself
               upon
               his
               bed
               of
               Ivory
               ,
            
             Am.
             6.
             4.
             yet
             his
             sleeps
             are
             sounder
             then
             those
             that
             can
             .
             The
             wiseman
             tells
             us
             ,
             and
             experience
             dos
             so
             too
             ,
             that
             
               the
               sleep
               of
               a
               laboring
               man
               is
               sweet
               .
            
             Eccles.
             5.
             12.
             
             He
             is
             not
             clothed
             Gorgeously
             ,
             
             has
             not
             the
             splendor
             of
             glittering
             apparel
             ,
             so
             neither
             has
             he
             the
             care
             of
             contriving
             it
             ,
             the
             fears
             of
             being
             forestal'd
             in
             a
             new
             invention
             ,
             or
             any
             of
             those
             unmanly
             solicitudes
             which
             attend
             that
             vanity
             .
             He
             has
             the
             proper
             genuine
             use
             of
             clothing
             ;
             the
             preventing
             shame
             and
             cold
             ,
             and
             is
             happily
             determin'd
             to
             that
             which
             the
             wiser
             men
             of
             the
             world
             have
             voluntarily
             chosen
             .
             To
             conclude
             ,
             he
             has
             one
             advantage
             beyond
             all
             these
             ;
             his
             necessities
             rescue
             him
             from
             idleness
             ,
             and
             all
             its
             consequent
             temtations
             ;
             which
             is
             so
             great
             a
             benefit
             ,
             that
             if
             rich
             men
             be
             not
             their
             own
             taskmasters
             as
             his
             wants
             are
             his
             ,
             if
             they
             do
             not
             provide
             themselves
             of
             business
             ;
             that
             one
             want
             of
             theirs
             is
             infinitly
             more
             deplorable
             then
             all
             his
             :
             and
             he
             is
             not
             only
             happy
             comparatively
             with
             himself
             ,
             in
             having
             better
             things
             then
             he
             wants
             ,
             but
             with
             them
             also
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             IF
             we
             come
             now
             to
             reputation
             and
             fame
             ,
             the
             account
             will
             be
             much
             the
             same
             ,
             he
             that
             is
             eminent
             in
             the
             world
             for
             some
             great
             atchievement
             ,
             is
             set
             up
             as
             an
             object
             of
             every
             mans
             remark
             ;
             when
             as
             his
             excellencies
             on
             the
             one
             hand
             are
             visible
             ,
             so
             his
             faults
             and
             blemishes
             are
             on
             the
             other
             .
             And
             as
             human
             frailty
             makes
             it
             too
             
             probable
             these
             later
             will
             be
             really
             more
             ,
             so
             human
             envy
             makes
             it
             sure
             that
             they
             shall
             be
             more
             precisely
             ,
             more
             curiously
             observed
             ,
             and
             more
             loudly
             blazon'd
             .
             So
             that
             upon
             the
             whole
             ,
             a
             good
             quiet
             security
             ,
             tho
             it
             be
             not
             the
             road
             to
             glory
             ,
             yet
             is
             the
             likliest
             fence
             against
             infamy
             .
             And
             indeed
             he
             that
             can
             keep
             up
             the
             repute
             of
             a
             sober
             integrity
             within
             his
             own
             private
             sphere
             ,
             need
             not
             envy
             the
             triumphant
             sallies
             of
             others
             ,
             which
             often
             meet
             with
             a
             fatall
             turn
             at
             the
             later
             end
             of
             the
             day
             .
             But
             t
             will
             be
             said
             that
             even
             that
             more
             moderate
             sort
             of
             reputation
             is
             not
             every
             mans
             portion
             ,
             but
             that
             many
             lie
             under
             great
             ignominy
             and
             scandals
             .
             I
             shall
             here
             ask
             whither
             those
             be
             just
             or
             unjust
             :
             If
             they
             be
             just
             they
             belong
             not
             to
             our
             present
             subject
             ,
             which
             relates
             only
             to
             those
             inflictions
             which
             are
             the
             effects
             of
             Gods
             immediate
             providence
             ,
             not
             of
             our
             own
             crimes
             ;
             for
             I
             never
             doubted
             but
             that
             by
             those
             we
             may
             divest
             our selves
             of
             any
             ,
             nay
             of
             all
             the
             good
             things
             God
             has
             design'd
             us
             .
             But
             if
             the
             obloquy
             be
             unjust
             ,
             t
             is
             probable
             that
             t
             is
             taken
             up
             only
             by
             ill
             men
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             good
             pass
             a
             more
             equitable
             sentence
             ;
             and
             then
             surely
             the
             attestation
             of
             a
             few
             such
             ,
             is
             able
             to
             outweigh
             
             a
             multitude
             of
             the
             others
             .
             And
             in
             this
             case
             a
             man
             may
             not
             only
             find
             patience
             but
             plesure
             in
             reproches
             .
             Socrates
             lookt
             with
             trouble
             and
             jealousy
             on
             himself
             when
             ill
             men
             commended
             him
             ,
             saying
             what
             ill
             have
             I
             don
             ?
             and
             sure
             a
             Christian
             has
             a
             farther
             reason
             to
             be
             pleas'd
             with
             their
             revilings
             ,
             they
             being
             his
             security
             againsts
             the
             woe
             pronounc'd
             to
             those
             
               whom
               all
               men
               speak
               well
               of
               ,
            
             Luke
             6.
             26.
             
             But
             somtimes
             it
             happens
             ,
             that
             even
             good
             men
             are
             seduc'd
             ,
             and
             either
             by
             the
             artifices
             of
             the
             wicked
             ,
             or
             their
             own
             too
             hasty
             credulity
             ,
             give
             credit
             to
             unjust
             reports
             .
             And
             this
             I
             confess
             is
             a
             sharp
             trial
             to
             the
             injur'd
             person
             ,
             yet
             even
             this
             cannot
             often
             be
             universal
             ,
             there
             can
             scarce
             be
             any
             innocence
             so
             forlorn
             but
             that
             there
             may
             be
             opportunities
             of
             cleering
             it
             to
             some
             or
             other
             ,
             and
             by
             them
             propagating
             it
             to
             more
             ,
             and
             if
             the
             cloud
             ever
             come
             to
             be
             dispers'd
             ,
             their
             fame
             will
             appear
             with
             the
             brighter
             luster
             .
             But
             if
             none
             of
             this
             happen
             ,
             they
             have
             yet
             a
             certain
             and
             more
             blessed
             retreat
             ,
             even
             an
             appeal
             to
             the
             unerring
             judg
             ,
             who
             never
             beholds
             us
             with
             more
             approbation
             ,
             then
             when
             we
             are
             under
             the
             unjust
             condemnation
             of
             men
             .
             Indeed
             we
             have
             then
             a
             double
             tie
             upon
             him
             ,
             not
             only
             his
             justice
             
             but
             his
             pity
             is
             concern'd
             in
             our
             cause
             .
             God
             particularly
             owns
             himself
             as
             the
             refuge
             of
             the
             oppressed
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             scarce
             a
             sharper
             and
             more
             sensible
             oppression
             then
             this
             of
             Calumny
             :
             yet
             even
             this
             proves
             advantage
             ,
             whil'st
             it
             procures
             Gods
             immediate
             patronage
             ,
             makes
             us
             the
             objects
             of
             his
             more
             peculiar
             care
             and
             compassion
             ,
             who
             can
             
               make
               our
               righteousness
               as
               cleer
               as
               the
               light
               ,
            
             Psa.
             37.
             6.
             if
             he
             see
             it
             fit
             ;
             but
             if
             in
             his
             wisdom
             he
             chuse
             not
             that
             for
             us
             ,
             t
             is
             comfort
             enough
             for
             us
             that
             we
             have
             approv'd
             it
             to
             him
             .
             T
             was
             Elkanahs
             question
             to
             Hannah
             in
             her
             disconsolation
             ,
             
               Am
               not
               I
               better
               to
               thee
               then
               ten
               Sons
               ?
            
             I
             Sam.
             1.
             8.
             
             And
             sure
             we
             may
             say
             the
             like
             of
             Gods
             approbation
             ,
             that
             t
             is
             better
             to
             us
             I
             say
             not
             then
             ten
             ,
             but
             ten
             thousand
             Eulogies
             of
             men
             .
             The
             very
             Echo
             of
             it
             in
             the
             testimony
             of
             a
             good
             conscience
             is
             an
             unspeakable
             comfort
             ,
             and
             this
             voice
             sounds
             more
             audibly
             ,
             more
             sweetly
             ,
             among
             the
             loudest
             ,
             the
             harshest
             accusations
             of
             men
             .
             So
             that
             we
             see
             even
             this
             assault
             too
             is
             not
             without
             its
             guard
             ,
             and
             these
             
               waters
               of
               Marah
            
             .
             Exod.
             15.
             23.
             may
             be
             render'd
             not
             only
             wholsome
             but
             pleasant
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             I
             have
             now
             instanced
             in
             the
             three
             most
             general
             concerns
             of
             human
             life
             ,
             the
             
             Body
             ,
             Goods
             ,
             and
             Fame
             ,
             to
             which
             heads
             may
             be
             reduced
             most
             of
             the
             afflictions
             incident
             to
             our
             out-ward
             state
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             immediately
             concerns
             our selves
             .
             But
             there
             is
             no
             man
             stands
             so
             single
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             but
             he
             has
             some
             relations
             or
             friends
             in
             which
             he
             thinks
             himself
             interessed
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             those
             oblique
             strokes
             which
             wound
             us
             thro
             them
             ,
             are
             as
             painful
             as
             the
             more
             direct
             :
             yet
             here
             also
             God
             is
             ordinarily
             pleas'd
             to
             provide
             some
             allaies
             ,
             if
             we
             would
             but
             take
             notice
             of
             them
             .
             He
             who
             has
             had
             one
             friend
             die
             ,
             has
             ordinarily
             divers
             others
             surviving
             ;
             or
             if
             he
             have
             not
             that
             ,
             usually
             God
             raises
             him
             up
             others
             .
             T
             is
             true
             we
             cannot
             have
             a
             succession
             of
             Fathers
             and
             Mothers
             ,
             yet
             we
             often
             have
             of
             other
             friends
             that
             are
             no
             less
             helpful
             to
             us
             :
             and
             indeed
             there
             are
             scarce
             in
             any
             thing
             more
             remarkable
             evidences
             of
             Providence
             ,
             then
             in
             this
             particular
             .
             
               He
               that
               is
               able
               out
               of
               stones
               to
               raise
               up
               children
               to
               Abraham
               ,
            
             Mat.
             3
             9.
             do's
             many
             times
             by
             as
             unexpected
             a
             production
             supply
             friends
             to
             the
             desolate
             .
             But
             we
             do
             somtimes
             loose
             our
             friends
             while
             they
             are
             living
             ,
             they
             withdraw
             their
             kindness
             which
             is
             the
             soul
             of
             friendship
             :
             and
             if
             this
             happen
             by
             our
             own
             demerit
             ,
             we
             can
             accuse
             
             neither
             God
             nor
             them
             for
             it
             :
             nor
             can
             we
             rationally
             expect
             that
             God
             shall
             provide
             supplies
             ,
             when
             we
             wilfully
             despoile
             our selves
             .
             But
             when
             they
             are
             unkind
             without
             provocation
             ,
             then
             is
             the
             season
             for
             his
             interposition
             ,
             who
             uses
             to
             take
             up
             
               those
               whom
               Father
               and
               Mother
               forsake
               ,
            
             Psa.
             27.
             10.
             and
             we
             frequently
             see
             signal
             proofs
             of
             his
             care
             in
             exciting
             the
             compassions
             of
             other
             friends
             and
             relatives
             ,
             or
             perhaps
             of
             mere
             strangers
             .
             Nay
             somtimes
             God
             makes
             the
             inhumanity
             of
             a
             mans
             relations
             ,
             the
             occasion
             of
             his
             advantage
             .
             Thus
             the
             barbarous
             malice
             of
             Iosephs
             brethren
             was
             the
             first
             step
             to
             his
             Dominion
             over
             Egypt
             .
             And
             it
             is
             a
             common
             observation
             in
             Families
             ,
             that
             the
             most
             discountenanc'd
             child
             oft
             makes
             better
             proof
             ,
             then
             the
             dearling
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             WE
             are
             yet
             liable
             to
             a
             third
             affliction
             by
             the
             calamity
             of
             our
             friends
             ,
             which
             by
             the
             Sympathy
             of
             Kindness
             presses
             us
             no
             less
             (
             perhaps
             more
             )
             sensibly
             then
             our
             own
             :
             but
             then
             t
             is
             to
             be
             consider'd
             ,
             that
             theirs
             are
             capable
             of
             the
             same
             allaying
             circumstances
             that
             ours
             are
             ,
             and
             God
             has
             the
             same
             arts
             of
             alleviating
             their
             burdens
             ;
             so
             that
             we
             have
             the
             same
             arguments
             for
             acquiescence
             in
             their
             sufferings
             
             that
             we
             have
             in
             our
             own
             ,
             and
             shall
             do
             a
             more
             friendly
             office
             in
             impressing
             those
             upon
             them
             ,
             then
             in
             the
             most
             passionate
             adopting
             their
             sorrows
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             THE
             last
             and
             greatest
             discomfort
             from
             friends
             ,
             is
             that
             of
             their
             sin
             :
             and
             if
             ever
             we
             may
             be
             allow'd
             that
             disconsolate
             strein
             of
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             Esa.
             22.
             4.
             
             
               Turn
               away
               from
               me
               ,
               I
               will
               weep
               bitterly
               ,
               labor
               not
               to
               comfort
               me
            
             ;
             this
             seems
             to
             be
             the
             time
             :
             yet
             even
             this
             
               vally
               of
               Achor
               is
               not
               without
               a
               door
               of
               hope
               ,
            
             Hos.
             2.
             15.
             
             A
             vicious
             person
             may
             be
             recalled
             ,
             multitudes
             have
             bin
             ;
             so
             that
             as
             long
             as
             God
             continues
             life
             ,
             we
             ought
             no
             more
             to
             deposite
             our
             hope
             ,
             then
             to
             quit
             our
             endevor
             .
             Besides
             there
             are
             few
             that
             make
             this
             complaint
             that
             have
             not
             somthing
             to
             balance
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             to
             lighten
             it
             .
             I
             shall
             instance
             in
             that
             relation
             which
             is
             the
             nearest
             and
             most
             tender
             ,
             that
             of
             a
             Parent
             .
             He
             that
             has
             one
             bad
             child
             may
             have
             divers
             good
             .
             If
             he
             have
             but
             one
             virtuous
             t
             is
             a
             very
             great
             mercy
             ,
             and
             t
             is
             another
             that
             he
             may
             be
             the
             better
             taught
             to
             value
             it
             by
             the
             opposition
             of
             the
             contrary
             .
             But
             if
             any
             be
             so
             unhappy
             as
             to
             have
             many
             children
             ,
             and
             
               all
               to
               consume
               his
               eies
               and
               grieve
               his
               heart
               ,
            
             1
             Sam.
             2.
             33.
             it
             may
             be
             a
             seasonable
             reflexion
             
             for
             him
             to
             examin
             how
             far
             he
             has
             contributed
             to
             it
             either
             by
             Elies
             fond
             indulgence
             ,
             or
             by
             a
             remiss
             and
             careless
             education
             :
             or
             which
             is
             worst
             of
             all
             ,
             by
             his
             most
             impious
             example
             .
             If
             any
             ,
             or
             all
             of
             these
             be
             found
             the
             cause
             ,
             he
             is
             not
             so
             much
             to
             seek
             for
             allaies
             to
             his
             grief
             ,
             as
             for
             pardon
             of
             his
             sin
             :
             and
             when
             he
             has
             penitently
             retracted
             his
             own
             faults
             ,
             he
             may
             then
             have
             better
             ground
             of
             hope
             that
             God
             may
             reform
             those
             of
             his
             children
             .
             In
             the
             mean
             time
             he
             may
             look
             on
             his
             own
             affliction
             in
             them
             as
             Gods
             discipline
             on
             him
             ,
             and
             gather
             at
             least
             this
             comfort
             from
             it
             ,
             that
             his
             heavenly
             Father
             has
             more
             care
             of
             him
             ,
             then
             he
             had
             of
             his
             ;
             and
             do's
             not
             leave
             him
             uncorrected
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             THUS
             we
             see
             in
             all
             the
             concerns
             (
             which
             are
             the
             most
             common
             and
             important
             of
             human
             life
             ,
             and
             wherein
             the
             justest
             of
             our
             complaints
             are
             usually
             founded
             )
             there
             is
             such
             a
             temperature
             and
             mixture
             ,
             that
             the
             good
             do's
             more
             then
             equal
             the
             ill
             ,
             and
             that
             not
             only
             in
             the
             grosser
             bulk
             ,
             when
             our
             whole
             state
             is
             weighed
             together
             ,
             but
             in
             every
             single
             branch
             of
             it
             .
             God
             having
             herein
             dealt
             with
             this
             little
             world
             Man
             ,
             as
             he
             has
             don
             with
             the
             greater
             ,
             wherein
             he
             is
             observ'd
             to
             have
             
             furnished
             every
             country
             with
             Specific
             remedies
             for
             their
             peculiar
             diseases
             .
             I
             have
             only
             given
             these
             short
             hints
             by
             way
             of
             essay
             and
             pattern
             for
             the
             Readers
             contemplation
             ,
             which
             when
             he
             shall
             have
             extended
             to
             all
             those
             more
             minute
             particulars
             wherein
             he
             is
             especially
             concern'd
             ,
             more
             curiously
             compar'd
             his
             sufferings
             with
             his
             allaies
             and
             comforts
             ;
             I
             cannot
             doubt
             but
             he
             will
             own
             himself
             an
             instance
             of
             the
             truth
             of
             the
             present
             Thesis
             ,
             and
             confess
             ,
             that
             he
             has
             much
             more
             cause
             of
             thankfulness
             then
             complaint
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             THIS
             I
             say
             supposing
             his
             afflictions
             to
             be
             of
             those
             more
             solid
             and
             considerable
             sorts
             I
             have
             before
             mention'd
             .
             But
             how
             many
             are
             there
             who
             have
             few
             or
             none
             of
             such
             ,
             who
             seem
             to
             be
             seated
             in
             the
             land
             of
             Goshen
             ,
             in
             a
             place
             exemt
             from
             all
             the
             plagues
             that
             infest
             their
             Neighbors
             ?
             And
             those
             one
             would
             think
             should
             give
             a
             ready
             suffrage
             to
             this
             conclusion
             ,
             as
             having
             no
             temtation
             to
             oppugn
             it
             ;
             yet
             I
             doubt
             t
             is
             far
             otherwise
             ,
             and
             that
             such
             men
             are
             of
             all
             the
             most
             unsatisfied
             .
             For
             tho
             they
             have
             no
             crosses
             of
             Gods
             imposing
             ,
             they
             usually
             create
             a
             multitude
             to
             themselves
             .
             And
             here
             we
             may
             say
             with
             
               David
               ,
               it
               is
               better
               to
               fall
               into
               the
               hand
               of
               God
               ,
               then
               into
               
               the
               hand
               of
               man
               ,
            
             2
             Sam.
             24.
             14
             tis
             easier
             to
             bear
             the
             afflictions
             God
             sends
             ,
             then
             those
             we
             make
             to
             our selves
             .
             His
             are
             limited
             both
             for
             quantity
             and
             quality
             ,
             but
             our
             own
             are
             as
             boundless
             as
             those
             extravagant
             desires
             from
             which
             they
             spring
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             AND
             this
             is
             the
             true
             cause
             why
             contentment
             is
             so
             much
             a
             stranger
             to
             those
             who
             have
             all
             the
             outward
             causes
             of
             it
             ,
             they
             have
             no
             definite
             mesure
             of
             their
             desires
             ;
             t
             is
             not
             the
             supply
             of
             all
             their
             real
             wants
             will
             serve
             their
             turn
             ,
             their
             appetites
             are
             precarious
             and
             depend
             upon
             contingencies
             .
             They
             hunger
             not
             because
             they
             are
             emty
             ,
             but
             because
             others
             are
             full
             .
             Many
             a
             man
             could
             have
             liked
             his
             own
             portion
             well
             enough
             ,
             had
             he
             not
             seen
             another
             have
             somthing
             he
             liked
             better
             .
             Nay
             even
             the
             most
             inconsiderable
             things
             acquire
             a
             value
             by
             being
             anothers
             ,
             when
             we
             despise
             much
             greater
             of
             our
             own
             .
             Ahab
             might
             well
             have
             satisfied
             himself
             with
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Israel
             ,
             had
             not
             Naboths
             poor
             plot
             lain
             in
             his
             eie
             :
             but
             so
             raving
             were
             his
             desires
             after
             it
             ,
             that
             he
             disrelishes
             all
             the
             pomps
             of
             a
             Crown
             ,
             yea
             the
             ordinary
             refreshments
             of
             Nature
             ,
             
               can
               eat
               no
               bread
            
             till
             he
             have
             that
             to
             furnish
             him
             with
             Sallads
             .
             1
             King.
             21.
             2.
             
             And
             how
             many
             
             are
             there
             now
             adaies
             whose
             cloths
             sit
             uneasy
             if
             they
             see
             another
             have
             had
             but
             the
             luck
             to
             be
             a
             little
             more
             ingenuously
             vain
             ;
             whose
             meat
             is
             unsavory
             if
             they
             have
             seen
             but
             a
             greater
             rarity
             ,
             a
             newer
             cookery
             at
             anothers
             Table
             :
             in
             a
             word
             who
             make
             other
             peoples
             excesses
             the
             standard
             of
             their
             own
             felicities
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             NOR
             are
             our
             appetites
             only
             excited
             thus
             by
             our
             outward
             objects
             ,
             but
             precipitated
             and
             hurried
             on
             by
             our
             inward
             lusts
             .
             The
             proud
             man
             so
             longs
             for
             homage
             and
             adoration
             ,
             that
             nothing
             can
             please
             him
             if
             that
             be
             wanting
             .
             Haman
             can
             find
             no
             gust
             in
             all
             the
             sensualities
             of
             the
             Persian
             Court
             ,
             because
             a
             poor
             despicable
             Jew
             denies
             his
             abaisance
             ,
             Est.
             5.
             13.
             
             The
             lustful
             so
             impatiently
             pursues
             his
             impure
             designs
             ,
             that
             any
             difficulty
             he
             meets
             in
             them
             ,
             makes
             him
             pine
             and
             languish
             like
             Amnon
             ,
             who
             could
             no
             way
             recover
             his
             own
             health
             but
             by
             violating
             his
             sisters
             honor
             .
             2
             Sam.
             13.
             14.
             
             The
             revengeful
             labors
             under
             an
             Hydropic
             thirst
             till
             he
             have
             the
             blood
             of
             his
             enemy
             :
             all
             the
             liquor
             of
             Absaloms
             sheep-sheering
             could
             not
             quench
             his
             ,
             without
             the
             slaughter
             of
             his
             brother
             ,
             2
             Sam.
             1●
             .
             29.
             
             And
             thus
             every
             one
             of
             our
             passions
             keeps
             us
             upon
             the
             rack
             till
             they
             have
             
             obtained
             their
             designs
             .
             Nay
             when
             they
             have
             ,
             the
             very
             emtiness
             of
             those
             acquisitions
             is
             a
             new
             torment
             ,
             and
             puts
             us
             upon
             fresh
             pursuits
             .
             Thus
             between
             the
             impetuousness
             of
             our
             desires
             ,
             and
             the
             emtiness
             of
             our
             enjoiments
             ,
             we
             still
             
               disquiet
               our selves
               in
               vain
            
             ,
             Psa.
             39.
             7.
             
             And
             whil'st
             we
             have
             such
             cruel
             task-masters
             ,
             t
             is
             not
             strange
             to
             find
             us
             groaning
             under
             our
             burdens
             .
             If
             we
             will
             indulge
             to
             all
             our
             vicious
             or
             foolish
             appetites
             ,
             think
             our
             lives
             bound
             up
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             solicite
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             them
             with
             as
             impatient
             a
             vehemence
             ,
             as
             Rachel
             did
             for
             children
             ,
             Gen.
             30.
             1.
             
               give
               me
               them
               or
               I
               die
               :
            
             no
             wonder
             that
             we
             are
             alwaies
             complaining
             of
             disappointments
             ,
             since
             in
             these
             the
             very
             success
             is
             a
             defeat
             ,
             and
             is
             but
             the
             exchanging
             the
             pain
             of
             a
             craving
             ravenous
             stomach
             ,
             for
             that
             of
             a
             cloi'd
             and
             nauseated
             .
             Indeed
             men
             of
             this
             temper
             condemn
             themselves
             to
             a
             perpetual
             restlessness
             ,
             they
             are
             like
             phantastic
             mutineers
             ,
             who
             when
             their
             superiors
             send
             them
             blanks
             to
             write
             their
             own
             conditions
             ,
             know
             not
             what
             will
             please
             them
             :
             and
             even
             Omnipotence
             it self
             cannot
             satisfy
             these
             till
             it
             have
             new
             moulded
             them
             ,
             and
             reduced
             their
             desires
             to
             a
             certainty
             .
          
           
           
             16.
             
             BUT
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             how
             unjustly
             do
             they
             accuse
             God
             of
             illiberality
             ,
             because
             every
             thing
             answers
             not
             their
             humor
             ?
             He
             has
             made
             them
             reasonable
             creatures
             ,
             and
             has
             provided
             them
             satisfactions
             proportionable
             to
             their
             nature
             ;
             but
             if
             they
             will
             have
             wild
             irrational
             expectations
             ,
             neither
             his
             wisdom
             ,
             nor
             his
             goodness
             is
             concern'd
             to
             satisfy
             those
             .
             His
             supplies
             are
             real
             and
             solid
             ,
             and
             therefore
             have
             no
             correspondence
             to
             imaginary
             wants
             .
             If
             we
             will
             create
             such
             to
             our selves
             ,
             why
             do
             we
             not
             create
             an
             imaginary
             satisfaction
             to
             them
             ?
             T
             were
             the
             merrier
             frenzy
             of
             the
             two
             ,
             to
             be
             like
             the
             mad
             Athenian
             that
             thought
             all
             the
             ships
             that
             came
             into
             the
             harbor
             his
             own
             :
             and
             t
             were
             better
             Ixion
             like
             to
             have
             our
             Arms
             fil'd
             with
             a
             cloud
             ,
             then
             to
             have
             them
             perpetually
             beating
             our
             own
             breasts
             ,
             and
             be
             still
             tormenting
             our selves
             with
             unsatisfiable
             desires
             .
             Yet
             this
             is
             the
             state
             to
             which
             men
             voluntarily
             subject
             themselves
             ,
             and
             then
             quarrel
             at
             God
             because
             they
             will
             not
             let
             themselves
             be
             happy
             .
             But
             sure
             their
             very
             complaints
             justify
             God
             ,
             and
             argue
             that
             he
             has
             dealt
             very
             kindly
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             afforded
             them
             all
             the
             necessary
             accomodations
             of
             life
             :
             for
             did
             they
             want
             them
             ,
             
             they
             would
             not
             be
             so
             sensible
             of
             the
             want
             of
             the
             other
             .
             He
             that
             is
             at
             perfect
             ease
             may
             feel
             with
             some
             vexation
             the
             biting
             of
             a
             flea
             or
             gnat
             ,
             which
             would
             not
             be
             at
             all
             observable
             if
             he
             were
             upon
             the
             rack
             .
             And
             should
             God
             change
             the
             scene
             ,
             and
             make
             these
             nice
             people
             feel
             the
             destitution
             of
             necessaries
             ;
             all
             these
             regrets
             about
             superfluities
             would
             be
             overwhelmed
             .
             In
             the
             mean
             time
             how
             deplorable
             a
             thing
             is
             it
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             still
             the
             poorer
             for
             Gods
             bounty
             ,
             that
             those
             to
             whom
             he
             has
             opened
             his
             hand
             widest
             ,
             should
             open
             their
             mouth
             so
             too
             ,
             in
             outcries
             and
             murmurs
             ?
             For
             I
             think
             I
             may
             say
             that
             generally
             ,
             those
             that
             are
             the
             farthest
             remov'd
             from
             want
             ,
             are
             so
             from
             content
             too
             ;
             they
             take
             no
             notice
             of
             all
             the
             real
             substantial
             blessings
             they
             enjoy
             ,
             leave
             these
             (
             like
             the
             ninty
             nine
             sheep
             in
             the
             wilderness
             )
             forgotten
             and
             neglected
             ,
             to
             go
             in
             quest
             after
             some
             fugitive
             satisfaction
             ,
             which
             like
             a
             shadow
             flies
             still
             faster
             in
             proportion
             to
             their
             pursuit
             .
          
           
             17.
             
             AND
             now
             would
             God
             they
             could
             be
             recalled
             from
             this
             unprofitable
             chace
             ,
             and
             insteed
             of
             the
             Horsleeches
             note
             ,
             
               Give
               give
            
             ,
             Prov.
             30.
             15.
             take
             up
             that
             of
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             
               what
               shall
               I
               render
               to
               the
               Lord
               
               for
               all
               the
               benefits
               he
               hath
               don
               unto
               me
               ?
            
             Psa.
             116.
             12.
             
             Let
             them
             count
             how
             many
             valuable
             or
             rather
             inestimable
             things
             ,
             they
             have
             received
             from
             his
             mercy
             ▪
             and
             then
             confront
             them
             with
             those
             corrections
             they
             have
             found
             from
             his
             justice
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             do
             this
             impartially
             ,
             I
             doubt
             not
             they
             will
             find
             wherewithal
             to
             check
             their
             highest
             mutinies
             ;
             and
             will
             join
             with
             me
             in
             confessing
             ,
             that
             their
             good
             things
             abundantly
             outweigh
             their
             ill
             .
          
           
             18.
             
             IF
             now
             we
             carry
             on
             the
             comparison
             to
             the
             last
             circumstance
             ,
             and
             consider
             the
             constancy
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             as
             wide
             a
             difference
             .
             Let
             us
             take
             the
             Psalmists
             testimony
             ,
             and
             there
             will
             appear
             a
             very
             distant
             date
             of
             his
             mercies
             and
             punishments
             .
             
               His
               mercies
               endure
               for
               ever
            
             Psal.
             136.
             whereas
             his
             wrath
             
               endures
               but
               the
               twinkling
               of
               an
               eie
            
             Psal.
             30.
             5.
             
             And
             accordingly
             God
             owns
             his
             acts
             of
             severity
             as
             his
             
               strange
               work
            
             Isa.
             28.
             21.
             that
             which
             he
             resorts
             to
             only
             upon
             special
             emergencies
             ;
             but
             his
             mercies
             
               are
               renewed
               every
               morning
            
             ,
             Lam.
             3.
             25.
             and
             doubtless
             we
             may
             all
             upon
             trial
             affirm
             the
             same
             .
             There
             are
             many
             of
             the
             most
             necessary
             comforts
             of
             life
             which
             do
             not
             only
             somtimes
             visit
             us
             as
             guests
             ,
             but
             dwell
             with
             us
             as
             inmates
             and
             domestics
             .
             How
             
             many
             are
             there
             who
             have
             lived
             in
             a
             perpetual
             affluence
             from
             their
             cradles
             to
             their
             graves
             ,
             have
             never
             known
             what
             it
             is
             to
             want
             ?
             And
             tho
             the
             goods
             of
             fortune
             are
             perhaps
             less
             constant
             to
             some
             ,
             yet
             the
             refreshments
             of
             nature
             are
             usually
             so
             to
             us
             all
             .
             We
             eat
             and
             drink
             ,
             we
             sleep
             ,
             we
             recreate
             ,
             we
             converse
             in
             a
             continued
             circle
             ,
             and
             go
             our
             round
             almost
             as
             constantly
             as
             the
             sun
             do's
             his
             .
             Or
             if
             God
             do's
             somtimes
             a
             little
             interrupt
             us
             in
             it
             ,
             put
             some
             short
             restraint
             upon
             our
             refreshments
             ,
             yet
             that
             comparatively
             to
             the
             time
             we
             enjoy
             them
             ,
             is
             but
             proportionable
             to
             the
             stop
             he
             has
             somtimes
             made
             of
             the
             Sun
             ,
             Jos.
             10.
             13.
             2
             
             Kings
             20.
             8.
             or
             of
             the
             sea
             ,
             Exod.
             14.
             21.
             which
             as
             they
             were
             no
             subversions
             of
             the
             course
             of
             nature
             ,
             so
             neither
             are
             those
             short
             pauses
             he
             somtimes
             makes
             ,
             a
             repeal
             of
             those
             fixt
             and
             customary
             benefits
             his
             providence
             usually
             allots
             us
             .
             But
             who
             is
             there
             can
             say
             that
             any
             one
             of
             his
             afflictions
             has
             bin
             of
             equal
             continuance
             ,
             or
             has
             prest
             him
             with
             so
             few
             intermissions
             ?
             Perhaps
             he
             may
             have
             mist
             some
             few
             nights
             sleep
             :
             but
             what
             is
             that
             to
             a
             twelve-months
             ,
             or
             perhaps
             a
             whole
             lives
             enjoying
             it
             ?
             T
             is
             possible
             his
             stomach
             and
             his
             meat
             have
             not
             alwaies
             bin
             ready
             together
             ;
             
             but
             how
             much
             oftner
             have
             they
             met
             to
             his
             delight
             ?
             and
             generally
             those
             things
             that
             are
             most
             useful
             ,
             are
             but
             rarely
             interrupted
             .
             Nay
             to
             a
             great
             many
             even
             the
             delicacies
             of
             life
             are
             no
             less
             constant
             ,
             and
             their
             luxuries
             are
             as
             quotidian
             as
             their
             bread
             :
             whereas
             unless
             their
             vices
             or
             their
             fancies
             create
             uneasinesses
             to
             them
             ,
             those
             that
             come
             immediately
             from
             Gods
             hand
             ,
             make
             long
             intermissions
             and
             short
             staies
             .
             Yet
             for
             all
             this
             they
             that
             should
             mesure
             by
             the
             uncessantness
             of
             mens
             complaints
             ,
             would
             judge
             that
             the
             scene
             was
             quite
             reverst
             ,
             and
             that
             our
             good
             things
             are
             as
             Iob
             speaks
             ,
             
               swifter
               then
               a
               wavers
               shuttle
            
             ,
             Job
             .
             7.
             6.
             whilest
             our
             ill
             ,
             like
             
               Gehazies
               Leprosy
               ,
               cleave
               inseparably
               to
               us
               .
            
             2.
             
             King
             5.
             10.
             
          
           
             19.
             
             THE
             truth
             is
             we
             will
             not
             let
             our selves
             enjoy
             those
             intervals
             God
             allowes
             us
             ,
             but
             when
             a
             calamity
             do's
             retire
             we
             will
             still
             keep
             it
             in
             fiction
             and
             imagination
             ;
             revolve
             it
             in
             our
             minds
             ,
             and
             because
             t
             is
             possible
             it
             may
             return
             ,
             look
             upon
             it
             as
             not
             gon
             .
             Like
             Aguish
             patients
             we
             count
             our selves
             sick
             on
             our
             well-day
             ,
             because
             we
             expect
             a
             fit
             the
             next
             .
             A
             strange
             stupid
             folly
             thus
             to
             court
             vexation
             ,
             and
             be
             miserable
             in
             Chimera
             .
             Do's
             any
             man
             
             or
             indeed
             any
             beast
             desire
             to
             keep
             a
             distastful
             relish
             still
             in
             his
             mouth
             ,
             to
             chew
             the
             cud
             upon
             gall
             and
             wormwood
             ?
             yet
             certainly
             there
             are
             a
             multitude
             of
             people
             whose
             lives
             are
             imbitter'd
             to
             them
             merely
             by
             these
             fantastic
             imaginary
             sufferings
             .
             Nor
             do
             we
             only
             fright
             our selves
             with
             images
             and
             Ideas
             of
             past
             calamities
             ,
             but
             we
             dress
             up
             new
             bugbears
             and
             mormoes
             ,
             are
             Poetic
             and
             aerial
             in
             our
             inventions
             ,
             and
             lay
             Romantic
             scenes
             of
             distresses
             .
             This
             is
             a
             thing
             very
             incident
             to
             jealous
             natures
             ,
             who
             are
             alwaies
             raising
             alarms
             to
             themselves
             .
             A
             suspicious
             man
             looks
             on
             every
             body
             with
             dread
             .
             One
             man
             he
             fears
             has
             designs
             upon
             his
             fortune
             ,
             another
             on
             his
             reputation
             ,
             perhaps
             a
             third
             upon
             his
             life
             :
             whilst
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             ,
             the
             only
             ill
             design
             against
             him
             is
             managed
             by
             himself
             ;
             his
             own
             causeless
             fears
             and
             jealousies
             which
             put
             him
             in
             a
             state
             of
             hostility
             with
             all
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             do
             often
             betray
             him
             to
             the
             very
             things
             he
             groundlesly
             suspected
             .
             For
             it
             is
             not
             seldom
             seen
             that
             men
             have
             incurr'd
             reall
             mischiefs
             by
             a
             fond
             sollicitude
             of
             avoiding
             imaginary
             ones
             .
             I
             do
             not
             question
             but
             this
             is
             a
             state
             calamitous
             enough
             ,
             and
             shall
             acknowledg
             it
             very
             
             likely
             that
             such
             persons
             shall
             have
             little
             or
             no
             truce
             from
             their
             troubles
             ,
             who
             have
             such
             an
             unexhausted
             spring
             within
             themselves
             ;
             yet
             we
             may
             say
             to
             them
             as
             the
             Prophet
             did
             to
             the
             house
             of
             
               Iacob
               ,
               Is
               the
               spirit
               of
               the
               Lord
               straitned
               ?
               are
               these
               his
               doings
               ?
            
             Mich.
             2.
             7.
             
             Such
             men
             must
             not
             cry
             out
             that
             Gods
             hand
             lies
             heavy
             upon
             them
             ,
             but
             their
             own
             ;
             and
             so
             can
             be
             no
             impeachment
             to
             the
             truth
             of
             our
             observation
             ,
             that
             Gods
             blessings
             are
             of
             a
             longer
             duration
             ,
             keep
             a
             more
             fixt
             steddy
             course
             then
             his
             punishments
             .
             The
             result
             of
             all
             is
             ,
             that
             the
             generality
             of
             mankind
             have
             good
             things
             (
             even
             as
             to
             temporals
             )
             which
             do
             in
             the
             three
             respects
             fore-mention'd
             exceed
             the
             ill
             .
             I
             mean
             the
             true
             and
             real
             ills
             which
             God
             sends
             ,
             tho
             not
             those
             fanciful
             ones
             they
             raise
             to
             themselves
             .
          
           
             20.
             
             AND
             now
             why
             should
             it
             not
             appear
             a
             reasonable
             proposition
             that
             men
             should
             entertain
             themselves
             with
             the
             plesanter
             parts
             of
             Gods
             dispensations
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             not
             alwaies
             pore
             upon
             the
             harsher
             :
             especially
             since
             the
             former
             are
             so
             much
             a
             fairer
             object
             ,
             and
             perpetually
             in
             their
             eie
             ,
             why
             should
             we
             look
             on
             
             the
             more
             sadening
             spectacles
             of
             human
             frailty
             or
             misfortune
             ,
             thro
             all
             the
             magnifying
             optics
             our
             fancies
             can
             supply
             ,
             and
             perversly
             turn
             away
             our
             eies
             from
             the
             cheerfuller
             ?
             Yet
             this
             God
             knows
             is
             too
             much
             the
             case
             with
             most
             of
             us
             .
             How
             nicely
             and
             critically
             do
             we
             observe
             every
             little
             adverse
             accident
             of
             our
             lives
             ?
             what
             tragical
             stories
             of
             them
             do
             our
             memories
             present
             us
             with
             ?
             When
             alas
             a
             whole
             current
             of
             prosperity
             glides
             by
             without
             our
             notice
             .
             Like
             little
             children
             our
             fingers
             are
             never
             off
             the
             sore
             place
             ,
             till
             we
             have
             pickt
             every
             light
             scratch
             into
             an
             Ulcer
             .
             Nay
             like
             the
             leuder
             sort
             of
             beggers
             ,
             we
             make
             artificial
             sores
             to
             give
             us
             a
             pretence
             of
             complaint
             .
             And
             can
             we
             then
             expect
             God
             should
             concern
             himself
             in
             the
             cure
             ?
             Indeed
             in
             the
             course
             of
             his
             ordinary
             providence
             there
             is
             no
             cure
             for
             such
             people
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             by
             revulsion
             ,
             the
             making
             them
             feel
             the
             smart
             of
             some
             very
             great
             and
             pressing
             affliction
             .
             They
             therefore
             put
             themselves
             under
             an
             unhappy
             dilemma
             ,
             either
             to
             continue
             their
             own
             tormentors
             ,
             or
             to
             endure
             the
             severest
             course
             of
             Gods
             discipline
             .
             T
             is
             true
             the
             last
             is
             the
             more
             
             eligible
             ,
             but
             I
             am
             sure
             the
             best
             way
             is
             to
             prevent
             both
             ,
             by
             a
             just
             and
             grateful
             sense
             of
             Gods
             mercies
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             yet
             farther
             illustrated
             if
             we
             compare
             them
             with
             our
             own
             demerits
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             V.
             
          
           
             Of
             our
             Demerit
             towards
             God.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             IT
             is
             the
             common
             fault
             of
             our
             nature
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             very
             apt
             to
             be
             partial
             to
             our selves
             ;
             and
             to
             square
             our
             expectations
             more
             by
             what
             we
             wish
             ,
             then
             by
             what
             we
             deserve
             .
             Somthing
             of
             this
             is
             visible
             in
             our
             dealings
             with
             men
             .
             We
             oft
             
               look
               to
               reap
               where
               we
               have
               not
               sowed
               ,
            
             Mat.
             25.
             25.
             expect
             benefits
             where
             we
             do
             none
             :
             yet
             in
             civil
             transactions
             there
             are
             still
             remaining
             such
             footsteps
             of
             natural
             justice
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             not
             universally
             to
             unreasonable
             :
             all
             traffic
             and
             commerce
             subsisting
             upon
             the
             principle
             of
             equal
             retribution
             ,
             giving
             one
             good
             thing
             for
             another
             equivalent
             ;
             so
             that
             no
             man
             expects
             to
             buy
             corn
             with
             chaff
             ,
             or
             Gold
             with
             dross
             .
             But
             in
             our
             dealings
             with
             God
             ,
             we
             put
             off
             even
             this
             common
             equity
             ;
             are
             vast
             in
             our
             expectations
             ,
             but
             penurious
             and
             base
             in
             our
             returns
             ;
             and
             as
             if
             God
             were
             our
             steward
             not
             our
             Lord
             ,
             we
             require
             of
             him
             with
             a
             confidence
             proper
             only
             to
             those
             who
             ask
             their
             
             own
             :
             whilst
             in
             the
             interim
             ,
             what
             we
             offer
             to
             him
             is
             with
             such
             a
             disdainful
             slightness
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             meant
             it
             rather
             an
             alms
             then
             an
             homage
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             GOD
             indeed
             is
             so
             munificent
             ,
             that
             he
             
               prevents
               us
               with
               his
               blessings
            
             ,
             Psal.
             21.
             3.
             gives
             us
             many
             things
             before
             we
             ask
             :
             had
             he
             not
             don
             so
             ,
             we
             could
             not
             have
             bin
             so
             much
             as
             in
             a
             capacity
             of
             asking
             .
             But
             tho
             the
             first
             &
             fundamental
             mercies
             are
             absolute
             and
             free
             ,
             yet
             the
             subsequent
             are
             conditional
             :
             and
             accordingly
             we
             find
             in
             scripture
             ,
             that
             God
             makes
             no
             promise
             either
             concerning
             this
             life
             or
             a
             better
             ,
             but
             on
             condition
             of
             Obedience
             .
             The
             jews
             who
             had
             much
             larger
             proposals
             of
             temporal
             happiness
             then
             Christians
             have
             ,
             yet
             never
             had
             them
             upon
             other
             terms
             .
             God
             expressly
             articled
             for
             the
             preformance
             of
             his
             commands
             ,
             and
             made
             all
             their
             enjoiments
             forfeitable
             upon
             the
             failure
             ,
             as
             we
             may
             see
             at
             large
             in
             the
             book
             of
             Deuteronomy
             .
             And
             under
             the
             Gospel
             St.
             Paul
             appropriates
             the
             
               promises
               as
               well
               of
               this
               life
               as
               of
               that
               to
               come
               unto
               godliness
               ,
            
             1
             Tim.
             4.
             8.
             
             It
             will
             therefore
             be
             a
             material
             inquiry
             for
             every
             man
             ,
             whether
             he
             have
             kept
             his
             title
             entire
             ,
             and
             have
             not
             by
             breach
             of
             the
             condition
             forfeited
             his
             clame
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             most
             common
             ordinary
             
             blessings
             ;
             for
             if
             he
             have
             ,
             common
             reason
             will
             tell
             him
             he
             can
             challenge
             none
             :
             and
             that
             the
             utmost
             he
             can
             hope
             for
             ,
             must
             be
             only
             upon
             a
             new
             score
             of
             unmerited
             favor
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             And
             here
             certainly
             
               every
               mouth
               must
               be
               stopped
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               world
               become
               guilty
               before
               God
               ,
            
             Rom.
             3.
             19.
             
             For
             alas
             who
             is
             there
             that
             can
             say
             his
             obedience
             has
             bin
             in
             any
             degree
             proportionable
             to
             his
             obligation
             ?
             T
             is
             manifest
             we
             have
             all
             received
             abundantly
             from
             Gods
             hand
             ,
             but
             what
             has
             he
             had
             from
             ours
             ?
             I
             may
             challenge
             the
             best
             man
             ,
             to
             cast
             up
             the
             account
             of
             his
             best
             day
             ,
             and
             tell
             me
             whether
             his
             receits
             have
             not
             infinitly
             exceeded
             his
             disbursments
             :
             whether
             for
             any
             one
             good
             thing
             he
             has
             don
             ,
             he
             has
             not
             received
             many
             .
             Nor
             is
             the
             disparity
             only
             in
             number
             ,
             but
             much
             more
             in
             value
             .
             Gods
             works
             are
             perfect
             ,
             all
             he
             do's
             for
             us
             like
             the
             first
             6
             daies
             productions
             ,
             
               are
               all
               very
               good
            
             ,
             Gen.
             1.
             but
             alass
             our
             very
             
               righteousness
               is
               as
               filthy
               rags
            
             ,
             Esai
             .
             64.
             6.
             we
             offer
             
               him
               the
               blind
               and
               the
               lame
               ,
            
             Mal.
             1.
             9.
             
             a
             few
             yewning
             drowsy
             praiers
             perhaps
             ,
             wherein
             he
             has
             the
             lest
             share
             :
             the
             fuller
             current
             of
             our
             thoughts
             running
             towards
             our
             secular
             or
             sinful
             concerns
             .
             We
             drop
             it
             may
             be
             a
             scanty
             Alms
             ,
             wherein
             
             t
             is
             odds
             our
             vain-glory
             scrambles
             for
             a
             share
             with
             him
             ,
             if
             it
             do
             not
             wholly
             ingross
             it
             .
             We
             sit
             an
             hour
             at
             a
             sermon
             ,
             but
             t
             is
             rather
             to
             hear
             the
             wit
             or
             eloquence
             of
             the
             preacher
             ,
             then
             the
             word
             of
             God.
             Like
             the
             duller
             sort
             of
             animals
             ,
             we
             like
             well
             to
             have
             our
             itching
             ears
             scratcht
             ,
             but
             grow
             sturdy
             and
             restive
             when
             we
             should
             do
             what
             we
             are
             there
             taught
             .
             In
             a
             word
             all
             our
             services
             at
             the
             best
             are
             miserably
             maim'd
             ,
             and
             imperfect
             ;
             and
             too
             often
             corrupt
             and
             unsound
             .
             So
             that
             God
             may
             well
             upbraid
             us
             as
             he
             did
             
               Israel
               ,
               Offer
               it
               now
               to
               thy
               governor
               ,
               will
               he
               be
               pleas'd
               with
               it
               ?
            
             Mal.
             1.
             8.
             
             These
             very
             iniquities
             of
             our
             holy
             things
             ,
             are
             enough
             to
             defeat
             all
             our
             pretences
             to
             any
             good
             from
             Gods
             hand
             ;
             yet
             God
             knows
             this
             is
             much
             the
             best
             side
             of
             us
             :
             t
             is
             not
             every
             one
             that
             can
             make
             so
             fair
             an
             appearance
             as
             this
             amounts
             to
             .
             With
             many
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             place
             to
             complain
             of
             the
             blemishes
             of
             their
             sacrifices
             ,
             for
             they
             offer
             none
             ;
             of
             whom
             we
             may
             say
             in
             the
             words
             of
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             
               God
               is
               not
               in
               all
               their
               thoughts
               ,
            
             Psal.
             10.
             4.
             
             I
             fear
             there
             want
             not
             those
             who
             drive
             away
             the
             day
             ,
             the
             week
             ,
             nay
             the
             year
             ,
             without
             remembring
             in
             whose
             
               hand
               their
               time
               is
            
             ,
             Psal.
             31.
             18.
             or
             paying
             him
             any
             solemn
             tribute
             
             of
             it
             ;
             who
             enjoy
             the
             services
             of
             all
             inferior
             creatures
             ,
             without
             considering
             that
             theirs
             are
             more
             due
             to
             the
             supreme
             Lord
             :
             in
             a
             word
             ,
             who
             live
             as
             if
             they
             were
             absolutly
             independent
             ;
             had
             their
             existence
             purely
             from
             themselves
             ,
             and
             had
             no
             Creator
             to
             whom
             they
             owed
             their
             being
             ,
             or
             any
             consequent
             duty
             .
             And
             sure
             men
             who
             thus
             discard
             themselves
             from
             Gods
             family
             ,
             have
             very
             little
             reason
             to
             expect
             the
             provisions
             of
             it
             :
             yet
             even
             such
             as
             these
             have
             the
             impudence
             to
             complain
             ,
             if
             any
             thing
             be
             wanting
             to
             their
             needs
             (
             shall
             I
             say
             )
             or
             to
             their
             lusts
             ;
             can
             ravingly
             profane
             Gods
             name
             in
             their
             impatiencies
             ,
             which
             they
             know
             not
             how
             to
             use
             in
             their
             praiers
             :
             as
             if
             the
             Deity
             were
             considerable
             in
             no
             other
             notion
             ,
             then
             that
             of
             their
             caterer
             or
             steward
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             IF
             now
             we
             seriously
             reflect
             ,
             what
             can
             be
             more
             admirable
             then
             that
             infinit
             patience
             of
             God
             ;
             who
             notwithstanding
             the
             miserable
             infirmities
             of
             the
             pious
             ,
             and
             the
             leud
             contemt
             of
             the
             impious
             ,
             still
             goes
             on
             resolutly
             in
             his
             bounty
             ,
             and
             continues
             to
             all
             mankind
             some
             ,
             and
             to
             some
             all
             his
             temporal
             blessings
             ?
             He
             has
             no
             obligation
             of
             justice
             to
             do
             so
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             no
             part
             of
             his
             compact
             ;
             he
             has
             none
             of
             gratitude
             ,
             
             for
             he
             is
             perpetually
             affronted
             and
             disobliged
             .
             Surely
             we
             may
             well
             say
             with
             
               David
               ,
               Is
               this
               after
               the
               manner
               of
               men
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ?
            
             1
             Chro.
             17.
             17.
             
             Can
             the
             highest
             human
             indulgence
             bear
             any
             proportion
             with
             this
             divine
             Clemency
             ?
             no
             certainly
             ,
             no
             finite
             patience
             but
             would
             be
             exhausted
             with
             the
             thousandth
             part
             of
             our
             provocations
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             BUT
             is
             not
             our
             dealing
             too
             as
             little
             after
             the
             manner
             of
             men
             ?
             I
             mean
             of
             reasonable
             creatures
             :
             for
             us
             who
             have
             forfeited
             our
             right
             to
             all
             ,
             and
             yet
             by
             mere
             favor
             are
             still
             kept
             in
             the
             possession
             of
             many
             great
             blessings
             :
             for
             us
             to
             grow
             mutinous
             ,
             because
             there
             is
             perhaps
             somthing
             more
             trifling
             which
             is
             deni'd
             us
             ,
             is
             such
             a
             stupid
             ingratitude
             ,
             as
             one
             would
             think
             impossible
             to
             human
             nature
             .
             Should
             a
             Tenant
             with
             us
             have
             at
             once
             forfeited
             his
             lease
             and
             maliciously
             affronted
             his
             Landlord
             ,
             he
             would
             sure
             think
             himself
             very
             gently
             dealt
             with
             ,
             if
             he
             were
             suffer'd
             to
             enjoy
             but
             a
             part
             of
             his
             first
             estate
             ;
             but
             we
             should
             think
             him
             not
             only
             insolent
             ,
             but
             mad
             ,
             who
             when
             the
             whole
             were
             left
             him
             ,
             should
             quarrel
             and
             clamor
             if
             he
             might
             not
             have
             his
             Cottage
             adorn'd
             with
             marble
             floors
             ,
             and
             gilded
             roofs
             .
             Yet
             at
             this
             wild
             
             rate
             we
             behave
             our selves
             to
             our
             great
             Landlord
             ,
             grow
             pettish
             and
             angry
             if
             we
             have
             not
             every
             thing
             we
             can
             fancy
             ,
             tho
             we
             enjoy
             many
             more
             useful
             ,
             merely
             by
             his
             indulgence
             .
             And
             can
             there
             be
             any
             thing
             imagin'd
             more
             unreasonable
             ?
             Let
             us
             therefore
             if
             not
             for
             piety
             ,
             yet
             at
             least
             to
             justify
             our
             clame
             to
             rationality
             ,
             be
             more
             ingenuous
             ;
             let
             us
             not
             consult
             only
             with
             our
             fond
             appetites
             ,
             and
             be
             thus
             perpetually
             solliciting
             their
             satisfaction
             ;
             but
             rather
             reflect
             on
             what
             tenure
             we
             hold
             what
             we
             already
             have
             ,
             even
             that
             of
             superabundant
             mercy
             ;
             and
             fear
             ,
             least
             like
             insolent
             beggers
             by
             the
             impudence
             of
             our
             demands
             we
             divert
             even
             that
             charity
             which
             was
             design'd
             us
             .
             In
             short
             let
             every
             man
             when
             he
             computes
             what
             he
             wants
             of
             his
             desires
             ,
             reckon
             as
             exactly
             how
             much
             he
             is
             short
             of
             his
             duty
             ;
             and
             when
             he
             has
             duly
             ponder'd
             both
             ,
             he
             will
             think
             it
             a
             very
             gentle
             composition
             to
             have
             the
             one
             unsupplied
             ,
             so
             he
             may
             have
             the
             other
             remitted
             ;
             and
             will
             see
             cause
             contentedly
             to
             sit
             down
             and
             say
             with
             honest
             
               Mephibosheth
               ,
               What
               right
               have
               I
               to
               cry
               any
               more
               unto
               the
               King
               ?
            
             2
             Sam.
             19.
             28.
             
             But
             if
             it
             be
             thus
             with
             us
             upon
             the
             mere
             score
             of
             our
             imperfectionsor
             omissions
             ,
             what
             an
             obnoxious
             state
             do
             our
             
             innumerable
             actual
             sins
             put
             us
             in
             ?
             If
             the
             spots
             of
             our
             sacrifices
             are
             provoking
             ,
             what
             are
             our
             sacrileges
             and
             bold
             profanations
             ?
             If
             those
             who
             neglect
             or
             forget
             God
             are
             listed
             among
             his
             enemies
             ,
             what
             are
             those
             who
             avowedly
             defy
             him
             ?
             Indeed
             he
             that
             soberly
             considers
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             sees
             how
             daringly
             the
             divine
             Majesty
             is
             daily
             affronted
             ,
             cannot
             but
             wonder
             that
             the
             perversions
             of
             our
             manners
             ,
             those
             prodigies
             in
             morality
             ,
             should
             not
             be
             answer'd
             with
             as
             great
             prodigies
             in
             calamity
             too
             ;
             that
             we
             should
             ever
             have
             other
             ruin
             then
             that
             of
             Sodom
             ,
             or
             the
             earth
             serve
             us
             for
             any
             other
             purpose
             then
             to
             be
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             to
             Korah
             ,
             Num.
             16.
             our
             living
             sepulcher
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             NOR
             is
             this
             longanimity
             of
             God
             observable
             only
             towards
             the
             mass
             and
             collective
             body
             of
             mankind
             ,
             but
             to
             every
             man
             in
             particular
             .
             Who
             is
             there
             that
             if
             he
             ransack
             his
             conscience
             ,
             shall
             not
             find
             guilts
             enow
             to
             justify
             God
             in
             the
             utmost
             severities
             towards
             him
             ?
             so
             that
             how
             much
             soever
             his
             punishments
             are
             short
             of
             that
             ,
             so
             much
             he
             evidently
             owes
             to
             the
             lenity
             and
             compassion
             of
             God.
             And
             who
             is
             there
             that
             suffers
             in
             this
             world
             the
             utmost
             that
             God
             can
             inflict
             ?
             We
             have
             a
             great
             many
             suffering
             capacities
             ,
             and
             if
             those
             
             were
             all
             fill'd
             up
             to
             the
             height
             ,
             our
             condition
             would
             scarce
             differ
             from
             that
             of
             the
             damned
             in
             any
             thing
             but
             duration
             .
             But
             God
             is
             more
             merciful
             ,
             and
             never
             inflicts
             at
             that
             rate
             on
             us
             here
             .
             Every
             mans
             experience
             can
             tell
             him
             ,
             that
             God
             discharges
             not
             his
             whole
             quiver
             at
             once
             upon
             him
             ,
             but
             exemts
             him
             in
             many
             more
             particulars
             then
             he
             afflicts
             him
             ;
             and
             yet
             the
             same
             experience
             will
             probably
             tell
             most
             of
             us
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             not
             so
             modest
             in
             our
             assaults
             upon
             God
             ;
             we
             attacque
             him
             in
             all
             his
             concerns
             (
             as
             far
             as
             our
             feeble
             malice
             can
             reach
             )
             in
             his
             Sovereignty
             ,
             in
             his
             honor
             ,
             in
             his
             relatives
             ,
             nay
             somtimes
             in
             his
             very
             essence
             and
             being
             .
             And
             as
             they
             are
             universal
             in
             respect
             of
             him
             ,
             so
             also
             in
             regard
             of
             our selves
             :
             we
             engage
             all
             our
             powers
             in
             this
             war
             ,
             do
             not
             only
             yield
             (
             as
             the
             Apostle
             speaks
             )
             
               our
               members
               instruments
               of
               unrighteousness
            
             ,
             Rom.
             6.
             18.
             but
             we
             press
             them
             upon
             the
             service
             of
             sensual
             and
             vile
             lusts
             ,
             even
             beyond
             our
             native
             propensions
             .
             Nor
             are
             only
             the
             members
             of
             our
             body
             ,
             but
             the
             faculties
             of
             our
             souls
             also
             thus
             emploied
             ;
             our
             understandings
             are
             busied
             first
             in
             contriving
             sins
             ,
             and
             then
             excuses
             and
             disguises
             for
             them
             ;
             our
             wills
             are
             yet
             more
             sturdy
             rebels
             ,
             and
             when
             the
             understanding
             
             is
             beat
             out
             of
             all
             its
             out-works
             ,
             yet
             sullenly
             keep
             their
             hold
             in
             spight
             of
             all
             conviction
             ;
             and
             our
             affections
             madly
             rush
             on
             
               like
               the
               horse
               into
               the
               battel
               ,
            
             Jer.
             8.
             6.
             deterred
             by
             nothing
             of
             danger
             ,
             so
             there
             be
             but
             sin
             enough
             in
             the
             attemt
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             AND
             now
             with
             what
             face
             can
             people
             that
             thus
             pursue
             an
             hostility
             ,
             expect
             that
             it
             should
             not
             be
             return'd
             to
             them
             ?
             do's
             any
             man
             denounce
             war
             ,
             and
             yet
             expect
             from
             his
             adversary
             all
             the
             caresses
             ,
             the
             obligements
             of
             friendship
             ?
             self-defence
             will
             promt
             even
             the
             meekest
             nature
             to
             despoile
             his
             enemy
             at
             least
             of
             those
             things
             which
             he
             uses
             to
             his
             annoiance
             ;
             aud
             if
             God
             should
             give
             way
             even
             to
             that
             lowest
             degree
             of
             anger
             ,
             where
             or
             what
             were
             we
             ?
             for
             since
             we
             imploy
             our
             whole
             selves
             against
             him
             ,
             nothing
             but
             destruction
             can
             avert
             our
             injuries
             .
             But
             t
             is
             happy
             for
             us
             we
             have
             to
             do
             with
             one
             who
             cannot
             fear
             us
             ,
             who
             knows
             the
             impotence
             of
             our
             wild
             attemts
             ,
             and
             so
             allai's
             his
             resentment
             of
             our
             insolence
             ,
             with
             his
             pity
             of
             our
             follies
             .
             Were
             it
             not
             for
             this
             ,
             we
             should
             not
             be
             left
             in
             a
             possiblity
             so
             oft
             to
             iterate
             our
             provocations
             ;
             every
             wicked
             imagination
             and
             black
             design
             ,
             would
             be
             at
             once
             defeated
             and
             punisht
             by
             infatuation
             
             and
             frenzy
             :
             every
             blasphemous
             Atheistical
             speech
             would
             wither
             the
             tongue
             ,
             like
             that
             
               arm
               of
               Ieroboam
            
             which
             he
             stretcht
             against
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             2
             King.
             13.
             4.
             and
             every
             impious
             act
             would
             like
             the
             prohibited
             retrospect
             of
             Lots
             Wife
             ,
             fix
             us
             perpetual
             monuments
             of
             divine
             vengeance
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             AND
             then
             how
             much
             do
             we
             owe
             to
             the
             mercy
             and
             commiseration
             of
             our
             God
             ,
             that
             
               he
               suffers
               not
               his
               whole
               displesure
               to
               arise
               ,
            
             Psa.
             78.
             39.
             that
             he
             abates
             any
             thing
             of
             that
             just
             severity
             he
             might
             use
             toward
             us
             ?
             He
             that
             is
             condemned
             to
             the
             Gallowes
             ,
             would
             think
             it
             a
             mercy
             to
             scape
             with
             any
             inferior
             penalty
             :
             why
             have
             we
             then
             such
             mean
             thoughts
             of
             Gods
             Clemency
             ,
             when
             he
             descends
             to
             such
             low
             compositions
             with
             us
             ?
             corrects
             us
             so
             lightly
             as
             if
             t
             were
             only
             matter
             of
             ceremony
             and
             punctilioe
             ,
             the
             regard
             of
             his
             honor
             ,
             rather
             then
             the
             execution
             of
             his
             wrath
             .
             For
             alas
             let
             him
             among
             us
             that
             is
             the
             most
             innocent
             ,
             and
             undeservedly
             afflicted
             ,
             muster
             up
             his
             sins
             and
             sufferings
             ,
             and
             he
             will
             see
             a
             vast
             inequality
             :
             and
             (
             had
             he
             not
             other
             grounds
             of
             assurance
             )
             would
             be
             almost
             temted
             to
             think
             those
             were
             not
             the
             provoking
             cause
             ,
             they
             are
             so
             unproportionably
             answered
             .
             He
             sins
             in
             innumerable
             instances
             ,
             and
             is
             
             punisht
             in
             few
             ;
             he
             sins
             habitually
             and
             perpetually
             ,
             and
             suffers
             rarely
             and
             seldom
             ;
             nay
             perhaps
             he
             has
             somtimes
             sin'd
             with
             greediness
             ,
             and
             yet
             God
             has
             punisht
             with
             regret
             and
             reluctancy
             ,
             
               How
               shall
               I
               give
               thee
               up
               O
               Ephraim
               ?
            
             Hos.
             11.
             8.
             
             And
             when
             all
             these
             disparities
             are
             consider'd
             ,
             we
             must
             certainly
             join
             heartily
             in
             Ezras
             confession
             ,
             
               Thou
               O
               God
               has
               punisht
               us
               less
               then
               our
               iniquities
               deserve
               ,
            
             Ezra
             .
             9.
             13.
             
          
           
             9.
             
             NAY
             besides
             all
             our
             antecedent
             ,
             we
             have
             after
             guilts
             no
             less
             provoking
             ,
             I
             mean
             our
             ungracious
             repinings
             at
             the
             light
             chastisements
             of
             our
             former
             sins
             ,
             our
             out-cries
             upon
             every
             little
             uneasiness
             ,
             which
             may
             justly
             cause
             God
             to
             turn
             our
             whips
             into
             scorpions
             ;
             and
             according
             as
             he
             threatned
             Israel
             Lev.
             26.
             18.
             
               to
               punish
               us
               yet
               seven
               times
               more
               .
            
             And
             yet
             even
             this
             do's
             not
             immediately
             exasperate
             him
             .
             The
             Jews
             were
             an
             instance
             how
             long
             he
             could
             bear
             with
             a
             murmuring
             generation
             ;
             but
             certainly
             we
             of
             this
             nation
             are
             a
             greater
             ,
             
               yet
               let
               us
               not
               be
               high-minded
               but
               fear
               ,
            
             Rom.
             11.
             20.
             for
             we
             see
             at
             last
             the
             doom
             fell
             heavy
             tho
             it
             was
             protracted
             ,
             a
             succession
             of
             miraculous
             judgments
             pursued
             those
             murmurers
             ,
             so
             that
             not
             one
             of
             them
             enter'd
             Canaan
             .
             And
             t
             is
             very
             
             observable
             that
             whereas
             to
             other
             sins
             Gods
             denunciations
             are
             in
             scripture
             conditional
             and
             reversible
             ;
             this
             was
             absolute
             and
             bound
             with
             an
             oath
             ,
             
               He
               sware
               in
               his
               wrath
               that
               they
               should
               not
               enter
               into
               his
               rest
               ,
            
             Psa.
             95.
             11.
             
             And
             yet
             if
             we
             compare
             the
             hardships
             of
             the
             Israelites
             in
             the
             wilderness
             ,
             with
             most
             of
             our
             sufferings
             ,
             we
             shall
             be
             forced
             to
             confess
             our
             mutinies
             have
             less
             temtation
             ,
             and
             consequently
             less
             excuse
             ;
             from
             whence
             t
             is
             very
             reasonable
             to
             infer
             ,
             as
             the
             greatness
             of
             our
             danger
             if
             we
             persist
             ,
             so
             the
             greatness
             of
             Gods
             long
             suffering
             towards
             us
             ,
             who
             yet
             allows
             us
             space
             to
             reform
             :
             and
             sure
             new
             complaints
             sound
             very
             ill
             from
             us
             ,
             who
             are
             liable
             to
             so
             severe
             an
             account
             for
             our
             old
             ones
             .
             I
             fear
             the
             most
             resign'd
             persons
             of
             us
             will
             upon
             recollection
             find
             ,
             they
             have
             upon
             one
             occasion
             or
             other
             out-vied
             the
             number
             of
             the
             Israelites
             murmurs
             ,
             therefore
             unless
             we
             will
             emulate
             them
             in
             their
             plagues
             ,
             let
             us
             fear
             to
             add
             one
             more
             ,
             lest
             that
             make
             up
             the
             fatal
             sum
             ,
             and
             render
             our
             destruction
             irrevocable
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             UPON
             all
             these
             considerations
             it
             appears
             how
             little
             reason
             any
             of
             us
             have
             to
             repine
             at
             our
             heaviest
             pressures
             ;
             but
             there
             is
             yet
             a
             farther
             circumstance
             to
             be
             adverted
             
             to
             ,
             and
             is
             too
             applicable
             to
             many
             of
             us
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             that
             our
             sins
             are
             not
             only
             the
             constant
             meritorious
             cause
             of
             our
             sufferings
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             also
             very
             often
             the
             instrumental
             cause
             also
             ;
             and
             produce
             them
             not
             only
             by
             way
             of
             retaliation
             from
             God
             ,
             but
             by
             a
             natural
             efficacy
             .
             Solomon
             tells
             us
             he
             that
             
               loves
               plesure
               ,
               shall
               be
               a
               poor
               man
               ,
            
             and
             that
             
               a
               whorish
               woman
               will
               bring
               a
               man
               to
               a
               piece
               of
               bread
            
             Prov.
             6.
             26.
             
               that
               he
               that
               sits
               long
               at
               the
               wine
               shall
               have
               redness
               of
               eies
               ,
            
             Chap.
             23.
             29.
             30.
             
               that
               the
               slothful
               soul
               shall
               suffer
               hunger
               ,
            
             19.
             15.
             and
             all
             these
             not
             by
             immediate
             supernatural
             infliction
             from
             God
             ,
             but
             as
             the
             proper
             genuine
             effects
             of
             those
             respective
             vices
             .
             Indeed
             God
             in
             his
             original
             establishment
             of
             things
             ,
             has
             made
             so
             close
             a
             connexion
             between
             sin
             and
             punishment
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             not
             often
             put
             to
             exert
             his
             power
             in
             any
             extraordinary
             way
             ,
             but
             may
             trust
             us
             to
             be
             our
             own
             Lictors
             ,
             our
             own
             
               backslidings
               reprove
               us
            
             Jer.
             2.
             19.
             
               and
               our
               iniquities
               are
            
             of
             themselves
             enough
             to
             
               become
               our
               ruine
            
             ,
             Exod.
             18.
             38.
             
          
           
             11.
             
             It
             may
             therefore
             be
             a
             seasonable
             question
             for
             every
             man
             to
             put
             to
             himself
             ,
             whether
             the
             troubles
             he
             labors
             under
             ;
             be
             not
             of
             this
             sort
             ;
             whether
             the
             poverty
             he
             
             complains
             of
             ,
             be
             not
             the
             effect
             of
             his
             riot
             and
             profusion
             ,
             his
             sloth
             and
             negligence
             ?
             whether
             when
             he
             cries
             out
             that
             
               his
               comeliness
               is
               turn'd
               into
               corruption
               ,
            
             Dan.
             10.
             8.
             he
             may
             not
             answer
             himself
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             his
             visits
             to
             the
             harlots
             houses
             which
             have
             thus
             made
             
               rottenness
               enter
               into
               his
               bones
            
             ,
             Hab.
             3.
             16.
             whether
             when
             he
             is
             beset
             with
             contentions
             ,
             and
             has
             wounds
             without
             cause
             ,
             
               he
               have
               not
               tarried
               long
               at
               the
               wine
            
             ;
             when
             he
             has
             lost
             his
             friend
             ,
             whether
             he
             have
             not
             by
             some
             
               trecherous
               wound
            
             Eccle.
             22.
             22.
             forced
             him
             to
             depart
             :
             or
             when
             he
             lies
             under
             infamy
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             not
             only
             the
             Echo
             of
             his
             own
             scandalous
             crimes
             .
             If
             he
             find
             it
             thus
             with
             him
             ,
             certainly
             his
             mouth
             is
             stopt
             ,
             and
             he
             cannot
             without
             the
             most
             disingenuous
             impudence
             complain
             of
             any
             but
             himself
             .
             He
             could
             not
             be
             ignorant
             that
             such
             effects
             did
             naturally
             attend
             such
             causes
             ,
             and
             therefore
             if
             he
             would
             take
             the
             one
             ,
             he
             must
             take
             the
             other
             also
             .
             No
             man
             sure
             can
             be
             so
             mad
             ,
             as
             to
             think
             God
             should
             work
             miracles
             (
             disunite
             those
             things
             which
             nature
             hath
             conjoin'd
             )
             only
             that
             he
             may
             sin
             at
             ease
             ,
             have
             all
             the
             bestial
             plesures
             he
             can
             project
             ,
             and
             none
             of
             the
             consequent
             smart
             .
             We
             read
             in
             deed
             God
             divided
             the
             sea
             ,
             but
             
             it
             was
             to
             make
             
               the
               way
               for
               the
               Ransomed
               of
               the
               Lord
               to
               pass
               over
            
             Isa.
             51.
             10.
             those
             who
             were
             his
             own
             people
             ,
             and
             went
             in
             at
             his
             command
             ;
             but
             when
             they
             were
             secured
             ,
             we
             find
             the
             waters
             immediatly
             return'd
             to
             their
             chanel
             ,
             and
             overwhelmed
             the
             Egyptians
             ,
             who
             ventured
             without
             the
             same
             warrant
             .
             And
             sure
             the
             case
             is
             alike
             here
             ,
             when
             any
             man
             can
             produce
             Gods
             mandate
             for
             him
             to
             run
             into
             all
             excess
             of
             riot
             ,
             to
             desecrate
             the
             temple
             of
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             ,
             
               and
               make
               his
               body
               the
               member
               of
               an
               harlot
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             6.
             15.
             
             In
             a
             word
             when
             God
             bids
             him
             do
             any
             of
             those
             things
             ,
             which
             God
             and
             good
             men
             abhor
             ,
             then
             and
             not
             before
             he
             may
             hope
             he
             may
             sever
             such
             acts
             from
             their
             native
             penal
             effects
             ;
             for
             till
             then
             (
             how
             profuse
             soever
             some
             Legendary
             stories
             represent
             him
             )
             he
             will
             certainly
             never
             so
             bestow
             his
             miracles
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             But
             I
             fear
             upon
             scrutiny
             there
             will
             appear
             a
             yet
             farther
             circumstance
             upon
             which
             to
             arraign
             our
             mutinies
             ,
             for
             tho
             it
             be
             unreasonable
             enough
             to
             charge
             God
             with
             the
             ill
             effects
             of
             our
             own
             leudness
             ,
             yet
             t
             is
             a
             higher
             step
             to
             murmur
             because
             we
             have
             not
             materials
             to
             be
             wicked
             enough
             .
             And
             this
             I
             fear
             is
             the
             case
             with
             too
             many
             of
             us
             ,
             who
             tho
             they
             are
             not
             
             so
             dispoil'd
             by
             their
             sins
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             can
             keep
             up
             their
             round
             of
             vicious
             plesures
             ,
             yet
             are
             discontented
             because
             they
             think
             some
             others
             have
             them
             more
             exquisite
             ,
             think
             their
             vices
             are
             not
             Gentile
             enough
             ,
             unless
             they
             be
             very
             expensive
             ,
             and
             are
             covetous
             only
             that
             they
             may
             be
             more
             Luxurious
             .
             These
             are
             such
             as
             St
             Iames
             speaks
             of
             ,
             
               who
               ask
               amiss
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               consume
               it
               upon
               their
               lusts
               .
            
             Jam.
             4.
             3.
             and
             sure
             to
             be
             mutinous
             on
             this
             account
             is
             one
             of
             the
             highest
             pieces
             of
             frenzy
             .
             Would
             any
             man
             in
             his
             wits
             tell
             another
             he
             will
             cut
             his
             throat
             ,
             and
             then
             expect
             he
             should
             furnish
             him
             with
             a
             knife
             for
             it
             ?
             And
             yet
             to
             this
             amount
             our
             murmurs
             against
             God
             ,
             for
             his
             not
             giving
             us
             those
             things
             wherewith
             we
             only
             design
             to
             wage
             war
             with
             him
             .
             For
             surely
             if
             the
             discontents
             of
             mankind
             were
             closely
             inspected
             ,
             I
             doubt
             a
             great
             many
             would
             be
             found
             of
             this
             kind
             .
             It
             concerns
             the
             Reader
             therefore
             to
             make
             the
             inquisition
             in
             his
             own
             breast
             ,
             both
             in
             this
             and
             all
             the
             former
             particulars
             ,
             and
             I
             doubt
             not
             ,
             if
             he
             do
             it
             with
             any
             ingenuity
             and
             uprightness
             ,
             he
             will
             be
             abundantly
             convinced
             that
             for
             his
             few
             mites
             of
             obedience
             he
             paies
             to
             God
             ,
             he
             receives
             talents
             of
             mercies
             (
             even
             temporal
             )
             
             from
             him
             :
             and
             that
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             that
             God
             as
             much
             underpaies
             his
             sins
             ,
             as
             he
             overpaies
             his
             services
             :
             by
             which
             God
             do's
             sufficiently
             attest
             how
             little
             he
             delights
             in
             our
             affliction
             ,
             how
             gladly
             he
             takes
             any
             light
             occasion
             of
             caressing
             and
             cherishing
             ,
             and
             over-skips
             those
             of
             punishing
             us
             .
             Which
             sure
             ought
             to
             make
             us
             convert
             all
             our
             displesures
             against
             our
             sins
             ,
             which
             extort
             those
             acts
             of
             severity
             from
             him
             ,
             to
             which
             his
             nature
             is
             most
             averse
             .
             And
             here
             indeed
             our
             resentments
             cannot
             be
             too
             sharp
             ,
             but
             towards
             God
             our
             fittest
             address
             will
             be
             in
             the
             penitential
             form
             of
             the
             prophet
             Daniel
             ,
             
               O
               Lord
               ,
               to
               us
               belongeth
               confusion
               of
               face
               ,
               but
               to
               the
               Lord
               our
               God
               belong
               mercies
               and
               forgiveness
               ,
               tho
               we
               have
               rebelled
               against
               him
               ,
            
             Dan.
             9.
             8.
             9.
             
             And
             as
             his
             justice
             is
             to
             be
             revered
             in
             his
             inflictions
             ,
             so
             is
             his
             wisdom
             also
             ,
             in
             so
             disposing
             of
             events
             to
             particular
             persons
             ,
             as
             may
             best
             consist
             with
             the
             universal
             Oeconomy
             and
             managery
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             the
             consideration
             whereof
             is
             the
             design
             of
             the
             next
             Section
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             VI.
             
          
           
             Of
             Gods
             general
             Providence
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             WHEN
             God
             made
             the
             universe
             ,
             he
             intended
             not
             only
             to
             glorify
             himself
             in
             one
             transient
             act
             of
             his
             power
             ,
             and
             then
             leave
             this
             great
             and
             wonderful
             production
             of
             his
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Ostrich
               her
               eggs
            
             in
             the
             wilderness
             ,
             Lam.
             4.
             3.
             but
             having
             drawn
             it
             out
             of
             its
             first
             Chaos
             ,
             he
             secur'd
             it
             from
             returning
             thither
             again
             ,
             by
             establishing
             as
             a
             due
             symmetry
             of
             parts
             ,
             so
             also
             a
             regular
             order
             of
             motion
             :
             hence
             it
             is
             that
             the
             heavens
             have
             their
             constant
             revolutions
             ,
             the
             earth
             its
             succession
             of
             determinate
             seasons
             ,
             animals
             their
             alternate
             course
             of
             generation
             and
             corruption
             :
             and
             by
             this
             wise
             Oeconomy
             ,
             the
             world
             after
             so
             many
             thousand
             years
             ,
             seems
             still
             in
             its
             spring
             and
             first
             beauty
             .
             But
             it
             had
             bin
             in
             vain
             to
             have
             thus
             secured
             the
             defection
             of
             the
             creatures
             ,
             if
             man
             for
             whose
             sake
             they
             were
             made
             had
             bin
             excluded
             from
             this
             care
             .
             His
             faculty
             of
             reason
             would
             
             have
             made
             him
             but
             the
             more
             fatal
             instrument
             of
             confusion
             ,
             and
             taught
             him
             the
             more
             compendious
             waies
             of
             disturbing
             the
             world
             .
             Iob
             compares
             him
             
               to
               the
               wild
               asses
               colt
            
             .
             Job
             11.
             12.
             which
             takes
             its
             range
             without
             adverting
             to
             any
             thing
             of
             the
             common
             good
             .
             God
             has
             therefore
             doubly
             hedged
             in
             this
             unruly
             creature
             ,
             made
             a
             fence
             of
             laws
             about
             him
             (
             both
             natural
             and
             positive
             )
             and
             besides
             has
             taken
             him
             into
             the
             common
             circle
             of
             his
             providence
             ,
             so
             that
             he
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             creation
             ,
             has
             his
             particular
             station
             assign'd
             him
             ;
             and
             that
             not
             only
             in
             reference
             to
             other
             creatures
             ,
             but
             himself
             ;
             has
             put
             a
             difference
             between
             one
             man
             and
             another
             ,
             ordained
             several
             ranks
             and
             Classes
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             endowed
             them
             with
             special
             and
             appropriate
             qualifications
             for
             those
             stations
             wherein
             he
             has
             set
             them
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             THIS
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             a
             work
             of
             infinit
             wisdom
             in
             God
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             of
             unspeakable
             advantage
             to
             men
             .
             Without
             this
             regular
             disposure
             ,
             the
             world
             would
             have
             bin
             in
             the
             same
             confusion
             which
             we
             read
             of
             in
             the
             host
             of
             the
             Midianites
             ,
             
               every
               mans
               sword
               against
               his
               fellow
               ,
            
             Jud.
             7.
             22.
             
             Nothing
             but
             force
             could
             determine
             who
             should
             do
             ,
             or
             enjoy
             any
             thing
             ;
             and
             even
             that
             decision
             
             also
             would
             have
             bin
             repelable
             by
             a
             greater
             force
             :
             so
             that
             we
             have
             all
             reason
             to
             confess
             the
             utility
             of
             that
             order
             God
             has
             set
             among
             men
             :
             and
             even
             he
             that
             bears
             the
             lowest
             and
             most
             despicable
             place
             in
             it
             ,
             is
             certainly
             infinitly
             more
             happy
             by
             contributing
             to
             that
             general
             Harmony
             ,
             then
             he
             could
             be
             in
             any
             state
             of
             discord
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             WERE
             this
             now
             well
             consider'd
             ,
             methinks
             it
             should
             silence
             all
             our
             complaints
             ,
             and
             men
             should
             not
             be
             so
             vehemently
             concern'd
             in
             what
             part
             of
             the
             structure
             it
             pleases
             the
             great
             Architect
             to
             put
             them
             :
             for
             every
             man
             is
             to
             look
             on
             himself
             only
             as
             a
             small
             parcel
             of
             those
             materials
             which
             God
             is
             to
             put
             into
             form
             .
             Every
             stone
             is
             not
             fit
             for
             the
             corner
             ,
             nor
             every
             little
             rafter
             for
             the
             main
             beam
             :
             the
             wisdom
             of
             the
             Master
             builder
             is
             alone
             to
             determin
             that
             .
             And
             sure
             there
             cannot
             be
             a
             more
             vile
             contemt
             of
             the
             divine
             wisdom
             then
             to
             dispute
             his
             choice
             .
             Had
             God
             wisdom
             enough
             to
             contrive
             this
             vast
             and
             beautiful
             fabric
             ,
             and
             may
             he
             not
             be
             trusted
             with
             one
             of
             us
             poor
             worms
             ?
             Did
             he
             by
             his
             
               wisdom
               make
               the
               heavens
               ,
               and
               by
               his
               understandimg
               stretch
               out
               the
               clouds
               ,
            
             Pro.
             3.
             19.
             and
             shall
             he
             not
             know
             where
             to
             place
             a
             little
             lump
             of
             figur'd
             earth
             ?
             this
             is
             certainly
             
             the
             most
             absurd
             distrust
             imaginable
             ,
             and
             yet
             this
             is
             really
             the
             true
             meaning
             of
             our
             repining
             at
             the
             condition
             he
             has
             placed
             us
             in
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             THE
             truth
             is
             ,
             we
             are
             so
             full
             of
             our selves
             ,
             that
             we
             can
             see
             nothing
             beyond
             it
             :
             every
             man
             expects
             God
             should
             place
             him
             where
             he
             has
             a
             mind
             to
             be
             ,
             tho
             by
             it
             he
             discompose
             the
             whole
             scheme
             of
             his
             providence
             .
             But
             tho
             we
             are
             so
             senselessly
             partial
             ,
             yet
             God
             is
             not
             so
             :
             he
             that
             comprehends
             at
             once
             the
             whole
             concern
             of
             mankind
             ,
             applies
             himself
             to
             the
             accomodating
             those
             ,
             not
             the
             humoring
             any
             particular
             person
             .
             
               He
               has
               made
               the
               great
               and
               the
               small
               and
               careth
               for
               all
               alike
               ,
            
             Wisd.
             6.
             7.
             
             He
             is
             the
             common
             Father
             of
             mankind
             ,
             and
             disposes
             things
             for
             the
             public
             advantage
             of
             this
             great
             family
             ,
             and
             t
             is
             not
             all
             the
             impatient
             cravings
             of
             a
             froward
             child
             that
             shall
             make
             him
             recede
             from
             his
             designed
             method
             .
             We
             are
             apt
             enough
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             to
             tax
             it
             not
             only
             as
             a
             weakness
             ,
             but
             injustice
             too
             in
             a
             Prince
             ,
             when
             he
             indulges
             any
             thing
             to
             a
             private
             favorite
             to
             the
             public
             disadvantage
             ;
             yet
             so
             unequal
             are
             we
             ,
             that
             we
             murmur
             at
             God
             for
             not
             doing
             that
             ,
             which
             we
             murmur
             at
             men
             for
             doing
             .
          
           
           
             5.
             
             BESIDES
             a
             man
             is
             to
             consider
             ,
             that
             other
             men
             have
             the
             same
             appetites
             with
             himself
             .
             If
             he
             dislike
             an
             inferior
             state
             ,
             why
             should
             he
             not
             think
             others
             do
             so
             too
             ?
             and
             then
             as
             the
             wise
             man
             speaks
             ,
             
               whose
               voice
               shall
               the
               Lord
               hear
               ?
            
             Ecclus.
             34.
             24.
             
             T
             is
             sure
             great
             insolence
             in
             me
             to
             expect
             that
             God
             should
             be
             more
             concern'd
             to
             humor
             me
             ,
             then
             those
             multitudes
             of
             others
             who
             have
             the
             same
             desires
             .
             And
             the
             more
             impatient
             my
             longings
             are
             ,
             the
             less
             in
             reason
             should
             be
             my
             hopes
             ;
             for
             mutiny
             is
             no
             such
             endearing
             quality
             as
             to
             render
             any
             man
             a
             dearling
             to
             God.
             But
             if
             all
             men
             should
             have
             equal
             satisfactions
             ,
             we
             should
             puzle
             even
             Omnipotence
             it self
             .
             Every
             man
             would
             be
             above
             and
             superior
             ,
             yet
             those
             are
             comparative
             terms
             ,
             and
             if
             no
             man
             were
             below
             ,
             no
             man
             could
             be
             above
             .
             So
             in
             wealth
             ,
             most
             men
             desire
             more
             ,
             but
             every
             man
             do's
             at
             least
             desire
             to
             keep
             what
             he
             has
             ;
             how
             then
             shall
             one
             part
             of
             the
             world
             be
             supplied
             without
             the
             diminution
             of
             the
             other
             ,
             unless
             there
             should
             be
             as
             miraculous
             a
             multiplication
             of
             tresure
             for
             mens
             avarice
             ,
             as
             there
             was
             of
             Loaves
             for
             their
             hunger
             ,
             Mat.
             16.
             9.
             
             It
             was
             a
             good
             answer
             which
             the
             Ambassadors
             of
             an
             opprest
             Province
             made
             to
             Antony
             ,
             If
             O
             
             Emperor
             ,
             thou
             wilt
             have
             double
             taxes
             from
             us
             ,
             thou
             must
             help
             us
             to
             double
             Springs
             and
             Harvests
             .
             And
             sure
             God
             must
             be
             at
             the
             expence
             of
             a
             new
             Creation
             ,
             make
             us
             a
             double
             world
             ,
             if
             he
             should
             oblige
             himself
             to
             satisfy
             all
             the
             unreasonable
             appetites
             of
             men
             :
             and
             if
             he
             satisfy
             not
             all
             ,
             why
             should
             any
             particular
             person
             look
             that
             his
             alone
             should
             be
             indulged
             to
             ?
          
           
             6.
             
             YET
             as
             unreasonable
             as
             it
             is
             ,
             the
             most
             of
             us
             do
             betray
             such
             a
             perswasion
             .
             No
             man
             is
             discontented
             that
             there
             are
             lower
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             higher
             degrees
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             there
             are
             poor
             as
             well
             as
             rich
             ,
             but
             all
             sensible
             men
             assent
             to
             the
             fitness
             of
             it
             :
             yet
             if
             themselves
             happen
             to
             be
             set
             in
             the
             lower
             form
             ,
             they
             exclame
             as
             if
             the
             whole
             order
             of
             the
             world
             were
             subverted
             ;
             which
             is
             a
             palpable
             indication
             that
             they
             think
             that
             Providence
             which
             governs
             others
             ,
             should
             serve
             them
             ,
             and
             distribute
             to
             them
             not
             what
             it
             ,
             but
             themselves
             think
             good
             .
             This
             immoderate
             self-love
             is
             the
             spring
             and
             root
             of
             most
             of
             our
             complaints
             ,
             makes
             us
             such
             unequal
             judges
             in
             our
             own
             concerns
             ,
             and
             promts
             us
             to
             put
             in
             Caveats
             and
             exceptions
             on
             our
             own
             behalf
             ,
             as
             David
             did
             on
             his
             sons
             ,
             
               See
               that
               thou
               hurt
               not
               the
               young
               man
               Absolom
               ?
            
             2
             Sam.
             18.
             15.
             
             as
             if
             God
             were
             to
             manage
             the
             government
             of
             the
             world
             with
             a
             particular
             regard
             to
             our
             liking
             ,
             and
             were
             like
             the
             Angels
             at
             Sodom
             ,
             Gen.
             19.
             22.
             to
             
               do
               nothing
               till
               we
               had
               got
               into
               Zoar
               ,
            
             had
             all
             our
             demands
             secured
             to
             us
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             IT
             would
             indeed
             astonish
             a
             considering
             man
             to
             see
             ,
             that
             altho
             the
             concerns
             of
             men
             are
             all
             disposed
             by
             an
             unerring
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             acknowledged
             by
             themselves
             to
             be
             so
             ,
             yet
             that
             scarce
             any
             man
             is
             pleased
             .
             The
             truth
             is
             ,
             we
             have
             generally
             in
             us
             the
             worser
             part
             of
             the
             Levelers
             principle
             ,
             and
             tho
             we
             can
             very
             contentedly
             behold
             multitudes
             below
             us
             ,
             yet
             are
             impatient
             to
             see
             any
             above
             us
             ;
             not
             only
             the
             foot
             (
             to
             use
             the
             Apostles
             simile
             )
             
               complains
               that
               it
               is
               not
               the
               hand
               ,
               but
               the
               eare
               because
               it
               is
               not
               the
               eie
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             12.
             15.
             16.
             
             Not
             only
             the
             lowermost
             ,
             but
             the
             higher
             ranks
             of
             men
             are
             uneasy
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             any
             one
             step
             above
             them
             .
             Nay
             so
             importunate
             is
             this
             aspiring
             humor
             ,
             that
             we
             see
             men
             are
             forced
             to
             feed
             it
             tho
             but
             with
             aire
             and
             shadows
             .
             He
             that
             cannot
             make
             any
             real
             advance
             in
             his
             quality
             ,
             will
             yet
             do
             it
             in
             effigie
             ,
             in
             all
             little
             gaieties
             and
             pageantries
             of
             it
             .
             Every
             degree
             in
             these
             respects
             not
             only
             emulates
             ,
             but
             imitates
             its
             
             superior
             ,
             till
             at
             last
             by
             that
             impatience
             of
             their
             proper
             distance
             they
             make
             it
             greater
             ,
             and
             sink
             even
             below
             their
             first
             state
             by
             their
             ridiculous
             profusion
             .
             Indeed
             the
             world
             seems
             to
             be
             so
             over-run
             with
             this
             vanity
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             little
             visible
             distinction
             of
             degrees
             ,
             and
             one
             had
             need
             go
             to
             the
             Heralds
             office
             to
             know
             mens
             qualities
             ,
             for
             neither
             their
             habit
             nor
             equipage
             do
             now
             adaies
             inform
             us
             with
             any
             certainty
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             BUT
             by
             all
             these
             it
             appears
             that
             men
             look
             on
             themselves
             only
             as
             single
             persons
             ,
             without
             reference
             to
             the
             community
             whereof
             they
             are
             members
             .
             For
             did
             they
             consider
             that
             ,
             they
             would
             endevor
             rather
             to
             become
             the
             places
             wherein
             they
             were
             set
             ,
             by
             doing
             the
             duties
             belonging
             to
             them
             ,
             then
             be
             perpetually
             projecting
             for
             a
             change
             .
             A
             tree
             that
             is
             every
             year
             transplanted
             will
             never
             bear
             fruit
             ,
             and
             a
             mind
             that
             is
             alwaies
             hurried
             from
             its
             proper
             station
             ,
             will
             scarce
             ever
             do
             good
             in
             any
             .
             This
             is
             excellently
             exprest
             to
             us
             by
             
               Solomon
               ,
               As
               a
               bird
               that
               wandereth
               from
               his
               nest
               ,
               so
               is
               a
               man
               that
               wandereth
               from
               his
               place
               .
            
             Pro.
             27.
             8.
             
             T
             is
             easy
             to
             divine
             the
             fate
             of
             those
             young
             ones
             from
             whom
             the
             damn
             wanders
             ,
             and
             t
             is
             as
             easy
             to
             guess
             how
             the
             duties
             of
             that
             place
             will
             be
             performed
             ,
             
             whose
             owner
             is
             alwaies
             upon
             the
             wing
             and
             making
             towards
             another
             .
             I
             wish
             we
             had
             not
             too
             costly
             experiments
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             of
             the
             truth
             of
             this
             observation
             .
             Alas
             we
             forget
             that
             we
             are
             all
             servants
             to
             the
             same
             Master
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             is
             to
             appoint
             in
             what
             office
             we
             shall
             serve
             him
             .
             How
             should
             we
             like
             it
             in
             any
             of
             our
             own
             families
             ,
             to
             have
             an
             inferior
             officer
             leave
             his
             work
             undon
             ,
             because
             he
             has
             more
             mind
             to
             be
             Major-Domo
             ?
             Yet
             this
             insolence
             we
             every
             day
             repete
             towards
             God
             ,
             sullenly
             dispute
             his
             orders
             ,
             and
             unless
             we
             may
             chuse
             our
             own
             imploiments
             ,
             will
             do
             nothing
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             T
             IS
             evident
             this
             perverse
             temper
             of
             mankind
             breeds
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             mischief
             and
             disturbance
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             but
             would
             breed
             arrant
             confusion
             and
             subversion
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             suffered
             to
             have
             its
             full
             range
             .
             If
             God
             permit
             but
             one
             ambitious
             spirit
             to
             break
             loose
             in
             an
             age
             as
             the
             instrument
             of
             his
             wrath
             ,
             what
             destruction
             do's
             it
             often
             times
             make
             ?
             How
             do's
             it
             
               cause
               the
               whole
               earth
               to
               tremble
               ,
               and
               shake
               Kingdoms
            
             as
             is
             said
             of
             Nebuchadnezzar
             ,
             Isa.
             14.
             16.
             and
             may
             be
             said
             of
             many
             others
             of
             those
             whole-sale
             robbers
             who
             have
             dignified
             the
             trade
             ?
             But
             if
             every
             aspiring
             
             humor
             should
             be
             as
             prosperous
             ,
             where
             would
             it
             find
             fuel
             to
             maintain
             the
             flame
             ?
             No
             doubt
             every
             age
             produces
             men
             of
             as
             unbounded
             desires
             as
             Alexander
             or
             Cesar
             ,
             but
             God
             gives
             them
             not
             the
             same
             opportunities
             to
             trouble
             the
             world
             .
             And
             accordingly
             in
             the
             more
             petty
             ambitions
             of
             private
             men
             he
             often
             orders
             it
             so
             ,
             that
             those
             soaring
             minds
             can
             find
             no
             benign
             gale
             to
             help
             their
             mounting
             .
             He
             that
             sets
             bounds
             to
             the
             sea
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               hitherto
               shalt
               thou
               come
               and
               no
               farther
               ,
               and
               tho
               the
               waves
               thereof
               toss
               themselves
               yet
               can
               they
               not
               prevaile
               ,
               tho
               they
               roar
               yet
               can
               they
               not
               pass
               over
               ,
            
             Jer.
             5.
             22.
             do's
             also
             depress
             the
             swelling
             pride
             of
             men
             ,
             hangs
             clogs
             and
             weights
             upon
             them
             that
             they
             cannot
             rise
             to
             their
             affected
             height
             .
             For
             tho
             we
             are
             all
             willing
             to
             forget
             it
             ,
             yet
             God
             remembers
             that
             he
             is
             the
             Rector
             of
             the
             Universe
             ,
             and
             will
             assert
             his
             Dominion
             .
             The
             subtilest
             contrivance
             cannot
             circumvent
             him
             ,
             the
             most
             dareing
             pretender
             cannot
             wrest
             any
             thing
             out
             of
             his
             hand
             ,
             the
             
               Lord
               will
               still
               be
               King
               ,
               be
               the
               people
               never
               so
               impatient
               ,
            
             Psa.
             99.
             1.
             
             T
             will
             therefore
             sure
             be
             as
             well
             our
             prudence
             as
             our
             duty
             to
             
               be
               still
               and
               know
               that
               he
               is
               God
               ,
            
             Psal.
             46.
             10.
             with
             an
             humble
             dereliction
             of
             our
             own
             wills
             acquiesce
             in
             
             his
             ,
             and
             not
             by
             ineffective
             struglings
             provoke
             ,
             whom
             we
             are
             sure
             never
             to
             subdue
             .
             We
             may
             like
             unmanaged
             horses
             fome
             and
             fret
             ,
             but
             still
             God
             has
             the
             bridle
             in
             our
             jawes
             ,
             and
             we
             cannot
             advance
             a
             step
             farther
             then
             he
             permits
             us
             .
             Why
             should
             we
             then
             create
             torment
             to
             our selves
             by
             our
             repinings
             ,
             which
             only
             sets
             us
             farther
             from
             our
             aims
             .
             T
             is
             Gods
             declared
             method
             to
             exalt
             the
             lowly
             ,
             and
             t
             is
             observable
             in
             the
             first
             two
             Kings
             of
             Israel
             who
             were
             of
             Gods
             immediate
             election
             ,
             that
             he
             surprized
             them
             with
             that
             dignity
             when
             they
             were
             about
             mean
             and
             humble
             imploiments
             ,
             the
             one
             searching
             his
             fathers
             Asses
             ,
             the
             other
             keeping
             his
             fathers
             sheep
             :
             and
             would
             men
             honestly
             and
             diligently
             exercise
             themselves
             in
             the
             business
             of
             their
             proper
             calling
             ,
             they
             might
             perhaps
             find
             it
             a
             more
             direct
             road
             to
             advancement
             ,
             then
             all
             the
             sinister
             arts
             by
             which
             ambitious
             men
             endeavor
             to
             climb
             .
             Solomon
             sets
             it
             down
             as
             an
             Aphorism
             ,
             
               seest
               thou
               a
               man
               diligent
               in
               his
               business
               he
               shall
               stand
               before
               Kings
               ,
               he
               shall
               not
               stand
               before
               mean
               men
            
             Pro.
             22.
             29.
             
             But
             whether
             it
             happen
             to
             have
             that
             effect
             or
             no
             ,
             it
             will
             have
             a
             better
             ,
             for
             it
             will
             sweeten
             his
             present
             condition
             ,
             divert
             his
             mind
             from
             mutinous
             reflections
             
             on
             other
             mens
             height
             ,
             and
             his
             own
             lowness
             ,
             for
             t
             is
             commonly
             men
             who
             mind
             not
             their
             work
             that
             are
             at
             so
             much
             leisure
             to
             gaze
             .
             He
             that
             carefully
             plies
             his
             own
             business
             will
             have
             his
             thoughts
             more
             concentred
             :
             and
             doubtless
             t
             is
             no
             small
             happiness
             to
             have
             them
             so
             ,
             for
             t
             is
             their
             gadding
             too
             much
             abroad
             ,
             looking
             on
             other
             mens
             conditions
             that
             sends
             them
             back
             (
             like
             Dianah
             deflowred
             )
             to
             put
             all
             in
             uproar
             at
             home
             .
             The
             son
             of
             Syrach
             speaks
             with
             transportation
             of
             the
             state
             even
             of
             him
             that
             labors
             and
             is
             content
             ,
             and
             calls
             
               it
               a
               sweet
               life
            
             ,
             Ecclus.
             40.
             18.
             
             And
             certainly
             t
             is
             infinitly
             more
             so
             then
             that
             of
             the
             greatest
             Prince
             whose
             mind
             swels
             beyond
             his
             territories
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             UPON
             all
             these
             considerations
             it
             cannot
             but
             appear
             very
             reasonable
             that
             we
             should
             leave
             God
             to
             govern
             the
             world
             ,
             not
             be
             puting
             in
             like
             the
             sons
             of
             Zebedee
             for
             the
             highest
             seats
             ;
             but
             contentedly
             rest
             our selves
             where
             he
             has
             placed
             us
             ,
             till
             his
             providence
             (
             not
             our
             own
             designs
             )
             advance
             us
             .
             We
             can
             no
             where
             be
             so
             obscure
             as
             to
             be
             hid
             from
             his
             eies
             ,
             who
             as
             he
             valued
             the
             widows
             mite
             above
             the
             great
             oblations
             of
             the
             rich
             ;
             so
             he
             will
             no
             less
             graciously
             accept
             the
             humble
             endevors
             
             of
             the
             mean
             ,
             then
             the
             more
             eminent
             services
             of
             the
             mighty
             ;
             himself
             having
             declared
             ,
             that
             he
             accepts
             
               according
               to
               what
               a
               man
               hath
               ,
               and
               not
               according
               to
               what
               he
               hath
               not
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             8.
             12.
             so
             that
             in
             what
             rank
             soever
             a
             man
             is
             set
             ,
             he
             has
             still
             the
             opportunity
             of
             approving
             himself
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             tho
             in
             the
             eie
             of
             the
             world
             he
             be
             a
             vessel
             of
             dishonor
             ,
             yet
             in
             the
             day
             when
             God
             comes
             to
             
               make
               up
            
             his
             Iewels
             Mal.
             3.
             17.
             there
             will
             be
             another
             estimate
             made
             of
             him
             who
             regularly
             moves
             in
             his
             own
             sphere
             .
             And
             sure
             he
             that
             sits
             down
             in
             this
             acquiescence
             is
             a
             happier
             man
             ,
             then
             he
             that
             enjoies
             the
             greatest
             worldly
             splendor
             :
             but
             infinitly
             more
             so
             then
             he
             who
             impatiently
             covets
             but
             cannot
             attain
             them
             ;
             for
             such
             a
             man
             puts
             himself
             upon
             a
             perpetual
             rack
             ,
             keeps
             his
             appetites
             up
             at
             the
             utmost
             stretch
             ,
             and
             yet
             has
             nothing
             wherewith
             to
             satisfy
             them
             .
             Let
             therefore
             our
             ease
             if
             not
             our
             duty
             promt
             us
             to
             acquiescence
             ,
             and
             a
             ready
             submission
             to
             Gods
             disposals
             ,
             to
             which
             we
             have
             yet
             a
             farther
             inducement
             from
             that
             distinct
             care
             he
             hath
             over
             every
             mans
             peculiar
             ,
             by
             which
             he
             proportions
             to
             him
             ,
             what
             is
             really
             best
             for
             him
             ;
             of
             which
             we
             are
             farther
             to
             consider
             in
             the
             next
             Section
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             VII
             .
          
           
             Of
             Gods
             particular
             Providence
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             IT
             is
             the
             imperfection
             of
             our
             finite
             nature
             that
             we
             cannot
             at
             once
             attend
             to
             divers
             things
             ,
             but
             the
             more
             vehement
             our
             intention
             is
             upon
             one
             ,
             the
             greater
             is
             our
             neglect
             of
             the
             rest
             .
             But
             Gods
             infinity
             cannot
             be
             so
             bounded
             ;
             his
             eies
             at
             once
             see
             ,
             and
             his
             providence
             at
             once
             orders
             all
             the
             most
             distant
             and
             disparate
             things
             in
             the
             world
             .
             He
             is
             not
             such
             an
             Epicurean
             Deity
             ,
             as
             to
             sequester
             himself
             wholy
             to
             the
             enjoiment
             of
             his
             own
             felicity
             ,
             and
             to
             despise
             the
             concerns
             of
             poor
             mortals
             ;
             but
             tho
             he
             have
             his
             
               dwelling
               so
               high
               ,
               yet
               he
               humbleth
               himself
               to
               behold
               the
               things
               in
               heaven
               and
               earth
               ,
            
             Psal.
             113.
             5.
             
             Nor
             do's
             his
             providence
             confine
             it self
             to
             the
             more
             splendid
             and
             greater
             parts
             of
             managery
             ,
             the
             conduct
             of
             Empires
             and
             states
             ,
             but
             it
             descends
             to
             the
             lowest
             parts
             of
             his
             creation
             ,
             to
             the
             foules
             of
             the
             air
             ,
             to
             the
             lilies
             of
             the
             field
             ,
             and
             
             then
             sure
             our
             Saviors
             inference
             as
             to
             mankind
             is
             irrefragable
             ,
             
               are
               ye
               not
               much
               better
               then
               they
               ?
            
             Mat.
             6.
             26.
             
             If
             a
             sparrow
             (
             as
             he
             elsewhere
             tells
             his
             disciples
             )
             cannot
             fall
             to
             the
             ground
             without
             Gods
             particular
             notice
             ,
             surely
             no
             human
             creature
             is
             less
             considerable
             to
             him
             ;
             nay
             if
             our
             very
             haires
             are
             numbred
             ,
             we
             cannot
             think
             the
             excrescence
             is
             of
             more
             value
             then
             the
             stock
             ,
             but
             must
             conclude
             that
             God
             with
             a
             particular
             advertence
             watches
             over
             the
             concerns
             of
             every
             man.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             NOW
             God
             being
             infinitly
             good
             ,
             cannot
             thus
             attend
             us
             upon
             any
             insidious
             design
             of
             doing
             us
             mischief
             ,
             he
             watches
             over
             us
             as
             a
             guardian
             not
             as
             a
             spy
             ;
             and
             directs
             his
             observation
             to
             the
             more
             seasonable
             adapting
             his
             benefits
             :
             and
             as
             he
             is
             thus
             gracious
             in
             designing
             our
             advantage
             ,
             so
             is
             he
             no
             less
             wise
             in
             contriving
             it
             .
             All
             things
             saies
             the
             
               wiseman
               are
               not
               profitable
               for
               all
               men
            
             Ecclus.
             37.
             28.
             
             Indeed
             nothing
             is
             absolutly
             good
             but
             God
             ,
             all
             created
             things
             are
             good
             or
             ill
             in
             reference
             to
             that
             to
             which
             they
             are
             applied
             .
             Meat
             is
             good
             ,
             but
             to
             a
             surfeited
             stomach
             t
             is
             not
             only
             nauseous
             but
             dangerous
             .
             Fire
             is
             good
             ,
             but
             if
             put
             in
             our
             bosoms
             ,
             not
             only
             burns
             our
             cloths
             but
             flesh
             .
          
           
           
             And
             as
             humane
             wisdom
             directs
             the
             right
             application
             of
             these
             and
             the
             like
             ,
             so
             the
             supreme
             and
             divine
             orders
             events
             according
             to
             the
             disposition
             of
             the
             person
             concern'd
             ;
             
               he
               knows
               our
               frame
            
             Psal.
             103.
             14.
             and
             discerns
             what
             operation
             such
             or
             such
             things
             will
             have
             upon
             us
             ,
             while
             we
             who
             know
             neither
             our selves
             nor
             them
             can
             make
             but
             random
             guesses
             ,
             and
             worse
             choices
             .
             And
             sure
             he
             that
             do's
             but
             thus
             in
             the
             general
             acknowledge
             Gods
             providence
             ,
             goodness
             and
             wisdom
             (
             which
             he
             is
             ,
             no
             Christian
             who
             do's
             not
             )
             has
             a
             sufficient
             amulet
             against
             all
             his
             solicitudes
             ,
             much
             more
             his
             repinings
             .
             He
             cannot
             think
             he
             suffers
             unawares
             to
             him
             who
             sees
             all
             things
             .
             He
             cannot
             think
             his
             sufferings
             are
             design'd
             for
             ill
             to
             him
             because
             they
             are
             dispos'd
             by
             him
             who
             intends
             and
             projects
             his
             good
             .
             Nor
             can
             he
             fear
             those
             intentions
             can
             miscarry
             ,
             which
             are
             guided
             by
             an
             infinit
             and
             unerring
             wisdom
             ,
             and
             backt
             by
             an
             uncontrolable
             power
             .
             And
             sure
             this
             is
             as
             the
             Apostle
             speaks
             Heb.
             6.
             18.
             
               strong
               consolation
            
             if
             we
             would
             but
             duely
             apply
             it
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             YET
             because
             general
             notions
             do
             often
             make
             but
             light
             impressions
             on
             us
             ,
             it
             may
             not
             be
             amiss
             to
             make
             a
             little
             more
             inspection
             ,
             and
             to
             observe
             how
             applicable
             
             they
             are
             to
             the
             several
             kinds
             of
             our
             discontents
             .
             Now
             those
             may
             be
             reduced
             to
             two
             ,
             for
             either
             we
             are
             troubled
             at
             the
             want
             of
             somthing
             we
             desire
             ,
             or
             at
             the
             suffering
             of
             somthing
             we
             would
             avert
             ;
             so
             that
             the
             two
             notions
             of
             privative
             and
             positive
             ,
             divide
             between
             them
             all
             our
             affliction
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             THE
             first
             of
             these
             is
             usually
             the
             most
             comprehensive
             ,
             for
             there
             are
             few
             who
             have
             not
             more
             torment
             from
             the
             apprehension
             of
             somwhat
             they
             want
             ,
             then
             from
             the
             smart
             of
             any
             thing
             they
             feel
             .
             And
             indeed
             whilst
             our
             desires
             are
             so
             vagrant
             and
             exorbitant
             ,
             they
             will
             be
             sure
             to
             furnish
             matter
             enough
             for
             our
             discontents
             .
             But
             certainly
             there
             is
             not
             in
             the
             world
             such
             a
             charm
             for
             them
             ,
             as
             the
             consideration
             that
             God
             is
             more
             wise
             to
             discern
             ,
             and
             more
             careful
             to
             provide
             what
             is
             really
             good
             for
             us
             then
             we
             our selves
             .
             We
             poor
             purblind
             creatures
             look
             only
             on
             the
             surface
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             if
             we
             see
             a
             beautiful
             appearance
             ,
             somwhat
             that
             invites
             our
             senses
             ,
             we
             court
             it
             with
             the
             utmost
             earnestness
             ;
             but
             God
             penetrates
             deeper
             ,
             he
             sees
             to
             the
             bottom
             both
             of
             us
             and
             those
             things
             we
             desire
             ,
             and
             finds
             often
             that
             tho
             they
             may
             please
             our
             appetite
             ,
             they
             will
             hurt
             our
             
             health
             :
             and
             will
             no
             more
             give
             them
             to
             us
             ,
             then
             a
             careful
             father
             will
             to
             his
             child
             those
             gilded
             poisons
             he
             cries
             for
             .
             Perhaps
             this
             man
             is
             taken
             with
             the
             enchanting
             music
             of
             fame
             ,
             likes
             not
             his
             own
             obscure
             station
             ,
             but
             would
             fain
             present
             himself
             upon
             a
             more
             public
             Theater
             ,
             come
             into
             the
             eie
             and
             croud
             of
             the
             world
             ;
             but
             how
             little
             do's
             he
             know
             how
             he
             shall
             act
             his
             part
             there
             :
             whither
             he
             shall
             come
             off
             with
             a
             plaudite
             or
             a
             hiss
             ?
             he
             may
             render
             himself
             but
             the
             more
             public
             spectacle
             of
             scorn
             ;
             or
             if
             he
             do
             not
             that
             ,
             he
             may
             by
             a
             better
             success
             feed
             up
             his
             vaine
             glory
             to
             such
             a
             bulk
             as
             may
             render
             him
             too
             great
             a
             weight
             for
             that
             tottering
             pinacle
             whereon
             he
             stands
             :
             and
             so
             after
             he
             has
             made
             a
             towring
             circle
             ,
             he
             may
             fall
             back
             with
             more
             ignominy
             to
             his
             first
             point
             .
             Another
             it
             may
             be
             no
             less
             eagerly
             desires
             wealth
             ,
             thinks
             (
             as
             once
             Cresus
             did
             )
             that
             he
             that
             abounds
             in
             tresure
             cannot
             be
             emty
             of
             felicity
             ;
             but
             alas
             how
             knows
             he
             how
             he
             shall
             imploy
             it
             ?
             There
             are
             two
             contrary
             temtations
             that
             attend
             riches
             ;
             riots
             ,
             and
             covetousness
             :
             and
             he
             is
             sure
             a
             little
             too
             confident
             ,
             that
             dares
             promise
             himself
             that
             when
             there
             is
             such
             odds
             against
             him
             ,
             he
             shall
             certainly
             chuse
             the
             one
             just
             mean
             ,
             
             and
             if
             he
             do
             not
             ,
             he
             do's
             only
             inflame
             his
             account
             at
             the
             great
             Audit
             :
             Besides
             the
             more
             wealth
             he
             has
             ,
             the
             fairer
             booty
             he
             is
             to
             the
             avarice
             of
             others
             ;
             and
             it
             has
             bin
             often
             seen
             ,
             that
             many
             a
             man
             had
             not
             died
             so
             poor
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             lived
             less
             rich
             .
             Another
             perhaps
             thinks
             not
             himself
             so
             much
             to
             want
             wealth
             as
             children
             to
             heir
             it
             ,
             and
             complains
             
               with
               Abraham
               ,
               Lord
               what
               wilt
               thou
               give
               me
               seeing
               I
               go
               childless
               ?
            
             Gen.
             15.
             2.
             yet
             how
             knows
             he
             whether
             that
             child
             he
             so
             much
             desires
             
               shall
               be
               a
               wise
               man
               or
               a
               fool
               ,
            
             Eccle.
             2.
             19.
             
             a
             comfort
             or
             a
             vexation
             to
             himself
             if
             he
             live
             to
             see
             his
             proof
             ?
             and
             if
             he
             do
             not
             ,
             he
             do's
             but
             project
             for
             an
             access
             to
             his
             dying
             cares
             in
             what
             hands
             to
             leave
             him
             .
             Rachel
             sollicited
             this
             satisfaction
             with
             the
             greatest
             impatience
             ,
             
               give
               me
               children
               or
               I
               die
               ,
            
             Gen.
             30.
             1.
             and
             t
             is
             observable
             that
             the
             grant
             of
             her
             wish
             proved
             the
             loss
             of
             her
             life
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             THUS
             in
             these
             and
             innumerable
             other
             instances
             we
             drive
             on
             blindfold
             ,
             and
             very
             often
             impetuously
             pursue
             that
             which
             would
             ruin
             us
             :
             and
             were
             God
             as
             short-sighted
             as
             we
             ,
             into
             what
             precipices
             should
             we
             minutely
             hurry
             our selves
             ?
             or
             were
             he
             so
             unkind
             as
             to
             consider
             our
             importunity
             more
             then
             our
             interest
             ,
             we
             should
             
             quickly
             sink
             under
             the
             weight
             of
             our
             own
             wishes
             ;
             and
             as
             Iuvenal
             in
             his
             tenth
             Satyr
             excellently
             observes
             ,
             perish
             by
             the
             sucess
             and
             grant
             of
             our
             Praiers
             .
             I
             suppose
             there
             is
             no
             man
             that
             soberly
             recollects
             the
             events
             of
             his
             life
             ,
             but
             can
             experimentally
             say
             ,
             he
             has
             somtimes
             desired
             things
             which
             would
             have
             bin
             to
             his
             mischief
             if
             he
             had
             had
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             himself
             has
             after
             lookt
             on
             the
             denial
             as
             a
             mercy
             :
             as
             on
             the
             other
             side
             when
             he
             has
             prosper'd
             in
             his
             aims
             ,
             and
             had
             what
             his
             soul
             lusted
             after
             ,
             it
             has
             bin
             but
             like
             the
             quailes
             to
             the
             Israelites
             ,
             a
             conviction
             and
             punishment
             ,
             rather
             then
             a
             satisfaction
             .
             And
             now
             surely
             God
             may
             complaine
             of
             us
             as
             he
             did
             of
             
               Israel
               ,
               How
               loug
               will
               it
               be
               ere
               you
               believe
               me
               ?
            
             Num.
             14.
             11.
             
             After
             all
             the
             attestations
             he
             has
             given
             of
             his
             care
             and
             Providence
             over
             us
             ,
             after
             all
             the
             experiments
             we
             have
             had
             of
             the
             folly
             of
             our
             own
             elections
             ,
             we
             cannot
             yet
             be
             brought
             either
             to
             distrust
             our selves
             ,
             or
             rely
             upon
             him
             .
             We
             will
             still
             be
             chusing
             and
             look
             on
             him
             as
             no
             farther
             concern'd
             ,
             then
             as
             the
             executioner
             of
             our
             designs
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             THIS
             is
             certainly
             a
             strange
             perverseness
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             no
             sensible
             man
             would
             be
             guilty
             of
             in
             any
             other
             instance
             .
             In
             all
             
             our
             secular
             affaires
             we
             trust
             those
             whom
             we
             have
             cause
             to
             think
             understand
             them
             better
             then
             our selves
             ,
             and
             rely
             upon
             men
             in
             their
             own
             faculty
             .
             We
             put
             our
             estates
             in
             the
             Lawiers
             hand
             ,
             our
             bodies
             into
             the
             Physicians
             ,
             and
             submit
             to
             their
             advice
             tho
             it
             be
             against
             our
             humor
             ,
             merely
             because
             we
             account
             them
             more
             competent
             judges
             .
             Yet
             this
             deference
             we
             cannot
             be
             perswaded
             to
             pay
             to
             God
             ,
             but
             will
             still
             be
             prescribing
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             are
             very
             angry
             if
             his
             dispensations
             do
             not
             exactly
             answer
             our
             fancies
             .
             And
             can
             we
             offer
             him
             a
             greater
             affront
             then
             thus
             to
             distrust
             him
             ?
             What
             is
             it
             but
             interpretatively
             to
             deny
             either
             his
             wisdom
             ,
             or
             his
             goodness
             ,
             or
             both
             ?
             and
             so
             derogate
             from
             him
             in
             two
             of
             his
             essential
             attributes
             .
             For
             there
             can
             be
             no
             rational
             account
             given
             by
             any
             who
             believe
             those
             ,
             why
             they
             should
             not
             remit
             their
             whole
             concerns
             to
             him
             .
             So
             that
             the
             short
             account
             is
             ,
             that
             in
             our
             distrusts
             we
             either
             deny
             him
             to
             be
             God
             ,
             or
             our selves
             to
             be
             men
             ,
             by
             resisting
             the
             most
             evident
             dictates
             of
             that
             reason
             which
             distinguishes
             us
             from
             brutes
             .
             For
             certainly
             there
             is
             not
             in
             human
             discourse
             a
             more
             irrefragable
             Maxim
             ,
             then
             that
             we
             ought
             for
             our
             own
             sakes
             ,
             to
             resign
             our selves
             
             to
             him
             ,
             who
             we
             are
             infallibly
             sure
             ,
             can
             ,
             and
             will
             ,
             chuse
             better
             for
             us
             ,
             then
             we
             for
             our selves
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             THIS
             was
             so
             apparent
             by
             mere
             natural
             light
             ,
             that
             Socrates
             advised
             men
             to
             pray
             only
             for
             blessings
             in
             general
             ,
             and
             leave
             the
             particular
             kinds
             of
             them
             to
             Gods
             election
             ,
             who
             best
             knows
             what
             is
             good
             for
             us
             .
             And
             sure
             this
             is
             such
             a
             piece
             of
             divinity
             ,
             as
             extremely
             reproches
             us
             Christians
             ,
             who
             cannot
             match
             a
             Heathen
             in
             his
             implicit
             faith
             in
             God.
             Nay
             indeed
             t
             is
             the
             vilest
             defamation
             upon
             God
             himself
             ,
             that
             we
             who
             pretend
             to
             know
             him
             more
             ,
             should
             trust
             him
             less
             .
             So
             that
             we
             see
             our
             repinings
             do
             not
             terminate
             in
             their
             own
             proper
             guilt
             ,
             but
             do
             in
             their
             consequences
             swell
             higher
             ,
             and
             our
             discontents
             propagate
             themselves
             into
             Blasphemy
             .
             For
             while
             we
             impatiently
             complain
             of
             our
             wants
             ,
             we
             do
             tacitly
             tax
             God
             to
             want
             either
             that
             wisdom
             ,
             power
             ,
             or
             love
             ,
             whereby
             he
             should
             supply
             us
             .
             And
             sure
             he
             must
             be
             very
             Atheistical
             to
             whom
             this
             will
             not
             give
             a
             competent
             prejudice
             against
             this
             sin
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             AND
             this
             very
             consideration
             will
             equally
             prejudge
             the
             other
             branch
             of
             our
             discontents
             ,
             I
             mean
             those
             which
             repine
             
             at
             the
             ills
             we
             suffer
             .
             And
             not
             only
             our
             privative
             ,
             but
             our
             positive
             afflictions
             may
             by
             it
             have
             their
             bitterness
             taken
             off
             :
             for
             the
             same
             goodness
             and
             wisdom
             which
             denies
             those
             things
             we
             like
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             hurtful
             for
             us
             ,
             do's
             upon
             the
             very
             same
             reason
             give
             us
             those
             distastful
             things
             which
             he
             sees
             profitable
             .
             A
             wise
             Physician
             do's
             not
             only
             diet
             ,
             but
             if
             occasion
             be
             purge
             his
             patient
             also
             .
             And
             surely
             there
             is
             not
             such
             a
             purifier
             ,
             such
             a
             cleanser
             of
             the
             soul
             as
             are
             afflictions
             ,
             if
             we
             do
             not
             (
             like
             disorderly
             patients
             )
             frustrate
             their
             efficacy
             by
             the
             irregular
             managery
             of
             our selves
             under
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             VIII
             .
          
           
             Of
             the
             Advantage
             of
             Afflictions
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             IT
             were
             the
             work
             of
             a
             volume
             to
             give
             an
             exact
             and
             minute
             account
             of
             the
             benefit
             of
             afflictions
             .
             I
             shall
             only
             point
             at
             some
             of
             the
             more
             general
             and
             obvious
             .
             And
             first
             it
             is
             one
             of
             the
             most
             awakening
             calls
             to
             repentance
             ;
             and
             to
             this
             end
             it
             is
             that
             God
             most
             usually
             designs
             it
             .
             We
             see
             the
             whole
             scene
             of
             it
             ,
             Hos.
             5.
             15.
             
             
               I
               will
               go
               and
               return
               to
               my
               place
               ,
               till
               they
               acknowledg
               their
               offence
               ,
               and
               seek
               my
               face
               :
               in
               their
               affliction
               they
               will
               seek
               me
               early
               :
            
             and
             in
             the
             very
             next
             verse
             we
             find
             this
             voice
             of
             God
             echoed
             forth
             by
             a
             penitential
             note
             ,
             
               Come
               and
               let
               us
               return
               unto
               the
               Lord
               ,
               for
               he
               hath
               torn
               ,
               and
               he
               will
               heal
               us
               ,
               he
               hath
               smitten
               ,
               and
               he
               will
               bind
               us
               up
               .
            
             Thus
             we
             find
             the
             Brethren
             of
             Ioseph
             ,
             tho
             there
             had
             a
             long
             interval
             passed
             betwixt
             their
             barbarous
             usage
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             his
             feigned
             rigor
             to
             them
             ,
             yet
             when
             they
             saw
             themselves
             distrest
             by
             the
             one
             ,
             then
             they
             begin
             to
             recollect
             the
             
             other
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               We
               are
               verily
               guilty
               concerning
               our
               brother
               ,
            
             Gen.
             42.
             21.
             
             Prosperity
             is
             an
             intoxicating
             thing
             ,
             and
             there
             are
             few
             brains
             strong
             enough
             to
             bear
             it
             ;
             it
             laies
             us
             a
             sleep
             ,
             and
             amuses
             us
             with
             pleasant
             dreams
             ,
             whil'st
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             Satan
             rifles
             our
             tresures
             ,
             and
             spoiles
             us
             ,
             by
             the
             deceitful
             charms
             of
             sin
             ,
             of
             our
             innocency
             and
             real
             happiness
             .
             And
             can
             there
             be
             a
             more
             friendly
             office
             don
             for
             a
             man
             in
             this
             condition
             ,
             then
             to
             rouze
             him
             ,
             and
             bring
             him
             to
             apprehend
             the
             designs
             that
             are
             laid
             against
             him
             ?
             And
             this
             is
             the
             errand
             on
             which
             afflictions
             are
             sent
             :
             so
             that
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             look
             on
             them
             as
             our
             friends
             and
             confederates
             that
             intend
             our
             rescue
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             the
             alarm
             they
             give
             us
             ,
             and
             diligently
             seek
             out
             those
             intestine
             enemies
             of
             which
             they
             warn
             us
             .
             And
             he
             that
             instead
             of
             this
             ,
             quarrels
             at
             their
             interposing
             ,
             thinks
             them
             his
             
               enemies
               because
               they
               tell
               him
               the
               truth
               ,
            
             Gal.
             4.
             16.
             do's
             miserably
             pervert
             
               the
               counsel
               of
               God
               against
               himself
               ,
            
             Luk.
             7.
             30.
             and
             may
             at
             last
             verify
             his
             own
             jealousies
             ;
             and
             by
             so
             provoking
             an
             ingratitude
             ,
             convert
             those
             into
             the
             wounds
             of
             an
             enemy
             ,
             which
             were
             originally
             meant
             as
             the
             corrections
             of
             a
             Father
             .
          
           
           
             2.
             
             AND
             as
             afflictions
             do
             thus
             in
             general
             admonish
             us
             of
             sins
             ,
             so
             it
             pleases
             God
             most
             frequently
             so
             to
             model
             and
             frame
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             bear
             the
             very
             image
             and
             impress
             of
             those
             particular
             guilts
             they
             are
             to
             chastise
             ,
             and
             are
             the
             dark
             shadows
             that
             attend
             our
             gay
             delights
             ,
             or
             flagrant
             insolencies
             .
             The
             wise
             man
             observes
             that
             the
             turning
             the
             Egyptian
             waters
             into
             blood
             ,
             was
             a
             manifest
             reproof
             of
             that
             cruel
             commandment
             for
             the
             murdering
             of
             the
             Hebrew
             infants
             ,
             Wisd.
             12.
             5.
             
             And
             surely
             we
             might
             in
             most
             if
             not
             all
             our
             sufferings
             ,
             see
             some
             such
             corresponding
             circumstances
             ;
             as
             may
             lead
             us
             to
             the
             immediate
             provoking
             cause
             of
             it
             .
             God
             who
             do's
             all
             things
             in
             number
             ,
             weight
             ,
             and
             mesure
             ,
             do's
             in
             punishments
             also
             observe
             a
             symmetry
             and
             proportion
             ,
             and
             adapts
             them
             not
             only
             to
             the
             heinousness
             ,
             but
             even
             the
             very
             specific
             kind
             of
             our
             crimes
             .
             The
             only
             fixt
             immutable
             rule
             he
             has
             given
             for
             his
             Vice-gerents
             on
             earth
             to
             punish
             by
             ,
             is
             that
             in
             the
             case
             of
             murder
             ,
             which
             is
             we
             see
             grounded
             on
             this
             rule
             of
             proportion
             ,
             
               He
               that
               sheddeth
               mans
               blood
               ,
               by
               man
               shall
               his
               blood
               be
               shed
               ,
            
             Gen.
             9.
             6.
             
             And
             tho
             he
             have
             now
             rescinded
             the
             inferior
             retaliations
             of
             the
             
               eie
               for
               the
               eie
               ,
               the
               tooth
               
               for
               the
               tooth
               ,
            
             Exod.
             21.
             24.
             
             (
             probably
             for
             the
             hardness
             of
             our
             hearts
             ,
             because
             he
             saw
             our
             revengeful
             natures
             would
             be
             too
             much
             pleased
             with
             it
             )
             yet
             he
             has
             not
             precluded
             himself
             from
             acting
             by
             those
             mesures
             ,
             but
             we
             see
             it
             do's
             very
             often
             signally
             make
             men
             feel
             the
             smart
             of
             those
             violencies
             or
             injustices
             they
             have
             used
             to
             others
             .
             Of
             this
             the
             Sacred
             story
             affords
             several
             examples
             (
             as
             Adonibezek
             ,
             Jud.
             1.
             6.
             and
             Ahab
             ,
             1
             King.
             21.
             19.
             
             )
             and
             profane
             many
             more
             ,
             and
             daily
             experience
             and
             observation
             most
             of
             all
             .
             And
             tho
             this
             method
             of
             retaliation
             is
             not
             alwaies
             so
             evident
             and
             apparent
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             because
             mens
             sins
             are
             not
             alwaies
             so
             ,
             yet
             I
             believe
             if
             men
             would
             duly
             recollect
             ,
             it
             would
             be
             for
             the
             most
             part
             discernable
             to
             their
             own
             consciences
             ,
             and
             they
             would
             apparently
             see
             ,
             that
             their
             calamities
             did
             but
             trace
             the
             footsteps
             of
             their
             sins
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             NOW
             if
             we
             rightly
             weigh
             this
             ,
             we
             cannot
             but
             think
             it
             a
             very
             advantageous
             circumstance
             .
             We
             are
             naturally
             blind
             when
             we
             look
             inward
             ,
             and
             if
             we
             have
             not
             some
             adventitious
             light
             to
             clear
             the
             object
             ,
             will
             be
             very
             apt
             to
             overlook
             it
             .
             Therefore
             since
             the
             end
             of
             all
             our
             afflictions
             is
             our
             repentance
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             wise
             and
             gracious
             disposal
             ,
             
             that
             they
             do
             thus
             point
             to
             us
             those
             particular
             sins
             of
             which
             we
             are
             to
             repent
             .
             The
             body
             of
             sin
             will
             not
             be
             destroied
             in
             the
             whole
             entire
             bulk
             ,
             but
             must
             be
             dismembred
             ,
             pull'd
             to
             pieces
             limb
             by
             limb
             .
             He
             that
             attaques
             it
             otherwise
             ,
             will
             be
             like
             Sertorius's
             soldier
             ,
             who
             ineffectively
             tugg'd
             at
             the
             horses
             tail
             to
             get
             it
             off
             at
             once
             ,
             when
             he
             that
             pull'd
             it
             hair
             by
             hair
             ,
             quickly
             did
             it
             .
             Therefore
             as
             it
             is
             a
             great
             part
             of
             our
             spiritual
             Wisdom
             to
             know
             in
             what
             especial
             parts
             the
             Sampson-like
             strength
             of
             our
             corruptions
             lie
             ,
             so
             is
             it
             a
             great
             instance
             of
             Gods
             care
             of
             us
             ,
             thus
             by
             his
             corrections
             to
             discipline
             and
             instruct
             us
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             In
             all
             our
             afflictions
             therefore
             it
             is
             our
             concern
             ,
             nicely
             and
             critically
             to
             observe
             them
             .
             I
             mean
             not
             to
             enhance
             our
             murmurs
             and
             complaints
             ,
             but
             to
             learn
             by
             them
             what
             is
             Gods
             peculiar
             controversy
             against
             us
             .
             This
             is
             indeed
             
               to
               hear
               the
               rod
               ,
               and
               who
               hath
               appointed
               it
               ,
            
             Mic.
             6.
             9.
             
             Let
             him
             therefore
             that
             suffers
             in
             any
             of
             his
             concerns
             ,
             examin
             whether
             he
             have
             not
             some
             corresponding
             guilt
             which
             answers
             to
             it
             ,
             
               as
               face
               answers
               face
            
             ,
             Prov.
             27.
             19.
             
             He
             that
             is
             impoverished
             in
             his
             estate
             ,
             let
             him
             consider
             first
             how
             he
             acquired
             it
             ,
             whether
             there
             were
             not
             somthing
             of
             fraud
             
             or
             injustice
             ,
             which
             like
             a
             cancrous
             humor
             ,
             mixt
             in
             its
             very
             elements
             and
             constitution
             ,
             and
             eat
             out
             its
             bowels
             :
             or
             whether
             some
             sacrilegious
             prize
             ,
             some
             coal
             from
             the
             altar
             have
             not
             fired
             his
             nest
             .
             Or
             if
             nothing
             can
             be
             charged
             upon
             the
             acquest
             ,
             let
             him
             consider
             how
             he
             has
             used
             it
             ;
             whether
             he
             have
             not
             made
             it
             the
             fuel
             of
             his
             lusts
             ,
             in
             riot
             and
             excesses
             ,
             or
             the
             object
             of
             his
             adoration
             in
             an
             inordinate
             value
             of
             it
             .
             In
             like
             manner
             he
             who
             is
             afflicted
             in
             his
             body
             ,
             groans
             under
             the
             torment
             of
             some
             grievous
             disease
             ,
             may
             very
             seasonably
             interrogate
             himself
             ,
             whether
             it
             have
             not
             bin
             contracted
             by
             his
             vice
             ,
             whether
             
               his
               bones
               be
               not
            
             (
             in
             a
             more
             literal
             sense
             then
             Iob
             meant
             it
             )
             
               full
               of
               the
               sins
               of
               his
               youth
               ,
            
             Job
             .
             20.
             11.
             and
             his
             furfeting
             and
             drunkeness
             be
             not
             the
             cause
             ,
             
               that
               his
               soul
            
             ,
             as
             the
             Psalmist
             speaks
             ,
             
               abhors
               all
               manner
               of
               meat
               ,
               and
               is
               even
               hard
               at
               deaths
               door
               ,
            
             Psal.
             107.
             18.
             or
             at
             least
             whether
             the
             not
             imploying
             his
             health
             and
             strength
             to
             those
             purposes
             for
             which
             t
             was
             given
             ,
             is
             not
             the
             reason
             of
             its
             being
             withdrawn
             .
             He
             also
             that
             is
             invaded
             in
             his
             reputation
             ,
             that
             lies
             under
             some
             great
             infamy
             ,
             is
             to
             consider
             whether
             it
             be
             not
             deserved
             ;
             whether
             some
             part
             if
             not
             the
             whole
             guilt
             of
             which
             he
             
             is
             accused
             ,
             stick
             not
             to
             him
             :
             or
             if
             he
             be
             clear
             in
             that
             particular
             instance
             ,
             whether
             some
             conceled
             sin
             of
             his
             would
             not
             if
             it
             were
             known
             ,
             incur
             as
             great
             scandal
             :
             for
             in
             that
             case
             he
             has
             in
             right
             forfeited
             his
             reputation
             ,
             and
             God
             may
             make
             the
             feizure
             as
             well
             by
             an
             unjust
             ,
             as
             a
             just
             accusation
             .
             Or
             if
             his
             heart
             accuse
             him
             not
             here
             ,
             yet
             let
             him
             farther
             reflect
             ,
             whether
             his
             vain-glorious
             pursuits
             of
             praise
             and
             high
             conceits
             of
             himself
             ,
             have
             not
             made
             this
             an
             apt
             and
             necessary
             humiliation
             for
             him
             .
             Or
             lastly
             let
             him
             recollect
             how
             he
             has
             behaved
             himself
             towards
             others
             in
             this
             kind
             :
             whether
             he
             have
             had
             a
             just
             tenderness
             of
             his
             neighbors
             fame
             ,
             or
             have
             not
             rather
             exposed
             and
             prostituted
             it
             .
             In
             these
             and
             many
             other
             instances
             such
             a
             particular
             scrutiny
             ,
             would
             (
             in
             all
             probability
             )
             discover
             the
             affinity
             and
             cognation
             between
             our
             guilts
             and
             our
             punishments
             ,
             and
             by
             marking
             out
             the
             spring
             and
             fountain
             head
             ,
             direct
             us
             how
             to
             stop
             or
             divert
             the
             current
             .
             And
             he
             that
             would
             diligently
             imploy
             himself
             in
             this
             inquisition
             ,
             would
             find
             little
             leisure
             and
             less
             cause
             to
             condole
             his
             afflictions
             ,
             but
             would
             divert
             all
             his
             complaints
             upon
             himself
             ,
             
               accept
               of
               the
               punishment
               of
               his
               iniquity
               ,
               
               and
               thank
               the
               Lord
               for
               thus
               giving
               him
               warning
               ,
            
             Psal.
             16.
             8.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             A
             second
             benefit
             which
             God
             designs
             us
             in
             our
             afflictions
             is
             the
             weaning
             us
             from
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             disentangle
             us
             from
             its
             fetters
             and
             charms
             ,
             and
             draw
             us
             to
             himself
             .
             We
             read
             in
             the
             story
             of
             the
             Deluge
             ,
             that
             so
             long
             as
             the
             earth
             was
             covered
             with
             waters
             ,
             the
             very
             Raven
             was
             contented
             to
             take
             shelter
             in
             the
             Ark
             ,
             but
             when
             all
             was
             fair
             and
             dry
             ,
             even
             the
             Dove
             finally
             forsook
             it
             ,
             Gen.
             8.
             12.
             
             And
             t
             is
             much
             so
             with
             us
             ,
             the
             worst
             of
             men
             will
             commonly
             in
             distresses
             have
             recourse
             to
             God
             (
             the
             very
             heathen
             mariners
             in
             a
             storm
             could
             rebuke
             Ionah
             for
             not
             calling
             upon
             his
             God
             ,
             Jon.
             1.
             6.
             
             )
             when
             yet
             the
             very
             best
             of
             us
             ,
             are
             apt
             to
             forget
             him
             amidst
             the
             blandishments
             and
             insinuations
             of
             prosperity
             .
             The
             kind
             aspects
             of
             the
             world
             are
             very
             enchanting
             ,
             apt
             to
             inveigle
             and
             besot
             us
             ,
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             Gods
             care
             over
             us
             ,
             to
             let
             us
             sometimes
             see
             her
             more
             averting
             countenance
             in
             her
             frowns
             and
             storms
             ;
             that
             ,
             as
             children
             frighted
             by
             some
             ugly
             appearance
             ,
             we
             may
             run
             into
             the
             arms
             of
             our
             father
             .
             Alas
             were
             all
             things
             exactly
             fitted
             to
             our
             humors
             here
             ,
             when
             should
             we
             think
             of
             a
             
             remove
             ?
             and
             had
             not
             death
             some
             harbingers
             to
             prepare
             us
             or
             him
             ,
             what
             a
             surprising
             guest
             would
             he
             be
             to
             us
             ?
             T
             is
             storied
             of
             Antigonus
             ,
             that
             seing
             a
             soldier
             in
             his
             camp
             of
             so
             dareing
             a
             courage
             that
             he
             alwaies
             courted
             the
             most
             hazardous
             attemts
             ,
             and
             observing
             him
             also
             of
             a
             very
             infirm
             sickly
             habit
             ,
             he
             took
             a
             particular
             care
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             by
             medicines
             and
             good
             attendance
             recovered
             him
             ;
             which
             no
             sooner
             he
             had
             don
             ,
             but
             the
             man
             grew
             more
             cautious
             ,
             and
             would
             no
             longer
             expose
             himself
             as
             formerly
             ;
             and
             gave
             this
             reason
             for
             it
             ,
             that
             now
             he
             was
             healthy
             his
             life
             was
             of
             some
             value
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             be
             hazarded
             at
             the
             same
             rate
             ,
             as
             when
             it
             was
             only
             a
             burden
             ;
             and
             should
             God
             cure
             all
             our
             complaints
             ,
             render
             us
             perfectly
             at
             ease
             ,
             I
             fear
             too
             many
             of
             us
             would
             be
             of
             the
             soldiers
             mind
             ,
             think
             our
             lives
             too
             good
             to
             resign
             to
             him
             ,
             much
             more
             to
             hazard
             for
             him
             ,
             as
             our
             Christianity
             in
             many
             cases
             obliges
             us
             .
             The
             son
             of
             Syrach
             observes
             how
             
               dreadful
               death
               is
               to
               a
               man
               that
               is
               at
               rest
               in
               his
               possessions
               ,
               that
               hath
               abundance
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               and
               hath
               nothing
               to
               vex
               him
               ,
            
             nay
             he
             descends
             much
             lower
             ;
             and
             puts
             in
             him
             
               who
               is
               yet
               able
               to
               receive
               meat
               ,
            
             Ecclus.
             14.
             1.
             
             The
             truth
             is
             we
             do
             so
             passionately
             
             dote
             upon
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             like
             besotted
             lovers
             ,
             we
             can
             bear
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             ill
             usage
             ,
             before
             we
             quit
             our
             pursuit
             .
             Any
             little
             slight
             favor
             atones
             us
             after
             multiplied
             affronts
             ,
             and
             we
             must
             be
             disciplined
             by
             repeted
             disappointments
             ,
             ere
             we
             can
             withdraw
             our
             confidence
             .
             But
             how
             fatally
             secure
             should
             we
             be
             ,
             if
             God
             should
             permit
             this
             Siren
             alwaies
             to
             entertain
             us
             with
             her
             music
             ,
             and
             should
             not
             by
             some
             discordant
             grating
             notes
             ,
             interrupt
             our
             raptures
             ,
             and
             recal
             us
             to
             sober
             thoughts
             ?
          
           
             6.
             
             INDEED
             t
             is
             one
             of
             the
             highest
             instances
             of
             Gods
             love
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             clemency
             also
             ,
             thus
             to
             project
             our
             reducement
             .
             We
             were
             all
             in
             our
             Baptism
             affianced
             to
             him
             ,
             with
             a
             particular
             abrenunciation
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             so
             that
             we
             cannot
             without
             the
             greatest
             disloialty
             cast
             our selves
             into
             its
             embraces
             ;
             and
             yet
             when
             we
             have
             thus
             
               broken
               the
               covenant
               of
               our
               God
               ,
            
             Prov.
             2.
             17.
             he
             do's
             not
             pursue
             us
             with
             a
             jealous
             rage
             ,
             with
             the
             severity
             which
             an
             abused
             rival'd
             kindness
             would
             suggest
             ,
             doth
             not
             give
             us
             a
             bill
             of
             divorce
             and
             disclame
             his
             relation
             ;
             but
             contrives
             how
             he
             may
             reclame
             and
             bring
             us
             back
             to
             himself
             .
             The
             transcendency
             of
             this
             lenity
             God
             excellently
             describes
             by
             the
             prophet
             in
             the
             case
             of
             Israel
             
             
               They
               say
               if
               a
               man
               put
               away
               his
               wife
               ,
               and
               she
               become
               another
               mans
               shall
               he
               return
               unto
               her
               again
               ?
               but
               thou
               hast
               plaied
               the
               harlot
               with
               many
               lovers
               ,
               yet
               return
               unto
               me
               saith
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             Jer.
             3.
             1.
             
             And
             this
             tho
             a
             great
             height
             of
             indulgence
             ,
             is
             no
             more
             then
             he
             daily
             repetes
             to
             us
             .
             After
             we
             have
             basely
             adulterated
             with
             the
             world
             ,
             converted
             our
             affections
             from
             God
             to
             it
             ,
             he
             do's
             not
             give
             us
             over
             ,
             abandon
             us
             to
             our
             leud
             course
             ,
             and
             consequent
             ruin
             ;
             but
             still
             invites
             our
             return
             ,
             and
             lest
             that
             may
             not
             serve
             ,
             he
             do's
             with
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             holy
             artifice
             essay
             to
             break
             that
             accured
             League
             into
             which
             we
             are
             enter'd
             ,
             pulls
             off
             the
             disguise
             in
             which
             the
             world
             courted
             us
             ,
             and
             makes
             us
             see
             it
             as
             it
             is
             it self
             ,
             a
             scene
             of
             
               vanity
               and
               vexation
               of
               spirit
            
             ,
             Eccles.
             1.
             14.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             AND
             as
             he
             do's
             this
             in
             general
             ,
             so
             also
             with
             a
             particular
             application
             to
             those
             temporal
             satisfactions
             wherewith
             we
             were
             most
             transported
             ;
             the
             things
             to
             which
             we
             are
             more
             indifferent
             do
             not
             so
             much
             endanger
             us
             ,
             t
             is
             those
             upon
             which
             we
             have
             more
             vehemently
             set
             our
             hearts
             which
             become
             our
             snares
             ,
             and
             awake
             his
             jealousy
             ;
             and
             accordingly
             we
             frequently
             see
             that
             t
             is
             in
             those
             he
             chuses
             to
             cross
             us
             .
             How
             
             often
             do's
             it
             happen
             that
             those
             which
             are
             enamoured
             of
             themselves
             ,
             dote
             upon
             their
             own
             features
             ,
             do
             meet
             with
             some
             disease
             or
             accident
             which
             blasts
             their
             beauty
             ,
             withers
             that
             faire
             flower
             ,
             and
             makes
             their
             winter
             overtake
             their
             spring
             ?
             So
             in
             our
             friends
             and
             relations
             t
             is
             usually
             seen
             ,
             we
             soonest
             loose
             those
             for
             whom
             we
             have
             the
             greatest
             ,
             the
             most
             immoderate
             passion
             .
             If
             there
             be
             one
             fondling
             among
             our
             children
             ,
             t
             is
             odds
             but
             that
             is
             taken
             away
             ,
             or
             made
             as
             much
             the
             object
             of
             our
             grief
             and
             sorrow
             ,
             as
             ever
             it
             was
             of
             our
             joy
             and
             love
             .
             When
             God
             sees
             our
             hearts
             so
             excessively
             cleave
             to
             any
             transitory
             thing
             ,
             he
             knows
             t
             is
             necessary
             to
             sever
             them
             ,
             for
             whilst
             we
             have
             such
             clogs
             upon
             us
             ,
             
               our
               souls
               will
               cleave
               to
               the
               dust
               .
            
             Psa.
             119.
             1.
             will
             not
             be
             able
             to
             soare
             up
             to
             the
             higher
             region
             for
             which
             they
             are
             design'd
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             IN
             a
             word
             God
             so
             loves
             us
             ,
             that
             he
             removes
             what
             ever
             he
             sees
             will
             obstruct
             that
             intimate
             union
             which
             he
             desires
             with
             us
             ,
             and
             sure
             this
             is
             so
             obliging
             ,
             that
             tho
             he
             should
             bid
             us
             to
             our
             loss
             ,
             tho
             he
             could
             not
             recompence
             us
             for
             what
             he
             takes
             from
             us
             ,
             yet
             we
             must
             be
             very
             ill
             natur'd
             if
             we
             can
             be
             angry
             at
             so
             much
             kindness
             .
             But
             
             when
             to
             this
             is
             added
             that
             all
             this
             is
             principally
             ,
             nay
             solely
             design'd
             for
             our
             advantage
             ,
             that
             God
             takes
             from
             us
             all
             these
             emty
             delusory
             contentments
             merely
             that
             he
             may
             instate
             us
             in
             solid
             and
             durable
             joies
             ;
             we
             betray
             as
             much
             ignorance
             of
             our
             interest
             ,
             as
             insensibleness
             of
             our
             obligation
             ,
             if
             we
             repine
             that
             God
             makes
             us
             so
             much
             his
             care
             .
             T
             is
             true
             indeed
             ,
             the
             things
             to
             which
             we
             have
             so
             inordinatly
             adhered
             ,
             do
             stick
             so
             close
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             be
             pull'd
             away
             without
             some
             pain
             :
             yet
             for
             our
             corporal
             security
             we
             can
             endure
             the
             sundring
             of
             parts
             that
             do
             not
             only
             cleave
             ,
             but
             grow
             to
             us
             .
             He
             that
             has
             a
             gangrend
             member
             suffers
             it
             to
             be
             cut
             off
             to
             save
             his
             whole
             body
             ,
             and
             do's
             not
             revile
             ,
             but
             thank
             and
             reward
             the
             Chirurgion
             .
             Yet
             where
             our
             souls
             are
             concern'd
             ,
             and
             where
             the
             things
             have
             no
             native
             union
             with
             us
             ,
             but
             are
             only
             cemented
             by
             our
             passions
             ,
             we
             are
             impatient
             of
             the
             method
             ,
             and
             think
             God
             deals
             very
             hardly
             with
             us
             ,
             not
             to
             let
             us
             perish
             with
             what
             we
             love
             .
             The
             sum
             of
             all
             is
             this
             ,
             God
             tho
             he
             be
             abundantly
             condescending
             ,
             yet
             he
             will
             never
             stoop
             so
             low
             as
             to
             share
             his
             interest
             in
             us
             with
             the
             world
             :
             if
             we
             will
             devote
             our selves
             to
             it
             ,
             t
             is
             not
             all
             our
             emty
             forms
             of
             service
             will
             satisfy
             
             him
             ,
             if
             he
             cannot
             divorce
             our
             hearts
             from
             it
             ,
             he
             will
             divorce
             himself
             eternally
             from
             us
             .
             And
             the
             case
             being
             thus
             ,
             we
             are
             sure
             very
             ill
             advised
             if
             we
             do
             not
             contentedly
             resign
             our selves
             to
             his
             methods
             ,
             and
             cheerfully
             endure
             them
             how
             sharp
             soever
             .
             The
             only
             expedient
             we
             have
             for
             our
             own
             ease
             ,
             is
             to
             shorten
             the
             cure
             by
             giving
             our
             assistance
             ,
             and
             not
             by
             struglings
             to
             render
             it
             more
             difficult
             and
             painful
             ,
             let
             us
             entirely
             surrender
             our
             wills
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             when
             we
             have
             don
             that
             ,
             we
             may
             without
             much
             pain
             let
             him
             take
             any
             thing
             else
             .
             But
             the
             more
             difficult
             we
             find
             it
             to
             be
             disentangled
             from
             the
             world
             ,
             the
             greater
             should
             our
             caution
             be
             against
             all
             future
             engagements
             to
             it
             .
             If
             our
             escape
             hath
             bin
             as
             the
             Apostle
             saies
             ,
             
               so
               as
               by
               fire
            
             ,
             Jud.
             23.
             with
             much
             smart
             and
             hazard
             ,
             let
             us
             at
             least
             have
             so
             much
             wit
             ,
             as
             the
             common
             proverb
             allows
             children
             ,
             and
             not
             again
             expose
             our selves
             :
             let
             us
             never
             glue
             our
             hearts
             to
             any
             external
             thing
             ,
             but
             let
             all
             the
             concerns
             of
             the
             world
             hang
             loose
             about
             us
             :
             by
             that
             means
             we
             shall
             be
             able
             to
             put
             them
             off
             insensibly
             when
             ever
             God
             calls
             for
             them
             ,
             or
             perhaps
             we
             shall
             prevent
             his
             calling
             for
             them
             at
             all
             ,
             it
             being
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ,
             our
             too
             close
             adhesion
             to
             them
             which
             promts
             him
             to
             it
             .
          
           
           
             8.
             
             A
             third
             advantage
             of
             afflictions
             is
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             a
             mark
             and
             signature
             of
             our
             adoption
             ,
             a
             witness
             of
             our
             legitimation
             .
             
               What
               son
               is
               he
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             )
             
               whom
               the
               Father
               chastiseth
               not
               ?
               but
               if
               ye
               be
               without
               chastisement
               whereof
               all
               are
               partakers
               ,
               then
               are
               ye
               bastards
               and
               not
               sons
               ,
            
             Heb
             ,
             12.
             7.
             8.
             
             Iacob
             clad
             his
             dearling
             Ioseph
             in
             a
             party-coloured
             Coat
             ,
             and
             Gods
             favorites
             do
             here
             wear
             a
             Livery
             inter-woven
             with
             a
             mixture
             of
             dark
             and
             gloomy
             colours
             ;
             their
             
               long
               white
               robes
            
             are
             laid
             up
             for
             them
             against
             they
             come
             to
             the
             
               marriage
               of
               the
               Lamb
            
             ,
             Rev.
             19
             7.
             
             Indeed
             we
             much
             mistake
             the
             design
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             if
             we
             think
             it
             calls
             us
             to
             a
             condition
             of
             ease
             and
             security
             .
             It
             might
             suit
             well
             enough
             with
             the
             votaries
             of
             the
             Golden
             Calf
             ,
             to
             
               sit
               down
               to
               eat
               and
               drink
               and
               rise
               up
               to
               play
               ,
            
             Exod.
             32.
             6.
             but
             the
             disciples
             of
             the
             crucified
             Savior
             are
             trained
             to
             another
             discipline
             ,
             our
             profession
             enters
             us
             into
             a
             state
             of
             warfare
             ,
             and
             accordingly
             our
             very
             Baptismal
             engagement
             runs
             all
             in
             military
             terms
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             not
             only
             servants
             of
             Christs
             family
             ,
             but
             soldiers
             of
             his
             camp
             .
             Now
             we
             know
             in
             a
             war
             men
             must
             not
             expect
             to
             pass
             their
             time
             in
             ease
             and
             softness
             ,
             but
             besides
             all
             the
             dangers
             and
             difficulties
             
             of
             the
             combat
             ,
             have
             many
             other
             hardships
             to
             endure
             ;
             hunger
             and
             thirst
             ,
             heat
             and
             cold
             ,
             hard
             lodgings
             and
             weary
             marches
             :
             and
             he
             that
             is
             too
             nice
             for
             those
             ,
             will
             not
             long
             stick
             to
             his
             colors
             .
             And
             it
             is
             the
             same
             in
             our
             spiritual
             warfare
             ,
             many
             pressures
             and
             sufferings
             are
             annexed
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             our
             passive
             valor
             is
             no
             less
             tried
             then
             our
             active
             .
             In
             respect
             of
             this
             it
             is
             that
             our
             Savior
             admonishes
             his
             Profelytes
             to
             compute
             first
             the
             difficulties
             incident
             to
             their
             profession
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             may
             not
             ensnare
             us
             by
             proposing
             too
             easy
             terms
             ,
             he
             bids
             us
             reckon
             upon
             the
             worst
             ,
             and
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             he
             
               that
               forsakes
               not
               all
               that
               he
               hath
               ,
               shall
               not
               be
               his
               disciple
               ,
            
             Luk.
             14.
             26.
             
               and
               that
               we
               must
               thro
               much
               tribulatiou
               enter
               into
               the
               kingdom
               of
               God
               ,
            
             Act.
             14.
             22.
             
             Indeed
             t
             were
             very
             absurd
             for
             us
             to
             expect
             easier
             conditions
             ,
             when
             these
             are
             the
             same
             to
             which
             our
             Leader
             has
             submitted
             ,
             the
             
               Captain
               of
               our
               Salvation
               was
               perfected
               by
               sufferings
               .
            
             Heb.
             2.
             10.
             
               and
               if
               it
               behooved
               Christ
               to
               suffer
               before
               he
               enter'd
               into
               his
               glory
               ,
            
             Luk
             24.
             46.
             it
             were
             insolent
             madness
             for
             us
             to
             look
             to
             be
             carried
             thither
             upon
             our
             beds
             of
             Ivory
             ,
             of
             from
             the
             noise
             of
             our
             harps
             and
             viols
             ,
             be
             immmediatly
             rapt
             into
             the
             Choire
             of
             Angels
             .
          
           
           
             8.
             
             THIS
             has
             bin
             so
             much
             consider'd
             by
             pious
             men
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             lookt
             upon
             their
             secular
             prosperities
             with
             fear
             and
             jealousy
             ,
             and
             many
             have
             solemnly
             petition'd
             for
             crosses
             ,
             as
             thinking
             them
             the
             necessary
             attestation
             of
             their
             son-ship
             ,
             and
             means
             of
             assimulation
             to
             their
             elder
             brother
             .
             Why
             then
             should
             that
             which
             was
             so
             desirable
             to
             them
             ,
             appear
             so
             formidable
             to
             us
             ?
             or
             why
             should
             we
             so
             vehemently
             deprecate
             ,
             what
             they
             so
             earnestly
             invited
             ?
             If
             we
             indeed
             think
             it
             a
             privilege
             to
             be
             the
             sons
             of
             God
             and
             fellow-heirs
             with
             Christ
             ,
             why
             do
             we
             grudg
             at
             the
             condition
             ?
             The
             Roman
             Captain
             tells
             St.
             Paul
             that
             he
             obtained
             the
             immunities
             of
             a
             Roman
             
               with
               a
               great
               sum
            
             ,
             Act.
             22.
             28.
             and
             shall
             we
             expect
             so
             much
             a
             nobler
             and
             more
             advantageous
             adoption
             perfectly
             gratis
             ?
             look
             that
             God
             should
             change
             his
             whole
             Oeconomy
             for
             our
             ease
             ,
             give
             us
             an
             eternal
             inheritance
             discharged
             of
             those
             temporal
             incumbrances
             himself
             has
             annexed
             to
             it
             This
             were
             sure
             as
             unjust
             a
             hope
             as
             it
             would
             be
             a
             vain
             one
             .
             When
             David
             had
             that
             ensnaring
             proposal
             made
             him
             of
             being
             the
             Kings
             son
             in
             law
             ,
             1
             Sam.
             18.
             21.
             he
             set
             such
             a
             value
             upon
             the
             dignity
             ,
             that
             he
             despised
             the
             difficulty
             of
             the
             condition
             :
             and
             
             sure
             we
             must
             have
             very
             low
             abject
             souls
             ,
             if
             when
             so
             infinitly
             a
             higher
             advancement
             is
             sincerely
             offer'd
             us
             ,
             we
             can
             suffer
             any
             apprehension
             of
             hardship
             to
             divert
             us
             .
             In
             a
             word
             let
             us
             remember
             that
             of
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             
               if
               we
               suffer
               ,
               we
               shall
               also
               reign
               with
               him
               ,
            
             2
             Tim.
             2.
             12.
             
             And
             tho
             our
             afflictions
             be
             in
             themselves
             not
             joious
             but
             grievous
             ,
             yet
             when
             they
             are
             consider'd
             as
             the
             earnest
             of
             our
             future
             inheritance
             ,
             they
             put
             on
             another
             face
             ,
             and
             may
             rather
             enamour
             then
             fright
             us
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             A
             fourth
             advantage
             of
             afflictions
             is
             ,
             that
             they
             excite
             our
             compassions
             towards
             others
             :
             there
             is
             nothing
             qualifies
             us
             so
             rightly
             to
             estimate
             the
             suffering
             of
             others
             ,
             as
             the
             having
             our selves
             felt
             them
             :
             without
             this
             our
             apprehensions
             of
             them
             are
             as
             dull
             and
             confused
             ,
             as
             a
             blind
             mans
             of
             colors
             ,
             or
             a
             deaf
             man
             of
             sounds
             .
             They
             
               that
               stretch
               themselves
               upon
               their
               couches
               ,
               that
               eat
               the
               lambs
               out
               of
               the
               flock
               ,
               and
               the
               calves
               out
               of
               the
               midst
               of
               the
               stall
               :
               that
               chaunt
               to
               the
               sound
               of
               the
               viol
               ,
               drink
               wine
               in
               bowls
               ,
               and
               anoint
               themselves
               with
               the
               chief
               ointments
               ,
               will
               not
               much
               be
               grieved
               with
               the
               afflictions
               of
               Ioseph
               .
            
             Am.
             6.
             4.
             
             Nay
             so
             necessary
             is
             our
             experience
             towards
             our
             commiseration
             ,
             that
             we
             see
             t
             was
             thought
             a
             requisite
             
             accomplishment
             of
             our
             high
             Priest
             (
             that
             highest
             example
             of
             unboundnded
             compassion
             )
             and
             therefore
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             
               It
               behooved
               him
               in
               all
               things
               to
               be
               made
               like
               his
               brethren
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               be
               a
               merciful
               and
               faithful
               high
               priest
               in
               things
               pertaining
               to
               God
               ,
               to
               make
               reconciliation
               for
               the
               sins
               of
               the
               people
               ,
               for
               in
               that
               he
               himself
               hath
               suffer'd
               being
               temted
               ,
               he
               is
               able
               also
               to
               succour
               them
               that
               are
               temted
               ,
            
             Heb.
             2.
             17
             ,
             18.
             
             But
             if
             he
             whose
             mere
             sense
             of
             our
             miseries
             brought
             him
             down
             to
             us
             ,
             chose
             this
             expedient
             to
             advance
             his
             pity
             ,
             how
             necessary
             is
             it
             to
             our
             petrified
             bowels
             ?
             And
             since
             God
             has
             assign'd
             our
             mercies
             to
             our
             brethren
             ,
             as
             the
             standard
             by
             which
             he
             will
             proportion
             his
             to
             us
             ,
             t
             is
             more
             ours
             then
             their
             advantage
             to
             have
             them
             inlarged
             :
             so
             that
             when
             by
             making
             us
             tast
             of
             their
             cup
             ,
             acquainting
             us
             with
             the
             bitter
             relish
             of
             their
             sufferings
             ,
             he
             prepares
             us
             to
             a
             Christian
             sympathy
             with
             them
             ,
             t
             is
             but
             a
             remoter
             way
             of
             obliging
             and
             qualifying
             us
             for
             a
             more
             ample
             portion
             of
             his
             mercy
             .
             Nay
             besides
             the
             profit
             there
             is
             honor
             accrues
             to
             us
             by
             it
             ;
             compassion
             is
             one
             of
             the
             best
             properties
             of
             our
             nature
             ,
             and
             we
             unman
             our selves
             when
             we
             put
             it
             off
             ;
             nay
             more
             t
             is
             an
             attribute
             of
             the
             Divinity
             ,
             
             and
             the
             more
             we
             advance
             in
             it
             ,
             the
             closer
             approches
             we
             make
             to
             him
             .
             And
             therefore
             we
             have
             all
             reason
             to
             bless
             him
             for
             that
             discipline
             by
             which
             he
             promotes
             us
             in
             so
             excellent
             ,
             so
             necessary
             a
             grace
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             A
             fifth
             benefit
             of
             afflictions
             is
             that
             it
             is
             an
             improvement
             of
             devotion
             ,
             sets
             us
             with
             more
             heartiness
             to
             our
             praiers
             .
             Whilst
             prosperity
             flows
             in
             upon
             us
             we
             bath
             our selves
             in
             its
             streams
             ,
             but
             are
             very
             apt
             to
             forget
             its
             source
             ;
             so
             that
             God
             is
             fain
             to
             stop
             the
             current
             ,
             leave
             us
             dry
             and
             parched
             that
             our
             needs
             may
             make
             us
             do
             what
             our
             gratitude
             would
             not
             ,
             trace
             our
             blessings
             up
             to
             the
             original
             spring
             ,
             and
             both
             acknowledg
             and
             invoke
             him
             as
             the
             Author
             of
             all
             our
             good
             .
             This
             effect
             of
             afflictions
             is
             observ'd
             by
             the
             prophet
             ,
             
               Lord
               in
               trouble
               have
               they
               visited
               thee
               ,
               they
               poured
               out
               a
               praier
               when
               thy
               chastning
               was
               upon
               them
               ,
            
             Isa.
             26.
             16.
             
             And
             I
             believe
             I
             may
             appeal
             to
             every
             mans
             experience
             whether
             his
             praiers
             be
             not
             more
             frequent
             and
             more
             hearty
             too
             ,
             when
             he
             is
             under
             some
             distress
             .
             Then
             how
             importunate
             are
             we
             in
             our
             petitions
             ?
             how
             profuse
             in
             our
             vowes
             and
             promises
             ?
             saying
             with
             Israel
             
               deliver
               us
               only
               we
               pray
               thee
               this
               day
               :
               and
               they
               put
               away
               the
               strange
               Gods
               from
               among
               them
               ,
               
               and
               served
               the
               Lord.
            
             Jud.
             10.
             15.
             
             I
             confess
             t
             is
             no
             good
             indication
             of
             our
             temper
             that
             we
             need
             thus
             to
             be
             put
             in
             the
             press
             ere
             we
             will
             yield
             any
             thing
             ?
             yet
             since
             we
             are
             so
             disingenuous
             ,
             t
             is
             a
             mercy
             in
             God
             to
             adapt
             his
             methods
             to
             us
             ;
             to
             extort
             when
             we
             will
             not
             give
             ,
             and
             if
             he
             can
             have
             no
             free
             will
             offerings
             ,
             yet
             at
             least
             to
             exact
             his
             tribute
             .
             Nor
             do's
             he
             design
             the
             effect
             of
             this
             should
             cease
             with
             the
             calamity
             that
             rais'd
             it
             ,
             but
             expects
             our
             compel'd
             addresses
             should
             bring
             us
             into
             the
             way
             of
             voluntary
             ones
             ,
             and
             happily
             ensnare
             us
             into
             piety
             .
             And
             indeed
             herein
             are
             we
             worse
             then
             brutish
             if
             it
             do
             not
             .
             We
             think
             it
             a
             barbarous
             rudeness
             to
             engage
             a
             man
             in
             our
             affaires
             ,
             and
             as
             soon
             as
             we
             have
             served
             our
             own
             turns
             ,
             never
             take
             farther
             notice
             of
             him
             .
             Nay
             indeed
             the
             very
             beasts
             may
             lecture
             us
             in
             this
             piece
             of
             Morality
             ,
             many
             of
             them
             paying
             a
             signal
             gratitude
             where
             they
             have
             received
             benefits
             ,
             and
             shall
             we
             not
             come
             up
             at
             least
             to
             their
             pitch
             ?
             shall
             not
             the
             endearment
             of
             our
             deliverance
             bring
             our
             deliverer
             into
             some
             repute
             and
             consideration
             with
             us
             ,
             and
             make
             us
             desire
             to
             keep
             up
             an
             acquaintance
             and
             entercourse
             with
             him
             ?
             Yet
             if
             ingenuity
             work
             not
             with
             us
             ,
             let
             interest
             at
             least
             prevail
             ,
             
             and
             the
             remembrance
             how
             soon
             we
             may
             need
             him
             again
             ,
             admonish
             us
             not
             to
             make
             our selves
             strangers
             to
             him
             .
             God
             complains
             of
             Israel
             
               wherefore
               say
               my
               people
               we
               are
               Lords
               ?
               we
               will
               come
               no
               more
               at
               thee
               ,
            
             Jer.
             2.
             31.
             
             A
             very
             insolent
             folly
             to
             renounce
             that
             dependance
             by
             which
             alone
             they
             subsisted
             ,
             and
             no
             less
             will
             it
             be
             in
             any
             of
             us
             if
             we
             stop
             our
             recourse
             to
             him
             because
             we
             have
             had
             advantage
             by
             it
             .
             We
             have
             no
             assurance
             that
             the
             same
             occasion
             shall
             not
             recur
             ,
             but
             with
             what
             face
             can
             we
             then
             resume
             that
             entercourse
             which
             in
             the
             interval
             we
             despised
             ?
             So
             that
             if
             we
             have
             but
             any
             ordinary
             providence
             we
             shall
             still
             so
             celebrate
             past
             rescues
             as
             to
             continue
             in
             a
             capacity
             of
             begging
             more
             ,
             and
             then
             we
             cannot
             but
             also
             confess
             the
             benefit
             of
             those
             first
             calamities
             which
             inspirited
             our
             devotion
             ,
             and
             taught
             us
             to
             pray
             in
             earnest
             ,
             and
             will
             be
             ashamed
             that
             our
             thanks
             should
             be
             utter'd
             in
             a
             fainter
             accent
             then
             our
             petitions
             ;
             or
             our
             daily
             spiritual
             concerns
             should
             be
             more
             coldly
             sollicited
             then
             our
             temporal
             accidental
             ones
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             NOR
             is
             it
             only
             our
             devotion
             that
             is
             thus
             improved
             by
             our
             distresses
             ,
             but
             many
             other
             Graces
             ;
             our
             faith
             ,
             our
             hope
             ,
             our
             patience
             ,
             
             our
             Christian
             sufferance
             &
             fortitude
             .
             It
             is
             no
             triumph
             of
             faith
             to
             trust
             God
             for
             those
             good
             things
             which
             he
             gives
             us
             in
             hand
             ,
             this
             is
             rather
             to
             walk
             by
             sense
             then
             faith
             ,
             but
             to
             rely
             on
             him
             in
             the
             greatest
             destitution
             ,
             
               and
               against
               hope
               to
               believe
               in
               hope
               ,
            
             this
             is
             the
             faith
             of
             a
             true
             child
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             and
             will
             
               be
               imputed
            
             to
             us
             (
             as
             it
             was
             to
             him
             )
             
               for
               righteousness
            
             Rom.
             4.
             23.
             
             So
             also
             our
             patience
             owes
             all
             its
             opportunities
             of
             exercise
             to
             our
             afflictions
             ,
             and
             consequently
             owes
             also
             a
             great
             part
             of
             its
             being
             to
             them
             ,
             for
             we
             know
             desuetude
             will
             loose
             habits
             .
             What
             imaginable
             use
             is
             there
             of
             patience
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             nothing
             to
             suffer
             ?
             In
             our
             prosperous
             state
             ,
             we
             may
             indeed
             imploy
             our
             temperance
             ,
             our
             humility
             ,
             our
             caution
             ;
             but
             patience
             seems
             then
             a
             useless
             vertue
             :
             nay
             indeed
             for
             ought
             we
             know
             may
             be
             counterfeit
             ,
             till
             adversity
             bring
             it
             to
             the
             test
             .
             And
             yet
             this
             is
             the
             most
             glorious
             accomplishment
             of
             a
             Christian
             ,
             that
             which
             most
             eminently
             conforms
             him
             to
             the
             Image
             of
             his
             Savior
             ,
             whose
             whole
             life
             was
             a
             perpetual
             exercise
             of
             this
             grace
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             love
             our
             ease
             too
             well
             if
             we
             are
             unwilling
             to
             buy
             this
             pearl
             at
             any
             price
             .
          
           
           
             12.
             
             LASTLY
             our
             thankfulness
             is
             (
             at
             least
             ought
             to
             be
             )
             increa'st
             by
             our
             distresses
             .
             T
             is
             very
             natural
             for
             us
             to
             reflect
             with
             value
             and
             esteem
             upon
             those
             blessings
             we
             have
             lost
             ,
             and
             we
             too
             often
             do
             it
             to
             aggravate
             our
             discontent
             :
             but
             sure
             the
             more
             rational
             use
             of
             it
             is
             to
             raise
             our
             thankfulness
             for
             the
             time
             wherein
             we
             enjoied
             them
             .
             Nay
             not
             only
             our
             former
             enjoiments
             ,
             but
             even
             our
             present
             deprivations
             deserves
             our
             gratitude
             ,
             if
             we
             consider
             the
             happy
             advantages
             we
             may
             reap
             from
             them
             .
             If
             we
             will
             perversly
             cast
             them
             away
             ,
             that
             unworthy
             contemt
             paies
             no
             scores
             ,
             for
             we
             still
             stand
             answerable
             in
             Gods
             account
             for
             the
             good
             he
             design'd
             and
             we
             might
             have
             had
             by
             it
             ,
             and
             we
             become
             liable
             to
             a
             new
             charge
             for
             our
             ingratitude
             in
             thus
             
               despising
               the
               chastisement
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             Heb.
             12.
             5.
             
          
           
             13.
             
             AND
             now
             if
             all
             these
             benefits
             of
             afflictions
             (
             which
             are
             yet
             but
             imperfectly
             recited
             )
             may
             be
             thought
             worth
             considering
             ,
             it
             cannot
             but
             reconcile
             us
             to
             the
             sharpest
             of
             Gods
             methods
             ;
             unless
             we
             will
             own
             our selves
             such
             mere
             animals
             ,
             as
             to
             have
             no
             other
             apprehensions
             then
             what
             our
             bodily
             senses
             convey
             to
             us
             ;
             for
             sure
             he
             that
             has
             reason
             enough
             to
             understand
             
             that
             he
             has
             an
             immortal
             soul
             ,
             cannot
             but
             assent
             that
             its
             interests
             should
             be
             served
             ,
             tho
             with
             the
             displacency
             of
             his
             flesh
             .
             Yet
             even
             in
             regard
             of
             that
             ,
             our
             murmurings
             are
             oft
             very
             unjust
             ,
             for
             we
             do
             many
             times
             ignorantly
             prejudg
             Gods
             designs
             towards
             us
             even
             in
             temporals
             ,
             who
             frequently
             makes
             a
             little
             transient
             uneasiness
             the
             passage
             to
             secular
             felicities
             .
             Moses
             when
             he
             fled
             out
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             probably
             little
             thought
             that
             he
             should
             return
             thither
             a
             
               God
               unto
               Pharoah
            
             ,
             Exod.
             4.
             16.
             and
             as
             little
             did
             Ioseph
             when
             he
             was
             brought
             thither
             a
             slave
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             to
             be
             a
             ruler
             there
             :
             yet
             as
             distant
             as
             those
             states
             were
             ,
             the
             divine
             providence
             had
             so
             connected
             them
             ,
             that
             the
             one
             depends
             upon
             the
             other
             .
             And
             certainly
             we
             may
             often
             observe
             the
             like
             over-ruling
             hand
             in
             our
             own
             distresses
             ,
             that
             those
             events
             which
             we
             have
             entertained
             with
             the
             greatest
             regret
             ,
             have
             in
             the
             consequences
             bin
             very
             beneficial
             to
             us
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             To
             conclude
             ,
             we
             have
             certainly
             both
             from
             speculation
             &
             experience
             abundant
             matter
             to
             clam
             all
             our
             disquiets
             ,
             to
             satisfy
             our
             distrusts
             ,
             and
             to
             fix
             in
             us
             an
             entire
             resignation
             to
             Gods
             disposals
             ,
             who
             has
             designs
             which
             we
             cannot
             penetrate
             ,
             but
             
             none
             which
             we
             need
             fear
             ,
             unless
             we
             our selves
             pervert
             them
             .
             We
             have
             our
             Saviors
             word
             for
             it
             ,
             that
             
               he
               will
               not
               give
               us
               a
               stone
               when
               we
               ask
               bread
               ,
               nor
               a
               scorpion
               when
               we
               ask
               a
               fish
               ,
            
             Mat.
             7.
             9.
             
             Nay
             his
             love
             secures
             us
             yet
             farther
             from
             the
             errors
             of
             our
             own
             wild
             choice
             ,
             and
             do's
             not
             give
             us
             those
             stones
             and
             scorpions
             which
             we
             importune
             for
             .
             Let
             us
             then
             leave
             our
             concerns
             to
             him
             who
             best
             knows
             them
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             our
             sole
             care
             to
             entertain
             his
             dispensations
             with
             as
             much
             submission
             and
             duty
             ,
             as
             he
             dispences
             them
             with
             love
             and
             wisdom
             .
             And
             if
             we
             can
             but
             do
             so
             ,
             we
             may
             dare
             all
             the
             power
             of
             earth
             and
             hell
             too
             ,
             to
             make
             us
             miserable
             :
             for
             be
             our
             afflictions
             what
             they
             can
             ,
             we
             are
             sure
             they
             are
             but
             what
             we
             in
             some
             respect
             or
             other
             need
             ;
             be
             they
             privative
             or
             positive
             ,
             the
             want
             of
             what
             we
             wish
             ,
             or
             the
             suffering
             of
             what
             we
             wish
             not
             ,
             they
             are
             the
             disposals
             of
             him
             who
             cannot
             err
             ,
             and
             we
             shall
             finally
             have
             cause
             to
             say
             with
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             
               It
               is
               good
               for
               me
               that
               I
               have
               bin
               afflicted
               ,
            
             Psal.
             119.
             71.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             IX
             .
          
           
             Of
             our
             Misfortunes
             compared
             with
             other
             mens
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             WE
             come
             now
             to
             impress
             an
             equally
             just
             and
             useful
             consideration
             ,
             the
             comparing
             our
             misfortunes
             with
             those
             of
             other
             mens
             :
             &
             he
             that
             do's
             that
             ,
             will
             certainly
             see
             so
             little
             cause
             to
             think
             himself
             singular
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             not
             find
             himself
             superlative
             in
             calamity
             ;
             for
             there
             is
             no
             man
             living
             that
             can
             with
             reason
             affirm
             himself
             to
             be
             the
             very
             unhappiest
             man
             ,
             there
             being
             innumerable
             distresses
             of
             others
             which
             he
             knows
             not
             of
             ,
             and
             consequently
             cannot
             bring
             them
             in
             balance
             with
             his
             own
             .
             A
             multitude
             of
             men
             there
             are
             whose
             persons
             he
             knows
             not
             ,
             and
             even
             of
             those
             he
             do's
             ,
             he
             may
             be
             much
             a
             stranger
             to
             their
             distresses
             ;
             many
             sorrows
             may
             lie
             at
             the
             heart
             of
             him
             who
             carries
             a
             smiling
             face
             ,
             and
             many
             a
             man
             has
             bin
             an
             object
             of
             envy
             to
             those
             who
             look
             but
             on
             the
             surface
             of
             his
             state
             ,
             who
             yet
             to
             those
             who
             know
             his
             private
             griefs
             appears
             more
             worthy
             of
             compassion
             .
             And
             sure
             this
             confused
             uncertain
             
             estimate
             of
             other
             mens
             afflictions
             ,
             may
             divert
             us
             from
             all
             loud
             out-cries
             of
             our
             own
             .
             Solon
             seeing
             a
             friend
             much
             opprest
             with
             grief
             ,
             carried
             him
             up
             to
             a
             town
             that
             over-lookt
             the
             City
             of
             Athens
             ,
             and
             shewing
             him
             all
             the
             buildings
             ,
             said
             to
             him
             ,
             consider
             how
             many
             sorrows
             have
             ,
             do
             ,
             and
             shall
             in
             future
             ages
             inhabit
             under
             all
             those
             roofs
             ,
             and
             doe
             not
             vex
             thy self
             with
             those
             inconveniencies
             which
             are
             common
             to
             mortality
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             only
             yours
             .
             And
             sure
             t
             was
             good
             advice
             :
             for
             suffering
             is
             almost
             as
             inseparable
             an
             adjunct
             of
             our
             nature
             ,
             as
             dying
             is
             :
             yet
             we
             do
             not
             see
             men
             very
             apt
             to
             imbitter
             their
             whole
             lives
             by
             the
             fore-sight
             that
             they
             must
             die
             ,
             but
             seeing
             it
             a
             thing
             as
             universal
             as
             inevitable
             ,
             they
             are
             more
             forward
             to
             take
             up
             the
             Epicures
             resolution
             ,
             
               Let
               us
               eat
               and
               drink
               ,
               for
               to
               morrow
               we
               die
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             32.
             
             And
             why
             should
             we
             not
             look
             upon
             afflictions
             also
             as
             the
             common
             lot
             of
             humanity
             ,
             and
             as
             we
             take
             the
             advantages
             ,
             so
             be
             content
             to
             bear
             the
             incumbrances
             of
             that
             state
             ?
          
           
             2.
             
             BUT
             besides
             that
             implicite
             allowance
             that
             is
             thus
             to
             be
             made
             for
             the
             unknown
             calamities
             of
             others
             ,
             if
             we
             survey
             but
             those
             that
             lie
             open
             and
             visible
             to
             us
             ,
             the
             most
             of
             us
             shall
             find
             enough
             to
             discountenance
             
             our
             complaints
             .
             Who
             is
             there
             that
             when
             he
             has
             most
             studiously
             recollected
             his
             miseries
             ,
             may
             not
             find
             some
             or
             other
             that
             apparently
             equals
             ,
             if
             not
             exceeds
             him
             ?
             He
             that
             stomacs
             his
             own
             being
             contemn'd
             and
             slighted
             ,
             may
             see
             another
             persecuted
             and
             opprest
             .
             He
             that
             groans
             under
             some
             sharp
             pain
             ,
             may
             see
             another
             afflicted
             with
             sharper
             :
             and
             even
             he
             that
             has
             the
             most
             acute
             torments
             in
             his
             body
             ,
             may
             see
             another
             more
             sadly
             cruciated
             by
             the
             agonies
             of
             his
             mind
             .
             So
             that
             if
             we
             would
             but
             look
             about
             us
             ,
             we
             should
             see
             so
             many
             forreign
             occasions
             of
             our
             pity
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             be
             asham'd
             to
             confine
             it
             wholly
             to
             our selves
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             IT
             will
             perhaps
             be
             said
             that
             this
             cannot
             be
             universally
             true
             ,
             for
             that
             there
             must
             in
             comparative
             degrees
             be
             some
             lowest
             state
             of
             misery
             :
             I
             grant
             it
             ,
             but
             still
             that
             state
             consists
             not
             in
             such
             an
             indivisible
             point
             ,
             that
             any
             one
             person
             can
             have
             the
             inclosure
             ;
             or
             if
             it
             do
             ,
             t
             will
             be
             so
             hard
             for
             any
             to
             discern
             who
             that
             one
             person
             is
             ;
             that
             I
             need
             desire
             no
             fairer
             a
             composition
             ,
             then
             to
             have
             every
             man
             suspend
             his
             repinings
             ,
             till
             he
             can
             evince
             his
             title
             .
             But
             alas
             there
             are
             but
             few
             that
             can
             make
             any
             approches
             to
             such
             a
             pretenec
             :
             for
             tho
             if
             we
             advert
             to
             
             mens
             complaints
             ,
             we
             should
             think
             all
             degrees
             of
             comparison
             were
             confounded
             ,
             and
             every
             man
             were
             equally
             the
             greatest
             sufferer
             ;
             yet
             certainly
             in
             the
             truth
             of
             things
             t
             is
             nothing
             so
             :
             for
             (
             not
             to
             repete
             what
             was
             before
             mention'd
             ,
             that
             probably
             no
             man
             is
             miserable
             in
             any
             proportion
             to
             the
             utmost
             degree
             of
             possibility
             )
             the
             remarkably
             unhappy
             are
             very
             far
             the
             lesse
             number
             .
             And
             how
             passionatly
             soever
             men
             exaggerate
             their
             calamities
             ,
             yet
             perhaps
             in
             their
             sober
             mood
             ,
             they
             will
             scarce
             change
             states
             with
             those
             whom
             they
             profess
             to
             think
             more
             happy
             then
             themselves
             .
             It
             was
             the
             saying
             of
             Socrates
             ,
             that
             if
             there
             were
             a
             common
             bank
             made
             of
             all
             mens
             troubles
             ,
             most
             men
             would
             rather
             chuse
             to
             take
             those
             they
             brought
             ,
             then
             to
             venter
             upon
             a
             new
             dividend
             .
             And
             indeed
             he
             had
             reason
             for
             his
             supposition
             ;
             for
             considering
             how
             great
             a
             part
             of
             many
             mens
             afflictions
             are
             of
             their
             own
             making
             ,
             fictitious
             and
             imaginary
             ,
             they
             may
             justly
             fear
             least
             they
             should
             exchange
             feathers
             for
             lead
             ,
             their
             own
             emty
             shadows
             for
             the
             real
             and
             pressing
             calamities
             of
             others
             ,
             and
             cannot
             but
             think
             it
             best
             to
             sit
             down
             with
             their
             own
             ,
             which
             serves
             their
             declamations
             as
             well
             ,
             and
             their
             ease
             much
             better
             .
             We
             
             oft
             see
             men
             at
             a
             little
             mis-shaping
             of
             a
             garment
             ,
             a
             scarce
             discernable
             error
             in
             their
             cook
             ,
             or
             their
             shortest
             interruption
             in
             their
             sports
             ,
             in
             such
             transports
             of
             trouble
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             the
             most
             unfortunate
             men
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             yet
             for
             all
             that
             you
             shall
             hardly
             perswade
             them
             to
             change
             with
             him
             whose
             course
             clothings
             supersedes
             all
             care
             of
             the
             fashion
             ,
             whose
             appetite
             was
             never
             disappointed
             for
             want
             of
             sawce
             ,
             and
             whose
             perpetual
             toil
             makes
             him
             insensible
             what
             the
             defeat
             of
             sport
             signifies
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             NAY
             even
             where
             the
             exchange
             seems
             more
             equal
             ,
             where
             the
             afflictions
             are
             on
             both
             sides
             solid
             and
             substantial
             ,
             yet
             a
             prudent
             man
             would
             scarce
             venture
             upon
             the
             barter
             .
             T
             is
             no
             small
             advantage
             to
             know
             what
             we
             have
             to
             contest
             with
             ,
             to
             have
             experimented
             the
             worst
             of
             its
             attaques
             ,
             by
             which
             we
             become
             better
             able
             to
             guard
             our selves
             :
             but
             a
             new
             evil
             comes
             with
             the
             force
             of
             a
             surprise
             ,
             and
             finds
             us
             open
             and
             disarmed
             .
             It
             is
             indeed
             almost
             a
             miraculous
             power
             that
             custom
             has
             in
             reconciling
             us
             to
             things
             otherwise
             displeasing
             ;
             all
             our
             senses
             are
             taught
             to
             remit
             of
             their
             aversion
             by
             familiarity
             with
             ungrateful
             objects
             :
             that
             ugly
             form
             which
             at
             first
             makes
             us
             start
             ,
             by
             use
             devests
             its
             
             terror
             ,
             and
             we
             reconcile
             our selves
             to
             harsh-sounds
             &
             ill
             relishes
             by
             long
             custom
             .
             And
             sure
             it
             has
             the
             very
             same
             effect
             upon
             our
             minds
             ,
             the
             most
             fierce
             calamities
             do
             by
             acquaintance
             grow
             more
             tractable
             ;
             so
             that
             he
             that
             exchanges
             an
             old
             one
             for
             a
             new
             ,
             do's
             but
             bring
             a
             wild
             Lion
             into
             his
             house
             instead
             of
             a
             tame
             :
             it
             may
             for
             ought
             he
             knows
             immediatly
             tear
             him
             in
             pieces
             ,
             but
             at
             least
             must
             cost
             him
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             pains
             to
             render
             it
             gentle
             and
             familiar
             ,
             and
             certainly
             no
             wise
             man
             would
             wish
             to
             make
             such
             a
             bargain
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             BY
             all
             this
             it
             appears
             that
             how
             extravagantly
             soever
             we
             aggravate
             our
             own
             calamities
             and
             extenuate
             other
             mens
             ,
             we
             dare
             not
             upon
             recollection
             stand
             to
             our
             own
             estimate
             ,
             and
             what
             can
             be
             said
             more
             in
             prejudice
             of
             our
             discontents
             ?
             T
             is
             a
             granted
             maxim
             that
             every
             man
             must
             have
             afflictions
             ,
             
               man
               that
               is
               born
               of
               a
               woman
               ,
               saies
               Iob
               ,
               is
               of
               few
               years
               ,
               and
               full
               of
               trouble
            
             Job
             .
             14.
             4.
             and
             we
             must
             reverse
             Gods
             fundamental
             law
             ,
             before
             we
             can
             hope
             for
             a
             total
             exemption
             .
             All
             that
             any
             man
             can
             aspire
             to
             ,
             is
             to
             have
             but
             an
             equal
             share
             with
             others
             ,
             and
             the
             generality
             of
             men
             have
             so
             ,
             at
             least
             none
             can
             prove
             he
             has
             not
             so
             ;
             and
             till
             he
             can
             ,
             his
             murmurs
             will
             sure
             be
             
             very
             unjustifiable
             ,
             especially
             when
             they
             have
             this
             convincing
             circumstance
             against
             them
             ,
             that
             he
             dares
             not
             upon
             sober
             thoughts
             change
             his
             afflictions
             with
             most
             of
             his
             neighbors
             .
             He
             is
             an
             ill
             member
             of
             a
             community
             ,
             who
             in
             public
             assesments
             would
             shuffle
             off
             all
             paiments
             :
             and
             he
             is
             no
             better
             who
             in
             this
             common
             tax
             God
             has
             laid
             upon
             our
             nature
             ,
             is
             not
             content
             to
             bear
             his
             share
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             AND
             truly
             would
             we
             but
             consider
             that
             in
             all
             our
             sufferings
             nothing
             befals
             us
             but
             what
             is
             common
             to
             our
             kind
             ,
             nay
             which
             is
             extremely
             exceeded
             by
             many
             within
             the
             verge
             of
             our
             own
             observation
             ,
             we
             must
             be
             senselessily
             partial
             to
             be
             impatient
             .
             The
             Apostle
             thought
             it
             a
             competent
             consolation
             for
             the
             first
             Christians
             that
             
               there
               had
               no
               temtation
               befallen
               them
               but
               what
               was
               common
               to
               men
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             10.
             13.
             and
             we
             betray
             very
             extravagant
             opinions
             of
             our selves
             if
             it
             be
             not
             so
             to
             us
             .
             Indeed
             t
             was
             scarce
             possible
             for
             us
             to
             be
             so
             unsatisfied
             ,
             as
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             us
             are
             ,
             did
             we
             in
             the
             comparing
             our selves
             with
             others
             ,
             proceed
             with
             any
             tolerable
             ingenuity
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             BUT
             alas
             we
             are
             very
             fallacious
             and
             deceitful
             in
             the
             point
             ,
             we
             do
             not
             compare
             
             the
             good
             of
             others
             with
             our
             good
             ,
             not
             their
             evil
             with
             our
             evil
             ;
             but
             with
             an
             envious
             curiosity
             we
             amass
             together
             all
             the
             desireable
             circumstances
             of
             our
             neighbors
             condition
             ,
             and
             with
             as
             prying
             discontent
             we
             ransack
             all
             our
             grievances
             ,
             and
             confront
             to
             them
             .
             This
             is
             so
             insincere
             a
             way
             of
             proceeding
             ,
             as
             the
             most
             ordinary
             understanding
             can
             detect
             .
             If
             I
             should
             wager
             that
             my
             arm
             were
             longer
             then
             another
             mans
             ,
             and
             for
             tryall
             mesure
             my
             arm
             with
             his
             finger
             ,
             he
             must
             be
             stupidly
             silly
             ,
             that
             should
             award
             for
             me
             ;
             and
             yet
             this
             were
             not
             a
             grosser
             cheat
             ,
             then
             that
             which
             we
             put
             upon
             our selves
             ,
             in
             our
             comparisons
             with
             others
             .
             And
             t
             is
             a
             little
             strange
             to
             observe
             unto
             what
             various
             purposes
             we
             can
             apply
             this
             one
             thin
             piece
             of
             Sophistry
             ,
             for
             when
             we
             compare
             our
             neighbors
             and
             our selves
             in
             point
             of
             morality
             ,
             we
             do
             but
             reverse
             the
             fallacy
             ,
             and
             presently
             make
             his
             vices
             as
             much
             exceed
             ours
             ,
             as
             our
             calamities
             did
             his
             in
             the
             other
             instance
             .
             They
             are
             indeed
             both
             great
             violences
             to
             reason
             and
             justice
             ,
             yet
             the
             later
             is
             sure
             the
             pleasanter
             kind
             of
             deceit
             .
             A
             man
             has
             some
             joy
             in
             thinking
             himself
             less
             wicked
             then
             his
             neighbor
             ,
             but
             what
             imaginable
             comfort
             can
             he
             take
             in
             thinking
             
             himself
             more
             miserable
             ?
             certainly
             he
             that
             would
             submit
             to
             a
             cousenage
             ,
             had
             much
             better
             shift
             the
             scene
             ,
             and
             think
             his
             sufferings
             less
             then
             they
             are
             ,
             rather
             then
             more
             ;
             for
             since
             opinion
             is
             the
             thing
             that
             usually
             sets
             an
             edg
             upon
             our
             calamities
             ,
             it
             might
             be
             a
             profitable
             deceit
             that
             could
             steal
             that
             from
             us
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             BUT
             we
             need
             not
             blindfold
             our selves
             if
             we
             would
             but
             use
             our
             eies
             aright
             ,
             and
             see
             things
             in
             their
             true
             shapes
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             did
             thus
             ,
             what
             a
             strange
             turn
             would
             there
             be
             in
             the
             common
             estimates
             of
             the
             world
             ?
             How
             many
             of
             the
             gilded
             troubles
             of
             greatness
             ,
             which
             men
             at
             a
             distance
             look
             on
             with
             so
             much
             admiration
             and
             desire
             ,
             would
             then
             be
             as
             much
             contemned
             as
             now
             they
             are
             courted
             ?
             A
             competency
             would
             then
             get
             the
             better
             of
             abundance
             ,
             and
             the
             now
             envied
             pomp
             of
             princes
             ,
             when
             balanced
             with
             the
             cares
             and
             hazards
             annext
             ,
             would
             be
             so
             far
             from
             a
             bait
             ,
             that
             men
             like
             Saul
             1
             Sam
             10.
             22.
             would
             
               hide
               themselves
            
             from
             the
             preferment
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             understood
             the
             weight
             ,
             would
             rather
             choose
             to
             weild
             a
             Flayle
             then
             a
             Scepter
             :
             yet
             so
             childishly
             are
             we
             besotted
             with
             the
             glittering
             appearance
             of
             things
             ,
             that
             we
             conclude
             felicity
             must
             needs
             dwell
             where
             
             there
             is
             a
             magnificent
             Portico
             ,
             and
             being
             possest
             with
             this
             fancy
             we
             over-look
             her
             in
             our
             own
             humbler
             Cottages
             ,
             where
             she
             would
             more
             constantly
             reside
             ,
             if
             she
             could
             but
             find
             us
             at
             home
             :
             but
             we
             are
             commonly
             engag'd
             in
             a
             rambling
             pursuit
             of
             her
             where
             she
             is
             seldomest
             to
             be
             found
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             interim
             misse
             of
             her
             at
             our
             own
             doors
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             INDEED
             there
             is
             scarce
             a
             greater
             folly
             or
             unhappiness
             incident
             to
             mans
             nature
             ,
             then
             this
             fond
             admiration
             of
             other
             mens
             enjoiments
             ,
             and
             contemt
             of
             our
             own
             .
             And
             whilst
             we
             have
             that
             humour
             ,
             it
             will
             supplant
             not
             only
             our
             present
             ,
             but
             all
             possibilities
             of
             our
             future
             content
             :
             for
             tho
             we
             could
             draw
             to
             our selves
             all
             those
             things
             for
             which
             we
             envy
             others
             ,
             we
             should
             have
             no
             sooner
             made
             them
             our
             own
             ,
             then
             they
             will
             grow
             despicable
             and
             nauseous
             to
             us
             .
             This
             is
             a
             speculation
             which
             has
             bin
             attested
             by
             innumerable
             experiments
             ,
             there
             being
             nothing
             more
             frequent
             ,
             then
             to
             see
             men
             with
             impatient
             eagerness
             ,
             nay
             often
             with
             extreme
             hazards
             pursue
             those
             acquests
             ,
             which
             when
             they
             have
             them
             ,
             they
             are
             immediatly
             sick
             of
             .
             There
             is
             scarce
             any
             man
             that
             may
             not
             give
             himself
             instances
             of
             this
             in
             his
             own
             particular
             :
             and
             yet
             so
             fatally
             stupid
             are
             we
             ,
             that
             no
             defeats
             
             will
             discipline
             us
             ,
             or
             take
             us
             off
             from
             these
             false
             estimates
             of
             other
             mens
             happinesses
             .
             And
             truly
             while
             we
             state
             our
             comparisons
             so
             unequally
             ,
             they
             are
             as
             mischievous
             as
             the
             common
             proverb
             speaks
             them
             odious
             :
             but
             if
             we
             would
             begin
             at
             the
             right
             end
             ,
             and
             look
             with
             as
             much
             compassion
             on
             the
             adversities
             of
             our
             brethren
             ,
             as
             we
             do
             with
             envy
             on
             their
             prosperities
             ,
             every
             man
             would
             find
             cause
             to
             sit
             down
             contentedly
             with
             his
             own
             burden
             ,
             and
             confess
             that
             he
             bears
             but
             the
             proportionable
             share
             of
             his
             common
             nature
             ,
             unless
             perhaps
             it
             be
             where
             some
             extraordinary
             demerits
             of
             his
             own
             have
             added
             to
             the
             weight
             ;
             and
             in
             that
             case
             he
             has
             more
             reason
             to
             admire
             his
             afflictions
             are
             so
             few
             ,
             then
             so
             many
             .
             And
             certainly
             every
             man
             knows
             so
             many
             more
             ills
             by
             himself
             ,
             then
             it
             is
             possible
             for
             him
             to
             do
             by
             another
             ,
             that
             he
             that
             really
             sees
             himself
             exceed
             others
             in
             his
             sufferings
             ,
             will
             find
             cause
             enough
             to
             think
             he
             do's
             in
             sins
             also
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             BUT
             if
             we
             stretch
             the
             comparison
             beyond
             our
             contemporaries
             ,
             and
             look
             back
             to
             the
             generations
             of
             old
             ,
             we
             shall
             have
             yet
             farther
             cause
             to
             acknowledge
             Gods
             great
             indulgence
             to
             us
             .
             Abraham
             tho
             the
             friend
             of
             God
             was
             not
             exemted
             from
             severe
             
             trials
             ;
             he
             was
             first
             made
             to
             wander
             from
             his
             Country
             ,
             and
             betake
             himself
             to
             a
             kind
             of
             vagrant
             life
             ,
             was
             a
             long
             time
             suspended
             from
             the
             blessing
             of
             his
             desired
             off-spring
             ,
             and
             when
             at
             last
             his
             beloved
             Isaac
             was
             obtained
             ,
             it
             caused
             a
             domestic
             jarre
             ,
             which
             he
             was
             fain
             to
             compose
             by
             the
             expulsion
             of
             Ishmael
             tho
             his
             son
             also
             .
             But
             what
             a
             contest
             may
             we
             think
             there
             was
             in
             his
             own
             bowels
             when
             that
             rigorous
             task
             was
             imposed
             on
             him
             of
             sacrificing
             his
             Isaac
             ?
             and
             tho
             his
             faith
             gloriously
             triumpht
             over
             it
             ,
             yet
             sure
             there
             could
             not
             be
             a
             greater
             pressure
             upon
             human
             nature
             .
             David
             the
             man
             after
             Gods
             own
             heart
             is
             no
             less
             signal
             for
             his
             afflictions
             then
             for
             his
             piety
             ,
             he
             was
             for
             a
             great
             while
             an
             exile
             from
             his
             Countrey
             ,
             and
             (
             which
             he
             most
             bewailed
             )
             from
             the
             Sanctuary
             by
             the
             persecutions
             of
             Saul
             :
             and
             after
             he
             was
             setled
             in
             that
             throne
             to
             which
             Gods
             immediate
             assignation
             had
             intitled
             him
             ,
             what
             a
             succession
             of
             calamities
             had
             he
             in
             his
             own
             family
             ?
             the
             incestuous
             rape
             of
             his
             Daughter
             ,
             the
             retaliation
             of
             that
             by
             the
             as
             unnatural
             murder
             of
             Amnon
             ,
             and
             that
             seconded
             by
             another
             no
             less
             barbarous
             conspiracy
             of
             Absolom
             against
             himself
             ,
             his
             expulsion
             from
             Ierusalem
             ,
             the
             base
             revilings
             of
             Shimei
             ,
             
             and
             finally
             the
             losse
             of
             that
             dearling
             son
             in
             the
             act
             of
             his
             sin
             .
             A
             cluster
             of
             afflictions
             in
             comparison
             whereof
             the
             most
             of
             ours
             are
             but
             like
             the
             gleanings
             (
             as
             the
             Prophet
             speaks
             )
             
               after
               the
               vintage
               is
               don
            
             .
             It
             were
             indeed
             endless
             to
             instance
             in
             all
             the
             several
             Fore-fathers
             of
             our
             Faith
             before
             Christs
             incarnation
             ,
             the
             Apostle
             gives
             us
             a
             brief
             ,
             but
             very
             comprehensive
             compendium
             of
             their
             sufferings
             ,
             
               They
               had
               trial
               of
               cruel
               mockings
               and
               scourgings
               ;
               yea
               moreover
               ,
               of
               bonds
               and
               imprisonments
               :
               they
               were
               stoned
               ,
               were
               sawn
               asunder
               ,
               were
               temted
               ,
               were
               slain
               with
               the
               sword
               :
               they
               wandred
               about
               in
               sheep-skins
               ,
               and
               goat-skins
               ,
               being
               destitute
               ,
               afflicted
               ,
               tormented
               :
               they
               wandred
               in
               deserts
               ,
               and
               in
               mountains
               ,
               and
               in
               dens
               ,
               and
               caves
               of
               the
               earth
               ,
            
             Heb.
             11.
             36.
             37.
             38.
             
             And
             if
             we
             look
             on
             the
             Primitive
             Christians
             ,
             we
             shall
             see
             them
             perfectly
             the
             counrerpart
             to
             them
             ,
             their
             privileges
             consisted
             not
             in
             any
             immunities
             from
             calamities
             ;
             for
             their
             whole
             lives
             were
             scenes
             of
             sufferings
             .
             St.
             Paul
             gives
             us
             an
             account
             of
             his
             own
             ,
             
               in
               labors
               more
               abundant
               ,
               in
               stripes
               above
               mesure
               ,
               in
               prisons
               more
               frequent
               ,
               in
               deaths
               oft
               :
               of
               the
               Iews
               five
               times
               received
               I
               fourty
               stripes
               save
               one
               .
               Thrice
               was
               I
               beaten
               with
               rods
               ,
               once
               was
               I
               
               stoned
               ,
               thrice
               I
               suffer'd
               shipwrack
               ,
               a
               night
               and
               a
               day
               have
               I
               bin
               in
               the
               deep
               ,
               in
               journying
               often
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             2
             Cor.
             11.
             23.
             and
             if
             his
             single
             hardships
             rose
             thus
             high
             ,
             what
             may
             we
             think
             the
             whole
             sum
             of
             all
             his
             fellow-laborers
             amounted
             to
             together
             ,
             with
             that
             noble
             Army
             of
             martyrs
             who
             sealed
             their
             faith
             with
             their
             blood
             ;
             of
             whose
             sufferings
             Ecclesiastic
             history
             gives
             us
             such
             astonishing
             relations
             ?
          
           
             11.
             
             AND
             now
             
               being
               compassed
               about
               with
               so
               great
               a
               cloud
               of
               witnesses
               ,
            
             the
             Apostles
             inference
             is
             very
             irrefragable
             ,
             
               let
               us
               run
               with
               patience
               the
               race
               which
               is
               set
               before
               us
               ,
            
             Heb.
             12.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             But
             yet
             it
             is
             more
             so
             ,
             if
             we
             proceed
             on
             to
             that
             consideration
             he
             adjoins
             ,
             
               Looking
               unto
               Iesus
               the
               Author
               and
               finisher
               of
               our
               faith
               ,
               who
               for
               the
               joy
               that
               was
               set
               before
               him
               ,
               endur'd
               the
               cross
               ,
               despising
               the
               shame
               ,
            
             verse
             3.
             
             Indeed
             if
             we
             contemplate
             him
             in
             the
             whole
             course
             of
             his
             life
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             him
             rightly
             stiled
             by
             the
             Prophet
             
               a
               man
               of
               sorrows
            
             ,
             Isai.
             51.
             
             And
             as
             if
             he
             had
             charged
             himself
             with
             all
             our
             griefs
             as
             well
             as
             our
             sins
             ,
             there
             is
             scarce
             any
             human
             calamity
             which
             we
             may
             not
             find
             exemplified
             in
             him
             .
             Do's
             any
             complain
             of
             the
             lowness
             and
             poverty
             of
             his
             condition
             ?
             Alas
             his
             whole
             life
             was
             a
             
             state
             of
             indigence
             :
             he
             was
             forc'd
             to
             be
             an
             inmate
             with
             the
             beasts
             ,
             be
             laid
             in
             a
             stable
             at
             his
             birth
             ,
             and
             after
             himself
             professes
             that
             he
             
               had
               not
               where
               to
               lay
               his
               head
               ,
            
             Luk.
             9.
             58.
             
             Is
             any
             opprest
             with
             infamy
             and
             reproch
             ?
             he
             may
             see
             his
             Savior
             accus'd
             as
             a
             
               glutton
               and
               a
               wine-bibber
            
             ,
             Luke
             7.
             34.
             
             
               a
               Blasphemer
            
             ,
             Joh.
             10.
             33.
             
             
               a
               sorcerer
            
             ,
             Mat.
             12.
             24.
             
             
               a
               perverter
               of
               the
               nation
            
             ,
             Luk.
             23.
             2.
             yea
             to
             such
             a
             sordid
             lowness
             had
             they
             sunk
             his
             repute
             ,
             that
             a
             seditious
             thief
             and
             murderer
             was
             thought
             the
             more
             eligible
             person
             ,
             
               not
               this
               man
               but
               Barabbas
            
             ,
             Joh.
             18.
             40.
             
             And
             finally
             all
             this
             scene
             of
             indignities
             clos'd
             with
             the
             spightful
             pageantry
             of
             mockery
             acted
             by
             the
             soldiers
             ,
             Mat.
             27.
             28.
             and
             the
             yet
             more
             barbarous
             insultings
             of
             Priests
             and
             Scribes
             ,
             verse
             41.
             
             Is
             any
             man
             despised
             or
             deserted
             by
             his
             friends
             ?
             he
             was
             contemned
             by
             his
             country-men
             ,
             thought
             frantic
             by
             his
             friends
             ,
             betraied
             by
             one
             of
             his
             disciples
             ,
             abandon'd
             by
             all
             ,
             unless
             that
             one
             who
             followed
             him
             longest
             ,
             to
             renounce
             him
             the
             most
             shamefully
             by
             a
             threefold
             abjuration
             .
             Nay
             what
             is
             infinitly
             more
             then
             all
             this
             ,
             he
             seem'd
             deserted
             by
             God
             also
             ,
             as
             is
             witnessed
             by
             that
             doleful
             exclamation
             ,
             
               My
               God
               ,
               my
               God
               ,
               why
               hast
               thou
               forsaken
               me
               ?
            
             Mar.
             27.
             64.
             
             Is
             any
             
             dissatisfied
             with
             the
             hard-ships
             or
             laboriousness
             of
             his
             life
             ?
             let
             him
             remember
             his
             Saviors
             was
             not
             a
             life
             of
             delicacy
             or
             ease
             ,
             he
             was
             never
             enter'd
             in
             those
             Academies
             of
             luxury
             ,
             where
             men
             are
             
               gorgeously
               apparel'd
               and
               live
               delicately
            
             ,
             Luk.
             7.
             25.
             but
             he
             was
             brought
             under
             the
             mean
             roof
             of
             a
             Carpenter
             ,
             and
             consequently
             subjected
             to
             all
             the
             lowness
             of
             such
             an
             education
             .
             His
             initiation
             to
             his
             Prophetic
             office
             was
             with
             the
             miraculous
             severity
             of
             a
             40.
             daies
             fast
             ,
             and
             in
             his
             discharge
             of
             it
             ,
             we
             find
             him
             in
             perpetual
             labors
             ,
             
               going
               about
               doing
               good
            
             ,
             Act.
             10.
             38.
             and
             that
             not
             in
             triumph
             (
             like
             a
             prince
             bestowing
             his
             largesses
             )
             but
             in
             weary
             peregrinations
             ,
             never
             riding
             but
             once
             ,
             and
             that
             only
             upon
             a
             borrow'd
             beast
             ,
             
               and
               to
               fulfil
               a
               prophecy
            
             ,
             Mat.
             24.
             
             Do's
             any
             man
             groan
             under
             sharp
             and
             acute
             pains
             ?
             let
             him
             consider
             what
             his
             redeemer
             endur'd
             ,
             how
             in
             his
             infancy
             at
             his
             circumcision
             he
             offer'd
             the
             first
             fruits
             ,
             as
             an
             earnest
             of
             that
             bloody
             vintage
             when
             
               he
               trod
               the
               wine-press
               alone
            
             Isai.
             63.
             3.
             
             Let
             him
             attend
             him
             through
             all
             the
             stages
             of
             his
             direful
             passion
             ,
             and
             behold
             his
             arms
             pinion'd
             with
             rough
             cords
             ,
             his
             head
             smote
             with
             a
             reed
             ,
             and
             torn
             with
             his
             crown
             of
             thorns
             ,
             his
             back
             ploughed
             
             with
             those
             
               long
               furrows
            
             (
             Psal.
             120.
             3.
             
             )
             the
             scourges
             had
             made
             ,
             his
             macerated
             feeble
             body
             opprest
             with
             the
             weight
             of
             his
             cross
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             rackt
             and
             extended
             on
             it
             ;
             his
             hands
             and
             feet
             ,
             those
             nervous
             and
             consequently
             most
             sensible
             parts
             transfixt
             with
             nailes
             ,
             his
             whole
             body
             fastned
             to
             that
             accursed
             tree
             ,
             and
             exposed
             naked
             to
             the
             air
             in
             a
             cold
             season
             ;
             his
             throat
             parched
             with
             thirst
             and
             yet
             more
             afflicted
             with
             that
             vinegar
             and
             gall
             wherewith
             they
             pretended
             to
             relieve
             him
             ;
             and
             finally
             his
             life
             expiring
             amidst
             the
             full
             sense
             of
             these
             accurate
             torments
             .
             Lastly
             do's
             any
             man
             labor
             under
             the
             bitterest
             of
             all
             sorrows
             ,
             importunate
             temtations
             to
             ,
             or
             a
             wounded
             spirit
             for
             sin
             ?
             even
             here
             also
             he
             may
             find
             that
             he
             has
             an
             
               high
               Priest
               who
               hath
               bin
               touched
               with
               the
               sense
               of
               his
               infirmities
               ,
            
             Heb.
             4.
             15.
             
             He
             was
             violently
             assaulted
             with
             a
             succession
             of
             temtations
             ,
             Mat.
             4.
             and
             we
             cannot
             doubt
             but
             Satan
             would
             on
             him
             imploy
             the
             utmost
             of
             his
             skill
             .
             Nor
             was
             he
             less
             opprest
             with
             the
             burden
             of
             sin
             ,
             (
             ours
             I
             mean
             tho
             not
             his
             own
             .
             )
             What
             may
             we
             think
             were
             his
             apprehensions
             in
             the
             Garden
             ,
             when
             he
             so
             earnestly
             deprecated
             that
             which
             was
             his
             whole
             errand
             into
             the
             world
             ?
             What
             a
             dreadful
             
             pressure
             was
             that
             which
             wrung
             from
             him
             that
             bloody
             sweat
             ?
             and
             cast
             him
             into
             that
             inexplicable
             agony
             ,
             the
             horror
             whereof
             was
             beyond
             the
             comprehensions
             of
             any
             ,
             but
             his
             who
             felt
             it
             ?
             and
             finally
             how
             amazing
             was
             the
             sense
             of
             divine
             wrath
             ,
             which
             extorted
             that
             stupendious
             complaint
             ,
             that
             
               strong
               cry
            
             on
             the
             cross
             ,
             Heb.
             5.
             7.
             the
             sharp
             accent
             whereof
             ,
             if
             it
             do
             aright
             sound
             in
             our
             hearts
             ,
             must
             certainly
             quite
             overwhelm
             our
             loudest
             groans
             ?
             And
             now
             certainly
             I
             may
             say
             with
             Pilate
             ,
             
               Ecce
               homo
            
             behold
             the
             man
             ,
             or
             rather
             with
             a
             more
             divine
             Author
             ,
             Behold
             
               if
               ever
               there
               were
               sorrows
               like
               unto
               his
               sorrows
               ,
            
             Lam.
             1.
             12.
             
          
           
             12.
             
             AND
             sure
             it
             were
             but
             a
             reasonable
             inference
             ,
             that
             which
             we
             find
             made
             by
             Christ
             himself
             ,
             
               if
               these
               things
               be
               don
               in
               a
               green
               tree
               ,
               what
               shall
               be
               don
               in
               the
               dry
               ?
            
             Luk.
             23.
             31.
             
             If
             an
             imputative
             guilt
             could
             nurish
             so
             scorching
             a
             flame
             ,
             pull
             down
             so
             severe
             a
             wrath
             ,
             what
             can
             we
             expect
             who
             are
             merely
             made
             up
             of
             combustible
             matter
             ;
             whose
             proper
             personal
             sins
             cry
             for
             vengeance
             ?
             Sure
             were
             we
             to
             judg
             by
             human
             mesures
             ,
             we
             should
             reckon
             to
             have
             more
             then
             a
             double
             portion
             of
             our
             Saviors
             sufferings
             entail'd
             upon
             us
             :
             yet
             such
             is
             the
             efficacy
             of
             his
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             commuted
             
             for
             ours
             ,
             and
             have
             left
             us
             only
             such
             a
             share
             ,
             as
             may
             evidence
             our
             relation
             to
             our
             crucified
             Lord
             :
             such
             as
             may
             serve
             only
             for
             badges
             and
             cognizances
             to
             whom
             we
             retain
             .
             For
             alas
             ,
             let
             the
             most
             afflicted
             of
             us
             weigh
             our
             sorrows
             with
             his
             ,
             how
             absurdly
             unequal
             will
             the
             comparison
             appear
             ?
             And
             therefore
             as
             the
             best
             expedient
             to
             baffle
             our
             mutinies
             ,
             to
             shame
             us
             out
             of
             our
             repinings
             ,
             let
             us
             often
             draw
             this
             uneven
             parallel
             ,
             confront
             our
             petty
             uneasinesses
             with
             his
             unspeakable
             torments
             ;
             and
             sure
             t
             is
             impossible
             but
             our
             admiration
             and
             gratitude
             must
             supplant
             our
             impatiencies
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             THIS
             is
             indeed
             the
             method
             to
             which
             the
             Apostle
             directs
             us
             ,
             
               Consider
               him
               that
               endured
               such
               contradiction
               of
               sinners
               against
               himself
               ,
               lest
               ye
               be
               weary
               and
               faint
               in
               your
               minds
               :
               ye
               have
               not
               yet
               resisted
               unto
               blood
               ,
            
             Heb.
             12.
             34.
             
             Was
             he
             contradicted
             ,
             and
             shall
             we
             expect
             to
             be
             humor'd
             and
             compli'd
             with
             ?
             Did
             he
             resist
             to
             blood
             ,
             and
             shall
             we
             think
             those
             pressures
             intolerable
             ,
             which
             force
             only
             a
             few
             tears
             from
             us
             ?
             This
             is
             such
             an
             unmanly
             niceness
             ,
             as
             utterly
             makes
             us
             unfit
             to
             follow
             the
             Captain
             of
             our
             Salvation
             .
             What
             a
             soldier
             is
             he
             like
             to
             make
             ,
             that
             will
             take
             no
             share
             of
             the
             hazards
             and
             hardships
             of
             His
             General
             ?
             Honest
             Uriah
             
             would
             not
             take
             the
             lawful
             solaces
             of
             his
             own
             house
             upon
             the
             consideration
             that
             his
             
               Lord
               Ioab
            
             (
             tho
             but
             his
             fellow
             subject
             )
             
               lay
               incamped
               in
               the
               open
               fields
               ,
            
             2
             Sam.
             11.
             11.
             yea
             tho
             he
             was
             sent
             by
             him
             from
             the
             Camp.
             And
             shall
             we
             basely
             forsake
             ours
             in
             pursuit
             of
             our
             ease
             ?
             He
             is
             of
             a
             degenerous
             spirit
             ,
             whom
             the
             example
             of
             his
             superior
             will
             not
             animate
             .
             Plutarch
             tells
             us
             that
             Cato
             marching
             thro
             the
             desarts
             ,
             was
             so
             distrest
             for
             water
             ,
             that
             a
             small
             quantity
             was
             brought
             to
             him
             in
             a
             helmet
             as
             a
             great
             prize
             ,
             which
             he
             refusing
             because
             he
             could
             not
             help
             his
             soldiers
             to
             the
             like
             ,
             they
             were
             so
             transported
             with
             that
             generosity
             ,
             that
             it
             extinguisht
             the
             sense
             of
             their
             thirst
             ,
             and
             they
             were
             ashamed
             to
             complain
             of
             what
             their
             Leader
             voluntarily
             endured
             for
             their
             sakes
             .
             And
             surely
             we
             extremely
             discredit
             our
             institution
             ,
             if
             we
             cannot
             equal
             their
             ingenuity
             ,
             and
             follow
             ours
             with
             as
             great
             alacrity
             thro
             all
             the
             difficulties
             he
             has
             traced
             before
             us
             ,
             and
             for
             us
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             NOR
             let
             us
             think
             to
             excuse
             our selves
             upon
             the
             impotency
             of
             our
             flesh
             ,
             which
             wants
             the
             assistance
             which
             his
             divinity
             gave
             him
             :
             for
             that
             plea
             is
             superseded
             by
             the
             fore-mention'd
             examples
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             men
             of
             like
             passions
             with
             us
             ,
             
             who
             not
             only
             patiently
             ,
             but
             joifully
             endur'd
             all
             tribulations
             ,
             by
             which
             it
             appears
             it
             is
             not
             impossible
             to
             our
             nature
             ,
             with
             those
             aids
             of
             grace
             which
             are
             common
             to
             us
             with
             them
             :
             for
             certainly
             the
             difference
             between
             them
             and
             us
             ,
             is
             not
             so
             much
             in
             the
             degrees
             of
             the
             aids
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             diligence
             of
             imploying
             them
             .
             Let
             us
             therefore
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostle
             advises
             ,
             
               lift
               up
               the
               hands
               which
               hang
               down
               ,
               and
               the
               feeble
               knees
               ,
            
             Heb.
             12.
             12.
             and
             with
             a
             noble
             emulation
             follow
             those
             heroic
             patterns
             they
             have
             set
             us
             :
             and
             since
             we
             see
             that
             even
             those
             Favorites
             of
             heaven
             ,
             have
             smarted
             so
             severely
             ,
             let
             us
             never
             dream
             of
             an
             immunity
             ,
             but
             whenever
             we
             find
             our selves
             inclining
             to
             any
             such
             flattering
             hope
             ,
             let
             every
             one
             of
             us
             upbraid
             our selves
             in
             those
             terms
             the
             Jews
             did
             our
             Savior
             ,
             
               Art
               thou
               greater
               then
               Abraham
               ,
               and
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               whom
               makest
               thou
               thy self
               ?
            
             Joh.
             8.
             52.
             
             Nay
             we
             may
             descend
             lower
             and
             take
             in
             not
             only
             all
             the
             inferior
             Saints
             of
             former
             times
             ,
             but
             all
             those
             our
             contemporaries
             in
             sufferings
             ,
             which
             are
             most
             within
             our
             view
             ,
             and
             may
             ask
             the
             Apostles
             question
             ,
             
               what
               then
               are
               we
               better
               then
               they
               ?
            
             Rom.
             3.
             9.
             
             If
             we
             think
             we
             are
             ,
             t
             is
             certain
             we
             are
             so
             much
             worse
             by
             that
             insolence
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             confess
             we
             are
             not
             ,
             upon
             what
             
             score
             can
             we
             pretend
             to
             be
             better
             treated
             ?
             To
             conclude
             ,
             let
             us
             not
             pore
             only
             upon
             our
             peculiar
             evils
             ,
             but
             attentively
             look
             about
             us
             ,
             and
             consider
             what
             others
             endure
             :
             and
             since
             in
             frolics
             we
             can
             sport
             our selves
             with
             many
             uneasinesses
             for
             company
             sake
             ,
             let
             us
             not
             be
             more
             pusillanimous
             in
             our
             soberer
             moods
             ,
             but
             every
             man
             cheerfully
             take
             his
             turn
             in
             bearing
             the
             common
             burden
             of
             mortality
             ,
             till
             we
             put
             off
             both
             it
             and
             its
             appendages
             together
             ,
             when
             this
             mortal
             shall
             put
             on
             immortality
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             54.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             X.
             
          
           
             Of
             particular
             Aids
             for
             the
             gaining
             of
             Contentment
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             WE
             have
             now
             past
             thro
             all
             those
             considerations
             we
             at
             first
             proposed
             ,
             and
             may
             trust
             the
             considering
             Reader
             to
             make
             his
             own
             collections
             :
             yet
             because
             impatience
             is
             the
             vice
             that
             has
             bin
             all
             this
             while
             arraign'd
             ,
             I
             am
             to
             fore-see
             it
             possible
             ,
             that
             those
             who
             have
             the
             greatest
             degree
             of
             that
             ,
             may
             be
             the
             least
             willing
             to
             attend
             the
             whole
             process
             ,
             and
             therefore
             I
             think
             it
             may
             not
             be
             amiss
             ,
             for
             their
             ease
             to
             suit
             and
             reduce
             all
             into
             some
             short
             directions
             and
             rules
             for
             the
             acquiring
             contentment
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             THE
             first
             and
             most
             fundamental
             is
             ,
             the
             mortifying
             our
             pride
             ,
             which
             as
             it
             is
             the
             seminary
             of
             most
             sins
             ,
             so
             especially
             this
             of
             repining
             .
             Men
             that
             are
             highly
             opinion'd
             of
             themselves
             are
             commonly
             unsatisfiable
             :
             for
             how
             well
             soever
             they
             are
             treated
             ,
             they
             still
             think
             it
             short
             of
             their
             merits
             .
             Princes
             have
             often
             experimented
             
             this
             in
             those
             who
             have
             don
             them
             signal
             services
             ;
             but
             God
             finds
             it
             in
             those
             who
             have
             don
             him
             none
             ,
             and
             we
             expect
             he
             shall
             dispence
             to
             us
             according
             to
             those
             false
             estimates
             we
             put
             upon
             our selves
             .
             Therefore
             he
             that
             aspires
             to
             Content
             ,
             must
             first
             take
             truer
             mesures
             of
             himself
             ,
             and
             consider
             that
             as
             he
             was
             nothing
             till
             God
             gave
             him
             a
             being
             ,
             so
             all
             that
             he
             can
             produce
             from
             that
             being
             ,
             is
             Gods
             by
             original
             right
             ,
             and
             therefore
             can
             pretend
             to
             nothing
             of
             reward
             ;
             so
             that
             whatever
             he
             receives
             ,
             is
             still
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             new
             bounty
             ;
             and
             to
             complain
             that
             he
             has
             no
             more
             ,
             is
             like
             the
             murmurs
             of
             an
             unthankful
             debtor
             ,
             who
             would
             still
             increase
             those
             scores
             which
             he
             knows
             he
             can
             never
             pay
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             IN
             the
             second
             place
             ,
             let
             every
             man
             consider
             how
             many
             blessings
             (
             notwithstanding
             his
             no
             clame
             to
             any
             )
             he
             daily
             injoies
             :
             and
             whether
             those
             he
             so
             impatiently
             raves
             after
             be
             not
             much
             inferior
             to
             them
             .
             Nay
             let
             him
             ask
             his
             own
             heart
             ,
             whether
             he
             would
             quit
             all
             those
             he
             has
             ,
             for
             them
             he
             wants
             ,
             and
             if
             he
             would
             not
             (
             as
             I
             suppose
             no
             man
             in
             his
             wits
             would
             ,
             those
             wits
             being
             part
             of
             the
             barter
             )
             let
             him
             then
             judg
             how
             unreasonable
             his
             repinings
             are
             ,
             when
             himself
             confesses
             he
             has
             the
             better
             part
             of
             
             worldly
             happiness
             ,
             and
             never
             any
             man
             living
             had
             all
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             IN
             the
             third
             place
             therefore
             let
             him
             secure
             his
             duty
             of
             thankfulness
             for
             those
             good
             things
             he
             hath
             ,
             and
             that
             will
             insensibly
             undermine
             his
             impatiencies
             for
             the
             rest
             ,
             it
             being
             impossible
             to
             be
             at
             once
             thankful
             and
             murmuring
             .
             To
             this
             purpose
             it
             were
             very
             well
             ,
             if
             he
             would
             keep
             a
             solemn
             catalogue
             of
             all
             the
             bounties
             ,
             protections
             ,
             and
             deliverances
             he
             has
             receiv'd
             from
             Gods
             hand
             ,
             and
             every
             night
             examin
             what
             accessions
             that
             day
             has
             brought
             to
             the
             sum
             :
             and
             he
             that
             did
             this
             ,
             would
             undoubtedly
             find
             so
             many
             incitations
             to
             gratitude
             ,
             that
             all
             those
             to
             discontent
             would
             be
             stifled
             in
             the
             croud
             .
             And
             since
             acknowledgment
             of
             Gods
             mercies
             is
             all
             the
             tribute
             he
             exacts
             for
             them
             ,
             we
             must
             certainly
             look
             on
             that
             as
             an
             indispensable
             duty
             :
             and
             therefore
             he
             that
             finds
             that
             God
             shortens
             his
             hand
             ,
             stops
             the
             efflux
             of
             his
             bounty
             towards
             him
             ,
             should
             reflect
             on
             himself
             ,
             whether
             he
             be
             not
             behind
             in
             that
             homage
             by
             which
             he
             holds
             ,
             and
             have
             not
             by
             his
             unthankfulness
             
               turn'd
               away
               good
               things
               from
               him
               ,
            
             Esa.
             59.
             8.
             
             And
             if
             he
             find
             it
             so
             (
             as
             who
             alas
             is
             there
             that
             may
             not
             )
             he
             cannot
             sure
             for
             
             shame
             complain
             ,
             but
             must
             in
             prudence
             reinforce
             his
             gratitude
             for
             what
             is
             left
             ,
             as
             the
             best
             means
             to
             recover
             what
             he
             has
             lost
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             BUT
             his
             murmurs
             will
             yet
             be
             more
             amazingly
             silenc'd
             ,
             if
             in
             the
             fourth
             place
             he
             compares
             the
             good
             things
             he
             enjoies
             with
             the
             ill
             he
             has
             don
             .
             Certainly
             this
             is
             a
             most
             infallible
             cure
             for
             our
             impatiencies
             ,
             the
             holiest
             man
             living
             being
             able
             to
             accuse
             himself
             of
             such
             sins
             ,
             as
             would
             according
             to
             all
             human
             mesures
             of
             equity
             forfeit
             all
             blessings
             ,
             and
             pull
             down
             a
             greater
             weight
             of
             judgment
             then
             the
             most
             miserable
             groan
             under
             .
             Therefore
             as
             before
             I
             advised
             to
             keep
             a
             catalogue
             of
             benefits
             receive'd
             ,
             so
             here
             it
             would
             be
             of
             use
             to
             draw
             up
             one
             of
             sins
             committed
             .
             And
             doubtless
             he
             that
             confronts
             the
             one
             with
             the
             other
             cannot
             but
             be
             astonished
             to
             find
             them
             both
             so
             numerous
             ,
             equally
             wondring
             at
             Gods
             mercy
             in
             continuing
             his
             blessings
             ,
             in
             despight
             of
             all
             his
             provocations
             ,
             and
             at
             his
             own
             baseness
             in
             continuing
             his
             provocations
             ,
             in
             despight
             of
             all
             those
             blessings
             .
             Indeed
             t
             is
             nothing
             but
             our
             affected
             ignorance
             of
             our
             own
             demerits
             ,
             that
             makes
             it
             possible
             for
             us
             to
             repine
             under
             the
             severest
             of
             Gods
             dispensations
             .
             Would
             
             we
             but
             ransack
             our
             hearts
             ,
             and
             see
             all
             the
             abominations
             that
             lie
             there
             ,
             nay
             would
             the
             most
             of
             us
             but
             recollect
             those
             bare-fac'd
             crimes
             which
             even
             the
             world
             can
             witness
             against
             us
             ,
             we
             should
             find
             more
             then
             enough
             to
             balance
             the
             heaviest
             of
             our
             pressures
             .
             When
             therefore
             by
             our
             impatient
             struglings
             we
             fret
             and
             gall
             our selves
             under
             our
             burdens
             ,
             let
             us
             interrogate
             our
             souls
             in
             the
             words
             of
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             
               Why
               doth
               a
               living
               man
               complain
               ,
               a
               man
               for
               the
               punishment
               of
               his
               sin
               ?
            
             Let
             us
             not
             spend
             our
             breath
             in
             murmurs
             and
             out-cries
             ,
             which
             will
             only
             serve
             to
             provoke
             more
             stripes
             :
             but
             
               let
               us
               search
               and
               try
               our
               waies
               ,
               and
               turn
               again
               to
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             Lam.
             3.
             39.
             diligently
             seek
             out
             
               that
               accursed
               thing
            
             which
             has
             caused
             our
             discomfeiture
             ,
             Jos
             ,
             6.
             18.
             and
             by
             the
             removal
             of
             that
             ,
             prepare
             the
             way
             for
             the
             access
             of
             mercy
             .
             But
             alas
             how
             preposterous
             a
             method
             do
             we
             take
             in
             our
             afflictions
             ?
             We
             accuse
             every
             thing
             but
             what
             we
             ought
             ,
             furiously
             fly
             at
             all
             the
             second
             causes
             of
             our
             calamity
             ,
             nay
             too
             often
             at
             the
             first
             by
             impious
             disputes
             of
             providence
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             ,
             as
             Iob
             speaks
             ,
             
               the
               root
               of
               the
               matter
               is
               found
               in
               us
               ,
            
             Job
             .
             19.
             28.
             
             We
             shelter
             and
             protect
             in
             our
             bosoms
             the
             real
             Author
             of
             our
             miseries
             .
             
             The
             true
             way
             then
             to
             allay
             the
             sense
             of
             our
             sufferings
             ,
             is
             to
             sharpen
             that
             of
             our
             sins
             .
             The
             prodigal
             thought
             the
             meanest
             condition
             in
             his
             fathers
             family
             a
             preferment
             ,
             
               Make
               me
               one
               of
               thy
               hired
               servants
               ,
            
             Luk.
             15.
             19.
             
             And
             if
             we
             have
             his
             penitence
             ,
             we
             shall
             have
             his
             submission
             also
             ,
             and
             calmly
             attend
             Gods
             disposals
             of
             us
             .
          
           
             6ly
             .
             As
             every
             man
             in
             his
             affliction
             is
             to
             look
             inward
             on
             his
             own
             heart
             ,
             so
             also
             upward
             ,
             and
             consider
             by
             whose
             providence
             all
             events
             are
             order'd
             .
             
               Is
               there
               any
               evil
               (
               i.
               e.
            
             of
             punishment
             )
             
               in
               the
               city
               ,
               and
               the
               Lord
               hath
               not
               don
               it
               ?
            
             Am.
             3.
             6.
             and
             what
             are
             we
             worms
             that
             we
             should
             dispute
             with
             him
             ?
             Shall
             a
             man
             contend
             with
             his
             Maker
             ?
             Let
             the
             
               potsherd
               strive
               with
               the
               potsherds
               of
               the
               earth
               ,
            
             Isa.
             45.
             9.
             
             And
             as
             his
             power
             is
             not
             to
             be
             control'd
             ,
             so
             neither
             is
             his
             justice
             to
             be
             impeach'd
             .
             
               Shall
               not
               the
               judg
               of
               all
               the
               earth
               do
               right
               ?
            
             Gen.
             18.
             25.
             
             And
             where
             we
             can
             neither
             resist
             nor
             appeal
             ,
             what
             have
             we
             to
             do
             but
             humbly
             to
             submit
             ?
             Nor
             are
             we
             only
             compell'd
             to
             it
             by
             necessity
             ,
             but
             induced
             and
             invited
             by
             interest
             ,
             since
             his
             dispensations
             are
             directed
             not
             barely
             to
             assert
             his
             dominion
             ,
             but
             to
             evidence
             his
             paternal
             care
             over
             us
             .
             He
             discerns
             our
             needs
             ,
             and
             accordingly
             applies
             
             to
             us
             .
             The
             benignity
             of
             his
             nature
             permits
             him
             not
             to
             take
             delight
             in
             our
             distresses
             ,
             
               he
               doth
               not
               afflict
               willingly
               ,
               nor
               grieve
               the
               children
               of
               men
               ,
            
             Lam.
             3.
             33.
             and
             therefore
             when
             ever
             he
             administers
             to
             us
             a
             bitter
             cup
             ,
             we
             may
             be
             sure
             the
             ingredients
             are
             medicinal
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             our
             infirmities
             require
             .
             He
             dares
             not
             trust
             our
             intemperate
             appetites
             with
             unmixt
             prosperities
             ,
             the
             lushiousness
             whereof
             tho
             it
             may
             please
             our
             palats
             ,
             yet
             like
             St.
             Johns
             book
             Rev.
             10.
             9.
             that
             
               hony
               in
               the
               mouth
               may
               prove
               gall
               in
               the
               bowels
               ,
            
             ingender
             the
             most
             fatal
             diseases
             .
             Let
             us
             therefore
             in
             our
             calamities
             
               not
               consult
               with
               flesh
               and
               blood
               ,
            
             Gal.
             1.
             16.
             
             (
             which
             the
             more
             it
             is
             bemoan'd
             ,
             the
             more
             it
             complains
             )
             but
             look
             to
             the
             hand
             that
             strikes
             ;
             and
             assure
             our selves
             ,
             that
             the
             stripes
             are
             not
             more
             severe
             ,
             then
             he
             sees
             necessary
             in
             order
             to
             our
             good
             :
             and
             since
             they
             are
             so
             ,
             they
             ought
             in
             reason
             to
             be
             our
             choices
             as
             well
             as
             his
             ;
             and
             not
             only
             religion
             ,
             but
             self
             love
             will
             promt
             us
             to
             say
             ,
             with
             old
             
               Ely
               ,
               it
               is
               the
               Lord
               ,
               let
               him
               do
               what
               seemeth
               him
               good
               ,
            
             1
             Sam.
             3.
             11.
             
             But
             alas
             we
             do
             not
             understand
             what
             is
             our
             interest
             ,
             because
             we
             do
             not
             rightly
             understand
             what
             we
             are
             ourselves
             .
             We
             consider
             our selves
             merely
             in
             our
             animal
             
             being
             ,
             our
             bodies
             and
             those
             sensitive
             faculties
             vested
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             when
             we
             are
             invaded
             there
             ,
             we
             think
             we
             are
             undon
             ,
             tho
             that
             breach
             be
             made
             only
             ,
             to
             relieve
             that
             diviner
             part
             within
             us
             ,
             besieged
             and
             opprest
             with
             the
             flesh
             about
             it
             (
             for
             so
             God
             knows
             it
             too
             often
             is
             ;
             )
             or
             if
             we
             do
             not
             consider
             it
             in
             that
             notion
             of
             an
             enemy
             ,
             yet
             at
             the
             utmost
             estimate
             ,
             the
             body
             is
             to
             the
             soul
             but
             as
             the
             garment
             to
             the
             body
             ,
             a
             decent
             case
             or
             cover
             :
             now
             what
             man
             (
             not
             stark
             frantic
             )
             would
             not
             rather
             have
             his
             clothes
             cut
             then
             his
             flesh
             ?
             and
             then
             by
             the
             rate
             of
             proportion
             ,
             we
             may
             well
             question
             our
             own
             sobriety
             ,
             when
             we
             repine
             that
             our
             souls
             are
             secur'd
             at
             the
             cost
             of
             our
             bodies
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             certainly
             the
             worst
             ,
             the
             unkindest
             design
             ,
             that
             God
             has
             upon
             us
             ;
             and
             our
             impatient
             resistances
             serve
             only
             to
             frustrate
             the
             kind
             ,
             the
             medicinal
             part
             of
             afflictions
             ,
             but
             will
             not
             at
             all
             rescue
             us
             from
             the
             severe
             .
             Our
             murmurings
             may
             ruine
             our
             souls
             ,
             but
             will
             never
             avert
             any
             of
             our
             outward
             calamities
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             A
             seventh
             help
             to
             contentment
             is
             to
             have
             a
             right
             estimate
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             the
             common
             state
             of
             humanity
             :
             to
             consider
             the
             world
             but
             as
             a
             stage
             and
             our selves
             but
             as
             actors
             ,
             and
             to
             resolve
             that
             it
             is
             very
             little
             
             material
             what
             part
             we
             play
             so
             we
             do
             it
             well
             .
             A
             Comedian
             may
             get
             as
             much
             applause
             by
             acting
             the
             slave
             as
             the
             conqueror
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             acts
             the
             one
             to
             day
             ,
             may
             to
             morrow
             reverse
             the
             part
             ,
             and
             personate
             the
             other
             .
             So
             great
             are
             the
             vicissitudes
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             building
             any
             firm
             hopes
             upon
             it
             .
             All
             the
             certainty
             we
             have
             of
             it
             ,
             is
             ,
             that
             in
             every
             condition
             it
             has
             its
             uneasinesses
             :
             so
             that
             when
             we
             court
             a
             change
             ,
             we
             rather
             seek
             to
             vary
             then
             end
             our
             miseries
             .
             And
             certainly
             he
             that
             has
             well
             imprest
             upon
             his
             mind
             the
             vanity
             and
             vexation
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             cannot
             be
             much
             surprised
             at
             any
             thing
             that
             befalls
             him
             in
             it
             .
             We
             expect
             no
             more
             of
             any
             thing
             but
             to
             do
             its
             kind
             ,
             and
             we
             may
             as
             well
             be
             angry
             that
             we
             cannot
             bring
             the
             lions
             to
             our
             cribes
             ,
             or
             fix
             the
             wind
             to
             a
             certain
             point
             ,
             as
             that
             we
             cannot
             secure
             our selves
             from
             dangers
             and
             disappointments
             in
             this
             rough
             and
             mutable
             world
             .
             We
             are
             therefore
             to
             lay
             it
             as
             an
             infallible
             maxim
             ,
             that
             in
             this
             vale
             of
             tears
             every
             man
             must
             meet
             with
             sorrows
             and
             disasters
             :
             and
             then
             sure
             we
             may
             take
             our
             peculiar
             with
             evenness
             of
             temper
             ,
             as
             being
             but
             the
             natural
             consequent
             of
             our
             being
             men
             .
             And
             tho
             possibly
             we
             may
             every
             one
             think
             himself
             to
             
             have
             double
             portion
             ,
             yet
             that
             is
             usually
             from
             the
             deceitful
             comparisons
             we
             make
             of
             our selves
             with
             others
             .
             We
             take
             the
             magnifying
             glasses
             of
             discontent
             and
             envy
             when
             we
             view
             our
             own
             miseries
             and
             others
             felicities
             ,
             but
             look
             on
             our
             enjoiments
             and
             their
             sufferings
             thro
             the
             contracting
             optics
             of
             ingratitude
             and
             incompassion
             :
             and
             whilst
             we
             do
             thus
             ,
             t
             is
             impossible
             but
             we
             must
             foment
             our
             own
             dissatisfactions
             .
             He
             that
             will
             compare
             to
             good
             purpose
             must
             do
             it
             honestly
             and
             sincerely
             ,
             and
             view
             his
             neighbors
             calamities
             with
             the
             same
             attention
             he
             do's
             his
             own
             ,
             and
             his
             own
             comforts
             with
             the
             same
             he
             do's
             his
             neighbors
             ;
             and
             then
             many
             of
             the
             great
             seeming
             inequalities
             would
             come
             pretty
             neer
             a
             level
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             BUT
             even
             where
             they
             do
             not
             ,
             it
             in
             the
             8th
             place
             deserves
             however
             to
             be
             consider'd
             how
             ill
             natur'd
             a
             thing
             it
             is
             ,
             for
             any
             man
             to
             think
             himself
             more
             miserable
             because
             another
             is
             happy
             :
             and
             yet
             this
             is
             the
             very
             thing
             ,
             by
             which
             alone
             many
             men
             have
             made
             themselves
             wretched
             :
             for
             many
             have
             created
             wants
             ,
             merely
             from
             the
             envious
             contemplation
             of
             other
             mens
             abundance
             .
             And
             indeed
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             disingenuous
             ,
             or
             (
             to
             go
             higher
             )
             more
             
             Diabolical
             .
             Lucifer
             was
             happy
             enough
             in
             his
             original
             state
             ,
             yet
             could
             not
             think
             himself
             so
             because
             he
             was
             
               not
               like
               the
               most
               high
            
             Isa.
             14.
             14.
             
             And
             when
             by
             that
             insolent
             ambition
             he
             had
             forfeited
             bliss
             ,
             it
             has
             ever
             since
             bin
             an
             aggravation
             of
             his
             torment
             ,
             that
             mankind
             is
             assumed
             to
             a
             capacity
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             accordingly
             he
             makes
             it
             the
             design
             of
             his
             envious
             industry
             to
             defeat
             him
             .
             Now
             how
             perfectly
             are
             the
             two
             first
             parts
             of
             this
             copy
             transcrib'd
             ,
             by
             those
             who
             first
             cannot
             be
             satisfied
             with
             any
             inferior
             degree
             of
             prosperity
             ,
             and
             then
             whet
             their
             impatiencies
             with
             other
             mens
             enjoiments
             of
             what
             they
             cannot
             attain
             ?
             And
             t
             is
             much
             to
             be
             doubted
             ,
             that
             they
             who
             go
             thus
             far
             may
             compleat
             the
             parallel
             ,
             and
             endeavor
             when
             they
             have
             opportunity
             to
             undermine
             that
             happiness
             they
             envy
             .
             Therefore
             since
             Satan
             is
             so
             apt
             to
             impress
             his
             whole
             image
             ,
             where
             he
             has
             drawn
             any
             of
             his
             lineaments
             ,
             it
             concerns
             us
             warily
             to
             guard
             our selves
             ,
             and
             by
             a
             Christian
             sympathy
             with
             our
             brethren
             ,
             
               rejoice
               with
               them
               that
               do
               rejoice
               ,
            
             Rom.
             12.
             15.
             make
             the
             comforts
             of
             others
             ,
             an
             allay
             not
             an
             improvement
             of
             our
             own
             miseries
             .
             Charity
             has
             a
             strange
             magnetic
             power
             ,
             and
             attracts
             the
             concerns
             of
             our
             brethren
             to
             us
             ,
             
             and
             he
             that
             has
             that
             in
             his
             breast
             can
             never
             want
             refreshment
             ,
             whilst
             any
             about
             him
             are
             happy
             ,
             for
             by
             adopting
             their
             interest
             ,
             he
             shares
             in
             their
             joies
             .
             Iethro
             tho
             an
             alien
             
               rejoiced
               for
               all
               the
               good
               God
               had
               don
               to
               Israel
               ,
            
             Exod.
             18.
             9.
             and
             why
             should
             not
             we
             have
             as
             sensible
             a
             concurrence
             with
             our
             fellow
             Christians
             ?
             And
             he
             that
             has
             so
             ,
             will
             still
             find
             somthing
             to
             balance
             his
             own
             sufferings
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             Let
             him
             that
             aspires
             to
             contentment
             set
             bounds
             to
             his
             desire
             .
             T
             is
             our
             common
             fault
             in
             this
             affaire
             ,
             we
             usually
             begin
             at
             the
             wrong
             end
             ,
             we
             
               enlarge
               our
               desires
               as
               hell
               ,
               and
               cannot
               be
               satisfied
               ,
            
             Hab.
             2.
             5.
             and
             then
             think
             God
             uses
             us
             ill
             ,
             if
             he
             do
             not
             fill
             our
             insatiable
             appetites
             :
             whereas
             if
             we
             would
             confine
             our
             expectations
             to
             those
             things
             which
             we
             need
             ,
             or
             he
             has
             promis'd
             ,
             there
             are
             few
             of
             us
             who
             would
             not
             find
             them
             abundantly
             answer'd
             .
             Alas
             how
             few
             things
             are
             there
             which
             our
             nature
             (
             if
             not
             stimulated
             by
             fancy
             and
             luxury
             )
             requires
             ?
             And
             how
             rare
             is
             it
             to
             find
             them
             who
             want
             those
             ?
             Nay
             who
             have
             not
             many
             additionals
             for
             delight
             and
             pleasure
             ?
             And
             yet
             Gods
             promise
             under
             the
             Gospel
             extends
             only
             to
             those
             necessaries
             ,
             for
             where
             Christ
             assures
             his
             disciples
             that
             
               these
               things
               shall
               
               be
               added
               unto
               them
            
             Mat.
             6.
             33.
             the
             context
             apparently
             restrains
             
               these
               things
            
             to
             meat
             and
             drink
             and
             clothing
             .
             Therefore
             take
             
               no
               thought
               for
               the
               life
               what
               you
               shall
               eat
               ,
               or
               what
               you
               shall
               drink
               ,
               nor
               yet
               for
               the
               body
               what
               you
               shall
               put
               on
               ,
            
             verse
             25.
             now
             what
             pretence
             have
             we
             to
             clame
             more
             then
             our
             Charter
             gives
             us
             ?
             God
             never
             articled
             with
             the
             ambitious
             to
             give
             him
             honors
             ,
             with
             the
             covetous
             to
             fill
             his
             bags
             ,
             or
             with
             the
             voluptuous
             to
             feed
             his
             luxuries
             .
             Let
             us
             therefore
             ,
             if
             we
             expect
             to
             be
             satisfied
             ,
             modestly
             confine
             our
             desires
             within
             the
             limits
             he
             has
             set
             us
             :
             and
             then
             every
             accession
             which
             he
             superadds
             will
             appear
             (
             what
             it
             is
             )
             a
             largess
             and
             bounty
             .
             But
             whilst
             our
             appetites
             are
             boundless
             ,
             and
             rather
             stretcht
             then
             filled
             with
             our
             acquest's
             ,
             what
             possibility
             is
             there
             of
             their
             satisfaction
             ?
             And
             when
             we
             importune
             God
             for
             it
             ,
             we
             do
             but
             assign
             him
             such
             a
             task
             the
             Poets
             made
             a
             representation
             of
             their
             Hell
             ,
             the
             filling
             a
             sieve
             with
             water
             ,
             or
             the
             rolling
             a
             stone
             up
             a
             precipice
             .
          
           
             10ly
             .
             A
             great
             expedient
             for
             contentment
             ,
             is
             to
             confine
             our
             thoughts
             to
             the
             present
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             let
             them
             loose
             to
             future
             events
             .
             Would
             we
             but
             do
             this
             ,
             we
             might
             shake
             off
             a
             great
             part
             of
             our
             burden
             :
             
             for
             we
             often
             heap
             fantastic
             loads
             upon
             our selves
             by
             anxious
             presages
             of
             things
             which
             perhaps
             will
             never
             happen
             ,
             and
             yet
             sink
             more
             under
             them
             ,
             then
             under
             the
             real
             weight
             that
             is
             actually
             upon
             us
             .
             And
             this
             is
             certainly
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             follies
             imaginable
             :
             for
             either
             the
             evil
             will
             come
             or
             it
             will
             not
             ,
             if
             it
             will
             ,
             t
             is
             sure
             no
             such
             desirable
             guest
             that
             we
             should
             go
             out
             to
             meet
             it
             ,
             we
             shall
             feel
             it
             time
             enough
             when
             it
             falls
             on
             us
             ,
             we
             need
             not
             project
             to
             anticipate
             our
             sense
             of
             it
             :
             but
             if
             it
             will
             not
             ,
             what
             extreme
             madness
             is
             it
             for
             a
             man
             to
             torment
             himself
             with
             that
             which
             will
             never
             be
             ,
             to
             create
             engines
             of
             tortures
             ,
             and
             by
             such
             aerial
             afflictions
             ,
             make
             himself
             as
             miserable
             as
             the
             most
             real
             ones
             could
             do
             ?
             And
             truly
             this
             is
             all
             that
             we
             usually
             get
             by
             our
             fore-sights
             .
             Prevision
             is
             one
             of
             Gods
             attributes
             ,
             and
             he
             mocks
             at
             all
             our
             pretences
             to
             it
             ,
             by
             a
             frequent
             defeating
             of
             all
             our
             fore-casts
             .
             He
             do's
             it
             often
             in
             our
             hopes
             :
             some
             little
             crosse
             circumstance
             many
             times
             demolishes
             those
             goodly
             machins
             we
             raise
             to
             our selves
             :
             and
             he
             do's
             it
             no
             less
             in
             our
             fears
             ,
             those
             ills
             we
             solemnly
             expected
             often
             baulk
             us
             ,
             and
             others
             from
             an
             unexpected
             coast
             suddenly
             invade
             us
             .
             And
             since
             we
             are
             so
             blind
             ,
             so
             short-sighted
             ,
             
             let
             us
             never
             take
             upon
             us
             to
             be
             scouts
             ,
             to
             discover
             danger
             at
             a
             distance
             (
             for
             t
             is
             manifold
             odds
             we
             shall
             only
             bring
             home
             false
             alarms
             )
             but
             let
             us
             rest
             our selves
             upon
             that
             most
             admirable
             Aphorism
             of
             our
             blessed
             Lord
             ,
             
               Sufficient
               unto
               the
               day
               is
               the
               evil
               thereof
               ,
            
             Mat.
             6.
             34.
             apply
             our selves
             with
             Christian
             courage
             to
             bear
             the
             present
             ,
             and
             leave
             God
             either
             to
             augment
             or
             diminish
             ,
             as
             he
             sees
             fit
             for
             the
             future
             .
             Or
             if
             we
             will
             needs
             be
             looking
             forward
             ,
             let
             it
             be
             in
             obedience
             not
             contradiction
             to
             our
             duty
             :
             let
             us
             entertain
             our selves
             with
             those
             futurities
             which
             we
             are
             sure
             are
             not
             Chimera's
             ,
             death
             and
             judgment
             ,
             heaven
             and
             hell
             .
             The
             nearer
             we
             draw
             these
             things
             to
             our
             view
             ,
             the
             more
             insensible
             will
             all
             intermedial
             objects
             be
             ;
             they
             will
             deceive
             our
             sense
             of
             present
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             fore-stal
             the
             apprehension
             of
             future
             evils
             :
             for
             t
             is
             our
             neglect
             of
             things
             eternal
             ,
             that
             leaves
             us
             thus
             at
             leisure
             for
             the
             transitory
          
           
             11.
             
             IN
             the
             last
             place
             let
             us
             in
             all
             our
             distresses
             supersede
             our
             anxieties
             and
             sollicitudes
             by
             that
             most
             effectual
             remedy
             the
             Apostle
             prescribes
             ,
             
               Is
               any
               man
               afflicted
               let
               him
               pray
               ,
            
             Jam.
             5.
             14.
             
             And
             this
             sure
             is
             a
             most
             rational
             prescription
             :
             for
             alas
             what
             else
             can
             we
             do
             towards
             the
             redress
             
             of
             our
             griefs
             .
             We
             who
             are
             so
             impotent
             ,
             that
             we
             have
             not
             power
             over
             the
             most
             despicable
             excrescence
             of
             our
             own
             body
             ,
             cannot
             make
             
               one
               hair
               white
               or
               black
            
             ,
             Mat.
             5.
             36.
             what
             can
             we
             do
             towards
             the
             new
             moulding
             our
             condition
             ,
             or
             modelling
             things
             without
             us
             ?
             Our
             sollicitudes
             serve
             only
             to
             bind
             our
             burdens
             faster
             upon
             us
             ,
             but
             this
             expedient
             of
             Praier
             will
             certainly
             relieve
             us
             .
             
               Call
               upon
               me
            
             ,
             saies
             God
             ,
             
               in
               the
               time
               of
               trouble
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               hear
               thee
               ,
               and
               thou
               shalt
               praise
               me
               ,
            
             Psal.
             50.
             15.
             
             Whenever
             therefore
             we
             are
             sinking
             in
             the
             floods
             of
             affliction
             ,
             let
             us
             thus
             support
             our selves
             by
             representing
             our
             wants
             unto
             our
             gracious
             Lord
             ,
             cry
             unto
             him
             as
             St.
             Peter
             did
             ,
             Mat.
             14.
             30.
             and
             he
             will
             
               take
               us
               by
               the
               hand
               ,
               and
               be
               the
               winds
            
             never
             so
             
               boisterous
               or
               contrary
            
             ,
             preserve
             from
             sinking
             :
             the
             waves
             or
             billows
             of
             this
             troublesom
             world
             ,
             will
             serve
             but
             to
             toss
             us
             closer
             into
             his
             arms
             ,
             who
             can
             with
             a
             word
             appease
             the
             roughest
             tempest
             ,
             or
             rescue
             from
             it
             .
             O
             let
             us
             not
             then
             be
             so
             unkind
             to
             our selves
             ,
             as
             to
             neglect
             this
             infallible
             means
             of
             our
             deliverance
             !
             but
             with
             the
             Psalmist
             take
             our
             refuge
             under
             the
             
               shadow
               of
               the
               divine
               wings
               till
               the
               calamity
               be
               over-past
            
             Psa.
             57.
             1.
             
             And
             as
             this
             is
             a
             sure
             expedient
             in
             
             all
             our
             real
             important
             afflictions
             ,
             so
             is
             it
             a
             good
             test
             by
             which
             to
             try
             what
             are
             so
             .
             We
             are
             often
             peevish
             and
             disquieted
             at
             trifles
             ,
             nay
             we
             take
             up
             the
             quarrels
             of
             our
             lusts
             and
             vices
             ,
             and
             are
             discontented
             when
             they
             want
             their
             wisht
             supplies
             .
             Now
             in
             either
             of
             these
             cases
             ,
             no
             man
             that
             at
             all
             considers
             who
             he
             praies
             to
             ,
             will
             dare
             to
             insert
             these
             in
             his
             praiers
             ,
             it
             being
             a
             contemt
             of
             God
             to
             invoke
             him
             in
             things
             so
             slight
             as
             the
             one
             ,
             or
             impious
             as
             the
             other
             .
             It
             will
             therefore
             be
             good
             for
             every
             man
             when
             he
             goes
             to
             address
             for
             relief
             ,
             to
             consider
             what
             of
             his
             pressures
             they
             are
             ,
             that
             are
             worthy
             of
             that
             solemn
             deprecation
             :
             and
             when
             he
             has
             singled
             those
             out
             ,
             let
             him
             reflect
             ,
             and
             he
             will
             find
             he
             has
             in
             that
             prejudg'd
             all
             his
             other
             discontents
             as
             frivolous
             or
             wicked
             .
             And
             then
             sure
             he
             cannot
             think
             fit
             to
             harbour
             them
             ,
             but
             must
             for
             shame
             dismiss
             them
             ,
             since
             they
             are
             such
             ,
             as
             he
             dares
             not
             avow
             to
             him
             ,
             from
             whom
             alone
             he
             can
             expect
             relief
             .
             God
             alwaies
             pities
             our
             real
             miseries
             ,
             but
             our
             imaginary
             ones
             dare
             not
             demand
             it
             .
             Let
             us
             not
             then
             create
             such
             diseases
             to
             our selves
             ,
             as
             we
             cannot
             declare
             to
             our
             Physitian
             :
             and
             when
             those
             are
             precluded
             ,
             for
             all
             the
             rest
             St.
             
             Pauls
             recipe
             is
             a
             Catholicon
             ,
             
               Be
               careful
               for
               nothing
               ,
               but
               in
               every
               thing
               by
               praiers
               and
               supplications
               ,
               with
               thanksgiving
               ,
               let
               your
               requests
               be
               made
               known
               to
               God.
            
             Phil.
             4.
             6.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             XI
             .
          
           
             Of
             Resignation
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             AND
             now
             amidst
             such
             variety
             of
             receits
             ,
             t
             will
             be
             hard
             to
             instance
             any
             one
             sort
             of
             calamity
             which
             can
             escape
             their
             efficacy
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             but
             duly
             appli'd
             .
             But
             indeed
             we
             have
             generally
             a
             compendious
             way
             of
             frustrating
             all
             remedies
             by
             never
             making
             use
             of
             them
             :
             like
             fantastic
             patients
             we
             are
             well
             enough
             content
             to
             have
             our
             disease
             discourst
             ,
             and
             medicines
             prescrib'd
             ,
             but
             when
             the
             Physic
             comes
             ,
             have
             still
             some
             pretence
             or
             other
             to
             protract
             the
             taking
             it
             .
             But
             I
             shall
             beseech
             the
             Reader
             to
             consider
             ,
             that
             counsels
             are
             not
             charms
             ,
             to
             work
             without
             any
             cooperation
             of
             the
             concern'd
             person
             :
             they
             must
             be
             adverted
             to
             ,
             they
             must
             be
             ponder'd
             and
             consider'd
             ,
             and
             finally
             they
             must
             be
             practic'd
             ,
             or
             else
             the
             utmost
             good
             they
             can
             do
             us
             ,
             is
             to
             give
             us
             a
             few
             hours
             divertisment
             in
             the
             reading
             :
             but
             they
             do
             us
             a
             mischief
             that
             infinitly
             out-weighs
             it
             ,
             for
             they
             improve
             
             our
             guilts
             by
             the
             ineffective
             tender
             they
             make
             of
             rescuing
             us
             from
             them
             ,
             and
             leave
             us
             accountable
             not
             only
             for
             the
             original
             crimes
             ,
             but
             for
             our
             obstinate
             adhesion
             to
             them
             in
             spight
             of
             admonition
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             I
             say
             this
             because
             it
             is
             a
             little
             too
             notorious
             ,
             that
             many
             take
             up
             books
             only
             as
             they
             do
             cards
             or
             dice
             ,
             as
             an
             instrument
             of
             diversion
             .
             T
             is
             a
             good
             entertainment
             of
             their
             curiosity
             to
             see
             what
             can
             be
             said
             upon
             any
             subject
             ,
             and
             be
             it
             well
             or
             ill
             handled
             ,
             they
             can
             please
             themselves
             equally
             with
             the
             ingenuity
             or
             ridiculousness
             of
             the
             composure
             ,
             and
             when
             they
             have
             don
             this
             ,
             they
             have
             don
             all
             they
             design'd
             .
             This
             indeed
             may
             be
             tolerable
             in
             Romances
             and
             Play-books
             ,
             but
             sure
             it
             ill
             befits
             Divinity
             .
             And
             yet
             I
             fear
             it
             oftnest
             happens
             there
             :
             for
             in
             the
             former
             some
             do
             project
             for
             some
             trivial
             improvements
             ,
             as
             the
             embellishing
             of
             their
             stile
             ,
             the
             inspiriting
             of
             their
             fancies
             ;
             and
             some
             men
             would
             scarce
             be
             able
             to
             drive
             their
             pedling
             trade
             of
             wit
             ,
             did
             they
             not
             thus
             sweep
             the
             stage
             :
             but
             alas
             how
             many
             books
             of
             piety
             are
             read
             ,
             of
             which
             one
             cannot
             discern
             the
             least
             tincture
             in
             mens
             conversations
             ,
             which
             sure
             do's
             in
             a
             great
             mesure
             proceed
             from
             the
             want
             of
             a
             determinate
             design
             in
             
             their
             reading
             ,
             mens
             practice
             being
             not
             apt
             to
             be
             less
             rovers
             then
             their
             speculation
             .
             He
             that
             takes
             a
             practical
             subject
             in
             hand
             ,
             must
             do
             it
             with
             a
             design
             to
             conform
             his
             practice
             to
             what
             he
             shall
             there
             be
             convinc'd
             to
             be
             his
             duty
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             comes
             not
             with
             this
             probity
             of
             mind
             ,
             is
             not
             like
             to
             be
             much
             benefited
             by
             his
             reading
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             BUT
             one
             would
             think
             this
             should
             be
             an
             unnecessary
             caution
             at
             this
             time
             ,
             for
             since
             the
             intent
             of
             this
             tract
             ,
             is
             only
             to
             shew
             men
             the
             way
             to
             contentment
             ,
             t
             is
             to
             be
             suppos'd
             the
             Readers
             will
             be
             as
             much
             in
             earnest
             as
             the
             writer
             can
             be
             ,
             it
             being
             every
             mans
             proper
             and
             most
             important
             interest
             ,
             the
             instating
             him
             in
             the
             highest
             and
             most
             supreme
             felicity
             that
             this
             world
             can
             admit
             :
             yet
             for
             all
             this
             fair
             probability
             ,
             I
             doubt
             many
             will
             in
             this
             instance
             have
             the
             same
             indifference
             they
             have
             in
             their
             other
             spiritual
             concerns
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             T
             IS
             true
             indeed
             that
             a
             querulous
             repining
             humor
             ,
             is
             one
             of
             the
             most
             pernicious
             ,
             the
             most
             ugly
             habits
             incident
             to
             mankind
             ,
             but
             yet
             as
             deformed
             people
             are
             oft
             the
             most
             in
             love
             with
             themselves
             ,
             so
             this
             crooked
             piece
             of
             our
             temper
             ,
             is
             of
             all
             others
             the
             most
             indulgent
             to
             it self
             .
             Melancholy
             
             is
             the
             most
             stubborn
             and
             untractable
             of
             all
             humors
             ;
             and
             discontent
             being
             the
             offspring
             of
             that
             ,
             partakes
             of
             that
             inflexibility
             :
             and
             accordingly
             we
             see
             how
             impregnable
             it
             often
             is
             ,
             against
             all
             assaults
             of
             reason
             and
             religion
             too
             .
             Ionah
             in
             a
             sullen
             mood
             would
             justify
             his
             discontent
             even
             to
             God
             himself
             ,
             and
             in
             spight
             of
             that
             calm
             reproof
             ,
             
               dost
               thou
               well
               to
               be
               angry
               ?
            
             Jon.
             4.
             9.
             aver
             
               he
               did
               well
               to
               be
               angry
               even
               to
               the
               death
               .
            
             And
             do
             we
             not
             frequently
             see
             men
             upon
             an
             impatience
             of
             some
             disappointment
             ,
             grow
             angry
             even
             at
             their
             comforts
             ?
             Their
             friends
             ,
             their
             children
             ,
             their
             meat
             ,
             their
             drink
             ,
             every
             thing
             grows
             nauseous
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             frantic
             discontent
             ,
             they
             often
             fling
             away
             those
             things
             which
             they
             most
             value
             .
             Besides
             this
             peevish
             impatience
             is
             of
             so
             aerial
             a
             diet
             ,
             that
             t
             is
             scarce
             possible
             to
             starve
             it
             .
             T
             will
             nurish
             itself
             with
             Phantasms
             and
             Chimeras
             ,
             suborn
             a
             thousand
             surmises
             &
             imaginary
             distresses
             to
             abet
             its
             pretences
             :
             and
             tho
             every
             one
             of
             us
             can
             remonstrate
             to
             another
             ,
             the
             unreasonableness
             of
             this
             discontent
             ;
             yet
             scarce
             any
             of
             us
             will
             draw
             the
             argument
             home
             ,
             or
             suffer
             our selves
             to
             be
             convinc'd
             by
             what
             we
             urge
             as
             irrefragable
             to
             others
             .
             Nay
             farther
             this
             humor
             is
             impatient
             of
             any
             diversion
             ,
             
             loves
             to
             converse
             only
             with
             it self
             .
             In
             bodily
             pains
             ,
             men
             that
             despair
             of
             cure
             are
             yet
             glad
             of
             allaies
             and
             mitigations
             ,
             and
             strive
             by
             all
             arts
             ,
             to
             divert
             and
             deceive
             the
             sense
             of
             their
             anguish
             ;
             but
             in
             this
             disease
             of
             the
             mind
             ,
             men
             cherish
             and
             improve
             their
             torment
             ,
             roll
             and
             chew
             the
             bitter
             pill
             in
             their
             mouths
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             sure
             to
             have
             its
             utmost
             flavor
             ;
             and
             by
             devoting
             all
             their
             thoughts
             to
             the
             subject
             of
             their
             grief
             ,
             keep
             up
             an
             uninterrupted
             sense
             of
             it
             :
             as
             if
             they
             had
             the
             same
             Tyranny
             for
             themselves
             which
             Caligula
             had
             for
             others
             ,
             and
             loved
             to
             feel
             themselves
             die
             .
             Indeed
             there
             is
             not
             a
             more
             absurd
             contradiction
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             then
             to
             hear
             men
             cry
             out
             of
             the
             weight
             ,
             the
             intolerableness
             of
             their
             burden
             ,
             and
             yet
             grasp
             it
             as
             fast
             as
             if
             their
             life
             were
             bound
             up
             in
             it
             ;
             will
             not
             deposite
             it
             ,
             no
             not
             for
             the
             smalest
             breathing
             time
             .
             A
             strange
             fascination
             sure
             ,
             and
             yet
             so
             frequent
             ,
             that
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             fundamental
             care
             of
             him
             that
             would
             cure
             men
             of
             their
             discontents
             ,
             to
             bring
             them
             to
             a
             hearty
             willingness
             of
             being
             cured
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             IT
             may
             be
             this
             will
             look
             like
             paradox
             ,
             and
             every
             man
             will
             be
             apt
             to
             say
             he
             wishes
             nothing
             more
             in
             earnest
             ,
             then
             to
             
             be
             cured
             of
             his
             present
             discontent
             .
             He
             that
             is
             poor
             would
             be
             cured
             by
             wealth
             ,
             he
             that
             is
             low
             and
             obscure
             by
             honor
             and
             greatness
             :
             but
             so
             an
             Hydropic
             person
             may
             say
             he
             desires
             to
             have
             his
             thirst
             cur'd
             by
             a
             perpetual
             supply
             of
             drink
             :
             yet
             all
             sober
             people
             know
             ,
             that
             that
             is
             the
             way
             only
             to
             increase
             it
             :
             but
             let
             the
             whole
             habit
             of
             the
             body
             be
             rectified
             ,
             and
             then
             the
             thirst
             will
             cease
             of
             it self
             .
             And
             certainly
             t
             is
             the
             very
             same
             in
             the
             present
             case
             ,
             no
             outward
             accessions
             will
             ever
             satisfy
             our
             cravings
             ,
             our
             appetites
             must
             be
             tam'd
             and
             reduc'd
             ,
             and
             then
             they
             will
             never
             be
             able
             to
             raise
             tumults
             ,
             or
             put
             us
             into
             mutiny
             and
             discontent
             :
             and
             he
             (
             and
             none
             but
             he
             )
             that
             submits
             to
             this
             method
             ,
             can
             truly
             be
             said
             to
             desire
             a
             cure
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             BUT
             he
             that
             thus
             attests
             the
             reality
             of
             his
             desires
             ,
             and
             seeks
             contentment
             in
             its
             proper
             sphere
             ,
             may
             surely
             arrive
             to
             some
             considerable
             degrees
             of
             it
             .
             We
             find
             in
             all
             ages
             men
             ,
             that
             only
             by
             the
             direction
             of
             natural
             light
             have
             calmed
             their
             disquiets
             ,
             and
             reason'd
             themselves
             into
             contentment
             even
             under
             great
             and
             sensible
             pressures
             ;
             men
             who
             amidst
             the
             acutest
             torments
             ,
             have
             still
             preserv'd
             a
             serenity
             of
             mind
             ,
             and
             have
             frustrated
             contemts
             
             and
             reproches
             by
             disregarding
             them
             :
             and
             sure
             we
             give
             a
             very
             ill
             account
             of
             our
             Christianity
             ,
             if
             we
             cannot
             do
             as
             much
             with
             it
             as
             they
             did
             without
             it
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             I
             do
             not
             here
             propose
             such
             a
             Stoical
             insensibility
             as
             makes
             no
             distinction
             of
             events
             ,
             which
             ,
             tho
             it
             has
             bin
             vainly
             pretended
             to
             by
             many
             ,
             yet
             sure
             was
             never
             attain'd
             by
             any
             upon
             the
             strength
             of
             discourse
             .
             Some
             natural
             dulnesse
             or
             casual
             stupefaction
             must
             concur
             to
             that
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             by
             doing
             so
             ,
             has
             had
             the
             luck
             to
             be
             canoniz'd
             for
             vertue
             .
             I
             mean
             only
             such
             a
             superiority
             of
             mind
             as
             raises
             us
             above
             our
             sufferings
             ,
             tho
             it
             exemt
             us
             not
             from
             the
             sense
             of
             them
             .
             We
             cannot
             propose
             to
             our selves
             a
             higher
             patern
             in
             any
             vertue
             then
             our
             blessed
             Lord
             :
             yet
             we
             see
             he
             not
             only
             felt
             that
             load
             under
             which
             he
             lay
             ,
             but
             had
             the
             most
             pungent
             and
             quick
             sense
             of
             it
             ,
             such
             as
             promted
             those
             earnest
             deprecations
             ,
             
               father
               if
               it
               be
               possible
               let
               this
               cup
               pass
               :
            
             yet
             all
             those
             displacencies
             of
             his
             flesh
             were
             surmounted
             by
             the
             resignation
             of
             his
             spirit
             ,
             
               nevertheless
               not
               what
               I
               will
               ,
               but
               what
               thou
               wilt
               ,
            
             Luk.
             22.
             
             And
             certainly
             he
             that
             in
             imitation
             of
             this
             pattern
             ,
             do's
             in
             spight
             of
             all
             the
             reluctancies
             of
             his
             sense
             ,
             thus
             entirely
             submit
             his
             will
             ,
             
             however
             he
             may
             be
             sad
             ,
             yet
             he
             is
             not
             impatient
             ;
             nor
             is
             he
             like
             to
             be
             sad
             long
             ,
             for
             to
             him
             that
             is
             thus
             resign'd
             ,
             
               light
               will
               spring
               up
            
             ,
             Psal.
             97.
             11.
             some
             good
             Angel
             will
             be
             sent
             like
             that
             to
             our
             Savior
             to
             relieve
             his
             disconsolation
             .
             God
             will
             send
             either
             some
             outward
             allaies
             ,
             or
             give
             such
             interior
             comforts
             and
             supports
             ,
             as
             shall
             counterpoise
             those
             afflictions
             he
             takes
             not
             off
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             INDEED
             the
             grand
             design
             of
             God
             in
             correcting
             us
             is
             (
             the
             same
             with
             that
             of
             a
             prudent
             parent
             towards
             his
             child
             )
             to
             break
             our
             wills
             .
             That
             stubborn
             faculty
             will
             scarce
             bend
             with
             easy
             touches
             ,
             and
             therefore
             do's
             require
             some
             force
             :
             and
             when
             by
             that
             rougher
             handling
             ,
             he
             has
             brought
             it
             to
             a
             pliantness
             ,
             the
             work
             is
             don
             .
             T
             is
             therefore
             our
             interest
             to
             cooperate
             with
             this
             design
             ,
             to
             assist
             as
             much
             as
             we
             are
             able
             towards
             the
             subjugating
             this
             unruly
             part
             of
             our selves
             .
             This
             is
             that
             Sheba
             2
             Sam.
             20.
             the
             surrendring
             of
             whom
             is
             Gods
             expectation
             in
             all
             the
             close
             sieges
             he
             laies
             to
             us
             .
             Let
             us
             then
             be
             so
             wise
             ,
             as
             by
             an
             early
             resigning
             it
             to
             divert
             his
             farther
             hostilities
             ,
             and
             buy
             our
             peace
             with
             him
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             AND
             truly
             this
             is
             the
             way
             not
             only
             to
             gain
             peace
             with
             him
             ,
             but
             our selves
             
             too
             :
             t
             is
             the
             usurpation
             of
             our
             will
             over
             our
             reason
             which
             breeds
             all
             the
             confusion
             and
             tumults
             within
             our
             own
             breasts
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             no
             possibility
             of
             curbing
             its
             insolence
             ,
             but
             by
             putting
             it
             into
             safe
             custody
             ,
             committing
             it
             to
             him
             who
             (
             as
             our
             Church
             teaches
             us
             )
             alone
             can
             order
             the
             unruly
             wills
             of
             sinful
             men
             .
             Indeed
             nothing
             but
             experience
             can
             fully
             inform
             us
             of
             the
             serenity
             and
             calm
             of
             that
             soul
             ,
             who
             has
             resign'd
             his
             will
             to
             God.
             All
             care
             of
             chusing
             for
             himself
             is
             happily
             superseded
             ,
             he
             is
             temted
             to
             no
             anxious
             forecasts
             for
             future
             events
             ,
             for
             he
             knows
             nothing
             can
             happen
             in
             contradiction
             of
             that
             supreme
             will
             ,
             in
             which
             he
             hath
             sanctuary
             :
             which
             will
             certainly
             chuse
             for
             him
             with
             that
             tenderness
             and
             regard
             ,
             that
             a
             faithful-Guardian
             would
             for
             his
             pupil
             ,
             an
             indulgent
             father
             for
             his
             child
             that
             casts
             its
             self
             into
             his
             arms
             .
             Certainly
             there
             is
             not
             in
             the
             world
             such
             a
             holy
             sort
             of
             artifice
             ,
             so
             Divine
             a
             charm
             to
             tie
             our
             God
             to
             us
             ,
             as
             this
             of
             resigning
             our selves
             to
             him
             .
             We
             find
             the
             Gibeonites
             by
             yielding
             themselves
             vassals
             to
             the
             Israelites
             ,
             had
             their
             whole
             army
             at
             their
             beck
             to
             rescue
             them
             in
             their
             danger
             Jos.
             10.
             6.
             and
             can
             we
             think
             God
             is
             less
             considerate
             of
             his
             homagers
             and
             dependents
             ?
             
             No
             certainly
             ,
             his
             honor
             as
             well
             as
             his
             compassion
             is
             concern'd
             in
             the
             relief
             of
             those
             who
             have
             surrendred
             themselves
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             FARTHER
             yet
             ,
             when
             by
             resignation
             we
             have
             united
             our
             wills
             to
             God
             ,
             we
             have
             quite
             changed
             the
             scene
             ,
             and
             we
             who
             when
             our
             wills
             stood
             single
             were
             liable
             to
             perpetual
             defeats
             ,
             in
             this
             blessed
             combination
             can
             never
             be
             crost
             .
             When
             our
             will
             is
             twisted
             and
             involved
             with
             Gods
             ,
             the
             same
             omnipotenee
             which
             backs
             his
             will
             ,
             do's
             also
             attend
             ours
             .
             Gods
             will
             ,
             we
             are
             sure
             ,
             admits
             of
             no
             controle
             ,
             can
             never
             be
             resisted
             ,
             and
             we
             have
             the
             same
             security
             for
             ours
             ,
             so
             long
             as
             it
             concurs
             with
             it
             .
             By
             this
             means
             all
             calamities
             are
             unsting'd
             ,
             and
             even
             those
             things
             which
             are
             most
             repugnant
             to
             our
             sensitive
             natures
             ,
             are
             yet
             very
             agreable
             to
             our
             spirits
             ,
             when
             we
             consider
             they
             are
             implicitly
             our
             own
             choice
             ,
             since
             they
             are
             certainly
             his
             ,
             whom
             we
             have
             deputed
             to
             elect
             for
             us
             .
             Indeed
             there
             can
             be
             no
             face
             of
             adversity
             so
             averting
             and
             formidable
             ,
             which
             set
             in
             this
             light
             will
             not
             look
             amiable
             .
             We
             see
             daily
             how
             many
             uneasinessess
             and
             prejudices
             men
             will
             contentedly
             suffer
             in
             pursuit
             of
             their
             wills
             :
             and
             if
             we
             have
             really
             espoused
             Gods
             ,
             made
             his
             will
             ours
             ,
             we
             shall
             
             with
             as
             great
             (
             nay
             far
             greater
             )
             alacrity
             embrace
             its
             distributions
             ,
             how
             uneasy
             soever
             to
             our
             sense
             ;
             our
             souls
             will
             more
             acquiesce
             in
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             the
             Divine
             will
             ,
             then
             our
             flesh
             can
             reluct
             to
             any
             severe
             effects
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             HERE
             then
             is
             that
             footing
             of
             firm
             ground
             ,
             on
             which
             whosoever
             can
             stand
             ,
             may
             indeed
             do
             that
             which
             Archimedes
             boasted
             ,
             move
             the
             whole
             world
             .
             He
             may
             as
             to
             himself
             subvert
             the
             whole
             course
             of
             sublunary
             things
             ,
             unvenem
             all
             those
             calamities
             which
             are
             to
             others
             the
             gall
             of
             Asps
             ;
             and
             in
             a
             farther
             sense
             verify
             that
             Evangelical
             prophecy
             ,
             of
             
               beating
               swords
               into
               plough-shares
               ,
               and
               spears
               into
               pruning
               hooks
               ,
            
             Esay
             .
             2.
             4.
             the
             most
             hostile
             weapons
             ,
             the
             most
             adverse
             events
             ,
             shall
             be
             by
             him
             converted
             into
             instruments
             of
             fertility
             ,
             shall
             only
             advance
             his
             spiritual
             growth
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             AND
             now
             who
             can
             chuse
             but
             confess
             this
             a
             much
             more
             eligible
             state
             ,
             then
             to
             be
             alwaies
             harrassed
             with
             solicitudes
             and
             cares
             ,
             perpetually
             either
             fearing
             future
             defeats
             ,
             or
             bewailing
             the
             past
             .
             And
             then
             what
             can
             we
             call
             it
             less
             then
             madness
             or
             enchantment
             ,
             for
             men
             to
             act
             so
             contrary
             to
             their
             own
             dictates
             ,
             yea
             to
             
             their
             very
             sense
             and
             experience
             ,
             too
             see
             and
             acknowledge
             the
             inexplicable
             felicity
             of
             a
             resigned
             will
             ,
             and
             yet
             perversely
             to
             hold
             out
             theirs
             ,
             tho
             they
             can
             get
             nothing
             by
             it
             ,
             but
             the
             sullen
             pleasure
             of
             opposing
             God
             ,
             and
             tormenting
             themselves
             ?
             Let
             us
             therefore
             if
             not
             for
             our
             duty
             or
             ease
             ,
             yet
             at
             least
             for
             our
             reputation
             ,
             the
             asserting
             our selves
             men
             of
             sobriety
             and
             common
             sense
             ,
             do
             that
             which
             upon
             all
             these
             interests
             we
             are
             obliged
             ;
             let
             us
             but
             give
             up
             our
             wills
             ,
             and
             with
             them
             we
             shall
             certainly
             divest
             our selves
             of
             all
             our
             fruitless
             anxieties
             ,
             and
             cast
             our
             burdens
             upon
             him
             who
             invites
             us
             to
             do
             so
             .
             He
             who
             bears
             all
             our
             sins
             ,
             will
             bear
             all
             our
             sorrows
             ,
             our
             griefs
             too
             :
             if
             we
             will
             but
             be
             content
             to
             deposite
             them
             ,
             he
             will
             relieve
             us
             from
             all
             those
             oppressing
             weights
             ,
             which
             make
             
               our
               souls
               cleave
               to
               the
               dust
               ,
            
             Psal.
             119.
             25.
             and
             will
             in
             exchange
             give
             us
             only
             his
             
               light
               ,
               his
               pleasant
               burden
            
             ,
             Mat.
             11.
             33.
             
             In
             a
             word
             there
             will
             be
             no
             care
             left
             for
             us
             ,
             but
             that
             of
             keeping
             our selves
             in
             a
             capacity
             of
             his
             :
             let
             us
             but
             secure
             our
             love
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             ascertain'd
             that
             
               all
               things
               shall
               work
               together
               for
               our
               good
               ,
            
             Rom.
             8.
             28.
             
          
           
             To
             conclude
             ,
             Resignation
             and
             Contentment
             are
             vertues
             not
             only
             of
             a
             near
             
             cognation
             and
             resemblance
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             linked
             as
             the
             Cause
             and
             the
             Effect
             .
             Let
             us
             but
             make
             sure
             of
             Resignation
             ,
             and
             Content
             will
             flow
             into
             us
             without
             our
             farther
             industry
             :
             as
             on
             the
             contrary
             whilst
             our
             wills
             are
             at
             defiance
             with
             Gods
             ,
             we
             shall
             alwaies
             find
             things
             at
             as
             great
             defiance
             with
             ours
             .
             All
             our
             subtiletes
             or
             industries
             will
             never
             mould
             them
             to
             our
             satisfactions
             ,
             till
             we
             have
             moulded
             our selves
             into
             that
             pliant
             temper
             that
             we
             can
             cordially
             say
             ,
             
               It
               is
               the
               Lord
               ,
               let
               him
               do
               what
               seemeth
               him
               good
               .
            
             1
             Sam.
             3.
             18.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             The
             Close
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THIS
             short
             institution
             of
             the
             
               Art
               of
               Contentment
            
             ,
             cannot
             more
             naturally
             ,
             or
             more
             desirably
             draw
             to
             a
             conclusion
             ,
             then
             in
             the
             resort
             we
             have
             given
             it
             ,
             in
             the
             bosome
             of
             divine
             Providence
             .
             The
             Roman
             conquerors
             as
             the
             last
             pitch
             of
             all
             their
             triumphs
             ,
             went
             to
             the
             Capitol
             ,
             and
             laid
             their
             Garlands
             in
             the
             lap
             of
             Iupiter
             :
             but
             the
             Christian
             has
             an
             easier
             way
             to
             Triumph
             ,
             to
             put
             his
             crown
             of
             thornes
             (
             for
             that
             is
             the
             trophy
             of
             his
             victories
             )
             within
             the
             arms
             of
             his
             gracious
             God
             ;
             there
             lodg
             his
             fears
             ,
             his
             wants
             ,
             his
             sorrows
             ,
             and
             himself
             too
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             best
             repository
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             THE
             Gospel
             command
             of
             
               not
               caring
               for
               the
               morrow
            
             ,
             Mat.
             6.
             34
             ,
             and
             being
             
               careful
               for
               nothing
            
             ,
             Phil.
             4.
             6.
             nakedly
             propos'd
             ,
             might
             seem
             the
             abandoning
             of
             us
             to
             all
             the
             calamities
             of
             life
             :
             but
             when
             we
             are
             directed
             to
             
               cast
               all
               our
               care
            
             upon
             a
             gracious
             and
             all-powerful
             Parent
             ,
             and
             are
             assur'd
             that
             
               he
               cares
               for
               us
            
             ,
             1
             Pet.
             5.
             7.
             that
             
               tho
               a
               woman
               may
               forget
               her
               sucking
               child
               ,
               that
               she
               should
               not
               have
               compassion
               
               of
               the
               son
               of
               her
               womb
               ,
               yet
               will
               he
               not
               forget
            
             his
             children
             ,
             Isa.
             49.
             15.
             this
             will
             abundantly
             supersede
             all
             cavil
             and
             objection
             .
             Whilst
             worldly
             men
             trust
             in
             an
             arm
             of
             flesh
             ,
             lay
             up
             
               tresure
               on
               earth
            
             ,
             a
             prey
             for
             
               rust
               and
               moth
            
             ,
             Mat.
             6.
             19.
             and
             
               a
               torment
            
             to
             themselves
             ,
             Jam.
             5.
             3.
             the
             Christian
             has
             Omnipotence
             for
             his
             support
             ,
             and
             a
             
               tresure
               in
               heaven
               ,
               where
               no
               thief
               approches
               ,
               nor
               moth
               corrupts
               ,
            
             Mat.
             6.
             20.
             
             Whil'st
             bold
             inquirers
             call
             in
             question
             Gods
             secret
             will
             ,
             oblige
             him
             to
             their
             sub
             or
             supralapsarian
             schemes
             ,
             their
             absolute
             or
             conditional
             decrees
             ,
             their
             grace
             foreseen
             or
             predetermin'd
             ;
             the
             pious
             man
             with
             aweful
             acquiescence
             submits
             to
             that
             which
             is
             revel'd
             :
             resolves
             for
             ever
             to
             obey
             ,
             but
             never
             to
             dispute
             ;
             as
             knowing
             that
             the
             belov'd
             Disciple
             lean'd
             on
             his
             Masters
             bosome
             ;
             but
             t
             is
             the
             thiefs
             and
             traitors
             part
             to
             go
             about
             to
             rifle
             it
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             T
             IS
             surely
             a
             modest
             demand
             in
             the
             behalf
             of
             God
             Almighty
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             allow
             him
             as
             much
             privilege
             in
             his
             World
             ,
             as
             every
             Pesant
             clames
             in
             his
             Cottage
             ;
             to
             be
             Master
             there
             ,
             and
             dispose
             of
             his
             household
             as
             he
             thinks
             best
             :
             to
             
               say
               to
               this
               man
               ,
               Go
               ,
               and
               he
               goeth
               :
               and
               to
               another
               ,
               Come
               ,
               and
               he
               cometh
               :
               and
               to
               his
               servant
               ,
               Do
               this
               ,
               
               and
               he
               doth
               it
               ,
            
             Mat.
             8.
             9.
             
             And
             if
             we
             would
             afford
             him
             this
             liberty
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             an
             immediate
             end
             put
             to
             all
             clamor
             and
             complaint
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             WE
             make
             it
             our
             daily
             praier
             that
             the
             will
             of
             God
             
               may
               be
               don
               in
               earth
               as
               it
               is
               in
               heaven
               ,
            
             with
             a
             ready
             ,
             swift
             ,
             and
             uninterrupted
             constancy
             .
             As
             t
             is
             Giant-like
             rebellion
             to
             set
             up
             our
             will
             against
             his
             ,
             so
             is
             it
             mad
             perverseness
             to
             set
             it
             up
             against
             our
             own
             ;
             be
             displeas'd
             that
             our
             requests
             are
             granted
             ,
             and
             repine
             that
             his
             ,
             and
             therewith
             our
             will
             is
             don
             .
             It
             were
             indeed
             not
             only
             good
             manners
             ,
             but
             good
             policy
             ,
             to
             observe
             the
             direction
             of
             the
             Heathen
             ,
             and
             
               follow
               God
            
             :
             not
             prejudg
             his
             determinations
             by
             ours
             ;
             but
             in
             a
             modest
             suspension
             of
             our
             thoughts
             ,
             
               hearken
               what
               the
               Lord
               God
               will
               say
               concerning
               us
               ,
               for
               he
               will
               speak
               peace
               unto
               his
               people
               ,
               and
               to
               his
               Saints
               that
               they
               turn
               not
               again
               ,
            
             Psa.
             85.
             8.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             OR
             however
             upon
             surprise
             we
             may
             indulge
             to
             a
             passionate
             affection
             ,
             and
             dote
             upon
             our
             illegitimate
             off-spring
             ,
             our
             dearling
             guilts
             or
             follies
             ,
             as
             David
             did
             upon
             that
             Child
             ,
             who
             was
             the
             price
             of
             Murder
             and
             adultery
             :
             yet
             when
             the
             brat
             is
             taken
             from
             us
             ,
             when
             the
             
               Child
               is
               dead
            
             ,
             it
             will
             
             become
             us
             to
             do
             as
             he
             did
             ,
             rise
             from
             our
             sullen
             posture
             on
             the
             earth
             ,
             and
             
               worship
               in
               the
               house
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             2
             Sam.
             12.
             20.
             
             It
             will
             behove
             us
             ,
             as
             he
             saies
             in
             another
             place
             ,
             to
             
               lay
               our
               hand
               upon
               our
               mouth
               ,
               because
               it
               was
               his
               doing
               ,
            
             Psal.
             30.
             10.
             and
             with
             holy
             Iob
             Chap.
             40.
             4.
             when
             charg'd
             with
             his
             murmurings
             ,
             
               Behold
               I
               am
               vile
               ,
               what
               shall
               I
               answer
               ?
               Once
               have
               I
               spoken
               ,
               but
               I
               will
               not
               answer
               :
               yea
               twice
               ,
               but
               I
               will
               proceed
               no
               farther
               .
            
          
           
             6.
             
             Socrates
             rightly
             said
             of
             Contentment
             ,
             opposing
             it
             to
             the
             riches
             of
             fortune
             and
             opinion
             ,
             that
             t
             is
             the
             wealth
             of
             nature
             ;
             for
             it
             gives
             every
             thing
             that
             we
             have
             learnt
             to
             want
             ,
             and
             really
             need
             :
             but
             Resignation
             is
             the
             riches
             of
             Grace
             ,
             bestowing
             all
             things
             that
             a
             Christian
             not
             only
             needs
             ,
             but
             can
             desire
             ,
             even
             Almighty
             God
             himself
             .
             He
             indeed
             ,
             as
             the
             Scholemen
             teach
             ,
             is
             the
             objective
             happiness
             of
             the
             Creature
             ;
             He
             who
             is
             the
             fountain
             of
             being
             ,
             must
             be
             also
             of
             blessedness
             :
             and
             tho
             this
             be
             only
             communicable
             to
             us
             ,
             when
             we
             have
             put
             off
             that
             
               flesh
               which
               cannot
               enter
               into
               the
               kingdom
               of
               God
               ,
            
             and
             laid
             aside
             that
             corruption
             which
             cannot
             
               inherit
               incorruption
            
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             yet
             even
             in
             this
             life
             ,
             we
             may
             make
             approches
             to
             that
             blessed
             
             state
             ,
             by
             acts
             of
             Resignation
             and
             denial
             of
             our selves
             .
             It
             was
             the
             generous
             saying
             of
             Socrates
             being
             about
             to
             die
             unto
             his
             friend
             ;
             O
             Crito
             ,
             since
             it
             is
             the
             will
             of
             God
             ,
             so
             let
             it
             be
             :
             Anytus
             and
             Melitus
             may
             kill
             me
             ,
             but
             cannot
             hurt
             me
             .
             But
             such
             a
             resignation
             as
             t
             is
             infinitly
             a
             greater
             duty
             to
             a
             Christian
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             also
             a
             more
             firm
             security
             .
             In
             that
             case
             t
             is
             not
             the
             Martyr
             ,
             but
             Iesus
             of
             Nazareth
             who
             is
             thus
             persecuted
             ,
             and
             he
             who
             attaques
             him
             will
             find
             
               it
               hard
               to
               kick
               against
               the
               pricks
               ,
            
             Act.
             9.
             5.
             
          
           
             7.
             
             
               THERE
               could
               not
               be
               a
               greater
               instance
               of
               the
               profligate
               sensuality
               of
               the
            
             Israelites
             ,
             
               then
               that
               they
               murmured
               for
               want
               of
            
             leeks
             and
             onions
             ,
             
               Num.
               11.
               5.
               when
               they
               ate
               Angels
               food
               ,
               and
               had
               bread
               rain'd
               down
               from
               heaven
               .
               T
               is
               impossible
               for
               the
               soul
               that
               is
               sensible
               of
               God
               Almighties
               favor
               ,
               to
               repine
               at
               any
               earthly
               pressure
               .
            
             The
             Lord
             is
             my
             shepherd
             ,
             saith
             David
             ,
             therefore
             can
             I
             lack
             nothing
             ,
             
               Psa.
               23.
               1.
               
               And
            
             ,
             thou
             hast
             put
             gladness
             into
             my
             heart
             ,
             more
             then
             when
             their
             corn
             ,
             and
             wine
             ,
             aud
             oil
             encreased
             ,
             
               Psa.
               4.
               7.
               and
               in
               passionate
               rapture
               he
               cries
               out
               ,
               Psa.
            
             73.
             25.
             
             Whom
             have
             I
             in
             heaven
             but
             thee
             :
             and
             there
             is
             none
             upon
             earth
             that
             I
             
             desire
             in
             comparison
             of
             thee
             ?
             my
             flesh
             and
             my
             heart
             faileth
             :
             but
             God
             is
             the
             strength
             of
             my
             heart
             ,
             and
             my
             portion
             for
             ever
             .
             
               And
               likewise
               Psal.
            
             46.
             1.
             
             God
             is
             our
             hope
             and
             strength
             ,
             a
             very
             present
             help
             in
             trouble
             .
             Therefore
             will
             we
             not
             fear
             ,
             tho
             the
             earth
             be
             moved
             :
             and
             tho
             the
             hills
             be
             carried
             into
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             sea
             .
             Tho
             the
             waters
             thereof
             rage
             and
             swell
             ,
             and
             tho
             the
             mountains
             shake
             at
             the
             tempest
             of
             the
             same
             .
             If
             God
             be
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             us
             ,
             we
             shall
             not
             be
             removed
             ,
             he
             will
             help
             us
             ,
             and
             that
             right
             early
             .
             
               Let
               us
               therefore
               possess
               our selves
               of
               this
               support
               ,
               and
               as
               the
               Prophet
               advises
               Isa.
            
             8.
             12.
             neither
             fear
             ,
             nor
             be
             afraid
             ,
             
               in
               any
               exigence
               how
               great
               soever
               ;
               but
            
             be
             still
             and
             quiet
             ,
             and
             sanctify
             the
             Lord
             of
             hosts
             himself
             ,
             and
             let
             him
             be
             our
             fear
             ,
             and
             let
             him
             be
             our
             dread
             .
          
           
             FINIS
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           CONTENTS
           .
        
         
           SECTION
        
         
           
             1.
             
             Of
             the
             necessary
             Connexion
             between
             Happiness
             and
             Contentment
             .
             p.
             1.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Of
             Gods
             Absolute
             Soveraignty
             .
             p.
             17.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Of
             Gods
             Unlimited
             Bounty
             .
             p.
             28.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             Of
             the
             Surplusage
             of
             our
             Enjoiments
             above
             our
             Sufferings
             .
             p.
             56.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             Of
             our
             Demerit
             towards
             God.
             p.
             86.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             Of
             Gods
             general
             Providence
             .
             p.
             107.
             
          
           
             7.
             
             Of
             Gods
             particular
             Providence
             .
             p.
             121.
             
          
           
             8.
             
             Of
             the
             Advantage
             of
             Afflictions
             .
             p.
             130.
             
          
           
             9.
             
             Of
             our
             Misfortunes
             compar'd
             with
             other
             mens
             .
             p.
             156.
             
          
           
             10.
             
             Of
             particular
             aids
             for
             the
             gaining
             Contentment
             .
             p.
             178.
             
          
           
             11.
             
             Of
             Resignation
             .
             p.
             196.
             
          
           
             The
             Close
             .
             p.
             209.
             
          
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A23688-e360
           
             *
             Decay
             of
             Christian
             Piety
             .