A sermon preach'd before the Queen at White-Hall, March the XXth, 1691/2 by John, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.
         Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.
      
       
         
           1692
        
      
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             A sermon preach'd before the Queen at White-Hall, March the XXth, 1691/2 by John, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.
             Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.
          
           [4], 32 p.
           
             Printed for Brabazon Aylmer ..., and William Rogers ...,
             London :
             1692.
          
           
             Marginal notes.
             Half title: His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury's sermon before the Queen, March 20th, 1691/2.
             Later published with title: God the only happiness of man.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms LXXIII, 25 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           HIS
           GRACE
           The
           Lord
           Archbishop
           of
           
           Canterbury's
           SERMON
           BEFORE
           THE
           QUEEN
           ,
           March
           20
           th
           ,
           1691
           /
           2.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preach'd
           before
           the
           QUEEN
           AT
           WHITE-HALL
           ,
           March
           the
           XX
           th
           ,
           1691
           /
           2.
           
        
         
           By
           JOHN
           Lord
           Archbishop
           of
           Canterbury
           .
        
         
           Published
           by
           Her
           Majesty's
           special
           Command
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Brabazon
             Aylmer
          
           ,
           at
           the
           
             Three
             Pidgeons
          
           over-against
           the
           
             Royal
             Exchange
          
           in
           Cornhill
           ;
           and
           
             William
             Rogers
          
           at
           the
           Sun
           over-against
           St.
           
           Dunstan's
           Church
           in
           Fleetstreet
           .
           
             MDCXCII
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             PSALM
             Lxxiii
             .
             25.
             
          
           
             Whom
             have
             I
             in
             heaven
             but
             thee
             ?
             and
             there
             is
             none
             upon
             earth
             that
             I
             desire
             besides
             thee
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           design
           of
           this
           Psalm
           is
           to
           vindicate
           the
           goodness
           and
           justice
           of
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           prosperous
           estate
           of
           the
           wicked
           and
           the
           afflicted
           condition
           of
           good
           men
           many
           times
           in
           this
           World.
           And
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           whoever
           he
           was
           ,
           whether
           David
           or
           Asaph
           ,
           lays
           down
           this
           for
           a
           most
           certain
           Truth
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           good
           to
           good
           men
           :
           
             Of
             a
             truth
             God
             is
             good
             to
          
           Israel
           ,
           
           
             to
             such
             as
             are
             of
             a
             clean
             heart
             .
          
        
         
           And
           yet
           for
           all
           this
           he
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           at
           some
           times
           he
           was
           under
           no
           small
           temptation
           to
           question
           the
           truth
           of
           this
           Principle
           ,
           when
           he
           beheld
           the
           promiscuous
           dispensation
           of
           things
           here
           below
           ;
           that
           the
           wicked
           are
           often
           prosperous
           ,
           and
           good
           men
           exposed
           to
           great
           calamities
           in
           this
           life
           ;
           as
           if
           God
           either
           neglected
           human
           affairs
           ,
           or
           had
           a
           greater
           kindness
           for
           the
           workers
           of
           iniquity
           than
           for
           pious
           and
           good
           men
           :
           
             As
             for
             me
          
           ,
           
           
             my
             foot
             had
             well
             nigh
             slipp'd
             ,
             for
             I
             was
             envious
             at
             the
             foolish
             ,
             when
             I
             saw
             the
             prosperity
             of
             the
             wicked
             .
          
        
         
           This
           ,
           he
           says
           ,
           was
           a
           very
           great
           stumbling
           block
           
           to
           good
           men
           ,
           and
           tempted
           them
           to
           doubt
           of
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           :
           
           
             Therefore
             his
             People
             return
             hither
             ,
             and
             waters
             of
             a
             full
             cup
             are
             wrung
             out
             to
             them
             ;
             and
             they
             say
             ,
             doth
             God
             know
             ,
             and
             is
             there
             knowledge
             in
             the
             most
             High
             ?
          
           This
           Sentence
           is
           somewhat
           obscurely
           rendred
           in
           our
           Translation
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           make
           the
           sense
           of
           it
           difficult
           ,
           which
           is
           plainly
           this
           ,
           
             Therefore
             his
             people
             return
             hither
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           therefore
           good
           men
           come
           to
           this
           ,
           in
           the
           greatness
           of
           their
           affliction
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           bitterness
           of
           their
           soul
           ,
           to
           question
           God's
           knowledg
           and
           care
           of
           human
           affairs
           .
        
         
           Behold
           ,
           
           say
           they
           ,
           
             these
             are
             the
             ungodly
             ,
             and
             yet
             they
             are
             the
             prosperous
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             they
             increase
             in
             riches
             :
          
           To
           what
           purpose
           then
           is
           it
           for
           any
           man
           to
           be
           Religious
           and
           vertuous
           ?
           
             Verily
             ,
             I
             have
             cleansed
             my
             heart
             in
             vain
             ,
             and
             washed
             my
             hands
             in
             innocency
             :
          
           
           In
           vain
           have
           I
           endeavoured
           after
           purity
           of
           heart
           and
           innocency
           of
           life
           ,
           since
           so
           little
           good
           comes
           of
           it
           ;
           nay
           ,
           so
           far
           from
           that
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           been
           in
           continual
           trouble
           and
           affliction
           :
           
             All
             the
             day
             long
             have
             I
             been
             plagued
             ,
             and
             chastned
             every
             morning
             .
          
           
        
         
           Such
           thoughts
           as
           these
           often
           came
           into
           his
           mind
           ,
           and
           gave
           him
           great
           trouble
           and
           disquiet
           :
           But
           he
           presently
           corrects
           himself
           :
           
             If
             I
             say
             I
             will
             speak
             thus
             ,
             I
             should
             offend
             against
             the
             generation
             of
             thy
             Children
             ,
          
           
           that
           is
           ,
           I
           should
           go
           against
           the
           sense
           of
           all
           pious
           and
           good
           men
           ,
           who
           have
           always
           believed
           the
           Providence
           
           of
           God
           notwithstanding
           this
           Objection
           :
           Which
           at
           last
           he
           tells
           us
           he
           had
           raised
           on
           purpose
           to
           try
           if
           he
           could
           find
           the
           solution
           of
           it
           :
           
             I
             thought
             to
             know
             this
             ,
             which
             was
             grievous
             in
             mine
             eyes
             :
          
           
           And
           then
           he
           resolves
           all
           into
           the
           unsearchable
           wisdom
           of
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           which
           if
           we
           fully
           understood
           from
           first
           to
           last
           ,
           we
           should
           see
           good
           reason
           to
           be
           satisfied
           with
           the
           equity
           of
           it
           :
           
           
             When
             I
             go
             into
             the
             Sanctuary
             of
             God
             ,
             then
             shall
             I
             understand
             the
             end
             of
             these
             men
             ?
             How
             thou
             didst
             set
             them
             in
             slippery
             places
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           This
           satisfied
           him
           ,
           that
           whenever
           the
           secret
           design
           of
           God's
           Providence
           should
           be
           unfolded
           whether
           in
           this
           World
           or
           the
           other
           ,
           how
           strange
           and
           cross
           soever
           things
           might
           seem
           to
           be
           at
           present
           ,
           yet
           in
           the
           issue
           and
           conclusion
           it
           would
           appear
           ,
           that
           neither
           are
           bad
           men
           so
           happy
           ,
           nor
           good
           men
           so
           miserable
           ,
           as
           at
           present
           they
           may
           seem
           to
           be
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           upon
           a
           full
           debate
           of
           this
           matter
           the
           Psalmist
           concludes
           ,
           that
           these
           Objections
           against
           Providence
           do
           spring
           from
           our
           ignorance
           ,
           and
           short
           and
           imperfect
           view
           of
           things
           ;
           whereas
           if
           we
           saw
           the
           whole
           design
           from
           beginning
           to
           end
           ,
           it
           would
           appear
           to
           be
           very
           reasonable
           and
           regular
           .
           
             Thus
             my
             heart
             was
             grieved
          
           ;
           
           
             so
             foolish
             was
             I
             and
             ignorant
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             beast
             before
             thee
             .
          
           And
           in
           regard
           to
           himself
           he
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           he
           saw
           great
           reason
           to
           acknowledge
           God's
           tender
           care
           over
           him
           in
           particular
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           could
           
           find
           no
           security
           or
           comfort
           for
           himself
           ,
           but
           in
           God
           alone
           :
           
           
             Nevertheless
             I
             am
             continually
             with
             thee
             ;
             thou
             hast
             holden
             me
             by
             thy
             right
             hand
             :
             Thou
             shalt
             guide
             me
             with
             thy
             counsel
             ,
             and
             afterwards
             receive
             me
             to
             glory
          
           ;
           as
           if
           he
           had
           said
           ,
           I
           am
           sensible
           of
           thy
           constant
           presence
           with
           me
           ,
           and
           care
           of
           me
           ;
           and
           do
           entirely
           depend
           upon
           thy
           guidance
           and
           direction
           ,
           not
           doubting
           but
           that
           my
           present
           troubles
           and
           afflictions
           will
           have
           a
           happy
           and
           glorious
           issue
           .
        
         
           And
           at
           last
           he
           breaks
           out
           into
           a
           kind
           of
           exultation
           and
           triumph
           for
           the
           mighty
           consolation
           which
           he
           found
           in
           the
           firm
           belief
           of
           the
           Being
           and
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           the
           great
           stay
           and
           support
           of
           his
           soul
           in
           the
           worst
           condition
           that
           could
           befall
           him
           ;
           in
           the
           words
           of
           the
           
             Text
             ,
             Whom
             have
             I
             in
             heaven
             but
             thee
             ?
             and
             there
             is
             none
             upon
             earth
             that
             I
             desire
             besides
             thee
             .
          
           If
           a
           man
           were
           to
           chuse
           a
           happiness
           for
           himself
           ,
           and
           were
           to
           ransack
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           for
           it
           ,
           after
           all
           his
           search
           and
           enquiry
           he
           would
           at
           last
           fix
           upon
           God
           as
           the
           chief
           happiness
           of
           man
           ,
           and
           the
           true
           and
           only
           rest
           and
           center
           of
           our
           souls
           .
           This
           then
           is
           the
           plain
           meaning
           of
           the
           
             Text
             ,
             That
             nothing
             in
             the
             world
             but
             God
             can
             make
             man
             happy
             :
             Whom
             have
             I
             in
             heaven
             but
             thee
             ?
             and
             there
             is
             none
             upon
             earth
             that
             I
             desire
             besides
             thee
             .
          
        
         
           That
           man
           of
           himself
           is
           not
           sufficient
           for
           his
           own
           happiness
           is
           evident
           upon
           many
           accounts
           :
           Because
           he
           is
           liable
           to
           so
           many
           evils
           and
           calamities
           ,
           which
           
           he
           can
           neither
           prevent
           ,
           nor
           remedy
           :
           He
           is
           full
           of
           wants
           which
           he
           cannot
           supply
           ;
           compassed
           about
           with
           infirmities
           which
           he
           can
           only
           complain
           of
           ,
           but
           is
           not
           able
           to
           redress
           :
           He
           is
           obnoxious
           to
           dangers
           which
           he
           must
           always
           fear
           ,
           because
           he
           can
           never
           sufficiently
           provide
           against
           them
           .
        
         
           Consider
           man
           by
           himself
           ,
           and
           from
           under
           the
           conduct
           and
           protection
           of
           a
           superior
           and
           more
           powerful
           Being
           ,
           and
           he
           is
           in
           a
           most
           disconsolate
           and
           forlorn
           condition
           :
           Secure
           of
           nothing
           that
           he
           enjoys
           ,
           and
           liable
           to
           be
           disappointed
           of
           every
           thing
           that
           he
           hopes
           for
           :
           He
           is
           apt
           to
           grieve
           for
           what
           he
           cannot
           help
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           the
           justest
           cause
           of
           his
           grief
           is
           that
           he
           cannot
           help
           it
           ;
           for
           if
           he
           could
           ,
           instead
           of
           grieving
           for
           it
           he
           would
           help
           it
           :
           He
           cannot
           refrain
           from
           desiring
           a
           great
           many
           things
           which
           he
           would
           fain
           have
           ,
           but
           is
           never
           likely
           to
           obtain
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           out
           of
           his
           power
           ;
           and
           it
           troubles
           him
           both
           that
           they
           are
           so
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           cannot
           help
           his
           being
           troubled
           at
           it
           .
        
         
           
             Thus
             man
             walketh
             in
             a
             vain
             shew
             ,
             and
             disquieteth
             himself
             in
             vain
          
           ;
           courting
           happiness
           in
           a
           thousand
           shapes
           ,
           and
           the
           faster
           he
           follows
           it
           the
           swifter
           it
           flyes
           from
           him
           .
           Almost
           every
           thing
           promiseth
           happiness
           to
           us
           at
           a
           distance
           ,
           such
           a
           step
           of
           Honour
           ,
           such
           a
           pitch
           of
           Estate
           ,
           such
           a
           Fortune
           or
           Match
           for
           a
           Child
           :
           But
           when
           we
           come
           nearer
           to
           it
           ,
           either
           we
           fall
           short
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           it
           falls
           short
           of
           our
           expectation
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           hard
           
           to
           say
           which
           of
           these
           is
           the
           greatest
           disappointment
           .
           Our
           hopes
           are
           usually
           bigger
           than
           enjoyment
           can
           satisfie
           ,
           and
           an
           evil
           long
           fear'd
           ,
           besides
           that
           it
           may
           never
           come
           ,
           is
           many
           times
           more
           painful
           and
           troublesome
           than
           the
           evil
           it self
           when
           it
           comes
           .
        
         
           
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             man
             is
             born
             to
             trouble
             as
             the
             sparks
             fly
             upwards
             .
          
           He
           comes
           into
           the
           world
           naked
           and
           unarm'd
           ,
           and
           from
           himself
           more
           destitute
           of
           the
           natural
           means
           of
           his
           security
           and
           support
           than
           any
           other
           Creature
           whatsoever
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           on
           purpose
           to
           shew
           that
           he
           is
           more
           peculiarly
           the
           care
           of
           a
           Superior
           Providence
           :
           And
           as
           man
           ,
           of
           all
           the
           Creatures
           of
           this
           lower
           world
           ,
           is
           only
           made
           to
           own
           and
           acknowledg
           a
           Deity
           ;
           so
           God
           in
           great
           wisdom
           hath
           so
           order'd
           things
           ,
           that
           none
           of
           the
           other
           Creatures
           should
           have
           so
           much
           need
           of
           Him
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           reason
           to
           acknowledg
           their
           necessary
           dependance
           upon
           him
           .
           So
           that
           the
           words
           of
           David
           are
           the
           very
           sense
           and
           voice
           of
           Nature
           ,
           declaring
           to
           us
           that
           Mankind
           is
           born
           into
           the
           World
           upon
           terms
           of
           greater
           dependance
           upon
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           than
           other
           Creatures
           :
           
             Thou
             art
             he
          
           ,
           says
           David
           there
           to
           God
           ,
           
             that
             tookest
             me
             out
             of
             the
             womb
             ,
             thou
             madest
             me
             to
             hope
             ,
          
           
           or
           thou
           didst
           keep
           me
           in
           safety
           ,
           
             when
             I
             was
             upon
             my
             mother's
             breasts
             :
             I
             was
             cast
             upon
             thee
             from
             the
             womb
             ,
             thou
             art
             my
             God
             from
             my
             mother's
             belly
             :
             Be
             not
             far
             from
             me
             ,
             for
             trouble
             is
             near
             :
          
           Trouble
           is
           always
           near
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           happy
           for
           us
           that
           God
           is
           never
           
           far
           from
           any
           of
           us
           :
           
             For
             in
             Him
             we
             live
             ,
             and
             move
             ,
             and
             have
             our
             being
             .
          
        
         
           And
           when
           we
           are
           grown
           up
           ,
           we
           are
           liable
           to
           a
           great
           many
           mischiefs
           and
           dangers
           ,
           every
           moment
           of
           our
           lives
           ;
           and
           ,
           without
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           continually
           insecure
           ,
           not
           only
           of
           the
           good
           things
           of
           this
           life
           ,
           but
           even
           of
           life
           it self
           :
           So
           that
           when
           we
           come
           to
           be
           men
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           wonder
           how
           ever
           we
           arriv'd
           at
           that
           state
           ,
           and
           how
           we
           have
           continued
           in
           it
           so
           long
           ,
           considering
           the
           infinite
           difficulties
           and
           dangers
           which
           have
           continually
           attended
           us
           :
           That
           in
           running
           the
           gantlope
           of
           a
           long
           life
           ,
           when
           so
           many
           hands
           have
           been
           lifted
           up
           against
           us
           ,
           and
           so
           many
           strokes
           levell'd
           at
           us
           ,
           we
           have
           escaped
           so
           free
           ,
           and
           with
           so
           few
           marks
           and
           scars
           upon
           us
           :
           That
           when
           we
           are
           besieged
           with
           so
           many
           dangers
           ,
           and
           so
           many
           arrows
           of
           death
           are
           perpetually
           flying
           about
           us
           ,
           to
           which
           we
           do
           so
           many
           ways
           lie
           open
           ,
           we
           should
           yet
           hold
           out
           
             twenty
             ,
             forty
             ,
             sixty
          
           years
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           us
           perhaps
           longer
           ,
           and
           do
           still
           stand
           at
           the
           mark
           untouch'd
           ,
           at
           least
           not
           dangerously
           wounded
           by
           any
           of
           them
           :
           And
           considering
           likewise
           this
           fearful
           and
           wonderful
           frame
           of
           a
           human
           Body
           ,
           this
           infinitely
           complicated
           Engine
           ;
           in
           which
           ,
           to
           the
           due
           performance
           of
           the
           several
           functions
           and
           offices
           of
           life
           ,
           so
           many
           strings
           and
           springs
           ,
           so
           many
           receptacles
           and
           channels
           are
           necessary
           ,
           and
           all
           in
           their
           right
           frame
           and
           order
           ;
           and
           in
           which
           ,
           besides
           the
           infinite
           
           imperceptible
           and
           secret
           ways
           of
           mortality
           ,
           there
           are
           so
           many
           sluces
           and
           flood-gates
           to
           let
           Death
           in
           and
           Life
           out
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           next
           to
           a
           miracle
           ,
           tho
           we
           take
           but
           little
           notice
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           every
           one
           of
           us
           did
           not
           dye
           every
           day
           since
           we
           were
           born
           :
           I
           say
           ,
           considering
           the
           nice
           and
           curious
           frame
           of
           our
           Bodies
           ,
           and
           the
           innumerable
           contingencies
           and
           hazards
           of
           human
           Life
           ,
           which
           is
           set
           in
           so
           slippery
           a
           place
           ,
           that
           we
           still
           continue
           in
           the
           land
           of
           the
           living
           we
           cannot
           ascribe
           to
           any
           thing
           but
           the
           watchful
           Providence
           of
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           
             who
             holds
             our
             soul
             in
             life
             ,
             and
             suffers
             not
             our
             foot
             to
             be
             moved
             .
          
        
         
           To
           the
           same
           merciful
           Providence
           of
           God
           we
           owe
           ,
           that
           whilst
           we
           continue
           in
           life
           we
           have
           any
           comfortable
           possession
           and
           enjoyment
           of
           our selves
           and
           of
           that
           which
           makes
           us
           men
           ,
           I
           mean
           our
           Reason
           and
           Understanding
           :
           That
           our
           Imagination
           is
           not
           let
           loose
           upon
           us
           ,
           to
           haunt
           and
           torment
           us
           with
           melancholick
           freaks
           and
           fears
           :
           That
           we
           are
           not
           deliver'd
           up
           to
           the
           horrors
           of
           a
           gloomy
           and
           guilty
           mind
           :
           That
           every
           day
           we
           do
           not
           fall
           into
           frenzy
           and
           distraction
           ,
           which
           next
           to
           wickedness
           and
           vice
           is
           the
           sorest
           calamity
           ,
           and
           saddest
           disguise
           of
           human
           nature
           :
           I
           say
           ,
           next
           to
           wickedness
           and
           vice
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           wilful
           frenzy
           ,
           a
           madness
           not
           from
           misfortune
           but
           from
           choice
           ;
           whereas
           the
           other
           proceeds
           from
           natural
           and
           necessary
           causes
           ,
           such
           as
           are
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           out
           of
           our
           power
           ;
           so
           that
           we
           are
           perpetually
           liable
           to
           it
           ,
           from
           any
           secret
           
           and
           sudden
           disorder
           of
           the
           Brain
           ,
           from
           the
           violence
           of
           a
           Disease
           ,
           or
           the
           vehement
           transport
           of
           any
           Passion
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           things
           were
           under
           no
           government
           ,
           what
           could
           hinder
           so
           many
           probable
           evils
           from
           breaking
           in
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           from
           treading
           upon
           the
           heels
           of
           one
           another
           ?
           like
           the
           Calamities
           of
           Job
           ,
           when
           
             the
             hedge
             which
             God
             had
             set
             about
             him
             and
             all
             that
             he
             had
             was
             broken
             down
             and
             removed
             .
          
        
         
           So
           that
           if
           there
           were
           no
           God
           to
           take
           care
           of
           us
           ,
           we
           could
           be
           secure
           of
           no
           sort
           ,
           no
           degree
           of
           happiness
           in
           this
           World
           ;
           no
           not
           for
           one
           moment
           :
           And
           there
           would
           be
           no
           other
           World
           for
           us
           to
           be
           happy
           in
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           amends
           to
           us
           for
           all
           the
           fears
           and
           dangers
           ,
           all
           the
           troubles
           and
           calamities
           of
           this
           present
           life
           :
           For
           God
           and
           another
           World
           stand
           and
           fall
           together
           :
           Without
           Him
           there
           can
           be
           no
           Life
           after
           this
           ;
           and
           if
           our
           hopes
           of
           happiness
           were
           only
           in
           this
           Life
           ,
           Man
           of
           all
           other
           Beings
           in
           this
           lower
           World
           would
           certainly
           be
           the
           most
           miserable
           .
        
         
           I
           cannot
           say
           that
           all
           the
           Evils
           which
           I
           have
           mentioned
           would
           happen
           to
           all
           ,
           if
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           did
           not
           rule
           the
           World
           ;
           but
           that
           every
           man
           would
           be
           in
           danger
           of
           them
           all
           ,
           and
           have
           nothing
           to
           support
           and
           comfort
           him
           against
           the
           fear
           of
           that
           danger
           .
           For
           the
           nature
           of
           man
           ,
           consider'd
           by
           it self
           ,
           is
           plainly
           insufficient
           for
           its
           own
           happiness
           ;
           so
           that
           we
           must
           necessarily
           look
           abroad
           ,
           and
           seek
           for
           it
           
           somewhere
           else
           :
           And
           who
           can
           shew
           us
           that
           good
           that
           is
           equal
           to
           all
           the
           wants
           and
           necessities
           ,
           all
           the
           capacities
           and
           desires
           ,
           all
           the
           fears
           and
           hopes
           of
           human
           nature
           ?
           Whatsoever
           can
           answer
           all
           these
           must
           have
           these
           following
           Properties
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           It
           must
           be
           an
           all-sufficient
           good
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           It
           must
           be
           perfect
           goodness
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           It
           must
           be
           firm
           and
           unchangeable
           in
           it self
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           It
           must
           be
           such
           a
           good
           as
           none
           can
           deprive
           us
           of
           ,
           and
           take
           away
           from
           us
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           It
           must
           be
           eternal
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           It
           must
           be
           able
           to
           support
           and
           comfort
           us
           in
           every
           condition
           ,
           and
           under
           all
           the
           accidents
           and
           adversities
           of
           human
           Life
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           It
           must
           be
           such
           a
           good
           as
           can
           give
           perfect
           rest
           and
           tranquillity
           to
           our
           minds
           .
        
         
           Nothing
           that
           is
           short
           of
           all
           this
           can
           make
           us
           happy
           :
           And
           no
           Creature
           ,
           no
           not
           the
           whole
           Creation
           ,
           can
           pretend
           to
           be
           all
           this
           to
           us
           .
           All
           these
           Properties
           meet
           only
           in
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           perfect
           and
           supream
           Good
           ;
           as
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           ,
           in
           the
           following
           Discourse
           ,
           more
           particularly
           to
           shew
           ;
           and
           consequently
           ,
           
             That
             God
             is
             the
             only
             happiness
             of
             Man.
             
          
        
         
           
           First
           ,
           God
           is
           an
           all-sufficient
           Good.
           And
           this
           does
           import
           two
           things
           ;
           Wisdom
           to
           contrive
           our
           happiness
           ,
           
           and
           Power
           to
           effect
           it
           ;
           for
           neither
           of
           these
           without
           the
           other
           is
           sufficient
           ,
           and
           both
           these
           in
           the
           highest
           and
           most
           eminent
           degree
           are
           in
           God.
           
        
         
           He
           is
           infinitely
           Wise
           to
           design
           and
           contrive
           our
           happiness
           ;
           because
           he
           knows
           what
           Happiness
           is
           ,
           and
           how
           to
           frame
           us
           so
           as
           to
           be
           capable
           of
           the
           happiness
           he
           designs
           for
           us
           ;
           and
           how
           to
           order
           and
           dispose
           all
           other
           things
           so
           ,
           as
           that
           they
           shall
           be
           no
           hindrance
           and
           impediment
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           He
           perfectly
           understands
           all
           the
           possibilities
           of
           things
           ,
           and
           how
           to
           fit
           means
           to
           any
           end
           .
           He
           knows
           all
           our
           wants
           ,
           and
           how
           to
           supply
           them
           ;
           all
           our
           hopes
           and
           desires
           ,
           and
           how
           to
           satisfy
           them
           :
           He
           foresees
           all
           the
           dangers
           and
           evils
           which
           threaten
           us
           ,
           and
           knows
           how
           to
           prevent
           or
           divert
           them
           ,
           if
           he
           think
           fit
           ;
           or
           if
           he
           permit
           them
           to
           come
           ,
           how
           to
           support
           us
           under
           them
           ,
           or
           to
           deliver
           us
           out
           of
           them
           ,
           or
           to
           turn
           them
           to
           our
           greater
           benefit
           and
           advantage
           in
           the
           last
           issue
           and
           result
           of
           things
           .
        
         
           His
           Wisdom
           cannot
           be
           surprised
           by
           any
           accident
           which
           he
           did
           not
           foresee
           ,
           and
           which
           he
           is
           not
           sufficiently
           provided
           against
           .
           The
           wisdom
           of
           men
           is
           but
           short
           and
           imperfect
           ,
           and
           liable
           to
           infinite
           errours
           and
           mistakes
           :
           In
           many
           cases
           men
           know
           not
           what
           is
           safest
           and
           best
           for
           them
           ,
           nor
           whether
           this
           or
           that
           will
           conduce
           most
           to
           their
           happiness
           :
           Nay
           it
           often
           happens
           that
           those
           very
           means
           which
           the
           wisest
           men
           
           chuse
           for
           their
           security
           do
           prove
           the
           occasions
           of
           their
           ruine
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           thrown
           down
           by
           those
           very
           ways
           whereby
           they
           thought
           to
           raise
           and
           to
           establish
           themselves
           .
        
         
           Especially
           if
           God
           breath
           upon
           the
           Counsels
           of
           men
           ,
           how
           are
           their
           designs
           blasted
           ?
           How
           are
           they
           infatuated
           and
           foil'd
           in
           their
           deepest
           contrivances
           ,
           and
           
             snared
             in
             the
             work
             of
             their
             own
             hands
             ?
          
           When
           
             it
             is
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           ,
           the
           wisdom
           of
           the
           greatest
           Politicians
           is
           turned
           into
           foolishness
           :
           For
           
             there
             is
             no
             wisdom
             ,
             nor
             understanding
             ,
             nor
             counsel
             against
             the
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
           But
           the
           Divine
           wisdom
           ,
           being
           founded
           upon
           infinite
           knowledge
           ,
           is
           thereby
           secur'd
           against
           all
           possibility
           of
           errour
           and
           mistake
           .
           God
           perfectly
           knows
           the
           natures
           and
           the
           powers
           of
           all
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           therefore
           can
           never
           be
           mistaken
           in
           the
           use
           and
           application
           of
           them
           to
           any
           of
           his
           purposes
           :
           So
           that
           none
           of
           his
           designs
           of
           love
           and
           mercy
           to
           the
           Sons
           of
           men
           can
           miscarry
           for
           want
           of
           good
           contrivance
           ,
           or
           wise
           conduct
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           he
           is
           perfectly
           wise
           to
           contrive
           our
           happiness
           ,
           so
           is
           he
           infinitely
           powerful
           to
           effect
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           remove
           out
           of
           the
           way
           all
           the
           obstacles
           and
           impediments
           of
           it
           .
           We
           may
           understand
           many
           times
           what
           would
           conduce
           to
           our
           happiness
           ,
           but
           may
           not
           be
           able
           to
           compass
           it
           ;
           but
           nothing
           is
           out
           of
           the
           reach
           of
           Omnipotency
           :
           Many
           things
           are
           difficult
           to
           us
           ,
           
           but
           nothing
           is
           too
           hard
           for
           God
           :
           Many
           things
           are
           impossible
           with
           us
           ,
           but
           
             with
             God
             all
             things
             are
             possible
             .
          
           For
           He
           is
           the
           fountain
           and
           original
           of
           all
           power
           ,
           from
           whom
           it
           is
           deriv'd
           and
           upon
           whom
           it
           depends
           ,
           and
           to
           whom
           it
           is
           perfectly
           subject
           and
           subordinate
           :
           He
           can
           do
           all
           things
           at
           once
           ,
           and
           in
           an
           instant
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           greatest
           ease
           ;
           and
           no
           created
           power
           can
           put
           any
           difficulty
           in
           his
           way
           ,
           much
           less
           make
           any
           effectual
           resistance
           ;
           because
           Omnipotency
           can
           check
           ,
           and
           countermand
           ,
           and
           bear
           down
           before
           it
           all
           other
           Powers
           .
        
         
           
             So
             that
             if
             God
             be
             on
             our
             side
             ,
             who
             can
             be
             against
             us
             ?
             We
             may
             safely
          
           commit
           our
           Souls
           into
           his
           hands
           ,
           for
           he
           is
           able
           to
           keep
           that
           which
           is
           committed
           to
           him
           .
           
             He
             can
             give
             us
             all
             good
             things
             ,
             and
             deliver
             us
             from
             all
             evil
             ,
             for
          
           his
           is
           the
           Kingdom
           and
           the
           glorious
           Power
           .
           
             Though
             all
             Creatures
             should
             fail
             us
             ,
             we
             may
             rely
             upon
             God
             ,
             and
             live
             upon
             his
             All-sufficiency
             for
             our
             supply
             ;
             and
             may
             say
             with
             the
          
           Prophet
           ,
           Though
           the
           Figtree
           should
           not
           blossom
           ,
           neither
           Fruit
           be
           in
           the
           Vine
           ;
           though
           the
           labour
           of
           the
           Olive
           should
           fail
           ,
           and
           the
           Fields
           should
           yield
           no
           meat
           ;
           though
           the
           Flock
           should
           be
           cut
           off
           from
           the
           Fold
           ,
           and
           there
           should
           be
           no
           Herd
           in
           the
           Stalls
           ;
           yet
           would
           I
           rejoice
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           joy
           in
           the
           God
           of
           my
           Salvation
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           As
           God
           is
           an
           All-sufficient
           Good
           ,
           so
           He
           
           is
           perfect
           Goodness
           .
           He
           is
           willing
           to
           communicate
           happiness
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           employ
           his
           Power
           and
           Wisdom
           
           for
           our
           good
           .
           He
           made
           us
           that
           he
           might
           make
           us
           happy
           ,
           and
           nothing
           can
           hinder
           us
           from
           being
           so
           but
           our selves
           .
           Such
           is
           his
           goodness
           ,
           that
           
             he
             would
             have
             all
             men
             to
             be
             saved
             ,
             and
             to
             come
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             truth
             :
          
           And
           when
           we
           have
           provoked
           him
           by
           our
           sins
           ,
           
             he
             is
             long
             suffering
             to
             usward
             ,
             not
             willing
             that
             any
             should
             perish
             ,
             but
             that
             all
             should
             come
             to
             repentance
             :
          
           For
           
             he
             delighteth
             not
             in
             the
             death
             of
             a
             sinner
             ,
             but
             rather
             that
             he
             should
             turn
             from
             his
             wickedness
             and
             live
             .
          
           So
           that
           if
           any
           of
           us
           be
           miserable
           ,
           it
           is
           our
           own
           choice
           ;
           if
           we
           perish
           ,
           our
           destruction
           is
           of
           our selves
           :
           For
           as
           the
           Wiseman
           ,
           in
           one
           of
           the
           Apocryphal
           Books
           ,
           says
           excellently
           ,
           
             God
             made
             not
             death
             ,
             neither
             hath
             he
             pleasure
             in
             the
             destruction
             of
             the
             living
             :
             But
             men
             seek
             death
             in
             the
             errour
             of
             their
             life
             ,
             and
             pull
             destruction
             upon
             themselves
             ,
             with
             the
             works
             of
             their
             own
             hands
             .
          
        
         
           So
           great
           is
           the
           goodness
           of
           God
           to
           mankind
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           omitted
           nothing
           that
           is
           necessary
           to
           our
           happiness
           .
           He
           design'd
           it
           for
           us
           at
           first
           ,
           and
           to
           that
           end
           he
           hath
           endued
           us
           with
           powers
           and
           faculties
           whereby
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           knowing
           ,
           and
           loving
           ,
           and
           obeying
           ,
           and
           enjoying
           Him
           the
           chief
           Good.
           And
           when
           we
           had
           forfeited
           all
           this
           by
           the
           wilful
           transgression
           and
           disobedience
           of
           the
           first
           Parents
           of
           mankind
           ,
           and
           were
           miserably
           bruised
           and
           maimed
           by
           their
           fall
           ,
           God
           of
           his
           infinite
           mercy
           was
           pleas'd
           to
           restore
           us
           to
           a
           new
           capacity
           of
           happiness
           ,
           by
           sending
           
           his
           only
           Son
           to
           suffer
           in
           our
           nature
           ,
           and
           in
           our
           stead
           ;
           and
           thereby
           to
           become
           
             a
             Propitiation
             for
             the
             sins
             of
             the
             whole
             World
             ,
          
           and
           
             the
             Author
             of
             eternal
             Salvation
             to
             them
             that
             believe
             and
             obey
             him
             :
          
           And
           he
           hath
           likewise
           promised
           to
           give
           us
           his
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           to
           enable
           us
           to
           that
           Faith
           and
           Obedience
           which
           the
           Gospel
           requires
           of
           us
           ,
           as
           the
           necessary
           conditions
           of
           our
           eternal
           Salvation
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           God
           is
           also
           a
           firm
           and
           unchangeable
           
           Good.
           Notwithstanding
           his
           infinite
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           Power
           ,
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           we
           might
           be
           miserable
           if
           God
           were
           mutable
           .
           For
           that
           cannot
           be
           a
           happiness
           which
           depends
           upon
           uncertainties
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           aggravations
           of
           misery
           is
           to
           fall
           from
           happiness
           ,
           to
           have
           been
           once
           happy
           and
           afterwards
           to
           cease
           to
           be
           so
           :
           And
           that
           would
           unavoidably
           happen
           to
           us
           ,
           if
           the
           cause
           of
           our
           happiness
           could
           change
           ▪
           and
           the
           foundation
           of
           it
           be
           removed
           .
           If
           God
           could
           be
           otherwise
           than
           powerful
           ,
           and
           wise
           ,
           and
           good
           ,
           all
           our
           hopes
           of
           happiness
           would
           be
           shaken
           ,
           and
           would
           fall
           to
           the
           ground
           .
           But
           the
           Divine
           nature
           is
           not
           subject
           to
           any
           change
           :
           As
           he
           is
           
             the
             Father
             of
             lights
          
           ,
           and
           
             the
             Author
             of
             every
             good
             and
             perfect
             gift
             ,
          
           so
           
             with
             him
             is
             no
             variableness
             ,
             neither
             shadow
             of
             turning
             .
          
           All
           the
           things
           of
           this
           World
           are
           mutable
           ,
           and
           for
           that
           reason
           ,
           had
           they
           no
           other
           imperfection
           belonging
           to
           them
           ,
           cannot
           make
           us
           happy
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           God
           is
           such
           a
           good
           as
           none
           can
           deprive
           
           
           us
           of
           and
           take
           away
           from
           us
           .
           If
           the
           things
           of
           this
           World
           were
           unchangeable
           in
           their
           nature
           ,
           and
           not
           liable
           to
           any
           decay
           ,
           yet
           they
           cannot
           make
           us
           happy
           ;
           because
           we
           may
           be
           cheated
           of
           them
           by
           fraud
           ,
           or
           robb'd
           of
           them
           by
           violence
           :
           But
           God
           cannot
           be
           taken
           from
           us
           .
           Nothing
           but
           our
           Sins
           can
           part
           God
           and
           us
           :
           
           
             Who
             shall
             separate
             us
          
           ,
           saith
           the
           
             Apostle
             ,
             from
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ?
             shall
             tribulation
             ,
             or
             distress
             ,
             or
             persecution
             ,
             or
             famine
             ,
             or
             nakedness
             ,
             or
             peril
             ,
             or
             sword
             ?
          
           We
           may
           be
           stripp'd
           of
           all
           our
           worldly
           comforts
           and
           enjoyments
           ,
           by
           the
           violence
           of
           men
           ;
           but
           none
           of
           all
           these
           can
           separate
           us
           from
           God
           :
           
           
             I
             am
             persuaded
          
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           goes
           on
           
             with
             great
             triumph
             ,
             that
             neither
             death
             nor
             life
             ;
             nor
             Angels
             ,
             nor
             Principalities
             ,
             nor
             Powers
             ;
             nor
             heighth
             ,
             nor
             depth
             ,
             nor
             things
             present
             ,
             nor
             things
             to
             come
             ,
             nor
             any
             other
             Creature
             ,
             shall
             be
             able
             to
             separate
             us
             from
             the
             love
             of
             God
             which
             is
             in
             Christ
          
           Jesus
           ,
           
             our
             Lord.
             Nor
             any
             other
             Creature
             :
          
           Here
           is
           a
           sufficient
           induction
           of
           particulars
           ,
           and
           nothing
           left
           out
           of
           this
           Catalogue
           but
           one
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           Sin
           ,
           which
           is
           none
           of
           God's
           Creatures
           ,
           but
           our
           own
           :
           This
           indeed
           deliberately
           consented
           to
           ,
           and
           wilfully
           continued
           in
           ,
           will
           finally
           part
           God
           and
           us
           ,
           and
           for
           ever
           hinder
           us
           from
           being
           happy
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           we
           be
           careful
           to
           avoid
           this
           ,
           which
           only
           can
           separate
           between
           God
           and
           us
           ,
           nothing
           can
           deprive
           us
           of
           Him
           :
           The
           aids
           and
           influences
           of
           his
           Grace
           none
           can
           intercept
           and
           hinder
           :
           the
           
           joyes
           and
           comforts
           of
           his
           Holy
           Spirit
           none
           can
           take
           from
           us
           :
           All
           other
           things
           may
           leave
           us
           and
           forsake
           us
           :
           We
           may
           be
           debarr'd
           of
           our
           best
           friends
           ,
           and
           banish'd
           from
           all
           our
           acquaintance
           ;
           but
           men
           can
           send
           us
           no
           whither
           from
           the
           presence
           of
           God
           :
           Our
           Communication
           with
           Heaven
           cannot
           be
           prevented
           or
           interrupted
           :
           Our
           Prayers
           and
           our
           Souls
           will
           always
           find
           the
           way
           thither
           from
           the
           uttermost
           parts
           of
           the
           Earth
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           God
           is
           an
           Eternal
           God
           :
           And
           nothing
           
           but
           what
           is
           so
           can
           make
           us
           happy
           .
           Man
           having
           an
           immortal
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           being
           design'd
           for
           an
           endless
           duration
           ,
           must
           have
           a
           happiness
           proportionable
           :
           For
           which
           reason
           nothing
           in
           this
           World
           can
           make
           us
           happy
           ,
           because
           we
           shall
           abide
           and
           remain
           after
           it
           :
           When
           a
           very
           few
           years
           are
           past
           and
           gone
           ,
           and
           much
           sooner
           for
           any
           thing
           we
           know
           ,
           all
           the
           things
           of
           this
           World
           will
           leave
           us
           ,
           or
           else
           we
           shall
           be
           taken
           away
           from
           them
           ,
           
             But
             God
             is
             from
             everlasting
             to
             everlasting
             :
             He
             is
             the
             same
             ,
             and
             his
             years
             faile
             not
             :
          
           Therefore
           well
           might
           David
           fix
           his
           happiness
           upon
           God
           alone
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           
             Whom
             have
             I
             in
             Heaven
             but
             thee
             ?
             and
             there
             is
             none
             upon
             Earth
             that
             I
             desire
             besides
             thee
             :
             When
             my
             heart
             faileth
             ,
             and
             my
             strength
             faileth
             ,
             God
             is
             the
             strength
             of
             my
             heart
             ,
             and
             my
             portion
             for
             ever
             .
          
        
         
         
           
           Sixthly
           ,
           God
           is
           able
           to
           support
           and
           comfort
           us
           ,
           in
           every
           condition
           ,
           and
           under
           all
           the
           accidents
           and
           adversities
           of
           human
           Life
           .
           Outward
           afflictions
           may
           hurt
           our
           Body
           ,
           but
           they
           cannot
           reach
           our
           Soule
           ;
           and
           so
           long
           as
           that
           remains
           unwounded
           
             the
             spirit
             of
             a
             man
             can
             bear
             his
             infirmities
             .
          
           God
           is
           intimate
           to
           our
           Soules
           ,
           and
           hath
           secret
           wayes
           whereby
           to
           convey
           the
           joyes
           and
           comforts
           of
           his
           Holy
           Spirit
           into
           our
           hearts
           ,
           under
           the
           bitterest
           afflictions
           and
           sharpest
           sufferings
           :
           He
           can
           enable
           us
           by
           his
           Grace
           
             to
             possess
             our
             soules
             in
             patience
             ,
          
           when
           all
           other
           things
           are
           taken
           from
           us
           :
           When
           there
           is
           nothing
           but
           trouble
           about
           us
           ,
           He
           can
           
             give
             us
             peace
             and
             joy
             in
             believing
             :
          
           When
           we
           are
           
             persecuted
             ,
             afflicted
          
           ,
           and
           tormented
           ,
           He
           can
           give
           us
           that
           ravishing
           sight
           of
           the
           Glories
           of
           another
           World
           ,
           that
           stedfast
           assurance
           of
           a
           future
           Blessedness
           ,
           as
           shall
           quite
           extinguish
           all
           sense
           of
           present
           sufferings
           :
           How
           did
           many
           of
           the
           primitive
           
             Christian
             Martyrs
          
           ,
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           their
           torments
           ,
           and
           under
           the
           very
           pangs
           of
           death
           
             rejoyce
             in
             the
             hope
             of
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ?
          
        
         
           There
           are
           none
           of
           us
           but
           may
           happen
           to
           fall
           into
           those
           circumstances
           of
           danger
           ,
           and
           of
           bodily
           paines
           and
           sufferings
           ,
           as
           to
           have
           no
           hopes
           of
           relief
           and
           comfort
           but
           from
           God
           ;
           none
           in
           all
           the
           World
           to
           trust
           to
           but
           Him
           only
           :
           And
           in
           the
           
           greatest
           Evils
           that
           can
           befall
           us
           in
           this
           life
           ,
           He
           is
           a
           sure
           refuge
           and
           sanctuary
           ;
           and
           to
           repeat
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Psalmist
           after
           the
           
             Text
             ,
             When
             our
             heart
             failes
             ,
             and
             our
             strength
             failes
             ,
             God
             is
             the
             strength
             of
             our
             hearts
             ,
             and
             our
             portion
             for
             ever
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           what
           would
           any
           of
           us
           do
           in
           such
           a
           Case
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           not
           for
           God
           ?
           Human
           nature
           is
           liable
           to
           desperate
           straits
           and
           exigencies
           :
           And
           he
           is
           not
           happy
           who
           is
           not
           provided
           against
           the
           worst
           that
           may
           happen
           .
           It
           is
           sad
           to
           be
           reduced
           to
           such
           a
           condition
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           destitute
           of
           all
           comfort
           and
           hope
           :
           And
           yet
           men
           may
           be
           brought
           to
           that
           extremity
           ,
           that
           if
           it
           were
           not
           for
           God
           they
           would
           not
           know
           which
           way
           to
           turn
           themselves
           ,
           or
           how
           to
           entertain
           their
           thoughts
           with
           any
           comfortable
           considerations
           under
           their
           present
           anguish
           .
        
         
           All
           men
           naturally
           resort
           to
           God
           in
           extremity
           ;
           and
           cry
           out
           to
           him
           for
           help
           :
           Even
           the
           most
           profane
           and
           Atheistical
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           destitute
           of
           all
           other
           comfort
           ,
           will
           run
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           take
           hold
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           cling
           about
           him
           .
           But
           
             God
             hath
             no
             pleasure
             in
             fooles
          
           ;
           in
           those
           who
           neglect
           and
           despise
           him
           in
           their
           prosperity
           ,
           though
           they
           owe
           that
           also
           entirely
           to
           him
           ;
           but
           when
           the
           evil
           day
           comes
           ,
           then
           they
           lay
           hold
           of
           him
           as
           their
           only
           refuge
           :
           When
           all
           things
           go
           well
           with
           them
           ,
           
           
             God
             is
             not
             in
             all
             their
             thoughts
          
           ;
           but
           
             in
             their
             affliction
             they
             will
             seek
             him
             early
             :
             Then
             they
             will
             cry
             Lord
             ,
             Lord
          
           ;
           but
           
             he
             will
             say
             to
             them
             in
             that
             day
             ,
             depart
             from
             me
             ye
             workers
             of
             iniquity
             ,
             for
             I
             know
             you
             not
             .
          
        
         
           
             Here
             will
             be
             the
             great
             unhappiness
             of
             such
             persons
             ,
             that
             God
             will
             then
             appear
             terrible
             to
             them
             ,
             so
             as
             they
             shall
             not
             be
             able
             ,
             when
             they
             look
             up
             to
             him
             ,
             to
             abide
             his
             frowns
             :
             And
             at
             the
             same
             time
             that
             they
             are
             forc'd
             to
             acknowledge
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             supplicate
             to
             him
             for
             mercy
             and
             forgiveness
             ,
             they
             shall
             be
             ready
             to
             despair
             of
             it
             :
          
           Then
           ,
           
             those
             terrible
             threatnings
             of
             Gods
             Word
             will
             come
             to
             their
             minds
             ,
          
           
           Because
           I
           called
           ,
           and
           yet
           refused
           ;
           I
           stretched
           out
           my
           hand
           ,
           and
           no
           man
           regarded
           :
           But
           〈◊〉
           set
           at
           nought
           all
           my
           counsel
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           none
           of
           my
           reproof
           ;
           I
           also
           will
           laugh
           at
           your
           calamity
           ,
           and
           monk
           when
           your
           fear
           cometh
           ;
           when
           your
           fear
           cometh
           as
           desolation
           ,
           and
           your
           destruction
           cometh
           as
           a
           whirlwind
           ;
           when
           distress
           and
           anguish
           cometh
           upon
           you
           :
           Then
           shall
           they
           call
           upon
           me
           ;
           but
           I
           will
           not
           answer
           ;
           they
           shall
           seek
           me
           early
           ,
           but
           they
           shall
           not
           find
           me
           :
           For
           that
           they
           hated
           knowledge
           ,
           and
           did
           not
           chuse
           the
           fear
           of
           the
           Lord
           :
           They
           would
           none
           of
           my
           counsel
           ,
           they
           despised
           all
           my
           reproofe
           :
           Therefore
           shall
           they
           eat
           the
           fruit
           of
           their
           own
           ways
           ,
           and
           be
           filled
           with
           their
           own
           devices
           :
           The
           ease
           of
           the
           simple
           shall
           slay
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           prosperity
           of
           fooles
           
           shall
           destroy
           them
           .
           
             To
             which
             I
             will
             add
             that
             terrible
             Passage
             in
             the
          
           Prophet
           ,
           
             concerning
             the
             perverse
             and
             obstinate
          
           Jews
           ,
           They
           are
           a
           People
           of
           no
           understanding
           ,
           
           therefore
           he
           that
           made
           them
           will
           not
           have
           mercy
           on
           them
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           formed
           them
           will
           shew
           them
           no
           favour
           .
           
             And
             men
             are
             miserable
             Creatures
             indeed
             ,
             when
             God
             their
          
           Maker
           
             doth
             abandon
             them
             ,
             and
             hath
             so
             far
             hardened
             his
             heart
             against
             them
             ,
             that
             he
             can
             have
             no
             pity
             and
             compassion
             for
             them
             .
          
        
         
           Seventhly
           and
           lastly
           ,
           which
           is
           consequent
           upon
           
           all
           the
           rest
           ,
           God
           is
           such
           a
           Good
           as
           can
           give
           perfect
           rest
           and
           tranquillity
           to
           our
           minds
           .
           And
           that
           which
           cannot
           do
           this
           ,
           though
           it
           had
           all
           the
           Properties
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           cannot
           make
           us
           happy
           .
           For
           he
           is
           not
           happy
           who
           does
           not
           think
           himself
           so
           ,
           whatever
           cause
           he
           may
           have
           to
           think
           so
           .
           Now
           what
           in
           reason
           can
           give
           us
           disquiet
           ,
           if
           we
           do
           firmly
           believe
           that
           there
           is
           a
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           his
           Providence
           rules
           and
           governs
           all
           things
           for
           the
           best
           ;
           and
           that
           God
           is
           all
           that
           to
           good
           Men
           which
           hath
           now
           been
           said
           of
           Him
           ?
           Why
           should
           not
           our
           minds
           be
           in
           perfect
           repose
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           secure
           of
           the
           chief
           Good
           ,
           and
           have
           found
           out
           that
           which
           can
           make
           us
           happy
           ,
           and
           is
           willing
           to
           make
           us
           so
           ,
           if
           we
           be
           not
           wanting
           to
           our selves
           ,
           and
           by
           our
           wilful
           obstinacy
           and
           rebellion
           against
           
           him
           do
           not
           oppose
           and
           frustrate
           this
           design
           ?
        
         
           If
           a
           considerate
           Man
           were
           permitted
           to
           his
           own
           choice
           ,
           to
           wish
           the
           greatest
           good
           to
           himself
           that
           he
           could
           possibly
           devise
           ;
           after
           he
           had
           searched
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           the
           result
           of
           all
           his
           wishes
           would
           be
           that
           there
           were
           just
           such
           a
           Being
           as
           we
           must
           necessarily
           conceive
           God
           to
           be
           :
           Nor
           would
           he
           chuse
           any
           other
           Friend
           or
           Benefactour
           ;
           any
           other
           Protectour
           for
           himself
           or
           Governour
           for
           the
           whole
           World
           ,
           than
           infinite
           Power
           conducted
           and
           managed
           by
           infinite
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           ;
           which
           is
           the
           true
           Notion
           of
           a
           God
           :
           After
           all
           his
           enquiry
           he
           would
           come
           to
           the
           
           Psalmist's
           conclusion
           here
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           
             Whom
             have
             I
             in
             heaven
             but
             thee
             ?
             and
             there
             is
             none
             upon
             earth
             that
             I
             desire
             besides
             thee
             .
          
        
         
           Vain
           Man
           is
           apt
           to
           seek
           for
           happiness
           elsewhere
           ,
           but
           this
           proceeds
           from
           want
           of
           due
           consideration
           :
           For
           when
           all
           things
           are
           well
           weigh'd
           ,
           and
           all
           accounts
           rightly
           cast
           up
           and
           adjusted
           ,
           we
           shall
           at
           last
           settle
           in
           
           David's
           resolution
           of
           that
           great
           
             Question
             ,
             What
             is
             the
             chief
             Good
             of
             man
             ?
             There
             be
             many
             ,
          
           
           says
           he
           ,
           
             that
             say
             ,
             Who
             will
             shew
             us
             any
             good
             ?
          
           that
           is
           ,
           men
           are
           generally
           inquisitive
           after
           happiness
           ,
           but
           greatly
           divided
           in
           their
           Opinions
           about
           it
           :
           most
           men
           place
           it
           in
           the
           present
           enjoyments
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           but
           David
           for
           his
           part
           pitches
           upon
           God
           ,
           in
           whom
           he
           was
           fully
           
           convinc'd
           that
           the
           happiness
           of
           man
           does
           consist
           :
           
             There
             be
             many
             that
             say
             ,
             who
             will
             shew
             us
             any
             good
             ?
             Lord
             lift
             thou
             up
             the
             light
             of
             thy
             countenance
             upon
             us
             :
             Thou
             hast
             put
             gladness
             in
             my
             heart
             ,
             more
             than
             in
             the
             time
             that
             their
             Corn
             and
             Wine
             increased
             .
          
           The
           great
           joy
           of
           the
           men
           of
           this
           World
           is
           in
           a
           plentiful
           Harvest
           ,
           and
           the
           abundance
           of
           the
           good
           things
           of
           this
           life
           :
           But
           David
           had
           found
           that
           which
           gave
           more
           joy
           and
           gladness
           to
           his
           heart
           ,
           the
           favour
           of
           God
           and
           the
           
             light
             of
             his
             countenance
          
           :
           This
           gave
           perfect
           rest
           and
           tranquillity
           to
           his
           mind
           ,
           so
           that
           he
           needed
           not
           to
           enquire
           any
           further
           :
           For
           so
           it
           follows
           in
           the
           next
           words
           ,
           
             I
             will
             both
             lay
             me
             down
             in
             peace
             ,
             and
             rest
             ,
             for
             thou
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             onely
             makest
             me
             to
             dwell
             in
             safety
             :
          
           The
           Hebrew
           word
           signifies
           confidence
           or
           security
           :
           Here
           ,
           and
           no
           where
           else
           ,
           his
           mind
           found
           rest
           ,
           and
           was
           in
           perfect
           ease
           and
           security
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           now
           only
           make
           two
           or
           three
           Inferences
           from
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           and
           so
           conclude
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           This
           plainly
           shews
           us
           the
           great
           unreasonableness
           and
           folly
           of
           Atheism
           ,
           which
           would
           banish
           the
           belief
           of
           God
           and
           his
           Providence
           out
           of
           the
           World
           :
           Which
           as
           it
           is
           most
           impious
           in
           respect
           of
           God
           ,
           so
           is
           it
           most
           malicious
           to
           Men
           ;
           because
           it
           strikes
           at
           the
           very
           foundation
           of
           our
           happiness
           ,
           and
           perfectly
           undermines
           it
           .
           For
           if
           
           there
           were
           no
           God
           ,
           man
           would
           evidently
           be
           the
           most
           unhappy
           of
           all
           other
           Beings
           here
           below
           ;
           because
           his
           unhappiness
           would
           be
           laid
           in
           the
           very
           frame
           of
           his
           nature
           ,
           in
           that
           which
           distinguishes
           him
           from
           all
           other
           Beings
           below
           him
           ,
           I
           mean
           in
           his
           Reason
           and
           Understanding
           :
           And
           he
           would
           be
           so
           much
           more
           miserable
           than
           the
           Beasts
           ,
           by
           how
           much
           he
           hath
           a
           farther
           reach
           ,
           and
           a
           larger
           prospect
           of
           future
           evils
           ;
           a
           quicker
           apprehension
           ,
           and
           a
           deeper
           and
           more
           lasting
           resentment
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           if
           any
           man
           could
           see
           reason
           to
           stagger
           his
           belief
           of
           a
           God
           ,
           or
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           as
           I
           am
           sure
           there
           is
           infinite
           reason
           to
           the
           contrary
           ;
           yet
           the
           belief
           of
           these
           things
           is
           so
           much
           for
           the
           interest
           ,
           and
           comfort
           ,
           and
           happiness
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           that
           a
           wise
           man
           would
           be
           heartily
           troubled
           to
           part
           with
           a
           Principle
           so
           favourable
           to
           his
           quiet
           ,
           and
           that
           does
           so
           exactly
           answer
           all
           the
           natural
           desires
           and
           hopes
           and
           fears
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           is
           so
           equally
           calculated
           both
           for
           our
           comfort
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           for
           our
           happiness
           in
           the
           other
           .
           For
           when
           a
           man's
           thoughts
           have
           ranged
           and
           wandered
           as
           far
           as
           they
           can
           ,
           his
           mind
           can
           find
           no
           rest
           ,
           no
           probable
           foundation
           of
           happiness
           but
           God
           onely
           ;
           no
           other
           reasonable
           ,
           no
           nor
           tolerable
           Hypothesis
           and
           Scheme
           of
           things
           for
           a
           wise
           
           man
           to
           rely
           upon
           ,
           and
           to
           live
           and
           die
           by
           .
           For
           no
           other
           Principle
           but
           this
           ,
           firmely
           believed
           ,
           and
           truly
           lived
           up
           to
           by
           an
           answerable
           practise
           ,
           was
           ever
           able
           to
           support
           the
           generality
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           to
           minister
           true
           consolation
           to
           them
           under
           the
           calamities
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           the
           pangs
           of
           death
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           there
           were
           not
           something
           real
           in
           the
           Principles
           of
           Religion
           ,
           it
           is
           impossible
           that
           they
           should
           have
           so
           remarkeable
           and
           so
           regular
           an
           effect
           to
           support
           our
           minds
           in
           every
           condition
           ,
           upon
           so
           great
           a
           number
           of
           persons
           of
           different
           degrees
           of
           understanding
           ,
           of
           all
           ranks
           and
           conditions
           ,
           young
           and
           old
           ,
           learned
           and
           unlearned
           ,
           in
           so
           many
           distant
           Places
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           Ages
           of
           the
           World
           the
           Records
           whereof
           are
           come
           down
           to
           us
           :
           I
           say
           so
           real
           ,
           and
           so
           frequent
           ,
           and
           so
           regular
           an
           effect
           as
           this
           is
           ,
           cannot
           with
           any
           colour
           of
           reason
           be
           ascribed
           either
           to
           blind
           Chance
           ,
           or
           meer
           Imagination
           ,
           but
           must
           have
           a
           real
           ,
           and
           regular
           ,
           and
           uniform
           cause
           proportionable
           to
           so
           great
           and
           general
           an
           effect
           .
        
         
           I
           remember
           that
           Grotius
           ,
           in
           his
           excellent
           
             Book
             of
             the
             Truth
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
          
           hath
           this
           observation
           ,
           That
           God
           did
           not
           intend
           that
           the
           Principles
           of
           Religion
           should
           have
           the
           utmost
           evidence
           that
           any
           thing
           is
           capable
           of
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           is
           sufficient
           to
           answer
           and
           bear
           down
           all
           sorts
           of
           captious
           Cavils
           and
           Objections
           against
           it
           ;
           
           but
           so
           much
           as
           is
           abundantly
           sufficient
           to
           satisfie
           a
           sober
           and
           impartial
           Enquirer
           after
           Truth
           ,
           one
           that
           hath
           no
           other
           interest
           but
           to
           find
           out
           Truth
           ,
           and
           when
           he
           hath
           found
           it
           to
           yield
           to
           it
           :
           If
           it
           were
           otherwise
           ,
           and
           the
           Principles
           of
           Religion
           were
           as
           glaring
           and
           evident
           as
           the
           Sun
           shining
           at
           Noon-day
           ,
           as
           there
           could
           hardly
           be
           any
           vertue
           in
           such
           a
           Faith
           ,
           so
           Infidelity
           would
           be
           next
           to
           an
           impossibility
           .
        
         
           All
           that
           I
           would
           expect
           from
           any
           man
           ,
           that
           shall
           say
           that
           he
           cannot
           see
           sufficient
           reason
           to
           believe
           the
           Being
           and
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           this
           ;
           that
           he
           would
           offer
           some
           other
           Principles
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           advance
           any
           other
           Hypothesis
           and
           Scheme
           of
           things
           that
           is
           more
           agreeable
           to
           the
           common
           and
           natural
           Notions
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           to
           all
           Appearances
           of
           things
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           that
           does
           bid
           more
           fairly
           for
           the
           comfort
           and
           happiness
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           than
           these
           Principles
           of
           the
           Being
           of
           a
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           watchfull
           Providence
           over
           the
           children
           of
           men
           ,
           do
           plainly
           do
           :
           And
           till
           this
           be
           clearly
           done
           ,
           the
           Principles
           of
           Religion
           which
           have
           generally
           been
           received
           by
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           have
           obtain'd
           in
           the
           World
           in
           all
           Ages
           ,
           cannot
           fairly
           be
           discarded
           ,
           and
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           disturbed
           and
           put
           out
           of
           Possession
           .
           And
           this
           ,
           I
           think
           ,
           puts
           this
           whole
           matter
           upon
           a
           very
           fair
           and
           reasonable
           Issue
           ,
           and
           that
           nothing
           more
           needs
           to
           be
           said
           concerning
           it
           .
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ,
           from
           what
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           in
           the
           foregoing
           
           Discourse
           ,
           it
           naturally
           follows
           ,
           That
           God
           is
           the
           only
           Object
           of
           our
           trust
           and
           confidence
           ,
           and
           therefore
           to
           him
           alone
           ,
           and
           to
           no
           other
           ,
           we
           ought
           to
           address
           all
           our
           Prayers
           and
           Supplications
           
             for
             mercy
             and
             grace
             to
             help
             in
             time
             of
             need
             .
          
           But
           now
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           and
           Practise
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           the
           Psalmist
           here
           puts
           a
           very
           odd
           and
           strange
           Question
           ,
           
             Whom
             have
             I
             in
             Heaven
             but
             thee
             ?
          
           To
           which
           they
           give
           a
           quite
           different
           answer
           from
           what
           the
           Psalmist
           plainly
           intended
           ,
           namely
           ,
           that
           God
           was
           the
           sole
           Object
           of
           his
           hope
           and
           trust
           ,
           and
           that
           upon
           Him
           alone
           he
           relyed
           as
           his
           onely
           comfort
           and
           happiness
           :
           But
           to
           this
           Assertion
           of
           the
           Psalmist
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           can
           by
           no
           means
           agree
           :
           They
           understand
           this
           matter
           much
           better
           than
           the
           Psalmist
           did
           ,
           namely
           ,
           that
           besides
           God
           there
           are
           in
           Heaven
           innumerable
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           ,
           in
           whom
           we
           are
           to
           repose
           great
           trust
           and
           confidence
           ,
           and
           to
           whom
           also
           we
           are
           to
           address
           solemn
           Prayers
           and
           Supplications
           ,
           not
           only
           for
           temporal
           good
           things
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           pardon
           of
           our
           Sins
           ,
           for
           the
           increase
           of
           our
           Graces
           ,
           and
           for
           eternal
           Life
           :
           That
           there
           are
           in
           Heaven
           particular
           Advocates
           and
           Patrons
           for
           all
           exigencies
           and
           occasions
           ,
           against
           all
           sorts
           of
           dangers
           and
           diseases
           ,
           for
           all
           Graces
           and
           Vertues
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           word
           for
           all
           temporal
           ,
           spiritual
           ,
           and
           eternal
           Blessings
           ;
           to
           whom
           we
           may
           apply
           our selves
           ,
           without
           
           troubling
           God
           and
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           who
           also
           is
           
             God
             blessed
             for
             evermore
          
           ,
           by
           presuming
           upon
           every
           occasion
           to
           make
           our
           immediate
           Addresses
           to
           Him
           :
           For
           as
           they
           would
           make
           us
           believe
           ,
           though
           Abraham
           was
           ignorant
           of
           it
           and
           David
           knew
           it
           not
           ,
           the
           blessed
           Spirits
           above
           ,
           both
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           ,
           do
           not
           onely
           intercede
           with
           God
           for
           us
           for
           all
           sorts
           of
           Blessings
           ,
           but
           we
           may
           make
           direct
           and
           immediate
           Addresses
           to
           them
           to
           bestow
           these
           Blessings
           upon
           us
           :
           For
           so
           they
           do
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           as
           is
           evident
           ,
           beyond
           all
           denyal
           ,
           from
           several
           of
           their
           Prayers
           in
           their
           most
           publick
           and
           authentick
           Liturgies
           .
        
         
           They
           would
           indeed
           fain
           palliate
           this
           matter
           by
           telling
           us
           ,
           that
           by
           these
           direct
           &
           immediate
           Addresses
           to
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           to
           bestow
           Grace
           and
           eternal
           Life
           upon
           them
           ,
           they
           mean
           no
           more
           but
           only
           to
           pray
           to
           them
           that
           they
           would
           be
           pleased
           to
           intercede
           with
           God
           for
           these
           Blessings
           to
           be
           bestowed
           upon
           them
           by
           their
           Mediation
           :
           But
           if
           they
           meane
           no
           more
           ,
           why
           do
           they
           say
           more
           then
           they
           meane
           ?
           Why
           do
           they
           use
           such
           expressions
           as
           to
           the
           common
           sense
           and
           understanding
           of
           Mankind
           do
           signify
           a
           great
           deal
           more
           than
           they
           say
           they
           mean
           ;
           such
           expressions
           ,
           as
           they
           themselves
           do
           acknowledge
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           understood
           according
           to
           the
           most
           obvious
           sense
           of
           the
           words
           ,
           would
           render
           them
           guilty
           of
           flat
           Idolatry
           ?
           Especially
           when
           they
           know
           ,
           
           that
           they
           are
           charged
           with
           Idolatry
           upon
           this
           account
           ;
           and
           since
           to
           cleare
           themselves
           of
           it
           they
           will
           not
           alter
           their
           Prayers
           ,
           they
           justly
           lye
           under
           the
           suspition
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           admitting
           what
           they
           say
           in
           this
           matter
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           these
           expressions
           in
           their
           Prayers
           they
           intend
           no
           more
           but
           the
           solemn
           Invocation
           of
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           that
           they
           would
           intercede
           with
           God
           to
           bestow
           these
           Blessings
           upon
           them
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           their
           Merits
           ,
           and
           upon
           their
           Mediation
           :
           yet
           this
           surely
           is
           a
           great
           deal
           too
           much
           ,
           and
           cannot
           be
           done
           without
           a
           high
           entrenchment
           upon
           the
           Office
           of
           the
           onely
           
             Mediatour
             between
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             the
             Man
             Christ
             Jesus
             :
          
           But
           let
           them
           not
           deceive
           themselves
           ,
           
             God
             is
             not
             mocked
             :
             The
             Lord
             our
             God
             is
             a
             jealous
             God
             ,
          
           and
           
             He
             will
             not
             give
             his
             Glory
             to
             another
             .
          
        
         
           I
           have
           not
           yet
           instanced
           in
           the
           grossest
           part
           of
           their
           Superstition
           ,
           not
           to
           say
           downright
           Idolatry
           ,
           in
           this
           kind
           ;
           I
           mean
           ,
           in
           their
           extravagant
           worship
           of
           
             the
             blessed
             Virgin
          
           and
           
             Mother
             of
             our
             Lord
          
           ;
           whom
           they
           blasphemously
           call
           the
           
             Queen
             of
             Heaven
          
           ;
           and
           whom
           by
           a
           new
           style
           ,
           unknown
           to
           the
           Scriptures
           and
           
             Primitive
             Antiquity
          
           ,
           they
           think
           to
           dignify
           with
           the
           modish
           Title
           of
           
             our
             Lady
          
           ;
           as
           if
           that
           could
           be
           any
           addition
           of
           honour
           to
           Her
           ,
           whom
           the
           Angel
           declared
           to
           be
           
             blessed
             among
             Women
          
           :
           Who
           ,
           if
           she
           know
           any
           thing
           of
           the
           follies
           
           of
           Her
           Worshippers
           here
           below
           ,
           with
           what
           disdain
           and
           indignation
           ,
           do
           we
           think
           She
           heares
           those
           infinite
           Prayers
           that
           are
           made
           to
           Her
           ,
           and
           that
           Sacrilegious
           Worship
           which
           is
           given
           Her
           in
           that
           Church
           ,
           and
           which
           makes
           both
           pages
           of
           their
           Religion
           ;
           and
           which
           for
           the
           frequency
           of
           it
           ,
           both
           in
           their
           publick
           and
           private
           Devotions
           ,
           is
           very
           much
           beyond
           what
           they
           give
           to
           God
           and
           Christ
           ?
           As
           if
           there
           were
           
             none
             in
             Heaven
             but
             She
          
           ,
           nor
           
             any
             thing
             upon
             Earth
          
           to
           be
           worshipped
           in
           comparison
           of
           
             Her
             Image
          
           .
        
         
           Nay
           so
           far
           have
           they
           carryed
           this
           extravagant
           Folly
           ,
           and
           how
           much
           farther
           they
           would
           have
           carryed
           it
           ,
           had
           not
           the
           Reformation
           given
           a
           check
           to
           it
           ,
           God
           only
           knows
           :
           so
           far
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           have
           they
           proceeded
           in
           this
           Folly
           ,
           as
           ,
           in
           that
           famous
           Book
           of
           their
           Devotions
           called
           
             our
             Ladyes
             Psalter
          
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           apply
           to
           Her
           some
           part
           of
           this
           Psalm
           out
           of
           which
           I
           have
           taken
           my
           Text
           ,
           beginning
           it
           thus
           ,
           
             How
             good
             is
             God
             to
          
           Israel
           ,
           
             to
             them
             that
             worship
             his
             B.
             Mother
             ?
          
           But
           they
           have
           likewise
           profanely
           burlesqued
           ,
           I
           cannot
           afford
           it
           a
           better
           terme
           ,
           this
           whole
           Book
           of
           Psalms
           ,
           applying
           to
           Her
           almost
           the
           highest
           things
           that
           are
           there
           said
           concerning
           God
           and
           our
           
             Blessed
             Saviour
             .
             Heare
             ,
             O
             Heavens
             ,
             and
             give
             eare
             O
             Earth
             ,
             and
             be
             ye
             horribly
             astonished
             ,
          
           to
           see
           the
           best
           and
           wisest
           Religion
           in
           the
           World
           transform'd
           into
           Superstition
           and
           Folly
           ;
           and
           to
           see
           the
           most
           learned
           
           Persons
           in
           that
           Communion
           set
           themselves
           in
           good
           earnest
           to
           justify
           all
           these
           follyes
           and
           absurdities
           by
           a
           grave
           and
           groundless
           pretence
           to
           Infallibility
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           and
           Lastly
           ,
           This
           shews
           us
           how
           necessary
           
           the
           favour
           of
           God
           is
           to
           every
           mans
           happiness
           :
           And
           there
           is
           but
           one
           way
           to
           gain
           his
           friendship
           and
           favour
           ,
           by
           becoming
           holy
           and
           good
           as
           He
           is
           :
           Then
           may
           we
           rejoice
           and
           glory
           in
           God
           ,
           as
           the
           Psalmist
           here
           does
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           
             Whom
             have
             I
             in
             heaven
             but
             thee
             ?
             and
             there
             is
             none
             upon
             earth
             that
             I
             desire
             besides
             thee
             .
          
           A
           wicked
           man
           dreads
           God
           above
           all
           things
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           he
           has
           great
           reason
           to
           do
           so
           :
           
             For
             he
             is
             not
             a
             God
             that
             hath
             pleasure
             in
             wickedness
             ,
             neither
             shall
             evil
             dwell
             with
             him
             :
             The
             foolish
             shall
             not
             stand
             in
             his
             sight
             ,
             he
             hateth
             all
             the
             workers
             of
             iniquity
             .
          
           When
           by
           sin
           we
           depart
           from
           God
           ,
           we
           forsake
           our
           own
           happiness
           :
           
             Salvation
             is
             far
             from
             the
             wicked
             ,
          
           
           says
           David
           .
           And
           againe
           ,
           a
           little
           after
           the
           
             Text
             ,
             They
             that
             are
             far
             from
             thee
             shall
             perish
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             good
             for
             me
             to
             draw
             near
             to
             God
             :
          
           Now
           by
           holyness
           and
           goodness
           we
           draw
           near
           to
           Him
           ,
           who
           alone
           can
           make
           us
           happy
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           certainly
           the
           common
           interest
           of
           mankind
           there
           should
           be
           a
           God
           ,
           because
           we
           cannot
           possibly
           be
           happy
           without
           Him
           :
           But
           then
           it
           is
           no
           mans
           interest
           to
           be
           wicked
           ,
           because
           thereby
           we
           make
           Him
           our
           Enemy
           
             in
             whose
             favour
             is
             life
          
           ,
           and
           
           upon
           whom
           all
           our
           hopes
           of
           happyness
           do
           depend
           .
        
         
           To
           conclude
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           have
           God
           for
           our
           Happiness
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           sure
           to
           make
           Him
           our
           Friend
           ▪
           and
           then
           we
           may
           promise
           to
           our selves
           all
           those
           advantages
           which
           the
           Friendship
           of
           so
           great
           and
           powerful
           a
           Patron
           can
           give
           us
           :
           And
           there
           is
           but
           one
           way
           to
           establish
           a
           firm
           Friendship
           between
           God
           and
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           by
           doing
           his
           Will
           ,
           and
           living
           in
           obedience
           to
           his
           Laws
           :
           
             Ye
             are
             my
             friends
          
           ,
           saith
           our
           Blessed
           Lord
           ,
           
             if
             ye
             do
             whatsoever
             I
             command
             you
             :
             This
             is
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
          
           saith
           
             St.
             John
             ,
             that
             we
             keep
             his
             commandments
             :
          
           And
           to
           love
           God
           is
           the
           way
           to
           be
           made
           partakers
           of
           those
           glorious
           
             things
             which
             God
             hath
             prepared
             for
             them
             that
             love
             Him
             :
             such
             as
             eye
             hath
             not
             seen
             ,
             nor
             eare
             heard
             ,
             neither
             have
             entred
             into
             the
             heart
             of
             man
             :
          
           Which
           God
           of
           his
           infinite
           goodness
           grant
           we
           may
           all
           at
           last
           be
           made
           partakers
           of
           ,
           for
           his
           mercies
           sake
           in
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ;
           To
           whom
           with
           Thee
           O
           Father
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           be
           all
           honour
           and
           glory
           ,
           dominion
           and
           power
           ,
           both
           now
           and
           for
           ever
           .
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A62608-e260
           
             V.
             1.
             
          
           
             V.
             2.
             
          
           
             V.
             10.
             
          
           
             V.
             12.
             
          
           
             V.
             13.
             
          
           
             V.
             14.
             
          
           
             V.
             15.
             
          
           
             V.
             16.
             
          
           
             V.
             17
             ,
             18.
             
          
           
             V.
             21.
             
          
           
             V.
             23.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             22.
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             35.
             
          
           
             v.
             38
             ,
             39.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             1.
             24.
             25.
             
             &c.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             27.
             11.
             
          
           
             Ps.
             4.
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             119.