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Why should we repine then at the common burthen of our nature, why murmur at the just and falutary dispensations of Providence? especially confidering that we are finners, and as fuch, the very leaft of God's mercies is more than we deserve, the very feverest of his inflictions is milder than our crimes in a ftri&t justice demand; why then doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his fins?

Laftly, let us confider the nature of the fufferings themselves.

Great part of thofe afflictions which we place to God's account, ought in good reafon to be placed to our own. How many are poor through extravagance or indolence, how many fick through debauchery and intemperance; and fo with many other afflictions, which being withdrawn from thofe miferies we so much complain of, would reduce them more than at firft view we could believe;

believe; and for those which remained, they would not appear fo terrible as at present, if we would place the good which we undefervedly enjoy, against the ills which we deservedly feel; if we would confider how many perfons were in a worfe ftate, rather than caft up our eyes to those who are in a better; if we would reflect on the quick and fudden tranfitions which we fee from affliction to comfort, even in those who seem the farthest gone in mifery; and that even in the midst of our fufferings we may have the ftrong confolation of hope; we may bear the present in expectation of the future, and not unreasonably believe, that as we ebb with the one tide, we shall flow with the other.

But fuppofing that our fufferings were as constant as they are fevere, that they were as confiderable in number as degree, and that we were assured they would continue as long as our lives, yet even in this deplorable condition we may with pleasure reflect, that the man that is born of a woman is of few days, fo that our misfortunes will foon have

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an end; we may triumphantly confider, that our momentary afflictions will work for us an eternal and far more exceeding weight of glory.

On the whole therefore, fince trouble fpringeth not out of the ground, but is fent and directed by an all-gracious, wife, and powerful God, fince afflictions are the common burthen of our nature, and the very severest of them are not the adequate wages of our crimes, fince they are generally more than counterpoifed with bleffings, are to be endured but a fhort time, and will if properly borne turn to a good account, for these several reasons, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy foul for temptation.

Set thy heart, and conftantly endure and make not hafte in time of trouble. Cleave unto him and depart not away, that thou may'st be encreased at thy latter end. Whatfoever is brought upon thee take chearfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a

low

low eftate; that fo fuffering according to the will of God, we may commit the keeping of our fouls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Now to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghoft, &c. &c.

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