Of Patience. 189 virtues, is principally feated on the mind, it SERM. mull influence and direst our whole beha- VII. viour, which is the fureft evidence of good `^rte difpofitions. It ought not only to reftrain in- decent and undutiful expreflions, but govern our whole practice ; that no methods be taken which are inconfiftent with an intire refignation to the will of God, and an hum- ble confidence in his mercy. The rebellious and incorrigible fpirit of King Ahab, (hewed itfelf, when in the grievous famine which diftreffed Samaria ; and being fenfible that calamity was from the Lord as a punifhment for their fins, he faid, What Jhould I wait for the Lord any longer «. All finful and indirect ways for our deliverance from affliction are directly contrary to patience : Therefore, in the 37th Pfalm, when we are exhorted to wait upon the Lord, at the fame time he requires us to keep his way, and to depart from evil and do good. It is perfectly confiftent with a dependence on God, and a fubmif lion to his providence, that we ufe all lawful means for our efcape from trouble; nay, the neglect of them is the effect, not of believing patience but stupid floth (St. Paid in his moll hazardous voyage, though he had the * z Kings vi. 33. utmoft
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=