ANN 388 Xxa what things Mug we fife moderation, Serm. 16. being on fire, or child rick, than all our neighbours in the City about us burnt and dead. Therefore Scripture accordingly calls for affe- thon for the publike, and forbids it in cur own concernments, in regard we are generally defective in the former,and exceffive in the lat- ter. Nay, even towards others when jutt caufe of compaffion, ifexcef_ five. So our Saviour, when the women lamented his death,(which was matter of grief as in refpea of him, though of greateít joy in it felf as to them and the world, (bids them,Weep not for me,but for your felves, and your children,in regard of the publick calami ties that were coming upon 7erufalern,Mat.23.27,28,29. Every particular being concerned in the community. Now of thefe evils, feting all are privations of good ;Some are of thegood we want and never enjoyed, as deformity of body, defect in parts,confiant poverty, etc. and here we mull beware we judge not thofe evils which are none, and fo trouble and torment our felves without caufe, and reproach our Maker, faying, why bath he made me thus ? Why am I no nobler born, no more beautiful made, no greater heir, no quicker Parted ? Why am I not as fuch, or fuch,not as they,this,or that ?When thou haft what is futable and convenient for thy condition;for this all may fay ofthofe that excel them,(and the belt ofimaginary excellencies,(as well as thou. Other evils are of the good we have enjoyed and are deprived of ; as ficknefs of health, loffes of friends and eftate, reptoaches of our good narne,imprifonment of lìberty,and the like, which are incident to our prefent Rate. Theft are they efpeci_. ally which the world lament, and cry out after, as foolifhly as Micah, 7rsdges i 8.14.)Ye have taken away our Gods : and what have we more? and faith thou what ailed) ui ?We mutt not here be too paff onately ex- cefffve, either in the degree or duration of our trouble ; we mull be af- feâed with the providence of God in thefe evils, according to their greatnefs to us (a little lofs in it felf may be great to a poor man,as the Widows two mites was more to her than their far greater fums was to them that `aft them in, the death of an only child greater than when a number)and fo trouble and forrow for them;but difcontented we mull not be,nor difiraded in the duties God requires. nor refufe to be com- forted becaufe our Husbands ,Wives,Children,Pleafures, Honours, Ri- ches are not ; for as there is a time to weep, fo a time to take up, and refrain fromweeping; we mull love them fo as we may lofe them, that when we do, we may not lofe our felves Amavi teat amnia taxquam amif fMrus, let us every one fay at parting with them,I loved you fo as I can lofe you, Take heed of murmuring with the Ifraelites, turfing thy pro with the prophanc, of difconçentednefs which the bell ;re apt fall to
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