310 jepatinottp of tieZibineZttríbutty Chap. ff. pcl forbids all vain Sorrows, as well as vain Pleafures and diftinguifhes real Godlinefs from an appearance,by Contentment as its infeparableCharaäer.Godlinefs with r Tim, 6. 6. content is great gain. Whenweare in the faddeft cir- Luk, tz. lg. cumftances,our Saviour commands us topofefs our Souls in Patience, to preferve a calm Conftitution of Spirit which no ftorms fromwithout can difcompofe. For this endhe affures us that nothing comes to pats without the Knowledge and Efficiency, or at leaft, Permiffion of God : That the Hairs ofour Head are numbred, andnot onefalls to the .Earth without his Licence. Now the feri- ous beliefofa Wife, Juft and Powerful Providence that governs all things, hatha mighty efficacy to maintain a conftant tranquillity and equal temper in the Soul amidft Ephef r. II, the confufions ofthe World. God works all things ac- carding to the counfel ofhis ownwill: and ifwecould dii- cover the immediatereafons of every Providence, we cannot have more fatisfadion than from this General Principle, that is applicableto all as light to every co- lour, That what God doth is always beft. This refolves all the doubts ofthe moft intangled minds, and ratifies our falfe judgments. From hence a Believer hath as true content incomplying with God's Will, as ifGodhad complyed with his,and is reconciled to everycondition. Befides, theGofpel affures us,That all things work toge- Ro s' 2s. thenfor the goodofthofe that love God. For their Spiri- tual good at prefent, by weakening theircorruptions ; for at$iciion is a kind of manage, by which the fenfual part is exercifed and made pliable to the motionsof the Spirit : and by increafing their Graces, the tinvaluable Treafures ofHeaven. If the deareft Objets ofour Af- feEtions, themoft worthyofour Love and Grief,are ta- ken away, 'tis for this reafon, that Godmay have our Love himfelf in its molt intenfe and inflamed degree. And Affiiótions are in order to their Everlafting good. Now
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