2 4o Spiritual Perfec`tion. declares it Pelf in alternate aas of Kind nefs, but is alfo exercifed where there are no fuch inducements. This is to imitate our Heavenly Fathers who does good to all, without any defert in the receivers, and beyond all requital. Affliaion is the Furnace wherein fin- cere Friends are tryed, and difcern'd from the deceitful ; their Aflü ions are com- mon ; their Compaffions and cordial afíìfl"ance are common. This is the moft certain and fignificant Chara&er of un- feigned Love, not to fail in a calamitous feafon. Yob aggravates his Sorrows by this refleaion, that his Friends dealt de- ceitfully ; as Brooks that run in a full ftream in Winter, when Snow falls, and there is no want of refrefhing Waters, but when 'tis hot ; they are dryed up, and vanifh. We may fectirely rely on their Friendfhip, who afford us * unde. fir'd fupplies in time of trouble., The Obfervation of the wife Philofo- pher is verified in every Age, That Men . in a fourifhing condition are furrounded with Friends, but in an affáicred are for-: fakes. This Confideration fhould in- flame us with a holy ambition of the friendfhip of God ; for his fincere ,Love is moft tenderly exprefs'd in our difl refs The Plälmift enforces his Requeft by this motive, Be not far of, for trouble is near; * 'ris 1irlo- tle's Rule, Bonum amicum ad gaudia vo- catum adeffe debere, ad ad- verfa [ponte. Étll. c. I I. k'lorentes ami- corum turba circum fedit : circa everfos in- gens folitudo efi : Et unde fugiunt, unde probantur. Sen. Ep. 9.
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