BAXTER'S DYING THOUGHTS. 79 hurt, that it is hard to discern whether it be not greater than their good to the church, or to their neighbors. Our friends are our' helpers and comforters ; but how oft, also, are they our hinderers, troubles, andgrief! But in heaven they are altogether wise, and holy, . and faithful, and concordant, and have nothing in them; nor there done by them, but what is amiable to God and man. And, with our faithful friends, we have here a mixture, partly of useless and burdensome persons, and partly of unfaithful hyp- ocrites and partly of self-conceited, factious wranglers, and partly of malicious, envious underminers, and partly by implacable ene- mies ; and how many of all these, set together, is there for one worthy, faithful friend ! And how great a number is there to trouble you, for one that will indeed comfort you! But in heaven there are none but the wise and holy ; no hypocrites, no burden- some neighbors, no treacherous, .. or Oppressing, or persecuting ene- mies are there. And is not all good and amiable better than a little good, with so troublesome a mixture of noisomeevils? Christ loved his disciples, his kindred ; yea, and all mankind, and took pleasure in doing good to all, and so did his apostles ; but how poor a requital had he or they from any but from God ! Christ's own brethren believed not in him, but wrangled withhim, almost like those that said to him on the cross, "If thou be the Son of God, come down, and we will believe." Peter himself was once a Satan to him (Matt. xvi.) and after, with cursing and swearing, denied him : and all his disciples forsook him, and fled; and what, then, could be expected from others ? Na friends have, a perfect suitableness to each other ; and rough- ness and inequalities that are nearest ns are most troublesome. The wonderful variety and contrariety of apprehensions, interest, educations, temperaments, and occasions, and temptations, &c., are such, that, while we are scandalized at the discord and confu- sions of the world, we must' recall ourselves, and admire that all- ruling providence which keepeth up so much order and 'concord as there is. We are, indeed, like people in crowded streets, who, going several ways, molest each other with their jostling opposi- tions ; or, like boys at football, striving to overthrow each other for the ball ; but it is a wonder of divine power and wisdom, that all the world are not continually in mortal war. If I domen no harm, yet if I.do but cross their wills, it goeth for a provoking injury ; and when there are as many wills as per- sons, who is it that can please ¡hem all ? Who bath money enough to please all the poor that need.it, or the covetous that desire it? Or, who can live with displeased men, and not feel some of. the fruits of their displeasure? What day goeth over my head, in which abundance desire not, or expect not, impossibilities from
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