196 THE SAINT'S REST IS NOT multitude of unbelieving contrivances, and discon- tents at the wise disposal of God, and hard thoughts of most of his providences, which this sin doth make us guilty of. § 23. Let us further consider, what a competent time most of us have had. Why should not a man, that would die at all, be as willing at thirty or forty, if God see fit, as at seventy or eighty ? Length of time doth not conquer corruption ; it never withers or decays through age. Except we receive an addition of grace, as well as time, we naturally grow worse. " O my soul, depart in peace. As thou wouldst not desire an unlimited state in wealth an honour, so desire it not in point of time. If thou wast sensible how little thou deservest an hour of that patience which thou hast en- joyed, thou wouldst think thou hadst had a large part. Is it not divine wisdom that sets the bounds ? God will honour himself by various persons, and several ages, and not by one person or age. Seeing thou hast acted thy own part, and finished thy appointed course, come down contentedly, that others may succeed, who must have their turns as well as thyself. Much time hath much duty. Beg therefore for grace to improve it better ; but be content with thy share of time. Thou hast also had a competency of the comforts of life, God might have made thy life a burden, till thou hadst been as w ry of possessing it, as thou art now afraid of losing it. e might have suffered thee to have con- sumed thy days in ignorance, without the true know- ledge of Christ ; but he bath opened thy eyes in the morning of thy days, and acquainted thee betimes with the business of thy life. hláth thy heavenly Father caused thy lot to fall in Europe, not in Asia, Africa, or America; in England, not in Spain or Italy ? Hath he filled up all thy life with miseries, and dost thou now think thy share too small? What a multitude of hours of consolation ; of delightful sabbaths, of pleasant stu- dies, of precious companions, of wonderful deliver- ances, of excellent opportunities, or fruitful labours, of joyful tidings, of sweet experiences, or astonishing
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