¶Chap.? Qstefiiònp, and Caps ofConfcie'nte about 'Ifli&ions. 2. We mat+be frequent,andfervent in Prayer,acknowledgingour fins, that all our affleelions are julfly inffliged uponus, beging pardon for Chrit+s fake, and the removali ofour affligions, or that if he pleafe to continue them, that he will armeus with faith,and patience that we may meekly beare them come more pu- re, and approved out ofthis fiery furnace , and brought nearer unto God, bothin refpet ofthe illumination of our mind,and the reformation of our lives,änd then God will forgive us. Pray. 28. 13. I ?ohn i. 9. Thirdly , In our profperity we muft labour diligently in the moderating, and and mortifiing our inordinate affc.idns , and unruly pallions that we may i bring them in fubje&ion to the good will of God, and make them ferviceable CO holy reafon. Efpeciallywe mull mortifie the pallions of Fear, which Both much aggravate the weight of mifery, and is oft more Intollerable then the evil fuffered, both as it deformes the minds 'of refolution , andas it anticipates the griefs before they come. Yea many times fuch as are only faigned in the imagination,& never befall us.We mullalfo in our profperity limit ourhopes: for thefurther they are extended, themore are we dire&ed when they faile us : and common- ly when there have been no bounds to our exile&ation , there will be, no meafure in impatiency, when things fo much delïred , and expe&ed anfwer not our hopes. The like may be faid , of immoderate defires after earthly things, inordinate lulling after fuperfluities , which will fet us on the rack of discontent when they are not fatified , making lefler comforts great croffes, and the light- eft affligions intollcrableburdens, So in profperitywe fhould exercife our felves: in.mortifiing rafh anger: for if amanbe frowardwhen he is pleafed in hisdefires, he will beHark mad when he is eroded, &c.So altowe fhould fubduepridewhich is the nurce òf impatiency, &c. Fourthly, we mull not fain unto our felves afiiigions in our conceit,aud imagi- nation,laying croffes upon our felves by a falfeopinion whenGod lays none upon us. Many through conceit become wretched before their time , and are onely miferablebecaufe they are fo in their imagination.Thus come to went therrfelves becaufe they havenot the upper handat meetings, refpea, andobiervance from their Inferiors : Commendations, and applaufefor their goodparts. Others grie- voufly aff ias themfelves , becaufe they have loft part of their fuperfluities : Yea fo powerful( is opinion in producing thefe effects , that not only a falfe appre- henfion caufeth a true affiklion , but it is able alfo to turn comforts into Croffes, benefits into miferies , and that which this mans opinion makes his Hell, ano- ther mans oppofite conceit would make his Heaven, and happinefs. Fifthly, We mutt not by feareanticipate affligions, making our felvesmifera- blebefore our time. Thus fome aremore tormentedwith the feare ofevils,than with the evils that they fear, and fuffer longer and greater forrows with the expe- &ation of their miferies before theycome , then they doe after they are come, and lie upon them. Thus fome excruciate themfelves with fear and grief when they hearebut uncertain rumors ofgreat calamities , as though they were already overtaken by them , whereas it may be they will never happen: So in the time of Pef}ilence,and warre,anddecay of trading, &c. Sixthly, With wife , and Chriflian providencewe muftforfee croffes , and in the time of peace, and profperity continually expe& when we (ball be called forth toencounter with afflr&ions , that fo we may be the better armed for the confli&. For though we arenot with a cowardly apprehenfion to tárment our- felves:with crofles before they come,yat malt we wifely forfee them that we may prevent thole chat may be lawfully avoided , and with patience beare thofe which will neceffarily be fall us. Luke.14.28.3 r.,. c l/tor.16.14. Seventhly , We mull not fix our hearts upon any thing in the world , but dethefeoutward bleffings as though we ufed them nn.,t, and enjoy them as thefe (that mayprefently lofe them , For what wepoffefffrith immoderate love, we H z lofe. 5' II, Id I. VIT.
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