27$ SERMONS upon Serm.XXX.VII:` our turn than any thing elfe g could we once be perfwaded of this, a Christian would be prepared for a cheerful entertainmjnt of all that should come upon him. Betides, he is a God of bowels, and loveth us more dearly than we do our fdees; Therefore we should be fatisfied with his difpenfations, whatever they are. Should the shepherd, or the cheep chufe his paftures? The child be governed by his own fancy, or the Fathers discretion? The fink man by his own appetite, or the phyftians skill ? 'Tis necet ary. fometimes, that God ihould difpleafe his people for their advantage, John 16. 6, 7. Be- cause I have Paid theft things to you, fJrrow bath filled your heart; nevertbelefi 1 tell Joie _ the truth, it is expedient for jots that Igo away. We are too much addi&ed to our own conceits; Chrifts dealing is expedient and ufeful, yet very unfatisfadory to his people: He is to be judge of what is good for us, his going or tarrying; not we our felves,who are short - lighted, distempered with paff ons; whole re luefts many times are but ravings, and ask of God we know not what. Peter Paid, Matth. 17. 4. Mailer, it is good for us to be here. He was well pleafed to be upon Mount Tabor, but little thought what work God had to do by him elsewhere; fo Jer. 24.5 The basket of good figs were fent into the land of the Chaldean for their good. What good in à difperfion ! but God forefaw whole evil, would befall the place where they then lived. The felling of Jofeph for a {lave, was to appearance evil, but God meant it for good : Gen. 50.20. God may keep us low and bare, expose us to difficulties, prejudices, reproaches, bitter fufferings, yet all is for good, 2. Good it to be determined by its refpecf to the chiefgood, or true happinefi. Now what is our chief happinefs but thevifion and fruitionof God ?it confi(ts not in outward com- forts, riches, liberty, health, honour, or comfortable relations, but our acceptance with God ; other things are but appendages 'to our felicity, Matth. 6.33 gtsrelúos Y. But fidi feek the kingdom of God,' and theft things pall be added unto you. Atllittion taketh no- thing from our solid and effential happiness, rather helpeth us to the injoyment of ir, as we increafe in grace and holinefi. That's evil that feparateth us from God; that's good which bringeth us nearer to him. Sin feparateth us from God, therefore always evil >. Ifa..59. 2. But afi &ion are not always evil, but make us more earnefily tofeek- after him, Hofer; 5.16. And fo to be trained up under the crois, in a confiant course of obedience, and fubje&ion to God, is good. Lain. 3. 27. !cis good that a man bear the yoke from his youth, becaufe it keepeth him modest, humble, and lober. 3. This good is not always the good of the body, or of outward profperity 5 and .there fore our condition is not to be determined by the interest of the flefh, but the welfare of our foul. if we had the world at will, we cannot be Paid to be in a good Condition, if the Lord should deny us spiritual bleffrngs : We are more concerned as a foul, than á body, Heb. 12. to. He verily for our profit, that we may be partaker" of his holinefi. He doth not call the good' things of this world, that pelf which all delire, profit ; but the participiation of the divine nature. Afhi &ion is good if it be fandified. Holinef wrought by aftli&ion, Ihould be mole to us, than all our outward comforts. 4. 'Ds not good prefently inlayed andfelt, but waited for ; and therefore our condition molt not be determined by fenfe, but faith, Heb. 12. t t. Afilion for the prefent is not pleating to natural fenfe, nor is the fruit for the prefent evident to spiritual fenfe; but 'tis good, becaufè in the ifsue it turneth to fpiritual good : While under the afRioti- on, we feel the hmart, but do not prelently find the benefit.; Phyfck mutt have time to work ; that which is not good, may be good; though it be not good in its nature, 'tis good in its use; Faith ibould determine fo, though we feel it nor, Pfal. 73. t. 2"et God is good to Israel. 5. A particular good mufi give way to a general good; and our perfonal benefit, to the glory of God, and the advancement of Chrifis Kingdom. 'Twas good, yea much bet- ter for Paul to be in Heaven ; yet, if it was needful for the Saints, to continue in the flelh, he fubmitteth..Phil. t. 24. We mutt not fo delire good to our felves, as to hin- der the goód of others; All Elements will all contrary to their particular nature, for the confervation of the Llniverfe; That may be good for the glory of God, which is not good for our personal contentment and ease ; ph. 12. 27, 28. The fenfe of our duty, and the defireofglorifying God, Ihould overcome our natural inclination. 6:' In bringing about this good, we mull not be idlefpeliators, but affifl under God; When we are diligent to exercise our felves unto godliness, then evil is turned into good, and all croffes and afiftions into means of falvation; betides the elelive love of God at the bottom of all, there is the aétual power and influence of the Spirit, and prayer .
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