Ver.4. Complaintsfruitle(i andheartlefs to beavoided. 309 RULE VIII. 7akeheed of fj+iiending time in complaints, when vigorous fill- ings of Grace areyour Duty. Fruitlefs and heartlefß complaints, bemoinings of themfelves and their condition is the fubf?;ance of the proppion that fome make. If they can object againf} thetnièlves, and form Complaints out of their conditions, they fuppore they have done their duty. I have known Tome who have (pent a good part oftheir time in going up and downfrom one to anc;her with their objeUtions and complaints. These things are contrary to the life ofFaith.It is good indeed in our fpiritual difirefiès to apply our (elves unto them who are furnifbed with the tongue of the learned, to know how to fpealt a word in lea - Ion unto him that is weary. But for perlons to fill their minds and imaginations with their own Objections and Complaints, not endeavouring to mix the words that are fpoken for their reliefand direction, with faith, but going on hill in their own way, this is of no ufe or advantage. And yet forne, I fear, may pleafc themfelves ir, fuch a courfe, as if it had fomewhat of Eminency in Religion in it. Others, it may be, drive the fame trade in their Thoughts, al- though theymake not outwardly fuch Complaints -. They are converfant for the molt part with hearthfs defpondings. And in fòme they arc multiplied by their natural Conftitutions or Di- jfenrpers. Examples of this kind occur unto us every day. Now what is the Advantage of theft things ? what did Sion get when the cried, The Lord bath foifa%en ;ne. and my God bath forgotten me ? or 7acob, when he laid, My way ie hid from the Lord, and my judgement is palled over from my God ? Doubtlefs they did but prejudice themfelves. How doth David roule up himfelfwhen he found his mind inclinable unto fuch a frame ? For haying Paid, Why doff thou caff me off 0 God ? whygo Imourning becaufe of theoppreffion ofmine enemy ;? He quickly rebukes and recolle6is himfelf, fa; ing Why art thoucalf down 0 my Soul, andwhy art thou difquietedwithin me ? hope in God, Pfal. 4. 4, 5. We muft fay then unto fuch heartlefs Complainers, as God did to jojbuab, Get you up, why lye you thus uponyour faces t R r z Do Cott plait is fruitìefs and heart- ie s to be aro;d.d.
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