182 T'he 1Vec·ejJity andAdvantag~ trouble and miferies of his creatures: H~ '<loth not affliCt willingly nor .grieve thechild– ren of nzen. It were in1i!1etly unworthy of his wifdon1 and goodnefs, to pleafe hin1felfin feeing fuch poor creatures as we are, .to!fed up and do\vn in the world, to behold our anguilh, and hear our groans. It is our happinefs and welfare which he ~digns in all his difpenfations ; and he rnaketh choice, of the n1oft ·proper and effectual ineans for that end. He feeth · us wandering out of the way, ready to ruin and undo ourfelves; ana he firfr e.ffayeth to r~duce us by milder and more get1tle me~ thods: he trieth our gratitude and inge– nuity by all the ~ndearn1ents of mercy and goodnefs; he draweth us with the cords of love, and with the bands of a man. But if we break all thcfe bands afunder;· and caft: away thefe cords fron1 u ,s; if we a– bufe his goodnefs, _and turn· his grac~ in.to wantonnefs; then, not only hisjufiice, but ' his love to us, not only his hatred to fin, · but his affeB:i,on unto us, will oblige him to alter his tnethod, ' and take the rod in his ·. hand, and try \V hat feverity can do. God's defign in affii~ing us, is excellently expreffed .. by the authot· to the I-Iebrev.1s; chap. xii, ver. I o. He chafleneth us for our · · .profit,.
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