2.04 The Nect.lfity andAdvantag~ unaccuflomed to the yoke; which maketb the greater reluctancy againfi it. Children that are n1uch indulged are the more in1~ patient if they come .to be crofied; and , there is too much of the child in us all~ The Apofi:le tells us, that tribulation 7vork~ .etb patience*· Cuflon1 makes every thing niore tolerable unto us; and if it p!eafe ·God to fancrify the firfl: frroke, the fecond is received with the greater fubiniffi.on. The other thing I have to fay on this du– ty, is, That this advantage of affliCtion is very great an~ defirable; that it is i~deed very good for a man to have b!)rne the yoke in his youth, if he hath thereby learned f(} keep filence when the hand of the Lord is upon him. There is nothing more accept– able unto God, no objeCt n1ore lovely and amiable in his eyes, than a foul thus pro– firate before hi1n, thus entirely refign~d unto his holy will, thus quietly fubmitting to his feverefl: difpenfations. Nor is it lefs advantageous ut) to ourfelves; but fweet– eneth the bitterefi: occurenccs of our life, . and makes us relifh an inward and fecret , pleafure, notwithfl:anding all the fmart of affi.i ,'l:ion: fo that the yoke becon1es fup– ponable, the rod itfelf comforts us ; and we * Rom. v. 3
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