SERMON XLVI. 319 The Second Sermon on ibis Text. The Support of Good Men, under their Suffer- ings for Religion. Y PETER 4. 19. Wherefore, let them that fuffer according to the Will of God, commit the keeping of their Souls to him in welldoing, as unto a faithful Creator. FROM thefe words I propofed to Confider thefe three Points. Firfi, That when Men do fuffer really and truly for the Caufe ofReligi- on, th ey may with confidence commit themfelves (their Lives, and all that is dear to them) to the peculiar and moreefpecial Care of the Divine Providence. Secondly, This we may do always, provided that we be careful of our Duty, and do what is required on our part ; and that neither to avoid Sufferings, nor to refcue our felves out of them, we doany thingcontrary to our Duty and a good Confcience ; for this is the meaning of committing ourfelves toGod in well- doing. Thirdly, To thew what Ground of Comfort and Encouragement the Confide- ration of God, under the Notion of a faithful Creator, does afford to us, under all our Sufferings for a good Caufe and a good Confcience. The Firfl of thefe Points I have treated on at large in my former Difcourfe. I proceed now to the Second Namely, when in all our Sufferings for theCaufe of Religion, wemay vith Confidence and good Affurance, commit our felves to the peculiar and more efpecial Care ofGod's Providence? This is to be underftood, always pro- vided that we becareful of our Duty, and do what is required on our Part .; and that neither toavoid Sufferings, nor to refcue our felves out of them, we do any thing contrary to our Duty, and a good Confcience. And this l told you was the meaning of committing ourfelves to God in well -doing ; for if we either neg- left our Duty, or fiepout of the Way of it, by doing things contrary to it, the Providence of God will not be concern'd to bear us out in fuch Sufferings. So that in our Sufferings for the Caufe of God and Religion, to commit our felves to Lim in well-doing, may reafonably comprehend in it thefe following Particulars. r. Provided always, that we negleft no lawful Means of our Prefervation from Sufferings, or our Deliverance out of them : In this Cafe, Men do not commie themfelves to the Providence of God, but caft themfelves out of his Care and Protection ; they do not truff God, but tempthim, and do, as it were, try whether he will ftand by us, when we defert our felves, and bring us out of Trouble, when we would take noCare, would ufe no Endeavours to prevent it Ifwe will needlefly provoke Trouble, and run our felves upon fuffering ; if we will negleftour felves, and the lawful Means of our Prefervation; if we will give up, and part with thofe Securities of our Religion, which the Providence of God, and the Laws of our Country have given us ; if we our felves will help to pull down theFence which is about us; ifwe will difarmour felves, and by our own Aét expofe our felves naked and open to Danger and Sufferings ; why fhould we think in this Cafe, that God will help us, when we would not help our felves, by thofe lawful Ways, which the Providence of God bath put into our Hands ? All
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