Serin. XLVI. under their Sufferings for Religion. 325 gard and Confederation, of our Cafe, and all the Circumftances of it; as from this great Founder and Benefa&or? For he that made us knows our Frame, and whereof we are made, and how much we are able to bear ; he confiders our Strength, or ratherour Weaknefs, and what Courageand Refolution he bath en- dued us withal, and what Comfort and Support we ítand in need of in the day of Tribulation. And as they who make Armour, are wont to try that which they think to be good and well temper'd, with a ftronger Charge, not to break and hurt it, but to prove and praife it. So God exercifeth thofe whom he bath fitted and tempered for it, with manifold Temptations, that the tryal of their faith, as St. Peter expreffeth it, 1 Pet. 1.7. being much more precious than ofgold tried in the Fire, may befound unto praife, and honour, and glory, at the appearing off efus Chrifi. So that this Confideration that we are God's Creatures, does (as I may fay) oblige him in Faithfulnefs ib his ownA&, and in Confequence of his bringing us into Being at firft, to be concern'd for us afterwards, fo as never to abandon us, nor quite to takeaway his Loving.kindnefs andMercy fromus; till we are good for nothing, and do in a manner ceafe to bewhat he made us, that is Reafonable Creatures. A Perfonor People mutt have proceeded to the utmoft degree of de- generacy, when God will confider them no longer as his Creatures, nor thew any Pity or favour to them ; things mutt be come to extremity, when God deals thus with us, as he threatned the People of Ifrael, Ifa. 27. 1 r. When the boughs are withered, they (hall be brokenof, and fee onfire ? for it is a People of no under- fianding : therefore he that made them, will not have mercy on them, and he that for- med them, willthew them nofavour. And now I have done with the Three Points which I propofed to handle from this Text, and the Difcourfe which I have made upon them, does all along apply it felf, by dire&ing us how we ought to commit our felves to the Providence of God, in all Cafes of Danger and Suffering, efpecially for the Caufe of God, and his Truth, viz. in the faithful difcharge, ofour Duty and agood Confcience, and by a firmTrutt and Confidence in the Wifdom and Goodnefs of the Divine Pro- vidence, not doubting but that he who made us, and knows our frame, will have a tender Care of us, and notfiner us to be tempted above what we are able. And as toour prefent Danger, and that terrible Storm which threatens us, let us pray to God, if it be his Will, to divert it ; but if otherwife he hath deter- mined, to fit and prepare us for it. And let us be fervent and earnett in our Prayers to him, not that he is moved by our importunity, but that we may there- by be qualified and madefit to receive the Mercy which we beg of him. And let us take this Occafion to do that which we fhould have done without it, to breakofour Sinsby Repentance, and to turn everyone ofus from the evil ofour ways; that hereby we may render God propitious to us, and put our (elves un- der the more immediate Care and Protection of his Providence; that we may prevent his Judgments, and turn away his wrath and difpleafure from us, as he did once from a great and finful City and People, upon their fincere Humiliation and Repentance, 5tonah 3. to. where it is Paid of the People of Nineveh, That God faro their works, that they turned from their evil way, andGod repented of the evil that he had faid that he would do unto them, and he did it not. Above all let us be fincere in the Profeffionof our Religion, and confcientious in the Pra- &ice of it ; nothing will bear us up under great Trials and Sufferings, like the teflimany of agood Confcience; void of offence towards God andMen. I will conclude this whole Difcourfe, with thofe Apoftolical Bleffings andPray- ers, Colof. r. to, 1a. Thatye may walk worthy of the Lord, unto allpleating, being fruitful in every goodwork, firengthned with all mightaccording tohisglorious Power, unto all Patience, and longfuffering, with joyfulnefs. And 2 Thef 2.16, 17. Now ourLord 7efus Chrîfl himfelf, and Godeven our Father, who bath loved us, and path given us everlafting Confolationandgood hope through Grace, comfort your hearts, and fiabli/h you in every good work. To him be Glory andDominion, for Ever, and Ever, Amen. SER-.
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