4X9 DOCTRINE OF THE PASSIONS. excite him to his proper work ; yet when it rises to such a degree on the account of any losses or troubles we sustain, as to hinder us in the discharge ofpresent duty, it beèomes excessive and im- moderate, and ought to berestrained or prevented ; and perhaps some of the following rules may be useful to this purpose : 1. Havea care of excessive love to any creature whatsoever, for this fondness lays the foundation of immoderate grief; when divine providence takes that creature from us. We should love creatures but as uncertain and perishing comforts. The greater sweetness inthe enjoyment, the sharper is the sorrow at parting. And as a partof this direction I may add, let your hopes of any earthly good be very moderate ; for in a thousand instances, we find the possessionor attainment of it depends upon great un- certainties, and the concurrence ofmany favourable circumstan- ces, whereof, if one be wanting, we are disappointed. And if our hope has been raised very high, our surprize of griefwill be pro- portionable in the disappointment. 2. Meditate on the sovereignty, the wisdom, and the good- ness of God, inhis government of the world, and believe that all that he does is wiseand good : Learn to submit your own judg- ment, and your own will, to the wiser determination of his providence. When our Saviour was to drink of the bitterest cup that ever was put into the hand of a creature, or at least a crea- ture beloved of God, lie submitted to the intense and unknown . agonies of that hour, under the awful influence of this rule, Father not my will, but thy will be done ; Luke xxii. 42. Re- member also that divine gracehas promised, and divine wisdom knows how to turn the heaviest crosses into blessings. Perhaps God is now doingyou the greatest good ; donot counterwork him by obstinate murmuringand impatience. 3. Seek after a comfortable and established hope of the love ofGod in the way of the gospel, and this, if well improved, will be a sufficient balance for every load of temporal sorrow. If you can cast your burden on the Lord as your God, he will sus- tain, and he will relieve : He will not contend always. Remem- ber the revolutions and the changes of the right-hand of God. Reflect upon days past and former sufferings. How often has God relieved you, as he has delivered his peoplein ancient times, when there appeared to human prudence no way for escape, no method of relief ? If hebe your God, let your soul live upon him. He isnot an idol, whose ears cannot ear, and whose hands cannot help. Prayer will ease thewounded spirit, and engage Omnipo- tenceon your side. 4. Takeheed of bringing fresh guilt on your conscience, that so you may not be overwhelmed with sorrows of all kinds at once. A peaceful conscience will help to bear up the spirit under someof
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