We have been famous forward Christians many years, both in our own esteem and in others; and he would make us believe that we are full of nothing but swinishness and earthliness. Well, I know this resignedness I am speaking of, and this devotedness to the divine will, are very harsh, and very heavy for the old man to bear; but to the new man, this yoke is easy, and this burden is light; this news to him is not harsh, but welcome; for he is moulded to God's will, and is as pliable to his will as wax is to the seal; and hence he is sure, always either to please God, or God shall please him, or both; and then all is at peace; for this I say, If we were come to this, that nothing that God doth, did displease us, then nothing that we did, should displease God: then would there be no more war between God and us, and we should enjoy constant peace. Therefore notice this, He that hath attained the practice of the life I speak of, is a man always satisfied: but, so far as we come short, and desire any thing, and God gives it not, then we fall at wars with God, and censure his proceedings, having harsh and rebellious thoughts of him. : He that murmurs, and thinks that God at any time doth not well, nay, doth not always the best, is at enmity with God and this was that sin that God so hated and punished in the Israelites; for they would be wiser than God, and they would teach him the path of wisdom, and shew him the way of understanding they were a murmuring and finding fault with what God did, as if he were not so wise as they. How sad a thing it is, when we poor creatures shail take upon us to control the wisdom of him who is wisdom itself! But, says one, Oh, there is such a heavy thing fallen out! Says another, Oh, if he would have heard my prayers in such a thing, how well it would have been; I wish it had fallen out otherwise! Oh friends! Oh friends!: this is no other than to do what lies in us, to throw the Almighty out of his throne. Nevertheless, how common is this every-where, even among those that profess religion! The chief end, form and aim of their prayers, is to counsel and direct God. I know very well, you will not confess it to be so; yet, if things be examined to the bottom, this is the plain English. O poor nothings! thus to lift up yourselves against Him who is so transcendently wise, holy and good! Thou thinkest much if thy servant, (who is thy equal, with regard to the same flesh and blood,) should contend and censure thy actions : and, seemeth this a small thing in your eyes, to control, direct and censure the wisdom of the Almighty? Oh, beloved! all things of this nature express opposition to God. Let me tell you one thing:-There is no man who, when he looks upon all providences round about him, within him, and without him, that cannot say from his heart, He hath done all things well, can ever praise God. I say, if he cannot, in every thing, set this down for a maxim, and an undeniable truth, that He hath done all things well, very well, it is impossible for him, from his heart, always, and in every thing, to give thanks, as the apos tle commands. A truly resigned man, can say freely and heartily: Oh! without all question, he hath done all things well, in taking away my friends from me, in removing my dear wife, &c. He hath done all things well, in taking away my health, name, &c. And, if he hath done all things well, nay, all things for the best, as the very wisdom of God could do, then, why art thou displeased with him? Why dost thou once dare to lift up one murmuring thought against him? Thou prayest daily, Thy will be done; at least thou shouldst do so; why then dost thou repine when his will is done, either towards thee or thine, or in the world, or to his own people, or to the church of God, or to the enemies of God? But, beloved! I well know what your manner is, viz:-To excuse all under dainty, fine, mincing terms; and call it the infirmity and frailty of the flesh, and your weakness and want of power, when indeed it is no less than rebellion, and the sin of witchcraft, as Samuel told Saul. You take little notice of this high crime, and of this high treason against the most High; you pass it by, and make light of it, as Saul did his rebellion ; whereas, in plain terms, it is no less than the renouncing of God; rejecting him and his government; and your thoughts are, if you were in his place, you would do otherwise and better, in this thing, in that and the other. Ob poor drop! Why contendest thou with thy Maker? Who shall set him a rule? Wilt |