the Measure lefs or more, 'tis ftill thy Diftribution. He who receives moft is indebted for the whole to thy Liberality; and he who hath leaft, could not have had that little but from Thee. He, to whom thou haft dealt thy Bleffings moft plentifully, is not from that Difpenfation to take an Eftimate of himfelf; his Plenty will not justify any Confidence or Boaft of his own Merit, nor may he infult over his Brethren, or behave himself uncomely, and difefteem or defpife thofe, from whom thy Mercies have diftinguished him. For the Greatness of Mens Deferts is moft eminently difcovered, by a Modeft and Mean Opinion of themfelves, Courtesy and Condefcenfion to others, Gratitude and Devotion towards God. And the more they are senfible of their own Wants and Unworthinefs, the better they qualify themselves for fresh and greater Demonftrations of thy Love and Liberality. Again, the Man to whom thou haft diftributed more fparingly, muft not repine and be difcouraged, nor fret and grudge the larger Portion of his wealthier Neighbour; but keep his Eyes and Mind wholly intent upon thee, and admire the Freedom of thy Grace, which, as it cannot be obliged to any, fo gives to all largely, and without partial Refpect of Perfons.

For thou art to be praised in all thy Gifts by every Man, becaufe all comes from thee: And thou art Ma ster of thy own Favours; thou giveft without Upbraiding, and with-holdeft without Injuftice: Thy Wisdom knows what Meafures are proper and expedient for each Perfon; and the Reasons, why one Man differs from another, lie not within the Compafs of Our Knowledge, but must be left entirely to thy Judgment, to determine the Fitness of them.

In this Perfuafion, Lord, I readily acknowledge and adore thy Mercy, in fuffering me to want many of those Advantages, which the Generality of Mankind fet a mighty Value upon. Nay, I am fatisfied, that

N

Men

Men ought to be afflicted, and humble their Souls, with the Confideration of their own Wants and Unworthiness; yet fo, as not only not to give way to fad Defpondencies and Diftruft of thy Mercy; but even from this very Subject to draw Matter of Comfort and Joy; becaufe thou haft fo particularly declared thy Affection to the contrite and humble Souls, and given them Marks of more than ordinary Favour.

Such were thofe Apostles, fo mean in their own and the World's Efteem, whom thou madeft choice of for Witneffes of thy Truth, and Attendants upon thy Perfon. These very Heroes in the Chriftian Story, whom thou haft appointed Judges and Rulers of the whole World in Matters of Religion, were recommended to that High Promotion, by being Meek and Poor in Spirit, void of Guile, and mortified to the World; patient in Suffering, content with Infolence, and barbarous Treatment; and proud of nothing, but being thought worthy to endure Shame and Pain for the Name of Jefus. So diftant from common Men, fo fingular were their Notions, which difpofed them with Joy and Eagerness to embrace what others dread and deteft, and fhun with all their Industry and Might. The never-failing Spring of Joy and Comfort, which they who truly love and fear thee, and are thankful for thy Infinite Goodness, find within, flows from the constant Resignation of their Minds to thy Difpofals, and the Reflections upon thy Wife Eternal Purposes, which check their Proneness to Partiality and Difcontent, and make every Difpenfation of thy Providence welcome to them. They are abafed with equal Satisfaction, as others are exalted: And regard not High or Low, Honourable or Defpifed, according to common Reputation; but confider that their Station and Circumftances in the World are chofen and ordained by Thee, and cannot therefore but be good, nay, better than any other, because the Effect of thy

Di

Divine Appointment, which always knows and chufes the best. Could we but once arrive at this confiderate Temper of Mind; the different Accidents of Life would ceafe to be either much uneafy, or extravagantly pleafant. The violent Shocks upon our Paffions would be effectually prevented; because thy Honour would take place above our own Appetites and mistaken In terests. Poverty and Shame would be acceptable, as coming from the fame Hand with Riches and Honour. And even thofe Things which are moft agreeable to the Relish and Inclinations of Human Nature, would please and comfort us more, with the Confideration of their being bestowed by Thee, the Author of all our Happiness; than upon the Account of any Advantages to be had from the Things themselves. The Zeal for thy Honour, in the Extremity of Diftrefs, fhould fupport good Men more, and find greater Regard from them, than all the Wealth, or Glory, or other external Bleffings, which thou at any time doft or canft confer, upon the most profperous of the Sons of Men in this World. So fmall is the Confideration of the greatest Gift, in comparison of the Wife, the Good, the Almighty Giver and Difpofer of our Fortunes; who orders all Things for the beft, and is, in all, our kindest Friend, and conftant Benefactor.

Chrift.]

CHAP.

XXV.

The Things which make for Peace.

H

Earken to me, my Son, and I will inform thee in the right Way to true Peace and perfect Liberty.

Dijciple.] Be pleafed, Lord, fo to do; for fuch Inftruction will prove both acceptable and profitable to

me.

Christ.] Make it thy Business rather to comply with the Defires and Commands of others, than to indulge thy own Inclinations. Chufe a moderate, nay, a low Fortune, rather than Greatnefs and Abundance. Be humble, obedient, and condefcending in all thy Deportment. Let this be thy conftant Wifh and Prayer, That God would perform his Pleasure, and dif pose of Thee and all thy Affairs, as to him seems most convenient. The Man that hath brought himself to this Temper and Spirit, be affured is in the ready Way to Peace of Mind, and true Content.

Difciple.] The Words my Lord hath spoken are few in Number, but full of Senfe, and of very comprehensive Extent; and I can eafily difcern in this little Space the Grounds of great Perfection in Virtue. Did I but diligently obferve thefe Rules, how happily would all exceffive Concern, and violent Disorder at any Accidents of Human Life, be fupprefs'd, or quite prevented? And if at any time hereafter I find my felf oppreffed with immoderate Cares or Refentments, thy Wisdom hath taught me to difcover the true Cause of my Trouble; and, that I fuffer for neglecting to comply with this Doctrine. But fuch Compliance, Lord thou knoweft, is not the Work of Nature and mere Reason: And therefore I implore the mighty Affiftances of thy Grace, to which nothing is hard, for making those Improvements, which, in the prefent State of Corruption, are to Flesh and Blood impracticable. Nothing is more acceptable in thy fight than the Conquest of our Infirmities, and bold Advances in Goodness. Put forth thy Hand then, and what thou haft taught me to know, enable me to perform; That I may both approve my own Obedience, and (what without thee I cannot do) fuccefsfully pursue my own Happiness and Salvation.

С НА Р.

CHA P. XXVI.

A Prayer against Evil Thoughts.

Q

Difciple.]Ghafte to help me: For Cor

O not far from me, O Lord, my God make

Pfal. lxx. rupt Imaginations are perpetually rifing in my Breaft, and innumerable Fears and Horrors clofe my Soul in on every fide. The Senfe of my hazardous Condition overwhelms me with Torment and deep. Diftrefs, while I fee the Greatness of my Danger, and the Multitude of my Enemies, but know not how to decline the one, or to fight my Way thro' the other.

Christ.] Remember, Son, my Promife; I will go before thee, and make the crooked Places Ifa. xiv. ftrait; I will break in pieces the Gates of Brafs, and cut in funder the Bars of Iron: And I will give thee the Treasures of Darkness, and hidden Riches of fecret Places.

Difciple.] Lord, since thou haft applied those Myftical Words to my Comfort, let me, I beseech thee, experimentally find the gracious Accomplishment of them in my own Perfon: And fcatter all my dark and difmal, my vain and finful Thoughts, by fhedding the Light of thy Grace abroad into my Heart. For in the Extremity of Grief and Anguifh, this is my Hope and only Support, to take Sanctuary in thy Goodness, to repofe all my Confidence, and caft the Burthen of my Cares upon thee; to pour out my whole Soul before thee, and wait with Patience thy own good Time, for fuccouring me in, and giving me a happy Iffue out of all my Afflictions.