the Saints in Light. Col. 1. 12. Intimating, That as there is a glorious Inheritance; an Inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you; So, this Inheritance can only be enjoyed, by fuch Persons as are meet, that is, fuch as are fitted, Qualified and Difpofed to be Partakers of it. But now what Disposition, and what Temper of Soul is necessary, to make us capable of this future Happiness, is best known to the Divine Wisdom and Goodness. And therefore ought thankfully to comply with God's Methods, by observing those Precepts and Directions he hath given us in his holy Gofpel.

we

Your chief Work and Bufiness whilst you continue in this World, is to prepare for the next. It is, in the Apostle's language, to work out your own. Sal vation.

vation. And if you comply with the Divine Methods, God hath promised to Work in you; that is, To help and assist you. Consider therefore, and be encouraged, poor afflicted distresfed Soul, who art wearied with Sickness, and oppressed with Pain: God is now working in you. For this light Affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Cor.

4. 17.

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But how is it that it worketh for us? Not by way of Merit and Satisfaction; For as when ye fhall have done all those things which are commanded you, Say, we aré unprofitable Servants : we have done that which was our Duty to do. Luk. 17. 10. In like manner, When you shall have Suffered the very utmost that you can, you must still confefs; You are unprofitable Servants.

There

1

There is therefore no more Merit in Suffering, than in Doing.

But, I say, this light and momentany Affliction worketh for your Good; By Fitting and Disposing, by Qualifying and Preparing your Soul, for the enjoyment of a far more exceeding and Eternal Weight of Glory.

From this Confideration, we may be instructed in the true Reason; Why good and pious Men are so often, and so highly Afflicted in this World.

As to Matter of Fact: That Good Men have been always thus Afflicted, is a general Observation and Complaint.

Not only Heathens, but Jews and Christians have been often perplext about this Matter. And have found it difficult, to reconcile the Providence of God, with the Sufferings of Good Men.

To lay; That the Sufferings of Good Men in this World, are an undeniable Proof of another Life after this, wherein they shall be fully recompensed, for all their present Afflictions; is indeed a true, but not a full Answer. For it may easily be Replyed; Why are not Good Men happy in this World, as well as in the next? Why are they not Translated from one Happiness to another? Why are not they as much at Eafe, as Healthful, and as Profperous as other Men? Why are they so often in Sickness and in Pain, in Poverty and Disgrace? Are not they as capable of Worldly Eafe and Happiness; cannot they relish these Outward Satisfactions as well as Others? Have not they the fame Senfes, the same Inclinations to be Gratified ? What Reason therefore can be affigned; Why

Almighty God, who truly Loves them, them, and who delights in doing Good, should deny his Obedient Creatures any lawful Satisfacti

ons?

Amongst many other Reasons that are affigned for the Afflictions of Good Men, this seems to be the Chief, and gives the moft full and fatisfactory Account of that Matter. Viz.

That our Gracious God truly loves his Obedient Creatures : And as an instance of that Love and Favour, hath not only provided good Accommodations in this World; (which are too mean to fatisfy an Immortal Soul) but also Joys unspeakable, and full of Glory, in the

next.

But fince no unholy, no unclean Thing can partake of those pure and spotless Joys; Therefore, before fuch a Rebellious Polluted Creature as fall'n Man, can be admitted into Heaven, he