he must be not only pardoned, but purified and refined. As his Person must be Justified, so his Nature must be Sanctified. And by the Work of God's Blessed Spirit; and by a Train of Providential Dispensations, his polluted Soul must not only be cleansed in this Life, but also Qualified and Prepared for fuch a Station, as the Wisdom of God shall design it in the next.

It. is therefore undeniable, That a peculiar Temper and Disposition of Soul is necessary, to make us capable of Eternal Happiness.

Which I shall further explain in the following Instance.

As there are different Stations in this World, so there are different Degrees of Glory in the next. Now this difference of Conditions in this World, doth occafion a great deal of Pride, Envy, and Malice; with many other other disturbing Passions. The Rich do flight and contemn the Poor. The Poor do envy and malign the Rich. And unless these Passions are calmed and

composed in this Life, they will still disorder the Soul, and make it miferable in the next.

For if it were possible, that a Proud, Ambitious, and Envious Man, could be admitted into Heaven, he would not enjoy himself in that happy Place: but would fret and repine, vex and torment himself, to fee fo many Others preferred before him, and to shine with a greater Luftre than himself.

And therefore, since Humility, and a patient fubmissive Temper of Soul, is so necessary for the enjoyment of Heaven; God is pleased by Afflictions and Troubles, by Sickness and Pain, which he lays upon his Children. here; to exercise and improve

these Graces; the Practice of which will be so necessary hereafter.

From these Premises I infer; That one chief Reason, amongst others, why Sickness and Pain are inflicted on Good Men, is evidently this;

That by a patient, chearful, and thankful Submission to such Dispensations, their Souls may be Modelled into such a Divine Frame and Temper, as is absolutely necessary for the enjoyment of a future Happiness.

And therefore be Patient and Submissive under this Sickness and Pain, which undeniably, in so many Instances, doth work for your Good.

I have insisted thus largely upon Patience, because there is such frequent Occasion for the Exercise of that Grace, under the Pains and Confinement of a Sick Bed.

I have divided my Discourse into several Chapters or Sections; for the more convenient Reading of it, at several Times.

Either by the Sick Person himself, (which he may be able to do, in Confumptive lingring Distempers) or else by those who Attend him. And so much may be Read at one time, as the Strength, or other Circumstances of the Sick Person may admit.

But as the most Sovereign Remedy against Impatience, let the Sick Person attend to the Holy Scriptures. Some Portions of which may be frequently read to him.

Scriptures concerning Patience.

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Hatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now the God of Patience and ConSolation, grant you to be so minded. Rom. 15. 4, 5.

In your Patience possess your Soul. Luk. 21.19.

For ye have need of Patience; that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the Promise. Heb. 10. 36.

And let us not be weary in welldoing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Gal. 6. 9. It is good that a man should both hope, and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord. Lam. 3.

26.

Why dost thou strive against God? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. Job 33. 13.

It is the Lord: let him do what Seemeth him good. 1 Sam. 3.18. Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven. Matth. 6. 10.

O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matth. 26. 39.

I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it. Pfal. 39.9.

Shall we receive good at the band of God, and shall we not receive evil? Job 2. 10.

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