he must be not only pardoned, but purified and refined. As his Perfon must be Juftified, so his Nature must be Sanctified. And by the Work of God's Bleffed Spirit; and by a Train of Providential Difpenfations, 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 Difpofition of Soul is neceffary, to make us capable of Eternal Happinefs.

Which I fhall further explain in the following Instance.

As there are different Stations in this World, fo 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 Paffions. The Rich do flight and contemn the Poor. The Poor do envy and malign the Rich. And unless thefe Paffions are calmed and compofed in this Life, they will ftill 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, fince Humility, and a patient fubmiffive Temper of Soul, is fo neceffary for the enjoyment of Heaven; God is pleafed by Afflictions and Troubles, by Sickness and Pain, which he lays upon his Children · here; to exercife and improve these

.

thefe Graces; the Practice of which will be fo 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 their Souls may

Difpenfations,

be Modelled into fuch a Divine Frame and Temper, as is abfolutely neceflary for the enjoyment of a future Happiness.

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

I have infifted thus largely upon Patience, because there is fuch frequent Occafion for the Exercife of that Grace, under the Pains and Confinement of a Sick Bed. into several

Chapters or Sections ;

I have divided my for the more con

venient Reading of it, at feveral Times.

be

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

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

Scriptures concerning Patience.

W

Hatfoever 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 Confolation, grant you to be fo minded. Rom. 15. 4, 5.

In your Patience poffefs your Soul. Luk. 21. 19.

For ye have need of Patience; that after ye have done the will of. God, ye might receive the Promife. Heb. 10.36.

And let us not be weary in welldoing for in due feafon 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.

never

O my Father, if it be poffible, let this cup pass from me : thelefs, 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 hand of God, and fhall we not receive evil? Job 2. 10.

The