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Whatsoever the affliction be that may trouble you, you may be furnished with reasons why you should be patient, either (1.) From God that sent it: (2.) From yourself, on whom it lies: (3.) From the nature and use of the affliction itself: (4.) By considering the evils of impatience: (5.) By comparing the blessings you have, and are assured that you shall have, with the crosses you have, especially if patiently endured. From all these considerations you will see reason why your heart should be quiet under the greatest afflictions.

First, Consider well, that whatsoever the trouble and cross be, and whosoever be the instrument of it, either in the sense of evil, or in the want of good promised, it comes from God your Father, (1.) Who does all things according to the wisdom and counsel of his own will; (2.) Who doth afflict with most tender affection; (3.) Who corrects and afflicts in measure; (4.) Who has always holy purposes and ends in all afflictions, directing them for your good.

1. Consider that it was God who did it. There is no evil, that is of punishment, in a city, which the Lord has not done, saith Amos, Amos iii. 6; 2 Sam. xvi. 10. - It is the Lord, let him do what seems him good, saith Eli, 1 Sam. iii. 18. I opened not my mouth, saith David, because thou, Lord, didst it, Psa. xxxix. 9. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord, saith Job i. 21. Hosea vi. 1; 1 Sam. ii. 6, 7.

2. All this God does to his children with a fatherly affection, in much love and pity, Heb. xii. 5, 6. He has your soul still in remembrance, while you are in adversity, Psa. xxxi. 7. Yea, he bears some part of the burden with you: for, speaking after the manner of man, he saith, that in all the afflictions of his children he is afflicted, Isaiah lxiii. 9. He delights not in afflicting the children of men, Lam. iii. 33, much less his own children.

If you ask, Why then does he afflict, or why does he not ease you speedily? I ask you, why a tenderhearted father, being a surgeon, who is grieved and