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Sorrow, Fear, Provocation, each of them in the highest Degree, from their cruel Persecutors, by confidering him, that endured fuch Contradiction of Sinners, left they should be wearied and faint in their Minds. Well then may we, who have so much less to undergo, poffefs our Souls in Patience amidst it all. Indeed without Patience we cannot, in the lowest Senfe, possess our Souls; be Masters of ourselves, and enjoy even the present Being, which God hath given us; the best Things will be tasteless, most Things bitter; we shall torment ourselves, and repine against him. But if we watch over our Hearts, and apply to God, He will strengthen us with all Might, according to his glorious Power, unto all Patience and long Suffering with Joyfulness: Tribulation will work Patience; and Patience, Experience; and Experience, Hope; and Hope will not make us ashamed'. For not only shall we possess our Souls in Comfort here, but if, as St. James enjoins, we let Patience have her perfect Work", we shall secure the Poffeffion of endless Felicity hereafter. For God will give to them, who by patient Continuance in

Ver. 3.
Jam. i. 4.
VOL. V.

Ccl. i. 11.

Rom. v. 3, 4, 5.

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well-doing feek for Glory, and Honour, and Immortality, eternal Life". Therefore, having heard the Word, keep it, and bring forth Fruit with Patience* : and the Lord direct your Hearts into the Love of God and the patient waiting for Christ. For ye have Need of Patience, that after ye have done the Will of God, ye may receive the Promise".

SERMON Χ.

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PHIL. IV. II.

I have learned, in whatsoever State I am, therewith to be content.

OU have lately been exhorted to the Duty of Patience : which confifts in bearing well such Things, as immediately and necessarily give Uneasiness: and now I proceed to that of Contentment under such, as disturb us only on Reflection and Comparison. One should think, that they who need not fuffer any Thing, would not; yet very often such, as feel no positive Evil, that is worth naming, are very far from being at Ease. Multitudes are dissatisfied, and fome extremely miferable, with very little other Cause for it, than the unreafonable Workings of their own Minds. Instead of contriving to be as happy as they can in their Condition, which is plainly the wife

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wise Part, they set themselves to find out, why they should be wretched in it, and accordingly become so. Were they only to defire with Moderation any proper good Thing, which they have not, or endeavour with Moderation to obtain it, this would be always void of Blame, often worthy of Praise: they would be pleased, perhaps improved also, if they fucceeded; and composed, though they failed. But

vain Man extends his Wishes and his Claims

far beyond these Bounds: and will enjoy no Peace within, because he is not, in this or that Respect, what he might have been, or what others are.

But suppose he were all that he wishes, how doth he know, that he should not quickly wish for more, with the same tormenting Eagerness, or that his Wishes would ever end? For there would be just the same Ground for new ones, His Complaint at present is, not that he positively suffers any Thing, but that he wants something. Now something is, and must be always, wanting to finite Beings, be they raised ever so high: else they would be infinite. The fallen Angels were unspeakably above human Rank; yet they felt a Deficiency, and absurdly repined at it: Heaven

was

more.

was not good enough for them, and so they were cast down to Hell. Men imagine, that were they but in such or such a State, they should never be tempted to think of any Thing But this is only a Sign, that they do not know themselves. In Proportion as their Situation was raised, their Prospect would be enlarged: and they would long to be Masters of all within their View. Success would encourage them to hope for greater Success yet: and besides, they would be difappointed in the Felicity they promised themselves from what they have got; but instead of learning from thence, in what real Felicity lies, would go on to seek for it in something else; and be at least as remote from it, as they were before. We see this perpetually, or with the smallest Attention may fee it, in the Case of others: and it is astonishing Partiality, that we cannot believe it would be our own. Nay, perhaps we fee it is our own Cafe, as far as we have advanced hitherto: and yet are weak enough to imagine it would be quite otherwise, could we but advance a few Steps more: whereas in Truth, he that is uneasy merely because he hath not all he would, never will be easy till he grows wifer.

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