3. Exercise heavenly mindedness, and keep your hearts upon things eternal, under all the providences with ivhich the Lord exercises you in this worldy Gen. vi. 9. Noah walked with God, yet met with as sad pro\'idences in his day as any man that ever lived since his time. But alas ! we find most providences, rather stops, than steps in our walk with God. If we be under comfortable providences, how sensual, wanton, and worldly do our hearts grow ! and if sad providences befal us, how indolent or distracted are we ! and this comes to pass partly through the narroicness, but mostly through the dtceitfulness of our spirits. Our hearts are narrow, and know not how to manage two businesses of such different natures, as earthly and heavenly matters are without detriment to one. Pectora nostra dims curas non adrnittant. But certainly such a frame of spi- rit is attainable that will enable us to keep on in an even and steady course with God whatever befal us. Others have attained it, and why not we ? Prosperous providences are for the most part a dan* gerous state to the soul. The moon never suffers an eclipse but at full ; yet Jehoshaphaf s grace suffered no eclipse from the ful- ness of his outward condition, who " had riches in abundance, " and his heart was lifted up in the way of God's command- " ments,'' 2 Chron. xvii. 5, 6. David's life was as full of cares, turmoils, and incumbrances, as most men we read of; yet how spiritual the temper of his heart was, that excellent Booh of Psalms, (which was the most composed amidst those distractions) will acquaint us. The apostles were cast into as great necessities, and suffered as hard things as ever men did ; yet how raised and heavenly their spirits were amidst all, who sees not 't And certain- ly, if it were not possible to maintain heavenly-mindedness in such a state and posture of affairs, God would never exercise any of his people with such providences : He would never give you so much of the world to lose your hearts in the love of it, or so little to dis- tract you with the cares of it. If therefore we were more deeply sanctified, and the tendencies of our hearts heaven-ward, more ar- dent and vigorous : If we were more mortified to earthly things ; and could but keep our due distance from them ; our outward
THE MYSTERY OF FROVIDENCE. 431
conditions would not at this rate draw forth and exercise our in- ward corruptions, nor would we hazard the loss of so sweet an en- joyment as our fellowsliip with God is, for the sake of any concern- ment our bodies have on earth.
4. Under all providences maintain a contented heart with what the Lord allots you^ be it more or less of the things of this world. This grace must run parallel with all providences. " Learn how to be " full and how to suffer want, and in every state to be content,'' Phil. iv. 12.
In this duty all men are concerned at all times, and in every state, not only the people of God, but even the unregenerate also. I will therefore address some considerations proper to both. And first to the unregenerate, to stop their mouths from repining and charging God foolishly when providence crosses them. Let them seriously consider these four things.
(1.) That hell and eternal damnation are the portion of their cup according to the tenor of the law and gospel threatenings. "Whatsoever therefore is short of this is to be admired as the fruit of God's stupendous patience and forbearance towards them. Ah poor souls, know you not that you are men and Avomen condemned to wratli by the plain sentence of the law.? Mark xvi. 16. John iii. 36. 2 Thess. i. 6, 7. And if so, sure there are other matters to exercise your thoughts, desires, fears, and cares about, than these. Alas ! If you cannot bear a frown of providence, a light cross in these things, how will you bear everlasting burnings ! a man that is to lose liis head to-morrow, is not very solicitous what bed he lies on, or how his table is furnished the night before.
(2.) Consider, though you be condemned persons, and have no promise to entitle you to any mercy; yet there are very many mercies in your possession at this day. Be your condition as afflictive as it will, is life nothing.? especially considering whither you must sink when that thread is cut. Are the necessary supports of life nothing ? Doth not providence minister to you these things, though you daily disoblige it, and provoke God to send you to your own place ? But above all, is the gospel and precious means of salvation nothing, by which you yet are in a capacity of escaping the damnation of hell ? O what would the damned say, if they were but put into your con- dition once more ? What ! and yet fret against God, because every thing else suits not your desires.
(3.) Consider, that if ever you be rescued out of that miserable condition you are in, such cross providences as these you complain of, are the most probable means to do it. Alas ! prosperity and success is not the way to save, but destroy you. Pro v. i, 32. You must be bound in fetters, and holden in cords of affliction, if ever your ear be opened to instruction, Job xxxvi. 8, 9, 10. Woe to
432 Divine conduct ; ott,
you, if you go on smoothly in the way in which you are, and meet with no crosses.
(4.) Lastly^ Consider, all your troubles under which you com- plain, are pulled down upon your heads by your own sins. You turn God's mercies into sin, and then fret against God, because he turns your sins into sorrow. Your ways and doings procure these things to you. Lay your hand therefore upon your mouth, and say, " Why doth a living man complain, a man for the *' punishment of his sin,'' Lam. iii. 39. But I must turn to the Lord's people, who have least pretences of all men to be dissatis- fied with any of God's providencesj and yet are but too frequently found in that temper. And to them I shall offer the following considerations.
(2.) Conside?' Ijour spiritual mercies and privileges with ivMch the Lord Jesus hath invested you, and repine at your lot of providence if you can. One of these mercies alone, hatli enough in it to sweeten all your troubles in this world. When the apostle considered them, his heart was overv/helmed with astonishment ; so that he could not forbear, in the midst of all his outward troubles, to cry out, " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, " who hath abounded to us in all spiritual blessings," &c. Eph. i. 3. Oh, who that sees such an inheritance settled upon him in Christ, can ever open his mouth more to repine at his lot of providence !