* Every one seems to consent to this, as an undeniable truth, _That all things must be as God pleases_. And is not this enough to make every man pleased with them himself? And how can a man be a peevish complainer of any thing that is the effect of providence, but by shewing that his own _will_ and _wisdom_ are of more weight with him, than the will and wisdom of God? And what can religion be said to have done for a man, whose heart is in this state?
For if he cannot thank and praise God as well in calamities and sufferings, as in prosperity and happiness, he is as far from the piety of a Christian, as he that only loves them that love him, is from the charity of a Christian. For to thank God only for such things as you like, is no more a proper act of piety, than to believe only what you see, is an act of faith.
8. Thus much concerning resignation to the divine will, as it signifies a thankful approbation of God’s _general providence_: it is now to be considered, as it signifies a _thankful_ acceptance of God’s _particular providence_ over us.
* Every man is to consider himself as a particular object of God’s providence, under the same care and protection of God, as if the world had been made for him alone. It is not by chance that any man is born at such a _time_, of such _parents_, and in such _place_ and _condition_. It is as certain, that every _soul_ comes into the body at such a time, and in such circumstances, by the express _designment_ of God, according to _some purposes_ of his will, and for some _particular ends_; this is as certain, as that it is by the express designment of God, that some beings are _angels_, and others are _men_.
9. The scriptures assure us, it was by divine appointment, that our blessed Saviour was born at _Bethlehem_, and at such a time. Now altho’ it was owing to the dignity of his person, and the great importance of his birth, that thus much of the divine counsel was declared to the world concerning the time and manner of it; yet we are as sure from the same scriptures, that the _time_ and _manner_ of every man’s coming into the world, is according to the _direction_ of divine providence, and in _such time_, and _place_, and _circumstances_, as are directed and governed by God for _particular ends_ of his wisdom and goodness.
This we are as certain of from plain revelation, as we can be of any thing. * For if we are told, that not a _sparrow falleth to the ground without our heavenly Father_, Can any thing more strongly teach us, that much greater beings, such as human souls, come not into the world without the care and direction of our heavenly Father? If it is said, _The very hairs of your head are all numbered_, Is it not to teach us, that nothing, not the _smallest_ things imaginable, happen to us by _chance_? But if the smallest things we can conceive, are declared to be under the divine direction, need we, or can we be more plainly taught, that the greatest things of life, such as the _manner_ of our coming into the world, our _parents_, the _time_, and other _circumstances_ of our birth, and condition, are all according to the _direction_, and _appointment_ of divine providence.
10. When the disciples put this question to our blessed Lord concerning the blind man, _Master, Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?_ He made this answer, _Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him_, John ix. 2, 3. plainly declaring, that the particular circumstances of every man’s birth, the body that he receives, and the state of life into which he is born, are appointed by a secret providence, which directs all things to their particular _times_, and _seasons_, and _manner_ of existence, that the wisdom and works of God may be made manifest in them all.
As therefore it is certain, that all that is particular in our state, is the effect of God’s particular providence over us, and intended for some particular ends, both of his glory and our own happiness, we are, by the greatest obligations, called upon to resign our will to the will of God in all these respects; thankfully approving and accepting every thing that is particular in our state; praising and glorifying his name for our birth of such _parents_, and in such _circumstances_; being fully assured, that it was for some reasons of infinite wisdom and goodness, that we were so born into such particular states of life.