tageously urged by any thing, as by the former inftances it has given of it self: for as God only is fit to be a precedent to himself, fo he loves to be fo. Thus we find, not only Mofes, but God often recollecting his miraculous favors towards Ifrael, as an argument to do more: let us therefore accoft him in his own way, and by a frequent and grateful recounting of his former mercies, engage him to future. Nor need we be at a lofs for matter of fuch recollection, if we will but seriously. confider what we have already received, which is the fubject of the next Section.

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1.

SECT. II I.

OfGods unlimited Bounty.

T is the known character of an unnunworthy nature, to write injuries in Marble, and benefits in duft: and however fome (as Seneca well obferves) may acquit themselves of this imputation as to man, yet scarce any do fo in relation to God. 'Tis true indeed the charge muft be a little varied; for God neither will nor can do us injury: yet we receive any thing that is adverse with such a refentment as if it were, and engrave that in our memories with indelible characters, whilft his great and real benefits are either not at all obferv'd, or with so tranfient an advertence, that the comparison of duft is beyond our pitch, and we may be more properly faid to write them in water. Nay fo far are we from keeping records and registers of his favors, that even those standing and fit ones which fense can promt us to (without the aid of our memories) cannot obtain our notice.

2. WERE it not thus, it were impoffible for men to be fo perpetually in the

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complaining Key, as if their voices were capable of no others found. One wants this, and another that, and a third fomthing beyond them both, and fo on ad infinitum; when all this while every one of them enjoies a multitude of good things without any remark. That very breath wherewith they utter their complaints, is ableffing, and a fundamental one too: for if God fhould withdraw that, they were incapable of whatsoever else they either have, or defire. 'Tis true that fome mens impatiencies have risen so high, as to caft away life, because it was not clothed with all circumstances they wifht. Yet these are rare instances, and do only fhew fuch mens depraved judgment of things. A rich Jewel is not the lefs valuable, because a mad man in his raving fit flings it into the fire: but as to the generality of men, the Devil (tho a liar) gave a true account of their sense, when he faid, Skin for skin, and all that a man bath will be give for his life, Job.2.4. And tho perhaps in an angry fit many men have with Jonas, Chap. 4. 3. wifht to die,yet ten to one should death then come, they would be as willing to divert it, as was the man in the Apologue, who weari

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ed with his burden of sticks, flung it down and call'd for death, but when he came, own'd no other occafion for him, but to be helpt up again with his bundle. Idare in this appeal to the experience of those, who have feemed very weary of life, whether when any fuddain danger has surprifed them, it has not as fuddenly altered their mind, and made them more défire life, then before they abhorr'd it. 'Tis the common faying, as long as there is life there is hope: there is fo as to fecular concerns, for what strange revolutions do we often fee in the age of man? from what defpicable beginnings have many arriv'd to the moft fplendid conditions? Of which we have divers modern as well as ancient instances. And indeed 'tis admirable to fee what time and industry will (with Gods bleffing) effect. But there is no work, nor device, nor knowledg, nor wifdom in the grave, Ec.9.10. we can improve no more when we are once tranfplanted thither.

3. But this is yet much more confiderable in refpect of our spiritual state. Our life is the day wherein we are to work, Joh.9.4.(yea to work out our Salvation:) but when the night comes (when death o

vertakes) no man can work. Now alas when. 'tis confider'd how much of this day the most of us have loiter'd away, how many of us have stood idle till the fixth or ninth hour, it will be our concern not to have our day close before the eleventh. Nay alas 'tis yet worse with us:we have not only bin idle, but very often ill bufied; fo that we have a great part of our time to unravel, and that is not to be don in a moment. For tho our works may fitly enough be reprefented by the Prophets comparison of a spiders web, Isay 59.5. yet they want the best property even of that; they cannot be fo foon undon. Vices that are radicated by time and cuftom, lie too deep to be lightly fwept away. Tis no eafy thing to perfwade our felves to the will of parting with them. Many violences we must offer to our felves, a long and strict course of mortification must be gon thro, ere we can find in our hearts to bid them be gon: and yet when we do so, they are not so tractable as the Centurions fervants. They will indeed come when ever we bid them, but they will scarce go fo: they must be expell'd by force and by flow degrees; we muft fight for every inch of ground we