A care-cloth

Lord, must thou say, by nature I am impatient, apt to fume and fret, or else to faint and quail: but, O, let me be strengthened with all might, according to thy glorious power, unto ⟨p. 82⟩all long-suffering and patience with joyfulness. Lord, strengthen me against all infirm and impotent fallings of heart, against all furious and violent risings of spirit: and seeing thou hast brought me into marriage, enable me to bear the burdens of marriage. The frequent renewing of such acknowledgements of our own feebleness, and petitions to be fortified by the might of Gods Spirit, will cause, that we shall find the grace of God to be sufficient for us in the bearing of trouble, as well as in the resisting of temptation. But thirdly, taste of the sweet, as well as of the sour of thine estate. Call to mind what contents and benefits thine estate affordeth, as well as what calamities. Doubtless, brethren, the comforts of marriage are very desirable. Many benefits are found in this estate, that are wanting in the other. We must reckon as well our gains as losses, as well our profit as pains, and this will help to make the losses and labour to seem little. Job said, Shall we receive good at Gods hand, and not evil? Lo, the speedy remembrance of what prosperity he had enjoyed, enabled him to be quiet in his present tribulation: so must the married persons do in their estate, for Job is our president for patience. Thine yoke-fellow is often froward, but is he not kind sometimes? Some children die, or are sick; are not some & more alive and healthy? so in the rest. Wrong not God & thy self so much, as to forget what good he hath done for thee; or if haply the contents of Marriage will not (as ⟨p. 83⟩think in most they will not) answer the troubles; yet refer thy thoughts (for I speak to men that fear God) to those spiritual and celestial privileges that thou doest now in part, and shalt hereafter more largely enjoy. Look to thy Father, chastising thee in this world, but ready to crown thee in the other world. I have a bad wife or husband, but a good God, and a rich inheritance in Heaven. My children be naught, but God hath made me his child. My servants evil, but my self admitted into Gods service. My state low and penurious here, but my sins pardoned, and a most glorious, honourable, and happy estate laid up for me hereafter.

Lord, must thou say, by nature I am impatient, apt to fume and fret, or else to faint and quaile: but, O, let me be strengthened with all might, according to thy glorious power, vnto