The great duty of resignation to the divine will in afflictions enforced from the…

Secondly; Let us be excited to transcribe this Divine Lesson ¹(so full of excellency and difficulty) in our Hearts and Lives. 'Tis easy in Speculation to consent to the reasonableness of this Duty, but how hard to practise it, and to bear not too sensibly such Evils as are incurable here? A deliberate, universal, constant subjection to God's Will, though contrary to our Carnal desires and interests, how rarely is it to be found among those who in Title and Profession are his Servants? ⟨p. 97⟩In Active Obedience, some will readily perform some particular Commands, but withdraw subjection from the rest; they seem to make Conscience of the Duties of Piety, but neglect Righteousness; or else are just in their Dealings, and careless of Devotion. Some are liberal but irreconcilable; they will give for their Honour, but forgive no Contempt or Injury; and as the dividing living Twins destroys them, so the Life and Sincerity of Obedience, that consists in the union and entireness of its parts, is destroyed by dividing our respects to some commands, neglecting the rest. And in Passive Obedience, many will submit to lighter and shorter afflictions, but if an Evil comes that nearly touches the heart, or that remains long without ⟨p. 98⟩redress, they become impatient, or so dejected as to neglect their Duty. I shall therefore superadd to the former Arguments, wherein the Necessity, the Equity, and the Policy of our Dutiful Resignation to God's Providence is clearly set forth, some other Motives and Directions, that may be useful and effectual for this end.

Secondly; Let us be excited to transcribe this Divine Lesson ¹(so full of excellency and difficulty) in our Hearts and Lives. 'Tis easy in Speculation to consent to the reasonableness of this Duty, but how hard to practise it, and to bear not too sensibly such Evils as are incurable here? A deliberate, universal, constant subjection to God's Will, though contrary to our Carnal desires and interests, how rarely is it to be found among those who in Title and Profession are his Servants? ⟨p. 97⟩