A treatise of divine providence I. In general, II. In particular, as relating to…

2. Inward improvements. Opportunities ⟨p. 101⟩to manifest more love to God, more dependence on him, the perfection of the Soul. 1 Tim. 5.5. Now she that is a Widow indeed, and desolate, trusts in God, and continues in Supplications and Prayers night and day; there is a ground of more exercise of trust in God, and supplication to him. The poor and desolate have an advantage for the actual exercise of those graces, which a prosperous condition wants: God changeth the metal by it, what was Lead and Iron, he makes come forth as gold. Job. 23.10. when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Crosses and sufferings which fit good men for special service here, and eternal happiness hereafter, can no more be said to be evil, then the fire which refines the gold, and prepares it for a Prince's use. If there were not such evils, what ground could you have to exercise patience, what Heroic acts of faith could you put forth without difficulties, how could you believe against hope, if you had not sometimes something to contradict your hopes? And if a good man should have a confluence of that which the ignorant and pedantical world calls ⟨p. 102⟩happiness, he might undervalue the pleasures of a better life, deface the beauty of his own Soul, and withdraw his love from the most gratifying, as well as the most glorious object, unto that which is not worth the least grain of his affection.

2. Inward improvements. Opportunities ⟨p. 101⟩to manifest more love to God, more dependance on him, the perfection of the Soul. 1 Tim. 5.5. Now she that is a Widow indeed, and desolate, trusts in God, and continues in Supplications and Prayers night and day; there is a ground of more exercise of trust in God, and supplication to him. The poor and desolate have an advantage for the actual exercise of those graces, which a prosperous condition wants: God changeth the metal by it, what was Lead and Iron, he makes come forth as gold.