The Fountain of Life Opened

First, Look upward, when tribulations come upon you. Look to that Sovereign Lord, that commissionates and sends them upon you. You know troubles do not rise out of the dust, nor spring out of the ground, but are framed in heaven, Jer. 18.11. Behold I frame evil, and devise a device against you. Troubles and afflictions are of the Lords framing, and devising to reduce his wandering people to himself. Much like that device of Absalom in setting Joabs field of Corn on fire to bring Joab to him, 2 Sam. 14.30. in the frame of your afflictions you may observe much of divine wisdom in the choice, measure, and season of your troubles. Sovereignty in electing the instruments of your affliction. In making them as afflictive as he pleaseth. And in making them obedient both to his call in coming, and going when he pleaseth. Now could you in times of trouble look up to this Sovereign hand, in which your souls, bodies, and all their comforts and mercies are; how quiet would your hearts be! Psal. 39.9. I was dumb, and opened not my mouth because it is thy doing, 1 Sam. 3.18. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good. O when we have to do with men, and look no higher; how do our Spirits swell and rise with revenge, and impatience▪ But if you once come to fee that man as a Rod in your Fathers hand, you will be quiet, Psal. 46.10. Be still, and know that I am God, q. d. ⟨p. 395⟩consider with whom you have to do. Not with your fellow, but with your God, who can puff you to destruction, with one blast of his mouth. In whose hand you are, as the clay in the potters hand. It is for want of looking up to God in our troubles, that we fret, murmur, and despond at the rate we do.

First, Look upward, when tribulations come upon you. Look to that Soveraign Lord, that commissionates and sends them upon you. You know troubles do not rise out of the dust, nor spring out of the ground, but are framed in heaven,