A Saint Indeed

Besides, it unfits the Soul to pray over its troubles; or take in the sense of that good which God intends by them: affliction is a pill which being wrapped up in patience, and quiet submission, may be ⟨p. 57⟩easily swallowed; but discontent chews the pill, and so embitters the Soul: God throws away some comfort which he saw would hurt you, and you will throw away your peace alter it; he shoots an arrow which sticks in your clothes▪ and was never intended to hurt, but only to fright you from sin: and you will thrust it onward •o the piercing of your very hearts; by despondency, and discontent.

Besides, it unfi•s the Soul to pray over its troubles; or take in the sence of that good which God intends by them: •ffliction is a pill which being wrapt up in patience, and quiet submission, may be ⟨p. 57⟩easily swallowed; but discontent chews the pill, and so imbitters the Soul: God throws away some comfort which he saw would hurt you, and you will throw away your peace alter it; he shoots an arrow which sticks in your cloaths▪ and was never intended to hurt, but only to fright you from sin: and you will thrust it onward •o the piercing of your very hearts; by despondency, and discontent.

9. Help. Lastly, it all this will not do, but thy heart (like Rachel) still refuses to be comforted, or quieted, then consider one thing m•re; which if seriously pondered, will doubtless do the work; and that is this: compare the condition thou art now in (and art so much dissatisfied with) with that condition others are, and thy self deservest to be in: Others are roaring in flames, howling under the scourge of vengeance, and amongst them I deserve to be. O my Soul! is this hell? is my condition as bad as the damned? O what would thousands now in Hell, give to change conditions with me? It is a famous instance which Doctor Tailor gives us of the Duke of Condey,