First, When we have met with Losses, we are to Consider the Hand from whence those Losses come upon us. Briefly, We are to Consider the Hand of God in all our Losses. It was well Considered and Confessed, by the Holy Job, when be had Lost a fair Estate, and there were Sabaeans & Chaldeans as well as more Natural Accidents, among the Authors of his Losses, in Job 1.21. It is the Lord that has taken away. We shall be very Fretful under our Losses, if we are not very Thoughtful under them. Yea, but our Thoughts will only increase our Frets, if they should only be Employed upon Second Causes. This is the First Rule for us under our Losses; Let us acknowledge a Wise, and a Just God as the First Cause of all. It has been sometimes the Good Speech of a Good Man, I can take any thing ⟨p. 5⟩well at the Hand of God. As for our Losses, they will all Prove well if we can Take them well; but now, behold how That is to be attained. Let us consider, what we are told, in Deut. 8.18. Thou shalt Remember the Lord thy God, for 'tis he that gives thee power to get Wealth. And then, Let us Consider, That when we Loose Wealth, we must Remember the Lord our God; for 'tis he who denies us the power of keeping our Wealth. Perhaps our Losses may rise from the Fraud or Force of our Enemies; but let us Consider, It was our God that let Loose those Devourers upon us. 'Tis possible, Unhappy Casualties have procured us our Losses; but let us Consider, 'Twas by the Disposal of our God, that such Inconveniences came to pass. It may be partly for this Reason, that our Prophet here once and again mentions unto the People, The Lord of Hosts, as concerned about their Losses; They were the Hosts of the Lord, that were the more immediate and visible Efficients of their Losses; yea, but those Efficients were but Instruments; and says the Prophet, It is the Lord of Hosts himself that commanded this Armies to Fall upon your Estates. Whatever may be our Losses, and from what Quarter soever ⟨p. 6⟩they spring, I beseech you speak not a word of any Bad Fortune, in the Business. 'Tis only for Pagans to ascribe their Losses unto such a Blind Original. Consider every Loss as ordered, not by Chance, but by God; even by that God who has Numbered all our Hairs; that, God, without whom not a Sparrow falls; that God who does the Evil that is done in the City.
First, When we have met with Losses, we are to Consider the Hand from whence those Losses come upon us. Briefly, VVe are to Consider the Hand of God in all our Losses. It was well Considered and Confessed, by the Holy Job, when be had Lost a fair Estate, and there were Sabaeans & Chaldaeans as well as more Natural Accidents, among the Authors of his Losses, in Job 1.21. It is the Lord that has taken away. VVe shall be very Fretful under our Losses, if we are not very Thoughtful under them. Yea, but our Thoughts will only increase our Frets, if they should only be Employed upon Second Causes. This is the First Rule for us under our Losses; Let us acknowledge a VVise, and a Just God as the First Cause of all. It has been sometimes the Good Speech of a Good Man, I can take any thing ⟨p. 5⟩well at the Hand of God. As for our Losses, they will all Prove well if we can Take them well; but now, behold how That is to be attained. Let us consider, what we are told, in Deut. 8.18. Thou shalt Remember the Lord thy God, for 'tis he that gives thee power to get Wealth. And then, Let us Consider, That when we Loose Wealth, we must Remember the Lord our God; for 'tis he who denies us the power of keeping our Wealth. Perhaps our Losses may rise from the Fraud or Force of our Enemies; but let us Cons•der, It was our God that let Loose those Devourers upon us. 'Tis possible, Unhappy Casualties have pro•cured us our Losses; but let us Consider, 'Twas by the Disposal of our God, that such Inconveniencies came to pass. It may be partly for this Reason, that our Prophet here once and again mentions unto the People, The Lord of Hosts, as concerned about their Losses; They were the Hosts of the Lord, that were the more immediate and visible Efficients of their Losses; yea, but those Efficients were but Instruments; and says the Prophet, It is the Lord of Hosts himself that commanded this Armies to Fall upon your Estates. VVhatever may be our Losses, and from what Quarter soever ⟨p. 6⟩they spring, I beseech you speak not a word of any Bad Fortune, in the Business. 'Tis only for Pagans to ascribe their Losses unto such a Blind Original. Consider every Loss as ordered, not by Chance, but by God; even by that God who has Numbred all our Hairs; that, God, without whom not a Sparrow falls; that God who does the Evil that is done in the City.
