his ears from hearing of blood; and shutteth And in truth, the experience of the World generally makes this good: Honest and Upright Men for the most part, in the moft publick Calamities fare well; at least much better than those that are not fo. In their greatest extremities, when they have no profpect of deliverance from any humane means, ftrange extraordinary unexpected fuccour and relief doth arrive to them. In a word, that care of the special Providence of God attends them, that they are never miserable, however they may be now and then cut fhort in their outward Fortunes. But it must be acknowledged, that though Piety and Uprightness hath the promise promise of security in this Life; and that promife for the most part, and in general fpeaking is made good: Yet there are a great many exempt cafes. God may see it fit now and then to fuffer an Upright Man to be oppreft, and to perish in a common ruin; and this without any violation of his promises of this kind, which do indeed refpect no more than the ordinary common events and fucceffes of things. But yet even in this cafe, ftill there will To the Upright arife Light in the Darkness; that is, Light in the third fenfe we have given of the word, viz. taking Light for Peace and Joy and Comfort. And this is that which the Pfalmift tells us in another place, Light is fown for the Righteous, and Gladness for the Upright in heart, Whatever Afflictions come upon the Upright Man, yet he hath this advantage of other Men, that he bears them infinitely more lightly than they do; They are really no great disturbance to him, for he enjoys the fame calmnefs and ferenity of Mind; the fame peace and quiet and contentment that ever he did. His prefent fufferings are rather matter of rejoycing and triumph to him, than of difcontent and repining; for he knows that they come upon him, by the Counsel and Difpofal of the great Governour of the World: And he knows that he hath fo fo fincerely approved himself to God, and tis fo well beloved by him; that he should not have been ordered into thefe Circumftances, had it not been really for his good. And this Confideration doth fo effectually I fupport him under all the Difficulties that he hath to conflict with, that he not only fits down eafily and quietly, but is very well pleased with the difpenfations of the Divine Providence towards him; how ingrateful foever they may be to Flesh and Blood. Let what will happen to him, he is full of Peace and Joy. For he hath met with no disappointment of his defigns. His great aim was to please God; and his Confcience from God's word affures him that he has done it; and he hath nothing to do farther but to wait for the happy time, when the fecrets of all Hearts fhall be revealed, and every Man's Counsels and Actions shall be made manifeft, and then 3 he doubts not to receive approbation and praise, and a great Reward in that Day of & the Lord Jefus. And fo much the rather, because this light affliction, wherewith he is 2 Cor. 4. now exercised, he is affured, will work for 17, him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory. To conclude, Whatever his fufferings be; he will live and die in a profound Peace; perfectly fatisfied with all God's dealings dealings towards him: And his Life and Death will verify to all that know him that advice and observation of the Pfal・mift; Mark the Perfect Man, and behold Pfal. 37. the Upright, for the end of that Man is 37. Peace. SERMON WHITE-HALL, On the 20th of March, 1684. Luke xvi. 31. ------If they hear not Mofes and the Prophets, neither will they be perfuaded, though one rofe from the dead. T HE Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus in the Gospel is fo well known, that it is needlefs to relate the Particulars of it. These Words are the Conclufion of that Parable, and they are made the Words of Abraham, who being in Paradife, is brought in as speaking them to the Rich Man in Hell. The |