miffion of God. That he loves us better than we do ourselves, and knows the best Methods of making us happy. And that therefore we fhould acquiefce in all Events, how contrary foever to our own Inclinations; and how much foever they may thwart thofe Schemes of Happinefs and Enjoyment which we have framed to ourselves.

Q. Wherein confifts our entire Dependance upon God?

A. In expecting in all our Dangers, temporal and fpiritual, by a ferious and diligent Difcharge of our own Duty, Relief from his Almighty Power, which is able to help us; and from his infinite Goodnefs, which has promised to affift us. And therefore not to difquiet ourselves with the Apprehenfions of Dangers and Calamities that may never happen; or, if they do, may be over-ruled to our Advantage.

Q: Wherein confifts the Contempt of the World?

A. In looking on all worldly Enjoyments as little and inconfiderable; meer empty Nothings, in Comparison of that Happiness which God hath prepared for those that love him. In being content with that Portion of the good Things of this Life, which the wife Providence of God hath allotted to our Share; without purchafing the Enjoyment of them by the Commiffion of any Sin; without being anxiously concerned for the Increase of them, or extremely depreffed when they make themselves Wings and fly away. In a moderate Ufe of all thofe lawful Pleafures and Enjoyments which relate to the Gratification of our Senfes and fleshly Appetites; as becomes Perfons who expect their

5

their Portion not in the Pleasures of this World, but in the Happiness of the next. In a low Efteem of thofe Idols of the World, Riches and Honour; being ready to forfake them whenever they come in Competition with the Performance of our Duty. In bearing the Afflictions and Calamities of this Life with Patience and Conftancy; looking unto Jefus, who, for the Joy that was fet before him, defpifed the Cross; and confequently in fixing our Minds upon our chiefeft Good, and earneftly defiring and longing for the Poffeffion of

it.

Q. What is the Benefit of this humble, refigned, and depending Frame of Mind?

A. It is the proper Difpofition for Devotion, and the Parent of religious Fear. It is the Seed-plot of all Chriftian Virtues. It makes us ready to receive the Revelations of God's Will to Mankind, and as careful to practife what he enjoins. It makes us greatest in the Kingdom of God, either as that imports our being Members of Christ's Church here upon Earth, or our being Members of the Church triumphant, in Poffeffion of eternal Bliss in Heaven.

Q. How does a Freedom from covetous and ambitious Defires difpofe us to be true Members of Chrift's Kingdom?

A. Not only by fetting us at a Distance from the most dangerous Temptations of Life, which are Riches and worldly Grandeur ; but by giving our Minds Leifure to attend the Confideration of Religion, and Liberty to judge and diftinguish the true Nature and Value of Things. For while the Jews expected a temporal Deliverer,

liverer, and were fed with the Hopes of Power and Dominion over all Nations, they were fo ftrongly prejudiced against the mean Appearance of our Saviour, that they refused to acknowledge him for the Meffias. And if our Saviour had not inftructed his Difciples in the Nature of his Kingdom, their Disputes about Preference might have undermined their Charity, and might have prevailed upon them to defert him, when fruftrated in their Expectations. So that as he required them to become little Children in refpect of fuch Defires and Expectations, it is ftill neceffary, in order to be true Followers of the bleffed Jefus, to mortify these worldly Affections; for otherwise the Things belonging to the Spirit will not live and grow in us.

The PRAYERS.

I.

God.

to glorify Almighty God, who out of the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings haft ordained Strength, and madeft Infants to glorify thee by their Deaths; mortify and kill in me all Vices, and fo ftrengthen me by thy Grace, that by the Innocency of my Life, and the Conftancy of my Faith, even unto Death, I may glorify thy holy Name, through Jefus Christ our Lord. Amen.

II.

For the
Affiitance

their Truft in thee; mercifully accept my of Grace. Prayers. And becaufe, through the Weakness

of

of my mortal Nature, I can do no good Thing without thee; grant me the Help of thy Grace, that in keeping thy Commandments, I may please thee in Will and Deed, through Jefus Christ our Lord. Amen.

III.

Beffed Jefus, who haft fet before me the For Hu perfect Pattern of thy Humility, and haft mility. commanded me to copy out fo fair an Original; enable me by thy Grace to imitate thy wonderful Condefcenfion; that I may not by my Pride and Vanity lofe that Happiness thou haft purchased for me by thy Humility. Make me fenfible of my own Vileness by Reason of my Sins, which are evident Proofs of my Weaknefs and Folly; of my Baseness and Ingratitude, which make me contemptible in thy Sight, and ought to cover my Soul with Shame and Confufion. Let this Profpect check all vain and aspiring Thoughts, and wean me from any fond Opinion of myself. To thee be the Glory of all the Good I enjoy; for it is from thee I receive it. To thee be the Glory of all the Good I think or do; for it is thy Grace enables me, it is thy Holy Spirit that works in me both to will and do thy good Pleafure. Let me never purchase the Praife of Men by mean Flatteries and finful Compliances: Let me never entertain their Applaufe upon the best Account with too great Delight; left it corrupt the Purity of my Intentions, and beguile me of that Reward thou haft promised to all those that ferve thee in Spirit and Truth. Make me patiently to bear the Indignities I may receive from others, because I have deferved them

For Sub

miffion

to God's

Will.

Lam. 3.

33.

them from thee, and because thou haft fuffered the fame upon my Account: Grant this, O bleffed Jefus, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, liveft and reigneft one God, World without End. Amen.

IV.

M

OST gracious God, who governest the World with infinite Wisdom and Goodnefs, and doft not afflict willingly, nor grieve the Children of Men; teach me contentedly to fubmit to the Difpenfations of thy Providence, how contrary foever they may be to Flesh and Blood. Thou knoweft the fureft Ways of making me happy, and art infinite in Loving-Kindness and Mercy; therefore let thy bleffed Will in every Thing be my Choice and Satisfaction. Let all my Dangers, either temporal or fpiritual, awaken me to a careful Performance of my own Duty, and to a lively Senfe of thy Power, which nothing can refift, and of thy Goodness, which endureth continually; that being armed with this Defence, I may ferve thee quietly with a devout Mind, and in thy due Time be made Partaker of thy everlafting Kingdom, through Jefus Chrift. Amen.

CHAP.