Even piness, and ordereft all Things for Good. my my Temptations and Afflictions are appointed to do me Service. These are the Methods, by which the Fidelity of thy Chofen is brought to the Test; and even the harsher Difpenfations ought as much to engage my Affections, and excite my Gratitude and Praife, as the brightest Comforts, and moft defired Profperity. In Thee therefore, O my God, I reft my Soul; Thou art my Sanctuary, where I depofite the Burthen of all my Griefs and Troubles. For there alone can They and I be fafe, fince all things elfe are feeble and uncertain, neither able, nor always difpofed, to comfort or protect me. Friends cannot do what they wish; Great Men will not, or cannot help; the Wife, without Thee, mistake their Measures; Books are but infignificant Diverfion, and yield no folid Confolation; Wealth cannot buy Eafe and Peace of Mind; Fortreffes and Coverts cannot hide me from Calamity, unless thou be with thofe Friends, and strengthen thofe great Men, and direct thofe Counsellors, and inftruct me by thofe Books, and affift me in the use of Wealth, and guard that strong Retreat. For Peace and Happinefs are entirely in Thee. Thou art the End, the Sum, the Source of all Good; the Perfection of Life, the Depth of Wifdom and Knowledge: And Hope in Thee is the fureft, the most fenfible Support thy Servants can have, in the Miseries of this mortal Life. To Thee therefore lift I up my: Eyes, Father of Mercies and Lover of Men. Comfort my Soul in. Trouble, and purify it with thy Grace, that it may be a clean and holy Habitation, fuch as thy glorious Ma jefty does not difḍain to dwell in. Let no Impurity be left in this Temple; but purge it thoroughly from every thing, which may offend thofe Eyes, that can not behold Iniquity or Uncleannefs. Look upon me in thy great Goodness, and, after the Multitude of thy Mercies, hear the Prayer of thy poor Servant, now wan wandring in a diftant, and defolate Wilderness. O keep my Soul and deliver me, lead me fafe thro' this Vale of Sorrow and Danger, and conduct me, by the Way of Peace and Holinefs, to my own Home, even my heavenly Country, the Land of Promife, the Pres fence and eternal Fruition of my God. Amen. The End of the Third Book, T OF |