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with God speedily? And how shall this be done without a due and serious observation and recording of them now?

4. At death we owe an account also to men, and stand obliged, if there is opportunity for it, to make known to them who survive us what we have seen and found of God in this world, that we may leave a testimony for God with men. Thus the dying Jacob, strengthened himself, sat up in his bed, and related to his son Joseph the eminent appearances of God to him, and the places where; as also an account of his afflictions. So Joshua, in his last speech to the people, makes it his business to vindicate and clear the truth of the promises, by recounting to them how the providence of God had fulfilled the same in his day, Josh. xxiii. 14. And certainly it is of great importance to the world to understand the judgments, and hear the experiences of dying men. They, of all men, are presumed to be most wise and most serious. Besides, this is the last opportunity that ever we shall have in this world to speak for God. O then what a sweet thing would it be to close our lives with an honorable account of the ways of God!

to go out of the world blessing him for all the mercies and truth which he has here performed to us! How would this encourage weak Christians, and convince the atheistical world, that verily there is a reality and an excellency in the ways of God!'

5. At death we begin the angelical life of praise and thanksgiving. We then enter upon that everlasting sweet employment; and as I doubt not but the providences in which we were concerned in this world will be a part of that song which we shall sing in heaven, so certainly it will become us to tune our hearts and tongues for it whilst we are here, and especially when we are ready to enter upon that blessed state. O therefore let it be your daily meditation, and study what God has been to you, and done for you from the beginning of his way hitherto! O that you would be persuaded to this lovely and beneficial practice! This I dare presume to say, that whoever finds a careful and a thankful heart to record and treasure up the daily experiences of God's mercy to him, shall never want new mercies to record to his dying-day.

CHAPTER VI.

APPLICATION.

THUS, through the aid of Providence, I have dispatched the main design I aimed at in the choice of this subject. All that remains will now be speedily finished in some few inferences to be briefly drawn from the whole, and three or four practical cases to be stated.

INFERENCES.

1. If God performs all things for you, learn that God is to be owned by you in all that befalls you in this world, whether it be in a way of success and comfort, or of trouble and affliction. When God gives you comforts, it is your great evil not to observe his hand in them. was the charge against Israel, Hosea ii. 8, "She did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold;" she did not affec

Hence

tionately consider my care over her, and goodness to her in these mercies. And as for afflictions, it is a great wickedness, when God's hand is lifted up, not to see it, Isa. xxvi. 11. O look to the hand of God in all, and know, that neither your comforts nor afflictions arise out of the dust, or spring up out of the ground!

2. Learn hence how you are obliged to perform all duties and services for God who performeth all things for you. Shall God do all things for you, and will you do nothing for God? Is Providence every moment at work for you, and will you be idle? To what purpose then is all that God has done for you? Is it not the aim and design of all, to make you fruitful people? If God plant, and fence, and water you by Providence, sure he looks that you should bring forth fruit, Isa. v. 1, 4. O that in return for all the benefits of Providence, you would say with David, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me?"

3. Does God perform all things for his people? Do not distrust him then, as often as new or great difficulties arise.

Why should you think that he who has done so many things for you, will now do no more? Surely "the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear." "How long will it be ere you believe him?" If a thousand and ten thousand of trials and experiences of his tender care, faithfulness, and love, will cure this distemper in you, you have them at hand to do it. If the frequent confutations of this your distrust, by the unexpected breakings out of mercy for you under like discouragements, will cure it, look back, and you may see them. Certainly you have been often forced by Providence with shame and repentance to retract your rash censures of his care; and yet will you fall into the same distemper again? O that you would once learn this great truth, that no man ever wanted that mercy, which he wanted not a heart to trust and wait quietly upon God for.

4. Does God perform all things for you? Then seek God for all by prayer, and never undertake any design without him. Certainly, if he do not perform it

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