great evil in itself, so very probably it is that evil which obstructs the way of your expected mercies; you might have your mercies sooner, if your spirits were quieter and more submissive.

3. How may a Christian discern when a providence is sanctified, and comes from the love of God to him?

There are two kinds of providences, the issues of which are very different, yea, contrary to each other. To some, all providences are overruled and ordered for good; not only things that are good in themselves, as ordinances, graces, duties, and mercies; but things that are evil in themselves, as temptations and afflictions. To others nothing is sanctified, either as an instrument or occasion of any spiritual good; but as the worst things are ordered to the benefit of the saints, so the best things wicked men enjoy do them no good. Their prayers are turned into sin, Psal. cix. 7; the ordinances are the savour of death, 2 Cor. ii. 16; the grace of God is turned into wantonness, Jude 4; Christ himself is a rock of offence, 1 Pet. ii. 8; their table is a snare, Psal. Ixix. 22; their prosperity is their ruin, Prov. i. 32.

Seeing therefore the events of Providence fall out so differently to the godly and ungodly, it cannot but be acknowledged a most important case, in which every soul is deeply concerned, whether the providences under which he is, be sanctified to him or not?

For the clearing of which, I shall premise two necessary considerations, and then subjoin the rules which will be useful for the determination of the question.

And first, let it be considered, that we cannot know from the matter of the things before us, whether they are sanctified or unsanctified to us; for so considered, "all things come alike to all; and no man knoweth either love or hatred, by all the things that are before him." We cannot understand the mind and heart of God, by the things he dispenses with his hand. Let it also be considered that though the providences of God, materially considered, afford no evidences of God's love to us, yet the manner in which they befall us, and the effects and fruits they produce in us, distinguish them very manifestly; and by these we may discern whether they are sanctified providences

and fruits of the love of God, or not. But yet these effects and fruits of providences, by which we discern their nature, do not always presently appear; but time must be allowed for the soul's exercise under them. "No affliction for the present seemeth joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

The providences of God then being some of them comfortable, and others sad and grievous to nature, and the way to discern the sanctification and blessing of them, being by the manner in which they come and their operations on our spirits; I shall consider the case as it respects both sorts of providences, and show you what effects of our troubles or comforts will bespeak them to be sanctified and blessed to us.

And first for sad and afflictive providences, in what kind or degree soever, they befall us, we may warrantably conclude they are blessings to us, and come from the love of God-when they come in a proper season; when we have need of them, either to prevent some sin we are

falling into, or recover us out of a remiss, supine, and careless frame of spirit into which we are fallen; when "if need be, we are in heaviness.”—When they are fitted both for quality and degree to work properly upon our predominant corruptions, then they look like sanctified strokes. The wisdom of God is much seen in the choice of his rods. It is usual with God to smite us in those very comforts which stole away too much of the love and delight of our souls from God; to cross us in those things from which we raised up too great expectations of comfort. These providences bespeak the jealousy of God over us, and his care to prevent far worse evils by these sad, but needful strokes.It is a good sign our troubles are sanctified to us, when they turn our heart against sin, and not against God. Happy afflictions which make the soul fall out and quarrel only with sin!-It is a sure sign that afflicting providences are sanctified when they purge the heart from sin, and leave both heart and life more pure, heavenly, mortified, and humble, than they found them. Sanctified afflictions are cleansers; they pull down the pride, re

fine the earthliness, and purge out the vanity of the spirit. How many Christians can bear witness to this truth! After some sharp affliction has been upon them, how is the earthliness of their bearts purged! Oh how serious, humble, and heavenly are they, till the impressions made upon them by afflictions is worn off, and their deceitful lusts have again entzu gled them! And this is the reasA VY we are so often under the discipline of the rod. Let a Christian be but two or thre years without an affliction, and he is al most good for nothing; he cannot pray, or meditate, or discourse as he was wont to do: but when a new affliction comes, now he can find his tongue, and comes to bas knees again. It is a good sign that aft ing providences are sanctified to us, when we draw near to God under them and turn to him that smites us. A wicked man under affliction "revolts more and mom? "turns not to him that suites him," but grows worse than before; formancy is turned into stupidity and indolence. But if God afflicts his own people with a sate. tified rod, it awakens them to a more earnest seeking of God; it makes them