Resignation to the Divine Good Pleasure in Every Condition, Title page – Dedication
RESIGNATION TO THE Divine Good Pleaſure In every condition: RECOMMENDED, AS THE DUTY and HAPPINESS OF Every Good Man.
IN A SERMON From 2 SAM. XV. 26.
LONDON: Printed for Tho. Cockerill, at the Three Legs in the Poultrey, over-againſt the Stocks-Market. 1684.
A Letter from the Author of the following Sermon, to his Friend, concerning it.
SIR,
I Have herewith ſent you the Sermon you deſired, and wiſh it may contribute any thing to promote that Reſignation to the Will of God, wherein ſo much of our Duty and preſent Happineſs conſiſts. Nothing but the ſeaſonableneſs of the Subject can be a ſufficient motive to make it publick. And while we live in a troubleſome and ſinful World, and in an Age of Changes, it muſt needs be ſeaſonable. Could we meet all Events with a prepared mind (which this Reſignation will aſſiſt us to do), we might find a more eaſie paſſage through the miſeries of this life, to the bleſſedneſs of another, than moſt men do. It would eſtabliſh us againſt all our fears, and fix us under all Changes, and give us inward peace in deſpite of the World: It would compoſe our Spirits, and quiet our thoughts under the viciſitudes of human Affairs. It might be our Refuge in a Storm, our eaſe in trouble, our light in darkneſs; and give us Manna in a Wilderneſs, and Food in a Defart: It would be an Helmet againſt the approach of Evil, and afford us conſolation under actual ſufferings: Yea, 'twould furniſh us with the trueſt ſatisfaction when we proſper in the World. We may then be aſſured, that what ſeemeth good, is really ſo; was deſigned for our good by the Divine care, and conduceth to it by the guidance of his infallible counſel. If you think the following Sermon may be of any uſe to ſuch excellent purpoſes, I pray God accompany it with his bleſſing. I kiſs your Hand, and remain,
Sir, Your Affectionate Friend, and Humble Servant, SHOWER.