ons are as a storm, a very Hurricane to the Soul; fo as like a River, in a great tempeft, the Banks are over-flown, and much mud, and flime are left behind. He that can prevent the rifing of fuch a ftorm, or can speedily allay it, is a Man of understanding indeed.

4. The Soul is then fpiritually thriving, and profperous, when the inordinacy of the affections is mortified, fo as,

(1.) Every affection acts as a faving grace in the Soul, when the affection of Love, is renewed by the spirit of God, into the grace of love, and fo fixed upon God in Chrift, that other things are refpected only in fubordination thereunto: When the affection of Fear is renewed into the grace of Fear, fo as to keep the heart under an holy awe of God, as David's was, Pfal. 119. 161,My heart ftandeth in awe of thy word. So when the affection of forrow is renewed in. to the grace of forrow; into that godly forrow for fin, which the Apostle faith, worketh Repentance, 2 Cor. 7. 10. In a word, when Love, Joy, and Delight open the heart unto God, as unto the chiefeft good; and Fear, Grief and Sorrow, thut the heart againft fin, as the greatest evil.

(2.) When that which is unmortified (as Atill fomething of the flesh remains in them, when they are fanctified) is so far fubdued

by

by that which is wrought by the fpirit in them, that they are kept in a fuitable plyableness, to all the Difpenfations of God to every Providence, wherewith we are exercifed; rejoicing, when he would have us to rejoice, and as he would have us to rejoice: Mourning, when he calls us to mourning, and as he would have us to mourn: Being angry, when God would have us to be angry, and fo far as he would have us to be angry: Angry as Chrift was, Mar. 3.5, And when he looked round about them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts. When this is the bufinefs the Soul labours in, and strives to attain unto, more and more, and is really humbled before God, when any defects are obferved, and pardon pleaded, and refolutions increased in the ftrength of Chrift, to keep a ftricter watch for the future, The Soul, at leaft, begins to thrive.

(3.) When though we let out our affections to this, or that, as fometimes we may lawfully do, and in duty ought to do, about the things of this life, and what concerns us in our outward condition, yet we can take them off again, as the matter requires; as when we are to addrefs our felves to God, in any act of worship. This is hard work. Mofes was very angry, as there was cause, Exod. 32. 19, &c. But it was the morrow after, before he prayed for them, verf. 30. 31 G 4

But.

But when we can do with our affections, as Abraham did with his Servants, Gen. 22. Leave them at the foot of the hill, when we go to be with God, in the Mount. The more, and oftener, this is done, the more and better the Soul profpers. I fhall conclude all that I have to fay in this matter, with this, which every one of you, that have any fpiritual experience, what it is to converfe with God, will acknowledge: That the Soul profpers, according to its Communion with God; and Communion with God, on our part is both preferved, maintained, and enjoyed, by the well governing and exercifing of fanctified affections, of Love, Fear, Joy, and Sorrow, Truft and Defire. These are the motions of the Will, and the out-goings of the Heart: As 1 Thef. 2.8, Being affectionately defirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the Gospel of God only, but our own Soul, becaufe ye were dear unto s. They are faid alfo to be the Feet of the Soul. Ecclef. 5, 1, Keep thy foot, when thou goeft to the House of God. i. e. See, that thy heart be fixed, and thy affections compofed. By thefe, the Soul draws nigh to God in Chrift, clofeth with him, and abides in him from day to day. And the more it doth fo, the more it profpers; for God draws nigh to fuch, Fam. 4.8, Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. And he never comes

empty

>

empty handed. If the Father go out to meet the repenting, returning Prodigal; the poor young Man finds the affection of a Father: Therefore what S. James fpeaks, of bridling the tongue, is true alfo of governing the affections: He is a perfect Man, he can bridle the whole Body. And after this perfection we should strive, as ever we defire that our Souls fhould profper.

Thus much of the fecond Particular.

3. The Soul profpers, when the principles of fpiritual life are fo kept in exercise, that in times of doubtful expectation, we can caft upon all events, with an humble refignation of all into the hands of God, being willing to fubmit to his determination, whatever it be. And when the matter is out of doubt, fo as the evil which we feared, and perhaps worse, is actually upon us, and a fentence of death and defolation is passed upon all Creature comforts, we can then find reft, and fatisfaction in the exercife of faith on the promises of God. Here two things are to be confidered. A little to each of them.

(1.) When in times of doubtful expectation, fuch as befides what any one of us may be in, with respect to his own particular condition, we are all of us in, upon a publick account, we can caft upon all events, with an humble refignation of all into the hands

of

of God, and with a willing mind submit to his determination. Thus it was with David, 2 Sam. 15. If ye read the Chapter, and confider the ftory, ye will acknowledge it was a time of great fadnefs: he could not but be full of fear, of what might befall him, God was now reckoning with him for his fin; fo he had reafon to think. His own Son, and a great Body of his people were up in Arms against him: He was at great uncertainties, what God would do with him: He fore caft, what might be, this way, and that way; and not being able to forefee the event, he refers all to God's difpofing; leaving all his troubled thoughts, fears, and doubts with him. verf. 25,26. If not fo, then thus. If fo, then fo. He is in either way at a point. Here I am, let him do (faith he) what he pleafeth. This was a Heaven-born frame of Spirit, to be able to perish, and to be undone in his outward condition, if God would have it fo, Such a Man may be beggared and butchered, fooner then hurt. Surely David's Soul now profpered; for never was his Kingdom more fhaken; yet never was his heart more fixed. It was not fo with David, at all times. 1 Sam. 27. I, And David faid in his heart, I shall now perifh one day, by the hand of Saul, as for me, my feet were almoft gone, my steps had well-nigh flipt. verf. 13, Verily, I have

-Pfal. 73.2, But

clean