,submission to ,divine ,providence in the ,death of ,children1 recommended and inforced1 ,,in ,a ,,sermon ,,preached at ,,northampton1 ,on the ,,death ,of a very amiable and hopeful ,,child1 about ,five ,years old4 ,published out of ,compassion to mourning ,,parents4 ,by ,p4 ,,doddridge1 ,d4 ,d4 ,neve ,liturarum pudeat2 qui viderit illas1 ,de ,lachrymis factas sentiat esse meis4 ,,ovid4 ,the ,,second ,,edition4 ,,london1 ,printed for ,r4 ,,hett1 at the ,bible and ,crown in the ,poultry4 ,,mdccxl4 ,,the ,,preface4 ,,the ,discourse which ,i now offer to the ,publick was drawn up on a very sorrowful ,occasion2 the ,death of a most desirable ,child1 who was formed in such a ,correspondence to my own ,relish and ,temper1 as to be able to give me a ,degree of ,delight1 and consequently of ,distress1 which ,i did not before think it possible ,i could have received from a little ,creature who had not quite compleated her ,fifth ,year4 ,since the ,sermon was preached1 it has pleased ,,god to make the like ,breaches on the ,families of several of my ,friends2 and1 with ,regard to some of them1 the ,affliction hath been attended with ,circumstances of yet sorer ,aggravation4 ,tho' several of them are removed to a considerable ,distance from me1 and from each other ,i have born their ,afflictions upon my ,heart with cordial ,sympathy2 and it is with a particular ,desire of serving them1 that ,i have undertaken the sad ,task of reviewing and transcribing these ,papers2 which may almost be called the ,minutes of my own ,sighs and ,tears1 over the poor ,remains of my eldest and 7of this ,kind7 dearest ,hope1 when they were not as yet buried out of my ,sight4 ,they are1 indeed1 full of ,affection1 and to be sure some may think they are too full of it3 ,but let them consider the ,subject1 and the ,circumstances1 and surely they will pardon it4 ,i apprehend1 ,i could not have treated such a ,subject coldly1 had ,i writ upon it many years ago1 when ,i was untaught in the ,school of ,affliction1 and knew nothing of such a ,calamity as this1 but by ,speculation or ,report3 ,how much less could ,i do it1 when ,,god had touched me in so tender a ,part1 and 7to allude to a celebrated ancient ,story17 called me out to appear on a publick ,stage1 as with an ,urn in my ,hand1 which contained the ,ashes of my own ,child6 ,in such a sad ,situation ,parents1 at least1 will forgive the ,tears of a ,parent1 and those ,meltings of ,soul which overflow in the following ,pages4 ,i have not attempted to run thro' the ,common place of immoderate ,grief1 but have only selected a few obvious ,thoughts which ,i found peculiarly suitable to myself2 and1 ,i bless ,,god1 ,i can truly say1 they gave me a solid and substantial ,relief1 under a ,shock of ,sorrow1 which would otherwise have broken my ,spirits4 ,on my own ,experience1 therefore1 ,i would recommend them to others1 in the like ,condition1 ,and let me intreat my ,friends and ,fellow-,sufferers to remember1 that it is not a low ,degree of ,submission to the ,divine ,will1 which is called for in the ensuing ,discourse4 ,it is comparatively an easy ,thing to behave with external ,decency1 to refrain from bold ,censures and outragious ,complaints1 or to speak in the outward ,language of ,resignation4 ,but it is not1 so easy to get rid of every repining ,thought1 and to forbear taking it1 in some ,degree at least1 unkindly1 that the ,,god whom we love and serve1 in whose ,friendship we have long trusted and rejoiced1 should act what1 to ,sense1 seems so unfriendly a ,part3 ,that he should take away a ,child2 and if a ,child1 that ,child2 and if that ,child1 at that ,age2 and if at that ,age1 with this or that particular ,circumstance1 which seems the very ,contrivance of ,providence to add double ,anguish to the ,wound2 and all this1 when he could so easily have recalled it2 when we know him to have done it for so many others2 when we so earnestly desired it2 when we sought it with such ,importunity1 and yet1 as we imagine1 with so much ,submission too3--,that1 notwithstanding all this2 he should tear it away with an inexorable ,hand1 and leave us1 it may be for a while1 under the ,load1 without any extraordinary ,comforts and ,supports1 to balance so grievous a ,tryal4--,in these ,circumstances1 not only to justify1 but to glorify ,,god in all1--chearfully to subscribe to his ,will1--cordially to approve it as merciful and gracious1--so as to be able to say1 as the pious and excellent ,archbishop of ,cambray did1 when his ,royal ,pupil1 and the ,hopes of a ,nation were taken away1 ,if there needed no more than to move a ,straw to bring him to ,life again1 ,i would not do it1 since the ,divine ,pleasure is otherwise4--,this1 this is a difficult ,lesson indeed2 a ,triumph of ,christian ,faith and ,love1 which ,i fear many of us are yet to learn4 ,but let us follow after it1 and watch against the first ,rising of a contrary ,temper1 as most injurious to ,,god1 and prejudicial to ourselves4 ,to preserve us against it1 let us review the ,considerations now to be proposed1 as what we are to digest into our ,hearts1 and work into our ,thoughts and our ,passions4 ,and ,i would hope1 that if we do in good earnest make the ,attempt1 we shall find this ,discourse a cooling and sweetening ,medicine1 which may allay that inward ,heat and ,sharpness1 with which1 in a ,case like ours1 the ,heart is often inflamed and corroded4 ,i commend it1 such as it is1 to the ,blessing of the great ,physician1 and could wish the ,reader to make up its many ,deficiencies1 by ,mr4 ,flavel's ,token for ,mourners1 and ,dr4 ,grosvenor's ,mourner2 to which1 if it suit his ,relish1 he may please to add ,sir ,william ,temple's ,essay on the ,excess of ,grief3 ,three ,tracts which1 in their very different ,strains and ,styles1 ,i cannot but look upon as in the ,number of the best which our ,language1 or1 perhaps1 any other1 has produced upon this ,subject4 ,as for this little ,piece of mine1 ,i question not1 but1 like the ,generality of single ,sermons1 it will soon be worn out and forgot4 ,but in the mean time1 ,i would humbly hope1 that some tender ,parent1 whom ,providence has joined with me in sad ,similitude of ,grief1 may find some ,consolation from it1 while sitting by the ,coffin of a beloved ,child1 or mourning over its ,grave4 ,and ,i particularly hope it1 with ,regard to those dear and valuable ,friends1 whose ,sorrows1 on the like ,occasion1 have lately been added to my own4 ,i desire that1 tho' they be not expressly named1 they would please to consider this ,sermon as most affectionately and respectfully dedicated to them2 and would1 in ,return1 give me a ,share in their ,prayers1 that all the ,vicissitudes of ,life may concur to quicken me in the ,duties of it1 and to ripen me for that blessed ,world1 where ,i hope many of those dear ,delights1 which are now withering around us1 will spring up in fairer and more durable ,forms4 ,amen4 ,northampton1 ,jan4 #ca1 #agcf-g4 ,,postscript4 ,i could easily shew1 with how much ,propriety ,i have called the dear ,deceased an amiable and hopeful ,child1 by a great many little ,stories1 which ,parents would perhaps read with ,pleasure1 and ,children might hear with some ,improvement3 ,yet as ,i cannot be sure that no others may happen to read the ,discourse1 ,i dare not trust my ,pen and my ,heart1 on so delicate a ,subject4 ,one ,circumstance ,i will however venture to mention1 7as ,i see here is a ,blank ,page left17 which may indeed be consider'd as a ,specimen of many others4 ,as she was a great ,darling with most of our ,friends that knew her1 she often received ,invitations to different ,places at the same ,time2 and when ,i once asked her1 on such an ,occasion1 what made every ,body love her so well2 she answer'd me1 7with that ,simplicity and ,spirit1 which alas6 ,charm'd me too much17 ,indeed1 ,pappa1 ,i cannot think1 unless it be because ,i love every ,body4 ,a ,sentiment obvious to the ,understanding of a ,child1 yet not unworthy the ,reflection of the wisest ,man994 #b ,,kings ,,iv4 #be1 #bf4 ,and it came to pass when the ,man of ,,god saw her afar off1 that he said to ,gehazi his ,servant1 ,behold1 yonder is that ,shunamite3 ,run now1 ,i pray thee1 to meet her1 and say unto her1 ,is it well with thee8 ,is it well with thine ,husband8 ,is it well with the ,child8 ,and she answered1 ,it is well4 ,,when the ,apostle would encourage our ,hope and ,trust in the ,tenderness of ,christ as the great ,high ,priest and convince us that he is capable of being touched with a sympathetick ,sense of our ,infirmities1 he argues at large from this ,consideration1 that ,jesus was in all ,points tempted like us2 so that as he himself has suffer'd1 being tempted1 he knows how more compassionately to succour those that are under the like ,trialsa4 ,now this must surely intimate1 that it is not in human ,nature1 even in its most perfect ,state1 so tenderly to commiserate any ,sorrows1 as those which our own ,hearts have felt3 ,as we cannot form a perfect ,idea of any bitter ,kind of ,draught1 by the most exact ,description1 till we have ourselves tasted it4 ,it is probably for this ,reason1 amongst others1 that ,,god frequently exercises such1 as have the ,honour to be inferior ,shepherds in the ,flock of ,christ1 with a long ,train of various ,afflictions1 that we may be able to comfort them who are in the like ,trouble1 with those ,consolations with which we have ourselves been comforted of ,,godb4 ,and1 if we have the ,temper which becomes our ,office1 it will greatly reconcile us to our ,trials1 to consider1 that from our weeping ,eyes1 and our bleeding ,hearts1 a ,balm may be extracted to heal the ,sorrows of others1 and a ,cordial to revive their fainting ,spirits4 ,may we never be left to sink under our ,burden1 in such a manner1 that there should be room1 after all that we have boasted of the ,strength of religious ,supports1 to apply to us the ,words of ,eliphaz to ,jobc1 ,thou hast strengthen'd the weak ,hands1 and upheld him that was ready to fall2 but now it is come upon thee1 and thou faintest2 it touches thee1 and thou art troubled6 ,may we never behave1 as if the ,consolations of ,,god were smalld2 lest it should be as when a ,standard-,bearer faintethe1 and whole ,companies of ,soldiers are thrown into ,confusion and ,distress6 ,,my ,friends1 you are ,witnesses for me1 that ,i have not stood by as an unconcerned ,spectator amidst the ,desolations of your respective ,families1 when ,,god's awful ,hand hath been lopping off those tender ,branches from them1 which were once our common ,hope and ,delight4 ,i have often put my ,soul in the stead of yours1 and endeavour'd to give such a ,turn to my publick as well as my private ,discourses1 as might be a means of composing and chearing your ,minds1 and forming you to a submissive ,temper1 that you might be subject to the ,father of ,spirits1 and livef4 ,in this ,view ,i have1 at different ,times1 largely insisted on the ,example of ,aaron1 who held his peaceg1 when his two eldest ,sons were struck dead in a ,moment by ,fire from the ,lord1 which destroyed them in the very ,act of their ,sin2 and ,i have also represented that of ,job1 who1 when the ,death of ten ,children by one ,blow was added to the ,spoil of his great ,possessions1 could say1 ,the ,lord gave1 and the ,lord hath taken away2 blessed be the ,name of the ,lordh4 ,the ,instance which is here before us1 is not indeed so memorable as these2 but to present ,circumstances it is1 in many ,respects1 more suitable3 ,and it may the rather deserve our ,notice1 as it shews us the ,wisdom1 ,composure1 and ,piety of one of the weaker and tenderer ,sex1 on an ,occasion of such aggravated ,distress1 that had ,aaron or ,job behaved just as she did1 we must have acknowledged1 that they had not sunk beneath the ,dignity of their ,character1 nor appear'd unworthy of our ,applause1 and our ,imitation4 ,,indeed there may be some ,reason to imagine1 that it was with ,design to humble those who are in distinguish'd ,stations of ,life1 and who have peculiar ,advantages and ,obligations to excel in ,religion1 that ,,god has shewn us in ,scripture1 as well as in common ,life1 some bright ,examples of ,piety1 where they could hardly have been expected in so great a ,degree2 and hath1 as it were1 perfected ,praise out of the ,mouths of ,babes and ,sucklingsi4 ,thus when ,zachariask1 an aged ,priest1 doubted the ,veracity of the ,angel which appeared to assure him of the ,birth of his ,child1 which was to be produced in an ordinary ,way2 ,mary1 an obscure young ,virgin1 could believe a far more unexampled ,event1 and said1 with humble ,faith and thankful ,consent1 ,behold the ,hand-maid of the ,lord1 be it unto me according to thy ,wordl4 ,jonah the ,prophet1 tho' favour'd with such immediate ,revelations1 and so lately delivered1 in a miraculous ,way1 from the very ,belly of ,hellm1 was thrown into a most indecent ,transport of ,passion1 on the withering of a ,gourd2 so that he presumed to tell the ,almighty to his ,face1 that he did well to be angry even unto ,deathn3 ,whereas this pious ,woman preserves the ,calmness and ,serenity of her ,temper1 when she had lost a ,child1 a ,son1 an only ,child1 who had been given beyond all natural ,hope1 and therefore to be sure was so much the dearer1 and the ,expectation from him so much the higher4 ,yet are these ,expectations dash'd almost in a ,moment2 and this1 when he was grown up to an ,age when ,children are peculiarly entertaining2 for he was old enough to be with his ,father in the ,field1 where no doubt he was diverting him with his fond ,prattle2 yet he was not too big to be laid on his ,mother's ,kneeso1 when he came home complaining of his ,head2 so that he was probably about five or six ,years old4 ,this amiable ,child was well in the ,morning1 and dead by ,noon2 a pale ,corpse in his ,mother's ,arms6 and he now lay dead in the ,house2 and yet they had the ,faith1 and the ,goodness to say1 ,it is well4 ,,this good ,woman had found the ,prophet ,elisha grateful for all the ,favours he had received at her ,house2 where she had from time to time accommodated him in his ,journies1 and thought it an ,honour rather than an ,incumbrance4 ,she had experienced the ,power of his ,prayers1 in answer to which the ,child had been given2 and 'tis extremely probable1 that she also recollected the ,miracle which ,elijah had wrought a few ,years before1 tho' till that ,time the like had not been known in ,israel1 or on ,earth2 ,i mean1 in raising from the ,dead the ,child of that ,widow of ,sareptap1 who had nourished him during the ,famine4 ,she might therefore think it a possible ,case1 that the ,miracle might be renewed2 at least1 she knew not how to comfort herself better1 than by going to so good a ,friend1 and asking his ,counsels and his ,prayers1 to enable her to bear her ,affliction1 if it must not be removed994 ,,accordingly she hasted to him2 and he1 on the other side1 discovered the ,temper of a real ,friend1 in the ,message with which he sent ,gehazi his ,servant to meet her1 while she was yet afar off4 ,the ,moment she appeared1 the ,concerns of her whole ,family seem to have come into his kind ,heart at once1 and he particularly asks1 ,is it well with thee8 ,is it well with thine ,husband8 ,is it well with the ,child8 ,a beautiful ,example of that affectionate ,care for the ,persons and ,families of their ,friends1 which ,christian ,ministers 7who1 like the ,prophets of old1 are called ,men of ,,godq7 should habitually bear about in their ,hearts2 which should be awakened by every ,sight of them1 and expressed on every proper ,occasion4 ,,her ,answer was very remarkable3 ,she said1 ,it is well4 ,perhaps she meant this1 to divert the more particular ,enquiry of the ,servant2 as she had before made the same ,answer to her ,husband1 when he had examined into the ,reason of her intended ,journey1 as probably not knowing of the sad ,breach which had been made3 ,she said1 ,it is wellr2 which was a civil way of intimating her ,desire that he would not ask any more particular ,questions4 ,but ,i cannot see any ,reason to restrain the ,words to this ,meaning alone3 ,we have ground to believe1 from the ,piety she expressed in her first ,regards to ,elisha1 and the ,opportunities which she had of improving in ,religion by the frequent ,converse of that holy ,man1 that when she used this ,language1 she intended thereby to express her ,resignation to the ,divine ,will in what had lately pass'd3 ,and this might be the ,meaning of her ,heart1 7tho' one ignorant of the ,particulars of her ,case1 might not fully understand it from such ambiguous ,words2 7 ,it is well on the whole4 ,though my ,family be afflicted1 we are afflicted in ,faithfulness2 tho' my dear ,babe be dead1 yet my ,heavenly ,father is just1 and he is good in all4 ,he knows how to bring ,glory to himself1 and ,advantage to us1 from this ,stroke4 ,whether this ,application do1 or do not succeed1 whether the ,child be1 or be not restored1 it is still well2 well with him1 and well with us2 for we are in such wise and such gracious ,hands1 that ,i would not allow one murmuring ,word1 or one repining ,thought4 ,so that1 on the whole1 the ,sentiment of this good ,shunamite was much the same with that of ,hezekiah1 when he answered to that dreadful ,threatning which imported the ,destruction of his ,children1 ,good is the ,word of the ,lord which he hath spokens2 or that of ,job1 when he heard that all his ,sons and his ,daughters were crushed under the ,ruins of their elder ,brother's ,house1 and yet 7in the fore-cited ,words7 blessed the ,name of the ,lord4 ,now this is the ,temper to which1 by divine ,assistance1 we should all labour to bring our own ,hearts1 when ,,god puts this bitter ,cup into our ,hands1 and takes away with a ,stroke those dear ,little-ones1 which were the ,desire of our ,eyest1 and the ,joy of our ,hearts4 ,let us not content ourselves1 in such ,circumstances1 with keeping the ,door of our ,lipsu1 that we break not out into any ,indecencies of ,complaint2 let us not attempt to harden ourselves against our ,sorrows by a stern ,insensibility1 or that sullen ,resolution which sometimes says1 ,it is a ,grief1 and ,i must bear itw2 but let us labour1 7for a great ,labour it will indeed be17 to compose and quiet our ,souls1 calmly to acquiesce in this painful ,dispensation1 nay1 cordially to approve it as in present ,circumstances every ,way fit4 ,,it will be the main ,business of this ,discourse1 to prove how reasonable such a ,temper is1 or to shew how much ,cause ,christian ,parents have to borrow the ,language of the ,text1 when their ,infant ,offspring is taken away1 and to say with the pious ,shunamite1 in the noblest ,sense that her ,words will bear1--,it is well4 ,,and here ,i would more particularly shew1--,it is well in the general1 because ,,god does it3--,it is surely well for the pious ,parents in particular1 because it is the ,work of their ,covenant ,,god3--,they may see many ,respects in which it is evidently so1 by observing what useful ,lessons it has a ,tendency to teach them3--,and they have ,reason to hope1 it is well with those dear ,creatures whom ,,god hath removed in their early ,days4 ,,these are surely convincing ,reasons to the ,understanding3 ,yet who can say1 that they shalt be ,reasons to the ,heart8 ,arise1 ,o ,,god1 and plead thine own ,causex in the most effectual ,manner6 ,may thy powerful and gracious ,voice appease the swelling ,billows of the ,passions1 and produce a great and delightful ,calm in our ,souls1 in which we may yet enjoy thee and ourselves1 tho' a ,part of our ,treasure be for the present swallowed up6 ,i4 ,,there is surely ,reason1 in such a ,case1 to say it is well1--because ,,god doth it4 ,,this pass'd for an unanswerable ,reason with ,david1 ,i was dumb1 ,i opened not my ,mouth1 because thou didst ity1 and with good old ,eli1 under a severer ,tryal than ours1 ,it is the ,lord1 let him do as seemeth good in his ,sightz4 ,and shall ,we object against the ,force of it8 ,was it a ,reason to ,david1 and to ,eli1 and is it not equally so to us8 ,or have ,we any new ,right to reply against ,,goda1 which those eminent ,saints had not8 ,his kingdom ruleth over allb2 and there is not so much as a ,sparrow that falls to the ,ground without our ,father1 but the very ,hairs of our ,head are all number'dc by him4 ,can we then imagine that our dear ,children fall into their ,graves without his ,notice or ,interposition8 ,did that watchful ,eye that keepeth ,israel1 now1 for the first time1 slumber and sleepd1 and an ,enemy lay hold on that fatal ,moment to bear away these precious ,spoils1 and bury our ,joys and our ,hopes in the ,dust8 ,did some malignant ,hand stop up the ,avenues of ,life1 and break its ,springs1 so as to baffle all the ,tenderness of the ,parent1 and all the ,skill of the ,physician8 ,whence does such a ,thought come1 and whither would it lead8 ,diseases and ,accidents are but second ,causes1 which owe all their ,operations to the continued ,energy of the great original ,cause4 ,therefore ,,god says1 ,i will bereave them of ,childrene2 ,i take away the ,desire of thine ,eyes with a ,strokef4 ,he changeth their ,countenance1 and sendeth them awayg4 ,thou ,lord turnest ,man to ,destruction1 and sayest1 ,return ye ,children of ,menh4 ,and what shall we say8 ,are not the ,administrations of his ,providence wise and good8 ,can we teach him ,knowledgei8 ,can we tax him with ,injustice8 ,shall the ,most ,high ,,god learn of us how to govern the ,world1 and be instructed by our ,wisdom when to remove his ,creatures from one ,state of ,being to another8 ,or do we imagine that his ,administration1 in the general ,right and ,good1 varies when he comes to touch our ,bone and our ,fleshk8 ,is that the secret ,language of our ,soul1 ,that it is well1 others should drink of the ,cup1 but not ,we2 that any ,families but ours should be broken1 and any ,hearts but ours should be wounded8 ,who might not claim the like ,exemption8 and what would become of the ,divine ,government in general2 or where would be his obedient ,homage from his ,creatures1 if each should begin to complain1 as soon as it comes to his own ,turn to suffer8 ,much fitter is it for us to conclude1 that our own ,afflictions may be as reasonable as those of others2 that amidst all the ,clouds and ,darkness of this present ,dispensation1 ,righteousness and ,judgment are the ,habitation of his ,thronel2 and1 in a word1 that it is well1 because ,,god hath done it4 ,it suits the general ,scheme of the ,divine ,providence1 and to an obedient submissive ,creature that might be enough2 but it is far from being all4 ,for1 ,,ii4 ,,pious ,,parents1 under such a ,dispensation1 may conclude it is well for them in particular1--because he1 who hath done it1 is their ,covenant ,,god4 ,,this is the great ,promise1 to which all the ,saints under the ,old and ,new ,testament are ,heirs1 ,i will be to them a ,god1 and they shall be to me a ,peoplem3 ,and if we are interested in it1 the happy ,consequence is1 that we being his1 all our ,concerns are his also2 all are humbly resigned to him1--and graciously administer'd by him1--and incomparably better ,blessings bestowed and secured1 than any which the most afflictive ,providence can remove4 ,,if we have any ,share in this everlasting ,covenant1 all that we are or have1 must1 of course1 have been solemnly surrender'd to ,,god4 ,and this is a ,thought peculiarly applicable to the ,case immediately in view4 ,did ,i not1 may the ,christian1 in such a sad ,circumstance1 generally say1 did ,i not1 in a very solemn ,manner1 bring this my ,child to ,god in ,baptism1 and in that ,ordinance recognize his ,right to it8 ,did ,i not1 with all humble ,subjection to the ,father of ,spiritsn1 and ,father of ,mercieso1 lay it down at his ,feet1 perhaps with an express1 at least to be sure with a tacit ,consent1 that it should be disposed of by him1 as his infinite ,wisdom and ,goodness should direct1 whether for ,life or for ,death8 ,and am ,i now to complain of him1 because he has removed not only a ,creature of his own1 but one of the ,children of his ,family8 ,or shall ,i pretend1 after all1 to set up a ,claim in ,opposition to his8 ,a ,heathen ,parent1 even from the ,light of ,nature1 might have learn'd silent ,submission3 ,how much more then a ,christian ,parent1 who hath presented his ,child to ,,god in this initiatory ,ordinance2 and perhaps also many a time1 both before and since1 hath presented himself at the ,table of the ,lord6 ,have ,i not there taken that ,cup of ,blessings1 with a declared ,resolution of accepting every other ,cup how bitter soever it might be1 which my heavenly ,father should see fit to put into my ,handp8 ,when ,i have perhaps felt some painful ,fore-bodings of what ,i am now suffering2 ,i have1 in my own ,thoughts1 particularly singled out that dear ,object of my ,cares and my ,hopes1 to lay it down anew at my ,father's ,feet1 and say1 ,lord thou gavest it to me1 and ,i resign it to thee2 continue1 or remove it1 as thou pleasest4 ,and did ,i then mean to trifle with ,,god8 ,did ,i mean in effect to say1 ,lord1 ,i will give it up1 if thou wilt not take it8 ,,reflect farther1 ,i beseech you1 on your secret ,retirements1 and think1 as surely some of you may1 ,how often have ,i there been on my ,knees before ,,god on account of this ,child2 and what was then my ,language8 ,did ,i say1 ,lord1 ,i absolutely insist on its ,recovery2 ,i cannot1 on any ,terms or any ,considerations whatsoever1 bear to think of losing it8 ,sure we were none of us so indecently transported with the fondest ,passion1 as to be so rash with our ,mouths as to utter such ,things before the ,great ,,godq4 ,such ,presumption had deserv'd a much heavier ,punishment than we are now bearing1 and1 if not retracted1 may perhaps still have it4--,did not one or another of us rather say1 ,lord1 ,i would humbly intreat1 with all due ,submission to thy superior ,wisdom and sovereign ,pleasure1 that my ,child may live2 but if it must be otherwise1 not my ,will1 but thine be doner8 ,i and mine are in thine ,hand1 do with me1 and with them1 as seemeth good in thy ,sights4 ,and do we now blame ourselves for this8 ,would we unsay it again1 and1 if possible1 take ourselves and our ,children out of his ,hands1 whom we have so often owned as all-wise and all-gracious1 and have chosen as our great ,guardian and theirs8 ,,let it farther be consider'd1 it is done by that ,,god who has accepted of this ,surrender1 so as to undertake the ,administration of our ,affairs3 ,he is become my ,covenant ,,god in ,christ1 may the ,christian say2 and1 in consequence of that ,covenant1 he hath engaged to manage the ,concerns and ,interests of his ,people so1 that all ,things shall work together for good to them that love himt3 ,and do ,i not love him8 ,answer1 ,oh my ,heart1 dost thou not love thy ,,god much better than all the ,blessings which ,earth can boast1 or which the ,grave hath swallowed up8 ,wouldst thou resign thine ,interest in him to recover these precious ,spoils1 to receive this dear ,child from the ,dust1 a thousand times fairer and sweeter than before8 ,rather let ,death devour every remaining ,comfort1 and leave me alone with him2 with whom when ,i indeed am1 ,i miss not the ,creatures1 but rather rejoice in their ,absence1 as ,i am then more intire with him whom my ,soul loveth4 ,and if ,i do indeed love him1 this ,promise is mine1 and all ,things1 and therefore this sad ,event in particular1 shall work together for my good4 ,shall ,i not then say1 ,it is well8 ,what if it exceeded all the ,stretch of my ,thoughts1 to conceive how it could1 in any ,instance1 be so8 ,what are my narrow ,conceptions1 that they should pretend to circumscribe infinite ,wisdom1 ,faithfulness1 and ,mercy8 ,let me rather1 with ,abraham1 give ,glory to ,god1 and in ,hope believe against ,hopeu4 ,,once more2 let us consider how many invaluable ,blessings are given us by this ,covenant1 and then judge whether we have not the utmost ,reason to acquiesce in such an ,event of ,providence4 ,if ,i am in ,covenant with ,god1 may the ,believer say1 then he hath pardoned my ,sins1 and renewed my ,heart1 and hath made his blessed ,spirit dwelling in me1 the sacred ,bond of an everlasting ,union between him and my ,soul4 ,he is leading me through the ,wilderness1 and will1 ere long1 lead me out of it to the heavenly ,canaan4 ,and how far am ,i already arrived in my ,journey thither1 now that ,i am come to the ,age of losing a ,child6 ,and when ,,god hath done all this for me1 is he rashly to be suspected of ,unkindness8 ,he that spared not his own ,sonw1 he that gave me with him his ,spirit and his ,kingdom1 why doth he deny1 or why doth he remove1 any other ,favour8 ,did he think the ,life of this ,child too great a ,good to grant1 when he thought not ,christ and ,glory too precious8 ,away with that ,thought1 ,oh my unbelieving ,heart1 and with every ,thought which would derogate from such rich amazing ,grace1 or would bring any thing in comparison with it4 ,art thou under these ,obligations to him1 and wilt thou yet complain8 ,with what ,grace1 with what ,decency canst thou dispute this1 or any other ,matter1 with thy ,,god8 ,what ,right have ,i yet to cry any more to the ,king8x ,would any of you1 my ,brethren1 venture to say1 ,what tho' ,i be a ,child of ,,god1 and an ,heir of ,glory1 it matters not1 for my ,gourd is withered2 that pleasant ,plant which was opening so fair and so delightful1 under the ,shadow of which ,i expected long to have sate1 and even the ,rock of ,ages cannot shelter me so well8 ,i can behold that beloved ,face no more1 and therefore ,i will not look upward to behold the ,face of ,,god1 ,i will not look forward to ,christ and to ,heaven8 ,would this1 my ,friends1 be the ,language of a real ,christian8 ,nay1 are there not many abandon'd ,sinners who would tremble at such ,expressions8 ,yet is it not in effect the ,language of our tumultuous ,passions1 when1 like ,rachel1 we are mourning for our ,children1 and will not be comforted1 because they are noty8 ,is it not our ,language while we cannot1 like the pious ,shunamite in the ,text1 bring our afflicted ,hearts to say1 ,it is well8 ,,iii4 ,,pious ,,parents1 in such a ,circumstance1 have farther ,reason to say1 ,it is well1--as they may observe an apparent ,tendency in such a ,dispensation to teach them a ,variety of the most instructive and useful ,lessons1 in a very convincing and effectual ,manner4 ',,tis a just ,observation of ,solomon1 that the ,rod and ,reproof give ,wisdomz2 and 'tis peculiarly applicable to such a ,chastisement of our heavenly ,father4 ,it should therefore be our great ,care to bear the ,rod and him that hath appointed ita2 and so far as it hath a ,tendency to teach us our ,duty1 and to improve the divine ,life in our ,souls1 we have the highest ,reason to say1 that it is indeed well4 ,,every ,affliction hath in its ,degree this kind of ,tendency1 and 'tis the very ,reason for which we are thus chastened1 that we may profit by our ,sorrows1 and be made ,partakers of ,god's ,holinessb4 ,but this ,dispensation is peculiarly adapted1 in a very affecting ,manner1--to teach us the ,vanity of the ,world1--to warn us of the ,approach of our own ,death1--to quicken us in the ,duties incumbent upon us1 especially to our surviving ,children1--and to produce a more intire ,resignation to the ,divine ,will1 which is indeed the surest ,foundation of ,quiet1 and ,source of ,happiness4 ,i ,,shall insist a little more particularly on each of these2 and ,i desire that it may be remembered1 that the ,sight and ,knowledge of such mournful ,providences as are now before us1 should1 in some ,degree1 be improved to these ,purposes1 even by those ,parents whose ,families are most prosperous and joyful3 ,may they learn ,wisdom and ,piety from what we suffer1 and their ,improvements shall be acknowledged as an additional ,reason for us to say1 ,it is well4 #a4 ,,when ,,god takes away our ,children from us1 it is a very affecting ,lesson of the ,vanity of the ,world4 ,,there is hardly a ,child born into it1 on whom the ,parents do not look with some pleasing ,expectation that it shall comfort them concerning their ,labourc4 ,this makes the ,toil of ,education easy and delightful3 ,and truly 'tis very early that we begin to find a ,sweetness in it1 which abundantly repays all the ,fatigue4 ,five1 or four1 or three1 or two ,years1 make ,discoveries which afford immediate ,pleasure1 and which suggest future ,hopes4 ,their ,words1 their ,actions1 their very ,looks touch us1 if they be amiable and promising ,children1 in a tender1 but very powerful ,manner2 their little ,arms twine about our ,hearts2 and there is something more penetrating in their first broken ,accents of ,indearment1 than in all the ,pomp and ,ornament of ,words4 ,every ,infant-,year increases the ,pleasure1 and nourishes the ,hope4 ,and where is the ,parent so wise and so cautious1 and so constantly intent on his ,journey to ,heaven1 as not to measure back a few ,steps to ,earth again1 on such a plausible and decent ,occasion1 as that of introducing the young ,stranger into the ,amusements1 nay perhaps1 where ,circumstances will admit it1 into the ,elegancies of ,life1 as well as its more serious and important ,business8 ,what fond ,calculations do we form of what it will be1 from what it is6 ,how do we in ,thought open every ,blossom of ,sprightliness1 or ,humanity1 or ,piety1 to its full ,spread1 and ripen it to a sudden ,maturity6 ,but1 oh1 who shall teach those that have never felt it1 how it tears the very ,soul2 when ,,god roots up the tender ,plant with an inexorable ,hand1 and withers the ,bud in which the ,colours were beginning to glow6 ,where is now our ,delight8 ,where is our ,hope8 ,is it in the ,coffin8 ,is it in the ,grave8 ,alas6 all the ,loveliness of ,person1 of ,genius1 and of ,temper1 serves but to point and to poison the ,arrow1 which is drawn out of our own ,quiver to wound us4 ,vain1 delusive1 transitory ,joys6 ,and such1 ,oh my ,soul1 will the ,christian say1 such are thine earthly ,comforts in every ,child1 in every ,relative1 in every ,possession of ,life2 such are the ,objects of thy ,hopes1 and thy ,fears1 thy ,schemes1 and thy ,labours1 where ,earth alone is concerned4 ,let me then1 once for all1 direct mine ,eyes to another and a better ,state4 ,from these broken ,cisterns1 the ,fragments of which may hurt me indeed1 but can no longer refresh me1 let me look to the ,fountain of living ,watersd4 ,from these setting1 ,stars1 or rather these bright but vanishing ,meteors1 which make my ,darkness so much the more sensible1 let me turn to the ,father of ,lights4 ,oh ,lord1 ,what wait ,i for8 my ,hope is in theee1 my ,pure ,abode1 my everlasting ,confidence6 ,my ,gourds wither1 my ,children die2 but the ,lord liveth1 and blessed be my ,rock1 and let the ,god of my ,salvation be exaltedf4 ,i see1 in one ,instance more1 the sad ,effects of having over-loved the ,creature2 let me endeavour for the future1 by the ,divine ,assistance1 to fix my ,affections there where they cannot exceed2 but where all the ,ardor of them will be as much my ,security and my ,happiness1 as it is now my ,snare and my ,distress4 #b4 ,,the ,removal of our ,children by such awful ,strokes may warn us of the ,approach of our own ,death4 ,,hereby ,,god doth very sensibly shew us1 and those around us1 that all ,flesh is as ,grass1 and all the ,glory and ,loveliness of it like the ,flower of the ,fieldg4 ,and when our own ,habitations are made the ,houses of ,mourning1 and ourselves the ,leaders in that sad ,procession1 it may surely be expected that we should lay it to ,heart1 so as to be quicken'd and improved by the ,view4 ,have my ,children died in the ,morning of their ,days1 and can ,i promise myself that ,i shall see the ,evening of mine8 ,now perhaps may ,i say1 in a more literal ,sense than ever1 ,the ,graves are ready for meh4 ,one of my ,family1 and some of us may add1 the ,firft-born of it1 is gone as it were to take ,possession of the ,sepulchre in all our ,names2 and ere long ,i shall lie down with my ,child in the same ,bed2 yea perhaps many of the ,feet that followed it shall attend me thither4 ,our ,dust shortly shall be blended together2 and who can tell but this ,providence might chiefly be intended as a ,warning ,blow to me1 that these concluding ,days of my ,life might be more regular1 more spiritual1 more useful than the former8 #c4 ,,the ,providence before us may be farther improved to quicken us in the ,duties of ,life1 and especially in the ,education of surviving ,children4 ,,it is1 on the ,principles ,i hinted above1 an ,engagement1 that whatever our ,hand findeth to do1 we should do it with all our ,might1 since it so plainly shews us that we are going to the ,grave1 where there is no ,device1 nor ,knowledge1 nor ,workingj3 ,but permit me especially to observe1 how peculiarly the ,sentiments we feel on these sad ,occasions1 may be improved for the ,advantage of our dear ,offspring who yet remain1 and quicken us to a proper ,care in their religious ,education4 ,we all see that it is a very reasonable ,duty1 and every ,christian ,parent resolves that he will ere long apply himself to it2 but ,i am afraid1 great ,advantages are lost by a ,delay1 which we think we can easily excuse4 ,our ,hands are full of a ,variety of ,affairs1 and our ,children are yet very young3 ,we are therefore ready to imagine 'tis a good ,husbandry of ,time to defer our ,attempts for their ,instruction to a more convenient ,seasonk1 when they may be able to learn more in an ,hour1 than the ,labour of ,days could now teach them2 besides that we are apprehensive of ,danger in over-loading their tender ,spirits1 especially when they are perhaps under ,indisposition1 and need to be diverted1 rather than gravely advised and instructed4 ,,but ,i beseech you1 my ,friends1 let us view the ,matter with that ,impartiality1 which the ,eloquence of ,death hath a ,tendency to produce4 ,that lovely ,creature that ,,god hath now taken away1 tho' its ,days were few1 tho' its ,faculties were weak1 yet might it not have known a great deal more of ,religion than it did1 and felt a great deal more of it too1 had ,i faithfully and prudently done my ,part8 ,how did it learn ,language so soon1 and in such a ,compass and ,readiness8 ,not by multiplied ,rules1 nor labour'd ,instruction1 but by ,conversation4 ,and might it not have learn'd much more of ,divine ,things by ,conversation too1 if they had been allowed a due ,share in our ,thoughts and our ,discourses2 according to the ,charge given to the ,israelites1 to talk of them going out and coming in1 lying down and rising upl8 ,how soon did it learn ,trifles1 and retain them1 and after its little way observe and reason upon them1 perhaps with a ,vivacity that sometimes surprized me6 ,and had ,i been as diligent as ,i ought1 who can tell what ,progress it might have made in ,divine ,knowledge8 ,who can tell but1 as a ,reward to these pious ,cares1 ,,god might have put a ,word into its dying ,lips1 which ,i might all my ,life have recollected with ,pleasure1 and out of its feeble ,mouth might have perfected ,praisem8 ,,my ,friends1 let us humble ourselves deeply before ,,god under a ,sense of our past ,neglects1 and let us learn our future ,duty4 ,we may perhaps be ready fondly to say1 ,oh that it were possible my ,child could be restored to me again1 tho' it were but for a few ,weeks or ,days6 how diligently would ,i attempt to supply my former ,deficiencies6 ,unprofitable ,wish6 ,yet may the ,thought be improved for the good of surviving ,children4 ,how shall we express our ,affection to them8 ,not surely by indulging all the ,demands of ,appetite and ,fancy1 in many early ,instances so hazardous1 and so fatal2 not by a ,solicitude to treasure up ,wealth for them1 whose only ,portion may perhaps be a little ,coffin and ,shrowd4 ,no2 our truest ,kindness to them will be to endeavour1 by ,divine ,grace1 to form them to an early ,inquiry after ,,god1 and ,christ1 and ,heaven1 and a ,love for real ,goodness in all the ,forms of it which may come within their ,observation and ,notice4 ,let us apply ourselves immediately to this ,talk1 as those that remember there is a double ,uncertainty1 in their ,lives1 and in ours4 ,in a ,word1 let us be that with regard to every ,child that yet remains1 which we proposed and engaged to be to that which is taken away1 when we pleaded with ,,god for the ,continuance of its ,life1 at least for a little while1 that it might be farther assisted in the ,preparations for ,death and ,eternity4 ,if such ,resolutions be formed and pursued1 the ,death of one may be the ,means of spiritual ,life to many2 and we shall surely have ,reason to say it is well1 if it teach us so useful a ,lesson4 #d4 ,,the ,providence before us may have a special ,tendency to improve our ,resignation to the ,divine ,will2 and if it does so1 it will indeed be well4 ,,there is surely no imaginable ,situation of ,mind so sweet and so reasonable1 as that which we feel1 when we humbly refer ourselves in all ,things to the ,divine ,disposal1 in an intire ,suspension of our own ,will1 seeing and owning the ,hand of ,,god1 and bowing before it with a filial ,acquiescence4 ,this is chiefly to be learn'd from suffering2 and perhaps there is no ,suffering which is fitter to teach it1 than this4 ,in many other ,afflictions there is such a ,mixture of human ,interposition1 that we are ready to imagine1 we may be allowed to complain1 and to chide a little4 ,indignation mingles itself with our ,grief2 and when it does so1 it warms the ,mind1 tho' with a feverish ,kind of ,heat1 and in an unnatural ,flow of ,spirits1 leads the ,heart into a ,forgetfulness of ,,god4 ,but here it is so apparently his ,hand1 that we must refer it to him1 and it will appear bold ,impiety to quarrel at what is done4 ,in other ,instances we can at least flatter ourselves with ,hope1 that the ,calamity may be diverted1 or the ,enjoyment recovered2 but here alas6 there is no ,hope4 ,tears will not1 as 99,sir ,william ,temple finely expresses it1 water the lovely ,plant so as to cause it to grow again2 ,sighs will not give it new ,breath1 nor can we furnish it with ,life and ,spirits by the ,waste of our own4 ,the ,sentence is finally gone forth1 and the last fatal ,stroke irrecoverably given4 ,opposition is vain2 a forced ,submission gives but little ,rest to the ,mind2 a cordial ,acquiescence in the ,divine ,will is the only thing in the whole ,world that can ease the labouring ,heart1 and restore true ,serenity4 ,remaining ,corruption will work on such an ,occasion1 and a painful ,struggle will convince the ,christian how imperfect his present ,attainments are3 ,and this will probably lead him to an attentive ,review of the great ,reasons for ,submission2 it will lead him to urge them on his own ,soul1 and to plead them with ,,god in ,prayer2 till at length the ,storm is laid1 and ,tribulation worketh ,patience1 and ,patience ,experience1 and ,experience a ,hope which maketh not ashamed1 while the ,love of ,god is so shed abroad in the ,heartn1 as to humble it for every preceding ,opposition1 and to bring it even to a real ,approbation of all that so wise and good a ,friend hath done2 resigning every other ,interest and ,enjoyment to his ,disposal1 and fitting do with the sweet ,resolution of the ,prophet1 ,tho' the ,fig-tree do not blossom1 and there be no ,fruit in the ,vine1 c4 yet will ,i rejoice in the ,lord1 and joy in the ,god of my ,salvationo4 ,and when we are brought to this1 the whole ,horizon clears1 and the ,sun breaks forth in its ,strength4 ,,now ,i appeal to every sincere ,christian in the ,assembly1 whether there will not be ,reason indeed to say it is well1 if by this painful ,affliction we more sensibly learn the ,vanity of the ,creature and we are awakened to serious ,thoughts of our own latter ,end2 if by it we are quickned in the ,duties of ,life1 and formed to a more intire ,resignation of ,soul1 and ,acquiescence in the ,divine ,will4 ,i shall only add once more1 and 'tis a ,thought of delightful ,importance1 ,,iv4 ,,that pious ,parents have ,reason to hope it is well with those dear ,creatures who are taken away in their early ,days4 ,i ,,see not that the ,word of ,,god hath any whit passed a damnatory ,sentence on any ,infants2 and it has not1 ,i am sure we have no ,authority to doubt1 especially considering with how much ,compassion the ,divine ,being speaks of them in the ,instance of the ,ninevitesp1 and on some other ,occasions4 ,perhaps1 as some pious ,divines have conjectured1 they may constitute a very considerable ,part of ,number of the ,elect1 and1 as in ,adam they all died1 they may in ,christ all be made aliveq4 ,at least1 methinks1 from the ,covenant which ,,god made with ,abraham1 and his ,seed1 the ,blessings of which are come upon the believing ,gentilesr1 there is ,reason to hope well concerning the ,infant ,offspring of ,,god',s ,people1 early devoted1 and often recommended to him1 that their ,souls will be bound in the ,bundle of ,lifes1 and be loved for their ,parents ,sakest4 ,,it is1 indeed1 impossible for us to say1 how soon ,children may be capable of contracting personal ,guilt4 ,they are quickly able to distinguish1 some ,degree1 between ,right and ,wrong2 and 'tis too plain1 that they as quickly1 in many ,instances1 forget the ,distinction4 ,the ,corruptions of ,nature begin early to work1 and shew the ,need of sanctifying ,grace2 yet1 without a ,miracle1 it cannot be expected that much of the ,christian ,scheme should be understood by these little ,creatures1 in the first dawning of ,reason1 tho' a few evangelical ,phrases may be taught1 and1 sometimes1 by a happy kind of ,accident1 may be rightly applied4 ,the tender ,heart of a ,parent may1 perhaps1 take a ,hint1 from hence to terrify itself1 and exasperate all its other ,sorrows1 by that sad ,thought1 ,what if my dear ,child be perished for ever8 gone from our ,embraces1 and all the little ,pleasures we could give it1 to everlasting ,darkness and ,pain8 ,horrible ,imagination6 ,and ,satan may1 perhaps1 take the ,advantage of these gloomy ,moments1 to aggravate every little ,infirmity into a ,crime1 and to throw us into an ,agony1 which no other ,view of the ,affliction can possibly give1 to a ,soul penetrated with a ,sense of ,eternity4 ,nor do ,i know a ,thought1 in the whole ,compass of ,nature1 that hath a more powerful ,tendency to produce suspicious ,notions of ,,god1 and a secret ,alienation of ,heart from him4 ,,now for this very ,reason1 methinks1 we should guard against so harsh a ,conclusion1 lest we1 at once1 injure the ,divine ,being1 and torture ourselves4 ,and1 surely1 we may easily fall on some ,reflections which may incourage our ,hopes1 where little ,children are concerned2 and 'tis only of that ,case that ,i am now speaking4 ,let us think of the blessed ,,god1 as the great ,parent of universal ,nature2 whose tender ,mercies are over all his ,workst2 who declares that ,judgment is his strange ,worku2 who is very pitiful1 and of tender ,mercyw1 gracious and full of ,compassionx2 who delighteth in ,mercyy2 who waiteth to be graciousz2 and endureth1 with much ,long-suffering1 even the ,vessels of ,wrath fitted to ,destructiona4 ,he intimately knows our ,frameb1 and our ,circumstances2 he sees the ,weakness of the unformed ,mind2 how forcibly the volatile ,spirits are struck with a thousand new amusing ,objects around it1 and born away as a ,feather before the ,wind2 and1 on the other hand1 how1 when ,distempers seize it1 the feeble ,powers are over-born in a ,moment1 and render'd incapable of any ,degree of ,application and ,attention4 ,and1 ,lord1 wilt thou open thine ,eyes on such a one1 to bring it into strict ,judgment with theec8 ,amidst all the ,instances of thy ,patience1 and thy ,bounty1 to the most abandon'd of ,mankind1 are these little helpless ,creatures the ,objects of thy speedy ,vengeance1 and final ,severity8 ,,let us farther consider1 as it is a very comfortable ,thought in these ,circumstances1 the compassionate ,regard which the blessed ,jesus expressed to little ,children4 ,he was much displeased with those who forbad their being brought to him2 and said1 ,suffer them to come unto me1 and forbid them not1 for of such is the ,kingdom of ,,god2 and taking them up in his ,arms1 he laid his ,hands upon them1 and blessed themd4 ,in another ,instance we are told1 that he took a little ,child1 7who appears to have been old enough to come at his ,call17 and set him in the ,midst of his ,disciples1 and said1 ,except ye become as little ,children1 you shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of ,heavene4 ,may we not then hope that many little ,children are admitted into it8 ,and may not that ,hope be greatly confirmed from whatever1 of an amiable and regular ,disposition1 we have observed in those that are taken away8 ,if we have seen a ,tenderness of ,conscience in any thing which they apprehended would displease the great and good ,,god2 a ,love to ,truth2 a ,readiness to attend on ,divine ,worship1 from some imperfect ,notion of its general ,design1 though the ,particulars of it could not be understood2 an open1 candid1 benevolent ,heart2 a tender ,sense of ,obligation1 and a ,desire1 according to their little ,power1 to repay it2 may we not hope that these were some of the first ,fruits of the ,spiritf1 which he would1 in due ,time1 have ripened into ,christian ,graces1 and are now1 on a sudden1 perfected by that great ,almighty ,agent who worketh all1 and in allg8 ,,sure ,i am1 that this blessed ,spirit hath no inconsiderable ,work to perform on the most established ,christians1 to finish them to a complete ,meetness for the ,heavenly ,world3 ,would to ,,god1 there were no greater ,blemishes to be observed in their ,character1 than the little ,vanities of ,children6 ,with infinite ,ease then can he perfect what is lacking in their unfinished ,minds1 and pour out upon them1 in a ,moment1 that ,light and ,grace1 which shall qualify them for a ,state1 in ,comparison of which1 ours on ,earth is but ,childhood or ,infancy4 ,,now what a noble ,source of ,consolation is here6 ,then may the affectionate ,parent say1 ,it is well1 not only with me1 but with the ,child too3 ,incomparably better than if my ardent ,wishes1 and importunate ,prayers for its ,recovery1 had been answered4 ,it is indeed well1 if that beloved ,creature be fallen asleep in ,christh2 if that dear ,lamb be folded in the ,arms of the compassionate ,shepherd1 and gathered into his gracious ,bosom4 ,self-love might have led me to wish its longer ,continuance here2 but if ,i truly loved my ,child with a solid1 rational ,affection1 ,i should much rather rejoice1 to think it is gone to a heavenly ,fatheri1 and to the ,world of perfected ,spirits above4 ,had it been spared to me1 how slowly could ,i have taught it6 and in the full ,ripeness of its ,age1 what had it been1 when compared with what it now is6 ,how is it shot up on a sudden1 from the ,converse and the ,toys of ,children1 to be a ,companion with ,saints and ,angels1 in the ,employment1 and the ,blessedness of ,heaven6 ,shall ,i then complain of it as a rigorous ,severity to my ,family1 that ,,god hath taken it to the ,family above8 ,and what if he hath chosen to bestow the distinguished ,favour on that one of my little ,flock1 who was formed to take the tenderest ,hold of my ,heart8 ,was there ,unkindness in that8 ,what if he saw1 that the very ,sprightliness and ,softness which made it to me so exquisitely delightful1 might1 in ,time1 have betrayed it into ,ruin2 and took this ,method of sheltering it from ,trials which had1 otherwise1 been too hard for it1 and so fixing a ,seal on its ,character and ,happiness8 ,what if that strong ,attachment of my ,heart to it1 had been a ,snare to the ,child1 and to me8 ,or what if it had been otherwise8 ,do ,i need additional ,reasons to justify the ,divine ,conduct1 in an ,instance which my ,child is celebrating in the ,songs of ,heaven8 ,if it is a new and untasted ,affliction to have such a tender ,branch lopp'd off1 it is also a new ,honour to be the ,parent of a glorified ,saint4 ,and1 as good ,mr4 ,howe expressed it on another ,occasion1 ,if ,,god be pleased1 and his glorified ,creature be pleased1 who are we that we should be displeased899 ,could ,i wish1 that this young ,inhabitant of ,heaven should be degraded to ,earth again8 ,or would it thank me for that ,with8 ,would it say1 that it was the ,part of a wife ,parent1 to call it down from a ,sphere of finch exalted ,services and ,pleasures1 to our low ,life here upon ,earth8 ,let me rather be thankful for the pleasing ,hope1 that tho' ,,god loves my ,child too well to permit it to return to me1 he will ere long bring me to it4 ,and then that endeared paternal ,affection1 which would have been a ,cord to tie me to ,earth1 and have added new ,pangs to my ,removal from it1 will be asa golden ,chain to draw me upwards1 and add one farther ,charm and ,joy even to ,paradise itself4 ,and oh1 how great a ,joy to view the ,change1 and to compare that dear ,idea1 so fondly laid up1 so often reviewed1 with the now glorious ,original1 in the ,improvements of the upper ,world6 ,to borrow the ,words of the sacred ,writer1 in a very different ,sense8 ,i said1 ,i was desolate and bereaved of ,children1 and who hath brought up these8 ,i was left alone1 and these where have they been8k ,was this my ,desolation8 this my ,sorrow8 to part with thee for a few ,days1 that ,i might receive thee for ,everl1 and find thee what thou now art6 ,it is for no ,language1 but that of ,heaven1 to describe the sacred ,joy which such a ,meeting must occasion4 ,,in the mean time1 ,christians1 let us keep up the lively ,expectation of it1 and let what has befallen us draw our ,thoughts upwards4 ,perhaps they will sometimes1 before we are aware1 sink to the ,grave1 and dwell in the ,tombs that contain the poor ,remains of what was once so dear to us4 ,but let them take ,flight from thence to more noble1 more delightful ,scenes4 ,and ,i will add1 let the ,hope we have of the ,happiness of our ,children render ,,god still dearer to our ,souls4 ,we feel a very tender ,sense of the ,kindness which our ,friends expressed towards them1 and think1 indeed very justly1 that their affectionate ,care for them lays a lasting ,obligation upon us4 ,what ,love then1 and what ,service do we owe to thee1 oh gracious ,father1 who hast1 we hope1 received them into thine ,house above1 and art now entertaining them there with unknown ,delight1 tho' our former ,methods of ,commerce with them be cut off6 ,lord1 should each of us say in such a ,case1 ,i would take what thou art doing to my ,child as done to my self1 and as a ,specimen and ,earnest of what shall shortly be done4 ,it is therefore well4 ,,it only remains1 that ,i conclude with a few ,hints of farther ,improvement4 #a4 ,,let pious ,parents1 who have lost hopeful ,children in a maturer ,age1 join with others in saying1 ,it is well4 ,,my ,friends1 the ,reasons which ,i have been urging at large1 are common to you with us2 and permit me to add1 that as your ,case has its peculiar ,distress1 it has1 ,i think1 in a yet greater ,degree1 its peculiar ,consolations too4 ,i ,,know you will say1 that it is inexpressibly grievous and painful1 to part with ,children who were grown up into most amiable ,friends1 who were your ,companions in the ,ways of ,,god1 and concerning whom you had a most agreeable ,prospect1 that they would have been the ,ornaments and ,supports of ,religion in the rising ,age1 and extensive ,blessings to the ,world1 long after you had quitted it4 ,these ,reasonings have1 undoubtedly1 their ,weight2 and they have so1 when considered in a very different ,view4 ,must you not acknowledge it is well1 that you enjoyed so many ,years of ,comfort in them8 that you reaped so much solid ,satisfaction from them8 and saw those ,evidences of a ,work of ,grace upon their ,hearts1 which give you such abundant ,reason to conclude that they are now received to that ,inheritance of ,glory1 for which they were so apparently made meet8 ,some of them1 perhaps1 had already quitted their ,father's ,house3 ,as for others1 had ,,god spared their ,lives1 they might have been transplanted into ,families of their own3 ,and if1 instead of being removed to another ,house1 or ,town1 or ,county1 they are taken by ,,god into another ,world1 is that a ,matter of so great ,complaint2 when that ,world is so much better1 and you are yourselves so near it8 ,i put it to your ,hearts1 ,christians1 ,would you rather have chosen to have buried them in their ,infancy1 or never to have known the ,joys and the ,hopes of a ,parent1 now you know the ,vicissitude of ,sorrow1 and of ,disappointment8 ,but perhaps1 you will say1 that you chiefly grieve for that ,loss which the ,world has sustained by the ,removal of those1 from whom it might reasonably have expected so much future ,service4 ,this is1 indeed1 a generous1 and a ,christian ,sentiment1 and there is something noble in those ,tears which flow on such a ,consideration4 ,but do not so remember your ,relation to ,earth1 as to forget that which you bear to ,heaven2 and do not so wrong the ,divine ,wisdom and ,goodness1 as to suppose1 that when he takes away from hence promising ,instruments of ,service1 he there lays them by as useless4 ,much more reasonable is it to conclude1 that their ,sphere of ,action1 as well as ,happiness1 is inlarged1 and that the ,church above hath gained incomparably more1 than that below can be supposed to have lost by their ,death4 ,,on the whole1 therefore1 far from complaining of the ,divine ,conduct in this ,respect1 it will become you1 my ,friends1 rather to be very thankful that these dear ,children were spared so long2 to accompany and entertain you in so many ,stages of your short ,journey thro' ,life1 to answer so many of your ,hopes1 and to establish so many more beyond all ,fear of ,disappointment4 ,reflect on all that ,,god did in1 and upon them1 on all he was beginning to do by them1 and on what you have great ,reason to believe he is now doing for them2 and adore his ,name1 that he has left you these dear ,memorials1 by which your ,case is so happily distinguished from ours1 whose ,hopes in our ,children withered in the very ,bud2 or from theirs1 who saw those who were once so dear to them1 perishing1 as they have ,cause to fear1 in the ,paths of the ,destroyer4 ,,but while ,i speak thus1 methinks ,i am alarmed1 lest ,i should awaken the far more grievous ,sorrows of some mournful ,parent1 whom it will not be so easy to comfort4 ,my ,brethren and ,friends1 what shall ,i say to you1 who are lamenting over your ,absaloms1 and almost wishing you had died for themm8 ,shall ,i urge you to say it is well8 ,perhaps you may think it a great ,attainment1 if1 like ,aaron1 when his ,sons died before the ,lord1 you can hold your ,peacen1 under the awful ,stroke4 ,my ,soul is troubled for you2 my ,words are almost swallowed up4 ,i cannot unsay what ,i have elsewhere said at large on this melancholy ,subject994 ,yet let me remind you of this1 that you do not certainly know what ,almighty ,grace might do for these lamented ,creatures1 even in the latest ,moments1 and have therefore no ,warrant confidently to pronounce that they are assuredly perished4 ,and if you cannot but tremble in the too probable ,fear of it1 labour to turn your ,eyes from so dark a ,prospect1 to those better ,hopes which ,,god is setting before you4 ,for surely you still have abundant ,reason to rejoice in that ,grace1 which gives your own ,lives to you as a ,prey1 and has brought you so near to that blessed ,world1 where1 hard as it is now to conceive it1 you will have laid aside every ,affection of ,nature1 which interferes with the ,interests of ,,god1 and prevents your most chearful ,acquiescence in every ,particular of his wise and gracious ,determinations4 #b4 ,,from what we have heard1 let us learn not to think of the ,loss of our ,children with a slavish ,dread4 ,,it is to a ,parent indeed such a cutting ,stroke1 that ,i wonder not if ,nature shrink back at the very ,mention of it3 ,and1 perhaps1 it would make those to whom ,,god hath denied ,children more easy1 if they knew what some of the happiest ,parents feel in an uncertain ,apprehension of the ,loss of theirs3 ,an ,apprehension which strikes with peculiar ,force on the ,mind1 when ,experience hath taught us the ,anguish of such an ,affliction in former ,instances4 ,but let us not anticipate ,evils3 ,perhaps all our ,children1 who are hitherto spared1 may follow us to the ,grave ,or1 if otherwise1 we sorrow not as those who have no ,hopep4 ,we may have ,reason still to say2 ,it is well1 and1 thro' ,divine ,grace1 we may also have ,hearts to say it4 ,whatever we lose1 if we be the ,children of ,,god1 we shall never lose our ,heavenly ,father1 ,he will still be our ,support1 and our ,joy4 ,and therefore let us turn all our ,anxiety about uncertain1 future ,events1 into a holy ,solicitude to please him1 and to promote religious ,impressions in the ,hearts of our dear ,offspring2 that if ,,god should see fit to take them away1 we may have a ,claim to the full ,consolations1 which ,i have been representing in the preceding ,discourse4 #c4 ,,let us not sink in hopeless ,sorrow1 or break out into clamorous ,complaints1 if ,,god has brought this heavy ,affliction upon us4 ,a ,,stupid ,indifference would be absurd and unnatural3 ,,god and ,man might look upon us as acting a most unworthy ,part1 should we be like the ,ostrich in the ,wilderness1 which hardeneth herself against her young ones1 as if they were not hers2 because ,,god hath deprived her of ,wisdom1 neither hath he imparted to her ,understandingq4 ,let us sorrow like ,men1 and like ,parents2 but let us not1 in the mean time1 forget that we are ,christians4 ,let us remember how common the ,calamity is2 few ,parents are exempt from it2 some of the most pious and excellent have lost amiable ,children1 with ,circumstances perhaps of peculiar ,aggravation4 ',tis a ,trial which ,,god hath chosen for the ,exercise of some who have been eminently dear to him1 as we may learn from a ,variety of ,instances both ancient and modern4 ,let us recollect our many ,offences against our heavenly ,father1 those ,sins which such a ,dispensation may properly bring to our ,remembrancer2 and let that silence us1 and teach us to own1 that 'tis of the ,lord's ,mercies we are not consumeds1 and that we are punished less than our ,iniquities deservet4 ,let us look round on our surviving ,comforts2 let us look forward to our future1 our eternal ,hopes2 and we shall surely see1 that there is still ,room for ,praise1 still a ,call for it4 ,let us review the ,particulars mentioned above1 and then let ,conscience determine whether it doth not become us1 in this particular ,instance1 to say it steadily1 and chearfully too1 ,even this is well4 ,and may the ,,god of all ,grace and ,comfort apply these ,considerations to our ,mind1 that we may not only own them1 but feel them1 as a reviving ,cordial when our ,heart is overwhelmed within us6 ,in the mean ,time1 let me beseech you whose tabernacles are in ,peaceu1 and whose ,children are yet about youw1 that you would not be severe in censuring our ,tears1 till you have experimentally known our ,sorrows1 and yourselves tasted the ,wormwood and the ,gall1 which we1 with all our ,comforts1 must have in a long and a bitter ,remembrancex4 #d4 ,,let those of us who are under the ,rod1 be very solicitous to improve it aright1 that in the ,end it may indeed be well4 ,,hear1 my ,brethren1 my ,friends and ,fellow-,sufferers1 hear and suffer the word of ,exhortationy4 ,let us be much concerned1 that we may not bear all the ,smart of such an ,affliction1 and1 through our own ,folly1 lose all that ,benefit which might1 otherwise1 be a rich ,equivalent4 ,in ,proportion to the ,grievousness of the ,stroke1 should be our ,care to attend to the ,design of it4 ,let us1 now ,,god is calling us to ,mourning and ,lamentation1 be searching and trying our ,ways1 that we may turn again unto the ,lordz4 ,let us review the ,conduct of our ,lives1 and the ,state and ,tenour of our ,affections1 that we may observe what hath been deficient1 and what irregular2 that proper ,remedies may be applied1 and those important ,lessons more thoroughly learnt1 which ,i was mentioning under the former ,branch of my ,discourse4 ,let us pray1 that through our ,tears we may read our ,duty1 and that by the ,heat of the ,furnace we may be so melted1 that our ,dross may be purged away1 and the ,divine ,image instamped on our ,souls in brighter and fairer ,characters4 ,to sum up all in one ,word1 let us endeavour to set our ,hearts more on that ,,god1 who is infinitely better to us than ten ,childrena1 who hath given us a ,name better than that of ,sons or of ,daughtersb1 and can abundantly supply the ,place of all earthly ,enjoyments with the rich ,communications of his ,grace3 ,nay1 perhaps1 we may add1 who hath removed some ,darling of our ,hearts1 lest to our infinite ,detriment it should fill his ,place there1 and1 by alienating us from his ,love and ,service1 have a fatal ,influence on our present ,peace1 and our future ,happiness4 ,,eternal ,glory1 my ,friends1 is so great a ,thing1 and the compleat ,love and ,enjoyment of ,,god so unutterably desirable1 that it is well worth our while to bear the sharpest ,sorrows1 by which we may be more perfectly formed for it4 ,we may even congratulate the ,death of our ,children1 if it bring us nearer to our heavenly ,father2 and teach us1 7instead of filling this ,vacancy in our ,heart with some new ,vanity1 which may shortly renew our ,sorrows17 to consecrate the whole of it to him who alone deserves1 and can alone answer the most intense ,affection4 ,let us try what of this kind may be done4 ,we are now going to the ,table of the ,lord991 to that very ,table where our ,vows have often been sealed1 where our ,comforts have often been reigned1 where our ,isaac's have been conditionally sacrificed1 and where we commemorate the real ,sacrifice which ,,god hath made even of his only begotten ,son for us4 ,may our other ,sorrows be suspended1 while we mourn for him whom we have pierced1 as for an only ,son1 and are in ,bitterness as for a ,first-bornc4 ,from his ,blood ,consolations spring up1 which will flourish even on the ,graves of our dear ,children2 and the ,sweetness of that ,cup which he there gives us1 will temper the most distasteful ,ingredients of the other4 ,our ,houses are not so with ,,god1 as they once were1 as we once expected they would have been1 but he hath made with us an everlasting ,covenant1 and these are the ,tokens of it4 ,blessed be his ,name1 we hold not the ,mercies of that ,covenant by so precarious a ,tenure as the ,life of any ,creature4 ,it is well ordered in all things and sure3 ,may it be all our ,salvation1 and all our ,desired2 and then it is but a little while1 and all our ,complaints will cease4 ,,god will wipe away these ,tears from our ,eyese1 our peaceful and happy ,spirits shall ere long meet with those of our ,children which he hath taken to himself4 ,our ,bodies shall sleep1 and ere long also awake1 and arise with theirs4 ,death1 that inexorable ,destroyer1 shall be swallowed up in ,victoryf1 while we and ours surround the ,throne with everlasting ,hallelujahs1 and own1 with another ,evidence than we can now perceive2 with another ,spirit than we can now express1 that ,all was indeed well4 ,amen4 ,,finis4 ,footnotes4 ,the ,duke of ,burgundy4 ,see ,cambray's ,life1 p4 #cbi4 99 ,tibi monstrabo ,amatorium sine ,medicamento1 sine ,herbis1 sine ullius ,veneficae2 ,carmine1 ,si vis amari1 ama4 ,,sen4 a ,heb4 iv4 #ae4--;,heb4 ii4 #ah4 b #b ,cor4 i4 #d4 c ,job iv4 #c1--e4 d ,job xv4 #aa4 e ,isa x4 #ah4 f ,heb4 xii4 #i4 g ,lev4 x4 #c4 h ,job i4 #ba4 i ,math4 xxi4 #af4 k ,luke i4 #ah4 l ,luke i4 #ch4 m ,jon4 ii4 #b4 n ,jon4 iv4 #i4 o #b ,kings iv4 #ah1 #bj4 p #a ,kings xvii4 #ag1 seq4 99 ,see ,henry1 in loc4 q #a ,tim4 vi4 #aa2 #b ,tim4 iii4 #ag4 r #b ,kings4 iv4 #bc4 s ,isa4 xxxix4 #h4 t ,ezek4 xxiv4 #af4 u ,psal4 cxli4 #c4 w ,jer4 x4 #ai4 x ,psal4 lxxiv4 #bb4 y ,psal4 xxxix4 #i4 z #a ,sam4 iii4 #ah4 a ,rom4 ix4 #bj4 b ,psal ciii4 #ai4 c ,matt4 x4 #bi1 #cj4 d ,psal4 cxxi4 #d4 e ,jer4 xv4 #g4 f ,ezek4 xxiv4 #af4 g ,job xiv4 #bj4 h ,psal4 xc4 #c4 i ,job xxi4 #bb4 k ,job4 ii4 #e4 l ,psal4 xcvii4 #b4 m ,heb4 viii4 #aj4 n ,ibid4 xii4 #i4 o #b ,cor4 i4 #c4 p ,john xviii4 #aa4 q ,eccles4 v4 #b4 r ,matt4 xxvi4 #ci4 s #b ,sam4 xv4 #bf4 t ,rom4 viii4 #bh4 u ,rom4 iv4 #ah1 #bj4 w ,ibid4 viii4 #cb4 x #b ,sam4 xix4 #bh4 y ,jer4 xxxi4 #ae4 z ,prov4 xxix4 #ae4 a ,mich4 vi4 #i4 b ,heb4 xii4 #aj4 c ,gen4 v4 #bi4 d ,jer4 ii4 #ac4 e ,psal4 xxxix4 #g4 f ,ibid4 xviii4 #df4 g #a ,pet4 i4 #bd4 h ,job xvii4 #a4 j ,eccles4 ix4 #aj4 k ,acts xxiv4 #be4 l ,deu4 vi4 #g4 m ,matth4 #ba4 #af4 99 ,temple's ,essays1 ,vol4 ,i4 p4 #agh4 n ,rom4 v4 #c--e4 o ,hab4 iii4 #ag1 #ah4 p ,jonah iv4 ult4 q #a ,cor4 xv4 #bb4 r ,gal4 iii4 #ad4 s #a ,sam4 xxv4 #bi4 t ,rom4 xi4 #bh4 t ,psal4 cxlv4 #i4 u ,isa4 xxviii4 #ba4 w ,james v4 #aa4 x ,psal4 cxi4 #d4 y ,micah vii4 #ah4 z ,isa4 xxx4 #ah4 a ,rom4 ix4 #bb4 b ,psal4 ciii4 #ad4 c ,job xiv4 #c4 d ,mark x4 #ac1--af4 e ,mat4 xviii4 #b1 #c4 f ,rom4 viii4 #bc4 g #a ,cor4 xii4 #f4 ,i bless ,,god1 all these ,things were very evident in that dear ,child1 whose ,death occasioned this ,discourse4 h #a ,cor4 xv4 #ah4 i ,john xiv4 #bh4 99 ,howe's ,life1 pag4 #cb4 ,fal4 ,edit4 k ,isa4 xlix4 #ba4 l ,philem4 ver4 #ac4 m #b ,sam4 xviii4 #cc4 n ,lev4 x4 #c4 99 ,in the ,sixth of my ,sermons to young ,persons1 intitled1 ,the ,reflections of a pious ,parent on the ,death of a wicked ,child4 p #a ,thess4 iv4 #ac4 q ,job xxxix4 #af1 #ag4 r #a ,kings xvii4 #ah4 s ,lam4 iii4 #bb4 t ,ezra ix4 #ac4 u ,job v4 #bd4 w ,ibid4 xxix4 #e4 x ,lam4 iii4 #ai1 #bj4 y ,heb4 xiii4 #bb4 z ,lam4 iii4 #dj4 a #a ,sam4 i4 #h4 b ,isa4 lvi4 #e4 99 ,n4 ,b4 ,this ,sermon was preached ,october #c1 #agcf4 it being ,sacrament ,day4 ,the ,child died ,october #a4 c ,zech4 xii4 #aj4 d #b ,sam4 xxiii4 #e4 e ,rev4 xxi4 #d4 f #a ,cor4 xv4 #ed4