II. Now, tho' this be the Condition common to all

Mankind, that we contribute no part to the Efficient or Meritorious Cpufe of fuch Goodnefs,- yet in thbe Final Caufe we may and muit bear a very confide- rablepart.We could not give theBleffingto ourfelves: Wecould notdeferve thatAImightyGod fhould giveic us: But it will lie upon us to take care, that fuch Grace be not beftowed in vain. In one refped indeed, and f^ri-^^ly fpeaking, neither This, nor any other of the Difpenfations of Providence can po/Iibly be in vain. For fome Effec^i: they will of neceffityhave^ even with regard to Us. But, if they do not anfwer the good Purpofes for which they were defign'd ; better were it for Us, that we had never received them at all. The lengthening out ourDays, if we do not amend our Manners, is but theminidringfrefii and larger Oppor- tunities of adding yet more to ourSins here, and toour Torments hereafter. And happier had it been,tohave been fweptaway with afwiftDeft rudion,than to bede- liver'd fromcurFears,and livefuch2Lireafterwards,asis certaintorenderusm.oremifcrablein theEnd. Forevery Mercy.everyEfcape, mult be accounted for- and thofe,
which
x6 la^e&itatton^ anti p^a^crsf
' --II
which are entertained unthankfully^ will at length prove Curfes inftead of Bleflings to us. It will there- fore become thee, my Soui^very ferioufly to confider, wherein trueThankfulnefs confifts, and what are the Inftances by which it muft be exprefs'd.