IV. Thefe are Refle(5tionsfofelfevident,fo very ob-

vious and natural to every Man, that feldom are any remarkable Calamities under gone_, or Deliverances obtained, without exciting them in our Minds. Few Wretchesare ib hardened inWickednefs, few fo aban- doned and loft to all Senfe of God and Goodnefs, bur, in the SeafonsofSicknefs and Danger, they fee their paft Follies with Difpleafure, and difcern the Reafo- nablenefs of forfakingthem. But this is thegeneralUn- happincfs, this the great Fault of moft Men, that this Remorfe quickly wears off, and their Good Intenti- ons cool again. The Smart of the Rod ceafes, and the Succefs of the Corre(5lion is loft with it. The Health of the Body grows more confirmed, and the Confci- ence hardens in proportion to the Conftitution. And thus the Man returns to his old Vanities and Vices, with the fame Unconcernednefs as before.
But, O my Soul, let it not be thus with Me. No ! Let me look back with great Serioufnefs upon the Vows I made when I was in Trouble ^ and confider,
thut
09ctJitatioti0 antJV^^arerg
that rhele vvero not to be tranfient and occafional Re- foiucions; that they were intended for lading Obliga- tions^ and cannot be fmcerely difcharged^ unlefs they influence the Remainder of that Life fo gracioufly re- itored to me. I ought to look upon my felf as one raifed from the Dead^ and favoured with Life a fe- cond time , that from henceforth I might employ and ufs the Gift to the Honour of the Giver, who hath thus^ as it vvere^ created me afrefh. He faw it better, upon my Requeft, to continue me longer in this State of Tryal, and I ought to give the more earneit heed, that every Day added to my paft Years may prove a higher Advance in Piety and Virtue, that none of my holy Purpofes languifh or die, as too many have formerly done ; that this late Approach to the Grave may perpetually warn me of my Mortality; and that, whenever Death andjudgmentfliall adually overtake me, ^as overtake me they mod certainly willj I may not be found lefs provided to meet my Lord, than this lafl: Summons left me. .
For, can I reflect upon my late Weaknefs, and har- bour an Imagination fo vain, as that this Body, in its greateil Vigor, may promife it felf an everlafting Con- tinuance ? Can I obferve this Youth of mine renewed 2s the Eagle's, and attribute it to any other Caufe, than the Almighty Power and Infinite Goodnefs of Him, who wounds and heals, who kills and makes alive, af- ter the Counfel of his own Will ? Can I acknowledge my prefent Recovery owing entirely to that Powxr and Goodnefs, and not difcover theindifpenfible Engage- ments, which lie upon me to make fome fuitabie Re- turn? And what Return is poffible, what fo proper, fo accept?iple, as that of a thankful Heart • a diligent Improvement of this Mercy ; a Life in every part of it entirely dedicated to Him, who hath ftrengthened his Tide now yet more, and made it upon fo many Accounts his own?
V.
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