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Untitled Article
they cannot change the appointed course of events ; iheyi&u&t do much harm by creating unnecessary trouble , by injuring the body and mind , and by incapacitating persons for duty and exertion . As calamity is often mor& terrible in prospect than in presence or retrospect , so by brooding upon it the evitis increased If adversity visit the Christian ' s tabernacle , if affliction cloud
his dwelling , probably the evil of the day is not sufficient for the day . Iitward strength is given to support more than outward pressure There may be calamity without total loss ;
there may be restoration from sickness without deiath ; or any thing may be borne , if faith and a good conscience be-not shipwrecked . Besides , anxious cares may bring upon the rr > ind the evils which it fears j they who indulge them set a bad exatnple and do great harm to others . Such conduct takes away comfort , precipitates into distress which might have beeh avoided * protracts the continuance of affliction , multiplies sorrow , aggravates suffering , and is a disgrace to the Christian profession ; yet as God will probably distinguish between infirmity and sixty st > likewise should Christians , and beware of wishing to alter things , though it were in their power to do themselves a little good and the world much harm . God without doubt will
overlook the starting tear , and forgive the involuntary sigh . Prayer is the natural language of fear aad trouble—afflictions send men to God ; but who can sing the songs of praise nnder the clouds of sorrow ^ amidst the waters of affliction ? Yet afflictions are not evils ; they have many moral < and religious advantages , and are therefore blessings in the end . It i * not an evil being , but God , who governs the world . Evils are not blown by the wind of chance , nor borne down by th ^ e
torrent of unintelligent , irresistible destiny . If man saw with the eyes of God , he would eail them blessings . It is the language of scripture , u that evil comes from God for good j that afflictions workout the frui t of righteousness , &c / ' Children are most indebted to those parents who subject them to good discipline ; those are their worst enemies who indulge and do npt govern them .
In palliation of evils ^ it should be considered that uninterrupted security is a less sensible blessing than deliverance , whilst the restoration of comfort brings more lively joy that * continued possession . Never is friendship or devotion more
useful or consoling , than in the hour of adversity . Sinnersr have peculiar reasons for rejoicing , if they be thus reformedJ * Adversity is a time for serious thought and improvement . Sufferings are seldom equal to demerit . Whilst there is'life , t&sxe is hope . Even the most virtuous character are not ex *
Untitled Article
-54 Cappe ' s Discourses *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1806, page 34, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1720/page/34/
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