[ 1328] To be thankful unto God in the saddest of times and conditions.
IT was a pretty sweet passage that was once betwixt a distressed Mother and a Child about eight or nine years of age,* 1.1 who being reduced to such a straight, that hunger began to pinch them both; the Child looking earnestly on the Mother, said; Mother, do you think that God will starve us? No, child, answered the Mother, He will not: The Child replyed, But if he do, yet we must love him and serve him. Here now was language from a little child, which be∣ing from the heart, might well become and argue a child of Grace, a well grown Christian:* 1.2 Such an one was Iob, though God slay him, yet he will trust in him. And the rod and staffe of God shall be Davids comfort;* 1.3 and S. Paul had so learn∣ed the art of thankfulnesse,* 1.4 as in all conditions to be contented. And so must every one labour to have the same frame of spirit, that in the worst of times, in the saddest of conditions, whether publique or private, National or personall, they be thankfull unto God, and speak good of his most holy Name.