o be inferior Shepherds in the
Flock of Christ, with a long Train of various Afflictions, _that we
may be able to comfort them who are in_ the like _Trouble, with those
Consolations with which we have ourselves been comforted of GOD_[b].
And, if we have the Temper which becomes our Office, it will greatly
reconcile us to our Trials, to consider, that from our weeping Eyes,
and our bleeding Hearts, a Balm may be extracted to heal the Sorrows
of others, and a Cordial to revive their fainting Spirits. May we
never be left to sink under our Burden, in such a manner, that there
should be room, after all that we have boasted of the Strength of
religious Supports, to apply to us the Words of _Eliphaz_ to _Job_[c],
_Thou hast strengthen'd the weak Hands, and upheld him that was ready
to fall; but now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it touches
thee, and thou art troubled!_ May we never behave, as if _the
Consolations of GOD_ were _small_[d]; lest it should be _as when a
Standard-Bearer fainteth_[e], and whole Companies of Soldiers are
thrown into Confusion and Distress!

MY Friends, you are Witnesses for me, that I have not stood by as an
unconcerned Spectator amidst the Desolations of your respective
Families, when GOD's awful Hand hath been lopping off those tender
Branches from them, which were once our common Hope and Delight. I
have often put my Soul in the stead of yours, and endeavour'd to give
such a Turn to my publick as well as my private Discourses, as might
be a means of composing and chearing your Minds, and forming you to a
submissive Temper, that you might _be subject to the Father of
Spirits, and live_[f]. In this View I have, at different Times,
largely insisted on the Example of _Aaron, who held his peace_[g],
when his two eldest Sons were struck dead in a Moment by Fire from the
Lord, which destroyed them in the very Act of their Sin; and I have
also represented that of _Job,_ who, when the Death of ten Children by
one Blow was added to the Spoil of his great Possessions, could say,
_The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the Name of
the Lord_[h]. The Instance which is here before us, is not indeed so
memorable as these; but to present Circumstances it is, in many
Respects, more suitable: And it may the rather deserve our Notice, as
it shews us the Wisdom, Composure, and Piety of one of the weaker and
tenderer Sex, on an Occasion of such aggravated Distress, that had
_Aaron_ or _Job_