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 the divine goodneſs having made ſuch a reliance a Duty, notwithflanding we ſhould have been miſerable had it been forbidden us.

Among ſeveral Motives, which might be made uſe of to recommend this duty to us, I ſhall only take notice of thoſe that follow.

The firſt and ſtrongeſt is, that we are promiſed, He will not fail thoſe who put their Trust in him.

But without conſidering the ſupernatural Bleſſing which accompanies this duty, we may obſerve that it has a natural Tendency to its own reward, or in other words, that this firm Truſt and Confidence in the great diſpoſer of all things, contributes very much to the getting clear of any Affliction, or to the bearing it manfully. A perſon who believes he has his Succour at hand; and that he acts in the fight of his Friend, often exerts himſelf beyond his Abilities, and does wonders that are not to be matched by one who is not animated with ſuch a confidence of ſucceſs. I could produce Inſtances from Hiſtory, of Generals, who out of a belief that they were under the protection of ſome inviſible Aſſiſtant, did not only encourage their ſoldiers to do their utmoſt, but have acted themſelves beyond what they would have done, had they not been inſpired by ſuch a belief. I might in the ſame manner ſhow how ſuch a Truſt in the Aſſiſtance of an Almighty Being, naturally produces pa-