Page:On the providence of God in the government of the world.pdf/16

 And therefore they who conclude of  present grief, or pleasure, by their outward estate, are incompetent judges, and mistake the matter.

But supposing their judgment concerning men's present estate were true, and the calamities were grievous, and the pleasures as perfect and entire as they seem: Yet,

2. From the knowledge of men's present grief, pleasure, we cannot infer, which is the good, and which is the bad condition.

When the effect of men's fortunes upon their minds and manners is seen, how a lasting contentment is obtained or lost; how the happiness of another life is secured or neglected; then, and not till then, a certain judgment may be made. Now, upon enquiry, it will be found, that, in these respects, both conditions prove advantage to the good by their good use, and a mischief to the wicked by their abuse of them.

The righteous, in authority, encourage and countenance the good, relieve the oppressed, 'break the jaws of the wicked, and pluck the spoil out of their teeth,' Job 29. 17. and by their justice and temperance, reverence to God and to holy things, bring religion and virtue into more esteem, and do as much as in them  to convert sinners. However, they are such a check restraint upon them, that their wicked disposition  so openly and boldly discover itself as it would if they were let alone, both in doing wrong, and enticing others to the same sins which they commit.

When the righteous abound in wealth, 'they make to themselves friends of the unrighteous Mammon;' give alms, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit  fatherless and the widow in their distress; watch and  lest luxury or pride or profaneness, or uncharitableness, should turn their temporal blessings into plagues and curses: they trust not in uncertain riches, but  the living God, whose gifts they receive with thankfulness and fear: they do good, and are rich in  works as well as great possessions;