Use 2

USE. II.

This doctrine tells us that it is no good rule to judge of men's fidelity by their success. It is a thing which is too much practiced among men; but the truth in hand will convince us how not only uncharitable, but also how ungrounded a conclusion it is, for, if men are but instruments in God's hand, and used by him at his mere pleasure, to do what work he sees meet to do by them, and have no certainty of the efficacy of their endeavors; then, for others to say, that because there is not such fruit of their labors as were to be desired, therefore they believe not at all or are not industrious, or sincere in what they do, is a very censorious inference: that, because such a minister brings no more souls to Christ, than such another does, therefore this man is not so faithful or so painful as he: because this parent has towardly and hopeful children, and that other has such as are rebellious, and scandalous, therefore he is careless and negligent of them, is a conclusion which the premises will not prove. It is indeed a duty for every man to examine himself; and such events have great motive in them, to put them upon it, the more solemnly to inquire, if such a providence be not a punishment of such a neglect, and if they discover it, to bewail and reform it; but that it must needs be so, is contrary to the evidence of the doctrine, and a placing of too much upon men.