Submission To Divine Providence In The Death Of Children

By Philip Doddridge

III. PIOUS PARENTS, in such a Circumstance, have farther Reason to say, It is well,--as they may observe an apparent Tendency in such a Dispensation to teach them a Variety of the most instructive and useful Lessons, in a very convincing and effectual Man

'TIS a just Observation of Solomon, that the Rod and Reproof give Wisdom[z]; and 'tis peculiarly applicable to such a Chastisement of our heavenly Father. It should therefore be our great Care to bear the Rod and him that hath appointed it[a]; and so far as it hath a Tendency to teach us our Duty, and to improve the divine Life in our Souls, we have the highest Reason to say, that it is indeed well.

EVERY Affliction hath in its Degree this kind of Tendency, and 'tis the very Reason for which we are thus chastened, that we may profit by our Sorrows, and be made Partakers of God's Holiness[b]. But this Dispensation is peculiarly adapted, in a very affecting Manner, -- to teach us the Vanity of the World, -- to warn us of the Approach of our own Death, -- to quicken us in the Duties incumbent upon us, especially to our surviving Children, -- and to produce a more intire Resignation to the Divine Will, which is indeed the surest Foundation of Quiet, and Source of Happiness.

I SHALL insist a little more particularly on each of these; and I desire that it may be remembered, that the Sight and Knowledge of such mournful Providences as are now before us, should, in some Degree, be improved to these Purposes, even by those Parents whose Families are most prosperous and joyful: May they learn Wisdom and Piety from what we suffer, and their Improvements shall be acknowledged as an additional Reason for us to say, It is well.