(From a letter addressed to the Countess of Essex on the loss of her
only daughter.)
"I know no duty in religion more generally agreed on, nor more justly
required by God Almighty, than a perfect submission to His will in all
things; nor do I think any disposition of mind can either please Him
more, or become us better, than that of being satisfied with all He
gives, and contented with all He takes away. None, I am sure, can be of
more honor to God, nor of more ease to ourselves. For, if we consider
Him as our Maker, we cannot contend with Him; if as our Father, we ought
not to distrust Him: so that we may be confident whatever He does is
intended for good; and whatever happens that we interpret otherwise, yet
we can get nothing by repining, nor save anything by resisting.
Submission is the only way of reasoning between a creature and its
Maker; and contentment in His will is the greatest duty we can pretend
to, and the best remedy we can apply to all our misfortunes."
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