12 8 The Favour of God obtained by Ws' doi t. SE R M. with rods, and their fins with chaJlifement; V. yet without taking away his loving kindnefi from them, Pfal.lxxxix. 33. but í1i11, they will acknowledge they are punifhed far lefs than their iniquities deferve ; nay, very often the fuffering and afflidting infirmities of men, even of good men, are the natural as well as penal confequences of their fin ; and, furely, it is not reafonable to expect that the nature and conftitution of things fhould be altered to exempt them from troubles which they well deferve. 2dly, The fufferings of good men in the prevent Rate may be confidered as trials ; fo the fcripture reprefenteth them ; and it is very confiftent with the favour of God to his fervants that he fhould try them in order to their growth in virtue, and fo becoming í1i11 more the objects of his favour. We ought to be fenfible that religion is the higheft per- feEtion, and continuance and growth in it the nobleft enjoyment we are capable of in this world, as well as that it is a reafonable fervice; and, therefore, the methods of providence towards us which have a ten- dency to the increafe of virtue are to be ac- counted tokens of God's favour rather than objections againft it. Rev. iii. 19. "Is many
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=