450 How are we to live by Faith Seren. IS. I. Saints Corruptions, To purge and fubdue them. This is All the fruit, the Taking away of their fin, [fa.27.9. 1j/idiom. are Gods brine . and pickle to preferve the Saints from petrifying. Paulstkornin the flail, was given Him to prevent and mortifie Pride, 2 Cor. 12. 7. All the Harm which the fiery Furnace did the young men in Dan. 3. 23,24. was but to burn off their cords. Our Lulls are cords, cords of vanity, fiery tryals fent on purpofe to burn and confasrne them. Adverfity like Winter'weather,of great Cafe to (Lill weeds and Tairrmin, wilt the Sum - mer of Profperity is wont to breed. God is fain to rub hard many times, to fetch out the dirt, that is ingrain'd in our Nature. This Thunder fervesto clear the Air from infeílious Vapours. This Bitter potion purges out Ill Humours. Be the Teeth of thy Troubles, never fo many, never fo "harp,'ris but to file off thy Rog. This Tetipíli_ ous 7-offing in the Sea, will more purge the Win. from It's Lees. It clarifies the Soul. According to that Zech. i 3.9. I will bring a third part through the fire, To refine them as Silver. 2. Saints Graces. And that, .. I . For their Trial and experience. That the trial of your Faith, &c: z Pet. 1.6r' The fire tryes the Gold, as well as the Touch Dif- eafes, not 'only need, but Try the Art of the Phyfician; and Tempeflt the skill of the Pilot. The Saints Sufferings are but as fo many Touch- flames . Now, now fhalt the Saint clearly Know, whether the Confcir ence be found or foundred, if it will pace -well in Rongh wages, Here, here is the Faith, ì. e. the Tryal of the Saints ,Faith and patience, Rcv. 13. 10, 2. For their Increafe and Growth. The fnuffiag of the Candle makes it burn the brighter. Hence it is that the &iints glory in Tribulation, Rom. 5. 5. becaufe their fufferings add flrength CO theirgreces. Never are Gods fpiritual Nightingales apt to fing more fwcetly,than when the Thorn is at their Breafb. Saints are iud:Ted made of precious metal, and yet they are too too apt to lofe their Edg Hence it is That God by afii lions whets and fiarpens them. He beats and bruifes His links, to make them burn the brighter; loads his choifeft Ships with fufficient Ballad, To make them fail the fleadier : bruifes His Spices, to make them fend out an 4romatick,Savour, f rr.z2.21.Ifa.z6.16.Beb.i2.io. Obje &. But I find not this precious benefit. Sol. A$lt &ions do not pretend, work, at leafl thou maifl not prefently feel their operation. As Chriff to Peter, what I do, thou knowcfl not now, john r 3.7. bet thou fkalt hereafter :So afterwards it brings forth the fruit of Righteoufnefs, Heb. 12, I I. 3. With
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=