340 How tolive by Faith in timeofc idverfatie, redrefheand fet ftraight what iscrooked and to offrame. It is God onely, who is able to bleffeafflictions and make them profitable : we of our (elves are like little children, whobeing taken in the fault,and fearing the rod, promile to doenomore, but prefently forget both the fault, and danger. This we learf.e by faith, which foundly leffoneth us to deny our owne wifedome, and ftrength, and in all purpofes, refolutions and endevours to begge wifedome and{lrength from God above, and wholy to rely upon his power and grace. In vaine fhould iron be beaten, did not fire foften it : invaine fhould affliaion.s (which are Gods hammer) ftrikeon our hearts, fhould not Gods ho- lySpirit,which is compared to fire,both fo(ten our hearts, and enlighten us to fee our duties towards him, and teach us to make ufe of theaffliclion wherewith we arc exer- cifed Moreover faith importuneth the Lord for mercy and B Eor. z s. S. deliverance.For this thing Ihefonpht the Lord thrice,that it F'fal.3 t.ISn16 might depart fromme. c) zy times are in thy hand : deliver mote from the hando fmine enemies,and f tom them that perle- cutsme. U3fake thyface to Thine upon thyTer taut : fiveme Pia[. 4o t ;, for thy merciesfake. Bepleafed, O Lord, to deliver me : O PCa1.88.s32'4 Lord, makehaft to helpe mee. T7nto thee have I crjed, O Lord, andin themorningfhaii myprayerprevent thee, Lord why ca/efi thin ofmyfoale, why hide(# thou thy face from mee. Aa Fourthly, Faith raifeth the heart to expect abundance ofmercy fromGod,and through prayer and fupply of the PCa1.69,19. Spirit, to reape profit, and raft comfort anfwerable to the phil.'. =o Coe,'. . forrowes it hath feltand endured. Great afflictions make place for abundant mercy from God tous, which cannot bereceived without fingular joy on our part. An hard frofly winter makes a fruitfull iùmmer : an affieted flare 'caufeth a mellow heart. Ifour fufferings be from God, wemutt looke for profit by every trouble, unleffe we will deny Gods wifedome, and challenge his truth or thewourfelves, as if we werenot his children, nor "° truely
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