342 MW tolive by Faith in timeof .idlverftie, 2. Chriflians hearts, partly becaufe theyknow not that they areallowed to liveby faith in an afflic}ed Gate, partly be- caufe they judge amiffe ofth it affluions, taking them as arguments ofwrath anddifpleafure, rather then trials of faith, and chaRifements of peace. As children through want ofwifdomc areafraid ofbugbeares : fo the errour ofour minds raifeth great feare anddoubt of that which cannot hurt us, peradventure, might greatly comfort us,if rightly understood. This miflaking muCt be corrected by faith and fpirituall wifdome. True it is alfo, we fometime feele more flirting of cor- ruption in time of trouble fora whi'.e,thenwe felt before: but as Phyficke then expelleth hurtfulI humours when it worked' upon them, andmaketh us complaine, as feeling them more then when they were let alone : fo Both Gods Phyficke to the foule, even while it is driving cut corrup_ tion,it makes us feele and cimpla`neof it more then ever. The like may be faid of faith which we feele weaker during the time of trial' : But flriking the Torch , which for the prefent feemeth to put it out, maketh it blaze : Phyficke, which for the time weakens, doth tend to ftrengthen thebody : fhaking theTree which feemeth to loofe the roots, fafleneth themdeeper; and the fame may befaidin this cafe. In affliaions faith is tried, the fweetneffe of it is not fo much felt, as itis latent, whichmakesus thinke it to be brought exceeding low. The flrength ofthe body is put forth in confliasand burthens; fèlt when we walke at cafe and liberty. Aman may thewmoll flrength inwref}ling, when tohis o tvne feeling hedifcerneth moll weaknefle : and fò.it is in faith,when the fenfe is leaft, thepower may be greatefl. There is an afflued flrength, which cannot he felt great, though it be fo in truth : and there is an off i OM fàith, which is not difcerned to be of that force of which indeede it is. But flrength affliked, and flrength Idecayed; faith affliCed,and faithover-whelmed are much different. __--_-----. _--_____--- If
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