in Contain or lacbcntptson. , 269 it be tried withfire, might be found unto praife. Now Chap. thefe Affidions are the occafion oftheir Joy, and in or- der to their Glory. Of this kind are all the Sufferings Jam. that Chriftians endure for the promotion of the Gofpel. Thus the Apofiles efleemed themfeives dignified,,in fuf- Alts 5. at fering what was contumelious and reproachful for the Name of Chrift. And St. Paul interprets it as a fpeci- al favour, that Gad call'd forth the Philippians to the Combate ; To you it is given in the behalfofChrifl to fuf- Phil. ,. fer : Not only the Graces of Faith and Fortitude, but theAf uiótion was given. SoBelievers are declared P.t. 1.14. py, when they arepartakers ofChrifls Sufferings : for the Spirit ofGlory rats on them. Now it is evident that Af fliEtions of this nature are no Punifhments. For Pnce 'tis effential to Punifhment tobe inflié}ed for a Fault, and every Fault hath a turpitude in it ; it neceffarily follows, that Punifhment which is the brand ofa crime mutt be always attended with infamy, and the Suf- ferer under fhaine. But Chrittians are honourable by their Sufferings fdr God, as they conform them to the Image of his Son,. who was confecrated by Suffer- ings. s . Affìidions are fent fometimesnot with refpe& to a Sin committed, but to prevent the commiffion of it and this diftinguithes them from Punifhments. For the Law deters fromEvil, not by inflicting, but threat- ping the Penalty : But in the Divine Difcipline there is another Reafon.God Aids to reftrain from Sin: As St. Paulhad a thornin theflefb to prevent Pride.. z car. rn. 7. 3. Thofe Evils that are inflictedon Believers for Sin, do not diminifh the power and value ofChrift's Paillon. For we mull diftinguifhbetween Punifhments which are meerly caFtigatory for the goodof the Offender, and that are purely vindictive for thejuft Satisfaétion ofthe Law. Now Believersare liable to thefirfl, but are freed from the
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