Qtaeßioiis,ancl Cafes of Cónfciehce about 41i55iions. Clap. 7 l Secondly, whenwe a-e not overcome in the confliS, fo as to murmure a_ gainit the difpenfations of God, but thew Chriflian fortitude notwithflandiag, aria overcoming all theft aflaults. 'Thirdly, When they prove prófitab le to us in humbling us for finne, and quickening us in prayer for pardon and reconciliation through the blood of (shrift. Secondly, we may becomforted inour afllidtions, becaufe they have always a good ilfue, and tend to our great profit both in this life, and inthe life tocome.. For what end foever the devil and his inftrume is have in affliaing us, yet God tempts noman to evil, Jam: I. x3. but he tries us todo usgood, Deat.8. ;6. I Pet. x. 6, 7. andthat after vietórywe may receive the Crown of eternal life, R v.z.xo. Job 2.3.xo.. Obj. But my of if}tons aregreat, and my ftirennth fma11, fo that I feare I fha11 be overcome ? A fw. God knows how to fit his trials to thy firength, and he bath bound himfelf by Prornife to do ir, x Cor. xo. 13. Obj. lea, but in themean time Iamfo preffed, that I difcover many corru prions ? , Ar.fm. Happily this is neCeßàry and profitable for thee , that thoumayft be humbled by the fight and fenfc of thy corruptions, brought CO unfeigned repentance for them, andan heartpendeavour in theufe of all good means, to befreed from them. III. Thirdly, we may be comforted, as 'our greateft trials bring greateft comfort, becaufe they are lignes of greateft gratebellowed upon us : for where there are abundance of atfüklions, there God.bettows abundance of patience, faith, and other graces, whereby we are enabled ro bear and overcome them, aswe fee in Àbraham, lob, David, Paul, Gc. IV. Fourthly, we maybe comforted becaufe God much honoureth us by thefe' trials ; and that r. By enriching us firft with his graces, and then tryingthem, whereby their excellency is manifetied to all that behold them. 2. By crowning his graces in us, when as by trial they are approved : as the Armorer firtt graces his armour by good Workmanihip, and then brings it to the proof, and laftly employes it in his Princes fery ice. . 'Fifthly, we niay-be comfarted, = becaufeGod ufes afflielions as an effe. tual y p meanes tofurther our Converfion, Hofa 5. 15. and 6. x, a. Ifa. x7.7. Pf.. 1.-.44. 83. x 5. and 78. 34, 35. Ifa. 26. 16. z C'hron. 33, I2..A'tí.9.5.* x.. For by affíietions he fits, and prepares us to. hear the Word, Hof. a 6, 7. Job 33. 15, 17, and 36.15. - a. By affliflionshe works in us contrition and humiliation; 2 Sam. is. z6. x Chron. 2x. 57. Lam. 3.22. r 3Atllielions are dually the latt meanes that God ufeth to convert obtlìnate fanners, Jcr. 8. 5, 6. eilmor4. 6, r2. If they profit not by thefe, their cafe is defperate as in thofe foregoing texts. Sò lfa. t . 5. and 9.13. VI. Sixthly, we may be comforted, asGod ufeth our afflictions asan effe cual means to prevent our falling into fin;t as alfo to mortifie and fubdue our cor- ruptions, Heb. xz.xo. Job 33. 16, r7. Ifa. 4.4. Ezek,24.xx VII. Seventhiy, we may be comforted asGod ufeth atfli5tions to encreafe all his fpiritual graces in us. x. Fir(t, thofe which are feated in the underftanding ; . asfavin knowledge and fpiritualwifdom, Prov.19. 15: Ifa. a8. r9. Hof. 6. x, 3. Job33x 6, t 7.and 33. I 5 Pfal. 119. 71. and the benefit of this fpiritual wifdome, doth much ex- ceed our hurtby affliaions, Prov. 3. x 1)19. and 3. 15. Job: 17. 3. Pfal. 94: II. a. They á .Xn:a..: Co,.y+...,i,. 217:
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