tChap.8 Queflion.r,and Cafe" ofConfcieñce about the Angels. z. They much confirm, ftrengrhen and encreafe our-faith. So in Abraham, Heb. r I.9. and this they do through the experience whichwe thenhave of the truthboth of Gods threatenings andgracious Promifes. So Y Sam, 57. 34, 37. 2 Cor. 1 9, 10. As alfo by caufiingus to renew our repentance, and af- furing us that our fns, for which we are thus correeied, (hall not rife up to our condemnation, I Cor. u. 3z. They alfo ftrengthen our faith as they are fignes of ourEle;tion, Row. 8. 29. Luke 24. 16. z Tim. z. 12. eAtls 9. 15, 16. Amos 3. zo. and as they are lignes of our effeetual calling, 2 î im. 3. 12. Luke 9. 23. 1 Per. 4. 17. ,er. 25. 29. John 15.19. and as they are fagnes ofour Adoption, cal. 4. I. Heb. 12. 6, S. 2 Sam. 7. 15, 16. Gal. 4, 29. 3. They confirm and encreafe in us affiance, love, hope, feare, and humility. Our affiance, Jer. so. 6. Pfd. 23. 4. and 46. 1, z. z Cor. 1. 9, to. Job 13. 15. So fo: our hope, R.m. 5. 4. and 4. 18, at. and our love, Cart. 8. 6, 7. and our feare, Pfal. 119. 120. Heb. 12. 31. Ifa. 57. I1. ppd. III. to. and our humility, Pfal. 115. I. Dan. 9. 7. Deut. 8. z. z C,r. 12. 7. 2 Sam. 15. z6. z Chron. sa. 6. and 33. aa. Lam. 3. 28, 29, 30. 4. They encreafe in us repentance and new obedience, as they put us upon feif-examination to fee our fns, and to bewail themwith greater grief, gen. 42. zi. Pfd. 32. 4, 5. 1 Kings 8. 35, 36: God by them encreafes in us obedience tohis Will, Heb. 32. II. 1 Pet. 4. 1, 2. John s5. s, z. z Chron. I2. 8. 5. They make us more devout and zealous in his fervice : as in prayer, Ifa. 37. I, 2, 3. Pfal. 18. I, 2. 2 Chron. 33 12. Ifa. 26. 16. Pfal. 78. 34. and 8s. 7. and 107. 6,Úc. and t 08, 12. In thankfaiving, Pfd. 103. 8. Lam. 3. 22. Exod. 15.' t. Jude 5. s. Pfal. 30. Is, 12. and S9. 16,17. and 9.13,14. They encreafe our patience, Rom. 5. 3. Jam. 1. 3. 2 Sam. 15.26. Heb. 5.8. 2. Secondly, Godby affli&ions worketh andencreafeth in us all thofe ver- II tues, which concern either our neighbours, or our felves_ For, s. Hereby we aremoved to do jultaceunto all men. 2. We are made more merciful, and compaffionate towards others in mifery, Heb. 5. 2. and 2.18. and4. 15, 16. 3. We are by them made more humbleand courteous towardsour neighbours, Prov. 18. z3. I Kings 20. to, 18, 30, 31. 4. Affli&ions bring us toa knowledgeof our felves, Pfa. 30.6. and 104.29. Hag. 1.9. 5. By the exercife of affliaionspur ftrength is encreafed to bear them, Prov. 24. 10. 6. By affli &ions God works and encreafeth in us temperance, fobriety, mode- fly, and chaftiry. Thirdly, God ufeth afflictions as means to convey to us divers worldly be- III. nefits and advantages. As r . By affli&ions we profit much in civil wifdom and policy. z. By themweare enabled to difcerne. our friends fromourfoes; He who is a friend in need, is a friend indeed. 3. By themwe come the better to refill/ Gods bleflings and benefits, Prov. 27.7. Quefa. What further helps are there to comfort as in, and under afii- (hoss ? e4nfw. Firft, if we compare our leffer and lighter affli &ions with thofe greater and heavier, that manyof Gods Saints that were dearelt to him, have fuffered. As Abraham, 'Gen, 12. I, 2, O. and 13. 7, 8. and 14. 12,141. 57
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