Clarke - BV4500_C46_1659_v1

..S° Qneßion,r,andCafesófCönfciencé aboutA$li6iions. Chap., to makeus traelable fchollars in the fchool ofChrif. Pf. r 19.67.7r. 2Cor. 1.r o. Secondly, To make us knowGod, and our felves as theydid (.2/anaffel;: y Oro?". g. Thirdly , To giveus experience of Gods gracioús hand in our deliverance.Pfa. 34. 17319. , Fourthly , Todifcover tous out faith , andpatience , Rom. '5.4.5. Tamr,3, Fifthly , To keep us frombeing condemnedwith the world-1Car. r 1. 31, 3a. Sixthly , . Topurge out our drofs of p,ofannefs , and unbeliefeAiDan. 1z. IÒ. and asmutard laid upon the breaft , to weaneus from the world . Pfal. X 31. a. Seaventhly To manifell Gods love, and our e1alion , Heb. ra. 6, g, Ei3htly, Tomake us partakers of his holinefs , and to bring forth the quiet fruits ofri,hteoufnefs. Heb. 1z.á, 9. See praEfice ofChriffianity. Ot eft. dire not all ofielions evil in their own nature? ef4nfr. yes, and fo th.: Lord fills them, Ifa. 45.-7. Amos. 3.9. Secondly, Theyare ofa contagious nature , fpreading their poifon, and mak- ing thofe thingsevil which are good in themfelves :Hcnc:, Prey. a5. a S. All thé days of the affliïled areevil. andGcnnfis 47. 9. Few and evil' are thedays of my Ptlorrmaoe,&e. { Thirdly, They ate in their ownnature , punishments of fin,, fruits Of Gods dif- pleafure, harbingersofdeath ,theFill} beginnings ofeverlafing torments,and en- emies toour joy,peace andcomfort. Fourthly, fenfe thews that they are evil' : For aflli&ions are the mother, and nurces ofImam andforrow,tertible in theirvery found, fearful to look upon,bie- ter to tail, painful toour feeling,and they torment us whiff they couch us: Hence affliction , and mourningare joyned together Lam. 3. i9. Fifthly, Theybringforth'evil fruir, unlefs grace alter their nature ,For wicked menthe more they areaffii&ed the more theyhate God, defpair ofhismercy,mur- mure au his proviúence, and ufe all unl awfull means tocafe themfelves. Quell. Are afjliflions then limply, andabfolutely evil? Anfv. No, for thus lip is only evil, but they are ofan indifferent nature. ties. How th_ n come they to begood. Anfw. Firf', In refpc ofthe cheifefficient, or author whence they come,they aregood,citber as they arepunìlhments.infiieled by a righteous Judge,or chaftife- ments coming from the hand ofa merciful Father. Secondly , Becaufe they have had for their fùbjedl the cheif goodnefs , even Chris , God and man , who ívhil li he lived in the world, was exceedingly afflit}ed , whofe pure nature couldnot admit ofany thing that was limplyevil in its nature. Thirdly,As they help usrO come to-the cheif goodnefs: For God hathordained them as means to further his ele9 in attaining to falvation;Rorrc.g.29. i7hef.3.7. Fourthly, As theyare means todraw usnearer toGod by true repentance, and fervent Prayer c24at. 7. 14. AEI. 14. za. Quefl. What rules are we to obferve inpreparing ourfelves unto the con fliii with oflçtions Aufw. Fitt, We muff hear, read; and fludy the wordof God: For Firf, Its a fpeciall means to comfort and uphold us in our troubles, with- out which we cannot tand,Pf.119. 92. Secondly , Its the fword ofthe fpirit whereby we may defend our felves, and repel the fury of ourfpritual enemles,andgetthevielory over them in the day of battel.Its ourfouls Armory whereinaretored upall our weapons which we mua ufe in this spiritual conflia. Itsour Card and Compafs to direS us through this Sea ofmiferies to ourHaven ofhappinefs:our liehtto guide twin this hard paflàge, and our threadto lead usthrough theLaborinthoftroubles.Ìtsour quickner when weare wounded, Pfai. 119.2-5,5o. Its ourjoy in all our farrows, v. 143. and its our cheifcomforter in all Our miferies. Thirdly, IV. V. I. II. 244,

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