v,' J. .a lit-71 3. .4 1. 104L thereby to them : And yet there are thefe three things, that we would look to in thefe cafes, z e, That, tho' cor- ruption may fir, yet comparatively it ifiirreth far lets in the one cafe than in the other : If foh was fo affec &ed with fm, even when he was aifliied in God's fove' ïgnty ; what would he have been, if he had been cha- fiifed for his fin, and furprized in a finful diffemper, when his affliction came on him ? z lly, Thon it may be fo for a time, yet, ere God remove the exercife, he will make it otherwife ; he will compote the heart, and make the exercife effectual for that for which he fends it : As ye fee in the cafe of rob, who, tho' he was fomewhat difcompofed for a time, yet, before God leaves him, he calms him, and makes him lay his hand on his mouth, Chap. 4o, and 4z. 3d/y, That even then, tho' perfons may difcompofe and put themfelves through - other, becaufe they have not carried fuitably and fair under the exercife ; yet there will be force honef{ tefii -- mony of fincerity, when they look back to their car- riage before, and even in the time ; for fovereignty, in fuch exercifes, will nor prejudge his people's iritereff in him ; therefore ye fee, that yob is clear and refolved in this, that lie will retain his integrity. Lafly, We would come to flew you what is meet to be done in this cafe, which, tho' there may be con-; fiderable difficulty to come by, yet a believer fhould not be idle, when his Confcience keeps filence : Therefore I would give you thefe three great direrions ; i fì9 That perfons would endeavour to compofe and calm the frame of their own fpirits under that darknefs, be from what caufe it will. If it be from God's fovereignty exer- " cifing, this is fuitable, that we fiudy to comply, and firike in with thefe ends and defigns that God drives atp in exercifing us fo ; fuch as, the humbling of us, the emptying of us of all felt-conceit, the making of us to lothe ourfelves, fo as to fay with yob, Behold, d am vile. The clearer knowledge of our own feeblenefs and finful- nefs, our making greater account of light, and coming at a more near, clefs and confiant dependence on God, whatfoever that exercife proceed from this is always- a Chriflian's duty; and we have it warranted to us from yap
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