Book II. C H R I S T A R E F I N E R. SIMILE. XV. When a Refiner hath purg– ~d aAd refined Gold, it is formed into choice and rare Velfels, and other Things fit for Ufe and Orna– mer.r. Zion compared to fine Gold, how iv. 2. See l/ejfels. METAPHOR. I. A Refiner refines but a little Gold at a Time; compa– ratively his Furnace is of fmall Di– menfion. 11. When a Refiner hath put Gold into a Crucible to be melt– ed, in order to make it pliable ~nd fit to be wrought, he adds a ~antity or allowable Proportion uf Alloy, which is of lefs value, as Silver, or Copper. PARALLEL. XV. When Jefus Chrilt hath thoroughly re– fined and purged his Saints, they are made choice and golden Velfels, the Delight of Chrilt, and for the Ufe and Ornament of the Church. In a great Houfe there are not, only l/ejfe!J of Gold and Silver, &c. 2 'rim. ii. 20. The precious Sons of are they ejleemed as earthen Pitchers! &c. Lam. D IS PAR IT Y. I. CHRIST many times in one Furnace of Allliftion, refines almolt all the Gold, or godly Ones in a whole Kingdom, as he dealt with the whole Houfe of Ifrae!. li. Chrilt when he puts his Saints into his Fur– nace, to make them malleable, and fit to be wrought by the Hammer of the Word into the Image of God, puts in a Meafure of the Holy Spirit, which is of more worth and value than the Gold itfelf, (viz. the Saints;) for indeed fo hard is the Heart, norwithltanding the Fire of that Af– fliCtion, that there is no Work can be made of it without the Spirit. I N F E R E N C E ~ I. THIS may inform us concerning the Purpofe and Defign of Chrift, refpefting fiery Trials, which the Godly meet with in this World; that Allliftions are not for the Hurt or Injury of the Church. II. It alfo !hews us what Filth and Corruption is in our Hearts; what reafon have we 10 bewail our inward Pollution, that nothing will purge and cleanfe us, but Chrift's Blood, his Word, Spirit, and Allliftion! I John i. 7· Ifa. xxvii. 9· Ilf. Moreover, le(us learn from hence, to cry 10 God, when we are in the Furnace, when in the Fire, that Chrift would apply his Blood, Word and Holy Spirit 10 our Souls; for if otherwife, all Sufferings and Aflliftions will be unprofitable to us. 'IV. And 0 that Chriftians would take l1eed in Days of Liberty and Profpe– rity, to walk humbly and holily before the Lord, and beware left they contraCt Filth anp Pollution upon their Souls, and fo provoke Cluilt to put them into his Furnace I If the lhaking of the Rod would bring us upon our Knees, and reform our Hearts and Lives, Chrilt would not bring flaying and fiery Difpenfations upon us. V. ft may put us all upon the fearch, to fee if we be fincere, Gold, and not Drofs, #fa!. iii. r 8. for if we are corrupt Matter, the Furnace will make a clear Difcrimina– tion of it; for indeed, Every Man's Workjhalt be tried fo as by (or out of the) Fire, I Cor. iii. '3· Vf. Let all Profelfor~ from hence be wakened; Chrilt the Refiner is near, and the Day of Trial comes on apace; but how wilt thou ltand when he appears? There is an amazing Difpenfation at hand, the Church of God !hall be thoroughly purged and made white, the drolfy Chriltian e'er long fhall be confumed, and pafs away like the Smoke of a Refiner's Furnace. V!!. How o-ood is God to take fa great Pains with us ? that he might make us fit for his own U~ and eternal Life. This way he makes us meet tq be Partakerr of the bzheritanceof the Saints in Light, tot. i. 12. As Heaven is prepared for us, fo Chrilt is preparing us for Heaven. Vlll. This may fupport and comfort us under Aflliftion: For though no Chaf– tenino- feem joyous at prefent, but grievous; yet nei(erthelefs afterwards it yieldeth the peace':.b!e Fruit of Righteoufnefs unto them that are 'exercifed thereby, Heb. xii. CHRIST
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