AFFLICTIONS. 325 despond, and so come short of the end which God de- signed for them to be attained in the way of duty. Now, though the frame spoken of be not obnoxious to the first extreme, yet it is greatly to the latter, which, if not watched against, is no less pernicious than the former. The affections in such persons being greatly moved, they cloud and darken the mind, and fill it with strange apprehensions concerning God and themselves. Every thing is presented to them through a glass of fear and terror. This makes them faint and despond under very sad apprehensions of themselves and their condition. 4. Afflictions find some entangled with strong corrup- tions, as love of the world, of reputation, or it may be of things carnal or sensual. Now, when great afflictions and strong corruptions unexpectedly meet, it is not conceivable what a combustion they will make in the soul. As a strong medicine encountering a powerful disease, produces effects by which sometimes the very life of the patient is endangered ; so where a great trial, a smart stroke of the hand of God, falls upon a person in the midst of some earthly or sensual pursuit, the soul is amazed even to distraction, and can scarce have any thought but that God is come to cut him off in the midst of his sins. Every unmortified corruption fills the very fear and expectation of affliction with hor- ror. And there is good reason that it should do so ; for, although God should be merciful to men's iniqui- ties, yet if he should come to take vengeance of their inventions, their condition would be dark and sorrow- ful indeed. 5. Satan is never wanting on such occasions to at-
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