AFFLICTIONS. 329 take l He applies himself in the first place to his sin, and the guilt of it, and that distinctly and separately - And when he had a discharge from sin, which he wait- ed so earnestly for, his faith quickly rose above his out- ward trials, as appears in this blessed close of all: "he shall redeem Israel out of all his troubles," the whole Israel of God, and myself among them. This do, then : single out the sin or sins that are revived in the sense of their guilt upon the conscience ; use all diligence to come to an issue about them in the blood of Christ. This God by your affliction calls you to. This is the disease of which your trouble is but the symptom. This, therefore, in the cure you seek after, is first and principally to be attended to ; when that is once re- moved, the other, as to any prejudice to your souls, will depart of itself. The root being once digged up, you shall not long feed on the bitter fruit that it hath brought forth; or if you do, the wormwood shall be taken out of it, and it shall be very pleasant to you, as well as wholesome. How this is to be done by an ap- plication to God for forgiveness, hath been at large de- clared. But if men will deal with confused thoughts about their sins and troubles, their wound will be in- curable, and their sorrow endless. 4. Remember that a time of affliction is a time of temptation. Satan, as we have showed, will not be want- ing in any opportunity or advantage of setting upon the soul. When Pharaoh heard that the people were en- tangled in the wilderness, he pursued them. And when Satan sees a soul entangled with its distresses, he thinks it is his time and hour to assault it. He seeks to winnow, and comes when the corn is under the flail.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=