320 Affliaionf a catrf ofSpiritualDihuieimentr, Ffal. t 3 0, P.fiiiftions a caufe of fpiritual difquiet- ments. And firfl, fuch difquietments and objet ions againa the peace ofthe foul, and its acceptance with God, will arife from Af- fÏlAions ; they have donc fo ofold, they do fo in many at this day. flfiarions, I fay, greatned unto the mind from their Na- ture, or by their Concomitants do oft-times varioufly affed it, and fometimes prevail to darken it fo far as to ingenerate thoughts, that they are a inefengers of wrath, all tokens of difpleafure, and .fo confeq.le,itly evidences that we are not pardonedor accepted with God. Now this is a time ofgreat Afflictions unto many, and thofe fore of them fkch as have innumerable aggravating circum- ffancesa`compatlirgof them. Some have come with adread- fullfurprizal in things not looked for ; filch as falls not out in the providence ofGod in many Generations. Such is the con- dition of them who are reduced to the utmotl extremity by the late confumingfire ; fume have had their wholefamilies, all their potlerity taken from tl;m in a few daies they havebeen fud- denly bereaved, as in thePlague. .Some in their own perlons, or in their Relations, have had Core, long and grievous tryals fromOpprlions and Perfecutions; and thefe things have va- rious effects on the minds of men. Some we find crying with that wicked King, This evil its ofthe Lord, why fhould we wait any longer for him ? and give up themfelves to Peek relief from their own lulls. Some bear up undo. their troubles with a na- turalffoutnefs of ))irit; Come have received a fanctifCedufe and improvement oftheir trials, with joy in the Lord. But many we find to go heavily under their burdens, having their minds darkned with many mifapprehentions of the Love ofGod, and oftheir ownperfonal intereff in his Grace. It is not therefore unfeafonable to fpcak a little to this Head of trouble in our entrance. Outward troubles, I fay, areoftentimes wit/ions, ifnot the caufes of great inward ditfrefies. You 'know how theSaints of old expreffed their fenfe of them, and conflids with them. The complaintsof David are familiar to all who attendunto anycommunion with God in thefethings ; fo arc 'thofe ofjob, fleman,7oiaah, ,eremiah; and others` neither do they complainonly.'of their troubles, but of the'fenfe which they
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=