3 24 .Means ofthe Aggravation ofAfiCtion. Pfal. i 30. ful condition, the went into a Orange Countrey with. an Huf- band and two Sons, where they all dyed, leaving her defitute and poor ; Hence in her account of Gods dealing with her, the (ayes, call me not Naomi (that is pleafant) but call me Mara ( that is bitter ) for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out Full and the Lord brought me again Empty; why then call ye me Naomi fince the Lora hath teftifi:d aainft me ; and the Almighty bath affWed me, Ruth i. 2 o, 21. So was it with job, with the Widdow ofZareptha; and with her at Naimwho was burying her only t hild. And (101 in many Affli6tions God is pleated to put in an entangling ffiecialty, which perplexeth the foul and darkens it in all its Reafonings about the Love of God towards it, and its intereft in Pardon and Grace. 3. In fome ; Affeiions are very strong and Importunate as fixed on lawful things ; whereby their Nature is made fenfible and Mender, and apt to receive véry deep impreilions from urgent Afttions ; Now although this in its fell be a good natural frame, and helps to preferve the foul from that (tout hardnefl which God abhors, yet if it be not watched over,it is apt toperplex the foul with many intangling Tempta. tions. The Apoftle intimates a double evil that we are obnoxi- ous unto under tryals and Afflictions, Heb. r a. 5. My Son, de- fjiife not thou the chaftening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebukçd ofhim. Men may either through a naturalftoutnef?de fpife and contemn their futferings, and be obttinate under thelip, or faint and defpond, and fo come íhort of the end which God aimes at for them, to be attained in a way of duty. Now though the frame fpoken of, be not obnoxious unto the ftrft extream, yet it is greatly to the latter, which if not watched againft, is no lefs pernitieus than the former. Affeaions in fuch perfons being greatly moved they cloud and darken the mind, and fill it with ítrange Apprehenfions concerning God and themfelves. Every thing is prefented unto them through a Glaß compofed of Fear, Dread, Terrour, Sorrow, and all forts of difconfolations. This makes themfaint and defpond, unto very fad apprehenfions of themfelves and their Condi- tions. 4. difftillions
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