580 APFLICTIO S TRYCHRISTIAN GRACES. times more upon me if he pleased, and yet be just still ?" There is nothing gives .us a better senseof God's superio- rity over us, and teaches us to walk more like to such a doctrine as this is, than sore affliction. Then we say, it is fit worms should be patient and submissive under the hand of God, for it is fit he should rule. Let usask our- selves whether we have learnt any of this doctrineby any of our afflictions, whether it has been impressed upon us with power, more than the mere notion of it in our heads : to know it practically, to know it so as to walk conformably to it, is not easily learnt. Reason 2. Another great reason why God afflicts, is for the trial of the graces of his children ; for the trial of their FAITH, their PATIENCE, and their HOPE more especially ; though there is scarce a grace that a saint has but may be tried under afflictions. Faith is tried, for whatever belief we may have, or persuasion of the love and kindness of God towards us when all things seem smooth and easy, yet it is hard to believe that God loves me when he is still striking ; hard to believe that there is continued love lengthened out through many years of sorrow. You find good David ready to faint and sink under this temptation ; he was chastened every morning and therefore his foot almost slipped, he Was ready to fall till he entered into the sanctuary and there was made to confess, God is good to Israel. Job some- times was, in a better frame, " Though he slay me yet will I trust in him." This is a trial offaith indeed, when God is slaying us yet to trust in him, to bequeath our- selves into his hands, whether it be for life or-death, to believe: that he will accept us and deal kindly with us : one end of affliction is, " That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, andhonour, and glory, at the appearance of Jesus Christ. Keeping faith still exercised, bybelieving in his love, and in his promises, and kindness, you cannot but rejoice thoughyew are in manifold afflictions ; then faith shews itself bright indeed : then the eye of faith appears to be strong, when it can look through the many dark clouds, .nd.see the Sun of Righteousness shining and smiling. PAT also is triedunder afflictions. God has a -wind, sometimes to prove a saint, and see how long he
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