AFFLICTIONS TEACH CHRISTIAN DUTIES. 581 will hold out under afflictions ; and this seems to be one end of Job's sorrows, that he might be an eminent in- stance of patience to the end ofthe world. What mani- fests more the soul's dependance and resignation to God than submitting to him under frowning providences ? There is hardly a friend upon earth that we could trust our souls with, and wait for his love if he were still cut- ting and wounding us ; but this we can do with regard to God, when he strikes us,' till he has struck us down to the grave, for then he will strike us no more. HOPE comes, under trial too in great afflictions ; fore then it is, if ever, we begin to examine the ground of our hope, to see whether our hopes ofhappiness be well built or not. There is many a christian that would neglect the duty of self-examination almost entirely, if God did not, now and then, put him in mind of it by the strokes of correction; but thena christian cannot but look into his own soul, and see what there is amiss; he asks then1 Are my hopes well-grounded ?" This is the first thing a saint of God looks for; then is the time to call together all our evidences, and see whether they will amount to one strong one. Let us see then whether these graces are in exercise ; nay, let us see whether we have them at all in us, whether there beany thing of faith in us, whe- ther there be any patience, or ground of hope. Let us examine ourselves this day, for before the evening comes tröuble may come and put these graces under a trial : it is good to have them always in exercise ; but if we ne- glect it, God will strike us to make them minded. When the childof God grows secure and carnal, the providence of God gives him a dreadful shake in all his powers and faculties ; and then there is a search made deep into the soul, what sin and what defilement ought to be removed ; and here it is discovered also what valuable things there are under all this rubbish : and here perhaps some grace appears that is an evidence of a better hope. It is worth our while then to have afflictions, that we may have this grace proved and exercised. Reason 3. To teach us several duties that else perhaps we should neglect or never learn to practise. The prin- ciple of holiness in the heart is the spring of all the duties of life, which according to the calls of divine providence are performed. Holiness, then in general, is to be pro-- 2 P3
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