GENERAL APPLICATION. 599 carry the soul so far as this; but when the soul sees evidently the reason why it was corrected; that it was to teach it such a lesson of righteousness, to improve such a grace, and purge out such a sin, then it blesseth God for carrying on his own work in his own' way. When we can discover plainly that these sorrows were sent in kindness to our souls on purpose to wean us from this world, and to prepare us more for the enjoyment of God, then we rejoice that God has done it this way, and we are pleased to see so much grace improved in our souls, though it be by the means of affliction : If we value grace, holiness, and the spiritual life within us, we must bless God forthat whichpromotes, increases, andcar- ries them on toward perfection; and begin that work here in time which we hope to continue to eternity, glorifying and praising God, whose wisdom and justice harmonized and agreed together in this way of bringing us to glory : If we are refined as silver, we shall be glad to have our dross removed, though it be by the furnace of affliction. 5. The soul, when under conviction of the spirit, and when sin is discovered to it under affliction, is usually for ever set against that sin : the soul retains and remem- bers the lesson of duty when it has been instructed in it by an afflicting providence. When Peter, by his self- confidence, by trusting in his-own strength, and boast- ing in his power, was suffered to fall, and when by one look of his Lord was brought to himself, he hated self- confidence ever after, and bids us " pass the time of our sojourning here in fear." The very mention ofa sin for which God has severely corrected us, will be reason of mourning all our lives after : we should abase our- selves at the mention of a sin which the Spirit of God has convinced us of. These are some of the characters of that conviction of sin which the Spirit of God gives us under trouble and sorrow. APPLICATION. I. To all in general. II. To those that are now exercised with afflictions from the hand of God the father. I. To all' in general. -1. Search your own hearts di- ligently to know ifunbelief and ttnregeoeracy be not that, 4
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