STRENGTH MADE PERFECT IN Weakness.  
In Four Sermons Preached By William Hickocks M. A.  
Quandoquidem nobis denegatur diu vivere relinquamus aliquid quo nos vixisse testemur.  Sen. 
LONDON, Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Three Crowns and Bible, at the Lower end of Cheapside, 1674.   

THE EPISTLE TO THE Reader.  
READER,  
THE worthy Author of these Sermons, Mr. William Hickocks, was Educated in the Schools of the Prophets, and that in an happy time, when the envious man was not permitted the Nurseries, and Vine-yards, to poison and spoil them, with the Tares of unsound Doctrines, and evil Examples; and it pleased God to Sanctify his Liberal and Pious Education, that he became not only a good Christian, but also an able Minister, not of the Letter, but of the Spirit. He made the work of his Ministry, the work not only of his Head, but Heart too; shineing with the splendour of Knowledge and Holiness, and burning with very Holy, Well-grounded, Affectionate, Zeal; giving himself to spend, and be spent; ready to impart his very soul and all, in Delivering and Urging his great Master's Errand. Observing his Spirit, (as I had frequent opportunity of Converse with him) I often thought he savoured too much of the other World, to be far from it; and so it was indeed. His Light was too bright and hot to last, his Race too swift and eager to hold; he threw himself with strong girds before his feet, and soon apprehending the prize, left his Body behind. Great Labours, and Public, as well as Personal deep Resentments, exhausted his Spirits, and quickly reduced his Body to the dregs of Melancholy, so that he was often (as Epaphroditus once) sick even to death for the work of the Ministry. God also early called him forth (as David when but a stripling) to grapple with Goliah-like Temptations, wherein indeed he was Conqueror; but yet (as Christ) with great faintness of Spirit: the Lord therefore seeing him weary, took him up in his arms and carried him home, excusing him his otherwise-remaining travel. Oh! how precious had his experiences been, had he had Life and Health to acquaint us with them? Oh! the depth of the Wisdom and Counsel of God, and his ways past finding out! that so fruitful a Tree should not be spared! that a Vessel of Mercy, and Honour, so purged and fitted for his Master's use, should be dashed in pieces, even as soon almost, as it was seasoned and broached! But yet, blessed be God, although the Earthen Vessel be broken, we have not lost all the Treasure; the less it is, that is saved, the more we should make of it; as we carry it towards the Parents of many Children, when they leave but one only little one behind, we account it very dear; especially if it be like the Parent: and truly so is this little Book in thy hand; it being a representation of the Consistency of Faith and Doubting, Fear and Hope, Heaviness and Gladness, in one and the same Godly Person; whereof the Author was a famous Instance, as if this had been his very Temper and Complexion. Behold then here one only little Birth (
* These Sermons being Published as they were taken in Shorthand.  something hurt indeed in the coming forth, for want of better Midwifery, but yet) of many, resembling the Parent, and costing him his very Life. Behold, Reader, I present thee with a taste of the Fruit, under the weight whereof, the Tree did Bend, Break, and Fall; yet shall we answer at last, if we Refuse, or Receive so costly Grace in vain. Oh! what a sad account shall we have to make, if this man of God, and the many others which are lately taken from amongst us, should be gone to Heaven to complain of our Unthankfulness, Vntractableness, unfruitfulness, Vnsteadfastness, etc. whereby we have broken their Hearts. Good Reader, I warn in Paper and Ink, and would more gladly do it in Tears, if the Lord would please to hear Prayers, that we may be Restored to the free Public Exercise of our Ministry, Amen.   
The second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, the second Chapter, the sixteenth and seventeenth Verses. 
16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God even our Father who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace.  
17. Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.  
AS it is the duty of all, when they have the Truth made known to them, to receive it; so much more is it the duty of believers that have received the Truth, to hold it fast: As we are to buy the Truth, so having once bought it, never to sell it; as we are to lay hold on it, so never to let it go: as it is our duty to embrace the Truth, so it should be our care never to let it go, never to leave it.  
The Apostle having in this Chapter, exhorted the Saints to steadfastness, to watchfulness, and carefulness; he presseth his Exhortation, from variety of Motives, taken partly from the Apostasy of those that are seemingly friends to the Truth; partly from the misery of the enemies of the Truth; and then again, in regard of the holiness they were adorned with, and the happiness they should ere long enjoy; and therefore he repeats his exhortation to steadfastness, in the Verse before the Text: [Therefore Brethren stand fast, and hold the tradition (not of men but of God) which you have been taught, (that is those Doctrines you have received) whether from our mouths, or writings, that is from the Apostles, who were infallibly guided by the Holy Ghost: And to this Exhortation he adds Supplication, in the words now read; wherein take notice of four things.  
First, The Persons praying; Paul, Silvanus; and Timotheus.  
Secondly, The Persons prayed for; The Saints of the Church of the Thessalonians.  
Thirdly, The Persons prayed too; and they are two; 

First, God the Son.  
Secondly, God the Father.    
The Apostle mentions the Son first, no● that he is so in order of Nature; but he 〈◊〉 not curious in placing his words, though 〈◊〉 very well knew, that God the Father is the first Person in the Trinity; God even our Father, where we have first, his Love asserted, [who hath loved us] Secondly, declared and illustrated; first, in the effects of it, [and hath given us everlasting consolation] and then in the cause of it, [and good hope through grace].  
Lastly, The Petitions themselves, or Blessings prayed for; and they are two,  
Consolation, and Confirmation.  
Consolation, comfort your Hearts.  
Confirmation, establish you in every good Word and Work.  
My time is but short, the Text is large, and therefore I must but only in many things paraphrase upon the Words.  
[Now our Lord Jesus Christ] Now or first, the Apostle here adds this Supplication to his former Exhortation; from whence I might note First,  
Doct. I. That the Ministers of the Gospel are not only to Preach to, but to pray for the People.  
As they are to speak from God to them, so they are to speak for them unto God: that great Prophet of the Church, our Lord Jesus Christ himself, did not only reveal his Father's mind to his Disciples, but often prayed and that earnestly for them; as in that 17. Joh. and other places.  
Use; And if this be so, then by way of equity, People ought to pray for their Minister; but to pass to the second, after his exhorting them to steadfastness, he goes to Prayer; and it shows thus much, that Paul's exhortations to them, were not sufficient of themselves to establish these Saints, without the grace of God; in as much as these things given in command to steadfastness, is backed by Prayer; it intimates how little these will prevail unless God touch the Heart: from whence we have this Doctrine,  
Doct. II. That Ministers Preaching, without God●s blessing, will do People's souls no good.  
The voice of Ministers in Preaching is but an empty sound, and though it come into our ears, will never reach the Heart, unless the doctrine have efficacy from the Spirit of Truth. Neither Paul or any of his fellow-labourers in the work of the Gospel, will bring people into, or keep them in, the ways of the Lord, unless God bless their labours to that end: none of these blessed Apostles could by any of their own power, by the height or strength of arguments, prevail with them, to obey the Gospel; they could never convert to the Truth, or keep them in the Truth, unless God were pleased to turn their Hearts; this is clear by the Jews under the Old Testament, and the people under the New; the Word of God that came to the Jews, how often doth Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and other Prophets, tell them of their sins, but they would not hear; see how the Lord complains in the 17. Jerem. 25. Since the day that your Fathers came forth, out of the Land of Egypt, unto this day, I have sent unto you, all my Servants the Prophets, daily, rising up early, and sending them; yet they harkened not unto me, etc. for all they had so many messengers from God to them, and this too afterward repeated in several places, yet they did not hearken to God: neither when they were in their own Country, nor in a strange Land: and so in the New Testament, Peter and Paul here, That laboured more abundantly than they all; yet how inefficatious was it to many: when he Preached to the Jews, 13. Acts 45. ver. They were filled with envy, and spoke against those things, that were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming: And so among the Gentiles, instead of prevailing with them to bring them to the Truth, he was persecuted by them, 1 Cor. 3.5, 6. Who is Paul, or who is Apollo; but Ministers by whom you believe: and though he did prevail with many, it was not of themselves, but it was the Lord that gave the increase: your believing, your getting grace, your growing and increasing in holiness, is only through the blessing of God: Therefore when Paul tells us of several places where he did good; he saith, when he came to such or such a place, there was a door opened to him; as a door of utterance to the Apostle, so a door of entrance to the People, that they received the Word of God: and though his commission runs, That he might turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, etc. 26. Acts 18. yet he is only the instrumental cause, God is only the efficient cause; God alone commanded the light to shine out of darkness; he alone that is the heart searcher, is the heart changer; he opened Lydias heart: we need not go far to evidence this Truth, we need not go abroad, but stay at home, to see this sad spectacle; how many faithful Preachers, hath God sent to this Land of ours, for many scores of Years together, scarce any Nation under Heaven, hath had that plenty of Ministers, and Ordinances, that England hath had, and that powerful Preaching, since the Apostles days, that we have had; and yet what little fruit to be seen: How many settled upon their Lees, and will not be brought off? he that was filthy is filthy still: How great are the abominations, Lying, Swearing, Whoring, Drunkeness, etc. How doth the love of many wax cold? How many back-sliding from the Truth, and ways of God, what ever Ministers say to the contrary? People, time after time have been called on to walk after the Spirit, and not after the Flesh, yet they refuse to return: may not the Lord say to us, as to the Jews, Isa. 5.4, 5, 6. verses, What could have been done more to my Vine-yard, that I have not done in it? Wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth Grapes, brought it forth Wild-grapes? I wish we have no occasion to take notice of the words following: vers. 5. And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my Vine-yard; I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up, and break down the wall of it, and it shall be trodden down; vers. 6, And I will lay it waste, it shall not be pruned, nor digged, but there shall come up briers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it; which judgement, God in his mercy prevent: it is true, Ministers may do thus much; save their own souls, by taking heed to their Doctrine, and their lives, and by warning people of their sins; and though Ministers by Preaching, may leave people without excuse, they cannot say at the last day, Lord if we had known our duty we would have done it; Ministers Preaching may add to People's sufferings, they may increase their condemnation another day; but alas, it is not in the power of Ministers, to affect People's hearts, or reform their lives; how earnest then should Ministers and People be, that when the Word of God is Preached, they should pray that the power of God might accompany it; People's prayers should be, that as God would send forth Labourers into his harvest, so that God would make that food that's sent them, to nourish their souls in spiritual life unto life eternal; for man lives not by bread only, but by the Word of God; as natural life is not preserved through bread, without the concurance of God's providence; so neither spiritual life, without the influence of his Spirit; the Sword of the Spirit is only able to strike through our lusts, the weapons of our warfare, are only mighty through God. People had need pray, as for their Ministers, that they may have a door of utterance; so for themselves, that they may have a door of entrance; that with readiness of mind, they may be brought to, and built up in their most holy Faith; that when the Gospel comes by Preaching to them, it may come not only in word but in power of the Holy Ghost.  
Thirdly, Whereas he prays not only to God the Father, but to the Lord Jesus Christ, for these Saint's comfort and establishment: we have this Doctrine,  
Doct. That as God the Father, so the Lord Jesus Christ, is the author of the Saints graces and comfort.  
As the form of the Apostles salutations in most of his Epistles, is grace and peace from God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ; so he concludes generally, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  
Reason, Because Col. 1.19. It pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell: Joh. 1.16. And of his fullness have all we received grace for grace: Col. 2.9. For in him dwelleth all the fullness (not only the fullness of Divinity, but the fullness) of the Deity, of the Godhead bodily: that second Person of the Trinity, who was true Man, was likewise true God, therefore he is the author of all good: from hence then (for it is very remarkable his mentioning the Son) let us (I say) make this use of it; let us honour the Son, as we honour the Father; I and the Father are one (saith Christ) Joh. 10.30. and the Apostle, Phil. 2.6, 7. saith of Christ, Who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men, etc. though he were a creature as he was Man, yet he is true God Creator; as he is God, he is the bestower of the same gifts, as God the Father, and he together with God the Father, doth enable people to leave their sins, and to walk in his ways; this we may see, Ephes. 1.23. and Chap. 2.1, 2. vers. compared, where speaking of Christ, the fullness of him that filleth all in all; and You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, wherein in time past ye walked, according to the course of this World, etc. Christ inables the Saints to make progress in holiness, to proceed in every good Word and Work.  
Fourthly, He directs us what course to take, that we might obtain blessings from God; namely from God.  
Doct. The way to obtain blessings from God, is to seek it of God.  
For the Apostle prevents an objection which they might make; he exhorts them to steadfastness; but they might say,  
Object. How may we do to keep in the ways of God? whence should we have this power?  
He Answers, We may have it from God, and from Jesus Christ, as appears in the Text.  
[Now our Lord Jesus Christ] He doth not say the Lord Jesus Christ, but ours; mark whom he speaks it of, not only of himself (Paul the believer, and Silvanus, and Timothy) but the Saints, the believers of the Church of Thessalonica: from hence observe this Doctrine.  
Doct. True faith doth apply Jesus Changed 〈…〉 as it's own portion.  
Psal. 119.57. Thou art my portion oh Lord: And again, Psal. 16.5. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance: Lam. 3.24. The Lord is my portion saith my soul, therefore will I hope in him. And so true Faith doth apply Jesus Christ to the soul, as it's own portion: Therefore when Thomas (that staggered in his faith) came to confirm it, by putting his hand into his side, etc. he saith, My Lord and my God, Joh. 20. ver. 28.  
Use I. To apply this then, You then that have Faith, prise it; as Christ is called Precious, so likewise is Faith called Precious; it is precious Faith, by which you come to embrace precious Christ; now as Christ is the gift of God, so Faith is the gift of God; and you cannot receive Jesus Christ (who is the gift of God) but by Faith: John 1.12. To as many as received him, he gave power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name; Believing is receiving.  
Use II. Oh than labour for Faith, we can never go to Heaven without Faith; consider what will it advantage you, that he is the Lord Jesus, unless he be your Lord Jesus? what profit is it to you t 〈…〉 e is a Saviour, if he be not your Saviour? we have no ground of comfort, to hear of the Lord Jesus ●…ist, ●till we believe in him, and 〈…〉 m; if we believe not, we m●… die in 〈◊〉 sins: [Our Lord Jesus, or our Saviour] 〈…〉 he word signifies) Our Saviour, 〈…〉 e  
Doct. Christ is our Saviour.  
As he is called often throughout the New Testament; Christ is our Saviour, and he alone; There's no other salvation to be had in any other, Acts 4.12.  
First, Christ is our Saviour, as he saves us from Satan, Ephes. 4.8. He led captivity captive; it is Christ that came to destroy the works of the Devil; and when he did come, he did conquer and overcome principalities and power, Col. 2.15. it's Jesus Christ that recovers sinners out of the snare of the Devil, that's the first.  
Secondly, He saves us from sin, Matth. 1.21. Thou shalt call his name Jesus, (saith the Angel) for he shall save his people from their sins. I might show you both joined together, in the 2. Ephes. 1.2. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this World, according to the Prince of the power of the air, etc. First he saves his people from the power of sin, he sets them into a glorious liberty, Joh. 8.34, 36. (saith our Saviour) He that commits sin, is the servant of sin: and in the 36. verse. If the Son make you free, you shall be free indeed: and (saith the Apostle, Rom. 6.11.) reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin; but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord: 1 Pet. 1.18, 19 Forasmuch as ye know that you were not redeemed from your vain conversation with corruptible things, as Silver and Gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish. Secondly, Jesus Christ saves (as from the power of sin) so from the penalty due to sin, from the punishment of sin; as first from the curse of the Law: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us, Gal. 3.13. secondly, from the wrath of God; 1 Thes. 1.10. Jesus who delivereth us from the wrath to come; 1 Thes. 5.8, 9, 10. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ: Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him: it is he alone by whom we obtain salvation. Let us only apply it in a word.  
Use, How precious then should Jesus Christ be to us? saith the Apostle Peter, Unto you that believe (therefore) he is precious: 1 Pet. 2.7. verse. I! he is your Saviour, He that believeth on him shall not be confounded: Oh! how do captives love their Redeemer? when they see the man that comes to free them out of bondage, how do they love the sight of him? Oh how should sinners love Jesus Christ who is their Saviour! 1 Cor. 16.22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathama, Maranatha: Oh let it not for shame be said, that we love not the Lord Jesus Christ! Oh cursed is that man that loves not Jesus Christ who comes to bring blessedness to him! we should love Jesus Christ, because he is altogether lovely, white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand, Cant. 5.10. none can save us but he. Then again the conexion of the words is very remarkable, the Apostle doth not say our Lord Christ himself, nor our Jesus himself, but our Lord Jesus: he joins Lord and Jesus both together; and what the Scripture joins together, we must not put asunder: from whence we may raise this Doctrine.  
Doct. They whose Jesus is, he is their Lord: (or if you please thus) They to whom Christ is a Jesus, he is a Lord: or, Whom Christ saves, them he rules.  
To whom Christ is a Saviour, to them he is a Governor: Christ 〈…〉 be our Jesus, he is our Lord; if we mistake here, we are undone for ever: Act. 5.31 The Apostle speaking of Jesus Christ, he faith thus, Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, etc. he hath exalted him to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, not only a Saviour but a Prince: they go both together, where Christ is a Saviour there he is a Prince: where Christ gives remission of sins, he giveth power over sin, Rom. 6.14. (saith the Apostle) Sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under the Law but under grace: you that are under the saving grace of the Gospel of jesus Christ, you are set free from sin; not but that you may fall into sin, but it doth not bear sway in your soul; it cannot have its full command, you cannot be led captive to sin.  
Use, Now this may be for a use of trial, to try whether Christ be our Saviour yea or no; examine yourselves, be faithful to your own souls: would you know whether Christ be your jesus or no? ask yourselves this question, is he your Lord or no? is he your Governor? he is the King of Saints, as well as the Saviour of his people: if you follow your lusts, and live in sin knowingly, and willingly walk after the sinful desires of your own hearts, Christ will profit you nothing: you shall find what I say to be true one day, (I wish you find it not by sad experience) if you will not be subject to the holy commands of Christ, do not so much as expect mercy from jesus Christ: for jesus Christ tells you himself, if you will not be ruled by him, he will not save you: if you will not obey his Gospel, he will be a destroyer and not a Saviour to you: remember what he hath said, Luk. 19.27. if you refuse obedience to him, look not for any favour from him: As for those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither and slay them before me. That man that would have his lust's reign, and not me rule over him; bring that soul before me, I will throw him into Hell: Many shall flatter themselves, (as in that 13. of Luk. 25. and come with confidence, saying Lord, Lord, open unto us, etc. let us go into Heaven, but he shall answer, Lord? why call you me Lord? I know you not, whence ye are; but then they shall begin to make apology, and say, we have heard thou art a Jesus, we have eaten and drunk in thy presence, we have been at thy Ordinances, at thy Word and Sacraments; thou hast taught in our streets; but he shall say, ver. 27. I tell you I know you not, you are strangers to me, I never remember you kept my commands. I tell you I will not take notice of you, depart from me all ye workers of iniquity; if you will not take one answer, there's a second, depart from me all ye workers of iniquity; Oh how sad will it be then! therefore now take the advice of our Saviour, ver. 24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many shall seek to enter, but shall not be able. Christ will save only those that obey him; therefore I beseech you let me put this question to you, (for I would fain not have you go to Hell) pray ask your own hearts alone, in secret, is there no known sin committed? is there no known sin I delight in? if thy heart make known to thee that there is, if thou wilt not leave this sin, it is a sign that Christ is none of thine: Rom. 8.2. The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the Law of sin, etc. those that Christ saves, he hath said. Sin shall not have dominion over them: Paul that great admirer of jesus Christ, he tells the people plainly (that they may not flatter themselves) Rom. 8.1. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ, and lest they should mistake, (he saith) that walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit, etc. who though they have their sins, and their failings, yet their desire is to walk not after the lusts of their Hearts, but after the Spirit: for, for all Christ died for sinners, yet if they live and die in their sins, Christ will not save them: if we live after the flesh we shall die, Rom. 8.13. and though it be true, and this be a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, That Jesus Christ came into the World to save sinners; yet know this on the other hand, Jesus Christ did never intent to save those that remain impenitent, hardhearted, and stubborn sinners: that live and die in wickedness, they shall find no mercy: Job professeth his Faith in the Redeemer, yet if he were not his Lord and Governor, woe to him: the Prophet Isa. 3.11. saith, Woe to the wicked, it shall be ill with him; for the reward of his hands it shall be given him: remember this, We shall as surely go to Hell for all Christ died, as if he had never died, if we live and die in sin: therefore, if thou wouldst have Christ a Saviour, make conscience of obeying Christ: Blessed are the undefiled, in the way, (saith the Psalmist) Psal. 119.1. who walk in the Law of the Lord. ver. 8. I will keep thy statutes, oh forsake me not utterly. If thou wilt keep God's statutes, thou mayest expect to be kept safe; and vers. 11. Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee: I, then may we hope to do well: ver. 30. I have chosen the way of truth, thy judgements have I laid before me: ver. 31. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: Oh Lord put me not to shame: and again, ver. 101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word: 102. I have not departed from thy judgements, for thou hast taught me: ver. 162. I rejoice in thy word, as one that findeth great spoils: ver. 163. I hate und abhor lying, but thy law do I love: ver. 166. Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. Then indeed if we make it our business, design and endeavour, to keep the commandments of Christ, we may then hope to see the salvation of God; then and not till then: 2 Titus 11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation, hath appeared: ver. 12. (mark) Teaching us to deny ungodlyness and worldly lusts, and that we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world: ver. 13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, ver. 14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Now this is as well the command of Christ, that they make conscience of their duty to him, as well as to look for salvation from him; therefore if you would have Christ for your Jesus, be sure that he be your Lord, that you do him homage; observe his Laws, and reverence his Name, (not by bowing at the name Jesus) bowing is a note of subjection, and showeth, that all creatures are subject to Jesus Christ; unto the authority of Christ, have respect to all his commands: if people will not, but walk after their lusts, will do wickedly: remember this, that instead of salvation, you must expect (or how ever you will find) destruction, and perdition, as it's called, 1 Tim. 6.9. and Psal. 11.6. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest, etc. For God is angry with the wicked every day, Psal. 7. ver. 11. Christ hath plainly told people, he will be no Saviour to them that refuse obedience to him; Mat. 13.41. Christ tells you what he will do, The Son of man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire, etc. Oh that sinners would believe, what they shall one day feel; that they would now fear and tremble, that they may then be delivered from wrath to come: therefore though thy sins be never so pleasing and delightful to thee, cast it from thee, Mar. 9.43. It is better for thee to enter into life maimed then to bo cast into Hell, etc. Oh let us be wise for our salvation, willing to part with our most pleasing sins, rather than to have our souls destroyed, and cast into Hell; into everlasting burn: think not that Jesus Christ will save you, unless you turn from sin; and therefore pray earnestly that you may be converted, and have your sins blotted out, the 73. Psal. 24. Oh let this be our earnest prayer, That we may be guided by God's counsel, that Jesus Christ may be ours: Joh. 17.6 Thine they were and thou gavest them me, and they have kept my word; then may you be sure he hath promised and prayed for you, ver. 22, 24. Father I will that those whom thou hast given me, those that have kept my word, may be where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me, etc. If Christ be our Lord, he will be our Jesus, but not else.  
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God even our Father, who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.   

Afternoon Sermon.  The 2 of the Thessalonians 2. Cap. 16, 17. Verse. 
16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God even our Father which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace.  
17. Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.  
YOU may Remember, in the morning we took notice of four things: first the Persons praying, Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus: secondly the Persons prayed for, etc. thirdly the Persons prayed to; and that's first God the Son; and secondly God the Father, whose love we have first asserted, and secondly declared: fourthly the blessings prayed for; and the first is Consolation, secondly Confirmation.  
We made entrance on the first Person prayed to, [Our Lord Jesus Christ] not the Lord Jesus, but our Lord Jesus.  
Doct. I. Faith applies Jesus Christ to itself.  
Doct. II. Again, Christ is our Jesus.  
And from the connexion [Our Lord Jesus] we noted, that,  
Doct. III. To whom Christ is a Jesus, to them he is a Lord.  
Whom Christ saves, them he Rules.  
To proceed [and God even our Father] God is often called, as here, so in other places, frequently our Father; not only of Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus; but yours and ours together: you that are Saints, thence note this point,  
Doct. God is the Father of the righteous; or, He is the Father of the Saints.  
God is the Father of all that are truly religious Persons, of all the Disciples of Jesus Christ. Christ after his resurrection, in 20. of Joh. 17. saith to Mary, go to my Brethren and say, I ascend to my Father and to your Father: the Father of our Lord Jesus, and our Father.  
Object. But how shall I know whether God be my Father or no?  
Answ. By these two marks, or signs; by our Repentance, and by our Faith.  
God is the Father of repenting, believing, sinners; though he be the Father of all, in respect of creation, and common mercies; yet God is only the Father (through jesus Christ) of those that repent, 2 Cor. 6.17. Come out from amongst them, and be you separate, saith the Lord, and touch none unclean thing. etc. And I will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord God Almighty: They that leave their sins, and cleave to God with full purpose of heart, have just ground to call God Father. Secondly, To them that believe, Joh. 1.12. To as many as received him, he gave power to become the Sons of God, even to as many as believe on his name. Gal. 3.26. ver. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus: thou that hast an heart to repent of sins, and to believe in the Lord jesus, may'st have comfort, to go to God as thy Father.  
Use I. But to apply this, if this be so, than we may see, first the Saint's dignity, 1 Sam. 18.23. David speaks of this as a great privilege, that he was related to the King, and what do you take no notice of it? seemeth it a small thing to you that I call the King Father? Oh then, what privilege is it to be the adopted Sons and Daughters of the King of Kings.  
Secondly, We may see the Saints safety; consider what God is; and then we shall see what cause of comfort they have that are God's people.  
Consider first, he is of great power, Job 42.2. ver. He can do any thing though never so difficult, nothing is too hard for the Lord; he is the mighty Potentate, he doth whatsoever he pleases: he is mighty in strength, who hath hardened himself against him and prospered? He can bind men's hands, and rule men's hearts, and do what ever he will: Ephes. 3. ver. 20. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above what we can ask or think: who is so great a God as our God? we that fear him: Psal. 77.13, 14. Thy way o God is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? thou art the God that dost wonders, thou hast declared thy strength among the people: Job 11.7. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? Here's thy privilege, if thou have the work of grace wrought in thee, here's thy safety, God is thy Father, that God that never wants power, to defend his people, that is seen in the mount, and will not many times help, till we are in extremity, that his power may then be manifest; safe they are that have God for their Father; he is sufficient to protect them.  
Consider secondly, God is very wise; a wise Father, and that in regard of his knowledge, and in regard of his prudence; he knoweth what ever men do in the World, Job 34.21. For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seethe all his go. Ver. 22. there's no darkness, or shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity can hid themselves: job 12.22. He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death. He knoweth men better than they know themselves; God needeth none to give him intelligence, he knoweth what is done in the secret closet of every one of our hearts: Nay, secondly he is very prudent too, he knoweth how to order his affairs; he is wise in heart (saith Job): that man is wise indeed, that knows how to out-wit the wisest of men: God knoweth how to ensnare the wicked in the works of their own hands, 1 Cor. 4.5. Isa. 44.25. That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh the diviners mad, that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish. Come on (saith Pharaoh) let us deal wisely; but he was out-witted: Exod. 14.28. God turns the counsel of Achitophel into foolishness: God is never at a loss, he knows what to do.  
Consider thirdly, He is a very tender Father too; he is very pitiful, very merciful, a very tender Father, that lays to heart the miseries of his people; when they were in Egypt he pitied them; Isa. 63.9. In all their afflictions he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them, etc. (speaking after the manner of men) they that lay the troubles of others to heart as their own: and he is not thus pitiful only to his Israel, but to all his people: Psal. 103.13. Like as a Father pitieth his Children, so doth the Lord pity those that fear him.  
Nay, Consider fourthly, He is a very careful Father, he minds how it goes with his children: 1 Pet. 5.7. Cast all your care upon him, (saith the Apostle) for he careth for you: you are never out of his eye or thoughts; when Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me; Isa. 49.14, 15. (saith God) Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea they may forget, yet will not I forget thee, etc. The condition, and troubles, and miseries thou art in, are always in my thoughts: Psal. 9.18. The needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever: That's the second, but  
Use III. Hence we may learn our Duty, (If God be the Saint's Father) and what's that?  
First duty, To pray to him: whom should they go to but to their Faither; Be careful for nothing (saith the Apostle) but in every thing let your request be made known to him, by prayer and supplication: Phil. 4.6. and Mat. 7.24. Psal. 145.18. ver. The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him.  
Second duty, Trust in him; whom should we trust, if not our Father? therefore trust in him; Psal. 146.3. Put not your trust in Princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is none help: ver. 5. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: The Scripture denounceth a woeful curse to him that trusteth in any thing but in God; Jer. 17.5. Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm; and ver. 7. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is: God takes notice of those that trust in him, Psal. 33.17. An horse is a vain thing for safety; neither shall he deliver any by his great strength: So long as we trust to ourselves, at any time, for any thing, our case is sad; but none that trusted in the Lord, have any cause ever to be ashamed.  
Thirdly, Let us Honour him (if a Father) and that in three respects: first in our thoughts; have always good thoughts of God, what ever his providences be towards us; Psal. 145.17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, etc. what ever God doth is good, he is just, he is righteous in all those ways, that are most caviled at by men; Job 34.21. He will not lay upon man more than is right; everyman may say in the bitterest cross in the World, God hath not dealt with me after my sins, it's a mercy we are on this side Hell. Secondly, Honour God, as in our thoughts, so in our words; speak well of God, Psal. 118.1. Give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. Psal. 146.1, 2. ver. Praise the Lord oh my soul, while I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises to God while I have a being. Now praising God is honouring of him: He that offers me praise, glorifieth me: Psal. 50.23. Thirdly, Honour him in all our ways: 1 Cor. 10.31. Whether ye eat or drink, whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God: and Mat. 5.16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven: Phil. 1.11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory of God: Be very obedient, obey him willingly, constantly, universally, in all his commands, because he is our Father. Lastly, We that profess ourselves to be God's children: be like him, Be ye merciful as he is merciful; holy as he is holy: But to go on: [Who hath loved us]  
Doct. God loves his People.  
Psal. 145.8. ver. Psal. 147.10, 11. The Lord loves his Saints; Love! I here's love indeed: 1 Joh. 3.1. Behold what manner of love is here, that we should be called the Sons of God: And if this be so,  
Use, Then bless him for his love; thank him for it: Psal. 103.1. Bless the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.  
And that in this respect, First, God loves us undeserved, and that in two respects; first, before we loved him: 1 Joh. 4.10, 19 Herein is love, in that he loved us first: and secondly, God loves us, as before we loved him, so when we had nothing to render us lovely to him: Rom. 5.8. While we were sinners, ungodly, in our wickedness, when we had nothing but sin and corruption in us; not that he loved his people's sins, but their persons: when the whole head was sick, and the whole heart faint, nothing but sores and putrifying corruptions; yet he loved his people though he hated their corruptions; he loved them, and loved them before they had grace. Ephes. 1.4, 5, 6. ver. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will: To the praise of the glory of his grace, etc.  
Secondly, As God loved us undeservedly, so constantly: Jesus Christ having loved his own, he loves them to the end: A friend loves at all times (saith Solomon) in time of adversity, as well as prosperity; there are few such friends in the World, but God is such a friend; he loves his people, when others care not for them: God will love you that are his people, always, at all times; Isa. 54.10. The mountains shall departed, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not departed from thee; neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee. He hath taken you into an everlasting covenant with him; and else where they are called everlasting hills, because they last as long as the World lasteth: but there will come a time, when they shall be broken, and the Earth shall be no more: Oh but his love is everlasting, when time shall be no more.  
Use II. Secondly, If this be so, then let them that have grace, take heed of offending God: a wise man will be willing to please, and loath to displease such a Father as he is; take heed of doing evil in the sight of God, stand in awe and sin not; for all iniquity is abomination in the sight of God; God loves you, oh do not provoke him.  
Use III. Again thirdly, Doth God love his people? then let us love them that fear God and walk in his ways: Ephes. 5.1. Be followers of God, as dear children: God loves the righteous.  
First, Hereby we shall resemble God.  
Secondly, Hereby we evidence our love to God, 1 Joh. 4.20.  
Thirdly, Hereby you will evidence God's love to you, if you love those that are Gods: 1 Joh. 3, 14. We know we are passed from death to life, be 〈◊〉 we love the Brethren: and 18.19. verse. Let us not love only in word but in deed and in truth.  
Use IV. Fourthly, Doth God love his people? then let us not be troubled, though the World hate us, what though men regard us not, remember this, if thou fearest God, God loves thee, rejoice in this oh Saints! thou that art the servants of God, though thou art not the favourite of great men, thou art the favourite of the great God. [And hath given us everlasting consolation] Everlasting consolation, that is everlasting happiness; everlasting life: it is therefore called everlasting consolation, because the happiness of man's life, is the comfort of his life: comfort in Scripture and consolation, is taken for happiness. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted: Mat. 5.4. That is, they shall be brought into that glorious happiness: Luk. 16.25. Son remember, that thou in thy life time, receivest thy good things, and Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted and thou art tormented: He is comforted, that is, he is made blessed, as appears in the opposition of the words, but thou art tormented; Luk. 6.21. Blessed are you that weep, but you shall laugh: it is not taken in that sense, we commonly take laughing in; but ye shall be made happy, that is the meaning: and so 〈◊〉 24. Woe to you that are rich now, for you have received your consolation: 〈…〉 are rich in self conceit, in pride 〈…〉 vain glory, that boast in the multitude of your riches, you have received your consolation; (as if he should say) you have all the happiness you are like to have; they shall have no more: From whence this Point,  
Doct. God hath given his people everlasting happiness.  
God hath given it them in the promise of the Word: Luk. 12.32. Fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom: and ere long they shall have the performance of it, God is giving everlasting consolation, it is not long ere thou shalt receive it.  
Use, And if it be so, then be not dejected at short tribulation, and the troubles you meet with in the World, why? though you be afflicted for a moment, Yet the rod shall not always lie upon the back of the righteous, Psal. 125. and Psal. 126.5. They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy: Psal. 30.5. Weep may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning: the night of this World may be a night of affliction, but in the morning we shall have joy and comfort; Joh. 14.1. Let not your hearts be troubled (saith our Saviour); and we know saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 5.1. When this earthly tabernacle shall be dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, etc. as soon as you die, your trouble shall end, and your joy then gins; and then no man shall be able to take that joy from you; Joh. 16.22. God will hid his face from you no more; Isa. 54.7. For a moment have I hid my face from thee, but with great Mercies will I gather thee.  
[And good hope through grace] this is taken two ways,  
Doct. I. As God gives his people everlasting happiness, so he gives them hope of it. Rom. 15. vers. 13.  
He is called the God of hope: as the object of our hope, so the Author of it,  
Secondly, Good hope.  
Do. II. The Saints hope of happiness is a good hope:  
Good in the rise of it, the work of God: in the nature of it; the work of the Spirit: in the end of it; it makes People good, therefore let us all labour for it,  
Doct. III. The ground of People's hope of Everlasting happiness, is merely through the grace of God.  
The Saints everlasting happiness, is from the free grace of God. Rom. 6.23. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord Ephe. 2.8. For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. And if it be so.  
Use Why then I mighty show you, it is not from man's deserving, that he hath happiness, man cannot merit Heaven, it is not from the desert of man; for man's merit, and God's free grace, are quite opposite, one to another. I should have shown the folly of that opinion, that hold men may merit happiness from God.  
For First they must do that which is good.  
And Secondly that only.  
And Thirdly by his own strength.  
Fourthly, more than he ought to do.  
And Fifthly, the works must be Proportionable to the happiness he expects.  
But First, no man can do good, for we are born evil. Secondly, not only good, for in many things we offend all. Thirdly, we are not sufficient of ourselves. Fourthly, if we could do what we should, yet not more than we are bound: for we have but done our duty Luk. 17.7.8.9.10. Read it at your leisure; doth the Master thank is servant, etc. I trow not, etc. Fiftly, if he could do more than God requires of him, his work could never be so good as to call for such a reward of everlasting happiness: there's no Proportion, between the little good we Creatures can do, and that happiness God hath laid up, for them that fear him: it is an Opinion that hath neither Religion, nor reason, in it, and such as some of the Papists themselves have been ashamed of.  
[Comfort your hearts] whereas the Apostle prays for these blessings, we may observe this Doctrine.  
Doct. God's people, have need of Comfort in this World, as well as grace.  
I say not as much need; mistake me not: not so much need, and that in two respects.  
First, they may serve God without Comfort, but cannot serve him without grace: they may serve God, though God hid his face, and thereby excercising their patience.  
Secondly, they have not so much need; because they may be saved, without Comfort, but they cannot without grace: it is not said, the Mourners shall be destroyed, but the Transgressors. Psal. 37. vers. 38. Without Holiness none shall see the Lord: but he saith not, without Comfort none shall see God: it is possible, though not usual, for a Child of God, to live and die without comfort, that is; without any manifestation, of the love of God to him; God may hid his face from him all his days: Heman complains, that holy and wise man, that he had been afflicted, with terrors from his youth: and so Job and David, how long lay they under afflictions, without comfort.  
Saith one that was upon his Deathbed, and could find no Comfort: did you ever read of any one that upon his Deathbed had no comfort (if he were the Child of God) that God hide his face from? and he was answered, yes: saith he, one he had, and that was the Son of God himself, who, when he was ready to give up the Ghost cried out, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me.  
But they have need of comfort, in two respects; first, because they will have much trouble in the world Psal. 34. vers. 19 Many are the troubles of the Righteous; 1. Cor. 15.19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we were of all men most miserable. 2. Tim. 3.11.12. And all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer Persecution.  
Secondly, without comfort, their hearts will be ready to fail them: Gods peoples natural strength is but like to that of other men's: therefore if they have not strength given them from above, (having more troubles than others) they were never able to bear up. Joh 16.33. when Christ tells them he is going out of the world, he gives them a Cordial before hand to prevent their fainting: In the World you shall have trouble, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the World: and in the, 14. 15. 16. Chapters are several Cordials which he gave them, to support their hearts, as seeing he left them in a troublesome World: and therefore he promiseth them; that when he was gone he would send them a comforter. Joh. 14.16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, even the Spirit of Truth, etc. the Second Doctrine, from hence, in that he prays that God would Comfort their hearts, is this:  
Doct. II. Christians in time of trouble ought to pray to God to comfort them.  
Reason I. And that First, because none else can comfort them.  
Reason II. Secondly, because God hath comforted his People, when they have been in trouble: my flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. Psal. 73.26. and Psal. 94.17. Unless the Lord had been mine help, my soul had, long since dwelled in silence. and vers. 18. 19 22. when I said my foot slippeth, thy mercy oh Lord, held me up in the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts refresh my soul, but the Lord is my defence: and my God is the Rock of my refuge.  
Reason III. Thirdly, pray to God for comfort, for as he hath comforted his people in the old, so in the new Testament, 2. Cor. 1.3. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; the Father of mercies, and the God of all Comfort, ver. 4. 5. who comforteth us in all our Tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, with the same Comforts, wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God; for as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our Consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And again, God hath promised, he will still comfort his people: he will suit comforts, according to the troubles his people are in. Isa. 66.13. As one whom his Mother Comforteth, so will I comfort you, etc. as a tender Parent her Child, if but little faith, weak in grace; God will comfort his according to their trouble. Joh. 14.18. I will not leave you Orphans, (so the word signifies) now that we may have comfort in trouble, let us repent those sins that are the cause of our trouble, he that confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall have mercy: God doth not willingly afflict his people, let us therefore be humbled for our sins, and for the sins of others: for the sins of the Nation, for our Sodom sins: Pride, Idlness, and fullness of Bread: let's be humbled, for our earthly mindedness, luxury, carnal security, for our not prising the Gospel, abusing the Gospel, turning the grace of God into wantonness; let us be humbled, for our own sins, [the sins of our Relations, of our families: that we have not loved the Simplicity of the Gospel, that we, could not endure plain powerful Practical Preaching of the Word, if not curiously Cooked, and finely dressed, the food of our Souls would not down with us; Oh! let us be humbled for all our sins that is the way to have comfort, take the Council of the Apostle James: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Jam. 4. ver 10. and then we may expect these three Cordials; to comfort us.  
First, God will be with us in all our troubles.  
Secondly, God will do us good by them.  
And lastly, he will bring us out of them.  
First, if we humble, and repent us of our sins, God will be with us, in our troubles; who ever thou art, and what condition soever thou art in. Isa. 43. vers. 2. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the Rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. God will be with his People, underneath shall be his everlasting arms: God was with his People of Old in Egypt, in the Wilderness, in Captivity: he was with Daniel, in the Den; with Paul, and Silas, in the Stocks; with Peter, in Prison, with John, in Pathmos.  
Secondly, God will do us good by our trouble. Rom. 8. vers. 28. All things shall work together for good to those that love God, etc. and in very faithfulness thou hast afflicted me, (saith David) and it is good for me that I have been afflicted, etc. and who can harm you if you do well; saith Paul; God will draw us off from sin, by it, make us meet to be partakers of Heaven; our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  
Thirdly, God will in due time, bring you out of trouble, God will not always leave his People in trouble: the Rod of the wicked shall not always rest upon the back of the righteous: and Psal, 34.4. I sought the Lord, and he heard me and delivered me, and vers. 17. The Righteous cry: and the Lord heareth; and delivereth them out of all their troubles; Oh let's labour to have an humble Spirit! to be affected with and humbled for our sins; and a praying Spirit, and God will deliver us: wait but for a time, etc. It is good for a man to wait and quietly to hope for the Salvation of the Lord. Lam. 3.26. For God will not suffer us to be tempted, above what we are able: but will make away to escape. But to go on. [And establish you] etc.  
Doct. Christians should labour to be Established.  
First, in every good word, let your speech be always seasoned with grace: our discourses should never be frothy but Savory. Eph. 5.3.4. Foolishness, and filthy talking let it not be once named, saith the Apostle: and (by the way) take heed of deriding Scripture, of jesting with Scripture Phrases: but the meaning of the words is, that you may be established in the Truth of the Gospel; that is in all Doctrinal and Practical truths: the meaning is, I pray (saith the Apostle) that you be not led a side, by the error of the wicked, either in regard of unsound Opinions, or unholy conversation; hold fast the form of sound words, walk in the truth, with well doing; buy the truth and sell it not: labour to be sound in God's statutes in regard of your judgement, and sincere in your practices. I should have given you many Motives, to press you to this duty of stablishing.  
Motive I. This will be to the honour of God, and make the world believe, that God is in this People of a truth: certainly, there's a God in Heaven, that makes his People on Earth to be steadfast in their service of God: that they will not turn aside from the commands of God.  
Motive II. Again, this will be the joy, of Ministers here and hereafter, 3. Epistle of Job. ver. 4. I have no greater joy, then to hear that my Children walk in truth: and Paul tells us, of these Thessalonians, that their steadfastness did comfort him in all his afflictions. 1. Thes. 3.7.8.9. Therefore my Brethren, we were comforted over you, in all our afflictions, and distress, by your faith: for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord: for what, thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy, wherewith we joy, for your sakes before our God: I this will rejoice our hearts indeed, if you hold fast: stand fast, and we cannot tell how to be thankful enough to God for it: oh; what a joy is this that God hath honoured us so far, that the word of God in our mouths, was not in vain; but that People continue in the truth: and, so it will be, the Ministers joy hereafter: 1 Thes. 2.19.20. For what is our hope, or joy or Crown of rejoicing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at his coming? for ye are our glory and joy. There will be the glory of Ministers, when they come before the judgement seat of Christ: when they can say, Lord here am I, and the Children thou hast given me; and then to conclude with that, Phil. 4.1. Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved, and longed for, my joy and Crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.  
Motive III. And lastly, this will be for your comfort, in this World, and in another world: by this you will make your calling and election sure, 2 Pet. 1.11. And so an entrance shall be Ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom, etc. and that you may be so.  
Means I. First, labour to converse much in the Scriptures, do but as they direct you and you will not do a miss, this was the commendation of the Bareans: they were called Noble, because they searched the Scriptures; most People err from the truth not knowing the Scriptures, Psal. 1. Therefore if you would not walk in the Counsel of the ungodly, not stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful, let your delight be to meditate in the Law of the Lord. 1. Joh. 4.1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the Spirits, whether they be of God: try them, how? Try all Doctrines▪ bring them to the Touchstone, to the word; take no Opinion upon trust: weigh Opinions in the balance of the Sanctuary; Isa. 8.20. To the law, and to the Testimony etc. and 2 Pet. 1.19. We have a more sure word of Prophecy, whereunto you do well to take heed, etc.  
Means II. Secondly, if we would be established: let us be very watchful, and that the rather, because unsound Doctrines, and ungodly Practices are very suitable to our corrupt Natures; be watchful that you may be strengthened in the ways of the Lord: take heed that you fall not from your own steadfastness.  
Means III. Thirdly, be earnest with God in prayer: that he would establish you, and that.  
Reason. I. First, because none can establish you but God, Joh. 15.5. Without me you can do nothing: there is so much unbelief remains in the heart of the best men in the World, that we shall soon departed from God, unless he keep us: therefore, we must watch our hearts: Now he that stablisheth us with you, in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God: 2 Cor. 1.21.  
Reason II. Secondly, let's pray to him, for stablishing, because he hath promised to establish his People in every good ●ord and work: though God's people my backslide for a time, yet if they belong to God he will humble them, for their sins, it shall cost them dear, and as Paul prays for it, 1 Thes. 3.13. That they might be established: so he tells them of God's promise. Phil. 1.6. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good Work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: and 2. Thes. 3.3.4. The Lord is faithful, who shall establish you and keep you from evil.  
Means IU. The last direction I shall give you, look to recompense of reward; (Heb. 11.) that made Moses, leave all the pleasures of the World, the pleasures of sin which were but for a season; look to that reward to them that keep close to his commands, Psal. 84. vers. 11. For  Lord God is a Sun and Shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold, from those that walk uprightly: now what would you have more? what can you desire more? Walk but uprightly, God will never disappoint you: you may believe him, Jam. 1.12. Blessed is the man, that endureth Temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the Crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him: I shall conclude all this Exhortation, with the Direction and Exhortation of the spirit of God, Rev. 2.7. To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the Tree of life, and verse. the 10. Be faithful to the death, and I will give thee a Crown of Life: Oh, take notice of the advice, given to the Church of Philadelphia: Rev. 3.11. Hold fast that thou hast, that no man take thy Crown: and Rev. 22.12. Behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me to give every man, according as his Work shall be: God will render to every man according to his Works: Rom. 2.7. To them who, by patiented continuance in well doing, seek for glory, honour, and immortality, eternal life; Eternal life, should be the end of all our Preaching, and your hearing, so the Apostle: Rom. 10.1. Brethren, my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved: this was the portion of Scripture I first took to discourse upon, when I first came amongst you: and the desire of my Soul was, that your Souls should be saved; and I desire still, that I, and my People may serve the Lord: and therefore I wish, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all: and the Lord grant that they which love not grace may have grace wrought in their hearts: and that you that have grace, may grow in grace, more and more: I wish even your perfection: I dare not appeal unto Heaven as Paul, Act. 20. but this I pray: that your love may abound more and more, in knowledge and in all judgement: 1 Thes, 5.23. And the very God of peace, sanctify you wholly, and I pray God, that your whole Spirit, Soul and Body, may be perserved, blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Heb. 13.20 21. and the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant: make you perfect in every good work, to do his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ.  
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God even our Father, who hath loved us, and hath given us Everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and Work. Amen.  
FINIS.   
1 Pet. 1. vers. 6. 
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season (if need be) ye are in heaviness through manifold Temptations.  
THough many Saints have but a small Portion in this World, yet there is allotted to them a goodly heritage in another world: though they are not filled with the good things of the earth, yet they are promised (which is better) the glory of Heaven though they have but a little in Possession, yet they have much in reversion, and though many of them be Poor many times as to the things they have in hand: ye they are very Rich as to what they have in hope. These Saints to whom Peter Writes, were Pilgrims and Strangers here on Earth; scatttered up and down the World, they had no certain abode, no continuing City, yet they soug●… on that was to come, they looked for a City whose Builder and Maker was God; Silver and Gold; many of them either had none, or very little; and as to the Possessions of the Earth, their Portion was not great: Houses and Lands they were either denied or deprived of, they suffered the Spoiling of their goods, yet they were begotten to a lively hope, unto an inheritance better than this world affords, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled that fadeth not away; reserved in Heaven for them and that they might know it was not only reserved, for them but to be obtained by them the Apostle tells them, They should be kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation; which now as it was promised them should ere long be manifested, ready to be revealed in the last time, and the Apostle having showed what they had hopes of, he shows what effect this their hope had upon them; namely much joy and Alacrity in the minds of their present Sufferings and Calamities; as the words I have read do declare unto you: Wherein ye greatly rejoice, etc.  
In which Verse we may Observe,  
First, The Christians great Joy.  
Secondly, The Christians great Sorrow.  
I. You have here believers great Joy, arising from hopes of their future Salvation, in these words, Wherein you greatly rejoice.  
II. The Christians or the Saints great Sorrow arising from sense of their present tribulation, Ye are in heavyness through manifold temptations.  
Which Heaviness, or which Temptations, are set forth  
First, By the time of them.  
Secondly, By the ground of them.  
I. By the time of them, and that is declared in these words, Now for a season.  
II. By the ground of them, and that is supposed or intimated, If need be. Wherein you, etc.  
Wherein, that is in the hopes of Heaven, in the hopes of their inheritance, in the hopes of the glory of God, and that eternal Salvation that was promised to them, and expected by them; as the 4. and 5. verses do declare.  
Wherein you greatly rejoice; you, though others do not, yet you rejoice; others do not rejoice in the hopes of Heaven, they have no right to it, no hope of it, they have no ground to expect it, it is not promised to them, nor no ground have they to look for it; but you that are the elect, the chosen, the called people of God; you that were as elected by the love, so sanctified by the Spirit of God. 2. ver.  
Wherein, that is in hopes of the glory of God, you rejoice, you greatly rejoice, you triumph for joy. Though now for a season, or though now for a little time, you are in heaviness, or in grief, through manifold temptations, troubles and trials, you have in the World.  
The words are not difficult, they may afford us these six Instructions.  
From hence we might Observe, You are in heaviness through manifold temptations.  
First, That the people of God in this world, are exercised with manifold temptations.  
Secondly, That the Saints of the most high, or the people of the great God, and his peculiar People, are sometimes in heaviness through their manifold temptations.  
Thirdly, That the temptations true Christians are exercised withal: shall be but for a season.  
Fourthly, That there is need why God's People sometimes should be in this heaviness, should be exercised through manifold temptations.  
Fifthly, That when God's people are in heaviness, when they are exercised with manifold temptations there is need of them.  
Sixthly, That they that fear God should rejoice in hope of their eternal Salvation, though now they be in heaviness through manifold temptations.  
I shall begin with the first and be but brief in it. You are in heaviness through manifold Temptations, manifold temptations, it seems are your portion, the Doctrine that lies plain before us is this.  
First, That God's people in this World are often under many temptations. Many temptations, or divers temptations as the word is elsewhere Translated. James. 1. vers. 2. Count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations. In opening this truth I shall endeavour very briefly to answer these to Queries.  
First, What is meant here by temptations?  
Secondly, How it may appear that the godly are exercised, or annoyed by divers temptations, or manifold temptations?  
First, What we are to understand by temptations?  
Answer, To that I answer this word temptation is taken several ways in Scripture; but there are two Sorts of temptations that are especially mentioned in the sacred Word of God; there are temptations to evil, and temptations by evil; temptations are taken, either for an allurement unto Sinning, or for Chastisement by suffering, either for temptations to Sin, or temptations to Sorrow.  
Temptations are taken sometimes, for temptations unto Sin, so in Scripture often; to mention but some few places now, so we are to understand it in that place in that blessed form of Prayer (that may be well used if not abused as too often it is) Mat. 6.13. We are taught to pray, lead us not into temptation; that is, lead us not into temptation to Sin, and so the Apostles sense is in what he saith. 1 Tim. 6. vers. 9 They that will be rich, fall into temptation, they that are resolved they will thrive, and prosper in the World whatever comes of it, which way soever they get it, they fall into temptation, that is as the words following explain it, into a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in perdition, and destruction. Now in this sense it is true the godly have manifold temptations, the best of men are not sometimes without the strongest and greatest temptations: temptations unto Sin, they are often tempted, by the Devil, and by the World, and by their own Hearts, to sin, and that in several kinds, the Act of sin, the Practices of sin, the Course of sin, they are often tempted to cast of the fear of God, and service of God; so Job was, though he did not hearken to, and was not overcome by that temptation; but of these temptations it is not meant here.  
Secondly, As there are temptations to sin, so there are temptations to sorrow, as there are temptations to doing evil; so there are temptations in suffering of evil, and so temptations in Scripture are put for crosses, and troubles, and afflictions that the godly meet with in the world, and St. Paul's troubles, amongst his enemies the Jews, are called his temptations, Acts. 20. vers. 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations which befell me by the laying in wait of the Jews. Many troubles that he met with through that cross and perverse People that he Preached often unto, and so the Exhortation of the Apostle James is to be understood, James. 1. vers. 2. My brethrens count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations, that is, not when you are tempted to many sins, but when you are afflicted through many troubles; though you meet with many crosses in the world, yet do not be troubled, but rejoice, at it is, vers. 12. Blessed is the man that endures temptation: that is blessed is the man, happy is the person that endures Persecutions, afflictions for godliness sake, for the Gospel's sake, that is willing to suffer, hath a heart to suffer, and strength to suffer, in the ways, and service of God, and so the time of temptation in this sense is taken for trouble, for the time of Persecution, for the time of affliction, and so our Saviour opens this Phrase Luke. 8.13. vers. compare it with Mat. 13.20.21. vers. what in the former place in Luke, is called temptation in Matthew; is called Persecution and Tribulation; what one saith when temptation comes, the other calls it Tribulation, or Persecution arises, by and by he is offended, and so we are to understand temptations here in the Text, manifold temptations, that is, manifold afflictions, variety of troubles, and Calamities, all sorts of crosses which are therefore here called by the name temptation, because men are tempted or tried by them, they try men's faith, and love, and obedience; they discover their sincerity, and integrity. So much for the first here, what is meant by temptation.  
Secondly, How it doth appear that the godly are exercised with manifold temptations? This I might show by an Induction of particulars, by testimony of Scripture, and by instances in the several sorts of temptations, or troubles that the godly are afflicted with in this World.: I will speak to one or two; take one Testimony of Scripture for it a few places I shall mention, Psal. 34.19. Many are the afflictions of the Righteous. 2 Cor. 4.8. We are troubled on every side, Psal. 88.3. My soul is full of troubles, Psal. 25.17. The troubles of my heart are enlarged.  
As soon as ever men begin to be good, to lead good lives they are apt to see bad days in some senses. Heb. 10.32. After you were illuminated you endured a great fight of afflictions. After you were brought to the saving knowledge of God troubles were, presently your Portion, the cross is the constant companion of the Gospel.  
I might show further from whence it is, from the malice of the Devil, the rage of wicked men, the sins of our own hearts, the wise providence, the merciful providence of the good God towards his people, they have troubles and temptations in all kinds, of out ward man, of inward man, in friends, in enemies, in their persons, in their relations, possessions, what ever they have that is near and dear to them; but I cannot stand on ●…iculars, let me only mention one, that ●…e temptation that the Text mentions, and that is the temptations that happen to the Saints here through Persecution, for those whom the Apostle writes to 1 Pet. 1. they were scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bythinia, driven up and down for the Gospel's sake, to save themselves from the hand of wicked men, and amongst many temptations this is one, the temptation of Persecution, this is the common temptation of the Gospel, of them that profess and believe it, and endeavour to live according to it; wicked men do what they can, that hate godliness themselves, to discourage others from it, and discover their malice not only in bad Language, but in the base usage of them that fear God. I might show as to malicious reprocahful Language how common a condition this hath been for all the Saints in all times, let them be never so good they shall be ill spoken of; and they that are the greatest blessings to the places where they live shall be looked upon as the great stroublers of it, as they said thou art he that troublest Israel, whereas wicked Ahab and his Idolatries brought their misery upon them. And so Jeremy he must be ill spoken of, he was the man that did all the mischief in his days, whereas poor man what did he do, he did only pray for them, and Preach to them, and tell them of those sins that brought those evils upon them, and yet he must be accounted 〈◊〉 man that was the Author of all their mise●… no place is fit for him but the Prison, or the Dungeon; and so Paul and Silas, Acts. 17.5.6. when they came to preach the Gospel they raised up against them the worst, and the base sort of the people, and they must revile them, these are they that turn the World upside down: alas what had they turned upside down: but men's lusts and the Devil's Kingdom, the Devil knew that well enough and therefore he so much opposed them; alas they are so far form being the disturbers that they are the quieters of a Land; they do not overthrow but uphold kingdoms, the holy Prophets and the holy People of God are the Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen thereof, and when once they are removed then ruin may be expected; they are the only means that God makes use of sometimes to keep of misery from a people; let but Lot go out of Sodom and then Fire, and Brimstone comes down from Heaven upon them; while Jeremy continues praying the Lord forbears punishing; but when God would bring his judgements, then, there comes, pray not for this people, This is the common Portion of God's people, they must be thought the troublers of the place, they are the men that do all the mischief, that bring all the calamities, as if nothing but holiness was the ruin of the world, etc.  
But that is not all, the bad Language they give them, but the bad usage they meet with is the great temptation, and trouble that the people of God are annoyed by, they do not only open their mouths against them, but they stretch forth their hands to vex them; God's people they are the Butt for them to shoot the Arrows of their fury against, Lord saith David, Psal. 3, 1. How are they increased that trouble me. Many are they which rise up against me, Gal. 4.29. and it was not their case alone but saith the Apostle, as than he that was borne after the flesh persecuted him that was borne after the spirit, even so it is now: and so it will be to the end of the World, these two seeds will never agree, wicked men hate the godly at their hearts, and when they have power, and opportunity, they will manifest the hatred of their spirits by the incivilities they will do them, they will vent their malice, the fury and rage of their hearts in their bud deal with them, 2 Cor. 11.24.25. Not only the persons that knew not God, but the Jews that pretended acquaintance with God, they were Paul's great adversaries. This is the condition of God's people, they shall be exercised with great temptations, with Persecutions in the world. David tells us, 1 Sam. 26.20. He was hunted as a Partridge in the Mountains. Psal. 102.6.7. I am like a Pelican, (saith the Psalmist) of the Wilderness, I am like an Owl of the Desert: I watch and am as a Sparrow alone upon the House top: and Paul tells us of those brave men, those choice Saints, even those, the World was not worthy of, Heb. 11.36. They had trials of cruel, mockings and Scourge, yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment, they were stoned, they were Sawen asunder, were tempted, were slain with the Sword, etc. The land was not able to bea●e their words and their lives; and Paul saith this was his case, 2 Cor, 11.23. He was in stripes above measure, in Prisons more frequent, in deaths oft, of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one, thrice was I beaten with Rods, once was I stoned, etc.  
And it was not his case alone but of other Saints, not only in his time, but all others must in one kind; or other suffer and in this sense, All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution: either the Persecution of the hand, or the Persecution of the Tongue, be reproached and vilified, if not abused, and imprisoned; if not in reference to their liberties, and estates, yet in one kind or other they shall be annoyed; Nay the godly many times are molested and wronged by those from whom they may in most reason expect the most civility, Psal. 41.9. My own familiar friend in whom I trusted which did eat of my bread hath lift up his heel against me. See how many loved Christ, and see how many of his servants, as Christ saith among the Twelve there was a Judas, Mat. 26.21. Verily I say unto you that one of you shall betray me, and they were exceeding sorrowful and began every one of them to say to him Lord is it I? and he answered and said, he that dippeth his hand with me in the Dish, the same shall betray me. Nay we read the first man that ever was born in the world that was a good man was a persecuted man; he was persecuted to the death, and that by his own brother, Joh. 1 3.12. Cain was of that wicked one and who slew his Brother? and wherefore slew he him? because his own works were evil, and his Brothers good. One would think he should rather have preserved him, no, such was the wickedness of his spirit, that that was the cause that he could not be quiet until he was destroyed: his own works were evil, and his Brothers good, and the Apostle makes the Application in the 13, vers. marvel not my brethren if the World hate you: If you fear God and are willing to serve him be, sure the World will hate you, those that are nearly related to you, you may expect they will be injurious to you.  
Saith Christ to his Disciples, think not that I am come to send peace on the Earth (but the fruit of the Gospel is peace) but the Sword (that is trouble will follow that) I am come to set a man at variance against his Father, and the Daughter against her Mother, and the Daughter in Law, against her Mother in Law, and a man's foes shall be they of his own house, The Preaching of the Gospel is not the cause, but only occasion through some men's embracing of it, whom God gives grace to, and others rejecting and opposing of it, it doth occasion divisions amongst those that are naturally most united; there is a caution given; Jer. 9.4. take ye heed every one of his neighbour and trust ye not in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders, i. e. raise false reports of you, and bring you to suffer unjustly; though every brother and every neighbour will not; yet many neighbours and many relations will do so. That's one great temptation that the people of God have in reference to wicked men's persons.  
Secondly, In regard of Satan's temptations they have many troubles too. For those whom Satan knows he cannot destroy for ever, he will do what he can to disturb here, and though he cannot destroy them, yet he will affright them here. Temptations of troubles are the portion of God's people in this world.  
Use, The meditation or thought of this truth may be useful both to those that are in a prosperous, and them that are in a suffering Condition.  
If God's people be under many troubles, many temptations in this world, than you that fear God and yet prosper, let the consideration of this stir you up to a twofold duty.  
First, To expect troubles, to expect temptations how ever you flourish in your out ward man yet do not think prosperity will always last. While God blesses his people with comfort, and mercy, bless him; and praise him, but look for an alteration, expect a change. They that at present enjoy their ease, and safety and liberty, and have many comforts, and delights in the world, O use the world but do not abuse it in those blessings God gives you, but rejoice as though you rejoiced not, remembering, it will not be always thus with you. Think upon this truth, temptations and trials will befall you, sooner or later, troubles will be all our portion, remember the days of darkness are a coming, the time of suffering will come before we go out of this world. Saith Christ in the World you shall have trouble but in me you shall have peace.  
Though hitherto many of God's people may have met with no considerable temptations, yet they may have their share of them, they may have many of them; let not those that are in a prosperous Condition, in any respect let them not always expect Halcyon days, the clouds may soon gather, a storm may come before we are ware, and trouble is many times nearest, when we think it furthest off.  
Secondly, As we should expect temptation, and expect trouble; so let us prepare for trouble. Get yourselves furnished with those graces that may sure your conditions, that you may not be overcome by temptation; O pray, get a stock of holiness that may stand you in stead in the evil day, and in the hour of temptation; O be not without faith and meekness, etc. that we shall have so much need of in the time of trouble. The Scripture tells that we are pilgrims and strangers here on earth, as all the godly were in all times, we have a long journey to take from Earth to Heaven, we must pass through the Sea of this World, and the Winds will blow, O let us be prepared against a storm for we must meet with fowl weather, Acts. 20.22.23. Paul tells the Elders of the Church of Ephesus, behold I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem not knowing the things that shall befall me there, (only one thing he knew) Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every City, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. What success I shall have in Preaching I cannot tell, or what other things may happen, but I am sure to meet with troubles here; and why should we expect otherwise then this good man did; Now we had need be prepared against them, for in every place we are like to find them.  
Secondly, Let them that suffer in the world take heed of rash judging themselves; let no Person think that his case is bad because his condition is sad, let no Person think he his none of God's people because he meets with so many troubles, you, saith the Apostle, are in heaviness through manifold temptations. Let us not think that God doth not love us because he doth afflict us, Paul was a precious servant of Jesus Christ, one that knew Jesus Christ, and loved him, and yet afflictions and troubles every where were his portion, Heb. 12.7. If you endure Chastisements God deals with you as sons for what son is he whom the Father Chastens not? It is not a sign of the hatred but of the love of God; whom the Lord loves he Chastens, and whatever troubles we may meet withal in this world, 1 Pet. 5.9. remember this, the same afflictions are accomplished in our brethren in the world.  
Secondly, You are in heaviness through manifold Temptations, not only have them, but you are sensible of them: from whence the Doctrine is.  
Observe, That the Saints may be in heaviness through their manifold temptations.  
You are in heaviness, or you are sadned, you are grieved. God's people may have their spirits much sadned through the variety of troubles they meet with in the world. The word in the Text you are in Heaviness, or you are sadned comes from a word that signifies such grief as brings tears into the eyes; such a grief as is expressed by weeping; you are those that even cry, your grief is such that causes tears; I the thought of the great troubles you meet with hath such sorrow and grief, not only the troubles of the soul but the troubles that God's people meet with in the world they much sadden their spirits and much grieve their hearts, Psal. 6, 6, 7. David speaks of his Temptations, saith he, I am weary with my groaning, all the Night make I my Bed to swim, I water my Couch with my tears; day and night he was full of grief, full of weeping Mine eye is consumed because of grief, it waxeth old because of all my enemies, not only the troubles that he had as to his Soul, the thought of his sins, but the troubles of the world did much affect him, Psal, 38.6. I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly, I go mourning all the day long. 8. verse. I am feeble and sore broken, I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. And so the Church, Lam 1.16. the Church having spoken of her misery what, a sad case she was in, in the world, saith she, For these things I weep, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my Soul is far from me; and how great the trouble was, that was then the Church's portion, the whole book of Lamentations verifies.  
Grace doth not make people insensible, they whose hearts are sanctified may lay to heart their troubles. Though grace doth correct, and abate men's passions, and rectify nature, yet it doth not destroy nature, or natural affections. The Saints here, that were the called and chosen people of God, they had their sorrow, and grief as well as their gladness, the work of grace wherever it is in truth wrought in any soul, doth much restrain men's violent passions; yet when men begin to be good they do not cease to be men. Religion doth not rob people of their senses. The godly have their fears as well as their hopes, & as they have their joys so they are not without their sorrows, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations. Afflictions are afflictions to them that fear God as well as to others, Heb. 12.11. no chashiment for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous.  
Let no Person think because the crosses and troubles he meets withal in the World do sadden and afflict him, therefore he hath no grace; that surely if they had grace they should have no such thing as grief, and trouble of heart. See the Holiest men we read of tell us the troubles of their hearts were often enlarged. Though the power of godliness doth moderate our affections to things here below, yet it doth not make us insensible of what we suffer here below. Grace doth not rob men of Humanity, as not upon a Civil account, so neither doth it upon a Natural account: people do not cease to be men and women when they come to be truly godly; if Persons were not affected & afflicted with their troubles, afflictions were no afflictions to them, etc. Do not therefore pass sentence upon thyself as one that is an unconverted Person because the great troubles thou meetest withal in the world are laid to heart by thee; though grace do diminish, yet it doth not destroy men's passions, James 5.17. the Apostles us, Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, though he was a man of exceeding great faith, yet you find him sometimes a man of great fear. The Scripture records, as his grace, so his natural temper, that eminency of grace that was in him, did not destroy that that was natural in him. Christianity doth not introduce a Stoical Stupidity, that they do not at all regard how things go with them; we may have grace in our hearts, and yet lay to heart our sufferings; we may be truly brought home to God, and yet affected through sense of our afflictions in the World.  
Only here let me put in a few cautions.  
First, Though God's people are in heaviness and sadness through the great troubles that they meet withal in the world; yet, you that fear God, take heed you be not in such heaviness as those who have no hope, do not sorrow as them that have no hope, or no ground of hope, for the blessing of God upon them here, much less for happiness with God hereafter: rejoice in the Lord, while you have sorrow in the world, saith the Apostle, rejoice in the Lord always, and he makes a repetition, and again I say rejoice. This is his council to the suffering Saints; even when most afflicted, as David, 1 Sam. 30.6. when he was in that great trouble, when his Wives were taken Captive, and his Children, and the people speak of stoning David, what did he do? but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God: so should we do when we are discouraged as to the world, than we should encourage ourselves in the Lord our God, at what time I am afraid, I will trust in thee; let not our afflictions here, make us think it will never be otherwise hereafter.  
Secondly, Let not your heaviness, or trouble, or sadness in the World be joined with discontent; do not murmur because we meet with troubles, let us not think because we are afflicted that others are in a better condition than ourselves, because they thrive and and flourish in the world, O let us not quarrel at any of God's providences, let us say as that good Old man Eli, It is the Lord, let him do what seems him good: the Lord is good and doth good, and he doth nothing but what is good for us: we have no cause to quarrel when God doth afflict us; let us then take care that we do not fret ourselves to do evil, for there is no evil in the City but God doth it, and good is that God that sends that evil, and all evil shall be for good to them that fear God.  
Thirdly, Let your heaviness be greater for your transgressions then for any affliction or temptation; let us more grieve for sin, that is the cause of trouble, then for all those troubles that are caused by sin, let us more lay to heart our own corruptions, than all the malice of wicked men, and the afflictions we meet with in the world; we had not known what sorrow meant had not sin been in our hearts and been in our lives: let us mourn more for sin, or however be sure that our natural sorrow be accompanied with spiritual sorrow, that we have that godly sorrow that works repentance unto Salvation: for worldly sorrow alone only causeth death, O let sin be more laid to heart and the crosses in the World less laid to heart; let us mourn more, for our transgressions and we shall less mind our afflictions.  
Fourthly, Let not our heaviness, or sadness, or grief of spirit, that is occasioned through troubles in the World, cause us to neglect our duty: let us take care that we do not so grieve for what we suffer, as to forget what we have to do, let us not so mind our misery as to forget our duty, or omit our duty to God or Man, in the places of our general and particular calling, which God hath set us in the world. When sorrow is so excessive that it drives us from God and from his ways, from delighting in him, we have cause then to be in heaviness for it; we are not so to mind what we suffer, as to forget what we do. That sorrow is never like to do us good, nay that sorrow doth not make us at all to be good that keeps us from doing good; if we once come to that pass to neglect our duty, that heaviness is to be lamented.  
Applicat. Beloved, we have heard God's people are in heaviness through manifold temptations, but let me tell you, If God's people be in heaviness here, what heaviness shall God's enemies be in hereafter? If God chastise his faithful servants, sure he will punish his enemies; if this be done in a green Tree, what shall be done in a dry; if God's people have their temptations, surely wicked men shall have their tribulation, tribulation and anguish upon every one that doth evil; doubtless if manifold temptations be the lot of the righteous here, dreadful tribulation will be the portion of the wicked hereafter; doubtless the time is coming, Prov. 11.8. vers. The righteous is delivered out of trouble and the wicked cometh in his room: the time is coming when sin and sorrow shall be gone from the people of God, and then everlasting sorrow shall be the portion of all ungodly men, Matth. 13.41. ver. The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels, and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; them which follow sin, devise sin, commit sin, tempt others to sin; he shall cast them into a furnace of fire, there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth, there is heaviness indeed: Then shall the righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father. If they that fear God be so heavy in this World, if the yoke of Christ be so uneasy, how intolerable will the misery of wicked men be in another World? If those that fear God have had such troubles of Spirit, as David, That they have roared by reason of disquietness of heart, then certainly hypocrites, and unbelievers, and the enemies of God and godliness, the time is coming, they shall have such a life that they would be glad it might be at an end, but alas it shall never end, Rev. 9.6. ver. They shall seek death and shall not find it, and shall desire to die and death shall flee from them. O beloved, if the Godly, the precious Servants, the faithful People of the Most High, drink of the bitter cup of God's wrath; if they taste the cup of God's anger, sure the wicked shall drink the dregs of it; if God afflict those whom he loves, how will he punish those whom he hates? Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest, this shall be the portion of their cup. If God's people be in heaviness here, if they have manifold temptations, many sorrows shall be to the wicked hereafter.  
The end of the first Sermon.   

I Now come to the third Observation which is this, That the temptations that God's people are exercised with shall be but for a season; and now for a season, saith the Apostle; if need be, the troubles of God's people shall not last always, but for a season, or for a little while; yet a little while, it will not be long, it will not always be at this pass, it will not always be thus sad with you, Light is sown, as the Psalmist tells us, for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart: Though they may have an hour of darkness, and though they that are most sincere, may have an hour of sorrow, yet light is sown for them; and as it is sown for them, so it shall come up, they shall have it, Psal. 126.6, 7. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy; He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing forth his sheaves with him. God's people shall not be always under haches, their troubles are but for a season for a while; they are but for a season; either for a season in this life, or at most but for the season of this life.  
First, They are manytimes but for a season in this life; God's people manytimes outlive their troubles; many temptations that God brings his servants into, he brings them out again even in this World; their fits of sorrow do not last always, though they have their sad paroxysms, they have some intermission notwithstanding sad fits, and yet they have a deliverance: you have heard of the temptations of Job, and you have heard of the deliverance of Job, Psal. 34.19. ver. Many are the troubles of the righteous, and what shall they always last, no, the Lord delivers them out of them all; and as it was then, so it is verified at this time, (especially those that are the great troubles of the people of God, God doth with the temptation make away for escape: The Lord took away all Job had, but yet he gave him all again; nay the Lord, Job 42. gave him twice as much as he had before: God delivered him out of all his adversity. And as it is so sometimes as to Persons, so it is as to Nations; God manytimes saves his people in this World out of the greatest calamities, he brings them with joy and comfort out of them: we Read often of Israel, the Lord sold them into the hand of their enemies, for such and such sins as they were guilty of, and yet the Lord raised Saviour's to them, and delivered them out of the hand of those that hated them. God often in wrath remembers mercy towards his people in this World, The rod of the wicked, saith the Psalmist, shall not rest upon the back of the righteous; though it may come there, yet it shall not stay there: God manytimes doth provide a way to escape out of the greatest of his people's miseries, and sometimes he gives them that faith whereby they are confident that deliverance shall come, Psal. 71.20 21. vers. Thou who hast showed me great and soar troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up from the depths of the Earth, thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. He was not so deep in the pit of affliction, but God would raise him up again; and he was not so surrounded with crosses, but God would comfort him on every side: Yea confident he was of this, and that faith manytimes of deliverance, keeps up their Spirits under the sense of their present troubles, Psal. 27.13. ver. saith the Psalmist, speaking of the good issue he hoped for, I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the Land 〈◊〉 the living: the thought of his future salvation did refresh and uphold his Spirit, under the sense of his present tribulation.  
Nay, Sometimes though God's people have not that faith to believe they shall be delivered, yet he will show them that mercy to cause deliverance; as God is able, so he always doth abundantly beyond what his people ask and think, if not beyond what they pray for, yet beyond what they hope, they shall have, Psal. 31.22. v. I said, saith David, in my haste I am cut off from before thine eyes, but it was far otherwise, nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried to thee: I was brought to this pass, there was no hope of deliverance for me, I did not expect to see good day in this World; but God did otherwise, he dealt graciously with me; I went on in my duty, and God heard me; and as the Psalmist tells us, Psal. 116.11. vers. I said in my haste all men are liars: whoever professed or spoke, that any mercy would be showed him, that ever salvation should be wrought for him, and that he should be delivered out of the hand of his Persecutors, he did believe it was a mere story, a very lie, and yet the Lord remembered him in his low estate; I was brought low and he helped me, return unto thy rest O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee: God did show him mercy, though he did not expect mercy; nay, such a mercy as to be delivered in this World: I shall one day fall by the hand of Saul, and yet Saul died, and he lived: God's people, I say, manytimes they are delivered in this World out of eminent dangers, though great, though long troubles, though soar, and though lasting, yet they are not everlasting, they do not continue as long as their days continue. Many have been under great temptations, soar persecution, and yet have outlived their persecutors, David did Saul, and Paul did even when they were past hopes; 2 Cor. 1.9, 10. vers. We were pressed out of measure above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life, but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver; in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us: and he tells Timothy, 2 Tim. 3.10, 11. vers. of the great troubles and persecutions that came to him, but out of them all the Lord delivered him: and so in the same Epistle, 2 Tim. 4.16, 17. ver. when he was brought before Nero, all men forsook me, yet God did not forsake me, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion: though he was very near unto death, yet his life was preserved, God did make, with that soar temptation, a way to escape. The troubles of God's people shall be but for a season, sometimes they are but for a season in this life.  
Secondly, At the most they shall be but for the season of this life, they shall last no longer; so one Paraphrases upon the words, they are but for a season, as long as this short life lasts, so long you may be afflicted, if there be occasion for it, but then there is an end of all: 2 Cor. 4.17. vers. Our light affliction which is but for a season, but for a moment, it shall not be hereafter, it shall be but here while the moment of this life lasts, than it vanishes away; when our lives go, if we fear God, all our troubles will go away with them: there is a time for every thing, this present time is the time of the Saints afflictions, the time that God's people suffer, this is the time of temptation of all that fear God; when this life is at an end, afflictions will be out of season, there will be none of them when this life ends, the suffering of the godly will then be at an end; death puts a period to all their troubles, they continue but while they have their abode in this earthly tabernacle, no longer shall any cross or affliction be their portion, Revel. 14.13. vers. Blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord, from henceforth, yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. Blessed are they though they seem the most cursed of any people, in some respects, while they live; yet blessed are they when they die, for they rest from their labours, that is though not from their labour of service, and love to God and his people; yet from their labour of sorrow, they shall then have no burden of persecution or affliction to bear; as no evil shall be done by them, so no evil than shall be suffered by them; as they shall not know what sin means in another World, so neither shall they understand what sorrow means; weeping and wailing, all tears than shall be wiped from their faces, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; no disturbance of Spirit shall be the Saint's lot in another World; no evil work, nor work of iniquity shall ever follow them; men's Pesecutors may follow them to the grave, but then they must leave them, than your bodies shall go into your graves in peace, and your souls shall go to God that gave them, to the Spirits of just men made perfect, that are without sin, and without suffering, that are for ever serving God, and continually enjoying God. In God's presence where God's people shall be after this World, there is no part of their lives that is embittered to them; there is fullness of joy, and their is pleasure for evermore at God's right hand; it is not only some little comfort is given them, a●… this World to bear up their Spirits, but there the joy shall be everlasting pleasure for evermore. O well may believers say, as God by the Prophet, Say you to the righteous it shall be well with him; though it be very ill with him whiles he lives, yet it shall be well with him when he dies, his troubles he shall see they were but for a season, though he may have many inconveniences in his earthly tabernacle, yet he shall find nothing of dislike when he comes to God's everlasting habitation.  
Secondly, Why is it so? Why shall the temptations of the Godly be but for a season? Why shall their affliction not last always? I will give you a two fold account of it.  
I. Because of the mercifulness of God, he is a God of tender mercy, he compassionates all his creatures, in all respects, but much more them who are not only the work of his hands, but the delight of his heart, as all that fear and love him are, he hath great kindness for them; and this account is given, why the Lord will not always chide his people? he is a merciful God, Psal. 103.8, 9 vers. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy, and then it follows, he will not always chide, neither will he keep his anger for ever; angry he may be with his children, when they are faulty and disobedient, But he will not keep his anger forever; Why? the verses following declare, Like as a Father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him; for he knows our frame, he remembers we are but dust: God knows what frail creatures his people are, and though some chiding they may bear, yet his frowns they are not able to undergo; that is the reason God gives, why he would not show himself always displeased with his people, he should break their hearts with such thoughts, Isa. 57.16, 17. vers. I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth, why? for the Spirit should fail before me, and the Soul which I have made: the very heart of God's people would be broken with a long continuance of their troubles, and therefore he will in wrath remember mercy, as it follows, For the iniquity of his covetuousness was I wroth, and smote him; I hide me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart: I have seen his ways and will heal him; I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him, and to his mourners. I know that he is not able always to bear my afflicting hand, I will take it of, it shall be but a little while; the rod is upon his back but it shall not rest there, I will manifest my love again to him, Isa. 54.7, 8. vers. For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee: In a little wrath I hide myself from thee, for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. A little wrath, but a great deal of Love; a little while, a moment, God hides himself, but eternally will he manifest himself, and his love to his people. Beloved, the mercy and compassion of God is such, that he will provide a way for his people's deliverance out of their troubles. As God will not himself more immediately afflict his people always, so neither will he suffer others to afflict his people; but he will be sure not to suffer The rod of the wicked to rest upon the back of the righteous, Why? Lest the righteous put forth his hand to iniquity, lest their temptations be too strong for them, and so saith the Apostle, God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it: You shall have such troubles as may sometimes afflict and humble you, but you shall not have such troubles as shall quite deject, and cause your spirits to fail before him, that is the first Reason, because of the mercifulness of God.  
II. Because of the faithfulness of God; God hath said he will deliver his people, and he will be as good as his word; though men break, God will keep his Covenant; he is a God of truth, he hath methods to deliver his people out of temptation, he will make a way to escape. Now God hath made (I cannot stand to show) God hath made many precious promises for the redeeming of his people out of their adversity; he will show kindness to them, though he may be angry, yet he will not always chide: and though he may afflict them, yet he will not forsake them, etc. Now as Solomon said in regard of his Father David, What thou hast spoken with thy mouth thou hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day: and so it is true of all persons that fear God, what God speaks he will fulfil, Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but not one jot or title of God's Word shall pass away unfulfilled; as Gods threatening of Judgement against the wicked shall be made good, so certainly shall the promises of mercy made to the righteous; All the promises of God are yea and amen, in Christ Jesus.  
Applicat. Now then to apply this, in a word, If this be so as we hear, the temptations of the godly, the afflictions and troubles they meet with, will be but for a season; Let this quiet our hearts under sufferings, viz. the consideration of this, That they will be but for a season, they will be but for a short time, they will not be always; are we afflicted, remember the time is coming we shall be comforted, hath God laid any trouble upon us, as to our inward or outward man, upon our persons or relations, in private or other respects, it will not be always so; these troubles they shall be but for a season, and this season will not last always: let us not be troubled, or though we be troubled, let this keep us from being overtroubled; let this quiet our spirits under trouble, the consideration of this truth, That they will be but for a short time, for a season.  
Two things may quiet our Spirits under the greatest of miseries and crosses in this World; if we consider either how just they are, or how short they be.  
First, If we consider the equity of them, all the troubles we meet with in the World, they are very just upon us; God doth not afflict us but there is a cause for it; there is need of it and cause for it; God is never displeased, but we have provoked him; he never hides his face, but we have given him cause for it; nay, God is never so angry with his people as he might be; we may all say with the Psalmist, Psal. 103.10. ver. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities: What ever sad condition we are in, besure it is not so sad as we deserve; is God angry with us? why he might manifest his hot displeasure against us; is he very angry? why truly he might be more angry than ever he shows himself in this World to any of his people: God might to the best of men render his anger with fury, and his rebukes with flames of fire. Ezra speaking of the calamities of the Jews, which were very great, Ezra 9.13. ver. saith he, Thou O God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve: How did God cut of thousands of them? how many perished by the Sword, Plague, and other Judgements? and those that were left alive, were carried into captivity: we were punished, I but not so as we deserve; our troubles were great, but they might have been greater; Thou hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve; our trespass is grown up unto the Heavens, and we might all of us have been thrown into Hell: God suffers us to live, and hath not punished us as our iniquities deserve; so that we are on this side the Grave, nay that we are on this side Hell, it is a mercy; alas are our troubles great? our sins are greater; are our temptations, our afflictions, many? our sins are more; there is no body that hath so many troubles, but he may sit down and soon count the number of his crosses, but who can count the number of any man's sins; our crosses, our troubles, are soon numbered, but our impieties, nay our iniquities are innumerable, they are more than the hairs of our head, and cannot be numbered; have we many crosses? remember we might have had more crosses; remember our sorrows are not so many as our sins; we may well therefore ask the question when any persons heart is disquieted, so as to be discontented, and fret at providence that is so afflicting, as the Church, Lam. 3.39. vers. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Thou art punished, what then? what cause to complain? it is for thy sin, thy sin deserves this punishment, and What a living man complain? thou mightest have been in the grave; thou art here yet on Earth, thou mightest have been long ago in Hell; and What a living man, and complain for the punishment of his sin? and as they say, we may all say under any of our troubles, It is of the Lords mercy that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  
Secondly, As our troubles are very Just, so they shall not be very long, they shall be but for a little while; as the pleasure of sinners, so the perplexity of Saints shall be but for a season, but for a season; Our light afflictions which are but for a moment, if any of our troubles should last as long as our lives last, that will not be long; for as the Apostle speaks, What is your life, it is even as a vapour that soon passeth away: if always afflicted whilst thou livest, remember the time is hastening that thou shalt die, and then no longer disturbed: this saddens thy Spirit, that so long thy condition hath been uncomfortable; let this support thee, thou shalt not be for ever miserable, Psal. 68.13. ver. Though ye have lain among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove, covered with Silver, and her feathers with yellow Gold: though you have been in this afflicted and uncomfortable estate, yet the time of joy and prosperity is coming to you; remember that temptations may be sore, and great, and may seem to be long, yet they will be but for a time, they will not last always, these clouds will be blown over; after rain will come Sunshine; though the Lord hid his face for a moment; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning: I may say to many of us, let our troubles be what they will, those that believe in God, and endeavour faithfully to serve him, to them is allotted the more troubles: If we have lived but any considerable time in the World, I may say to you that are elder, as the Apostle saith in another case, The night is far spent, the night of your sorrow is almost at an end, the day of the resurrection a coming, that day of gladness when you shall not know what affliction means; when Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was, he tells him, and afterwards saith he, Few and evil have been the days of my life. If the days of our life be evil, let this comfort us they are but few, they shall be few; you know the life of man it is not many years, many of us have outlived most of those years; it will be ●ut for a season, the time is coming all these sorrows and miseries will be out of season. The length of a trouble doth greaten it, though it be small in itself; a little burden carried a great way is great, and so the shortness of a trouble doth much lessen it; though our troubles be great, yet remember they shall not last always, they shall be but for a season; Lift up therefore the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees, I may say as the Apostle doth.  
Fourthly, If need be, saith the Apostle, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations; If need be, why then this is implied, that sometimes there is need you should have temptations, there is a necessity for it: from whence the Doctrine is this,  
Doct. I. That there is need sometimes why the people of God, the faithful people of God should be under manifold temptations, should be afflicted in the World.  
As distempered bodies need Physic as well as food; so Souls that are distempered with sin, need afflicting providences as well as holy Ordinances: Gods own children are not such, but sometimes they need the rod as well as the Word; they need affliction as well as Instruction; there is need, if need be; there is sometimes a necessity in the ordinary way of God's providence, why God's people should be under trouble.  
Quest. If any should ask what need there is?  
I thought to have Answered it in these twelve Particulars, but I will only speak to some few of them.  
First, There is need why God's people should be afflicted or tempted, to discover the truth of their graces; there is need therefore of affliction, that they may be made to appear what indeed they are; times of trouble are times of trial; and thence it is that afflictions are in this verse called by the name of temptations, Through manifold temptations, that is, through manifold troubles and trials, or through divers trials, divers troubles: I say afflictions are here, and so often elsewhere, called temptations, because they try what people are, Psal. 66.10. ver. Thou O God hast proved us, thou hast tried us, as Silver is tried: How were they tried? how? by affliction, by the troubles they met with in the World; as the 11. ver. shows, Thou broughtest us into the net, thou layest affliction upon our loins: thou hast tried us, that is by these afflictions thou hast tried us; as metals are tried by the fire, so are God's people, in the furnace of affliction, 1 Pet. 1.7. ver. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious then of Gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ: These temptations are for your trial, Job 23.20. ver. Job speaking to God saith, He knows the way that I take, and when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as Gold: When he hath tried me, how is that? why, that is by the trials he sends me, he discovers what I am; then I shall come forth as Gold; by troubles and crosses in the World, he tries his people, he tries their faith in him, and their love to him, he discovers their sincerity.  
Quest. But what need of these trials?  
I may Answer, Negatively, and Affirmatively.  
I. Negatively, God need not try us by troubles, for he knows what we are; he knows what we are before he afflicts us, and what we shall be when we are afflicted; thou understandest my thoughts a far of; God is fully acquainted with all our ways, not only the ways that we have gone in, but the ways that we will go; God can tell when we prosper, what we shall do when we come to suffer, he understands our thoughts a far of; God can tell when we are in flourishing condition, whether we shall flinch from his Service when it is like to bring us to suffering; The heart is deceitful above all things, and yet I the Lord search the heart, and try the reins: Though man doth not know his own heart, how he shall carry himself in a time of suffering, yet God knows it; 2 King. 8.12, 13. ver. God could tell when Haziel was a Subject, what he should do when he was a King; he could tell what a bloody cruel man he should be; God could tell who should be his people's Persecutors long before they knew it; they are not needful in reference to God, Joh. 2.23, 24. vers. Jesus Christ, it is said there of him, Many believed in his Name, when they saw the miracles that he did: But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man, for he knew what was in man: it is spoken of him as he was God, God doth not need to send troubles to discover to him what we are, God knows us before hand.  
II. But Affirmatively, God seethe it requisite to discover to ourselves, and to discover to others what we are; and in these two respects there is need of temptations, for the trial of God's people, and sometimes they are a means to discover us to ourselves, sometimes to others: Sometimes to ourselves, and they discover men sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse; many persons that fear God, have worse thoughts of themselves than they ought to have, etc. Now God brings them to a fiery trial, and they see through the help of God they are enabled to stand out against all opposition; then they begin to think there is something of good in my Soul, and they manifest the truth of grace. And then sometimes for the worse; many a man and woman hath better opinions of themselves than they have ground for, and the troubles they meet with in the World they plainly discover it: God brings them to this pass, you must either disown the truth, or deny yourselves as to the World; you must either lay down that godliness you seem to have, or lay down your livelihood, or lay down your lives; and now they see, or may see they were not the men they took themselves for, they see how that the truths of Jesus Christ lay not so near their hearts as they thought for; they are willing rather to part with that faith and love they have, then to part with those good things they have; many a person it is thus with: Sometimes they discover the weakness of grace, sometimes the want of grace; sometimes the weakness of grace, Peter thought when the Lord told him of suffering, That all should be offended because of him, that he should never be offended; Though all men forsake thee, yet will not I; and yet Peter when he comes to trial, his Faith staggers; and so sometimes it discovers the total want of grace, that people are other manner of persons than they took themselves for; times of affliction they manifest that many are of another manner of Spirit than they did imagine.  
Secondly, Afflictions discover not only persons to themselves, but they discover them to others; discover them to the World, make it known what people are; and so sometimes for the better, many are thought worse of in the World then indeed they do deserve; the people of God are often judged a company of Hypocrites, there is no such thing as goodness, faith, and holiness, in them; and if they come to suffer, you shall see what they will do; many are their evil surmises, and the Devil if he cannot Persecute them, will reproach them: now God lets the World see that these people are mistaken, his Servants were such as loved him in truth; when it comes to this, that they must leave all or not follow Christ; they count not their life dear to them, all is nothing then to Christ. The steadfastness of God's people in times of suffering, testifies to the World, that they that were called Hypocrites were the most upright persons that lived: 1 Cor. 11.18, 19 ver. There are divisions among you, and I partly believe it: For there must be also Heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you: That it may appear that they are indeed lovers of the Truth, they will own it in such a time when it is so much opposed; that they that are approved of God may be made manifest to the World, that the wicked may say, though some are covetous, yet all are not bad men as they would think. And sometimes for the worse to many, because they are not openly profane, are judged by the multitude that they are religious persons; but when the Profession of Religion becomes dangerous, they then begin to be troubled, the World than sees what they are. In hazardous times, good men are made a spectacle to the World, and Angels, and Men; the Angels, the good and bad; the Angels of light, and the Fiends of darkness; and the World both of godly and ungodly, see what men they are, who were not before acquainted with them; God makes it manifest that many that professed much, never yet loved him, etc. Many, saith Christ in that Parable of the seeds, they received the Word with joy, but they had no root in themselves; they endure but for a while, and when Persecution ariseth, by and by they are offended: What must I serve God and suffer? Truly if this be the fruit of this service, I shall have no mind to it; many their hearts say as those wicked ones, Job 21.14, 15. vers. What is the Almighty that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? What shall we get by suffering? why if this be the way, they will not walk in it, etc. The Jews would not admit of Proselytes in the days of David, because then the fear of David was upon all round about him; nor would they admit of them in the days of Solomon, because then out of love to the peace and prosperity that he had in the World, they might embrace the truth of Religion, which in their hearts they did not delight in. Many men do make use of Religion sometimes out of fear, and sometimes out of love; out of fear of suffering when Religion is not owned, and out of hopes of getting by Religion when it is in esteem. The falseness of people's hearts is seen in this, in love to their neighbour; they have a great love for them that are rich, but none for them that are poor; The rich hath many friends, but the poor is hated of his neighbour: This discovers the falseness of people's hearts in reference to their love to God; their love to the people of God is discovered in this, that they will speak well for them, and associate with them, when God is pleased to bless them in the World; but if God once come to afflict them, they desire to have no more to do with them: Amongst many professing Israelites there are but few Nathaniels, few that are Israelites indeed: and the times of suffering manifest what people are.  
Again, There is a great deal of need of trouble and trials, to bring God's people to more earnest praying to God, that they may more firmly and constantly seek him: when God's people are involved in trouble, cannot tell which way to turn themselves, than they will go to God for help; when Jehoshaphat said, 2 Chron. 20.12. speaking of his enemies in Prayer to God, Wilt not thou judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh up against us: neither know we what to do, but our eyes are to thee, our eyes are upon thee: Truly when people are at this pass, in referance to Personal or National suffering, when they do not know what to do, than their eyes are upon God, and then their hearts are to God, than God shall hear always of them, etc. The Lord knows if prosperity drives us away from him, that affliction will bring us in to him; the Prodigal that cared not for his Father while his estate lasted, when poverty was come, I will arise saith he, and go to my Father. As long as we can have Friends, Comforts, and Mercies to delight in, we do not take so much delight and pleasure in drawing near to God, God will let us have nothing else to delight in, Isa. 26.16. vers. Lord, in trouble they have visited thee: when thy chastning was upon them; they that would not come at God before, they would visit him in trouble, and they poured out Prayer; they that did but say a Prayer before, they now shall Pray a Prayer, and Pray it hearty too.  
Crosses and troubles will make men mind Religious Duties, that before they little regarded: Upon the worst of men it hath this influence sometimes; the Persian Messenger said thus, when the Grecians hotly pursued our Host, and we must needs venture over that great River that was now frozen, but was beginning to thaw: Then, saith he, did I behold many of those Gallants who denied before, and so boldly maintained that there was no God, I saw every one upon his knees raying that the Ice might hold until he got over. O then nothing but Pr●…yer will serve their turn? I will go and ●…eturn to my place, and I will distress and disturb them, and in their affliction they ●…ll seek me early.  
FINIS.