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We must not think that we shall ever be shut up in a mew, so that we should see no cross: but we must lay open our selves to receive stripes from the Lord, knowing that our least cries will stay his greatest scourges. Let us love to be assaulted, but not unmeasurably because God will assist us. Let us look to fall, but on our knees, because Gods hand doth hold us up. Let us look to be humbled but in mercy, because the Lord sustaineth us, and as we are assured where ⟨p. 81⟩misery hemmeth us about on every side, to have an ou•-gate in every danger▪ so it is our part continually to confess before the Lord, that we ever give new occasions that he should follow us with new punishments▪ and that our sins do often shake of the wings of Gods mercy, under the which we have been long comforted. For Gods children acknowledge themselves without ceasing, that God hath rods in a readiness (though they see no present evil) to beat them from their sins: and bend all their care, how they may rather suffer adversity to Gods glory, then to steep securely in prosperity unto their own pleasure. Now when the Lord doth, as it were hold us on the rack for these causes before named, we must pray unto him, that (howsoever he keepeth us in the press) we may have a breathing while to consider our days spent in pleasure, and to examine our unthankfulness, which shutteth up the door of Gods mercy from us. And because our afflictions are the sorer when they come the nearer to the soul, we may with our selves conclude to hold on the way of our thorough-•aire and though we see nothing but thorns of temptations, and briers of evil affections, so as we must be fain to leap over hedges, rocks, and ditches; yet must ⟨p. 82⟩we not cease to continue in Gods service. For if that were not, what trial and examination of our faith should there be, were we as in a fair meadow that we might run on a long by the water side in a shade, and that there might be nothing but pleasure and joy all our life time: who could vaunt that he had served God with good affection? But when GOD doth send us things clean contrary to our desires, that we must be fain one while to enter into a quagmire, and another while to march upon ragged rocks & stones; then we shall have the use of a well exercised mind in prayer, in repentance, and in contempt of this life.