The Christians two chief lessons viz. self-denial, and self-trial. As also the privilege of…The Christians tvvo chiefe lessons viz. selfe-deniall, and selfe-tryall. As also the priviledge of…

Use. For the comfort of many of Gods beloved ones who are much discomforted in themselves, for that through Satan's malice and their own default, they are not able sometimes to judge of their own estates, whether or no they do belong to the election of grace. Learn a similitude from the trees and herbs of the field, which as they have their spring, wherein they in their glorious hue are comparable to Solomon in his royalty, so have they their winter, wherein their sap retireth to the root, the branches seem to be withered, as if they were not the same, no life in them: so is it with the graces of God in mans soul, they have their spring and summer seasons, they have also their winter, wherein they seem clean blasted and decayed, as if there were no seeds of grace in their hearts; and as we must not call in question the vegetative power and life that is in plants and herbs, by reason of the little appearance thereof in the dead time of the year; no more must we ⟨image 74⟩make question of the truth of grace in our hearts; in regard of the little show that it makes to us, little beauty that we can discern of it. Do we not see that men may be so miscarried in their judgements, as to think themselves to be beasts when they are men? as we see in Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 4.30.¹ why not? much more in their spiritual estate, so to be misinformed, as to think themselves children of wrath, when notwithstanding they are heirs and coheirs with Christ Jesus? Let the examples of Gods dear ones, who have been thus misled, the equity and great reason God hath thus to exercise our troubled souls, which otherwise would be too calm and secure, be as a word spoken in due season to us, that are weary in this kind.

Vse. For the comfort of many of Gods beloved ones who are much discomforted in themselves, for that through Sathans malice and their owne default, they are not able sometimes to judge of their owne estates, whether or no they doe belong to the election of grace. Learne a similitude from the trees and hearbs of the field, which as they have their spring, wherein they in their glorious hue are comparable to Salomon in his royalty, so haue they their winter, wherein their sap retireth to the root, the branches seeme to be withered, as if they were not the same, no life in them: so is it with the graces of God in mans soule, they have their spring and summer seasons, they have also their winter, wherein they seeme cleane blasted and decayed, as if there were no seeds of grace in their hearts; and as we must not call in question the vegetative power and life that is in plants and hearbs, by reason of the little appearance thereof in the dead time of the yeere; no more must wee