A Golden Chain

This trial by desertion serveth for two purposes: for otherwhiles the Lord useth it for the manifestation of some hidden sin, that the godly may be deeplier humbled, and crave more earnestly pardon of that and other sins. For as the beggar is always mending and piecing his garment, where he finds a breach: so the penitent and believing heart must always be exercised in repairing it self where it finds a want.

This trial by desertion serueth for two purposes: for otherwhiles the Lord vseth it for the manifestation of some hidden sin, that the godly may be deeplier humbled, and craue more earnestly pardon of that and other sins. For as the begger is alwaies mending and peecing his garment, where he findes a breach: so the penitent and beleeuing heart must alwaies bee exercised in repairing it selfe where it findes a want.

Again, ofttimes this trial serves to quicken and revive the hidden graces of the heart, that men may be thankful for them, and feel an increase of them in the heart. The good husbandman cuts the branches of the Vine, not that he hath a purpose to destroy them,¹ but to make them bear more fruit. In the Can ticles when Christ left his spouse, then she riseth out of her bed, she opens the door,² her hands drop myrrh on the bar of the door: then further she seeks & calls for him, and praiseth him more then ever before. David testifieth the like of himself:³ In my prosperity I said I shall never be moved, &c. but thou didst hide thy fa•e and I was troubled. Then cried I to thee, O Lord, & prayed to my Lord. Lastly, men that live in the Church, being for a time left of God, become so impenitent as that they must be given up to Satan; yet for no other cause, but that the flesh may be killed,⁴