A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

Secondly let us consider, that the Lord useth our afflictions as notable means of our own good, and of deriving unto us many singular benefits, both in respect of this life and the life to come. For first he useth them for trials, for the discovery of those spiritual graces which he hath given us; not unto himself, who knowing all things, needeth no such helps, but unto us and others, that he may be glorified in them, and take occasion thereby to glorify us, by crowning his gifts, when by this ¹trial they are approved, and may also edify those who observe them in us, and move them to follow our good example. And likewise for the making known of our infirmities and corruptions, that we may be truly humbled in the sight and sense of them. In which regard, our greatest trials not exceeding our strength, as God hath promised, should bring unto us an answerable measure of sound comfort, seeing they are assured signs unto us of the greatest measure of saving graces in us. Secondly, he useth them as effectual means to further our conversion, fitting and preparing us thereby for the more diligent hearing of the Word, and so working in us by both joined together, true contrition and humiliation. Thirdly, he useth them as special means to prevent sin, and to preserve us from falling into it; and also to mortify and subdue those corruptions, by all good means, which adhere and cleave unto us; as pride, carnal concupiscence, self-love, and love of the world. The which should greatly increase our patience, and comfort us in afflictions: for if we are willing to endure so much, to be eased of bodily and temporal evil, how much more should we cheerfully endure any afflictions, to be