A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

But yet the continuance of Afflictions breaks the Spirits, and hinders that cheerful serving, and praising of God, which is (or should be) the Life of a Christian: though many are bettered by Afflictions, yet none are allowed to pray for Afflictions, but against them, and use all good means to avoid, or remove them: 'tis one thing makes Heaven desirable, the putting an end to all our Afflictions. In short,^c no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, whatever be the after-fruit of it: This therefore is clogged with Vanity. But what doth Religion in this Case?

But yet the continuance of Afflictions breaks the Spirits, and hinders that chearful serving, and praising of God, which is (or should be) the Life of a Christian: thô many are better'd by Afflictions, yet none are allowed to pray for Afflictions, but against them, and use all good means to avoid, or remove them: 'tis one thing makes Heaven desirable, the putting an end to all our Afflictions. In short,^c no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, whatever be the after-fruit of it: This therefore is clogg'd with Vanity. But what doth Religion in this Case?

1. cHeb. 12.11.

Serious Godliness by Afflictions becomes more Serious: God makes great use of Afflictions for the working, and promoting of Piety; and in this (I think) all experienced Christians are agreed, they reckon sanctified Afflictions among the choicest Providences of their lives: I commend the enlargement of this by your own Thoughts out of your own experiences: And thus including these three Cases as in a large Parenthesis; there's one Case more that I would cautiously speak to, which the Church Catholic (truly so called) may have more cause than ever, tremblingly to consider; and to seek more satisfying resolution than I can give for it's determination.