The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

For we must be equally careful that we despise them not, and that we faint not under them, Heb. 12.5. They that pretend that it is the work of faith to see nothing in any affliction but the love and benefit, do but set one act of faith against another: For the same word which telleth us, that it shall turn to a true believers good, doth tell us that it is of it self a natural evil, and that as the good is from Gods Love, so the evil is from our sins, and his displeasure; and that he would give us the good without the evil, if man were without sin. He therefore that believeth not that it is a castigatory punishment for sin, is an unbeliever, as well as he that believeth not ⟨p. 186⟩the promise of the benefit, Rom. 5.12, 14, 16, 17, 18. 1 Cor. 11.30, 32. Jer. 5.25. Micah 1.5. Amos 3.2.

Yea this opinion directly frustrateth the first end and use of all chastisements which is to further mens Repentance for the evil of sin, by the sense of the evil of punishment, and the notice of Gods displeasure manifested thereby: And next to make us warnings to others, that they incur not the same correction and displeasure as we have done. For he that saith, there is no penalty or evil in the suffering, nor no displeasure of God expressed thereby, doth contradict all this. But as it is a great benefit which we are to reap by our corrections, even the furtherance of our Repentance and amendment; so it is a great work of faith, to perceive the bitterness of sin, and the displeasure of God in these corrections: of which more anon.