The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…

They that are overthrown by adversity, are said to fall away, that is, to forsake Christ openly: but they that fall by prosperity, are not said to fall away; but only that the deceitfulness of riches and cares of the world choke the word, so that it becomes unfruitful, that is, brings no fruit to perfection. For usually these do not openly forsake Christ, but continue oft an unfruitful and hypocritical profession; insomuch that at that very time when the Word is choked and fruitless, yet the blade of profession may be as green as ever, and they may be so much in some duties, and have such golden words, and witty shifts to plead for every covetous practice, and put so fair a gloss on all their actions, that they may keep up the credit of being very eminent Christians. So that if your Grace can carry you well through prosperity, you may be confident of the truth of it. 3. And then if it be thus proved true and saving, you have cause to be confident that it will hold out in adversity also, and cause you to overcome the shake of tribulation. I think most men are better in adversity than in prosperity: though I confess no adversity is so shaking, as that which leaves it in a mans choice to come out of it by sinning: As for a man in health to be persecuted, and the persecutor to say, If thou ⟨p. 114⟩wilt turn to my side and way I will give thee thy life and preferment with it: But sickness or other sufferings imposed only by God, and which only God can take off, are nothing so shaking. For as the former draws us to please men that they may deliver us, so this draws even the wicked to think of pleasing God, that He may deliver them.

They that are overthrown by adversity, are said to fall away, that is, to forsake Christ openly: but they that fall by prosperity, are not said to fall away; but only that the deceitfullness of riches and cares of the world choak the word, so that it becomes unfruitfull, that is, brings no fruit to perfection. For usually these do not openly forsake Christ, but continue oft an unfruitfull and hypocriticall profession; insomuch that at that very time when the Word is choaked and fruitless, yet the blade of profession may be as green as ever, and they may be so much in some duties, and have such golden words, and wity shifts to plead for every covetous practice, and put so fair a gloss on all their actions, that they may keep up the credit of being very eminent Christians. So that if your Grace can carry you well through prosperity, you may be confident of the truth of it. 3. And then if it be thus proved true and saving, you have cause to be confident that it will hold out in adversity also, and cause you to overcome the shake of tribulation. I think most men are better in adversity than in prosperity: though I confess no adversity is so shaking, as that which leaves it in a mans choice to come out of it by sinning: As for a man in health to be persecuted, and the persecutor to say, If thou