I Would not have mentioned this Doubt, but that I was so foolish as to be troubled with it my self: and perhaps some others may be as foolish as I: though I think but few in these times; our great friends have Done so much to Resolve them more effectually then words could have done. 1. Some of those Texts speak only of mans duty of bearing persecution and tribulation, when God lays it on us, rather then of the Event, that it shall certainly come. 2. Yet I think it ordinarily certain and to be expected as to the Event: Doubtless Tribulation is Gods common road to Heaven: Every ignorant person is so well ware of this, that they delude themselves in their sufferings, saying, That God hath given them their punishment in this life, and therefore they hope he will not punish them in another. If any soul be so silly as to fear and doubt, for want of Affliction; if none else will do the Cure, let them but follow my Counsel, and I dare warrant them for this, and I will advise them to nothing but what is honest, yea and necessary, and what I have tried effectually upon my self: and I can assure you, it ⟨p. 486⟩cured me, and I can give it a Probatum est. And first, see that you be faithful in your Duty to all sinners within your reach; be they great or small, Gentlemen or Beggars, do your duty in Reproving them meekly and lovingly, yet plainly and seriously, telling them of the danger of Gods everlasting wrath; and when you find them obstinate, tell the Church-Officers of them, that they may do their duty; and if yet they are unreformed, they may be excluded from the Churches Communion, and all Christian familiarity. Try this course a while, and if you meet with no Afflictions, and get no more fists about your ears then your own, nor more tongues against you then formerly, tell me I am mistaken. Men basely balk and shun almost all the displeasing ungrateful work of Christianity of purpose, lest they should have sufferings in the flesh, and then they doubt of their sincerity for want of sufferings. My second Advice is, Do but stay a while in Patience (but prepare your Patience for a sharper encounter) and do not tie God to your time. He hath not told you when your Afflictions shall come: If he deal easier with you then others, and give you a longer time to prepare for them, be not you offended at that, and do not quarrel with your mercies.
I Would not have mentioned this Doubt, but that I was so foolish as to be troubled with it my self: and perhaps some others may be as foolish as I: though I think but few in these times; our great friends have Done so much to Resolve them more effectually then words could have done. 1. Some of those Texts speak onely of mans duty of bearing persecution and tribulation, when God lays it on us, rather then of the Event, that it shall certainly come. 2. Yet I think it ordinarily certain and to be expected as to the Event: Doubtless Tribulation is Gods common road to Heaven: Every ignorant person is so well ware of this, that they delude themselves in their sufferings, saying, That God hath given them their punishment in this life, and therefore they hope he will not punish them in another. If any soul be so silly as to fear and doubt, for want of Affliction; if none else will do the Cure, let them but follow my Counsel, and I dare warrant them for this, and I will advise them to nothing but what is honest, yea and necessary, and what I have tried effectually upon my self: and I can assure you, it ⟨p. 486⟩cured me, and I can give it a Probatum est. And first, see that you be faithful in your Duty to all sinners within your reach; be they great or small, Gentlemen or Beggars, do your duty in Reproving them meekly and lovingly, yet plainly and seriously, telling them of the danger of Gods everlasting wrath; and when you find them obstinate, tell the Church-Officers of them, that they may do their duty; and if yet they are unreformed, they may be excluded from the Churches Communion, and all Christian familiarity. Try this course a while, and if you meet with no Afflictions, and get no more fists about your ears then your own, nor more tongues against you then formerly, tell me I am mistaken. Men basely bawk and shun almost all the displeasing ungrateful work of Christianity of purpose, lest they should have sufferings in the flesh, and then they doubt of their sincerity for want of sufferings. My second Advice is, Do but stay a while in Patience (but prepare your Patience for a sharper encounter) and do not tye God to your time. He hath not told you when your Afflictions shall come: If he deal easier with you then others, and give you a longer time to prepare for them, be not you offended at that, and do not quarrel with your mercies.
