A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…

7. And the many and great afflictions of the godly, are medicines that are purposely given them by their Physician to cure Pride, and keep them humble. Why else must their sufferings be so many? and why must they daily bear the Cross? but that they may be conformed to the image of Christ.

7. And the many and great afflictions of the godly, are medicines that are purposely given them by their Physicion to cure Pride, and keep them humble. Why else must their sufferings be so many? and why must they daily bear the Cross? but that they may be conformed to the image of Christ.

8. And to the same end it is that God doth let loose upon them so many enemies. All Satan's temptations, and the worlds allurements and vexations, and all their disappointments here, and all the scorns and mocks of the ungodly, and the censures and slanders of wicked tongues, and often bitter persecutions, what are they but the bitter medicines of God (permitted and ordered by him, though caused by the Devil and wicked men) to save the servants of the Lord, from the sin and danger of being lifted up? Do you say that their Honour will make them proud? Why you that thus oppose them and despise them, are •uring them of their pride, and do not know it: as Scullions scour the rust off the vessels for their Masters use; and as Leeches draw out the blood that causeth the disease; and as the Jews by their sin promoted the Redemption of the world by the death of Christ. When God seeth his servants in danger of being lifted up above measure, he oft sendeth a messenger of Satan (who may be an Executioner of Gods chastisements) to buffet them, (2 Cor. 12. 7.) Sometimes by slanders, sometime by reproaches, sometime by imprisonments or greater sufferings, and sometimes by horrid troublesome temptations.

8. And to the same end it is that God doth let loose upon them so many enemies. All Satans temptations, and the worlds allurements and vexations, and all their disappointments here, and all the scorns and mocks of the ungodly, and the censures and slanders of wicked tongues, and often bitter persescutions, what are they but the bitter medicines of God (permitted and ordered by him, though cansed by the Devil and wicked men) to save the servants of the Lord, from the sin and danger of being lifted up? Do you say that their Honour will make them proud? Why you that thus oppose them and despise them, are uring them of their pride, and do not know it: as Scullions scoure the rust off the vessels for their Masters use; and as Leeches draw out the blood that causeth the disease; and as the Jews by their sin promoted the Redemption of the world by the death of Christ. When God seeth his servants in danger of being lifted up above measure, he oft sendeth a messenger of Satan (who may be an Executioner of Gods chastisements) to buffet them, (