A treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at KidderminsterA treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at Kederminster

CHAP. LXI. Q. Must we be content with afflictions, permitted sin, &c.

CHAP. LXI. Q. Must we be content with affiictions, permitted sin, &c.

Quest. 11. IF Self-denial require us to Content our souls in the Will of God, then whether must we be content with his afflictions, or permission of sin, or the Churches sufferings; and 1. How will this stand with our due sense of Gods displeasure and chastisements. 2. And with our praying against them. 3. And our use of means for their removal?

Quest. 11. IF Self-denial require us to Content our souls in the Will of God, then whether must we be content with his afflictions, or permission of sin, or the Churches sufferings; and 1. How will this stand with our due sense of Gods displcasure and chastisements. 2. And with our praying against them. 3. And our use of means for their removal?

Answ. 1. The Will of God is one thing, and the Hurt which he willeth us is another: and the Good End ⟨p. 348⟩for which he willeth it, is a third. The afflicting Will of God is good, and must be Loved as good: and the End and Benefit of Chastisement is good and must be loved: But the hurt as hurt must not be loved. It is not Gods Will that we must resist, or seek to change; nor yet is it the End or Benefit of the Chastisement; but only the hurt, which our folly hath made a suitable means. And we may not seek to remove this hurt, till the effect be procured, or on terms that may consist with the End of it. And this is not against the Will of God, that when the good is attained, the Affliction be removed.