The dead saint speaking to saints and sinners living in several treatisesThe dead saint speaking to saints and sinners living in severall treatises

Alas! Alas! what are all other Evils, to the Evil of Sin? which makes our good, evil. And yet to see the vileness of mens spirits, they would fain be rid of all other evils, but not of Sin: so Pharaoh—Take away this Death, this Plague. They complain of the evil caused, but not of the evil causing—of the evil punishing but not of the evil punished—Flagella dolent: Quarè Flagellantur, non dolent, saith Augustine: They howl under the present scourges and afflictions, but never lament the sin; they would fain be rid of the Pain, but yet they would fain keep the Tooth. Whereas alas! till sin be removed, the afflictions will not be removed. If they be, yet not in mercy, but in judgement: And your Present Deliverance doth but Reserve you for a severer stroke.

Where on the contrary, If sin be removed, the affliction will be removed. They are like the Body and the Shadow; Remove the Body, and the Shadow must needs be removed. Sin is the Body; and afflictions be but the Shadow.

Or, if the Afflictions do continue; yet, if God take away sin, the Evil of the Evil is taken way. Sin is the sting of every Affliction. Sin is that which embitters every Cross: And sin being taken away, that which is Vindictive is taken way, and that which is Medicinal, and for Salvation, doth remain. It is more fruitful, than penal: All for merciful ends, and out of merciful respects; when sin is taken away.

Or, if the Afflictions do continue; yet, if God take away sin, the Evil of the Evil is taken way. Sin is the sting of every Affliction. Sin is that which imbitters every Cross: And sin being taken away, that which is Vindictive is taken way, and that which is Medicinal, and for Salvation, doth remain. It is more fruitful, than penal: All for merciful ends, and out of merciful respects; when sin is taken away.