I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

As Suffering times, are praying times; so Suffering times, are Soul-assuring times: There is many a man or woman goes up and down many years doub•ing, and hath no assurance; and when they grow sick, God doth send in his Evidence for Heaven by the hand of that sickness, and he hath Assurance for Heaven that never had it before: according to that in Hos. 2.14. I will allure her, and bring her into the Wilderness, and speak to her heart. Comfort ye, comfort ye my People, saith your God: speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, because her Iniquity is pardoned: When? In the day of her Warfare: for her Warfare is accomplished, her Iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received double from the hand of the Lord. Suffering times, are Soul-assuring times.

As Suffering times, are Soul-assuring times; so Suffering times are Weaning times: when this Mustard is laid upon the Breast of the World, then are we Weaned. Suffering times, are Weaning times.

Lastly: Suffering times, are Heavenly times, and glorious times; when the World is most bitter, Heaven tastes most sweet, and glorious; for saith the Apostle, Then shall the Spirit of God, and of Glory rest upon you: When? In Suffering times, When the People of the Lord doth Suffer, the Spirit of Glory shall rest upon them. Suffering times, are Glorious times. And if all th•se things be true, then surely you will say with me, Suffering ⟨p. 34⟩times are gaining times. And if you would but think of this, and possess your heart with it, you would be more willing, and able to suffer. Christians, they boggle at Sufferings, and they startle at Sufferings; what is the reason? they do not know the Gains of Suffering. But is this true, That Suffering times, are gaining times? that Suffering times, are teaching times? that Suffering times, are Sin-discovering times? that Suffering times, are Self-bethinking times? that Suffering times, are growing times? that Suffering times, are Truth-advancing times? that suffering times are Uniting times? that Suffering times, are praying times? that Suffering times, are Soul-assuring times? that Suffering times, are Weaning times? that Suffering times, are Glorious times? then surely, Suffering times, are Gaining times. And if thou wouldst strengthen thy Faith (Christian) so as thou mayest be able to endure hard things, think upon this much, and press it upon thy own Soul, carry this away with thee, if no more; Suffering times are gaining times; O my Soul, Suffering times, are gaining times: and thus you shall be able to hold out, and suffer. And thus I have done with the main Doctrine. There are two or three Observations that lie about the words; I will only give you them, and so conclude.