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

Thirdly. This will appear also, if you consider, What comes with the Afflictions of the Saints. There comes much supporting Grace, much Light; much of Gods Presence, Fellowship and and Communion with Christ, in all his Sufferings. Much supporting Grace: Thy Rod, and thy Staff comforts me. God never lays a Rod upon his Children's back, but he first puts a Staff into their hand to bear it; and the staff is as big as the Rod: it matters not what your Afflictions be, great, or small, it is all one, you shall be upheld; and upholding mercy, is sometimes better,¹ than a mercy that you are afflicted for the want of. But the Lord doth not only uphold his People under Sufferings, but he gives forth much Light therewithal. The School of the Cross, is the School of Light. Affliction is our Free-School, where God teacheth his Children, and learns them how to write, both their Sins, and their Graces. Their sins: So long as Leaves are on the Trees and Bushes, ye cannot see the Birds Nests: But in the Winter, when all the Leaves are off, then ye see them plainly. And so long as men are in Prosperity, and have their Leaves on, they do not see what Nests of sins, and lusts, are in their hearts, and lives; but when all their Leaves are off, in the day of their Afflictions, then they see them, and say, I did not think I had had such Nests of sins, and lusts, in my soul, and life. Job, 36.7. He withdraweth not his Eye from the Righteous: Verse 8. And if he be bound in Fetters, and be holden in Cords of Affliction, then he shows them their works, and their transgressions, that they have exceeded. Yea, Affliction do not only discover their sins unto them; but it is Gods Plaster, thereby he doth heal the same: Before I was afflicted, I went astray, saith David. And Job, 36.10. He openeth also their Ear to Discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. Yea, these Afflictions, and Sufferings of the Saints, do not only discover, and heal their sins; but do put them upon the exercise of Grace: In their Afflictions (saith God) they will seek me early. Yea, they do not only draw out their Graces; but discover their Graces too, which possibly they did never take notice of before. I have read of some foolish Youths, that sitting on the Water side, upon the Bank, and mingling their Legs together in the Water, they did not know their own Legs;