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

Answ. 1 No: For it may be that you are mistaken here, and think that you are hindered from the Work of God, when indeed you are not, We read of Paul, that he was whipped up and down the streets like a Rogue, that he was oft imprisoned; and who would not think but that his reproaches and imprisonments, should hinder him in the work of his Ministry? But he saith, That his Sufferings turned to the furtherance of the Gospel.

Answ. 1 No: For it may be that you are mistaken here, and think that you are hindred from the Work of God, when indeed you are not, We read of Paul, that he was whipped up and down the streets like a Rogue, that he was oft imprisoned; and who would not think but that his reproaches and imprisonments, should hinder him in the work of his Ministry? But he saith, That his Sufferings turned to the furtherance of the Gospel.

Answ. 2 When God leads a man into an Affliction, then God doth call him to another work. So long as a man is well, and in health, he is bound to go abroad, and to hear the Word; but when he is sick, then his work is not to hear, but to be patient, and quiet under the hand of God; then he is called to that other work which his Affliction doth lead him to. It may be your Affliction may hinder you from your former work, which God hath called you from; but it doth not hinder you from that work whereunto you are now called by your Affliction: And what though my Affliction doth hinder me from my former work; yet, if God will not fault me for the neglect of that, have I any reason to be discouraged because I do not do it? This is certain, That if God call me to a new work, he will never blame me, if I lay by the former. You will not blame your Servants, if they lay by their former work, when you call them to a new: and when God leads into a new Affliction, then he doth call to a new work.

Answ. 2 When God leads a man into an Affliction, then God doth call him to another work. So long as a man is well, and in health, he is bound to go abroad, and to hear the Word; but when he is sick, then his work is not to hear, but to be patient, and quiet under the hand of God; then he is called to that other work which his Affliction doth lead him to. It may be your Affliction may hinder you from your former work, which God hath call'd you from; but it doth not hinder you from that work whereunto you are now called by your Affliction: And what though my Affliction doth hinder me from my former work; yet, if God wil not fault me for the neglect of that, have I any reason to be discouraged becaus I do not do it? This is certain, That if God cal me to a new work, he wil never blame me, if I lay by the former. You wil not blame your Servants, if they lay by their former work, when you call them to a new: and when God leads into a new Affliction, then he doth cal to a new work.