London's lamentation, or, A serious discourse concerning the late fiery dispensation that turned our…

Secondly, By severe Providences and fiery Trials, God designs the preventing of sin. Paul was one of the holiest men on earth, called by some an earthly Angel, and yet he needed a thorn in the flesh to prevent pride. 2 Cor. 12. 7. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the ⟨p. 36⟩flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. Paul was in very great danger of being exalted above measure, witness the doubling of those words in one verse, Lest I should be exalted, Lest I should be exalted. Prudent Physicians sometimes give Physic to prevent diseases; and so does the Physician of Souls, as you may see by comparing the Scriptures in the Margin together. The ¹burnt child dreads the fire. Sin is but a bitter sweet, 'tis an evil worse then Hell it self. Salt brine preserves from putrefaction, and salt Marshes keep the sheep from rotting; and so sharp Trials, severe Providences preserve the Saints from spiritual putrefying, and from spiritual rotting. The Rabbins, to keep their Scholars from sin, were wont to tell them, that sin made Gods head ache; and Saints under fiery trials do find by experience, that sin makes not only their heads, but also their hearts ache; and by this means God preserves his people from many sins, which otherwise they would certainly fall into. Beloved, God by his fiery Dispensations has destroyed many, or most of your outward comforts; but little do you know the horrible sins that by this means the Lord has preserved you from. A full Estate lays men most open to the greatest sins, the worst of shares, and the deadliest temptations. The best of men have fallen foulest under their highest worldly enjoyments, witness David, Solomon, Hezekiah, &c. Under your outward fullness, how low was your communion with God? how languishing were your Graces? how lean were your Souls? and how was your spring of inward Comforts dried up? How little had God of your thoughts, your hearts, your time, your strength? O Sirs! how bad would you have been by this time, if God had not removed those things that were but fuel to your lusts, and quench-coals to your grace? Well, often think of this; 'tis a greater mercy to be preserved from sin, yea from the least sin, then 'tis to enjoy the whole world. But,