Seasonable counsel, or, Advice to sufferers

Alas we have need of those bitter, pills, at which we so wince and shuck: and it will be well if at last we be purged as we should thereby. I am sure we are but little the better as yet, though the Physician has had us so long in hand. Some bad humo•rs may, possibly ere long ⟨image 6⟩be driven out: but at present the disease is so high, that it makes some professors fear more a Consumption will be made in their purses by these Doses, than they desire to be made better in their Souls thereby. I see that I still have need of these Trials, and if God will by these, judge me as he judges his Saints, that I may not be condemned with the World, I will cry, Grace, Grace for ever.

Alas we have need of those bitter, pills, at which we so whinch and shuck: and it will be well if at last we be purged as we should thereby. I am sure we are but little the better as yet, though the Physician has had us so long in hand. Some bad humo•rs may, possibly ere long ⟨image 6⟩be driven out: but at present the disease is so high, that it makes some professors fear more a Consumption will be made in their purses by these Doses, than they desire to be made better in their Souls thereby. I see that I still have need of these Tryals, and if God will by these, judge me as he judges his Saints, that I may not be condemned with the World, I will cry, Grace, Grace for ever.

The consideration also that we have deserved these things, much silence me as to what may yet happen unto me. I say, to think that we have deserved them of God (though against men we have done nothing) makes me lay my hand upon my mouth, and causes me to hold my tongue. Shall we deserve correction? And be angry because we have it! Or shall it come to save us? and shall we be offended with the hand that brings ⟨image 6⟩