An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

whereas if they had a meritorious causality, there must be a condign proportion between them.

But let us pursue this comfortable Doctrine. Only¹

1. 1How sufferings advance our salvation. 1. They help to make us mourn for sin, and turn to God.

First, Lay this as a foundation, that when we say, Our salvation is promoted by afflictions, you must not understand this, as if they of themselves did it; but it is solely by the power and grace of God. For in many Apostates, and such who had not deep rooting, sufferings did not promote their salvation, but their damnation: Even as to herbs not well rooted, the heat of the Sun doth wither them: So that some men falling into afflictions, are like noisome herbs thrown into the fire, which make the more unsavoury smell; like earthen vessels, that break in the fire. They never discover their rottenness, their love to the world, their unbelief so much, as in those times. It is true, the Apostle saith, Rom. 5. 3. That tribulation worketh patience: But that is not to be understood of it self, for in many it worketh impatience and unbelief; but by the power of God moving in these waters; there doth come healing. So that the presence of God, and his assistance is that alone which can turn these stones into bread. Hence also afflictions do not advance our salvation, as the Word preached doth; for that alone is properly the instrumental cause in Gods hand, both for sanctification and glorification; as afflictions are only occasional, and set home by the Word. It is true, the Word it self doth not convert or save, by any inherent virtue, as the fire burneth, but by the co-operation of God with it; yet afflictions have not that efficacy, or respect in the same way, as the Word hath. By sufferings then we are as the stone by its hewing and sawing, prepared for that everlasting building in Heaven; but it is the grace and power of God that doth polish and smooth us, otherwise through tribulations we should enter even into the kingdom of hell.