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…

Secondly, Not only the apprehension of thy guilt may thus rebuke all storms ¹within thee, But the consideration of Gods goodness and mercy is admirable, that doth thus alter and change the nature of these afflictions that are upon thee. For whereas thou mightst have been suffering for thy sins, thou now sufferest for God and a good cause. Whereas they might have been a curse, now they are made a blessing, whereas they might have administered all sorrow and bitterness; now thou art to account it all joy, when thou fallest into divers temptations; give not over sucking of this honey-comb, till thou hast got all the sweetness out of it; God maketh this crown of thorns, a crown of gold; That which might have been a stone is turned into bread; The fruit of thy sin is made a privilege and an honour: Hence the godly have always looked upon their sufferings, as a blessed thing, as eminent expressions of Gods love to them: Hence in all their troubles they have been more prepared and purified to bless God: As Bells cast into the fire, do afterwards make a sweeter and clearer sound; so that this is encouragement enough, to consider how God changeth the nature of these troubles, the fruit of sin is made the fruit of Gods love to thee, and also of righteousness to thy self.

Secondly, Not only the apprehension of thy guilt may thus rebuke all storms ¹within thee, But the consideration of Gods goodnesse and mercy is admirable, that doth thus alter and change the nature of these afflictions that are upon thee. For whereas thou mightst have been suffering for thy sinnes, thou now sufferest for God and a good cause. Whereas they might have been a curse, now they are made a blessing, whereas they might have administred all sorrow and bitterness; now thou art to account it all joy, when thou fallest into divers temptations; give not over sucking of this honey-comb, till thou hast got all the sweetnesse out of it; God maketh this crown of thorns, a crown of gold; That which might have been a stone is turned into bread; The fruit of thy sinne is made a priviledge and an honour: Hence the godly have alwayes looked upon their sufferings, as a blessed thing, as eminent expressions of Gods love to them: Hence in all their troubles they have been more prepared and purified to blesse God: As Bels cast into the fire, do afterwards make a sweeter and clearer sound; so that this is encouragement enough, to consider how God changeth the nature of these troubles, the fruit of sinne is made the fruit of Gods love to thee, and also of righteousnesse to thy self.