CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

¹That though God may afford his people for a while many comfortable and sensible supports, yet they must not look to enjoy them always. As the child must not think always to hang on the breast, or to be dandled on the knee, so neither must Gods children always think to have comforts, mercies, and whatsoever their souls desire, but they must expect changes and several trials. Hence the Apostle saith, 1 Pet. 4.12. they are not to think any fiery trial strange. The godly are to be prepared in the midst of their mercies, that if God on a sudden raise the clean contrary, this should not seem a new or an hard thing to them. John 21.18. Christ tells Peter, when he was young, he went whither he would, but in his old age, another should girt him and carry him whither he would not: In his younger years he had liberty and freedom, but in his old age he should meet with bonds and imprisonments. Thus God saith to many, in thy younger years thou hadst health, comforts, but afterwards thou shalt have diseases, pains,² and many sad afflictions. To open this Doctrine let us consider, what those visible supports are that God for a while may vouchsafe to his people: And

¹That though God may afford his people for a while many comfortable and sensible supports, yet they must not look to enjoy them alwaies. As the childe must not think alwaies to hang on the breast, or to be dandled on the knee, so neither must Gods children alwaies think to have comforts, mercies, and whatsoever their souls desire, but they must expect changes and severall trials. Hence the Apostle saith, 1 Pet. 4.12. they are not to think any fiery triall strange. The godly are to be prepared in the midst of their mercies, that if God on a sudden raise the clean contrary, this should not seem a new or an hard thing to them. John 21.18. Christ tels Peter, when he was young, he went whither he would, but in his old age, another should girt him and carry him whither he would not: In his younger years he had liberty and freedom, but in his old age he should meet with bonds and imprisonments. Thus God saith to many, in thy younger years thou hadst health, comforts, but afterwards thou shalt have diseases, pains,