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

Thirdly, Afflictions and Tribulations do not of themselves make us holy, but they work according to the subject exercised with them; Indeed naturally to every man unregenerate they draw out corruption and sin, and Physic to an incurable disease, doth but hasten Death, and fire to wood, and such like Combustibles, doth not refine but consume; The more a muddied Pool is stirred, the more noisome it is, and thus it would work even in a godly man, did not ⟨p. 446⟩grace live within him as well as sin: Yet even to a godly man it's a very difficult thing not to have the waves of his heart rise high when these winds and tempests have blown upon them, and for this reason it is, that the more troubles are upon us, the greater assistance and discoveries of grace we need, and therefore there is more comfort in this prayer of Christ then the heart can conceive; Here is a provision made for thee in that which thou dost most want, for if the least temptation, the least Evil fall on thee, if that fall upon thy heart it will press thee to hell, should not God support and sanctify it, a gnat will choke thee as well as a Camel, God only moveth on these deeps, and makes them fruitful.

Thirdly, Afflictions and Tribulations do not of themselves make us holy, but they work according to the subject exercised with them; Indeed naturally to every man unregenerate they draw out corruption and sinne, and Physick to an incurable disease, doth but hasten Death, and fire to wood, and such like Combustibles, doth not refine but consume; The more a muddied Pool is stirred, the more noisome it is, and thus it would work even in a godly man, did not ⟨p. 446⟩grace live within him as well as sinne: Yet even to a godly man it's a very difficult thing not to have the waves of his heart rise high when these windes and tempests have blown upon them, and for this reason it is, that the more troubles are upon us, the greater assistance and discoveries of grace we need, and therefore there is more comfort in this praier of Christ then the heart can conceive; Here is a provision made for thee in that which thou dost most want, for if the least temptation, the least Evil fall on thee, if that fall upon thy heart it will presse thee to hell, should not God support and sanctifie it, a gnat will choak thee as well as a Camel, God only moveth on these deeps, and makes them fruitful.