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

Thirdly, It's a blessed thing to be kept from the evil of Affliction though not from the affliction, Because then we may have the Presence of God, and the ⟨p. 447⟩comfortable enjoyment of him; Whereas if we sin in them, we are every ways miserable, we have no comfort within, and God will give no Comfort without; The Scripture speaks of many precious promises to the godly in their Troubles, that He will be with them, that he will never forsake them, insomuch that as their Tribulations abound, so the Consolations of God abound much more, 2 Cor. 1.3 Now all this is while we are holy and heavenly in afflictions; The best part of our life may be that which was in outward exercises, David never had more of God, neither did his Faith and Holiness more abound then when tossed up and down with Troubles: But oh how sad is it when thou shalt by thy Unbelief, distrust, and other sinful ways offend God, that now thou hast no Comfort within, nor any from God, who is the God of all Consolation! It's sin only is the sting of an affliction, God and sin will not be together, but God and Afflictions are often together: No marvel then if thou art thus to fear sin more then any trouble, because trouble is not trouble, if sin be absent, a gracious heart in afflictions hath an Heaven within, though it may have an hell without.

Thirdly, It's a blessed thing to be kept from the evil of Affliction though not from the affliction, Because then we may have the Presence of God, and the ⟨p. 447⟩comfortable enjoyment of him; Whereas if we sinne in them, we are every waies miserable, we have no comfort within, and God will give no Comfort without; The Scripture speaks of many precious promises to the godly in their Troubles, that He will be with them, that he will never forsake them, insomuch that as their Tribulations abound, so the Consolations of God abound much more, 2 Cor. 1.3 Now all this is while we are holy and heavenly in afflictions; The best part of our life may be that which was in outward exercises, David never had more of God, neither did his Faith and Holinesse more abound then when tossed up and down with Troubles: But oh how sad is it when thou shalt by thy Unbelief, distrust, and other sinful waies offend God, that now thou hast no Comfort within, nor any from God, who is the God of all Consolation! It's sinne only is the sting of an affliction, God and sinne will not be together, but God and Afflictions are often together: No marvell then if thou art thus to fear sinne more then any trouble, because trouble is not trouble, if sinne be absent, a gracious heart in afflictions hath an Heaven within, though it may have an hell without.