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

Fifthly, It's happy to be kept from the Evil of an affliction, because of the proneness of our hearts to be tempted when we are in such provocations: Our Saviour supposeth by this Prayer that it was a very hard thing to be in the world that doth so annoy and oppose those that are godly, and not to be moved one way or other to wickedness: It's not an easy thing under Tribulations, especially if they be long and tedious, not to pollute the Soul one way or other: You see Job though his Patience be so greatly celebrated, and he at the first did so graciously resign himself into Gods hand, yet when his Troubles were continued, and sorely oppressing of him, then he breaks out into much Impatience and bitter Rebellion against God; Hence the Psalmist speaks notably, Psalm 125.3. The Rod of the Wicked shall not always rest on the back of the Righteous, lest they put forth their hands to Iniquity: Here you see, there is a very great danger that even a Godly man under constraint and sore Afflictions may be tempted to iniquity may do that which he never thought possible to do, yea, which will be a continual hell unto him; Oh then how comfortable and sweet a thing will it be to come out of thy Afflictions, thy Heart not condemning thee for impatience or any sinful distemper.

Fifthly, It's happy to be kept from the Evil of an affliction, because of the pronenesse of our hearts to be tempted when we are in such provocations: Our Saviour supposeth by this Praier that it was a very hard thing to be in the world that doth so annoy and oppose those that are godly, and not to be moved one way or other to wickednesse: It's not an easie thing under Tribulations, especially if they be long and tedious, not to pollute the Soul one way or other: You see Job though his Patience be so greatly celebrated, and he at the first did so graciously resigne himself into Gods hand, yet when his Troubles were continued, and sorely oppressing of him, then he breaks out into much Impatience and bitter Rebellion against God; Hence the Psalmist speaks notably, Psalm 125.3. The Rod of the Wicked shall not alwaies rest on the back of the Righteous, lest they put forth their hands to Iniquity: Here you see, there is a very great danger that even a Godly man under constraint and sore Afflictions may be tempted to iniquity may do that which he never thought possible to do, yea, which will be a continual hell unto him; Oh then how comfortable and sweet a thing will it be to come out of thy Afflictions, thy Heart not condemning thee for impatience or any sinnefull distemper.