Christ inviting sinners to come to him for rest

Now the burden of affliction is very grievous to many, the Burden of poverty, disgrace, sickness or the like; those whom God lets prosper in their ways, little think what burdens are upon their Brethren; how many in these days are there of our Brethren, that groan under these Burdens, though we do not feel them? We know not how soon we may be brought under them, and therefore it will be very seasonable to show the Rest that we have in Christ even from under these Burdens. I have spent some time in opening the grievousness of other Burdens, now this burden of outward afflictions men are so sensible of, that there needs not much for the opening of them, but only to tell all that feel these burdens, that they may come unto this promise▪ Yea, and they are under this invitation, Christ invites them to come to him for Rest for these Burdens.

Now the burden of affliction is very grievous to many, the Burden of poverty, disgrace, sickness or the like; those whom God lets prosper in their waies, little think what burdens are upon their Brethren; how many in these daies are there of our Brethren, that groan under these Burdens, though we do not feel them? We know not how soon we may be brought under them, and therefore it wil be very seasonable to shew the Rest that we have in Christ even from under these Burdens. I have spent some time in opening the grievousness of other Burdens, now this burden of outward afflictions men are so sensible of, that there needs not much for the opening of them, but only to tel all that feel these burdens, that they may come unto this promise▪ Yea, and they are under this invitation, Christ invites them to come to him for Rest for these Burdens.

First, Outward afflictions are burdens, because they are in themselves part of the curse of the Law, and if they be sanctified to any, it is by virtue of this promise in the Text; if any affliction upon you be Sanctified it is thence. Before you come to Christ all outward afflictions, poverty, sickness, or any disturbance you have in your estate, it is in it self the fruit of the curse, and is so to you till you come to Christ: now to bear that that is in it self a fruit of the curse, must needs be a burden, because it is so contrary