Christ inviting sinners to come to him for rest

Thirdly, Outward afflictions is a great burden in this respect, because it many times occasions and helps forward many strong temptations: outward afflictions do strengthen, and do occasion strong temptations, which are very grievous to the Soul: As thus, when one is under affliction more then others, then comes this temptation, surely God loves me not, because of this Affliction; then comes temptation to envy others, because I am afflicted more then others; then comes temptation of distrust, I shall perish one day or other; then comes temptation of murmuring under the hand of God; temptation to take shifting Courses, to shift for ones self by unlawful means, Oh! what temptations have many that are under strong afflictions in poverty, imprisonment, disgrace, dishonour in the world; what strong temptations have they to stretch their Consciences. And this makes outward afflictions a grievous burden, because they occasion great temptations to poor Souls to stretch out their hands to folly, to unlawful courses many times to help themselves; Yea, The apprehension many times before it comes is so grievous, as it occasions temptation to much Evil to prevent those burdens, and yet for all that, the Lord is so pleased to order and dispose of things ⟨p. 115⟩in this world, that even such as he intends everlasting good to in Christ, go under such burdens as these, most part of their Lives, they go under the burdens of Poverty, Sickness, and outward troubles here in this world.

Thirdly, Outward afflictions is a great burden in this respect, because it many times occasions and helps forward many strong temptations: outward afflictions do strengthen, and do occasion strong temptations, which are very grievous to the Soul: As thus, when one is under affliction more then others, then comes this temptation, surely God loves me not, because of this Affliction; then comes temptation to envy others, because I am afflicted more then others; then comes temptation of distrust, I shall perish one day or other; then comes temptation of murmuring under the hand of God; temptation to take shifting Courses, to shift for ones self by unlawful means, Oh! what temptations have many that are under strong afflictions in poverty, imprisonment, disgrace, dishonor in the world; what strong temptations have they to stretch their Consciences. And this makes outward afflictions a grievous burden, because they occasion great temptations to poor Souls to stretch out their hands to folly, to unlawful courses many times to help themselves; Yea, The apprehension many times before it comes is so grievous, as it occasions temptation to much Evil to prevent those burdens, and yet for all that, the Lord is so pleased to order and dispose of things