Moses his choice with his eye fixed upon Heaven, discovering the happy condition of…

Fourthly, an afflicted condition gives opportunity for much exercise of grace, it calls forth whatsoever ¹grace there is in the heart to the exercise of it. Rev. 13. 10. St. John speaking of the sufferings of the Saints, Here (says he) is the faith and the patience of the Saints; here is matter for their faith and patience to be exercised about, this calls for the working of their faith and patience; and so for other graces, as humility, self-denial, love to God. Physic stirs up natural heat, and makes it active; so afflictions the souls Physic. What mighty prayers, and lively stirrings of spirit are there many times in afflictions? Isaiah 26. 16. They pour out a prayer, when thy chastening was upon them: our prayers do but drop out before, now they are poured out, and one work of heart do's so follow another, that there is no intermission, it is all but one prayer they have poured out, not prayers, but a prayer; and it is observable, the word ⟨p. 47⟩that here is translated prayer, is a word that is used for enchantment [Greek or Hebrew] because such words were conceived to be full of efficacy, containing much in a little room. So the prayer now is not an empty thing, but full of efficacy, containing much in a few words. The graces of Gods Spirit are the most lovely things in the world in Gods eyes, and therefore God delights much to see the exercise of them. When spices are beaten, then they send forth their fragrant smell; so when Gods servants are in afflictions, then their graces send forth their sweetness, in the activeness of them: when the box is broken, and the precious ointment is poured forth, then it sends forth its delightful savour; so when the heart is broken with afflictions, and the grace is poured forth, then they give a sweet smell in the nostrils of God and men. A tool that is daily used, is kept bright and shining; and so grace, when it is most exercised, it it is most beautiful: The glory of the things of the world minishes in the use of them, but grace is ever better for the wearing.

Fourthly, an afflicted condition gives opportunity for much exercise of grace, it calls forth whatsoever ¹grace there is in the heart to the exercise of it.