Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

4. The Goodness of God is seen in Temptations, in discovering and advancing inward Grace by this means. The issue of a Temptation of a Christian is often like that of Christs, the manifesting a greater vigour of the Divine Nature in affections to God, and enmity to Sin. Spices perfume not the Air with their scent, till they are invaded by the Fire; the truth of Grace is evidenced by them. The assault of an Enemy revives, and actuates that Strength and Courage, which is in a Man perhaps unknown to himself as well as others, till he meets with an Adversary. Many seem good, not that they are so in themselves, but for want of a Temptation. This many times verifies a Virtue, which was owned upon trust before, and discovers that we had more Grace than we thought we had. The solicitations of Josephs Mistress cleared up his Chastity. We are many times under Temptation, as a Candle under the Snuffer, it seems to be out, but presently burns the clearer. Afflictions are like those Clouds, which look black, and Eclipse the Sun from the Earth, but yet when they drop, refresh that Ground they seem to threaten, and multiply the Grain on the Earth, to serve for our Food; ⟨p. 660⟩and so our troubles while they wet us to the Skin, wash much of that dust from our Graces, which in a clearer day had been blown upon us. Too much rest Corrupts; Exercise teacheth us to manage our Weapons: The Spiritual Armour would grow rusty, without opportunity to furbish it up. Faith receives a new heart by every Combat, and by every Victory; like a Fire it spreads it self further, and gathers strength by the blowing of the Wind. While the Gardener commands his Servant to shake the Tree, he intends to fasten its Roots, and settle it firmer in its place; And is this an ill will to the Plant?

4. The Goodness of God is seen in Temptations, in discovering and advancing inward Grace by this means. The issue of a Temptation of a Christian is often like that of Christs, the manifesting a greater vigor of the Divine Nature in affections to God, and enmity to Sin. Spices perfume not the Air with their scent, till they are invaded by the Fire; the truth of Grace is evidenced by them. The assault of an Enemy revives, and actuates that Strength and Courage, which is in a Man perhaps unknown to himself as well as others, till he meets with an Adversary. Many seem good, not that they are so in themselves, but for want of a Temptation. This many times verifies a Vertue, which was own'd upon trust before, and discovers that we had more Grace than we thought we had. The sollicitations of Josephs Mistress clear'd up his Chastity. We are many times under Temptation, as a Candle under the Snuffer, it seems to be out, but presently burns the clearer. Afflictions are like those Clouds, which look black, and Eclips the Sun from the Earth, but yet when they drop, refresh that Ground they seem to threaten, and multiply the Grain on the Earth, to serve for our Food;