Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

Indeed it is so, when this is the sole or principal restraint from sin: when a man abhors not sin, because of the intrinsic filth, but only because of the troublesome consequents and effects. But this is vastly different from the case of the Saints under sanctified afflictions; for as they have higher motives and nobler principles, so they have lower and more sensible ones too; and these are, in their kind and place, very useful to them. (2.) Besides, you must know, that afflictions work in another way upon gracious hearts to restrain them from sin, or warn them against sin, th•n they do upon others. It is not so much ⟨p. 111⟩the smart of the rod which they feel, as the tokens of Gods displeasure, which affrights and scares them, Job 10. 17. Thous renewest thy witnesses against me, &c. and this is that which principally affects them. See Psal. 6. 1. O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure: and Jer. 10. 24. O Lord, correct me, but with judgement, not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing: and surely this is no low and common argument.

Indeed it is so, when this is the sole or principal restraint from sin: when a man abhorrs not sin, because of the intrinsick •ilth, but only because of the troublesome consequents and effects. But this is vastly different from the case of the Saints under sanctified afflictions; for as they have high•r motives and nobler principles, so they have lower and more sensible ones too; and these are, in their kind and place, very useful to them. (2.) Besides, you must know, that afflictions work in another way upon gracious hearts to restrain them from sin, or warn them against sin, th•n they do upon others. It is not so much ⟨p. 111⟩the smart of the rod which they feel, as the tokens of Gods displeasure, which affrights and scares them,