Patience and its perfect work under sudden & sore trialsPatience and its perfect work under sudden & sore tryals

§. I Begin with the first, what ground there is in this life, to cause us to rejoice in such tentations. This, in the. 3. and 4. verses. [Knowing] that is deeply considering and weighing this principle, of our Christian profession, that the trying of your faith works Patience. That's one and the first. In which, the Apostle tacitly supposeth this maxim, and builds upon the supposition of it; it lies at the bottom, and yet is enough implied. It is this: That to have our Graces, especially to have our Faith and Patience, tried, and drawn forth and exercised in us, to the glory of God, is the greatest blessedness of a Christian in this life.

§. I Begin with the first, what ground there is in this life, to cause us to rejoyce in such tentations. This, in the. 3. and 4. verses. [Knowing] that is deeply considering and weighing this principle, of our Christian profession, that the trying of your faith works Patience. That's one and the first. In which, the Apostle tacitely supposeth this maxime, and builds upon the supposition of it; it lyes at the bottom, and yet is enough implyed. It is this: That to have our Graces, especially to have our Faith and Patience, tryed, and drawn forth and exercised in us, to the glory of God, is the greatest blessedness of a Christian in this life.

That this is the bottom Ground, is evident: For why else should he propose and hold forth this, of all other, with a [For] or ⟨p. 11⟩Particle that gives the reason, of what he had now said? That seeing their Faith and other Graces, as Patience &c. would be tried thereby, That therefore they should count it all joy. (My Brethren) If we had eyes to see, & to consider it, we might know, that as to have grace that accompanies salvation, is the greatest mercy can befall any one in the world: so to have that Grace tried and exercised, and drawn forth to the utmost, is a thing of the greatest moment, the greatest spiritual privilege that can come to us, after that we have that Grace. And therefore when Trials come, we are to think with our selves, now, will my graces be tried; now, is that befallen me which will do it: this ought to be matter of the greatest joy to me. For from this Ground, and reason it is, that the Apostle bids them Count it all