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

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 ⟨p. 12⟩joy. And hereupon it is, (for no other doth he mention here) this alone being the greatest advantage, that a Christian is capable of, in this life: And in this life, only it is, that Grace is exercised.

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 tryed 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 tryed and exercised, and drawn forth to the utmost, is a thing of the greatest moment, the greatest spiritual priviledg 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 tryed; now, is that befal'n 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 ⟨p. 12⟩joy. And hereupon it is, (for no other doth he mention here) this alone being the greatest advantage, that a Christian is capable of, in this life: And in this life, only it is, that Grace is exercised.