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

And the Reason of it lies in this, that for Grace to approve it self to God in a way of the greatest well-pleasing to him; and so as to come to be approved of by God. And for a mans sincerity, to have Gods approbation and testimonial, as to Abraham, now I know thou fearest me; This is the greatest privilege, a Saint can have: and this ought to be matter of the greatest comfort. And is our greatest Glory, according unto that, 2 Cor. 10. 17. He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord, which he there speaks in reference unto what follows in v. 18. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. ⟨p. 13⟩Both which the Apostle spake, as that which he comforted himself, withal, yea and gloried in, even the Lords approving of him. Job also comforted himself with this: Chap. 23. 10. When he hath tried me I shall come forth as gold. The Apostle saith, the trial of your Faith is more precious then Gold: and he speaketh it of the very instrument, or means, by which, your Graces are tried; the very Chalcining ¹Pot, or the Fire, whereby it is tried ([Greek or Hebrew] his word is) Even that is more precious then gold. Then much more the Graces that are tried. And therefore the Apostle by his [Greek or Hebrew] intends, and means, these very afflictions, and tentations, by which we are tried: They are the Refiners Pot, and Fire. You would rejoice, if you had so much gold given you: Then rejoice, that you have so much ⟨p. 14⟩affliction, to try your Gold. That your graces are so highly valued by God, is the reason, why he tries them; he would not be at the pains and cost of it, else. And they being tried, and holding to be right, and true gold indeed, they have thereupon his approbation upon that trial; and he sets his Royal Tower Stamp, and mark upon them; secretly in this life, and the same will openly appear, to all the world, at latter day, so in 1 Pet. chap. 1. 6, 7. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season (if need be) ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious then of Gold, that perisheth, though it be tried with Fire, might be found unto [praise, and honour, and glory,] at the appearing of Jesus Christ. It will be found unto praise, then: but it is