The trial of a Christians growth in mortification, purging out corruption, or vivification, bringing…The tryall of a Christians growth in mortification, purging out corruption, or vivification, bringing…

Thirdly, when our minds are so glued to any thing, as we cannot ⟨p. 74⟩§3tell how to part with it, how to lose such a friend, or such a convenience, we would think our selves half undone if such or such a thing should fall out; Davids heart was full of humours, and needed purging, when he ventured so much of his comfort in his Absalom alone, that when he was cast away, he wished he had dyed for him. It is good often to try our hearts, by supposing the worst that can befall us. What if a change should come, such a thing I should be put to; to see how the heart can bear it. When some men have a loss in their estates and riches, it is as it were raked out of their bellies, as Zophar speaks, Job 20. 15. and a piece even of their very heart goes with them.

Thirdly, when our minds are so glued to any thing, as we cannot ⟨p. 74⟩§3tell how to part with it, how to lose such a friend, or such a conveniencie, we would think our selves halfe undone if such or such a thing should fall out; Davids heart was full of humours, and needed purging, when he ventured so much of his comfort in his Absalom alone, that when he was cast away, he wisht he had dyed for him. It is good often to try our hearrs, by supposing the worst that can befall us. What if a change should come, such a thing I should be put to; to see how the heart can beare it. When some men have a losse in their estates and riches, it is as it were raked out of their bellies, as Zophar speaks, Job 20. 15. and a piece even of their very heart goes with them.

Fourthly, when a man is still distempered under variety of conditions and businesses, and is inordinate in them all, it argues much unmortifiednesse: As if he be to recreate himself, he is inordinate in it, and knows not when to end, and fall to his calling again; if to study, then he is also as violent in it, and entrenches upon the duties should keep up his soul in health, as also upon the necessary refreshings his body requires. Broach the vessel where you will, if still it runs muddy and thick, it is a sign the vessel is full of ill liquor. To be distempered in some one particular is less, but when in every vein that is opened, much corrupt blood comes forth, it is a sign the body is full of humours, and needs purging. A man that is in an ague, and when the cold fit takes him, he is extreme cold, and when the hot fit comes, he is on the contrary as extreme hot, it is a sign he is full of humours, which as they are purged out, one or the other abates, or both; if when a man abounds, then he is commonly confident, and forgets God; if when he wants, then he is as much on the other side distempered, and grows solicitous, distrustful. Sound bodies can bear sudden alteration of heat and cold, but distempered weak bodies cannot. Nature cannot bear a sudden alteration, but much Grace can; I know how to want, I know how to abound,