Two discourses I. of the punishment of sin in hell, demonstrating the wrath of…

Use IV.

No matter what befalls thee, so it works towards this end; let whatever be, so thou findest God to go on with this design, that he works upon thy Soul; be it upward, in communion with himself, or downward, in disowning thy self, thy vileness and corruptions, so it works. Thou hast afflictions that break thy heart, (as reproach broke Christ's Heart, says the Psalmist in his name) no matter, so they work upon thy Soul. Know then, they are set awork by the hand that sent them, to work a far exceeding weight ¹of Glory for thee: If by any means ⟨p. 347⟩(says Paul) no matter what, so the work go on. A Carver comes with his Chisels, and cuts off this piece, and cuts in to that part of the Stone: No matter; a stately Statue bearing the Image of some Person of Honour, is to be set up for perpetuity, and is accordingly a framing: So though God carves his Image out of thy flesh, no matter. Comfort thy self, and think not much at any condition, whilst (as St. Paul says) it turns to thy Salvation. ²Election sent thee not into this World to have a great Name (perhaps God will load it) nor to be rich, or to have Power, but to work thee for this self-same thing; and if thou seest that Plough a going (though it makes deep furrows on thy back, yea heart) yet so, that this seed be sown therein, rejoice, for thou shalt bring thy sheaves with thee. For my self, so that I find Election pursuing its design, of making me holy, and blessing me with spiritual blessing in heavenly places, (as Eph. 1. 4.) I care not (I would not care) what befalls me in this World.