Secondly, Let them that are in Adversity, likewise behave themselves as under the Trials of the Lord. We may most or all of us, Lament, I am the man that hath seen Affliction; there is a Variety of Calamity which we are tried withal. God forbid that we should procure to our selves the Brand set upon that wicked man of old, In the time of his Distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD. Never was there in this ⟨p. 103⟩world a more doleful sight than that of a Thief on a Cross, yet Neglecting and Affronting the Son of God. We that have been lately under Affliction, (particularly, under that Affliction of Sickness) have as it were lain among the pots; God has as it were laid us by among the meanest Lumps of clay; but O that we may now come forth Doves, having Wings covered with Silver, and Feathers with yellow Gold! O that we may come forth of our Trials more gracious, more Savoury, more Heavenly, than ever we were in our lives before; that the Iron-Age of Grief may issue in a Golden-Age of Grace, unto us; that our Adversity may procure more grace to to us, than ever the Prosperity of Solomon did gold to him. Tis to be desired, that the Transmutation of Metals may be Exemplified in us; and that the most exquisite Vitriolic powder may not be so powerful, to make Natural gold, as the Dust of Affliction may be to make Spiritual gold of our souls. Look to it, Lest our Character be that, Reprobate Silver, which is rejected by the Lord.
Secondly, Let them that are in Adversity, likewise behave themselves as under the Tryals of the Lord. We may most or all of us, Lament, I am the man that hath seen Affliction; there is a Variety of Calamity which we are try'd withal. God forbid that we should procure to our selves the Brand set upon that wicked man of old, In the time of his Distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD. Never was there in this ⟨p. 103⟩world a more doleful sight than that of a Theef on a Cross, yet Neglecting and Affronting the Son of God. We that have been lately under Affliction, (particularly, under that Affliction of Sickness) have as it were lain among the pots; God has as it were laid us by among the meanest Lumps of clay; but O that we may now come sorth Doves, having Wings covered with Silver, and Feathers with yellow Gold! O that we may come forth of our Tryals more gracious, more Savoury, more Heavenly, than ever we were in our lives before; that the Iron-Age of Grief may issue in a Golden-Age of Grace, unto us; that our Adversity may procure more grace to to us, than ever the Prosperity of Solomon did gold to him. Tis to be desired, that the Transmutation of Metals may be Exemplified in us; and that the most exquisite Vitrioli• powder may not be so powerful, to make Natural gold, as the Dust of Affliction may be to make Spiritual gold of our souls. Look to it, Lest our Character be that, Reprchate Silver, which is rejected by the Lord.
