A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

1. Hope of exemption from the Trial, is not that which Christ prescribeth, but minding of higher things. We are poor Creatures, tainted with carnal Self-love, and governed by Fancy and Appetite, and place all our Hopes and Happiness in having our Supplies and Supports under the view of Sense, and in being free from Trials. Now Christ referreth not to Sense, which would gratify this Humour, but to Faith; Let not your Heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. We love our selves more than God, and the Ease of the Body more than the Welfare of our Souls, and the World more than Heaven, and our temporal Pleasure and Contentment more than our spiritual and eternal Benefit: we would have our Consolation here. No, Christ referreth us to another Cure, not to seek the Ease of the Flesh, but the sure Repose of the Soul: he referreth to the Objects of Faith, not the Delights of Sense. Spiritual Peace is the best Counter-balance for worldly Trouble and Bitterness; John 16.33. These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have Peace. In the World ye shall have Tribulation; but be of good Comfort, I have overcome the World.

1. Hope of exemption from the Trial, is not that which Christ prescribeth, but minding of higher things. We are poor Creatures, tainted with carnal Self-love, and governed by Fancy and Appetite, and place all our Hopes and Happiness in having our Supplies and Supports under the view of Sense, and in being free from Trials. Now Christ referreth not to Sense, which would gratify this Humour, but to Faith; Let not your Heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. We love our selves more than God, and the Ease of the Body more than the Welfare of our Souls, and the World more than Heaven, and our temporal Pleasure and Contentment more than our spiritual and eternal Benefit: we would have our Consolation here. No, Christ referreth us to another Cure, not to seek the Ease of the Flesh, but the sure Repose of the Soul: he referreth to the Objects of Faith, not the Delights of Sense. Spiritual Peace is the best Counter-ballance for worldly Trouble and Bitterness; Iohn 16.33. These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have Peace. In the World ye shall have Tribulation; but be of good Comfort, I have overcome the World.