A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

2. For the trial of that Grace which he hath wrought in us. Grace doth better appear in Temptation, than out of it. The greatness of the Woman of Canaan's Faith would never have been discovered, had it not been for Christ's Answer and Denial, Mat. 15. 25, 28. Then, O Woman, great is thy Faith. The Glory of that Grace which God hath wrought in his People, would not be discovered so much, were it not for the great Trials he puts them upon: Heb. 11. 17. By Faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac. Before we go to Heaven, we shall have our Trials, and shall be tried in our dearest Comforts, and choicest worldly Contentments; and all, to see what Faith we have, and what Loyalty to God in the midst of these Trials. A great Tempest discovereth the goodness of a Ship, and skill of the Pilot; and so these great Trials, they discover the soundness of our Hearts, and the fruit of that Grace which God hath wrought in us. Gold is most tried in the Fire, and discovered to be pure and perfect. Stars that ⟨p. 437⟩lie hid in the Day, shine in the Night. We have but dry Notions of the Comforts of Christianity and make them matter of talk, until we are put upon great Trials, then is our belief and sense of them proved. A gilded Potsherd may shine, until it comes to scouring; but then the Varnish and Paint is worn off. The Valour and Worth of a Soldier, is not known in times of Peace, and when he is out of Action. When we are put to some difficulty and straits, then is Faith seen. Now this is a very pleasing Spectacle to God, to see them approve their Faith and Loyalty to his Majesty.

2. For the trial of that Grace which he hath wrought in us. Grace doth better appear in Temptation, than out of it. The greatness of the Woman of Canaan's Faith would never have been discovered, had it not been for Christ's Answer and Denial, Mat. 15. 25, 28. Then, O Woman, great is thy Faith. The Glory of that Grace which God hath wrought in his People, would not be discovered so much, were it not for the great Trials he puts them upon: Heb. 11. 17. By Faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac. Before we go to Heaven, we shall have our Trials, and shall be tried in our dearest Comforts, and choicest worldly Contentments; and all, to see what Faith we have, and what Loyalty to God in the midst of these Trials. A great Tempest discovereth the goodness of a Ship, and skill of the Pilot; and so these great Trials, they discover the soundness of our Hearts, and the fruit of that Grace which God hath wrought in us. Gold is most tried in the Fire, and discovered to be pure and perfect. Stars that