A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

(1.) How to pray to God, against Sin rather than Trouble. This is indeed to be delivered from Evil; 2 Tim. 4. 18. Paul reckoned upon that, He will deliver me from every evil Work. When afflicted, you should rather desire to have the Affliction sanctified, than removed; you will be most careful, for that Saints do not pray for the Interests of the Old Man, rather than the New Man. To be freed from Trouble, is a common Mercy; but to have it sanctified, is a special Mercy. Carnal Men may be without Affliction, but Carnal Men cannot have experience of Grace. Bare deliverance is no sign of special Love.

(2.) In our choice: 'Twas an heavy Charge they put upon Job; Job 36. 21. Thou hast chosen ⟨p. 498⟩Iniquity rather than Affliction. Sometimes we are put upon the trial, To loose the Favour of God, or the Favour of Men, Duty and Danger: Here content my self, gratify my Lusts and Interests; there, offend God. Out of the Temptation, we could easily judg, that all the Misery in the World is to be endured, rather than commit the least Sin. But how is it upon a trial, when a Worldly Convenience, and a Spiritual Inconvenience is proposed? By choosing Sin, a Man cannot altogether escape Affliction, here, or hereafter. Wickedness, though it prosper a while, yet at length it proveth a Snare.

(2.) In our choice: 'Twas an heavy Charge they put upon Iob; Job 36. 21. Thou hast chosen ⟨p. 498⟩Iniquity rather than Affliction. Sometimes we are put upon the trial, To loose the Favour of God, or the Favour of Men, Duty and Danger: Here content my self, gratify my Lusts and Interests; there, offend God. Out of the Temptation, we could easily judg, that all the Misery in the World is to be endured, rather than commit the least Sin. But how is it upon a trial, when a Worldly Convenience, and a Spiritual Inconvenience is proposed? By chusing Sin, a Man cannot altogether escape Affliction, here, or hereafter. Wickedness, though it prosper a while, yet at length it proveth a Snare.