Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

First, Men despise it. They account that which befalls them to be a light or common thing. They take no notice of God in it. They can shift with it well enough: they look on instruments, second causes, provide for their own defence and vindication, with little regard to God, or his hand in their affliction. And the ground of this is, because they take in succours in their trouble, that God will not mix his grace withal. They fix on other remedies, then what he hath appointed, and utterly loose all the benefits and advantage of their affliction. And so shall every man do that relieves himself from any thing, but the consolations of the Holy Ghost.

First, Men despise it. They account that which befalls them to be a light or common thing. They take no notice of God in it. They can shift with it well enough: they look on instruments, second causes, provide for their own defence and vindication, with little regard to God, or his hand in their affliction. And the ground of this is, because they take in succours in their trouble, that God will not mix his grace withall. They fix on other remedies, then what he hath appointed, and utterly loose all the benefits and advantage of their affliction. And so shall every man doe that relieves himselfe from any thing, but the consolations of the Holy Ghost.

2. Secondly, Men Faint and sink under their trials, and afflictions, Which the Apostle farther reproves, vers. 12. The first despise the assistance of the Holy Ghost through pride of heart: the latter refuse it through dejectedness of spirit, and sink under the weight of their troubles. And who almost is there, that offends not on one of these hands? Had we not learned to count light of the chastisements of the Lord, and to take little notice of his dealings with us; we should find the season of our Afflictions to comprise no small portion of our Pilgrimage.

2. Secondly, Men Faint and sink under their trialls, and afflictions, Which the Apostle farther reproves, vers. 12. The first despise the assistance of the Holy Ghost through pride of heart: the latter refuse it through dejectednesse of spirit, and sink under the weight of their troubles. And who almost is there, that offends not on one of these hands? Had we not learned to count light of the chastisements of the Lord, and to take little notice of his dealings with us; we should find the season of our Afflictions to comprize no small portion of our Pilgrimage.