A Body of Practical Divinity

2 Season. Before God calls his People to Suffering, Acts 23.11. Be of good Cheer, Paul. When God was about to give Paul a Cup of Blood to drink, he spiced it with Joy, 2 Cor. 1.5. As the Sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our Consolation also aboundeth. This made the Martyrs Flames, Beds of Roses; when Stephen was Stoning, he saw Heaven open, and the Sun of Righteousness shined in his Face: God Candies our Wormwood with Sugar.

3 Season. After sore Conflicts with Satan Satan is the Red Dragon who troubleth the Waters; he puts the Soul into Frights, makes it believe that it hath no Grace, and that God doth not love it: Though Satan cannot blot out a Christians Evidence, yet he may cast such a Mist before his Eyes that he cannot read it. Now when the Soul hath been bruised with Temptation, God will Comfort this bruised Reed. He now gives Joy Ad corroborandum Titulum, to confirm a Christians Title to Heaven. After Satan's Fiery Darts, comes the White Stone; no better Balm to heal a Tempted Soul than the Oil of Gladness: As after Christ was Tempted, then came an Angel to Comfort him.

3 Season. After sore Conflicts with Satan Satan is the Red Dragon who troubleth the Waters; he puts the Soul into Frights, makes it believe that it hath no Grace, and that God doth not love it: Though Satan cannot blot out a Christians Evidence, yet he may cast such a Mist before his Eyes that he cannot read it. Now when the Soul hath been bruised with Temptation, God will Comfort this bruised Reed. He now gives Joy Ad corroborandum Titulum, to confirm a Christians Title to Heaven. After Satans Fiery Darts, comes the White Stone; no better Balm to heal a Tempted Soul than the Oyl of Gladness: As after Christ was Tempted, then came an Angel to Comfort him.