A Body of Practical Divinity

3. Afflictions on the Godly make them better, but Afflictions on the Wicked make them worse: The Godly pray more, Psal. 130.1. The Wicked Blaspheme more, Rev. 16.9. Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the Name of God. Afflictions on the Wicked make them more Impenitent: Every Plague upon Egypt increased the Plague of Hardness in Pharaoh's Heart: To what a prodigy of Wickedness do some Persons come after great Sickness? Affliction on the Godly is like bruising of Spices which are more sweet and fragrant: Affliction on the Wicked is like stamping of Weeds with a Pestle, which makes them more Unsavoury.

3. Afflictions on the Godly make them better, but Afflictions on the Wicked make them worse: The Godly pray more, Psal. 130.1. The Wicked Blaspheme more, Rev. 16.9. Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the Name of God. Afflictions on the Wicked make them more Impenitent: Every Plague upon Egypt increased the Plague of Hardness in Pharoah's Heart: To what a prodigy of Wickedness do some Persons come after great Sickness? Affliction on the Godly is like bruising of Spices which are more sweet and fragrant: Affliction on the Wicked is like stamping of Weeds with a Pestle, which makes them more Unsavory.

Use 1. It shows us that we are not to wonder to see Israel in the House of Bondage, 1 Pet. 4.12. The Holiness of the Saints will not excuse them from Sufferings: Christ was the Holy one of God, yet he was in the Iron Furnace: Christs Spouse is a Lilly among Thorns, Cant. 2.2. His Sheep, though they have the Ear-mark of Election upon them, yet may have their Wool fleeced off: The Godly have some Good in them, therefore the Devil afflicts them, and some evil in them, therefore God afflicts them. While there are two Seeds in the World, expect to be under the Black Rod. The Gospel tells us of reigning, but first of Suffering,