A81235:72
Correction, instruction or, a treatise of afflictions
Correction, instruction or, a treatise of afflictions: first conceived by way of private meditations: afterward digested into certain sermons, preached at Aldermanbury. And now published for the help and comfort of humble suffering Christians. By Tho. Case, M.A. sometimes student of Ch. Ch. Oxon. now preacher of the Gospel in London.Correction, instruction or, a treatise of afflictions: first conceived by way of private meditations: afterward digested into certain sermons, preach'd at Aldermanbury. And now published for the help and comfort of humble suffering Christians. By Tho. Case, M.A. sometimes student of Ch. Ch. Oxon. now preacher of the Gospel in London.
London: printed by J.M. for Luke Fawn, 1652London: printed by J.M. for Luke Favvn, 1652
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
A tenth Lesson, 1by Chastisements God draws the Soul into sweet and near communion with himself. Outward prosperity is a great snare to our communion with God: Partly because by letting out our affections inordinately to the creature, we suffer the world to come in between God and our hearts, and so intercept that sweet and constant traffic and intercourse which should be between God and our Souls. Gods people offend most in their lawful comforts, because there the snare being not so visible as in grosser sins, they are the easilier taken; we are ⟨p. 45⟩soonest surprised where we are least jealous. Partly also for want of keeping up our watch against lesser sins: While our hearts are warmed with prosperity, we think many times small sins can do no great harm; but herein we do woefully deceive our selves: for besides that, the least sin hath the nature of sin in it, as the least drop of poison is poison; and that in smaller sins there is the greater contempt of God, in as much as we stand out with God for a trifle (as we count it,) and venture his displeasure for a little sensual satisfaction: I say, besides these and many other considerations, which may render our small sins, great provocations, this is one unspeakable mischief, that small sins intercept our communion with God, as much as great sins, and sometimes more: For whereas great sins by making deep wounds upon Conscience, make the Soul go bleeding to the Throne of Grace, and there to mourn and lament, and never to give God rest, till he gives rest to the Soul, and by a fresh sprinkling of ⟨p. 46⟩the Blood of Christ, to recover peace and communion with God: Smaller sins not impressing such horror upon the Conscience, are swallowed in silence with less regret, and so do insensibly alienate and estrange the heart from Jesus Christ. The least hair casts its shadow; a Barley corn laid upon the sight of the eye will keep out the light of the Sun, as well as a Mountain. The eye of the Soul must be kept very clear that will see God: 2Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Little sins, though they do not disturb Reason so much as great sins, yet they defile Conscience, and the Conscience under defilement (unlamented) is shy of God, and God of it.