The fiery trial no strange thing; delivered in a sermon preached at Charlestown, February…The fiery tryal no strange thing; delivered in a sermon preached at Charlstown, February…

Use. To wave other things, let me apply this truth for the helping of our faith unto a suitable improvement of the fiery trial which any of the people of God are at this day labouring under; and which we our selves also have weighty reasons to live in the continual expectation of; that so we may not so think of it, or entertain it as a strange thing: and to that end that we may have a right judgement, and soul satisfying apprehension of it, let us diligently and prudently compare the works of Gods providence, with those intimations which are given us in his word, and it will afford us a true and a full discovery of the true meaning of these things, and that in both respects.

Use. To wave other things, let me apply this truth for the helping of our faith unto a suitable improvement of the fiery tryal which any of the people of God are at this day labouring under; and which we our selves also have weighty reasons to live in the continual expectation of; that so we may not so think of it, or entertain it as a strange thing: and to that end that we may have a right judgement, and soul satisfying apprehension of it, let us diligently and prudently compare the works of Gods providence, with those intimations which are given us in his word, and it will afford us a true and a full discovery of the true meaning of these things, and that in both respects.

I. It may satisfy us in regard of that fore persecution which is at this day upon divers of the Protestant Churches abroad: we hear of many sad and sorrowful calamities which by the malice of Satan, and rage of men, are brought upon that cause, and are ready to sit down as men amused, wondering why this is, and wherefore God suffers it, how Jesus Christ can bear it: let me assure you, it is not because God doth not own and approve of that cause; it is his own, he hath born, and will bear witness to it; it is the cause which shall stand when all other shall come tumbling down into ruin: nor is it because God hath cast off his people whom he hath chosen; for his love to his Saints is unchangeable, inviolable: nor is it because he approves of, or takes delight in the contrary prevailing interest, though they indeed make their boast of their successes, and pretend the offering up the liberties and lives of Gods people, to be a sacrifice of thanks