The truly blessed man

1. Though both suffer from Gods anger, yet there is a vast difference in that anger. God may be displeased at his own Children, and in that displeasure smite them: but yet his anger at them, and that which he expresseth to ungodly men, though alike in the Providences, yet are of a divers nature in the principle whence they proceed. He treats them as enemies, but these as Children; he not only is angry at, but hates them; but though offended at these, he loves them; see the difference, Isa. 27.11. Psal. 89.32, 33. They may be thrown into the same furnace, but one as dross, to be dealt with accordingly; the other as good metal, which, though mixed with dross must be melted and separated.

1. Though both suffer from Gods anger, yet there is a vast difference in that anger. God may be displeased at his own Children, and in that displeasure smite them: but yet his anger at them, and that which he expresseth to ungodly men, though alike in the Providences, yet are of a divers nature in the principle whence they proceed. He treats them as enemies, but these as Children; he not only is angry at, but hates them; but though offended at these, he loves them; see the difference, Isa. 27.11. Psal. 89.32, 33. They may be thrown into the same furnace, but one as dross, to be dealt with accordingly; the other as good mettal, which, though mixt with dross must be melted and separated.

2. The operation of those Afflictions is vastly divers, and thereby God discovers what his thoughts are concerning the one and the other. They do not alike improve these providences; which is from the influence of grace on the one, which is with held from the other; for,