But then, in the next place, I am to Remember, That the Blessed God, by the Affliction, which He sends upon me, does cast me into the Fire, to manifest what I am. Affliction is a Trial; Yea, I can find, where the Book which miscalls nothing, has called it, A Fiery Trial. And thus we read, 1 Pet. 1. 6, 7. Ye are in Heaviness, through' many Temptations, that the Trial of your Faith, being much more precious than that of Gold which perisheth, tho' it be tried with fire, may be found unto praise A Sickness is a Fire, a Reproach is a Fire, a Loss is a Fire, (and the uneasiness thereby given to our Spirit makes the comparison too sensible;) in which a Trial is made of us, whether we have the Spirit, not of Bastards, but of Children in ⟨p. 180⟩us. Let this consideration mightily Inflame the zeal of my Soul, to be very watchful over my self, when I am in any Affliction. Let me now Remember, be the Affliction what it will, That the Heart searching Lord, is now Trying what is in my Heart; and let me therefore by Repentance, by Patience, by Humility, and Resignation, and by the Exercise of a Lively Faith, approve my Heart unto Him. Let it be my prayer and care, that under Affliction my conduct may be such, as that it may be said, Now I know, that thou Fearest God!
But then, in the next place, I am to Remember, That the Blessed God, by the Affliction, which He sends upon me, does cast me into the Fire, to manifest what I am. Affliction is a Trial; Yea, I can find, where the Book which miscalls nothing, has called it, A Fiery Trial. And thus we read, 1 Pet. 1. 6, 7. Ye are in Heaviness, thro' many Temptations, that the Trial of your Faith, being much more precious than that of Gold which perisheth, tho' it be tried with fire, may be found unto praise A Sickness is a Fire, a Reproach is a Fire, a Loss is a Fire, (and the uneasiness thereby given to our Spirit makes the comparison too sensible;) in which a Trial is made of us, whether we have the Spirit, not of Bastards, but of Children in ⟨p. 180⟩us. Let this consideration mightily Enflame the zeal of my Soul, to be very watchful over my self, when I am in any Affliction. Let me now Remember, be the Affliction what it will, That the Heart searching Lord, is now Trying what is in my Heart; and let me therefore by Repentance, by Patience, by Humility, and Resignation, and by the Exercise of a Lively Faith, approve my Heart unto Him. Let it be my prayer and care, that under Affliction my conduct may be such, as that it may be said, Now I know, that thou Fearest God!
