CHAPTER XV: Six ends more
this is the faith 'that is to honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.'
CHAPTER XV:
Six ends more, for the increasing of several graces, and destroying corruptions.
6. SIXTHLY, as it makes for the trial and discovery of graces, so it is a means sanctified to increase them, and to eat out corruptions:—
(1.) First, it is a means to destroy the flesh. The incestuous Corinthian was to be delivered to Satan,—that is, to be terrified,—to destroy the flesh. As corrosives eat out dead flesh, so these terrors the dead corruptions; and I the reviving of the guilt of old sins doth kill the seeds of those that remain in the heart. Fur if an outward affliction, which crosseth but the satisfaction of a lust, is a means sanctified by God to kill a lust; then much more the I inward terror which the conscience feels, and which ariseth immediately from the guilt of a sin, must needs be a means much more.
(2.) Secondly, it is a means to humble. So, Deut. 8:16, the end of the biting of the Israelites by scorpions—which were the types of these stings and terrors—was, as to prove, so to humble them; and for this end was that buffeting by Satan we have so often mentioned, 2 Cor.
12:7, to keep down being exalted above measure. So also, 1 Pet. 5:6, 'Humble your selves under the mighty hand of God;' and if in any other affliction his mighty hand lays hardest on, surely in these.
(3.) Thirdly, it is a means to bring you in more assurance and establishment. 1 Pet. 5:10, 'The God of all grace, after you have suffered a while, stablish and strengthen you.' He knew they could not be settled till they had suffered in this or some other kind. The tree roots itself the more, the more it is shaken. 'Comforts abound the more that sufferings do abound.' That light is clearest and strongest that ariseth out of darkness, because God creates it. Those things which men doubt of most, God gives the greatest evidence of in the end.
(4.) Fourthly, it trains you up to fear God more, and to obey him.
Therefore, in the text, these are added as the concomitant dispositions of the soul in such a case. For of all other, these of fearing God and obeying him do most eminently and sensibly appear in that estate: Heb. 5:8, 'Christ himself learned obedience by what he suffered.' The yoke tames the wanton wildness in beasts, and makes them serviceable, breaks them; and so do these the stubbornness of a man's spirit.
(5.) Fifthly, to set believers' hearts a-work to pray more and more earnestly. So the Apostle's buffetings, 2 Cor. 12, made him pray thrice,—that is, often. So Christ, Luke 22:44, 'being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly;' and being in fear, he did lift up strong cries,
Heb. 5:7. So Heman, by reason of his terrors, was a man much in prayers, Ps. 88:1, 'I have cried day and night before thee.' Christians that enjoy not communion with God, yet if they think they have not lost him, they are secure and lazy in prayers; but if they apprehend once that their beloved is gone,' or that they are in danger to lose him, than they will seek him all the world over but they will find him,
Cant. 5:6–8; and make hue and cry after him, as the church did there.