Two uses of it: first, not rashly to censure ourselves or others; secondly, against profane mockers
Reason 5. Fifthly, These depths are left to us, to make us more desirous of heaven; else great men, that are compassed about with earthly comforts, alas, with what zeal could they pray, 'Thy kingdom come,' &c.? No; with Peter they would rather say, 'Master, it is good for us to be here,' Mark 9:5; and therefore, it is God's usual dealing with great men, to suffer them to fall into spiritual desertions, to smoke them out of the world, whether they will or not.
Reason 6. Sixthly, God works by these afflictions in us a more gentleness of spirit, making us meek and pitiful towards those that are in depths, which was one cause of Christ's afflictions: he suffered, that he might help and comfort others. He suffered Peter to stumble, that when he was converted, he should 'strengthen his brethren,'
Luke 22:32.
Two Uses of It Use 1. Hence therefore we learn not to pass a rash censure on ourselves or others that are in such depths as this holy man was in; for the afflicted soul no sooner tastes of this bitter fruit, but presently breaks out into complaints. 'Never was any thus afflicted as I,' thinking it unpossible that there should be greater crosses, than it feels; when indeed the draught that Christ our head did drink to us, was far beyond the apprehension of mortal man, and therefore much more beyond his power to undergo. Let us beware how we censure others that are afflicted, for God's ends are hid. It may be God sends afflictions to manifest some excellent graces which lie in him, unknown both to the world and himself; and so he set Job as a flag of defiance against the devil, bidding him do his worst. He should find him upright, and a just man; and therefore we should rather take notice of affliction as a sign of some excellent grace with which God