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
the reviving of the guilt of old sins doth kill the seeds of those that remain
in the heart. For 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 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. viii. 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. xii. 7, to keep down being exalted above measure. So also, 1 Pet. v. 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 establish ment. 1 Pet. v. 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. There
fore, 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. v. 8, Christ him
self 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 ear
nestly. So the Apostle s buffetings, 2 Cor. xii., made him pray thrice, that is, often. So Christ, Luke xxii. 44, being in an agony, he prayed more
earnestly; and being in fear, he did lift up strong cries, Heb. v. 7. So Heman, by reason of his terrors, was a man much in prayers, Ps. Ixxxviii.
1, I have cried day and night before thee. Christians that enjoy not com munion 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,
CHAP. XV.] A CHILD OF LIGHT WALKING IN DAEKNESS. 307
or that they are in danger to lose him, then they will seek him all the world over but they will find Mm, Cant. v. 6-8 ; and make hue and cry after him, as the church did there.
(6.) Sixthly, it causeth them to prize the light of GocCs countenance the more when they again obtain it, and so set a higher price upon it, and to endeavour by close walking with God, as children of light, to keep it ; to prize it more than corn and oil. Cant. iii. 2, she loseth him ; but at the 4th verse f she finds him again/ and then
f she holds him, and will not let him go.
308 A CHILD OF LIGHT WALKING IN DARKNESS. [PART II.