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tions are to remove impediments of grace. By this, saith Isaiah, shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit, to take away his sin, Isa. xxvii. 9. All the ploughing is but to kill weeds, and to fit the ground for seed; all the threshing and winnowing is but to sever the chaff from the corn; and all the grinding and bolting by afflictions, is but to sever the bran from the flour, that God's people may be a pure offering, acceptable to him, Isa. lxvi. 20. Or else he afflicts, that his children might have experience of his love and power in preserving and delivering them, or that they might have the exercise, proof, and increase of faith, hope, Rom. v. 4, love, and other principal graces, which serve for the beautifying and perfecting of a Christian. God does judge his children here, 1 Cor. xi. 32, that they may repent, and be reformed, that they may not be condemned with the world. God's end in chastening you, will be found to be always for your good, that you shall be able to say, It was good for me to be afflicted, Psa. cxix. 67, 71. For it is that you may be partakers of his holiness, Heb. xii. 10, 11, and accordingly of his glory and happiness. Bear therefore all afflictions patiently, for they are for your good.

If this be your cross and trouble, that you want many of the graces and good gifts of God which he has promised, know also that this deferring to give graces and comforts, is of God, not out of neglect or forgetfulness of you; but of wise and good purposes towards you; as to inflame your desires more and more after them; and, that you should seek them in a better manner. It is likewise to try your faith and hope, whether you will do him that honour, as to wait and rest upon his bare word. When you are fit for them, you shall have them. You must therefore charge your heart yet to wait patiently for them, considering the faithfulness and power of God that promised: and that all the promises of God are, yea and amen in Christ, 2 Cor. i. 20. He is wise, true, and able to fulfil them in the due time, and in the best manner; for faithful is he that has promised and will