The whitenesse of the silver, on the one side, of which this letton participates, for it is but at 16 Carats being pallied by the rednesse of copper, that causeth it citrinity. But this rednesse is but cruelty, and malice, which corrupteth gentle sincerity. _If your sinnes were as red as scarlet, or vermillion, they shall bee as white as snow, Esay 1. 16._ [Sidenote: Prov. 10.26. Esa. 6.4.] In regard of lead, it is put for vexations and molestations, wherewith God doth visit us; by means whereof, hee bringeth us unto repentance; for as lead burneth, and exterminateth all the imperfections of metall, which _Boetius_ the _Arabian_, calleth water of Sulphur; so tribulation divesteth us here below, from many spots, which wee thereby have contracted, so that, St. _Ambrose_ calleth it, Heavens Key, following that which is written, _Act._ 14. 22. _Through many temptations we must enter into the Kingdom of Heaven._ The Apostle _Rom._ 5. 3. and 4. &c. useth a very fine gradation, _Tribulation begets patience, patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy spirit, that is given unto us_. Fire denotes tribulation, whereupon the said Saint _Ambrose_ upon the first psalm, Fire saith he, burneth waxe, which melts it self to bee purged, and wee are proved by fire, for God desiring to convert a sinner chastiseth him, and burneth him, to purge him: for fire is light to Beleevers, and punishment, to the incredulous. Said Saint _Jerome_ very well upon _Ezechiel_. That fire illuminates Beleevers, and blinds Infidels, serving for nothing but smoak which makes them weep, and darknesse, as smoak which is noxious to the eyes. With which fume the house of _Israel_ was all filled and darkened. Let the just then rejoyce, when they shall find themselves upon this text of the 50. _Psal._ 3. A fire shall burn in his sight, for they shall be thereby illuminated, and obstinate sinners burnt by the same, having the two properties to illuminate, and burn: for that it illuminates, it must bee the holy Spirit, which is the true fire, that is kindled in our hearts, and not foolish and perverse opinions, vain and erroneous, which would quickly draw us to that which the Prophet _Esay_ saith, Chap. 50. 11. _Behold all yee that kindle a fire, and that compasse your selves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled, and you shall sleep in sorrow._ From thence saith _Origen_, it seems that sinners kindle themselves a fire, wherewith they must be crucified. _O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self, Hos. 13._ And in the 28. of _Ezek._ 18. _I will bring forth a fire, from the midst of thee, it shall devoure thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon Earth._ The matter then which entertains it, are our iniquities, and our offences, _their iniquity shall burn as fire_. And in the 7. of _Eccles._ 17.