4. They rejoice the more, because the trials which increase their faith and hope, increase their love also: both their gratitude to God for all his mercies, and their good-will to all mankind. Accordingly the more deeply sensible they are, of the loving-kindness of God their Saviour, the more is their heart inflamed with love to him _who first loved us_. The clearer and stronger evidence they have of the glory that shall be revealed, the more do they love him who hath purchased it for them, and _given them the earnest_ thereof _in their hearts_. And this, the increase of their love, is another end of the temptations permitted to come upon them. 5. Yet another is, Their advance in holiness; holiness of heart and holiness of conversation: the latter naturally resulting from the former; for a good tree will bring forth good fruit. And all inward holiness is the immediate fruit of the faith that worketh by love. By this the blessed Spirit purifies the heart from pride, self-will, passion; from love of the world, from foolish and hurtful desires, from vile and vain affections. Beside that sanctified afflictions have (thro’ the grace of God) an immediate and direct tendency to holiness. Thro’ the operation of his Spirit, they humble more and more, and abase the soul before God. They calm and meeken our turbulent spirit, tame the fierceness of our nature, soften our obstinacy and self-will, crucify us to the world; and bring us to expect all our strength from, and to seek all our happiness in God. 6. And all these terminate in that great end, That our faith, hope, love and holiness, _may be found_ (if it doth not yet appear) _unto praise_ from God himself, _and honour_ from men and angels, _and glory_ assigned by the great Judge to all that have endured to the end. And this will be assigned in that awful day to every man _according to his works_, according to the work which God had wrought in his heart, and the outward works which he has wrought for God: and likewise according to what he had suffered; so that all these trials are unspeakable gain. So many ways do these _light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory_! 7. Add to this the advantage which others may receive, by seeing our behaviour under affliction. We find by experience, example frequently makes a deeper impression upon us than precept. And what examples have a stronger influence, not only on those who are partakers of like precious faith, but even on them who have not known God, than that of a soul calm and serene in the midst of storms, sorrowful yet always rejoicing: meekly accepting whatever is the will of God, however grievous it may be to nature: saying in sickness and pain, _The cup which my Father hath given me shall I not drink it_? In loss or want, _The_ Lord _gave: the_ Lord _hath taken away: blessed be the name of the_ Lord!