On I Peter 1:7 --
"Though the outward man decay (by sickness, poverty, disgrace, imprisonment, and the like) yet it is the inner man (Faith, Hope, Comfort, &c.) increased daily; for Faith the more its cut; the more it grows; the more it is trodden on; the thicker it comes up. And by afflictions there's purged away a great deal of pride, self-love, worldliness, hypocrisie, and the like, which long peace gathers, where of Jonah had experience when he was cast into the Sea; those tame us also: A man that was conceited against his neighbor for smal causes in prosperity, in sickness and affliction will be glad to take every one by the hand; therefore are the most afflicted, for the most part, the fullest of Faith and Grace, and purer then others; and a man is never better then when he is in, or newly come out of affliction. Hence it is, that we are willed to be thankful for them, yet to account it exceeding joy when they come, those being blessed that are so afflicted." -- John Rogers, 46.
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