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CHAP. X.
That it prevents greater evills of Sinne and Punishment to come.
7. SEventhly, the Lord by this evill of Chastise∣ment for sinnes past, preventeth the evills of sin, and greater punishments for the time to come. The Lord (saith Elihu) correcteth man that he might turne away from his enterprize, and that he might keepe backe his soule from the Pit, and that his life should not perish by the sword, Job 33. 17, 18. This salt doth not onely preserve from Corruption, but also eate out Corruption. We are chastened of the Lord (saith the Holy Ghost) that we might not be condemned with the world, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cor. 11. 32. If we be not chastned here, we shall be condemned hereafter: Erring soules bee corrected that they may be converted, not confounded. If Paul had not beene buffetted by Sathan and wicked men, he had been exalted out of measure, 2 Cor. 12. 7. Pride is so dange∣rous a poyson, that of another poyson there was confe∣cted a counterpayson to preserve him from it: God would rather suffer this chosen Vessell to fall into some infirmity, then to be proud of his singular priviledges, Least I should be exalted above measure through the abun∣dance of Revelations; (there was the poyson of Pride insinuating it selfe) I had a Thorne in the flesh, the mes∣senger of Sathan to bu••••et me; There wa•• the Counter∣poyson or Antidote which did at once make him both sick and whole.