A Furnace is prepared for Gold: The Refining-Pot for Silver, and the Furnace for Gold: So Afflictions are appointed for the Saints, who are compared to Gold.
II. A Furnace refines Gold, and makes it much more pure than before: So doth Af∣fliction refine, and make more holy, the Hearts and Lives of godly Christians:* 1.1 When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as Gold.
III. A Furnace is made sometimes very hot: So Afflictions are sometimes very sore and grievous to the Godly. A weak Fire will not refine some Gold; no more will small Trials refine some Christians.
IV. A Furnace melts the Gold, and makes it soft, before it is refined: So Afflictions melt or make the Hearts of Believers soft: — And I will leave you there, (speaking of the Furnace) and melt you.* 1.2
V. A Furnace consumes Tin, Lead, &c. and also the drossy part of Gold: So those Afflictions and Trials God brings upon his People, burn up or consume all loose and hypo∣critical Professors, who are compared to base Metal, as Tin, Lead, &c. And not only so, but also all the Filth and Corruption of such who are sincere.* 1.3 Into Smoke shall they consume, (speaking of ungodly Ones.) [See Gold, and Refiner in the First Volume, pag. 262, 264.]
VI. Some Furnaces denote great Torment; 'tis an amazing thing, to be thrown into a hot fiery Furnace: So some Afflictions and Judgments brought upon an ungodly People, are very terrible, when they are in Wrath. The Wrath of God is to wicked Men like a burning and consuming Furnace: Who can stand before his Indignation?* 1.4 or who can abide in the fierceness of his Anger? His Fury is poured out like Fire. [See Furnace, as it respects Hell-Torments.]