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{The Application
Application for the Godly
Four General Directions for a Conclusion of the Whole
Be Steadfast
What Kinds of Troubles Are the Greatest Temptations}
There are other troubles that fall only on the heritage of the Lord, upon the best among a people. The vile of the earth prosper and flourish, and the only suffering people are those in whom some good thing is found. It is as though the sun shines on the barren mountains and miry marshes, and the storms, thunder, and hail fall only on the fruitful fields, or when the corn is struck and only the thorns and briars escape. These troubles fall on the righteous of the earth and because of their righteousness. The bread and water of affliction are given to disciples in the name of disciples. These are the most trying troubles; they leave people to their choice: to either sin or suffer. It happens that godliness becomes the common road to tribulation, and ungodliness is the only door that is left open by which we may escape and get ourselves out of danger. Such afflictions as these will make the most precise search and thorough trial whether we are godly indeed or not.
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