Sanctified affliction

(Thomas Reade, "On Affliction")

Sanctified affliction has a twofold effect:

Like the wintry blast, it kills the noxious weeds of . . .
  lust,
  pride, and
  covetousness.

While, like the welcoming warmth of summer, it nourishes all the kindly graces of the Spirit . . .
  humility,
  purity,
  and love.

When affliction renders a man humble, and resigned to the will of God; when it tends to wean him from the world, and produces a change in his whole spirit and conduct--it is because the God of all grace is employing it as a means whereby to lead him, through the accompanying power of the Spirit, to true holiness!