A Treatise of Faith, Part 2 · Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
How to liue by faith in the times of trouble and aduerſitie, ſpecially when we be exerciſed with many and long afflictions.
Pſal. 34.19.AFflictions are not more ordinarie, then burdenſome and heauie to be borne. Many are the troubles of the righteous, and manifold the infirmities of the righteous in their troubles. Sometimes they take carnall counſell; ſometimes they fret and murmure,1. Sam. 27.1. ſometimes they faint and deſpaire for a fit. Dauid ſaid in his heart, I ſhall now periſh one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me, then that I ſhould ſpeedily eſcape into the land of the Philiſtines.Pſal. 31.22. Pſal. 77.3. Verſe 7. Verſe 8. We ſtand in need to bee holpen againſt diſcouragements in affliction. I I ſaid in my haſte, I am cut off from before thine eyes. I remembred God and was troubled: I complained, and my ſpirit was ouer-whelmed. Will the Lord caſt off for euer? and will hee be fauourable no more? Is his merciemercy cleane gone for euer: doth his promiſe faile for euermore? which frailtie of the Saints doth leſſon vsus, what need we hauehave to bee ſtrengthened againſt all diſcouragements and hinderances which in afflictions we ſhall meete withall, that we neither grow wearie, nor be turned aſide in our Chriſtian courſe. And the Lord, our moſt mercifull and louing Father, knowing it to be moſt neceſſarie, hath for the comfort and encouragement of his children plentifully ſignified, that he will correct them in wiſdome,God correcteth in great wiſdome. Heb. 12.9, 10. louelove and tender compaſſion, to the, purge and refine them; and gratiouſly promiſed to aide, comfort and direct, and in fitteſt time to deliuer them out of aduerſities. We hauehave had Fathers of our fleſh, who corrected vsus, and we gaue them reuerence: ſhall we not much rather be in ſubiection vntounto the Father of Spirits, and liue? For they verily for a few dayes chaſtened vsus after their owne pleaſure, but hee for our profit, that we might be pertakers of his holineſſe. Hath he ſmitten him as he ſmote thoſe that ſmote him? Meaſure. Eſay 27.7, 8.Or is he ſlaine according to the ſlaughter of them that are ſlaine by him? In meaſure when it ſhooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: Ier. 46.28. & 30.11.he ſtayeth his rough winde in the day of the Eaſt winde. Feare thou not, O Iacob, my ſeruant, ſaith the Lord, for I am with thee, for I will make a full and of all Nations whither I hauehave driuen thee, but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in meaſure, yet will I not leaue thee wholy vnpuniſhed. This is that which the Prophet ſo earneſtly begged of God, O Lord, Ier. 10.24.correct me, but with iudgement, not in thine anger, leſt thou bring me to nothing. Hee corrects but for awhile:For a moment Pſal. 30.5. For his anger endureth but a moment, in his fauour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but ioy commeth in the morning. He will not alwayes chide: Pſal. 103.9. Ier. 3.12. Pſal. 125.3.neither will he keepe his anger, for euer. The rod of the wicked ſhall not reſt vponupon the lot of the righteous: leſt the righteous put forth their hands vntounto iniquitie. For yet a very little while, Eſay 10.25.and the indignation ſhall ceaſe, and mine anger in their deſtruction. For a ſmall moment hauehave I forſaken thee, Eſay 54.7, 8.but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee, for a moment: but with euerlaſting kindneſſe will I hauehave merciemercy on thee, ſaith the Lord, thy Redeemer. Eſay 57.16.For I will not contexd for euer, neither will I be alwayes wroth: Mich. 7.18.for the ſpirit ſhould faile before me, and the ſoules which I hauehave made. Who is a God like vntounto thee, that pardoneth iniquitie, and paſſeth by the tranſgreſſion of the remnant of his heritage? in louelove andHe retaineth not his anger for euer, becauſe he delighteth in merciemercy. Whom the Lord loueth, he correcteth, euen as a Father the Sonne, in whom he delighteth. Prou 3 12. Heb. 12.5, 6. Reuel. 3.19. Tenderneſſe. Eſay 63.9. Pſal 103.13.As many as I louelove, I rebuke and chaſten. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the Angell of his preſence ſaued them: in his louelove and in his pitie he rede…med them, and he bare them, and carried them all the dayes of old. Like as a Father pitieth his children: ſo the Lord pitieth them that feare him. For he knoweth our frame: Verſe 14.hee remembreth that we are duſt. How ſhall I giuegive thee vp, Hoſea 11.8, 9.Ephraim? How ſhall I deliuer thee, Iſrael? How ſhall I make thee as Admah? How ſhall I ſet thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. I will not execute the fierceneſſe of mine anger, I will not returne to destroy Ephraim, for I am God, and not Man, the holy one in the midſt of thee. To proue Deut. 8.2.Thou ſhalt remember all the way, which the Lord thy God led thee theſe fortie yeares in the wilderneſſe, to humble thee, and to proue thee, to know what was in thine heart. Pſal. 66.10. PurgeFor thou, O God, haſt proued vsus: thou haſt tried vsus, as ſiluer is tried. And I will turne my hand vponupon thee, and pur…ly purge away thy droſſe, Eſa. 1 25. & 4.4 Eſay 27.9. Refine Dan. 11.35. & 12.10. Zech. 13.9.and take away all thy ſinne. By this therefore ſhall the iniquity of Iacob be purged, and this is all the fruit, to take away his ſinne. And ſome of them of vnderſtanding ſhall fall, to trie them and to purge, and to make them white. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as ſiluer is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: and they ſhall call on my Name, and I will heare them. 1. Pet. 1.6, 7.Now for a ſeaſon (if need be) yee are in heauineſſe through manifold temptations: That the triall of your faith, being much more pretious then gold that periſheth, though it bee tried with fire, might bee ſound vntounto praiſe, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of I…ſus Chriſt. 1. Pet. 4.12.Thinke it not ſtrange concerning the fiery triall, Iob 33.16, 17, 18. Hoſea 2.6, 7.which is to try you as though ſome ſtrange thing happened vntounto you. He openeth the eares of men, and ſealeth their inſtruction, That he may with-draw man from his purpoſe, and hide pride from man. He keepeth backe his ſoule from the pit, and his life from periſhing by the ſword. He openeth alſo their eare to diſcipline, Iob 36.10, 16. Confirme grace Deut 8.16. Iames 1.2, 3.and commandeth that they returne from iniquitie. Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderneſſe, and that hee might proue thee, to doe thee good at thy latter end. My brethren, count it all ioy when yea fall into diuers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. We glory in tribulations alſo, Rom. 5.3, 4, 5.knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience; Iohn 15.2. Saue.and experience hope; and hope maketh not aſhamed. EueryEvery branch that beareth fruit, hee purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. When we are iudged, 1. Cor. 11.32.we are chaſtened of the Lord, that we ſhould not be condemned with the world. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for vsus a farre more exceeding and eternall waight of glory. Behold, 2. Cor. 4.17. He will deliuer them Iob 5.17, 18. out of trouble.happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore deſpiſe not thou the chaſtening of the Almighty. For he maketh ſore, and bindeth vp: he woundeth, and his hand maketh whole. He ſhall deliuer thee in ſixe troubles, yea, in ſeuen there ſhall no euill touch thee. Bleſſed is the man whom thou chaſteneſt, Pſal. 94.12, 13.O Lord; and teacheſt out of thy law: That thou mayeſt giuegive him reſt from the dayes of aduerſity: vntill the pit bee digged for the wicked. Iames 1.12. Is tender ouer them in trouble. Pſal. 56 8. Pſal. 31.7.Bleſſed is the man that endureth temptation: for when hee is tried, hee ſhall receiue the crowne of life, which the Lord hath promiſed to them that louelove him. Thou tellest my wandrings, put thou my teares in thy bottle: are they not in thy booke? I will be glad, and reioyce in thy mercy: for thou haſt conſidered my trouble; Pſal. 33.18, 19.thou haſt known… my ſoule in aduerſities. Behold, the eye of the Lord is vponupon them that feare him: vponupon them that hope in his mercy: To deliuer their ſoule from death, and to keepe them aliue in famine. The righteous cry, Pſal. 4.17, 18.and the Lord heareth them, and deliuereth them out of all their troubles: The Lord is nigh vntounto them that are of a broken heart: and ſaueth ſuch as be of a contrit… ſpi it: Pſal. 9.9. Verſe 18.The Lord alſo will be a refuge for the oppr…ſſed: a r…fuge i… times of trouble. The needy ſhall not alwayes b e f…rgotten: …ſal …6 1. and preſent ſo their help. Eſay 41.10, 11, 12.the expectation of the poore ſhall not periſh for euer. God is our refuge and ſtrength, a very p…eſent helpe in trouble. Feare thou not, for I am with thee: bee not diſmayed, for I am thy God: I will ſtrengthen thee, yea I will helpe thee; yea, I will vphold thee with the right hand of my righteouſneſſe. Behold, all they that were incenſed againſt thee, ſhall be aſhamed and confounded: they ſhall be as nothing, and they that ſtriue with thee ſhall periſh. Verſe 14.Feare not, thou worme Iacob, and yee men of Iſrael: I will helpe thee, ſaith the Lord, and thy Redeemer, Eſay 49.13, 14.1…, 16, 17.the holy One of Iſrael. Sing, O Heauen, and be ioyfu…l, O Earth, and breake forth into ſinging, O Mountaines: for God hath comforted his people, and will hauehave mercy vponupon his afflicted. But Zion ſaid, The Lord hath forſaken me, and my God hath forgotten mee. Can a woman forget her ſucking babe, that ſhe ſhould not hauehave compaſſion on the ſonne of her wombe? yea, they may forget, yet will not I forget thee. Behold I hauehave grau…n thee vponupon the palmes of my hands, thy wals are continua…y before me. Pſal. 91.14, 15.Becauſe he hath ſet his louelove vponupon me, therefore will I deliuer him: I will ſet him on high, becauſe he hath knowne my Name. He ſhall call vponupon me, and I will anſwere him: I will be with him in trouble, I will deliuer him, and honour him. In theſe and ſuch like paſſages of holy Scripture, wee ſee with what louelove and tenderneſſe the Lord doth correct his children, for the glory of his great Name, and their exceeding great benefit; that they might know themſelues, their frail…es and graces, bee purged from their droſſe, emptied of ſelfe-conceitedneſſe, confirmed in hope, patience, humilitie; qui…kened vntounto pray…r, and fitted for his kingdome: how g…atiouſly he do…h protect and comfort them …n h…auineſſe, l ghten their da…kenes, heale their wounds, k…ep… their feete from falling, couer them with his f…athers, hide them in his pauilion, and ſet them vponupon high from ſuch as riſe vp againſt them. He is the ſaluation of the righteous, and their ſtrength in time of trouble: Pſal. 37.39. Ier. 29.11.His though…s towards them, are thoughts of peace, and not of euill, to giuegive an expected end: Eſay 43.1, 2. Pſal 73.23.24.Hee is continually with them, and holdeth them by their hand; hee will guide them with his counſell, and afterward receiue them vntounto glory. Theſe promiſes ſo often repeated bee firme grounds whe…eupon to builde our faith, that we ſhall not be hindred by afflictions in our Chriſtian courſe, but rather furthered, till we attaine vntounto the end of our courſe in Gods Kingdome.
And ſurely it is moſt neceſſarie that we learne to liue by faith in afflictions.Its neceſſary to learne to liue by faith in affliction. Heb. 10.35.36 Heb. 6.12. Reu. 13.10. For faith is the ground of ſilent and quiet expectation of ſaluation. When Chriſtians are perſecuted for the name of Chriſt, all men ſee they hauehave great neede of patience, that after they hauehave ſuffered for a time, they might enioy the promiſe, which now they hold by faith, as it we…e by reuerſion, not in actuall poſſeſſion. But without confidence there can be no patience. Faith in God is the only ſtay and ſupport of the heart in trouble and affliction.Pſal. 27.13. I had fainted vnleſſe I had belieued to ſee the goodneſſe of the Lord in the land of the liuing. Remember thy word vntounto ſeruant, vponupon which thou haſt cauſed me to hope. This is my comfort in my affiction, Pſal. 119.49.50.for thy word hath quickened me. In daily and lighter tryals a man of milde and patient temper may hold vp the Head: but when one deepe calleth vntounto another, and the waues flow ouer our head; when nature yeeldeth, and the heart fainteth, then to ſtand faſt and bee of good courage, that only can faith doe, which is grounded vponupon the rich merciemercy of God, and relyeth vponupon his Almightie power. Faith is the Palme, that ſinkes not vnderunder the waightieſt of burdens, the Camomile that ſpreades the more it is trodden; the oile that euer ouerſwimmes the the greateſt quantitie of water you can power vponupon it. In the moſt boiſterous tempeſts it lifteth vp the chinne, that we ſhall not drowne:Heb. 11.35, 36. and when a man is halfe dead, it quickens and puts life into him. By faith the Saints hauehave endured cruell mockings & ſcourgings, bonds & impriſonments, Eph. 6.16.tortures and death and in all theſe were more then conquerours. Faith is the ſheild of the ſoule, whereby it is defended againſt all the fierie darts of the Deuill. When we are afflicted, we ſhall be tempted to impatience, deſpaire, doubting of Gods louelove, and the vſe of wicked means to helpe our ſelues out of trouble.Pſal. 3.2. and 31 11. and 35.15.36. Iob 30.1. The world will follow vsus with ſcornes and traunts, as if God had forſaken vsus and would not ariſe for our helpe: Our owne corrupt hearts will be readie to ſtart aſide, repine, faint, queſtion the Lords truth and mercy:1. Theſſ. 3.5. and Satan will not be wanting to his opportunitie with all his might, malice, and ſubtiltie to ſeduce, diſcourage, or terrifie. When our Sauiour was an hungred in the wilderneſſe,Math. 4.3. the tempter came vntounto him, and ſaide, If thou be the Sonne of God, command that theſe ſtones be made bread. Now ſeeing the burden of afflictions is made more heauie by temptations accompanying, wee had neede to be well vnderpropped with a liuely faith, that we might withſtand and repell the force of the Enemie. Faith onelyonly ſupplieth all our wants in affliction. Hee that poſſeſſeth all earthly things in greateſt proſperitie and hath not faith, hath nothing in deed; much leſſe the man that liueth in miſerie: but hee that liues by ſaith wants nothing that is good, when miſeries beſet him on eueryevery ſide. For the preſent riches of a Chriſtian are the gracious and faithfull promiſes of God, which faith poſſeſſeth, not looking to what we hauehave in hand, but what the Lord hath laid vp in ſtore; and expecteth to receiue from God in fitteſt ſeaſon, more aſſuredly, then if hee had it in his owne power to vſe. The Men of this world truſt their friends with their ſtocke or monie, and make account it i… as readie at hand, as if they had it in their owne poſſeſſion: and ſure it is, the true belieue hath iuſt and good cauſe to truſt God rather then himſelfe, and to relie vponupon his word for whatſoeuer hee hath commited vntounto him. F…i…h in time of danger doth as it were fence and compaſſe vsus with the promiſes of God: but without faith we are naked, and lie open to the malice of our Aduerſaries. Behold, his ſoule which is lifted vp, Hab. 2.4.is not vpright in him, but the iuſt ſhall liue by his faith. The vniuſt man puffes vp himſelfe, and buildes towers of defence to himſelfe: b…t the iuſt man belieueth, and that ſhall be to him in ſtead of all caſtles, towers, & bulwarkes in the world. For it brings vsus vnderunder the wing, preſence,Pſa. 18.2. Deut. 32.30. Pſal. 31.3. and 71.3. and protection of God: it makes him our refuge and ſafeguard, high rocke and tower of defence. Afflictions profit not, if they be not mixed with faith in them that beare them. Bodily phyſicke procureth not health if naturall heate be lacking in the patient, which might cauſe the potion to worke to the expelling of the ſicke humour: faith in reſpect of afflictions the phyſicke of the ſoule, is that naturall heate, wherby they are made to worke kindly to the purging of ſin and the encreaſe of grace and comfort: where it is altogether wanting, their can be no kindly worke.
The righteous are allowed to liue by faith in the times of euill, when calamities of all ſorts compaſſe them about,The Godly are allowed to liue by faith in afflictions. 1. Tim. 4.8. Rom. 8.28. for godlineſſe hath the promiſe of this life, and that which is to come: and the godly are to belieue both, according to the word of the Lord. God hath promiſed, that all things ſhall worke together for good, to them that louelove God, 1. Cor. 10.13. Act 27.25.and that he will not ſuffer vsus to be tempted aboue that wee are able: and it is our dutie to belieue God, that it ſhall be e…en as he hath tolde vsus. The godly hauehave had this confidence in formers times, whoſe practice is both a token of our priuiledge, and a patterne of our dutie. What time I am afraid I will truſt in thee. Pſal 56.3. Pſal. 31.5.Into thine hand I commit my ſpirit: thou haſt redeemed me, O Lord God of truth, yea, though I walke through the valley of the ſhaddow of death I will, Pſal. 23 4.feare no euill; for thou art with me, thy rod, and thy ſtaffe they comfort me. Come, and let vsus returne vntounto the Lord: Hoſ. 6.1.2.for he hath torne, and he will heale vsus, hee hath ſmitten, and he will binde vsus vp: After two dayes will hee reuiue vsus, in the third day hee will raiſe vsus vp, and wee ſhall liue in his ſight. God is hereby much glorified that wee relie vponupon him as our rocke of defence, al-ſufficient Sauiour, and truſtieſt friend in time of diſtreſſe. It is one of the Lords moſt royall titles,Pſal. 60.5. Pſal. ….9 Pſal. 10.14. to bee the Father of the Fatherleſſe, and a iudge of the widowes, a refuge for the oppreſſed, and the helper of the poore. Thou haſt beene a ſtrength to the poore, Eſay. 25.4.a ſtrength to the needie in his diſtreſſe; a refuge from the ſtorme, a ſhadow from the heate, when the blaſt of the terrible ones is, as a ſtorme againſt the wall. Eſay 30.18.And therefore will the Lord waite, that he may be gracious vntounto you, and therefore will he be ex…lted, that he may hauehave mercy vponupon you. The Lord hath commanded vsus to waite vponupon him in the dayes of calamitie and ſorrow.Hab. 2.4. The Iuſt ſhal… liue by faith. It is the ve y ſcope of this text to teach this one po nt of doctr…ne to the Iewes, when they would be oppreſſed by the Babilonions, viz, that in greateſt d…ngers, the onelyonly way is to ſtay our ſelues, and eſtabliſh our hearts by faith on Gods promiſes. Confidence in God doth the more bind and oblige him,Pſal. 37.40. as it were, to doe vsus good. The Lord ſhall helpe the righteous and deliuer them: hee ſhall deliuer them from the wicked, and ſaue them becauſe they truſt in him. Eſay 26.3.Thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace, whoſe minde is ſtayed on thee, becauſe hee hath truſted in thee. I will ſur…ly deliuer thee, Ier. 39.18.and thou ſhalt not fall by the word, but thy life ſhall bee for a prey vntounto thee becauſe thou haſt put thy truſt in me, ſaith the Lord. If a friend … lie and builde vp our faithfull promiſe, we take our ſ…ues bo…n… not to fr…ſtrate his exp ctation in a …ead lift:Pſal. 141.8. the Lord will neuer lea…e the ſoule deſtitute; which truſts in him. The faithfull hauehave promiſed themſelues, helpe, and confidently begged aide, becauſe they truſted in the Lord: Be mercifull vntounto me, O God, Pſal. 57.1.be merc…full vntounto me, for my ſoule truſteth in thee; yea in the ſhadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, vntill theſe calamities bee ouer paſt. Cauſe me to heare thy louing kindneſſe in the Morning, for in thee doe I truſt; Pſal. 143.8.9.cauſe me to know the way wherein I ſhould walke, for I lift vp my ſoule vntounto thee. Deliuer mee, O Lord, from mine enemies, for I flie vntounto thee to hide me. And to hope in God, and to ha…e God for our helpe, are linked together in Scripture, ſo that his helpe is re…die for all them, who reſt vponupon him in truth. Happy is he, that hath, Pſal. 146.5.the God of Iacob for his helpe: whoſe hope is in the Lord his God.Acts of faith in reſpect of theſe promiſes.
The acts of faith in reſpect of theſe promiſes be theſe.
Firſt, It looketh vntounto God and acknowledgeth his hand in all afflictions, whoſoe…er bee the inſtruments. Shall there be euill in a Citie, Eſay 45.7. Amos 3.6. Iob. 1 21.and they Lord hath not done it. The Lord gaue, and the Lord hath taken away. I know, O Lord, that thy iudgments are right, and that thou in faithfulneſſe haſt afflicted mee. Pſal. 119.75.If yee endure chaſtening, God dealeth with you as with ſonnes: Heb. 12.7.for what ſonn is he, whom the Father chaſteneth not. And this is one ſpeciall ground of humilation, patience, and comfort. Come, and let vsus returne vntounto the Lord, Hoſ. 6.1.for he …ath torne, and he will heale vsus. My ſonne, deſpiſe not thou the chaſtening of the L…rd, neither be wearie of his …rrection. For whom the Lord loueth he correcteth, Pro 3.11.12.euen … a father the ſonne, in whom he delighteth. Let him curſe: for the Lord hath bidden him. It may be that the Lord will looke on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite good for his curſing this day. But of theſe more particularly hereafter.
Secondly, It teacheth that wee are in ſuch diſtreſſes out of which none cane helpe vsus but the ſtrong helper of Iſrael. Faith ſpeaketh on this manner; We hauehave no might againſt this great companie, 2 Chro. 20.21.that commeth againſt vsus: neither know we what to doe, but our eyes are vponupon thee. And great is the benefit of this inſtruction, for it drawes the heart from carnall repoſe in meanes or friends; it expells vexations and diſtracting cares, and eſtranges from the vſe of vnlawfull meanes of deliuerance whatſoeuer.Pro. 21.31. Pſal. 33.16.17. The horſe is prepared againſt the day of battell: but ſafety is of the Lord. An horſe is but a vaine thing to ſaue a man; neither is any man deliuered by his great ſtrength. And the ſame may be ſaid of wiſedome, ſwiftneſſe, wealth, or the force of any meanes whatſoeuer,Eccl. 9.2. Pſal 127.1. Eſay. 30.7. and 31.3. though neuer ſo lawfull, or likely: But as for vnlawfull meanes, no good ſucceſſe can be hoped from them. The Egyptians ſhall helpe in vaine, and to no purpoſe; therfore hauehave I cryed concerning this, their ſtrength is to ſit ſtill.
Thirdly, It wiſely directeth vsus to conſider, that the cauſe of all miſerie and ſorrow is ſinne, and thereupon driues to examine our wayes, humble our ſelues before God for mercy; renew our hope in his grace, and ſet vponupon reformation of what is out of order. Faith is a good Phyſition,Hoſ. 5.15. that ſeeketh to cure the diſeaſe, by taking away the cauſe thereof: when God takes tryall of vsus that wee might know our ſelues, faith maketh ſearch into the heart;1. Cor. 11.31. Lam. 3.40. when hee iudgeth by his chaſtiſements, faith maketh vsus to iudge our ſelues: and when God ſtriketh for ſinne, faith ſtriketh at the head of ſinne. Let vsus ſearch and try our wayes, and turne againe to the Lord. I thought on my wayes: Pſal. 119.59.and turned my feete vntounto thy teſtimonies. When Manaſſes was in affliction,2. Chro. 33.12. Iob 34.31.32. hee beſought the Lord his God, and humbled himſelfe greatly before the God of his Fathers. Surely it is meete to be ſaid vntounto God, I hauehave borne chaſtiſement, I will not offend any more, That which I ſee not, teach me; if I hauehave done iniquitie, I will doe no more.
Fourthly, Faith meekeneth the heart willingly to ſubmit it ſelfe to the good pleaſure of God,Pſal 37.7. Pſal. 62.1.5. Lam. 3.16. Eſay 30.15. and patiently to beare his correctiō. Reſt in the Lord, & waite patiently for him: fret not thy ſelfe becauſe of him who proſpereth in his way. Yet vntounto God my ſoule keepe thou ſilence: for from him is my expectation. By faith the ſeruants of God hauehave beene enabled to ſay, The word of the Lord is good, Eſay 39.8. Mic. 7.9.I will beare the indignation of the Lord: becauſe I hauehave ſinned againſt him, vntill he plead my cauſe, 2. Sam. 15.26.and execute iudgement for mee, If he ſay thus, I hauehave no delight in thee, behold here am I, Pſal. 131.2.let him doe to me as ſeemeth good vntounto him, Surely I hauehave behaued and quieted my ſelfe as a child that is weaned of his Mother; my ſoule is euen as a weaned child. I was as a man that heareth not, Pſal. 38.14.15.and in whoſe mouth are no reproofes. For in thee, O Lord, doe I hope. Guiltineſſe of Conſcience (which is euer fearefull) and vntamed paſſions make vnquietnes, when the rod of God is vponupon our backes; both which are corrected by faith. The conſcience is comforted by faith, reſting vponupon the gracious promiſes of pardon, and giuing aſſurance that ſinne is pardoned: Paſſions are curbed and bridled by the ſoueraigntie, of faith, as hauing the affections vnderunder commaund, which it doth ſeaſon and moue according to the direction of the word: and by ſtrong, potent, irreſſiſtible perſwaſions, whereby it worketh the ſoule to this ſweete and heauenly ſubmiſſion. And as a plaſter,By what conſiderations faith preſwades to meekenes vnderunder Gods hand. which vponupon ſore fleſh cauſeth much ſmart, vponupon ſound fleſh ſtirreth no paine: ſo troubles lighting vponupon a ſoule healed by grace, and ſeaſoned by faith, are nothing ſo grieuous. The conſiderations of faith, whereby it perſwades vntounto me…kneſſe, be ſuch lik…. The fi…ſt …ken from the deſert of ſinne, which is farre greater …hen any thing wee ſuffer, or can conceiue.Lam. 3.39. Wherefore doth a liuing man complaine, a man for the puniſhment of his ſinnes?
The ſecond, from the hand that layeth the rod vponupon our b…ke, or teacheth out this b tter potion, which wee are forced to d …nke off and that is God, our moſt wiſe, iuſt, gracious and louing Fath…r. Whereas humane reaſon did cloudily …nd ob curely ſuggeſt to it followers certaine broken and confuſed opinions,Iohn 18.11. littl… better then dreames, of deſtinie and prouidence: Faith doth euidently and certainly aſſure of this ground of patience and comfort, that the leaſt ticke befals vsus not, without the ouer-ruling eye and hand, not only of a wiſe God, but of a tender Father, and fellow-feeling Elder brother, who beſt knoweth, and can meaſure out exactly what is meeteſt. Hee will not lay vponupon man more then is right, Leuit. 10.3. Iob 34.23. Pſal. 9.9. 1. Sam. 3.18.that hee ſhould enter into Iudgement with God. I was dumbe, and opened not my mouth becauſe thou didſt it. It is the Lord, let him doe what ſeemeth him good.
Thirdly, Out of this principle faith extracts this infallible concluſion, This Cup, how bitter and wringing ſoeuer, is a medicine to cure, not a poyſon to deſtroy, mingled by him, that moſt perfectly doth vnderſtand our need, our ſt…ength, and the working of his owne potion; miniſtred in great louelove and tender compaſſion to driue out corruption, confirme faith, preſerue from falling, ſtrengthen grace, weane from the world, and bring neerer to God by vnfained repentance. If it be ſickneſſe or pouertie,Eſay 57.16. it is in our Fathers owne hand, and he will not contend for euer, leſt the ſpirit ſhould faile before him: If hee turne vsus ouer to a ſeruant to ſcourge vsus; yea, though Satan himſelfe buffet vsus, yet hee ſtands by to number and moderate the ſtripes, that they ſhall not lay more vponupon vsus then ſhall be for our good;Zech. 1.15, 16. and he will enable vsus to beare. I am very ſore diſpleaſed with the Heathen that are at eaſe: for I was but a little diſpleaſed, and they helped forward the affliction: Therefore thus ſaith the Lord, I am returned to Ieruſalem with mercies. 2. Cor. 12.9.My grace is ſufficient for thee: for my ſtrength is made perfect in weakneſſe. What-euer fals being in Chriſt, it cannot bend to our vtter confuſion: but an iſſue ſhall bee giuen vntounto it. What terrible noiſe ſoeuer the ſtorme ſhall make ouer our heads, it ſhall be but as haile-ſtones vponupon the tiled or leaded houſe, that rattle more then hurt. Wee are kept by the power of Chriſt,1. Iohn 5.18. that the Euill one ſhall not touch vsus: we are in ſafe harbour vnderunder the rocke, and ſhall neuer be confounded. Sicke we are, and that of diuers humours, which may breed dangerous diſeaſes if they be not preuented: troubles, loſſes, diſgraces, dangers and ſuch like, are the Lords baths and pils, whereby hee rids vsus of that infectious matter, which would impaire our ſpirituall health, if it were let alone; his bitter potions,Eſay 27.9. Dan 11.35. Deut. 8.3. Heb. 12.11. Deut. 3.16. Rom. 5.3, 4. Zech. 13.9. Mal. 3.3. 1. Pet. 1.7. that ſhall worke for our health and welfare. He hath ſaid vntounto Croſſes, purge, refine, try, exerciſe, breed the quiet fruits of righteouſneſſe, giuegive them experience of their faith, confirme their patience, ſupport their hope, make them bring forth more fruit: but he hath giuen them no allowance to hurt, vexe, confound, weaken faith, or waſte any grace of the Spirit. When we feele our bowels wring, or (as in a Sea-ſickneſſe) are dead ſicke for the preſent, then faith puts vsus in remembrance, we ſhall be the better many dayes after. Phyſicke makes ſicke before it giuegive health: ſo doe afflictions, but the fruit is pleaſant. When they are a little ouer we ſhall be able to ſay, Oh, this was good for me, I would not for any thing,Lam. 3.27. Pſal. 119.71. but I had borne the yoke in my youth, that I may liue the more comfortably in my age. Wiſe parents doe not alwayes correct their children in meaſure, as being ignorant of their nature and diſpoſition. The moſt learned Phyſician may bee deceiued in the diſeaſe and conſtitution of his patient, miſtake in the qualitie or ſtrength of his Phyſicke, and ſo miſſe of his intended cure: But the ſpirituall Phyſician of our ſoules, doth ſo exactly know our temper and diſeaſe, doth ſo intirely affect our health, ſo accurately mingle the maligne and poyſonfull ingredients in our Phyſicke with correctors and allayes, that the confection ſhall be good, and altogether ſhall and muſt worke for the beſt. What though they be bitter to the taſte? It is better with the bodie when it feedeth on ſowre herbs, which breed good bloud, then on ſweet meates which engender bitter vomits, and mortall ſickneſſes. The true ſoule-ſickneſſe, viz. ſinne and corruption that dwelleth in it, do…h cleaue ſo faſt, and hath eaten ſo deepe, that gentle purges, eaſie corraſiues (that ſcarce worke to ſenſe or feeling) cannot expell or remoue it.Prou. 20.30. True it is, that all euils in themſelues are hurtfull, but faith looketh vponupon them as they are changed in and by Chriſt, who hath taken away the poiſon which would bee in the croſſes wee beare, and makes them ſeruiceable for our good: Euen as the art of the Apothecary doth make a poyſonfull Viper into a wholſome Treacle.
A man will beare much when hee ſpieth this, that it commeth from louelove in another to him: But God is louelove it ſelfe, and from louelove proceedeth eueryevery courſe he paſſeth vponupon vsus,Heb. 12.5, 6. Prou. 3.12. Iob 5.17. Apoc. 3.19. as well this of aduerſitie, as the other of proſperitie. Whom he loueth he chaſteneth, and ſcourgeth eueryevery ſonne whom he receiueth. The care and good will of Parents ſhewes it ſelfe in prouiding Medicines and Phyſicke, which may preſerue or procure the health of their children, no leſſe then in their allowance of meate, drinke, apparell, or other benefits, which they beſtow vponupon them. And God is as mercifull in preparing and miniſtring Phyſicke for our ſoules health, as in all other his daily benefits. Nay, herein doth appeare the moſt ſpeciall and tender regard that God hath ouer vsus.Eſay 48.10. For if good things be wanting, to the body ſpecially, we are apt to aske, and ſeeke after them: But ſhould the Lord let vsus alone till wee find out the diſeaſes of the ſoule, and be deſirous of, or willing to receiue his medicinable potions, our ſores would grow incurable,Iob 2.10. we ſhould periſh in our ſinnes. Therefore, as the belieuer doth receiue good things from God with ioy: ſo doth he euill with meekneſſe. The childe will take from the mothers hand, as well ſowre as ſweet, becauſe he is perſwaded of her tender louelove and affection: ſo doth faith entertaine afflictions from God, knowing them to be fruits of his grace and fatherly compaſſion.
Fourthly, After ſerious humiliation and vnfained abaſing of the ſoule,Deut. 4.29, 31, 32. & 30.3, 4. Leu. 26.41, 42. Eſay 54.6, 7, 8. faith brings tydings that God will looke downe from Heauen in merciemercy, and ſend helpe in fitteſt ſeaſon. If their vncircumciſed hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the puniſhment of their iniquity. Then will I remember my couenant with Iacob, and alſo my couenant with Iſaake, and alſo my couenant with Abraham will I remember. And this doth maruellouſly quiet and ſtill the heart. Should a man bee very ſicke whileſt the Phyſicke doth worke, he would not be diſmayed ſo long as he knew the fit ſhould laſt but a ſeaſon; and then eaſe ſhould returne with health:Eſay 39.8. And ſo it fareth with the faithfull in their afflictions: Hezekiah ſaid to Iſaiah; Good is the word of the Lord which thou haſt ſpoken; he ſaid moreouer, for there ſhall be peace and truth in my dayes. Reioyce not (ſaith the Church) againſt mee; O mine enemy; When I fall, I ſhall ariſe, Mich. 7 8, 9.when I ſit in darkneſſe, the Lord ſhall be a light vntounto me. I will beare the indignation of the Lord, becauſe I hauehave ſinned againſt him, vntill he plead my cauſe and execute iudgement for me; he will bring me forth to light, and I ſhall behold his righteouſneſſe.
Fiftly, Moreouer,Heb. 12.2, 3. faith doth re-minde vsus of our conformitie with Chriſt in afflictions, and of his partnerſhip with vsus therein. If hee that was the firſt-borne, the only begotten and intirely beloued Sonne of God: if he that was without ſinne, yet was not without ſtripes; ſhould we hope to goe free, or looke to be cockered continually? All the Sonnes of God by Adoption are predeſtinated to be made like their elder-brother, as in holineſſe and glory, ſo in afflictions. Should we thinke much to ſip or taſte of that cup, which hee hath drunke off for our ſake? The firſt leſſon we take out in the ſchoole of Chriſt is,Math. 16.24. Deny thy ſelfe, take vp the croſſe, and follow the Lord Ieſus. And the ſorrowes which we beare,Eſay 63.9. are not ſo much ours as Chriſts. In all our troubles hee is troubled with vsus: what burthen ſoeuer lies vponupon vsus, hee …eeles the weight of it.Acts 9.5. Col. 1.24. 1. Pet. 4.13. Apoc. 11.8. When Stephen is ſtoned, he is perſecuted: the wrong done to the Saints, is offered to him. And he can no more bee vnmindfull of his people, then forgetfull of himſelfe.
Laſtly, Faith ſetteth before vsus the infinite recompence of reward, not only renowne in this world, which yet by faith the patience of Iob, and all holy Martyrs hath obtained: but that farre moſt excellent weight of glory, which Paul eying, counted his afflictions (which to vsus would hauehave beene intollerable) light and momentanie,2. Cor. 4.17. not worthy to be named in compariſon: which made him not onelyonly not weepe, and howle, but ſing in the Dungeon, and reckon it a ſpeciall fauour and honour to be counted, not only a belieuer, but a ſufferer for Chriſt And euen as waters fall downe into vallies, not able to abide in grounds that lie high: ſo the ſenſe of theſe afflictions goeth away from mindes that are lifted vp in ſuch contemplation. By theſe and ſuch like perſwaſions, faith allures the heart willingly, freely, conſtantly to reſigne it ſelfe to the good pleaſure of God in all things.
The fift Act of faith. Pſal. 94 12. Verſe 13.The fift act of faith, It teacheth wiſdome to iudge aright of all afflictions. Bleſſed is the man whom thou inſtructeſt, and teacheſt him out of thy law: ſcil. wiſely to conſider of afflictions; of their nature, end, vſe, and iſſue to them that feare God. Hee ſhall reſt, or be quiet in the dayes of aduerſity. Did wee not through falſe glaſſes ſee things otherwiſe then they are, they would not caſt vsus downe ſo much as they doe. Want of heauenly wiſdome, what voices doth it draw from vsus? Euen ſuch as theſe; Were it any thing but this, I could hope to receiue good from it. Whereas through the ſpectacles of faith we come to diſcerne, that the things we ſuffer are moſt fit to doe vsus good. For fa th ſeeth not according to ſenſe or outward appearance, but as the truth is in Ieſus Chriſt, alwayes magnifying the wiſdome and courſes of God, as beſt and moſt for our profit.Eſay 11.2. The Spirit of wiſdome and vnderſtanding, of iudgement and counſell was powred vponupon Chriſt; of which Spirit we partake by faith, and ſo are made wiſe to perceiue the things of God, and to iudge aright of his dealings towards vsus. And from this proceeds willingneſſe to giuegive our neckes to the yoke, when God is pleaſed to put it on. Feare of hurt is that which makes vsus ſhunne the croſſe, or goe heartleſſe vnderunder it: when once by faith, the ſcales falling from our eyes, wee come to ſee it vſefull, beneficiall, healthfull, we ſtraine courteſie no longer, but take it downe.
Sixtly, True and vnfained confidence will not keepe ſilence in the cares of the Lord, nor ceaſe to importune his aide, to intreate his fauour. A…iſe, cry out in the night: Lam. 2.19.in the beginning of the watches poure out thine heart like water, before the face of the Lord: lift vp thy hands towards him. Be mercifull vntounto me, O God be merciful vntounto me, Pſal. 57.1, 2. 2. Chron. 14.11.for my ſoule truſteth in thee; yea, in the ſhadow of thy wings wil I make my refuge, vntill theſe calamities be ouer-paſt. I wil cry vntounto God moſt high: vntounto God that performeth all things for me. Truſt in him at all times, Pſal. 62.8. Eſay 26.16. Pſal. 142.1, 2. Iob 5.8. & 11.13.ye people powre out your hearts before him: Lord in trouble hauehave they viſited thee; they powred out a prayer, when thy chaſtening was vponupon them. The counſell, which Elephaz and Zophar gaue to Iob, faith doth apply and put in practice; which was to ſeeke vntounto God, and commit the cauſe vntounto him; to prepare the heart and ſtretch out the hands towards him. Hauing no wiſdome of our ſelues to make vſe of chaſtiſements, nor power to deliuer our ſoules, faith vrgeth to ſeeke vntounto God, that hee would leade vsus by his grace in the way that wee ſhould goe,Eſay 48.17. teach vsus to profit, and in due time vouchſafe freedome and deliuerance. The true belieuer deſires the benefit and fruit of reſtraint and correction, no leſſe then the comfort of freedome and libertie. He couets that the ſpirituall ſickneſſe, may be remoued, when the bitter potion is taken away. A wiſe patient will neither refuſe to ſwallow bitter pils, when it may be for health; nor diſorder himſelfe to make worke for the Phyſician: hee will take Phyſicke to recouer ſtrength, and lay it aſide when the troubleſome maladie is expelled. A belieuing patient had rather bee held in a continuall courſe of Phyſicke, then that the matter of ſpirituall ſickneſſe ſhould gather, and ingender diſeaſes in the ſoule. Deliuerance with inward ſoundneſſe is the thing which he longeth after, and beggeth of God. Thus faith will not ſuffer impotently to fret, repine, or murmure; nor yet to grow ſecure, as though it were no great matter how things went, forward or backward: it doth both calme the heart, and kindle deſires. Nor doth faith incite barely to cry vntounto God in diſtreſſe, but in all conditions eſtabliſheth the heart vponupon his aide, that it lookes not after other meanes of deliuerance,Iob 27.9, 10. Pſal. 5.3. Mich. 7.7. then hee affords. The vpright man will delight himſelfe in the Almighty, when trouble commeth vponupon him; he will call vponupon God at all times, and looke vntounto him for helpe.
7. Act.Seuenthly, It raiſeth the heart being conſcious of it weakneſſe to reſt vponupon the Lord for ſtrength, who makes vsus able to doe all things through his ſtrengthening of vsus:Phil. 4.13. Col. 1 11. Epheſ. 3.17. who ſtrengtheneth his in the inner man to long-ſuffering with ioyfulneſſe; who hath ſaid, ſuch as looke to mee, ſhall renew their ſtrength, Eſay 40.31.they ſhall mount vp with wings as Eagles, they ſhall runne, and not be weary; they ſhall walke and not faint: yea,Pſal. 94.22. it fixeth and eſt…bliſheth the heart vponupon Chriſt the rocke ſtrong and impregnable, whence followeth courage & ſteadines to vndergo them. Thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace (ſaith the Prophet) whoſe minde or thought is ſtayed on thee: Eſay 26.3. 2. Chron. 16.6, 7, 8. Pſal. 112.7.becauſe he truſteth in thee. The righteous ſhall not be afraid of euill tydings, his heart is fixed or eſtabliſhed, and trusteth in the Lord. Thus faith ſetteth the Lord alwayes in it ſight, and fortifieth the heart in confidence of his might.Pſal. 16.8. I hauehave ſet the Lord alwayes before mee, Pſal. 73.23.becauſe hee is at my r…ght hand, I ſhall not be moued; (that is) I hauehave ouercome all temptations my hope being faſtened vponupon the Lord; for hee hath powerfully aſſiſted and comforted mee. Our ſtrength is to claſpe to Chriſt, and hold to him, as the perſon in whom is all our ſtrength. The hil-rats are a weake creature, hauing neither ſtrength of limbes, nor other meanes of nature to defend themſelues:Prou. 30.20. but making their houſes in the rockes or ſtonie places, and flying thither in time of danger, they ſaue themſelues, and prouide ſafely for their young-ones. Wee of our ſelues are feeble and weake, eaſily ouerturned with the leaſt temptation: but working our ſelues by faith into that rocke Ieſus Chriſt, againſt whom the powers of Hell cannot preuaile, wee become couragious, vnmoueable, inuincible. It matters not what weight be laid vponupon the foundation, ſo it be ſure and ſtedfaſt: if Chriſt be our ſupporter, (as by faith he is made ours) nothing can ouerwhelme vsus. In quietneſſe and confidence is our ſtrength. Againe,Eſay 30.15. by faith w…e receiue the Spirit of fortitude and courage, whereby we are made able to endure the burthen of afflictions, and become valiant in combates.Eſay 11.2. For the ſpirit of wiſdome and ounſell, of vnderſtanding and ſtrength was powred into Chriſt, to the end we might boldly goe vntounto him, to a ke thoſe things we ſtand in need of, and receiue them by faith according to our meaſure.Epheſ. 4.15, 16. As the he…d communicates ſtrength to the bodie, ſo Chriſt powres out the vertue of his heauenly vnction vponupon the whole bodie of his Church. When the Apoſtles had receiued this ſpirit of ſtrength, they make a play of all their ſufferings and labours; euen as in bodily things, wee ſee men that hauehave ſtrength and courage (as theſe porters and ſuch) they will make a ſport to beare ſuch burthens, as a weake creature would tremble to lift at. For as bladders ſwimme aloft all waters whileſt they are filled with winde: ſo doe wee aboue all afflictions,Deut. 20.3. Ioſh. 7.5. Eſay 7.4. 2. Chron. 33.7. Prou 28.1. Pſal. 125.1. Eſay 12 …. Ioſh. 10 25. Deut. 31.6. 1. Chron. 28.20. 2. Chron. 32.7. Pſal. 27.14. whileſt this Spirit is with vsus, to ſupport vsus in them. Feare, doubting, feebleneſſe, fainting, nice-tenderneſſe, or melting of heart proceed from infidelitie and diſtruſt. Hardineſſe, courage, valour, inuincible durance are the fruits of faith, ſtaying it ſelfe vponupon the Lord, and ſeeking vntounto him. Be ſtrong, be of good courage, feare not, nor be diſmayed, for the Lord will be with thee, he will not faile thee nor forſake thee. Diſtruſt many times wrings from vsus ſuch voyces as theſe, were it any thing but this, I could hope to beare it: Whereas did we in conſcience of our impotencie ſeek to Chriſt to make vsus able, and faſten our ſelues vponupon him by a liuely faith, wee ſhould finde ſtrength enough through his might, whereby to beare that comfortably, which wee thinke moſt intollerable. Faith driues a man out of himſelfe, as not able to beare the leaſt croſſe as he ought, and through the power of God it enableth to beare that beſt (how troubleſome ſoeuer) with which God is pleaſed to trie vsus.
8. Act.Eightly, By faith the godly heart is drawne to vſe all lawfull meanes of helpe, that God in his prouidence doth afford,Mich. 7.7. Hab. 2.1. Pſal. 5.3. Pſal. 109.31. Pſal. 22.24. Pſal. 56.9. Heb. 11.2 7. but reſteth quietly vponupon Gods promiſes, and aſſurance of his preſence aboue all likelihoods and appearances, God ſhall ſtand (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) at the right hand of the poore to ſaue him from thoſe, that condemne his ſoule. When I crie vntounto thee, then ſhall mine en mies turne backe, this I know, for God is for me. Moſes left Egypt, and feared not the wrath of the King: becauſe he ſaw him that was inuiſible. The reaſon hereof is, faith coupleth the meanes and the end, but looketh to the promiſer, his grace, faithfulneſſe and power (who is able to doe aboue all that we can comprehend) and not to the probabilitie of the thing promiſed.Epheſ. 3.20. Rom. 4.11.11. Abraham against hope belieued in hope, that hee might become the Father of many Nations, being fully perſwaded, that what God had promiſed, he was able to performe. Heb. 11.11.By faith Satah receiued ſtrength to beare a Sonne, when ſhe was past age; What manner of dependance on the promiſes faith worketh.becauſe ſhe iudged him faithfull who had promiſed. This dependance on the promiſes which faith worketh, is abſolute, without limitation of time, meaſure of affliction, or manner of deliuerance. All theſe it referreth to the good pleaſure of Gods will,Eſay 28.16. and repoſeth it ſelfe ſecurely vponupon his faithfull word and prouidence. He that belieueth will not make haſte. Feare rides poſt to out-runne danger, and folly turnes ouer with ſpeed, our mourning part before God, delighting to be in the houſe of laughter: but faith, which leaneth vponupon the promiſes of truth, makes no haſte without good ſpeed.Dan. 9.2. Daniel waited ſeuentie yeares for deliuerance out of captiuitie in Babylon, and then finding the time of redemption to be at hand, hee prayed to God for the ſame. As for the meaſure of affliction, or meanes of deliuerance,Iob 13.15. the voice of faith may be heard in Iob and Abraham. The one promiſed he would truſt in God though he ſhould kill him; The other being commanded to ſacrifice his onelyonly Sonne Iſaac, Heb. 11.19.the ſonne of the promiſe, belieued that ſome other way he ſhould receiue him from the dead. This effect faith bringeth forth when all meanes faile, yea, againſt all oppoſitions in ſhew neuer ſo ſtrong and irreſiſtible.Eſay 63.5. For the meanes of themſelues be of no worth and validitie, and God is the ſame, one and vnchangeable (whoſoeuer oppoſe themſelues againſt his determinations) moſt readie to ſuccour when all meanes faile. God is our refuge and ſtrength, Pſal. 46.1, 2, 3.a very preſent helpe in trouble: Therefore will wee not feare, though the earth be remoued, and though the mountaines be caſt into the midſt of the Sea. Pſal. 49.5. Pſal. 56.4.Though the waters thereof roare, and bee troubled, though the mountaines ſhake with the ſwelling thereof. Wherefore ſhould I feare in the dayes of Euill, when the iniquity of my heeles (that is, the wickedneſſe my feet carried mee to) ſhall compaſſe me about. Ezra 8.21.For the hand of our God is, vponupon all them for good that ſeeke him, but his power and his wrath is againſt all them that forſake him. The Lord is my light and my ſaluation, Pſal. 27.1, 2, 3. Pſal. 3 6. Pſal. 54.4, 5.whom ſhall I feare? The Lord is the ſtrength of life, of whom ſhall I be afraid? Though an hoſt ſhould encampe againſt me, my heart ſhall not feare. Behold, God is my helper, Pſal. 118.7. Pſal 46.5, 7.the Lord is with them that vphold my ſoule. He ſhall reward euill vntounto mine enemies; cut them off in thy truth. But for ſupport in this caſe, faith turneth it ſelfe to meditate on Gods truth, which neuer faileth; his might which cannot be reſiſted; his wiſdome, which euer effecteth his owne workes by meanes beſt approued,Pſal. 116.5, 7. in his counſell, in the fitteſt ſeaſon; and his tender compaſſions whereby hee is ready to ſuccour them that are brought low.Pſal. 22.4. Againe, it looketh to the manner of Gods dealing, and to the vſuall courſe, which he hath held with his ſeruants in all ages paſt:Ex. 3.8. & 5.6. which is to grant deliuerance, when the afflictions of his ſeruants be increaſed, and ſend helpe when to ſenſe and reaſon it is furtheſt off.Ezek. 18.4. For eueryevery ſoule is the Lords, as the ſoule of the father, ſo alſo the ſoule of the ſonne: and what fauour he hath ſhewed vntounto any one, he will vouchſafe to eueryevery one that ſeeketh him diligently, if it may bee for their good. It is alſo confirmed by the experience of Gods dealing with vsus in former times of diſtreſſe and danger.Pſal. 22.9. Thou art he that tooke me out of the wombe; thou didſt make me hope, when, I was vponupon my mothers breaſts. I was caſt vponupon thee from the wombe; Pſal 71.17. 2. Tim 4.18.thou art my God from my mothers belly. O God, thou haſt taught me from my youth; & hitherunto hauehave I declared thy wōdrous works. For former mercies are as bils obligatorie vnderunder his hand, to aſſure of future good things, as they ſhall be needfull. That which God hath once done for vsus in ſuſtaining, quickning, quieting our ſpirits with peace which paſſeth vnderſtanding, keeping our hearts, that hee will doe eueryevery day vntounto vsus, if wee inforce our ſelues towards him. Moreouer, a good heart will not ceaſe to accuſe, checke and condemne it ſelfe for the Infidelitie, diſtruſt and weakneſſe of faith that it eſpieth; to incite, ſtirre vp, and call vponupon it ſelfe more confidently to waite, and truſt in the Lord; and in bitterneſſe of heart to ſeeke and ſue vntounto him for more ſtrength from aboue.Pſal. 42.5, 11. Why art thou caſt downe, O my ſoule, why art thou diſquieted within me? Hope in God, for I ſhall yet prayſe him for the helpe of his countenance. O God, my ſoule is caſt downe within me.
Ninthly, Faith belieueth one contrarie in another,9. Act. and out of deepeſt diſtreſſes gathereth aſſurance of ſweeteſt deliuerances. For the Lord ſhall iudge his people, Deut. 32.36. 2. Kings 14.26. Pſal. 9.9. & 10.and repent himſelfe for his ſeruants, when he ſeeth that their power is gone, and there is none ſhut vp or left. The Lord will be a refuge for the oppreſſed: a refuge in times, or due time of trouble. Mans extremitie is Gods opportunitie: Deepeſt miſerie is the fitteſt ſeaſon for deliuerance. Men often like to Swallowes, will be with vsus in Summer, but leaue vsus in winter. The Deuill, when hee hath drawne his into the bryars will giuegive them leaue to looke for themſelues. But God hath euer ſtood neereſt to his, when their exigences hauehave beene greateſt. The experience of miſerie & calamitie is made the ſure ground of ſuch ioyful hopes, as the Lord hath promiſed.Pſal. 20.1. Exod. 14 22. Dan. 6.22. The greater ſorrowes the people of God ſuffered, the more vndoubted experience they had of diuine truth contained in Moſaicall threatnings: the more vndoubted the experience of their truth, vponupon conſciouſneſſe of their owne tranſgreſſions, the greater motiues they had vponupon heartie and ſincere repentance, to apprehend the ſtabilitie of his ſweeteſt promiſes for their good. No depreſſion of this people, but ſerued as a counterſway to haſten, intend, or inlarge the meaſure of their wonted exaltation, ſo long as they rightly weighed all their actions and proceedings in Moſes ballances, and compared their permanent ſorrow for ſin paſt with their wonted delight in their permanent ſorrow for ſinne paſt, with their wonted delight in tranſient pleaſures.Ier. 30.13, 14. This that the Lord had ſtricken Iacob with the wound of an enemie, and with a ſharpe chaſtiſement for the multitude of his iniquities, is propounded as an argument of conſolation: for becauſe the Lord had killed, they muſt belieue, he would make aliue againe. The preſent wounds inflicted contrarie to the rules of politique defence, were the beſt pledges of their future health, beyond all hope of State-Surgeons. And when Ieremy more admired, then diſtruſted Gods mercies, in tendring the purchaſe of his Kinſmans field to him, when the Kings and Princes of Iudah had no aſſurance of ſo much poſſeſſion in the promiſed Land, as to inherit the Sepulchres of their Fathers: the Lord expels not his ſuſpenſiue, rather then diffident admiration with ſignes and wonders, as hee did Gideons doubt,Ier. 32 24, 25. &c. or his ſtiffe-necked Fore-fathers diſtruſt. By what meanes then? By the preſent calamities which had ſeized vponupon the Cities of Iudah, and that very place, wherein his late purchaſed poſſeſſion lay. This is the very ſcale of Ieremiahs aſſurance,Ier. 32.42, 43. from the Lords owne mouth. Thus ſaith the Lord, like as I hauehave brought all this great plague vponupon this people; ſo will I bring vponupon them all the good that I hauehave promiſed them. And the fields ſhall be poſſeſſed in this land, whereof ye ſay, It is deſolate without man or beaſt, &c. The depth of miſerie is vſually made an argument to moue the Lord with ſpeed to heare and ſend helpe: and this is grounded vponupon the p…omiſe of God to giuegive audience to his children,Pſal. 10.1. Deut. 30.1, 2, 3. Nehem. 1.7, 8. Pſal. 44.23.24. when in their diſtreſſes they remember themſelues, and ſeeke his face. Awake, why ſteepeſt thou, O Lord? ariſe, caſt vsus not off for euer. Wherefore hideſt thou thy face, and forgetteth our affliction and oppreſſion? Attend vntounto my cry, Pſal. 142.6.for I am brought very low, deliuer mee from my perſecutions: for they are ſtronger then I. What, that as wee feele God to be true in his threates, ſo we may be aſſured he will not faile of his promiſes.
Laſtly, it reioyceth in tribulations,10. Act. and tryumpheth before the victorie. The patient is glad when he feeles his phyſicke to worke, though it make ſicke for the time; becauſe he hopes it will procure health.Iam. 1.2.3. Rom. 5.3.4.5. Heb. 12.11. We reioyce in afflictions, not that they are ioyous for the preſent, but becauſe they ſhall worke for our good. As faith reioyceth, ſo it tryumpheth in aſſurance of good ſucceſſe: for it ſeeth not according to outward appearance, but when all meanes faile it keepeth God in ſight, and beholdeth him preſent for our ſuccour. As for me, I will come into, Pſal. 5.7.thy houſe, in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy feare will I worſhip towards thy holy Temple. Pſal. 13 5. and 16.8.9. Pſal. 142 7.I hauehave truſted in thy merciemercy, my heart ſhall reioyce in thy ſaluation. The righteous ſhall compaſſe me about: for thou ſhalt deale bountifully with me. We muſt liue by faith in the heauieſt and longeſt afflictions.Thus are we to liue by faith when God is pleaſed to exerciſe vsus with afflictions of what ſort ſoeuer, though heauy to be borne & of long continuance. Great troubles of long durance are the exerciſes of faith, as weighty burden are tryalls of ſtrength. As none for a little headach, or for the ranch of a pin will ſeeke to the bodily Phyſitian or Surgeon: So it is in a maner with the ſoule, whileſt it is troubled with like grieuances ſpirituall. Little things doe not much exerciſe our faith, nor ſtirre vsus vp to ſeeke God, and ſhort afflictions are ſoone forgotten. Faith indeede deſpiſeth not the leaſt croſſe, but is moſt prooued and ſtirred vp in the greateſt. Without queſtion there is moſt need of faith, when afflictions lie the heauieſt, and the more becauſe Satan will be moſt buſie at ſuch times to moleſt and trouble; he wills to ſhew his power and malice when wee are moſt feeble. When God followes a man with one affliction vponupon another, and thoſe of great continuance, then the Deuill will tempt to impatience and diſpaire, as if God tooke him for his enemie, and would not ſhew compaſſion any more. When the heart faileth, becauſe of the multitude of euils that compaſſe vsus about, and God hideth his face, man is apt to conceiue, ſure God hath forſaken me, and will not ariſe for my helpe. If God did louelove me, hee would neuer hauehave abſented himſelfe ſo long, now I am brought ſo low, in ſo greiuous diſtreſſe. How ſhould the poore ſoule, weake and feeble in it ſelfe, ſtand vnderunder this great weight of ſore affliction increaſed by temptation and continuance, if it be not vpheld by a liuely faith?The acts of faith in this caſe. The acts of faith in this caſe, are for ſubſtance the ſame with thoſe before mentioned, but for the helpe of the diſtreſſed Chriſtian, who may be vnable to direct himſelfe, I conceiue it not amiſſe to repeate the principall.
1. Pet. 1.6.Firſt, it teacheth that many and ſtrong afflictions of great continuance are no more thē neceſſarie. A wiſe Phyſition will not miniſter a ſtrong potion, where a lenitiue or gentle matter is enough, nor put one dramme too much in his preſcription: much leſſe will the Lord. Wee neede great afflictions that our corruptions may be ſubdued within vsus.Iob. 11.12. For as the vntamedneſſe of ſome colt is ſuch, that vnleſſe he were ſore ridden, hee would neuer be broken, ſo it is with our rebellious nature. Learning tels the Phyſitian, that in healing ſome bodily diſeaſes the patient muſt be kept ſo low, that hee muſt be almoſt pined with want, before a ſpring of better blood can be procured.Iob. 33.17.22. Pſal. 107.12.17.18. Faith inſtructeth, that God is as it were forced to caſt man vponupon the bed of ſorrow, till his dayes draw towards the buriall, and his bones begin to clatter, that he might hide, that is, ſuppreſſe and remoue his pride, and cure the diſtempers of the ſoule. Our afflictions are many and diuers, becauſe our corruptions are many, and of diuers kinds, and ſuch as are not expelled with one purgation. If one medicine fit not our ſore, will wee not ſeeke another. What Father will not vſe many remidies to helpe the infirmities of his Child, if one doe no good? Our heauenly Father keepes vsus in a dayly courſe of phyſicke, now with one thing, now with another, becauſe we profit not with any one alone. When afflictions are growne ordinarie, and vſuall, they moue the leſſe, becauſe they be familiar; therefore God is pleaſed to alter and change his medicines, that they might worke more kindly. And as it is neceſſary that afflictions be ſtrong and diuers, ſo alſo that they be of long continuance: for growen deſeaſes are not haſtily remoued, not old ſores quickly healed. As ſtaines long ſetled in a cloth, require much ſcowring and long whiting: ſo doe the euils which hauehave deepely eaten into our ſoule. In others wee may behold what is needfull for our ſelues.Gen. 15.13. The poſteritie of Iſrael endured tryall foure hundred yeeres. The elder people of God were all led captiue ſeuentie yeares.Dan. 9.2. By woefull experience eueryevery Godly man may finde, that being newly taken out of the furnace, hee ſtandeth in neede to be refined againe. Be our afflictions of neuer ſo long continuance in this life, wee are well aſſured, they ſhall not preſſe vsus longer then ſinne doth harbour in our boſome. And if faith bee not ouercome and vanquiſhed with dayly and continuall conflicts againſt corruption: why ſhould it faint vnderunder the burden of long during croſſes. Sinne is more oppoſite to faith, more perillous to the ſoule, then any fatherly Chaſtiſements (though ſharpe and cutting,) as the diſeaſe is worſe then the phyſicke miniſtred to expell it.
Secondly, Faith in the greateſt extreamities ſuggeſteth, that we are vnderunder the hand of God,Pſal. 31.25. Eſay 27.8. Heb. 12.8.11. Jer. 46 28. 1 Cor. 10.13. Pſal. 103 10. who correcteth in meaſure, and for our profit, who hath determined the time and weight of our afflictions, and by his bleſſing will turne them to our good: who doth proportion our euils according to the ſtrength we hauehave, or which hee will giuegive, not according to our deſeruings, and alſo continue our afflictions in great wiſdome, faithfulneſſe and mercy. Euen as the Phyſition only can preſcribe what quantity of phyſicke is to be taken, with what change, & how long the courſe or diet is to be continued: ſo the Lord only doth appoint the meaſure, varietie and continuance of troubles, wherewith hee is pleaſed to exerciſe vsus. Wicked men cannot ſet the time, nor meaſure out the quantitie of ſuch meaſures, whereof they are inſtruments; to the godly for they would know no meane, nor euer make an end. They may be fit executioners of Gods will herein, when they be ſet too, and taken off, according to his appointment: but vnfit determiners what is to be inflicted, or how long it muſt be endured. Nor are wee our ſelues to appoint the qualitie of our Chaſtiſements; or the termes and ſeaſons wherein and how long they ſhall be continued: for we would taſt onelyonly, (if at all) of the milder phyſicke, or ſap but lightly of bitters potions, when neceſſitie requires we ſhould take deepe. The patient is not to bee truſted with the ſearching and dreſſing of his owne wound, if painfull to be handled. Now ſeeing it is the Lord, great in mercy, infinite in wiſdome, aboundant in louelove and tender in compaſſions, who doth mingle our cup, why ſhould we feare or faint? If Iacob had held or tended Ioſeph in priſon, would he hauehave vſed him roughly,Eſay 49.1 5. or kept him ouerlong? No no: much leſſe will God; (who is more mercifull then any Father, and more pittifull then any Mother) hold vsus ouerlong, or deale rigorouſly with vsus: but ordering all corrections by his Fatherly prouidence, hee will in his good time make them worke together for good,Lam. 3.32.33. Math. 10.30.31 & not for euill vntounto vsus. But the very haires of your head are all numbred, Feare yee not therefore, yee are of more value, then many ſparrowes.
Thirdly, faith ſetteth a man about his worke, that is, ſeriouſly to make inquirie into his heart and wayes, deepely to humble himſelfe before God, and feruently to … me…cy for ſinne paſt, wiſedome to make vſe of …reſent miſerie, and fauour and mercy to be deliuered …nd ſet free. Sinfull men (if well aduiſed) ſtrike not …ithout cauſe: the iuſt God when hee correcteth, hath euer iuſt reaſon. And foraſmuch as our conſciences for the moſt part are blinded with ignorance and ſelfe louelove, or ouer clouded with ſinfull luſts, (as looking-glaſſes couered with duſt) that wee cannot finde out of our ſelues much that is out of order, nor amend what we eſpie to be amiſſe, faith directeth to ſeeke vntounto God by heartie prayer, who can throughly acquaint vsus with our ſelues, and teach vsus to reforme what he would hauehave vsus to amend. Why doth the Lord giuegive his children the repulſe when they cry vntounto him in their calamities,Iudg. 10.13.14.15. but that he would hauehave them ſearch more narrowly into their courſes, and more vnfainedly prepare themſelues to ſeeke and returne vntounto him? And if they pray vntounto him, he will inſtruct what is to bee done.Hoſ. 14.2. Math. 11.19. Hee who will hauehave ſinfull men to ioyne inſtruction with correction, yea and putteth into man ſuch regard of dumbe creatures, that he will not ſtrike a dogge, but he will make him ſee, ſo well as hee can, what it is for which hee ſtriketh him; ſhall not hee inſtruct vsus, when his hand is now vponupon vsus for want of dutie to him? But when wee ſee our faults, and ſmart for them in ſuch ſort as wee account greiuous, there is no power in vsus to redreſſe, and ſet ſtraight what is crooked and out of frame. It is God only, who is able to bleſſe afflictions and make them profitable: we of our ſelues are like little children, who being taken in the fault, and fearing the rod, promiſe to doe no more, but preſently forget both the fault and danger. This we learne by faith, which ſoundly leſſoneth vsus to denie our owne wiſedome, and ſtrength, and in all purpoſes, reſolutions and endeuours to begge wiſedome and ſtrength from God aboue, and wholy to relie vponupon his power and grace. In vaine ſhould iron be beaten, did not fire ſoften it: in vaine ſhould affl ctions (which are Gods hammer) ſtrike on our he…rts, ſhoul… nor God holy Sp rit, which is compared to fire, both ſoften our hearts, and enlighten vsus to ſee our duties towards him, and teach vsus to make vſe of the affliction wherewith we are exerciſed. Moreouer faith importuneth the Lord for merciemercy and deliuerance.2. Cor. 12.8. Pſal. 31.15.16. For this thing I beſought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. My times are in thy hand: deliuer me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that perſecute mee. Make thy face to ſhine vponupon thy ſeruant: ſaue mee for thy mercies ſake. Pſal. 40 13. Pſal. 88.13.14.Be pleaſed, O Lord, to deliuer me: O Lord, make haſt to helpe me. Ʋnto thee hauehave I cryed, O Lord, and in the morning ſhall my prayer preuent thee. Lord why caſteſt thou off my ſoule, why hideſt thou thy face from me.4. Act.
Fourthly, Faith raiſeth the heart to expect abundance of mercy from God,Pſal 69.…9. Phil. 1.19. 2. Cor. 1.5. and through prayer and ſupply of the Spirit, to reape profit and taſt comfort anſwerable to the ſorrowes it hath felt and endured. Great afflictions make place for abundant mercy from God to vsus, which cannot bee receiued without ſingular ioy on our part. An hard froſtie winter makes a fruitfull ſummer: an afflicted ſtate cauſeth a mellow heart, if our ſufferings be from God, wee muſt looke for profit by eueryevery trouble, vnleſſe wee will deny Gods wiſedome, and challenge his truth, or ſhew our ſelues, as if we were not his children, nor truely godly,Pſal. 90.15. and louing of God. If God throw vsus downe, we muſt waite to be comforted of him, according to the yeares wherein we hauehave felt afflictions. To ſay we cannot thinke, that ſuch a thing ſhall euer doe vsus good, that euer we ſhall eſcape ou… of …uch a danger, that euer we ſhall ſee good dayes after th ſe and theſe tryals,Pſal. 85.6. doth argue great weakeneſſe and vnbeliefe. For what cannot hee make for our good,2. Cor. 4.6. Rom. 4.17. in what diſtreſſe and anguiſh cannot he reuiue, who calleth light out of darkenes, and things that are not as if they were, if wee will giuegive glorie to his Wo…d by reſting vponupon it?Prou. 14.10. The heart knoweth the bitterneſſe thereof, and the ſtranger ſhall not meddle with it ioy. Thus liuing by faith in times of triall and viſitation, doth fit and prepare the heart to thankfulneſſe when light ſhall ſhine from on high; and that ſo much the more, as our afflictions hauehave beene the ſharper, or of greater continuance. Returne, O Lord, how long, Pſal. 90.13, 14.and let it repent thee concerning thy ſeruants; O ſatisfie vsus early with thy merciemercy; Pſal. 30.11, 12.that we may reioyce and be glad all our dayes. Thou haſt turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou haſt put off my ſackcloth, and girded me with gladneſſe: Pſal. 35.28.To the end that my glory may ſing praiſe to thee, and not be ſilent: O Lord my God, I will giuegive thankes vntounto thee for euer. If one heale a trifling diſeaſe it neither ſo bindeth the patient, nor commendeth the Phyſician: but if one heale vsus of ſome deadly incurable maladie, O wee ſay then wee could neuer hauehave met with ſuch a Phyſician, not the like in the world againe. Thou broughteſt vsus into the net, Pſal. 66.11, 12, 13.thou laidſt affliction vponupon our loines, thou haſt cauſed men to ride ouer our heads, we went through fire, and through water; but thou broughteſt vsus out into a wealthy place. I will goe into thy houſe with burnt Offerings, I will pay thee my vowes.
It will be obiected,Preuention of Obiection. That in affliction faith is weake and corruption ſtirring. That in affliction faith ſeemeth to be moſt weake, and corruption moſt ſtirring.
Firſt, And true it is, that many doubtfull thoughts aſcend into Chriſtians hearts, partly becauſe they know not that they are allowed to liue by faith in an afflicted ſtate; partly becauſe they iudge amiſſe of their afflictions, taking them as arguments of wrath and diſpleaſure, rather then trials of faith, and chaſtiſements of peace. As children through want of wiſdome are afraid of bug-beares: ſo the errour of our minde raiſeth great feare and doubt of that which cannot hurt vsus, peraduenture, might greatly comfort vsus, if rightly vnderſtood. This miſtaking muſt be corrected by f…ith and ſpirituall wiſdome.
Secondly, True it is al…o, we ſometime feele more ſtirring of corruption in time of trouble for a while, then we felt before: but as Phyſicke then expelleth hurtfull humours when it worketh vponupon them, and maketh vsus complaine, as feeling them more then when they were let alone: ſo doth Gods Phyſicke to the ſoule (euen while it is driuing out corruption) it makes vsus feele and complaine of it more then euer. The like may be ſaid of faith which we feele weaker during the tim… of triall: But ſtriking the Torch, which for the preſ…nt ſeemeth to put it out, maketh it blaze: Phyſi…ke, which for the time weakens, doth tend to ſtrengthen the bodie: ſhaking the Tree, which ſeemeth to looſe the roots, faſteneth them deeper; and the ſame may be ſaid in this caſe.
Thirdly, In afflictions faith is tried, the ſweetneſſe of it is not ſo much felt, as it is latent, which makes vsus th…nke it to bee brought exceeding low. The ſtrength of the bodie is put forth in confl…cts and burthens: felt when wee walke at eaſe and l…bretie. A man may ſhew moſt ſtrength in wreſtling, when to his owne feeling he diſcerneth moſt weakneſſe: and ſo it is in faith, when the ſenſe is leſt, the power may bee greateſt. There is an afflicted ſtrength, which cannot bee felt great, though it be ſo in truth: and there is an afflicted faith, which is not diſcerned to be of that force of which indeed it is. But ſtrength afflicted, and ſtrength decayed, faith afflicted and faith ouer-whelmed are much different.
Fourthly, If want of ſpirituall refreſhings doth trouble and breed ſcruple in vsus, we muſt remember that Phyſicke purgatiue and reſtoratiue muſt not bee t…ken at one and the ſame time: To admit of ſorrowes, but on condition that ſpirituall conſolation ſhould drowne the feeling thereof, is as it were to wiſh ſufferings without ſuffering When God miniſtreth for the preſeruation or recouerie of ſpirituall health, it is the office of faith to receiue the potion, and further the kindly working of it: which cannot bee done vnleſſe it giuegive way vntounto, yea, ſtirre vp godly ſorrow, and wreſtle painfully to driue out ſuch corruptions, as God would hauehave remooued by them. During battell the Souldier muſt exerciſe his skill, valour and ſtrength in repelling, ſubduing, and purſuing the enemie: his refreſhing comes when the fight is ended, and the ſpoile diuided. In the dayes of affliction faith is conflicting with doubts, allurements, corruptions which ſhew themſelues; if wee doe not feele thoſe ſweet comforts of the ſpirit, that our ſoules deſire, let vsus waite with patience, till the victorie be obtained.
And if we would ſtirre vp our faith to belieue and depend vponupon God in the dayes of great tribulations,Helps to ſtirre vp faith in deepe afflictions when all meanes faile. when all meanes of helpe faile, we muſt.
Firſt, Lay open our ſorrowes before the LORD, and powre out our complaint into his boſome. Lord, how am I beſet with miſeries? Pſal. 55.2.How doe my ſorrowes increaſe daily? I am the man that hauehave ſeene affliction by the rod of thine anger. Lam. 3.1, 2.Thou haſt brought mee into darkneſſe, but not into light. My heart fainteth, my ſtrength faileth, my skinne is made old, Pſal. 38.10. Pſal. 22.15. Lam. 3.7.my ſight wax…th dimme, and all my bones are out of ioynt. Thou haſt hedged me about that I cannot get out, and made my chaine heauy. My louers and my friends ſtand aloofe from my ſtroke, and my neighbours ſtand afarre off. Pſal. 36.11. Pſal. 88.8. Pſal. 3.1.But they that ſeeke my hurt doe multiply, they ſpeake miſchieuous things, and imagine deceit all the day long. I am the reproach of men, the deſpiſed of the people, Pſal 35.20. Pſal. 22.6. Pſal. 35.11.the ſong of the Drunkards. Falſe witneſſes are riſen vp against me, who lay to my charge things I neuer knew, and teare mee in pieces with their continuall ſlanders. In mine aduerſitie they reioyce, they gather themſelus together againſt me, Pſal. 41.7, 8, 6.th…y reuile without ceaſing: they open their mouthes wide againſt me, Pſal. 42.10. Pſal 83.14. Pſal. 10.1.and ſpare not to blaſpheme thy Name. As with a ſword in my bones mine enemies reproach me, while they ſay daily vntounto me, where is thy God. Lord, all this is come vponupon me, and yet thou ſtandeſt afarre off, and hideſt thy ſelfe from my trouble. Lam. 3.44.I cry vntounto thee, but thou heareſt not; thou couereſt thy ſelfe with a cloud that my prayers ſhould not aſcend.
Secondly, Confeſſe our ſinnes with hatred and godly ſorrow. The diſquietneſſe of my heart, and trouble of my fleſh ariſeth from my ſinne:Pſal. 38.18. Hoſea 5.15. I will therefore declare mine iniquity, I will bee ſorry f…r my ſinne: I will acknowledge my ſel…e guiltie before the Lord.Pſal 40.12. For innumerable euils hauehave compaſſed me about, mine iniquities hauehave taken hold vponupon me, ſo that I am not able to looke vp: they are more then the haires of my head, therefore my heart fail th me. Lam. 3.42. …. Sam. 24.10, 17.I hauehave ſinned, and rebelled, and thou haſt not ſpared. Loe, I hauehave ſinned, I hau… done wickedly, I hauehave ſinned greatly, I hauehave done very fooliſhly. Behold, Iob 40 4. Iob 42.6.I am vile, what ſhall I anſwere thee? I will lay my hand vponupon my mouth. I abhorre my ſelfe, and repent in duſt and aſhes.
Thirdly, Take vp our hea…ts for halting through vnbelie…e, and call vponupon them to reſt in the promiſe of diuine aide,Pſal. 49.5. aſſiſtance and deliuerance. Wherefore ſhould I feare in the dayes of euill, when the iniquitie of my he les ſhall compaſſe mee about? When the mightie man doth boaſt himſelfe in miſchiefe? Pſal. 52.1.The louing kindneſſe of the Lord endureth at all times. Pſal 35 27. Pſal. 54.4.Hee will not forſake his Saints although they bee afflicted for a ſeaſon. God is my refuge, who hath pleaſure in the proſperitie of his ſ…ruant, and will draw neere for my deliuerance, and mak… h…ſte for my helpe, when ſorrowes enuiron on eueryevery ſide When all ſuccour failes,Pſal. 22.11.19. he careth for my ſoule: When my ſpirit is contrite, and my heart within mee deſolate, he is at my right hand to ſuſtaine,Pſal. 34.18. Pſal. 55.27, 18. yea, to ſaue my ſoule. He will hide his mercifull-Saint, vntill the calamitie bee ouer-paſt. I am poore and needie, Pſal. 40.17.yet the Lord thinketh on me: I am ſunke deepe into the myre and clay, but his hand ſhall plucke me vp, hee will ſet me be…ore his face for euer. Maruellous things hath hee wrought for his people in former times. He… turned the Sea into dry land,Pſal. 6….6. Pſal. 77.14, 15. and made way for them through the midſt thereof. He led them through fire and water, and by a ſtretched out arme brought th…m into a wealthy place.Pſal. 66.11, 12. Hab. 1.12. Is not our God from Euerlaſting, the Holy One, the ſame for Euer? His power is infinite, his goodneſſe incomp…ehenſible, his louelove as great towardes his Saints now as euer heretofore. He will ſend downe from Heauen to ſaue me, he will deliuer mee out of many waters.Pſal. 57.3. When I am hemmed in on eueryevery ſide, the Lord will prouide ſome way for my eſcape: for hee can doe more then I am able to conceiue or thinke.Pſal. 71.20. Thou who hast ſhewed mee great and ſore troubles, ſhalt quicken me againe, and ſhalt bring me vp againe from the depths of the earth. When I was incloſed in the wombe, my diſtreſſe and danger was great, my ſtrength weake, my condition hopeleſſe:Pſal. 22.9, 10. neuertheleſſe I was ſaued by thy power, and by thy prouidence was brought aliue into this world: and ſhould I now doubt of thy helpe and mercy, becauſe in likelihood I cannot ſee them? My fleſh and my heart faileth: Pſal. 7….26.but God is the ſtrength of my heart, and my portion for euer. The depths of miſerie are the Lords fitteſt ſeaſons to reſcue his afflicted ones. Mercileſſe men will ſhew compaſſion in great extremitie: and ſhall not the Lord; who is rich in mercy and louing kin…neſſe, extend his fauour to mee when I am re…die to periſh?Pſal. 85.9. Surely his ſaluation is nigh them that feare him.
Four…hly, Importune the Lord, and direct thy ſupplications before him.Pſal. 86.7. Pſal. 55.16. In the day of my trouble I will call vponupon thee, for thou wilt anſwere me. Heare me ſpeedily, O Lord, my ſpirit faileth, hide not thy face from me, leſt I be like vntounto them that goe downe into the pit. Pſal 143 7, 8.Cauſe me to heare thy louing kindneſſe in the morning, Pſal. 55.1, 2, 3.for in thee doe I truſt. Deliuer mee from mine enemies: I flie vntounto thee to hide me. Lord, how long wilt thou looke vponupon the miſ…ries of thy ſeruant, Pſal 35.17.and keepe ſilence: reſcue my ſoule from the deſtruction of the aduerſarie, my darling from the Lions: Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, Pſal. 40 11. Verſe 13. Pſal. 86.14, 15, 16.O Lord, let thy louing kindneſſe and thy truth continually preſerue me. Be pleaſed, O Lord, to deliuer me: O Lord, make haſte to helpe me. O God, the proud are riſ…n againſt me, and the aſſemblies of violent men hauehave ſought …fter my ſoule, and hauehave not ſet thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compaſſion and gratious, long-ſuffering and plenteous in mercy and truth: O turne vntounto me, and hauehave mercy vponupon me, giuegive thy ſtrength vntounto thy ſeruant, and ſaue the ſonne of thy handmaide. How long Lord, Pſal. 89.46.wilt thou hide thy ſelfe for euer? ſhall thy wrath burne like fire? Remember thy former louing kindneſſes which hauehave beene of old: remember that I am but duſt, and that my dayes paſſe away like a ſhadow: remember the reproach of thy ſeruant, wherewith I am reproached, of them that dwell round about; wherewith the vngodly and prophane hauehave reproached thy pure Religon, and blaſphemed thy holy Name. Lord look vponupon mine affliction, and my teares: for I am brought very low.
Fiftly, Quicken thy reſolution to truſt in the Lord at all times, euen when all other refuge faileth, and none ſhewes himſelfe for thy helpe.Pſal. 56.3, 4. What time I am in trouble I will truſt in God: for hee ſhall redeeme my ſoule. Hee is the God of my ſaluation,Dan. 12.1. who will ſend deliuerance to his people in the loweſt extremitie, and vouchſafe merciemercy to his choſen, aboue all they expect and looke for,Pſal 55.19. Lam. 3.55, 56, 57. in moſt conuenient ſeaſon. I cried vntounto the Lord in the day of my calamity, and my prayer entred into his eares: therefore will I truſt in him as long as I liue. Lord I will wait for thy ſaluation, eſtabliſh my heart in thy truth, that I be not moued.