Mans Active Obedience, Chapter 24
CHAP. XXIIII.
Of the third let of true ioy, which is the Croſſe; and how their ioy is augmented, through the much good that comes thereby.
TOuching that other point of Gods drawing neere vntounto vsus in laying the croſſe vponupon our ſholders and bringing troubles and afflictions vponupon vsus for our ſinnes, when he doth viſit our offences with the rod, and our ſins with ſcourges; the like doubt may be made how Gods children bearing the croſſe, ſhould not bee ſo pinched and gauled with the ſame, and being ſmitten and ſorely ſtrucken, yea deepely wounded with Gods owne hand, ſhould not ſo hauehave all comfort and ioy in God taken from them, as that poſſibly they ſhould doe any other thing during all that time, but lament and mourne; eſpecially when the Lord himſelfe findeth it to bee a great fault in his people, and complaineth of it by his Propher, that he hath ſmitten them and they hauehave not ſorrowed; andler. 2. 30. and 5. 3. therefore ſaith, that in ſo ſmiting them he hath ſmitten them in vaine. Doubtleſſe it is a great fault in Gods people, when being iuſtly ſmitten for their ſinnes by the hand of God, they turne not vntounto him that ſmiteth them, and do not Iſa. 9. 13.ſeeke the Lord of hoſts: when they being afflicted, doe not mourne and weepe, cauſing their laughter to be turned into Iam. 4. 9. 10.mourning, and their ioy into heauineſſe, as Iames counſelleth. Howbeit that Gods ſeruants may ſtill keepe their ioy, and hold their reioycing in the Lord, euen during the time while themſelues are in heauineſſe, through manifold afflictions that doe befall them, the Apoſtle Peter 1. Pet. 1. 6. 7.doth plainly ſhew, who finding theſe to meet together in one and the ſame ſubiect (though in diuers reſpects) ſaith thus, writing to the diſperſed people of God that were elect, that they greatly reioyced that they were kept by the power of God vntounto ſaluation, though euen at that time for a ſeaſon they were in heauineſſe through manifold tribulations. Not much vnlike to this, for this matter is that which the Author to the Hebrewes ſaith concerningHeb. 12. 11. troubles, that no chaſtiſement for the preſent ſeemeth ioyous, but grieuous; neuertheleſſe aftherward they yeeld the peaceable fruit of righteouſneſſe, to them which are exerciſed thereby: he ſaith, that the troubles and chaſtiſements are not preſently ſo grieuous, but the fruit of righteouſneſſe which afterward will bee reaped thereby, will be eueryevery way as pleaſant, and as peaceable to them that ſo hauehave endured them. There is cauſe then why a Chriſtian, euen during the time that hee is vnderunder the chaſtiſement, ſhould reioyce in hope of the good fruit he ſhall reape of it; like as hope is ſaid to be that which doth hold vp in comfort the hart of the husbandman, who hauing been at much coſt to prepare his ground, and commit ſeed thereunto, is yet cheered in hope, that when harueſt ſhall come, the crop that he ſhall then reape will quit all the coſt he hath formerly been at; but aboue others, that place is moſt pregnant and cleere for this purpoſe, where the Apoſtle writing to the Romans, ſaith, that being iuſtified by faith, we not onelyonly are at peace with God, but alſo reioyce euen in tribulation,Rom. 5. 3. knowing how many waies tribulation bringeth benefit and profit vntounto vsus, as he there ſheweth the particulars. Indeed tribulations in themſelues are troubleſome, and doe much trouble Gods children, being as needles in the fleſh which make men reſtleſſe; but if they were rightly conſidered of vsus, and the great benefit well valued that might be reaped by the ſame, we ſhould not need to be ſo troubled with them as wee are, but ſhould finde and perceiue, that when they doe befall vsus, they bring no hurt at all vntounto vsus, though a number (as if they were venome) are ſeene to flie from them: if things were rightly taken as they ought to be, we ſhould ſoone ſee, that the hand of God, when it were ſo laid vponupon vsus, were not a deſtroying but a deliuering hand; not put forth to thruſt vsus frō him, but a hand reached out to draw and pull vsus more neerer vntounto him; and that as Gods iudgements are iuſt vntounto all, ſo vntounto vsus in particular: it is of very faithfulneſſe that hePſal. 119. 75. cauſeth vsus to be troubled, who otherwiſe had been like to hauehave periſhed in our ſinnes, if troubles had not medicined vsus to pull vsus out of them againe. If God will euer recouer a people that hauehave falſified their faith, and broken couenant with him, hee muſt take that courſe which he told his Prophet he would take with the backſliding people of the Iewes; namely, cauſe them to paſſeEzech. 20. 37. vnderunder the rod, and ſo bring them into the bond of the couenant againe. The Lord by manifold afflictions vſeth to nurture and ſchoole his children: partly to preuent ſins1. Cor. 11. 32. Icr. 31. 18. to come, and partly to humble them for that which is paſt. The Lord is faine ſometimes to put his children into the ſalt brine of afflictions and long troubles, thereby to ſeaſon them, and to ſweeten them, and to ſucke out from them the moſt ſtinking and rotten corruptions that doe breede in them, that he may the better preſerue them ſafe vntill his laſt comming. It is well obſerued by one, that the euils which men call euils, are helpers vntounto good men to doe good withall, and furtherers of them in the exerciſe of vertue; As pouertie ſerues well to bridleBaſil. their luſts; baſeneſſe ſerues to humble their pride; ſickneſſe to meeken their ſtoutnes, and all manner of incumbrances to driue them vntounto God. Sickneſſe and diſeaſe doth many times proue to be wholeſome medicine vntounto life, for the making of it to be led much better, when ſoundnes of health doth contrarily proue often the greateſt ſickneſſe to the ſoule, to make it much worſe, and to bring it at the length to eternall death. Men vſe to gather acquaintance of other neighbours and familiars, by liuing long and conuerſing much together with them; but how long ſoeuer wee hauehave liued with our ſelues, wee hardly can gather any good acquaintance with our ſelues, or come to know our ſelues, till wee hauehave been taught it in the ſchoole of affliction: the rod of God is that which ſendeth vsus home to the houſe, lodging, and priuie chamber of our own heart: example in Manaſſeth, 2. Chron. 33. 12who learned the way into his owne heart out of the dark cold priſon, lying in fetters and chaines; which he could neuer learne ſitting in his throne and glorious palace. So the prodigall ſonne being at home in his fathers houſe, hauing the companie of ciuill men, knew not himſelfe; but when all was ſpent, hauing the companie of ſwine and beaſts, he was led into himſelfe, and began to know himſelfe, and to know then that hee was not at homeLuk. 15. 15. 16. 17. when hee was at home; but his troubles brought and made him to come to himſelfe againe (as the Scripture ſpeaketh), and ſo to be in his right minde, for before hee was one beſides himſelfe. Which things and the like being well conſidered, may iuſtly cauſe vsus, not onelyonly to bee comfortable and chearefull vnderunder our troubles, but much thankfull for them, as being true tokens of Gods fatherly louelove (for if wee ſhould want them we were baſtards andHeb. 12. 6. 8. not ſonnes), and as needfull promoters of our holineſſe and better ſanctification; for God in chaſtening of vsus, aimeth at our profit, that hee might make vsus pertakers of his holineſſe, that wee might be holy euen as himſelfeHeb. 12. 10. is. To conclude then this point alſo as touching troubles befalling a good Chriſtian, which ſeeme euer to bring with them cauſes enough to hinder their holy reioycing, and not to deſcend to any more perticulars, but to muſter all troubles together (manifold, and after a ſort infinit and innumerable though they be), and for an ouerplus of ſtore for the making the heape the greater, to put and to ioyne vntounto them all other things alſo that may happen and befall to a true Chriſtian during his whole life time, I doubt not but a wiſe and vnderſtanding Chriſtian may be borne out, if hee in ſome one or other reſpect ſhould finde cauſe of ſome ioy in eueryevery thing, and of his holy reioycing in the Lord for his moſt gracious and moſt wiſe diſpenſation of all things that any way doe concerne him: My ground and warrant for ſo ſaying is in that remarkable place and ſpeech of the Apoſtle in his writing to the Romanes (which for the great light and comfort in this behalfe that it doth giuegive foorth, ſhining gloriouſly vntounto vsus out of the firmament of the Scriptures, ſeemeth among other places of Scripture to be as the morning ſtarre ſhining out of the midſt of a cloud, yea as the paſſing brightnes of the Sunne it ſelfe, that lighteneth all things when the full and perfect day is come; which to bee but remembred by vsus, is as the ſweete ſmell of perfume, and of the moſt aromaticall ſpices which hauehave power in them to comfort both heart and braine, and which to be ſpoken vntounto vsus is as the ſweetnes of hony in the mouthes of all men) namely, we know (ſaith the Apoſtle there) that all things worke together for good to them that Rom. 8. 28.louelove God. As if all things did conſpire together in one to lend their common helpe to further this one and onelyonly worke, to ſee and take heed together that nothing more or leſſe be done by any thing, but that which may be for the moſt certaine and vndoubted good of a ſound and true Chriſtian, as if they were all ſworne to be true vntounto him herein, and were in ſuch perfect league and friendſhip with him, as could not be broken at any time: yea and as if eueryevery thing were ſo willing hereunto, as al might be ſeene preſt ſo chearefully, to beſtow their labour and take paines about this thing, as it were not eaſie to be diſcerned which were found to be formoſt or forwardeſt therein; all things diligently working together, one thing as well as another to worke good to them that doe truly louelove God, as if they had all their power and all their willingnes bent only vponupon this, to doe that man good, but had no power nor any manner of inclination at all to doe him the leaſt hurt in any reſpect at all: as the Apoſtle ſpeaking how hee ſtood affected to ſtand for the truth,2. Cor. 13. 8. and for the maintenance thereof, ſaid hee could doe nothing againſt the truth, but that all he could doe was for the very truth alone. Let this be apprehended and beleeued by ſuch a man, and then tell me if you can finde in all the world throughout, a more ioyfull creature, a more happier or a merrier man, then is a true beleeuing Chriſtian, who ſtandeth thus confident and comfortable in his perſwaſion, that blow where the winde blow will, it ſhall euer blow good to him. This may (to very good purpoſe in this behalfe) be inſtanced in thoſe things which were laſtly mentioned and ſpoke of before, namely, the many troubles that may befall a good man during his life time (which are things that the moſt make no ſmall doubt of, how poſſibly this can be true in them): let vsus therefore grant that changes and armies of ſorrowes may come vponupon ſuch a man, as Iob complainethIob. 10. 17. they came vponupon him: and let them come as faſt one in the necke of another, as did the meſſengers who came to bring Iob all the ill newes of the ſundrie and many euils that were at once befallen vntounto him, one hauing no ſoonerIob. 1. 16. ended the telling of ſuch heauie newes as he came to bring, but another at hand to tell one as bad after him; yea for haſte beginning his tale while the other was yet a ſpeaking: ſuch a multitude of troubles comming ſo by heapes, and ruſhing all at once ſo ſuddenly vponupon a man, may for the preſent not a little aſtoniſh and amaze a right good and ſound Chriſtian, though otherwiſe neuer ſo well ſetled and knowne to bee a moſt conſtant and a moſt reſolute man, and may for the time as much diſquiet and affright him; as one would be much troubled, yea in a manner wholly ouerwhelmed with dreadfull feare, who trauelling alone in the twilight, or in the darkneſſe of the night ouer New-market heath, Gads hill, or Salisbury plaine, of in the moſt theeuiſh and dangerous places, where the borderers were wont to make their greateſt Inroads to rob and ſteale, and carry all away before them that poſſibly they could ſet hand vpō, ſhould there of the ſudden be ouertaken with a troope of horſemen, that hauing followed after him, ſhould all at once come ruſhing in vponupon him; now in that caſe who would merueile if ſuch a man were found to be much diſmaied at that time, and to tremble and ſhake with feare in eueryevery ioynt of him: for hee might well thinke (being thus fallen into their hands) at that time of the night, and in ſuch theeuiſh places too, beſides the loſing of all that he had about him, he were like neuer to die any other death: but if in the meane time, contrary to his expectation, and beyond all that he feared, theſe ſhould be found and proued to be his good friends all, that intended no manner of hurt vntounto him, but come in a meaning to comfort him, and to doe him all the good that they can, if his father or deareſt friend hee hath, hauing care for his welfare, and knowing the dangerouſneſſe of the way that hee were gone, ſhould of purpoſe hauehave ſent all this companie in haſte to ride poſt after him, that they might be a ſafe conuoy vntounto him, till they might ſee him ſet paſt all danger, and ſafely gotten to the place whereunto hee were trauelling; and if by reaſon of their comming thus ſuddenly vponupon him, they finding him to bee thus ſtrucken with feare and trembling, ſhould for the better ſtaying of him, comforting and chearing of his heart againe, all of them begin at once to tell him they meant him no manner of hurt, but were all his friends, who were come to doe him what good they could, if one after another ſhould begin to ſpeake vntounto him after ſome ſuch manner as this; I ſee you are much diſquieted and diſmaied by our haſtie and vnlooked for manner of comming vntounto you at this time, but ſtay your ſelfe and feare you nothing, you ſhall receiue no manner of harme by our comming, we are al ſent from your louing father (who hath a ſpeciall care of your welfare, and would that no euill might come vntounto you) to the end that we might be with you, beare you companie, and ſee to you in this time of your neede, that nothing might hurt you: and as for my part I proteſt and ſweare vntounto you by a ſolemne oath, that as I will do you no hurt, ſo will I doe you all the good I can, to ſtand betweene you and all your harmes, for therefore am I ſent, and in token thereof, for your better ſatisfaction and ſecuritie, loe here I doe vnarme my ſelfe, and deliuer into your hands all my weapons, that ſo you ſhall not need to feare any thing. And while he were yet a ſpeaking, another ſhould begin, and ſay as much for himſelfe, and the third likewiſe, and ſo all the reſt, till eueryevery one had ſpoken vntounto him after the ſame faſhion. All this being done, wee may well thinke the caſe would be much altered from that it was with this man, and a great change would be found in him, now would he begin to reuiue and to be cheared againe, that heart of his (which was ſo much ouercome with inward heauineſſe, and skarred with feares and frights of the perils and dangers that were iminent before) being now made glad for it ſelfe, and all the fellow members beſide, would euen dance for ioy of this happie change of things, and thoſe chearfull ſpirits which before were retired into the heart, as into the chiefe center of nature, and had been there locked vp for a time with feare and affrightnes of that which was expected, would breake foorth and iſſue out all againe vponupon this occaſion, to giuegive a chearefull welcome, and comfortable gratulation of that, wherein they could not but take ſingular contentment, and much pleaſure and delight in; yea, ſo would this ſudden and rare ioy, occacaſioned by this vnlooked for and vnexpected change, rauiſh his conceit, and aſtoniſh his heart, as all would bee turned into nothing, but much wonder and admiration; then would he after a little recouering of himſelfe out of that amazedneſſe and aſtoniſhment, wherewith Nature it ſelfe before ſeemed to be benummed, and after a ſort dazeled, bee ready to exult and leape for ioy; euen clap his hands for gladneſſe, and ſing for very ioy of heart: then would he perceiue what louelove his Father did beare him, and what care he had of him, wondring at ſuch a kindnes as herein ſhould be ſhewed vntounto him. His feare and trembling did not ſo much diſtract him before, as boldneſſe and aſſurance would ſettle him in peace, and put courage and comfort into his heart now. Hee would ſee that his feare was cauſeleſſe (he being now in better caſe then hee was before); for as there was not an enemie neare him to doe him any harme, ſo they were all his vndoubted friends that were about him, that were ready to ſtand him in the beſt ſtead they could, and to doe him the beſt good they were able, and ſhould ſee that hee were in the midſt of moſt ſure and vndoubted friends, whom before in his great feare, he doubted to hauehave been moſt dangerous andThe world a tedious wildernes: Gods ſeruants walking therein, hardly find any place where to refreſh their wearied members. Afflictions like gnats and flies importune them, that they can hauehave no reſt therein. deadly enemies vntounto him, that would hauehave wrought his deſtruction.
Much after this manner it is with Gods poore ſeruants, in the ſore trauell of this life which they doe indure, and weariſome pilgrimage they are to paſſe ouer through this moſt vncomfortable, and vaſt roaring wilderneſſe of this troubleſome world, which needes muſt be gone through, before euer they can be brought to that heauenly Canaan that is aboue; innumerable are the dangers which they lye open vntounto, and the hazzards are more then can bee ſhewed that they may light vponupon. If any deſire to hauehave ſome particulars named, eſpecially by one that hath had the triall of them in himſelfe, there is none can bring in a better reckoning from his owne experience, nor ſpeake more fully of this thing, then that moſt bleſſed Apoſtle Paul himſelfe hath already done, in that rehearſall he hath made, writing to the Corinthians of the ſundry and manifold afflictions and tribulations, that had befallen him after his conuerſion; who comparing himſelfe with the other falſe Apoſtles, ſaith, that he was in labours more abundant, 2. Cor. 11. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.in ſtripes aboue meaſure, in priſon more plenteouſly, in death often; of the Iewes ſiue times he receiued fortie ſtripes ſaue one, hee was thrice beaten with rods, hee was ſtoned, hee ſuffered thrice ſhipwracke, night and day he was in the deepe ſea: in iourneying he was often in perils of water, in perils of robbers, in perils of his owne Nation, in perils among the Gentiles, in perils in the Citie, in perils in the wilderneſſe, in perils in the ſea, in perils among falſe brethren: in wearineſſe and painefulneſſe, in watchings often, in cold and nakedneſſe, beſides other daily incumbrances which he there doth ſpeak on. Theſe and the like things thus incident to Gods beſt ſeruants, makes them in their paſſage through thisPſal. 84. 6. Pſal. 23. 4. world, to goe as through a valley of teares; and brings them ſometimes to walke, as in the valley of the ſhaddow of death, where nothing can be looked for but vtter miſcarrying; ſo great are the diſtreſſes of Gods children in this life, their troubles ſo many, and thoſe ſo dangerous too ſometimes, as they are euen brought with the Apoſtle,2. Cor. 1. 8. 9. to receiue in themſelues the very ſentence of death, as thinking they ſhall neuer be able to ſhift with them, nor eſcape with life; but crie out with the Pſalmiſt, This will be Pſal. 77. 10.my vndoing, or my death. The endleſſe purſuit of Dauid by Saul, who hunted him as a Patridge in the mountaine, and perſecuted him as a Flea; made Dauid at the length to grow heartleſſe, to faint, and to quaile ſo much, as he was neare giuing ouer his hope, and to ſay (in his great weakeneſſe, and much feare and doubt that he was in), One day or other. I ſhall ſurely fall into his hands. Yea, Gods ſeruants▪ are ſometimes ſo beſet, ſo inuironed and compaſſed about with innumerable troubles, and moſt dangerous on euerie ſide, as they are brought to the like paſſe as Dauid was brought vntounto, when he cried out, that his heart was pained Pſal. 55. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.within him, and the terrors of death were fallen vponupon him, fearefulneſſe and trembling doe then come vponupon them, and a horrible feare doth ouerwhelme them; then are they ready to crie out and ſay with him, Oh that I had wings like a Doue! then would I flee away, and be at rest; behold, I would take my flight farre off, and lodge in the wilderneſſe, I would haſten my eſcape from the windie ſtorme and tempeſt. So neare are they ſometimes brought to the very iawes of death, that after a ſort it euen breatheth vponupon them, and they in as great ſtraits, and brought to as ſoare exigents, and as narrow pinches, as were the poore Iſraelites; who departing out of Egypt to find better liberty in another land, vntounto which God promiſed to bring them, before euer they could get themſelues clearely gone, and rid away out of the Egyptian Countrie, had ſuch a farewell giuen them, when they were euen vponupon the point of parting out of that land, as brought then greater diſtreſſe, and more feare vponupon them, then euer they were in before; and cauſed them to hauehave leſſe hope of their liues, then when they were in Egypt vnderunder the ſoareſt bondage, and preſſed with the heauieſt burdens, which Pharaoh with all his crueltie had willed to be impoſed vponupon them: For marching as with a double pace from Etham, towards the valley of Pihahiroth, they were forced to ſit downe (as not ſeeing how they could goe any further) betweene two ledges of Mountaines adioyning to the red ſea; and ſo being come to the brinke and waſh of the ſea, the Egyptians getting ſight of them, and they of the Egyptians, then was the time of Iacobs trouble, and the greateſt pinchIer. 30. 7. of their hardeſt trouble; for the ſea was now before them, the Mountaines on either ſide of them, and their fierce and furious enemies at their backs purſuing of thē, ſo as there was no hope left of euer eſcaping: for though they did all they could to flee before the Egyptians, yet death ſeemed to come running after them in Pharaohs chariots: this made them to murmure againſt Moſes, and to crie out for feare, becauſe of the preſent danger. According as it is vſuall with Gods ſeruants, when they are in ſoarePſal. 40. 11. 12. affliction, and in heauy diſtreſſe, then doe their hearts begin to faint within them, and their hope to quaile; hobeit if they would but hold their peace a while, and labour to throw out that feare that hath ſuch painefulneſſe in it,1. Iohn 4. 18. poſſeſſing their ſoules with patience: if they would but ſtand ſtill (as Moſes willed the Iſraelites to doe), and beholdExod. 14. 13. 14 the ſaluation of the Lord, waiting for the happy iſſue that the Lord would make for them out of all their greateſt diſtreſſe, then ſhould they well perceiue and find, that the Lord would be ſeene of them, as he was of Abraham Gen. 22. 14.in the mount, though not in the way to it, yet in the very mount when it is come to the extremitie, and to a pinch indeed: then will hee ſhew himſelfe a helpe at hand readie to be found, and make a ſweete and comfortable deliuerance for his ſeruants ſo hardly beſtead: yea, they ſhould not onelyonly perceiue, and ſee the ſtrange and marueilous manner of the Lords working (who in doing of another worke, knoweth how to bring his owne work to be perfected), and not alone come to find their deliuerances happily wrought out by him, to be ſo famous and ſo notable, as they will deſerue to be acknowledged by a moſt triumphant ſong in the end, as was that of Iſraels Exod. 15. 1.carrying through the red ſea: but experience would alſo ſhew them, that their greateſt feares would make vp their chiefeſt comforts, and the moſt dreadfull dangers they were brought vntounto, become meanes of their ſafeſt ſecuritie, and beſt aſſurance at the laſt: witneſſe both the horrible feare that came vponupon the people of Iſrael, which was like to ouerwhelme them, when they were at the brinke of the red ſea, their enemies being at their helles in their hot purſuit after them, and the ioy and gladneſſe, yea, triumphant ioy wherewith they were cheared and comforted, yea, made to exult with reioycing, when once they ſaw all dangers to be eſcaped, and themſelues (not one of them being miſſing among them), brought all ſafe to the ſhoare, and on the other ſide; then did they ſing for ioy of heart, yea, triumphantly reioyce and ſing with timbrels and dances, and at the length they found, that thoſe thingsExod. 15. 20. which before bred, & brought greateſt feare vponupon them, ſerued now but to make them farre more ſecure, then either they euer were, or in any likelyhood euer could hauehave been, if this had not happened, which now was done. True it is, that when their mercileſſe enemies the Egyptians (who had ſo tiranouſly oppreſſed them in the houſe of bondage) were now come with bloody minds, to make a full end of their tyrannie, and to perfect their cruelty vponupon them, in their vtter and laſt deſtruction, and were now come within ſight of the Iſraelites, it is not otherwiſe to be thought, but the nearer they perceiued them to be vntounto them, the greater was their feare of them: but ſee how all this was ordered by the Lord to make them farre more ſecure. The purpoſe of the Lord doubtleſſe was with his owne hand, to doe execution vponupon the enemies of his people, and to take full vengeance vponupon the Egyptians, vponupon Pharaoh and all his hoſt, in deſtroying them at once for the curſed cruely, they had exerciſed towards the Iſraelites. Now if Pharaoh had not followed them at all, but had let them depart quietly out of his Countrie for the preſent, yet might they hauehave afterward been in ſome doubt and feare, leſt for the old grudge hee bare them, he might hauehave ioyned with other their enemies, and at ſome other time hauehave againe ſet vponupon them; or if the Lord (minding to deſtroy Pharaoh and his army), ſhould hauehave done it at ſome other time, or in ſome other place where Iſrael ſhould not hauehave ſeene it, but onelyonly heard the idings and the newes thereof, the very report might hauehave much cheared and gladded their hearts indeed, but yet their minds would not ſo abundantly hauehave been euerie way ſatisfied and ſecured, as when they ſhould ſee all this done in their very preſence, they ſtanding by, and beholding the ſame. The greatneſſe therefore of their feare by the neare approaching of their enemies, who were now at their heeles, made but for their greater quiet, ſafer ſecuritie, and fuller ſatisfaction, that thoſe enemies who had troubled them ſo long, ſhould henceforth neuer trouble them any more; execution being done vponupon them while they did looke on. Iſrael ſeeing with their owne eyes the Egyptians dead vponupon the ſea banke, Exod. 14. 28. 30not one remaining. Beſide, the waters which were ſo deepe and vnfoordable for any armie to paſſe through, and the ſwelling and mountanous billowes of the ſea, whïch (as the Pſalmiſt ſaith) are mighty, and doe rage horribly, might adde to their feare, and make their hearts more to faile and to faint within them: for what could they otherwiſe expect then (if they ſhould venture that way) to be quite ſwallowed of the deepe: but that which they feared would hauehave been for their deſtruction, they found by Gods prouidence ſo ordered for their good, as it became vntounto them a ſure and ſafe protection: for the ſlouds ſtood ſtill as an heape, the depths congealed together in the heart of the ſea, and ſtood about Gods people as walles of defence for them on their right hand, and on their left; ſo as all things here wrought now together for their good, euen that which they moſt feared would hauehave hurt them, did now beſt of all helpe them: the raging ſealaying downe her proud waues, and making way for the entertaining of them, became now as a ſanctuarie vntounto them, and as a City of refuge for them, that flying vntounto it, they might be preſerued from the hand of the reuenger, that ſo hotly did purſue and follow after them; their ſorrowes brought them ſolace; their deepeſt dangers gaue them beſt ſafety, and moſt ſure defence, they being in the depth and bottome of the ſea, were walled about as with ſtrong bulwarks, and kept ſafe as in a Caſtle, that no power of the enemie could preuaile againſt them; yea their very enemies themſelues, who ſo faſt followed after them, did (though againſt their will) ſerue to helpe them forward in their way, and to further them on to make more ſpeed, that the ſooner they might be ſet out of all danger, and brought where they ſhould need to feare them no more. Neuer could any be more diſtreſſed nor put to a greater plunge, then were theſe poore Iſraelites at this time: but though all was fearfull to them for a ſeaſon, yet nothing (we ſee) proued hurtfull vntounto them in the end: the troubles which now came vponupon them, were not ſent nor appointed of God to trouble them further, but to put an end to the troubles they had endured before, and to bring them reſt from the hands of their hatefull enemies, that otherwiſe would neuer hauehave reſted from their deſpitefull vexations, their deepeſt dangers became their beſt defenders; the waters ſtanding about them, as walles and Caſtles doe about Cities defenced, which no enemie can poſſibly ſcale or euer break downe. If therefore when the caſe of Gods children is as was the ſtate of the Iſraelites now, as it was with Dauid, Pſal. 18. 4. 5.when he complained that the ſorrowes of death had compaſſed him, and the flouds of wickedneſſe did make him moſt Pſal. 116. 3.afraid: when the ſnares of death did ouertake him, and the griefes of the graue did ſo catch hold vponupon him, as hee could find nothing but trouble and ſorrow: If in the multitude of theſe troubles ſo ruſhing vponupon them at once, they would but pauze and take breath a while; and as Moſes willedIſa. 63. 1. the Iſraelites, ſtand ſtill and not feare, but ſee and looke for the ſaluation of the Lord (who hauing promiſed to deliuer his ſeruants, ſpeaketh in righteouſneſſe, and is mighty to ſaue), they ſhould find the iſſue would be with them as was both with the Iſraelites then, and with Dauid afterward; who acknowledged thus vntounto the Lord, that when I ſaid my foot ſlideth, thy mercy, O Lord, ſtayed mee vp; in the multitude of my thoughts thy comforts hauehave reioyced my ſoule. Yea, if their troubles themſelues had butPſal. 94. 18. 1 language to talke with them▪ and tongues put into their heads to declare to them in words, what by proofe ſhall be found at the laſt they will doe to them in deedes; in ſtead of diſmaying them, they would abundantly ſatiſfie and content them, eaſe and quiet their minds; yea much cheere, reioyce, and make glad their heauie hearts with letting them know what a benefit they ſhould receiue by their comming vntounto them, and how much good they all would doe vntounto them, before they would euer leaue them, or part from them any more: for though the troubles were neuer ſo many, yet all of them would begin one after another, to ſpeake comfortably vntounto them, letting them know they are come as friends to helpe them, and not as enemies whom they need to be afraid of, for any manner of way harming or hurting of them. Troubles indeed in their vizards, are fearfull to Gods children, and terrible to looke vponupon, but in their true faces when thoſe vizards are pulled off, and the true end and plaine meaning of their comming is once diſcouered and made knowne according to Gods gracious purpoſe in ſending them to his beſt beloueſt children, then doe they appeare amiable, and are found louely to looke vponupon, then will they be thought worthy the welcoming of them, and of finding a cheerfull and friendly kind of entertainment to be giuen vntounto them: for ſo witneſſeth the Apoſtle Iames, who plainly affirmeth there is cauſe why Chriſtians ſhould account it all ioy when they fall into Iam. 1. 2.diuers tentations; for then they are happened among their friends, and fallen into the company and hands of ſuch as are their well-willers, that will all of them worke together (each one doing his part) to doe them good. When they ſee many troubles to be before them, if they had eyes opened to ſee them vnmasked, and were able rightly and wiſely to iudge and diſcerne of them for the preſent (according to that which they will ſhew and proue themſelues to be vntounto them in the end after due triall be once taken and made thereof) they would be as much comforted in the beholding of them, and ſeeing thē neerly to approch vntounto them as was Iacob who flying from his vnkind and churliſh father in lay Laban, ſtanding alſo in no leſſe feare in meeting of his moſt cruell and curriſh brother Eſau, that threatned his death, when in the middeſt of all theſe dangers the Angels of God met him in the way for his comfort, whom when hee ſaw he ſaid of them, that they were Gods hoſt which God had ſent vntounto him, calling the name of that place Mahanaim, Gen. 32. 1. 2.that is, two hoſts: euen two that were now ioyned together, his owne, and that camperoyall from heauen, for the better ſafe guarding of him. For ſo are theſe Gods meſſengers, that goe forth at his bidding, and they goe to no other but to whom he doth ſend them; neither doe they otherwiſe demeane themſelues where they become, then according as they hauehave direction giuen vntounto them, and their appointment from him. They are ſometimes ſent out againſt Gods enemies, and othewhiles (when need doth ſo require) they are moſt imployed about his friends, and about his deare children whom hee loueth beſt: but as the perſons are much differing to whom now and then they are thus ſent; ſo is not the end of their ſending to either of them the ſame, neither the manner of their working found to be alike with them, after they be once come, but as cleane contrary, a carrying of the matter in their dealings with the one and the other, as was appointed by the Lord to bee vſed by the ſixe men whom Ezechiel ſaw in a viſion to be ſent out into the City, to Ezech. 9. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.kill and ſlay the ſinners that were in Ieruſalem, eueryevery man hauing a ſlaughter-weapon in his hand. Among whom order was firſt taken for the preſeruing of the faithfull, that they might be marked out to be knowne from thereſt, charge being giuen that none of them ſhould come neere any man vponupon whom the marke might be ſeene; but as for all the other, their commiſſion was large to goe through the City and ſlay vtterly to deſtruction, the old and the young, not letting their eye ſpare nor hauehave any pitie, but to fill the courts of Gods houſe with their ſlaine. When troubles come vponupon the wicked, when afflictions, calamities, and wofull diſtreſſes are ſent out to take hold vponupon vngodly perſons, who goe on with a high hand to prouoke God by their ſinnes, th en are they muſtered as the hoaſt of God, and as his leuied ſouldiers and ſtrong warriours that are ſent forth to fight Gods battels, and to bee reuenged of his enemies; then hauehave they ſlaughter-weapons put into their hands, and their commiſſion is made large to kill and ſlay freely, without ſparing any, or ſhewing any pity. But when they are ſent to the godly (as they are ſent toThe ſea is found oftner without wind and tempeſt, then the liues of Gods ſeruants without troubles and affliciions. none more, and ſcarce to any ſo often, in ſo much as for any to be without chaſtiſement, whereof all are partakers, were to carrie the brand of a baſtard, and of one that were not the Sonne of God), then hauehave they their ſlaughter-weapons taken from them. Then muſt all troubles vnarme themſelues, and lay downe their venomedHeb. 12. 8. weapons with which they are found ſo much to hurt others: for Chriſt vponupon the Croſſe vnarmed them to his, the venome of all croſſes and troubles being taken out of them by his ſufferings vponupon the Croſſe. And being thus ſent out, they are not ſent forth without their limitation, what to doe, how farre to goe, when to ſtay, and where they muſt goe no further, and meddle no more. The diuell was not more limited nor preſcribed by the Lord how farre to goe, and where to ſtay in his dealing againſtIob 2. 6. Iob, to ſee that his life might no way be touched, then theſe are reſtrained from doing the leaſt harme to ſuch as louelove God: nay contrarily, their whole employment for which they are ſent forth, and about which they are ſet a worke, is, that they doe neither more nor leſſe ſaue that which may be good vntounto ſuch; and that they doe all worke together to worke them good in the end: whileſt Gods ſeruants being through their troubles, iudged of the Lord, and ſo bettered by them, might (like thoſe that were marked in Ieruſalem, to the end they ſhould bee ſpared, when others were to bee deſtroyed), by their chaſtiſements in like manner be marked of the Lord as thoſe whome Heb. 12. 6.he loueth, and whom of very faithfulneſſe, he cauſeth to bee troubled, to the end (as the Apoſtle ſheweth) they might Pſal. 119. 75. 1. Cor. 11. 32.not be condemned with the world. Neuer was Dauid more carefull for the ſauing of the life, nor for the good vſage of his vnnaturall and rebellious ſonne Abſalom, when he ſent forth his Captaines with the hoaſt and armie of the people, to fight his battels againſt thoſe rebels, in giuing them charge to deale gently for his ſake with the young 2. Sam. 18. 15.man, euen with his ſonne Abſalom: then the Lord is found carefull of the ſafety of all that doe belong to him, to giuegive charge to the whole hoſt and armies of ſorrowes when they are ſent out and doe goe forth into the world (though there were hundreds and thouſands of them, that whatſoeuer they doe to others, yet they euer take heed they vſe well Gods ſeruants: neither is this charge at any time neglected, nor any found that euer durſt (with Ioab) be ſo bold as aduenture to tranſgreſſe Gods gracious commandement and appointment herein. How excellent then, how bleſſed and how happie is the ſtate of all Gods ſeruants, that liuing in the world, are yet ſuch priuiledged men, as no manner of euill (how greatly ſoeuer it may preuaile againſt others) can yet euer hurt them; but that which is others bane, be commeth a bleſſing vntounto them; and the ſoreſt iudgements that are found to be heauie plagues where they light vponupon others, are become ſo altered vntounto them, they bearing the ſame, that (as if their nature were wholly changed) they then (of iudgements) are made mercies vntounto them. A skilful and learned Chymiſt, can by his art maruellouſly change the nature of things; and by ſeparation of viſible elements, draw helpfull medecines out of hurtfull and ranke poyſons; but all the changes that they can make, come not neare to this change; and the greateſt excellency of their skill in working things, otherwiſe ſtrange in nature, is infinitely beneath, and commeth ſhort of the glorious workmanſhip which is ſhewed forth to bee done and wrought by the Lord (who is ſaid to be he that worketh wonders alone) in that worke of grace whereby men are ſo altered and changed by him, as they are made new creatures, and all things are made new (after a ſort) vntounto 2. Cor. 5. 17.them. There is a conceit of the Philoſophers ſtone, that it ſhould hauehave ſuch a vertue in it, as to turne into gold that which it ſhould touch: it were doubtleſſe a moſt precious ſtone, if this could euer be found to bee ſo done indeed. But ſo wonderfull and ſtrange is the alteration and change that is made in Gods children, when they are once made new creatures by him, ſo are they then become precious, and made of ſuch mettall, when as (their nature being changed) they are now made partakers of the diuine 2. Pet. 1. 4.nature of God, as that whatſoeuer then toucheth thē and commeth at them, though it were euill before, doth then become good vntounto them. Troubles may come vponupon Gods children, afflictions may befall them, and the like outward calamities as are ſeene to happen vntounto other men; but yet in a farre differing manner, they are altered and ordered, they are bleſſed and ſanctified, and otherwaies made good vntounto them, then they are found to bee vntounto any other ſort of men: for there is nothing that euer befalleth to Gods children, which commeth not in mercy, and through mercy vntounto them: the reaſon of it is, becauſe Gods mercies doe compaſſe them about on eueryevery Pſal. 32. 10.ſide. Now we know that when a place is ſurrounded with a ſtrong wall on eueryevery part, or compaſſed about with a moat on eueryevery ſide, there is nothing can come at that place, but of neceſſity it muſt come by, and through that which compaſſeth it. EueryEvery child of God is as a man ſtanding in a center, hauing a circumference of mercy circling him about on eueryevery ſide, ſo as nothing can come to the true child of God, but from, or through mercy; and that in ſuch manner, as it ſhall reliſh and taſt of mercy, and become mercy vntounto him, before euer it come at him. Yea, ſo are all the wayes of God mercy and truth, to all Pſal. 25. 10.ſuch as feare him, as he neuer ſetteth foot, nor treadeth ſtep out of this path, he neuer doth any thing but in all mercy to his children; not onelyonly then when hee ladeth Pſal. 68. 19.them with his benefits, and rich bleſſings beſtowed vpō them, but as well when he doth humble them vnderunder the hardeſt preſſures, and waight of the heauieſt iudgements that he layeth vponupon them, becauſe it is in all louelove and faithfulneſſe that he cauſeth them ſo to be troubled. Whence it is, that when Gods mercy in a fauour and bleſſing beſtowed, being once abuſed, and his grace being turned into wantonneſſe, would become a plague and iudgement, if it ſhould ſo be contained; then is it Gods greater mercy to take that mercy, that fauour and bleſſing away, and to bring on ſome iudgement for the remedying of that abuſe; and in that caſe mercy being ſo remoued, iudgement it ſelfe is made mercy vntounto ſuch. Why it ſhould be thus, the reaſon is, for that God hath made his children to bee Rom. 9. 22. 23.veſſels of his mercy, as others are made veſſels of his wrath. Now we know, none (but thoſe that ouerſeene in that they doe) will put contrary liquors into contrary veſſels; as poyſon, where they ſhould put their potion; or new and ſweet wine, into muſtie and old veſſels; as neither will they put ſowre vineger into their bottles of Roſe of ſolace: but the Lord is neuer thus ouerſeene, to powre in wrath into thoſe choſen and elect veſſels of his, which he hath ſet apart for to be onelyonly veſſels of mercy; neither on the other ſide, to lauiſh out his ſauing mercies vponupon caſtaway reprobates, that are veſſels appointed to bee filled with nothing but wrath and vengeance. If then there is nothing euer done to Gods ſeruants, which is not done in much mercy at all times; if iudgement it ſelfe is made mercy vntounto them; if whatſoeuer toucheth them, is turned into a bleſſing vntounto them; if when they are in trouble, God doth it in all faithfulneſſe, cauſing them to bee ſo troubled, to the end their troubles might doe them good; if when they are iudged, they are chaſtened of the Lord, to the end they might not bee condemned with the world: what ſhould let, but that as they are at peace with God by being iuſtified by faith; ſo they ſhould reioyce euen in their tribulations alſo? Yea (as Saint Iames willeth) count it all ioy when they fall (not into ſome few, but) into great varietie and multitudes of them? Which if any ſhall be ſo farre from doing, as they ſhall rather deſpiſe the chaſtening of the Lord, contrary to the counſell giuenHeb. 12. 5. by the holy Ghoſt, they ſhall but (as the Prophet Ionah ſpeaketh) forſake their owne mercy.Ionah 2. 8.