Gods Love, Text – Title page 2

Gods Love · Text – Title page 2

p. 1GODS LOVE-TOKENS, AND Th' Afflicted Mans LESSONS.

Revel. 3.19.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chaſten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

IF all holy Scripture be but one intire letter, diſpatcht from the Lord CHRIST, to his beloved Spouſe on earth (as a Father fitly ſtileth it:Greg.) then this much more, and the foregoing Chapter; vvhichwhich are merely made up of ſeven ſeverall Epiſtles, dated from heaven to the ſeven then famous Churches of leſſer Aſia. Five of the duplicate page p. 1duplicate page p. 2ſeven are partly commended, partly condemned; That of Smyrna is onelyonly commended; this of Laodicea onelyonly condemned, and ſorely threatned with ſhamefull ſpuing our, for her loathſome luke-warmneſs, and wretchleſſe indifferency. Now, leſt the weak hereby ſhould be diſquieted, or the worſt ſo diſ…ouraged, as to ſay with thoſe in Ieremy, There is no hope, but we will walke after our owne devices, aa2 Iere. 13.12.Jer 13:12&c. Our Saviour, firſt, counſells them in the former verſe; ſecondly, comforts, and counſells them both, in this of the Text,

As many as I love, I rebuke and chaſten: bee zealous therefore and repent.

The words divide themſelves into a Propoſition, and an Exhortation: or (if you pleaſe) a Doctrine, and a Vſe. As many as I love, I rebuke and chaſten: there's the Doctrine. Bee zealous p. 3therefore and repent: that's the Vſe.

The Doctrine is comprehenſive, and full of doctrine; each word having its weight, each ſyllable its ſubſtance. This firſt offers it ſelfe:

Doct. 1 That it is God that chaſtens his children. I rebuke and chaſten, ſaith the text. I, is emphaticall, and excluſive: as if hee ſhould ſay, I, and I alone. So elſwhere God aſſumes it, & the Saints acknowledge it. I forme the light and create darkneſſe, I make peace, and create evill. I the Lord do all theſe things bbEſa. 45.…Isa 45. So in another place, I kill, and I make alive, I wound and I heale &c ccDeut. 32.39 So 1 Sam. 2.6, 7 Iob 5.18 Hoſ. 6.1, 2.Deut 32:391 Sam 2:61 Sam 2:7Job 5:18Hos 6:1Hos 6:2. This the Lord doth ſomtimes more immediatly by his owne bare hand, as it were: 1 Cor. 11.29, 30. ſometimes againe by the hand of our fellow-creatures (the rodd in his hand) as he afflicted Iob by Satan and his Sabeans ddIob 1.21.Job 1:21, David by p. 4Abſalom and (his ſecond) Shimei ee2 Sam. 16.10.2 Sam 16:10, Ioſeph by hisffGe…. 45.8. brethren, Iſrael by Aſhur gg…ſa. 10 5., Chriſt himſelfe by the Prieſts &hhAct. 2 23.Acts 2:23 Elders. But ſtill, what ever the meanes of our miſery be, the hand is Gods; as both Iob, and Ioſeph, and David, and the ſon of David iiMatt. 26.39Matt 26:39ſavve cauſe to acknowledge. For,

Reaſ. 1 Firſt, …od doth all; therfore this. As he made all by his power, ſo he manageth all by his providence. Not a ſparrow fals to the ground without himkkMat. 10.30Matt 10:30: not a briſtle from a ſow's back ſaith a Father;Tertull. much leſſe a hair from a Saints headllL…e 21.18, leaſt of all, the head from the ſhouldersmmPſal. 116.15.Ps 116:15, or any matter of like moment and conſequence, without Gods al-reaching and moſt vviſe diſpoſe and appointment.

Reaſ. 2 Next, God ſuffers all. There is no ſinne committed, but God is offended, his authoritie impeached, his Law violated, p. 5Pſal. 57.5.This to imply the offender was confined to the citie of Refuge as to a priſon during the high Prieſt life, as being the chief God on earth Godwins Antiq. Heb. p 98 Every ſinne ſtrikes at his face, liſts his throne, makes to his diſhonour. Thou haſt made me to ſerve with thy ſinnes, and wearied mee with thine iniquitiesnnE…t 43.23. It is an offence to all his ſenſes; nay to his very ſoule, as he complains by the ſame ProphetooEſ. 1.11, 12 13, 14.Isa 1:11Isa 1:12. Now, if one ſinne againſt another, the Iudge ſhall judge him pp1 Sam. 2.251 Sam 2:25: and if a man ſin againſt the Lord, ſhall he not beare his ſinneqqLev 5.17.Lev 5:17? who ſhall be his dayeſman? Reaſ. 3 Eſpecially ſince (in the third place) as God ſuffers by all, ſo he judgeth all; And, ſhall not the judge of all the earth doe right? ſaith Abraham rrGen. 18.25.Gen 18:25. Now what more right, than that every tranſgreſſion and diſobedience receive a juſt recompenſe of reward ſſHebr. 2.2.Heb 2:2?

Reaſ. 4 Laſtly, he commands all for execution of his righteous ſentence; he hath the whole Hoaſt of heaven and earth at his beck and obedience, to chaſtiſe us by p. 6them at his pleaſure. What that Emperour once vainely va… …e… is here fully verefied,Iulius Caſ. if God but ſtampe with his foote, he can raiſe an army of fighting ſouldiers; yea, he can as eaſily u…o…us, as bid it bee done. If he ſay to any creature, go, he go th, if come, he comm…th, if …o… this, he doth it: as if he ſay▪ peac… be ſtill, both wi…d… and waves a… all …ey him, and cannot doe us the leaſt …u t or hinderance.

Vſe. 1 Away then (for application) with that mad principle of the Manichees, who refer'd all calamities to the devill for their author; as if there could be evill in a city and the Lord had not done it.ttAnt. 3.6. Away with that blockiſh aſſertion of the Stoicks, that aſcribed all ill occurrences to inevitable deſtiny. Away with that fond dreame of thoſe Aſtrologers, that (excluding Gods providence) p. 7make their fatall periods the cauſe of all changes and croſſe-accidents. Laſtly, vaniſh here that bald and bold fancy of ſuch Atheiſts and Ignorants amongſt us,Multi cum vitos Deo acceptos acerbum quippiam pati viderint, anin o offenduntur … ignati quod hac infortunia ſint amicotum Dei, vel maxine. Baſil. Selene. Orat. 40. as doatingly deeme it a thing misbeſeeming and unworthy the good Lord, to p…ſh Man that Maſter-peece of his handy-worke: and by puniſhing him, to diſturbe (as they will needs have it) the faire order of Nature. That …e ſhould deale ſo ill eſpecially with good men, and religious, this they can leaſt of all brooke or beare with: not conſidering that the beſt have their blemiſhes, ſuch as God may juſtly waſh off with rivers of brimſtone. God indeede made man upright: but they have ſought out many inventions Eccleſ. 7.29. Now if they eate of the fruit of their owne way, and be filled with their owne devices, Prov. 1.31. Whom have p. 8they to quarrell? Where will they lay the blame?

Vſe. 2 But, ſecondly, is it God that afflicts? What meane we then to looke ſo much upon the creature (a… thoſe Apoſtles did upon the Angels at Chriſts aſcenſionuuAct. ….11.: as the people did upon the Apoſtles at the Cripples reſtaurationxxAct. 3 1….Acts 3:1) as if they by any power of their owne, could either helpe or hurt us? Helpe us (I ſay) either by preventing evill, or delivering in the day of wrath? Aſa may truſt to the Phyſitian… yy2 Chro. 16.…2.2 Chr 16:2, and Ahaziah ſend out to the God of Ekron zz2 King 1.2. … ſi nequco ſupe…os etc.2 Kgs 1:2, but neither the one or the other ſhall come downe from their ſick-bed, becauſe they ſought not helpe of Iehova Rophe, the Lord that healethaaExod. 15.26Exod 15:26. Lot may try concluſions, and thinke Zoar ſhall ſave him, when God appointed him to the mountaines: but when all was done, Zoar was too hot to hold p. 9him, and he glad to eſcape to thoſe mountainesbbGen. 19.30.Gen 19:30, whither at firſt he ſhould have ſted. Saul may goe forth to ſeeke aſſes, (and we deliverance) abroad: but as he found them at home, after allccSam. 9.20., ſo ſhall we helpe in God or not at all. And the ſame we ſay of the hurt we feare, or the ſmart we feele from any creature. Why looke we ſo much upon the malice of men, or rage of Divels, as if either of them were unlimited? Why fault we ſo much this mans croſſeneſſe, that mans careleſneſſe, or laſtly, our owne hard hap and misfortune; as if we had learn'd that language of Aſhdod ddNeh. 13 24.Neh 13:24, It is a chance ee1 Sam. 6.….1 Sam 6: or as if that Heathen Idoll were any thing in the world: or that things caſuall to us were not fore-appointed by God, even to the leaſt circumſtance of the greateſt or leaſt affliction? And yet, how ready are we to p. 10miſtake the grounds of our croſſes,Te ſacimus Fortuna, deam, o… lo que locamus. Iuvenal. Vide Paſchal. in Cenſura animi ingrati. cap. 1. and to caſt them upon falſe cauſes; or reſting in the naturall cauſe, to neglect the ſupreme and ſupernaturall. Iacob when he ſaw the Angels aſcending and deſcending, enquired who ſtood at the top of the ladder and ſent themffGen. 28.13.Gen 28:13. David though he knew the ſecond cauſe of the famine that fell out in his dayes to be the drought, yet he enquired of the Lord what ſhould be the cauſe of that judgmentgg2 Sam 21.1 Iob could diſeeme God, arrowes in Satans hand: and Gods hand on the armes of the Sa…a… robbers. …ea….2 Sam 21:1. So ſhould we doe in like caſe; ſee God in all our afflictions; in the viſible meanes ſee, by faith, the inviſible author. For although God may, and doth many tim…s make uſe of the Devill, and his impes to chaſtiſe his children; yet, it is but one hand, and many inſtruments that he ſmites us with. He ever reſerves that royalty to himſelfe of ſetting them their p. 11taske, limiting them their time, and letting out their tedder: Hitherto ye ſhall goe, and no further. They can doe nothing (and their maſter to help them) without commiſſion from heaven; no, not ſo much as make a louſehhExod. 8.18.Exod 8:18, or drowne a piggeiiMatth. 3.32.Matt 3:32. No: tis the Lord, ſaith holy Hannah, that killeth and maketh alive: he maketh poore and maketh rich: hee bringeth low, and lifteth up. kk1 Sam. 2.6, 71 Sam 2:61 Sam 2:7She was quite out, that laid the death of her ſonne to the preſence of the good Prophetll1 King. 17.18.1 Kgs 17:18. And as for the Divell, he hath ſo little power over the Saints, that they have power over him mmRev. 12.11Rev 12:11, ſhall judge him at the laſt daynn1 Cor. 5.3.1 Cor 5:3 and have authority (in the meane while) to deliver ſome over to him, as St. Paul did Hymenaeus, and as the Church of Corinth did then, and the true Church doth now, ſuch as are ſcandalous and inordinate, p. 12for the deſtruction of the fleſh, that their Spirits may be ſaved in the day of Chriſt. Such honour have all his Saints.oo1 Cor. 5.5. foreign.1 Cor 5:5 As for themſelves; their ſoules are ſet ſafe out of Satans reach. And although their bodies may be hurriedppMatth. 4.Matt 4 as our Saviours; yea and hurt by him too, as Iobs, qqIob. ….Pauls, rr2 Cor. 12.7. foreign. vide Mutheſium in locum Antiochia ob ſingularem viſitationem Dei, foreign a Iuſtiniane Imp. cog…a… minata eſt Hippocrates peſſem foreign vocat In …gnoſt.2 Cor 12:7&c. yet not without God: whoſe good providence in all afflictions is not paſſive meerely, but permiſſive and active, as the Saints have ſeene and ſet forth to us in the Scriptures, and latter records, yea as purblinde Nature ſaw cauſe to confeſſe.

Thirdly, Is it God that afflicts? oh learne, then, when we ſmart, to returne to him that ſmiteth us. Send not out to Beelzehub with Ahazia, to the witch of Endor with Saul, to them that have familiar ſpirits, that peepe and that mutter with thoſe refractaries in Eſay. p. 13ſſEſay 8.19.Isa 8:19Should not a people ſeeke to their God? from the living to the dead? that were moſt abſurd and abhominable. Againe, ſay ye not a confederacy to all them to whom this people ſhall ſay a confederacy ttver. 1….,ib. ſaith the ſame Prophet in the ſame place. Gad not to Aſhur, run not to Egypt, dig not broken ciſternes, purſue not lying vanities, left ye forſake your owne mercies,15. leſt ye ſtumble and fall, and be broken and ſnared and taken. 17.But wait upon the Lord that hideth his face from the houſe of Iacob: and by faithfull prayer draw him out of his retiring roome, as the woman of Canaan did, who brought Chriſt forth when he would have hid himſelfe, Mark. 7.24.25. Shee knew her daughters diſeaſe was a ſtroke of Chriſts hand, ſuch as none could take off but the ſame that inflicted it. To him therefore ſhee runs for releaſe, p. 14and had it: together with a high commendation of her heroicall faith. The like we may ſee in Hezekiah, He kiſſed Gods rod,Vna eadem que ma…us &c. under which he lay bleeding; and marking the hand that uſed it, chatters out aſwell as he was able, O Lord I am oppreſt, e…ſe me. What ſhall I ſay? he hath both ſpoken unto me, and himſelfe hath done it uuEſay 38.14.15.Isa 38:14Isa 38:15. Thus he. And indeede this is the onelyonly way to get off, when we are in durance. Never looke for eaſe (in mercy I meane) till we are come to this, but more loade of afflictions. The Syrians before and Philiſtines behinde, and they ſhall devoure Iſraell with open mouth. A heavy caſe, you ſee, and yet behold a worſe matter. For all this anger is not turnd away, but his hand is ſtretcht out ſtill xxEſay 9.12.Isa 9:12. Why? what's the matter? For the people turneth not to him that ſmiteth them, neither p. 15doe they ſeeke the Lord of Hoſtes. Heathen Philiſtims ſhall riſe up and condemne ſuch Iſraelites, nay ſuch prepoſterous Chriſtians; as run to Eli with young Samuel, when God calls them, to King Iareb when God wounds them. Hoſ. 15.13. To the creature, I meane, when God ſummons them by his vocall rods, to humble themſelves under his mighty hand that he may lift them up. God ſent mice and Emerods of fleſh to the Philiſtims, and they returne him both thoſe in gold:yy1 Sam. 6.5.1 Sam 6:5 to imply, both that theſe judgments came out from God, and that they did gladly give him the glory of that whereof he gave them the ſmart and ſhame.

Vſe. 4 Againe, let this patient our hearts under any affliction, that it's God that inflicts it. It is the Lord, ſaid Eli, let him doe what ſeemeth him goodzz1 Sam. 3.181 Sam 3:18. I p. 16was dumb, I opened not my mouth, ſaith David, becauſe it was thy doingaaPſal. 39.Ps 39. God (he was ſure) as he might doe what he pleaſed with him, ſo he would never over-doe: his hand ſhould not be further ſtretcht out to ſmite then to ſavebbIſ. 59 1.Isa 59:1; and therefore he ſets downe himſelfe with that conſideration.Pater eſt. Si …ter …neſſes This cooled the boyling rage of the young man in T…c…c…. Goe ye now, and doe likewiſe. Say to your ſelves, ſhall I not drinke of the cup, that my father hath put into my hands? ſtand under the croſſe that he hath laid on my ſhoulders? ſtoope unto the yoke that he hath hang'd on my neckeccLam 2.…7.Lam 2:7 ▪ This is to fall ben…ath the ſtirrop of Reaſon: for the oxe knoweth his owner, and holds downe his hornes to the yoke he puts upon him. Yea, beares and lyons take blowes from their keepers, and ſhall not I from the keeper of his Iſrael ddIſal. 121.5.? If I contend with my Maker, p. 17worſe will come of it. I cannot ward off his blow, nor mott my ſelf up againſt his fire. The dint of his indignation and diſpleaſure I am never able to avoid or abide. What then ſhould I rather doe,Levius ſit patientia Quicquid co…gere eſt nefas. Horat. then with meekeneſſe and ſilence buckle a…d how under his hand? and not make my croſſes heavier then God makes them by impatience and frowardneſſe. I ſee the bird in a gin, the fiſh upon the hooke, the faſter ſhee ſtrives, the firmer ſhe ſticks. The child under his fathers rod the more he ſtruggles, the more ſtripes he gets. If he reach at the rod, he ſhall have enough of it: if he grumble and growle he is taken up againe. God will not give his over, till he hath broken their ſtomacks, and made them kiſſe the rod, which the wicked bite, ſo adding impatience to their impenitence, and paſſive diſobedience p. 18to their active.

Ob.If God would take the rod into his owne hand, 'twould nothig ſo much trouble me: …ut h… puts me into ſuch mens han…s as fataſtically hate mee,eePſal. 8 2… Ho…o homini d… on. Sol.Ps 8:2 and are diveliſhly be… againſt me.

This is as if the child ſhould ſay; If I … it chooſe my rod, I would … to be whipt: or the condemn'd Noble-ma…, If I might chuſe mi… executioner, I could be content to loſe my head. What are our Enemies but Gods officers that can doe no more then is given them from above ffIoh. 19.11.John 19:11? Gods Maſons, to how us here in the mount, that we may be as the poliſhed corners of the Temple ggPſal. 144.12Ps 144:12Gods ſcullions, to ſcoure up the veſſels of his houſhold, that they may be meete for the maſters uſe. Let them alone (hardly) with their office (they are but the p. 19men of Gods hand.) hhPſal. 17.14.Ps 17:14and looke up to the maſter that ſets them aworke: raiſe not … the hangman, but run t… the in…. This will make th…e …ay thy hand on thy in …h, when thou art chaſing rip, and …y to rave a…ainſt th… i…ſtrument; to conſider, that tho… that moleſt or maligne us either with violent lands, o virulent tongues, they are ſet a worke…y Gods good providence for our triall and exerciſe: and therefore to let fly at them is to let fly at God himſelfe. This will coole a man better then the repeating of the Greeke Alphabet, or any ſuch remedy as the morall Sages miniſter unto us. This thing is proceeded of the Lord, we cannot therefore ſay neither good nor evill. Gen. 24.50.

Vſe 5 Laſtly here's matter of comfort under whatſoever croſſes: to conſider that they come not p. 20out of the duſt, grow not out of the groundiiIob 3 6.Job 3:6, befall us not as it happens, or as our enemies would have it: but are ſent us in by a father, as tokens of his love, and ſeales of our ſonſhip. God hath not onelyonly in a generall manner preordained our afflictions, and left all the reſt to be diſpoſed of by chance and fortune: but ſpecially ordereth and ruleth them with his moſt wiſe, juſt, and gracious providence, both for manner, meaſure and continuance; making them ever, as inferiour cauſes ſerve for his ſupreme ends, which are his owne glory, and our ſalvation. Afflicted then we ſhall be, (for as no parent corrects another mans child, ſo no good parent but corrects his owne) but yet in judgment, not in fury kkIer. 10.24.Jer 10:24: neither ſo little as we would, nor ſo much as we might: but ſo much only as our heavenly father p. 21ſhall ſee meete. Who being onelyonly wiſe, and withall very good, will not tempt us above what we are ablell1 Cor. 10.13.1 Cor 10:13: but proportioning the burthen to the backe, and the ſtroke to the ſtrength of him that beares it, he will ſpare us as a man ſpares his owne ſonne that ſerveth him mmMal. 3.17.Mal 3:17. The skilfull Armourer trieth not an ordinary peece with musket ſhot: the wiſe Lapidary brings not his ſofter ſtones to the ſtithy. The good husband turnes not the wheele upon his Cummin, nor his ſtaile upon his Fitches. But the Fitches are beaten out with a ſtaffe, and the Cummin with a rod. For why? his God doth inſtruct him to diſcretion, and doth teach him nnEſa. 28.26.27.29.Isa 28:26Isa 28:27Isa 28:29. Now the argument holds good from the taught to the teacher: ſuch a teacher eſpecially as is not onelyonly p. 22wonderfull in counſell, but excellent in working. And how is that? wherein ſtands the excellent worke of this wonderfull Counſellour ooEſay 9.6.Isa 9:6? Heare it from the ſame mouth; Behold, I have refined thee, but not as Silver ppEſay 18.10.Isa 18:10! becauſe, having in them more droſſe than good oare; that is, more corruption than grace; they would ſoone have beene conſumed in this fiery triall. Which to prevent, the Prophet Malachie tels us, that God ſits downe by the fireqqMal. 3.2.Mal 3:2 to rend it, and to look to his Saints. Or, if he be upon any occaſion urged to be abſent, the Prophet Eſay ſaith, Hee flies and returnes rrEſay 31.9, et ult. &c.Isa 31:9: yea, himſelfe goeth with them into the fireſſEſay 43.2.Isa 43:2, uſing care, and taking courſe, that their …ear be not too great, nor their abode therin ſo long, as that any graine of grace ſhould be loſt, but rather refined and enhanc'd, by p. 23a farther partaking of his Holineſſe ttHeb. 12.10.Heb 12:10. But I haſten.

Doctr. 2 As many as I love, I rebuke and chaſten. Afflictions, then, are Gods Love-tokens. That's a ſecond point iſſuing from the words. This was a Doctrine preach't by Salomon uuPrev. 3.11.of old, and preſt after him (in ſo many words) by the Author to the Hebrews, with an addition, that Hee ſcourgeth every Son whom hee receiveth xxHeb. 12.6.Heb 12:6: I, and he ſhall take it for a favour too: for, If yee endure chaſtening, Verſ. 7.ſaith hee, God dealeth with you as with Sons: for what Son is hee whom the Father chaſteneth not? That's the Apoſtles firſt Reaſon there, and ſhall bee ours (for where can we have a better?)

Reaſ. 1 Corrections then are pledges of our Adoption, and badges of our Sonſhip. One Son God had without ſinne, but none without ſorrow. Chriſt the p. 24naturall Son,Soli enim foreign. though he were ſine corruptione, without corruption, yet not ſine correptione, without correction; for, The chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him yyEſay 53.5.Isa 53:5: and though hee were ſine flagitio, without a crime, yet not ſine flagello, without a ſcourge; for, By his ſtripes wee were healed zzIbid.. The captaine of our Salvation, by being Conſecrated through afflictions, brought many Sons to glory aaHeb. ….10.: conform'd we are by ſufferings to the image of his Sonne, Rom. 8.29. that hee might be the firſt-born among many Brethren. For as two pieces of Iron cannot bee ſo ſoundly foldred, and made faſt one to another,The veſſels, and inſtruments of the Sanctuary were of beaten gold. but by beating them both together in the fire: ſo, neither can Chriſt and his Brethren be ſo neerly united, and faſt affected but by fellowſhip of his ſufferingsbb…hilip. 3 10., whil…s they ſuffer together, that they p. 25may be glorified togetherccRom. 8.17.Rom 8:17.

Reaſ. 2 But ſecondly, (for the Apoſtle proceeds in his Argument) By ſubjecting our ſelves to the Father of ſpirits, in his corrections we live ddHeb. 12.9.Heb 12:9. Now life (in any ſenſe) is a ſweet merciemercy, a deere indulgence, a precious pledge of Gods ſingular love: for where he loves moſt, there he commands the bleſſing, even life for evermore eePſal. 133. ult.Ps 133. Therefore, Abraham, when he would beg the greateſt boone for his beloved Son, Oh, ſaith hee, that hee might live in thy ſight ffGen. 17.18.Gen 17:18. He that findeth mee, findeth life, ſaith wiſdomeggProv. 8.35.Prov 8:35. But where, and in what way is ſhe to be found? Corrections of inſtructions are the way of life hhProv. 6.23.Prov 6:23. How can a naturall Father better ſeale up his love to his child, than by ſaving his life? and how is that done ſooner than by a ſeaſonable and mercifull uſe of the rod? for by nurturing p. 26him betime, he may keep him from the gallowes. If thou beateſt him with thy rod, ſaith Salomon, he ſhall not die iiPro. 23.13.Prov 23:13. And againe, thou ſhalt beate him with the rod, and ſhalt deliver his ſoule from hell. Semblably,14. the fath…r of ſpirits, when he would ſhew his love to his untoward child, whips him till he bleeds, bloods him till he faints and ſwoones againe ſometimes; that he may let out his ill humours, and make him whole every wh… kkIoh. 7.23.John 7:23, doe a perfect cure upon his ſoule, make it returne and live, for why ſhould any dy in Gods houſe of Iſrael llEzek 18.31.Ezek 18:31? There are centuries of diſeaſes lying in wait for mans precious life, but far more for his ſoule. There is the rympany of pride, the dropſy of covetouſneſſe, the fever of ambition, the frenzy of paſſion, the conſumption of envy, the epilepſy of Apoſtacy, p. 27the lethargy of ſecurity, the plague of diſcontent, &c Now affliction is Gods Ca holicon, the croſſe is the cure of them all. Gehezi tells the praiſes of his ſevere maſter to King Iehoram mm2 King. 8.4.5 Peruſſem niſi peruſſem.2 Kgs 8:42 Kgs 8:5. Whence ſome conjecture, that his leproſy made him cleare, that his white forehead made him a white ſoule, that his diſeaſe cured him. See this further ſet forth, Iob. 33.14. to 31.

Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, …he fathers of our fleſh though they love us well enough, yet they verely correct us for their pleaſure: to eaſe their ſtomacks, vent their choller, diſcharge themſelves of that dipleaſure they have conceived againſt us. Not ſo the Lord: fury is not in m nnEſay 27.4.Isa 27:4, ſaith he, he is ſlow to anger and of great patience, and quickly repents him of the evillooPſal. 103.8.Ps 103:8. It is certainely a fearefull thing to fall into the puniſhing hands p. 28of the living GodppHeb. 10.31.Heb 10:31: for who knoweth the power of his wrath qqPſal. 90.11.Ps 90:11? but ſo the Saints doe never: For as he afflicts not willingly rrLam. 3.33.Lam 3:33, tis his worke, his ſtrange worke ſſEſay 28.21. Vim Deo facimus iniquitatibus noſtris: prope eſt ut cum non permittamus ut parcat. Salvian.Isa 28:21? (We might, if we were oughts, live all the dayes of our life in his houſe, and not ſo much as feele the weight of his hand) ſo when he muſt doe it, (as no remedy but he muſt, otherwhiles, to his griefe) he nurtureth us as a father doth his owne ſonne ttDeut. 8.5.Deut 8:5. Firſt, he ſtands and melts over us, and oh that he might not doe it: How ſhall I give thee up Ephraim? how ſhall I deliver thee Iſrael? how ſhall I make thee as Admah? how ſhall I ſet thee as Zeboim? my heart is turn'd within me, my repentings are kindled togetheruuHoſ 11.8. Ier. 32.19.20.Hos 11:8Jer 32:19Jer 32:20. There's all the pleaſure he takes in correcting us. Then, when he hath us under hand, in the very midſt of judgment he p. 29remembers mercy xxHab 3.2.Hab 3:2. In humbling us, he remembreth us, for his mercy endureth for ever yyPſal 136 23 Sit licet in natos facies auſtera parentum. Mens tamen aequa manet—Ps 136:23. The ſame hand that ſtrikes us, ſupports us under the ſtrokes. God dealeth by us as Ioſeph by his brethren: he lookt ſterne, and ſpake harſh, but in the meane while gave them meate without money, and ſent them away in peace and with comfort.

Reaſ. 4 Laſtly, as he corrects us not for any pleaſure to himſelfe, ſo for greateſt profit to us. For, firſt, he hereby makes us partakers of his holineſſe here. Secondly,ver. fills us with the peaceable fruits of righteouſneſſe in heaven. Firſt,Retentio excrementorum eſt parens morborum. then he chaſtens us that he may impart unto us of his holineſſe: and that firſt by removing the impediments. For, by this ſhall the iniquity of Iacob be purged, and this is all the fruit, to take away his ſin zzIſay 27.9.Isa 27:9. He plowes upon our backe, p. 30and makes long his furrowesaaPſal. 129.3.Ps 129:3, that the weeds being killed, and the ground fitted for ſeede, we may ſow in righteouſneſſe, and ſo reape in mercy bbHoſ 10.12.Hos 10:12. Secondly,Non quod afflict one proprie ſanctifi…ent ſed ad mini…la ſunt ad ſan…i ſ… tio…ci…. I…. He gives us by affliction the exerciſe, proofe, and increaſe of ſaith, hope, and charity: together with ſundry other principall graces; working by them experience and patience, which ſerve for the beautifying, and perfecting of a Chriſtian. For let patience have her perfect worke, ſaith St Iames ccIam. 1.4.Jas 1:4: intimating, that he is but an imperfect Chriſtian, that wants patience; a very little childe in Gods houſe (if any at all) that cannot beare the rod. Thus he makes us partakers of his holineſſe.Pareus. And ſo he doth of his happineſſe too, called here (is ſome judicious interpret it) the quiet fruits of righteouſneſſe; as elſwhere, the crowne of righteouſneſſ… dd2 Tim. 4.8.2 Tim 4:8, the p. 31crowne of lifeeeRev. 2.10.Rev 2:10, the weight of glory, that farre-moſt-excellent exceeding and eternall weight of glory ff2 Cor. 4.17.2 Cor 4:17, wrought out unto us by the afflictions of this life: which being light and momentary are not worthy to be reckon'd ggRom. 8.18. Quò it alis praelentibus durius deprimor, eò de futuris gaudiis certius praeſumo. Greg.Rom 8:18, therefore, nay, not to be named in the ſame day with the glory that ſhall be revealed at that day. Adde hereunto, that by our croſſes ſanctified, weight is added to our crowne of bliſſe, ſith according to the meaſure of our afflictions God meteth unto us of his graces, that we may be able to beare them: and according to the meaſure of our graces, he proportioneth our glory and future happineſſe.

Vſe. 1 But is this ſo, that afflictions are Gods love-tokens? how fowly then are they miſtaken, that take them for teſtimonies of his wrath, and effects of his disfavour. And yet p. 32this was Abrahams errour in the want of an heyre of his owne body. When God had ſaid unto him, Feare not Abraham: I am thy ſhield, and thine exceeding great reward; Lord God, ſaith he, what wilt thou give me, ſeeing I goe childleſſe, Gen. 15 1.2.Gen 15:1Gen 15:2, &c. This alſo was the peoples weakeneſſe in the want of water. Is God ſay they amongſt us Exod. 17.7.Exod 17:7? as if that could not be, and they athirſt. So Gideon in the invaſion of the Midianites. The Lord, ſaith the Angell, is with thee, thou valiant man. But Gideon ſaid unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us kkIudg. 6.12.13 Pſal. 7 7. Buchelecius.Judg 6:12Judg 6:13Ps 7:7? The like we may ſay of David in that melancholly pſalme of his, as one calls it; and the whole Church in that her dolefull ditty; I ſaid, my hope, and my ſtrength is periſhed from the Lord, Lam. 3 18.19.Lam 3:18Lam 3:19remembring mine afflictions p. 33and my miſery, the wormwood, and the gall. I, but who put in that wormwood and gall (might one have replied) into Gods cup? 'twas never, ſure, of his tempering; that's an ingredient of your owne addition. 'Tis true, there is a cup in the hands of the Lord, and the wine thereof is red, and full of mixture. But what? ſhall all taſte alike of Gods cup? No, no, the Saints doe onelyonly ſip of the top; they drinke onelyonly ſo much of it as is cleare and ſweete,Illud ſolum quod ſuavius eſt et limpidius. in compariſon: but the dregs thereof, the wicked of the earth ſhall wring them out, and drinke them up mmPſal. 75.8Ps 75:8: ſay there be ſome bitterneſſe in that we ſuffer (as no affliction, for the preſent, is joyous but grievousnnHeb. 12.11.Heb 12:11,) yet bitter potions bring on ſweete health: and it is in great love, no doubt, (however it be taken,) that the tender father medicines p. 34his child for the wormes, gives him aloes, or the like: The child cries out as if he were kild, ſputters and keeks as if he were poyſon'd; yet ſtill the fathers love is never the leſſe: no more is Gods, for the gall he gives us. It is not fury but mercy that ſets God a wor…e in this kinde. We are judg'd of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world oo1 Cor. 11.1 Cor 11. Now to make that an argument of his hatred that he intends for an inſtance of his love, what can be more abſurd and provoking? How would you take ſuch uſage at the hands of your children? If they ſhould make ſuch akward and unkind conſtructions, when you phyſicke them for their good: or, if neede ſo r… quire, apply ſharpe corroſives, or hot trons to their fleſh? How could you take it, I ſay, if they ſhould exclaime or but p. 35mutter; my father hateth m…, is weary of my company, deſires my death, ſeekes to rid me out of the world? would it not gall you to be ſo much miſtaken? And what ſhall God doe, thinke you? eſpecially,Non eſt argumentum averſi dei, quemadmodum diabolu… interpretatur: ſed potius patern…e ipſius benevolenti…e. Lavat. in Pro. 3.11.Prov 3:11 ſince herein we cloſe with the Devill, and take part with him, againſt our owne ſoules. His worke is to accuſe God to man (as he did to our firſt parents in Paradiſe) as if he envied man the beſt eſtate; and of very hatred holds him to hardſhip, and feeds him (as Ahab did Michaiah whom he loved not) with the bread of affliction, and water of adverſity. Thus he ſuggeſted to Iob by his wife and three freinds; leaving him his tongue untoucht (when all his body beſides,Chryſoſt. To…um eſt pro vulnere corpus. was but one great botch) as hoping that he, would therewith have curſt God and dyed ppIob. 1. ult.Job 1, or charg'd him with folly and p. 36cruelty ^p. So the tempter would faine have perſwaded our Saviour, that he was no ſonne of God, becauſe he was afflicted with hungerqqMatth. 4.Matt 4. But againſt this temptation, forget not the conſolation, which ſpeaketh unto you as unto children; my ſonne, deſpiſe not thou the chaſtening of the Lord, neither ſaint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chaſteneth rrHeb. 12 5.6. Non ita beatum paulum pu…o quod in coelum raptus quam quod in carcerem conjectus. Chryſoſt. in Eph. 3.1.Heb 12:5Heb 12:6Eph 3:1&c. whence the Apoſtle reckons affliction amongſt Gods honoraries, and tokens of reſpect: for, To you it is given ſaith he, not onelyonly to beleeve (though that's a great matter for he that beleeveth hath ſet to his ſeale that God is trueſſIoh. 3 33.John 3:33, hath ſubſcrib'd to his truth, and given him a teſtimony) but alſo to ſuffer ttPhil. 1.29. Act & non in pag. 1565Phil 1:29: which (ſaith Father Latymer) is the greateſt promotion that God gives in this world. Iob (good man) cannot but admire p. 37at it, that God ſhould make ſo much account of man, ſhould ſo magnifie and dignifie him, as to thinke him worth the melting, though it be every morning, and trying, though it be every moment. Iob. 7.17.18.

Vſe. 2 Secondly, here hence iſſueth a double Inſtruction, and you ſhall have it in the Apoſtles owne words. My ſon diſpiſe not thou the chaſtening of the Lord, that's the firſt: neither ſaint when thou art rebuked uuHeb. 12.5.Heb 12:5, that's a ſecond. This is the Apoſtles owne uſe of this point (after Salomon) and this is as good an uſe as we can put it to.

Firſt then,I. foreign Targum. foreign beware you deſpiſe not Gods correction; count it not an ordinary thing, a light matter, a common occurrence, ſuch as comes and goes as the raine on our clothes which after a while dries up, p. 38and all is as before. This is to elevate,foreign Heb. 12.5.Heb 12:5 and ſet light by Gods love-tokens, to vilipend and undervalue his kindneſſes, to make no repute nor reckoning of his gracious expreſſions, and deareſt indulgences: whileſt we thus lay them at our heeles, and caſt them into by-corners, as things not worth our carefull keeping, or kinde acceptance.

To helpe againſt this extreme: Conſider firſt, that affliction commeth not out of the duſt, no not the leaſt and lighteſt that doth befall us: but though Man be borne to trouble as the ſparke to fly upward, yet every Iob will ſeeke unto God as the authour, and purpoſely to breede true remorſe in himſelfexxIoh. 5.6.7.8.John 5:6John 5:7John 5:8: and every Naomi (in caſe of perſonall ſickneſſe or death of friends) will ſay, the hand of the Lord is gone out againſt me yyRuth. 1.13Ruth 1:13: and every Iſraelite p. 39indeede collect, are not theſe evills come upon us becauſe our God is not with us zzDeut. …1.17Deut 1:17? For neither is it for nought (in the ſecond place) that God afflicts: but ever there is ſome Achan in the army, ſome Sheba in the towne, ſome Ionas in the ſhip, ſome diſtemper, I meane, in the ſoule, ſome diſorder in the life, that God would have removed, and remedied. Thirdly, that he keepes count how oft he afflicts us, and what good uſe we make of his hand. Amos, 4.5.6.7.

Now ſhall God count our croſſes, and we contemne them? ſhall he number our laſhes, and we neglect them? ſhall he lay them on in love for our good, and we beare them off with head and ſhoulders, leaſt they ſhould doe us good? The hypocrite, ſaith Elihu, crieth not when God binds him, and doth therefore p. 40heape up wrath aaIob. 36.11.Job 36:11. The wicked, ſaith holy Hannah, are ſilent in darkeneſſe bb1 Sam 2.9.1 Sam 2:9, and ſhall therefore lie downe in ſorrow ccEſay. 50.10.Isa 50:10: they ſhuffle over their croſſes, and make ſome ſorry ſhift to rub thorough them, and thinke to weare them out as well as they can. Such were thoſe in Ieremy, woe is me for my hurt, my wound is grievous. There's their moane at firſt, but what after a while of pawſing? Truely this is my griefe and I muſt beare it ddIer. 10.19.Jer 10:19. As who ſhou…d ſay: There's no remedy; 'tis that we all muſt looke for, to have croſſes while we are here, when things are at worſt they'le mend againe: ſuch and ſuch hauehave ſuffer'd the very ſame, and done well enough, and ſo I hope ſhall I. God complaines oft of this ſtupidity, and ſenſeleſſeneſſe in his people, and threatneth it ſore with a ſucceſſion of croſſeseeLev. 26.Lev 26; p. 41ſeven more and ſeven more, and ſeven to that, to the converſion of his owne, and the confuſion of his enemies: for is it fit that he ſhould caſt downe the bucklers firſt? No: he is too wiſe, and too ſtrong, to be overcome, or wearied out by any meanes but ſtrong prayer and humble yeeldance under his mighty hand. Looke to it therefore (I charge you) or looke for a worſe matter. God hath his rods ſticking in every corner of the houſe: yea he hath a ſwinging rod for them that will not mend with a twig: or if a rod will not doe, he will take up his ſtaffe: or if that ſerve not the turne, he hath ſcourges and ſcorpions. 'Tis ſure, if he take us once in hand, he'le maſter us, and make us returne to him that ſmites us, or ere he give us over. Take heede therefore we be not of thoſe fooles that will not p. 42grow wiſer though brayd in a morte… ffProv. 27.22.Prov 27:22: of theſe drunkards that are ſtrucken, and finde it not; beaten againe, & feele it notggPro. 23.35.Prov 23:35: of thoſe Stoicks (ſtocks rather you may ſtile thē) that, count it a vertue to ſtand out all croſſ…, and not be ſtirr'd thereat: that thinke if they may ſcape afflictions, tis well; as if not, tis a deſtiny, they muſt …eare it, they were borne to it: & ſo as beaſts or rather as blockshh1 Sam 25.37.1 Sam 25:37 they lye under their burden: & account it greateſt valour to make leaſt ado, & lay it as little as may be to hart. But this is to croſſe God, who intends mē ſhould take up their croſſe,Crucem ala…es con…cen da… Dul ces ſunt e…avi, tan e…ſi valde a…e bi Na…iing. not treade upon it: carry it on their backs, not make a fire of it; be active in carrying it, and doe it cheerefully, not becauſe they can neither will nor chooſe: be ſenſible of the weight of it, and not runne away with it as Sampſon did with the gates of Gaza. I tell p. 43you, there's no ſtanding before a lyon when he roarethiiAmos. 3.8.Amos 3:8: ther's no bearing up our ſayles in a tempeſt, when it rageth, nor conteſting with ſoveraignty, no reſiſting omnipotency. If ye meane to be Kings Sonnes, ye muſt bring him the foreskins of an hundred Philiſtims, ſhew him the fruit of our former …aff rings. For otherwiſe, he will conſtrue it for a contempt, and ſtanding over us with his great rod, ſwinge us ſoundly, and ſay at every laſh, heare ye the rod, and who hath ap…ointed itkkMi…. 6.9.. God tells his revolted people by Hoſea, he will firſt be a moth to waſt them by ſome lighter affliction: if that affect not, he will be a worme to rot them, then a lyon to teare them, and laſt of all, withdraw himſelfe from having to doe with them, till they ſee their ſin, and ſeeke his face, Hoſ. 5.12.13.14.15.

p. 44A ſecond leſſon the Wiſeman takes us out from this point, is, Neither be weary of his correction: foreign Spinae nomen hinc deducitur: Vnde Kabvenaki locum hunc exponit, Ne ejus caſtigationes ut ſpinas quaſdam exiſtin es tibi moleſtas. Pſal. 73.13.Ps 73:13that is, (as the word imports, and the Apoſtle interprets it) fret not at it, faint not under it. Far be it from thee, to repent thee ever of thy repentance vvith David in a paſſion; or to wiſh thy ſelfe eas'd of thoſe Love-tokens, which thou feeleſt as thornes in thine eyes, and therefore ſtartleſt; and as pricks in thy ſides, and therefore wincheſt. This is to make an ill conſtruction of Gods kindneſſe, as if hee meant to kill thee therevvith: and to upbraid him with his Mercies, as if they were Cruelties. Hee hedgeth us about with his thornesllHoſ. 2.6.Hos 2:6, that hee may keepe us within compaſſe: hee pricks us with his briars, that hee may let out our ill humours. Oh happy thornes of tribulation, that p. 45open a veine for Sin to guſh out at! OnelyOnly, let us not rage at the Surgion as mad-men, nor ſwoone under his hand as milke-ſops; but frame to a peaceable and patient behaviour; chiding our hearts when wee feele them fret, and ſhaming our ſelves when we find them faint. Why art thou caſt downe, my ſoule, and why art thou diſquieted within mee mmPſal. 43.Ps 43? Why doſt thou cry aloud? is there no king in thee? is not the firſt dominion come unto thee? is thy Counſellour periſhed nnMic. 4.8, 9.Mic 4:8Mic 4:9? Surely, if (amidſt ſo many privileges) thou faint in the day of adverſitie, thy ſtrength is but ſmall ooPro. 24.10Prov 24:10. Looke thorow the Cloud, and ſee the Sun-ſhine of comfort on the other ſide. The time ſhall come, when thou ſhalt ſee and ſay, That it was in very Faithfulneſſe, nay, in very Love, that God afflicted thee ppPſa. 119.75Ps 119:75: and that all things (even afflictions p. 44duplicate page p. 45duplicate page p. 46too) doe concur and cooperate to our greateſt goodqqRom. 8.28.Rom 8:28; ſuch as wee would not have wanted for any good.foreign. Be not yee therefore Murmurers rr1 Cor. 20.10., neither be faint in your minds; but call up your ſpirits, and fortifie your hearts againſt whatſoever diſcouragements. For your help herein;

Firſt, conſider the good end God aimes at, and attaines to in all our afflictions; which is to humble us in the ſenſe of our Sins; to give us proofe and experience of his power and love in preſerving us in them, and delivering us out of them; to purge out our droſſe, and take away our Tinne;Eſay 1.25.Isa 1:25 to greaten our Graces, and by making them more active and ſtirring, to make us more able unto, and abundant in, every good word and worke. God by affliction ſeparates the Sin that he hates, from the Son that hee loves: p. 47and keeps him by theſe thorns, that hee breake not over into Satans pleaſant paſtures, which would fat him indeed, but to the ſlaughter. And albeit wee cannot, for preſent, perceive any ſuch benefit, but the contrary; yet wait a while,Vlricus Dux Wuttemb … cus, Anno 1519 & Sucviae Confaederatu… ducatu pellitur. Exul ad Philipp: Haſtia Lantgrav: conſugit— Vt ſibi exilium leve d… cret, & patrir poſſeſſionem; ſi Evangelij luce catendum fuiſſet, pro da vno reputaret Scultes: Annal. p. 419. till God hath brought both ends together, and you ſhall ſubſcribe to this truth. A Torch burnes after a while, the better for beating; a yong Tree ſettles the faſter for ſhaking: Gods Vines beare th… better for bleeding; his Spices ſmell the ſweeter for powning; his Gold lookes the brighter for ſcowring. Hee that knowes our frame, knowes that wee are beſt when wee are worſt, and live holieſt vvhen we dye faſteſt; and therefore frames his dealing to our diſpoſition, and ſeekes not ſo much how to pleaſe us, as to profit us.

Secondly, ſet thy ſelfe to p. 48remember the conſolations of the Scriptures: And firſt, the precious promiſes, thoſe breſts of Conſolation ſſEſay 66.11.Isa 66:11which wee are bid to ſucke, nay to oppreſſe, till we get out the ſweetneſſe. Doe as the little Bee doth, ſhe will not off the flower, till ſhe hath made ſomwhat of it. Had it not been for this Aqua coeleſtis, David had ſurely fainted in his affliction ttPſal. 27.13. Pſal. 119.71.Ps 27:13Ps 119:71: but this good word from heaven fetcht him againe, when hee was ready to ſinke. And another time, when he had reaſon'd himſelfe our of all patience, at the proſperity of the wicked, and his owne harder condition; hee went into the houſe of God, and (by peruſall of the promiſes) he received ſatisfaction and ſettlementuuPſal. 73.17.Ps 73:17. Secondly, the examples recorded in Gods Booke on purpoſe, that wee through patience, and comfort of the Scriptures, might have p. 49hopexxRom. 15.4.Rom 15:4. There you ſhall find Iob bleſſing the time that ever hee was correctedyyIob 1.Job 1: David acknowledging, that it was good for him that hee was afflictedzzPſal. 119.Ps 119: Ieremy praying for it, as a good thing he neededaaIere. 10.Jer 10: a whole Church-full of people voting the ſame way, Lam. 3.27. Lazarus (though Chriſts boſome-friend) labouring under a mortall diſeaſe, and many ſoules cured, and gained to Chriſt by his ſickneſſe. Behold, ſaid ſhe, he whom thou loveſt, is ſick, Ioh. 11. Si amatur, ſaith one,Aug. quomodò infirmatur? If loved of Chriſt, how comes he to be ſicke? well enough:Anno 1503. Frederi… …lectori Saxoniae na…eati vita eſt in dorio crent aureo colore ſalges &c. futuri un ſan omen ex alvo naterna ſecum tulit. Bacholeerus in Chrea…. It's nothing new, for Gods beſt beloved to be much afflicted. Qui non eſt Crucianus, non eſt Chriſtianus, ſaith Luther, Ther's not a Chriſtian that carries not his Croſſe. Nay, looke into the eleventh of the Hebrews, and yee ſhall ſee, that none out of p. 50the place of torment, have ſuffered more than Gods deareſt Saints. Wherefore, lift up the hands which hang downe, and the feeble knees: and (ſith you run with ſo good company, and upon ſo good encouragement) run with patience, the race that is ſet before you zzHebr. 12.1.Heb 12:1. There's nothing befals us, but hath befallen our betters afore us.

Thirdly, Walke by faith, not by ſenſe, 2 Cor. 5.7. and know, that Grace to ſtand in affliction, and to gaine by it, is better than freedome or deliverance. 'Tis ſure,S…pi…s opinione quam te la…o…atum. Senec. …p. 13. that a croſſe ſanctified, feares us, more than hurts us: for it brings us word, that we are ſuch, as being loved of God, are called according to his purpoſe aaRom. 8.28.Rom 8:28. OnelyOnly, looke not to the things that are ſeene, with the eye of ſenſe: but, at the things that are not ſeene bb2 Cor. 4 182 Cor 4:18, but by the eye of faith: the p. 51property whereof, is to believe what God ſaith, though ſenſe contradict it never ſo much; and to beare a man up above all afflictions, as blowne bladders ſwim aloft all vvaters. Here then, ſilence your Reaſon, and exalt your Faith; conclude, if you be one of Gods, whatever your affliction be (how preſſing or piercing ſoever) it is ſhot in love, as Ionathans arrows, to warne you, not to wound you; to bid you ſcape for your life, vvith David, ſith Saul, the devils vvill, is your utter deſtruction. And although you cannot yet vvell ſee, hovv, Out of this Eater, can come meat ccIudg. 14.14.Judg 14:14, &c. yet you ſhall ſee ſhortly, that God humbleth and proveth you, to doe you good in your latter end ddDeut. 8.16.Deut 8:16. Say then to thine affliction, in the language of Faith, as Iehoram to Iehu, Is it Peace? then march as furiouſly p. 52as thou wilt. Commeſt thou in love? ride on, becauſe of the word of Truth: for thou art a good meſſenger; and bringeſt good tidings. Hee vvill not faile, in his good time, to make thee good unto mee, who is good, and doeth good eePſa. 119.68Ps 119:68to all that truſt in his goodneſſe before the Sons of men. Meane vvhile, I vvill vvait patiently on him that waites to doe mee good, and ſhould I dye in the vvaiting condition? yet, Bleſſed (ſaith the Prophet there) are all they that wait for him, Eſay 30.18.

Vſe 3 Laſtly, here's a vvord of Comfort to all Gods afflicted, to conſider, whence it is that he rebukes and chaſtens them: namely, out of his tender love, and reſpect to their ſoules. This ſhould make us to rejoyce in tribulationffRom. 5.3.Rom 5:3, yea, to over-abound exceedingly with p. 53joygg2 Cor. 7.4. foreign.2 Cor 7:4. Such an exuberancie of joy, as ſhould breake forth into thankfulneſſe; not ſo much for the afflictions themſelves, (for in their owne nature, certainly, they are evils, Prov. 15.15. and ſtrong temptations to Sin, Iam. 1.2. they are alſo fruits of Sin, and part of the curſe) as for the love of God to us in Chriſt, altering their property, Gen. 50.20. and turning theſe curſes into croſſes, that I ſay not bleſſings, and theſe teſtimonies of his wrath, into tokens of his love. The croſſe of Chriſt, (like that Tree in Exodus, which Moſes caſt into Marah) hath made the waters of afflictions, of bitter and loathſome, ſweet and wholeſome.Chriſtianorſi propria virtus eſt, etiam in ijs quae adverſa putantur, referre gratias. Hieron. in Eph. 5.Eph 5 Put them therefore upon the ſcore of Gods favours, looke upon them as his Love-tokens, and be thankfull. Hereby we ſhall approve our ſelves Sons, p. 54and not Baſtards; Subjects of his love, and not objects of his hatred; according to that in the Text,

As many as I love, I rebuke and chaſten.

Doct. 3 Gods beſt beloved are much afflicted. This alſo is cleere from the Text, and hath the conſent of other Scriptures: The juſt man falleth ſeven times, that is, often, ſaith Salomon: underſtand it chiefly of croſſes and afflictions, as appeares both by the context and oppoſition, Prov. 24.16. There are ſixe troubles, and ſeven, out of which a good man may need deliverance, ſaith Eliphaz, Iob 5.19. yea, David riſeth yet higher, and tels us, that Millions are the troubles of the Righteous hhPſal. 34.19.Ps 34:19; ſo the words may be read and rendred, Pſal 34. And this you may ſee exemplified in righteous Abel, firſt: of whoſe gifts, though God p. 55himſelfe teſtifiediiHeb. 11.4.Heb 11:4, yet hee came to an unhappy and untimely end: beſides, he was the firſt that ever taſted of death.Vix mii… perſuade… hominem ex homine n…iteriorem …atum eſte, &c. Fun… cius Chron…l. After him Noah a moſt calamitous perſon as ever lived, as the Chronologer computes it. Lot had his righteous ſoule vexed from day to day by the uncleane Sodomites: Abraham had ſore trials: and that boſome, wherein we all looke to reſt, was aſſaulted with diverſe difficulties. Few and evill were the dayes of Iacobs pilgrimage, his whole life one continuate affliction. What ſhould I ſtand to tell you of Ioſeph, and Iob, and Moſes, and David, and Paul? The whole Church is for this cauſe called a worme. Eſ. 41.14. and difference… from all other ſocieties by this character, Oh thou afflicted and toſſed with tempeſt, that haſt no comfort! Eſay 54.11. and yet Chriſt loved the p. 56Church and gave himſelfe for itkkEph. 5.25.Eph 5:25. Chriſt himſelfe, the head and husband of the Church, was conſecrated by afflictionsllHeb. 2.Heb 2; and from his cradle to his croſſe he was the man that had ſeene affliction by the rod of Gods wrathmmLa…. 3.1.: and yet he was the beloved ſonne in whom the father was well pleaſed. And as himſelfe had his ſhare in ſuffering (and a chiefe one too, for he had the worſt of it, whiles he received the ſting of ſorrow into his owne perſon that we might be free) ſo he foretold it of all his, twice in one Chapter. In the world ye ſhall have tribulation: And againe, yee ſhall weepe and mourne, but the world ſhall rejoyce nnIohn 16.20, 33.John 16:20John 16:33&c. And why his owne more then others?

Not for any delight he takes in their trouble (I muſt tell you) for he afflicts not willingly, nor grieves the children of p. 57menooLa…. 3.35.. If he doe, 'tis to his owne griefe firſt, Hoſ. 11.7, Ier. 31.19.20. In all their afflictions he is afflictedppEſa. 63.9. Ille dolet quoties cogitut eſſe ſerox.Isa 63:9, and if the toe of Chriſts myſticall body be cruſht in earth, the head cries out from heaven, why hurtſt thou me qqActs 9.4.Acts 9:4?

Neither is it ſecondly, to ſatisfie his juſtice upon them, for that's done already (once for all) by him who bore our ſins in his body on the tree, ſuffering, the juſt for the unjuſtrr1 Pet. 2.24.1 Pet 2:24, and indenting for our freedom. See the articles of agreement fitly and fairely drawne out by himſelfe, Ioh. 18.8. If ye take me, let theſe goe their way. Gods acquittance we have to ſhew under his owne hand Matth. 3. This is my beloved Sonne, in whom I am well pleaſed.

Neither yet thirdly, is it to ſhew his ſoveraignty, whereby, as abſolute Lord of all, he p. 58might doe with his owne as he will, and uſe his creatures at his pleaſureſſEſa. 6.4, 8. Rom. 9.20.Isa 6:4Isa 6:8Rom 9:20.

Nor laſtly, is it meerely (though mainly) for his owne glory without any other reſpect, that he ſmites and chaſtiſeth: but even then when he principally intends the promoting of his owne ends in it, as Ioh. 9.3. yet ſemper aliquid ſubeſt, there's ſomething more in it then ſo, that moves him to doe it. And what may that be?

Reaſ. 1 Firſt, himſelfe hath decreed it, Rom. 8.29. with Luk. 24.26. 1 Theſ. 3.3. 1 Pet. 2.21 why then ſhould wee be ſo ſtrange at the matter, 1 Pet. 4.11. or ſtartle at the mention, Ioh. 11.8. of that which we know was ſo long before determined, and is therefore inevitable?

Reaſ. 2 Secondly, our ſin deſerveth it, firſt, ſin imputed to us, Adams ſin; ſecondly, ſin inherent in p. 59us,**This root cannot bee pluckt up till we are tranſplanted. that peccatum peccans as the ſchooles tearme it, that common cauſe and impure ſeminary of ſin, originall concupiſcence:foreign. Timon a…u… La…tium. which the Heathen man alſo aſſignes for a cauſe of all our miſeries. Thirdly, ſin iſſuing from us: our omiſſions, commiſſions, faylings in the manner, which foraſmuch as they exceede in number the haires of our head, what marvell if the beſt have their part in afflictionsttPſal. 40.12.Ps 40:12? ſith ſin and puniſhment are inſeparable companions;Iſidore the Monke was out, that vanted he had felt in himſelf to motion to ſin for fortie yeare together. So…tat. lib. 4. they goe tyed together with chaines of Adamant, ſaith the Poet: like individuall twins they are borne together, live together, are attended the one by the other, as the body by the ſhadow: where ſin is in the ſaddle, there punniſhment is on the crupper. Whence it is that the Hebrews have but one and the ſame word for them both: and blinde Nature p. 60prompted thoſe Marriners, to demaund of the obnoxious Prophet Ionah, what evill haſt thou done,uuIon. 1.7.Jonah 1:7 that the hand of thy God doth follow thee ſo cloſe? and thoſe Barbarians to cenſure St. Paul for ſome murtherer, whom, though he had eſcaped the ſea, yet vengeance ſuffered not to live xxAct. 28.4.Acts 28:4.

Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, the world we live in occaſioneth it; a place made for trialls and temptations: for we wreſtle not here againſt fleſh and blood onelyonly, but againſt principalities and powers &cyyEphe. 6.12.Eph 6:12. Gods people tread ſo hard upon the Devills head, that he cannot but turne againe, bite them by the heeles, with Dans adder in the pathzzGen. 49.17.Gen 49:17, miſchieve them, I meane, as much as he may, that if they will needs goe to heaven, they may goe halting at leaſt with Iacob; they may feele his fingers with Paul aa2 Cor. 12. foreign.2 Cor 12, be ſenſible of his ſiftings p. 61with Peter bbLuk. 22.31Luke 22:31. Hence it is that our way to Gods kingdome is ſtrawd with croſſes, an afflicted wayccMath. 7.17 foreign.Matt 7:17, like that of Ionathan and his armour-bearerdd1 Sam. 14 41 Sam 14:4, or that of Iſrael into the land of Canaan: becauſe it lyes thorough the wilderneſſe of this world, where we are ſure to have tribulationeeIohn 16. ult.John 16: it being to the faithfull chriſtian not a paradiſe but a purgatory, not a place of pleaſure but of pilgrimage, not of triumph, but of warfare, of confuſed noyſe, and of garments rolled in blood ffEſa. 9.5.Isa 9:5. What marvell then if in ſuch a place as this,Nunquā bella bonis, nunquam certamina deſunt: Et quocum certet mens pia ſemper habet. we meete with conflicts and counter-buffes from the Dragon and his angells, who hate us with a deadly hatred, as Cain did Abel, becauſe our workes are better then theirs. Not to ſpeake of that old enmity Gen. 3. (where begins the booke of the warres of the Lord ggNum 21.14Num 21:14, ſuch as ſhall ſtill be p. 62in ſighting, while the world ſhall be ſtanding) ever ſince which divine decree, The unjust man is an abhomination to the just, and hee that is upright in his way, is an abhomination to the wicked hhProv. 29.27Prov 29:27. Whereunto may be added, that during our abode here (ſuch is humane condition) although wee had no troubles of our owne, yet ſhould wee have ſorrow enough by compaſſionating others; it being the uſuall lot of Gods beſt children, to have their back-burden of both. See Heb. 10.32, 33, 34.

Reaſ. 4 Laſtly, God afflicts his owne deare ſervants, for excellent ends and purpoſes; both in regard of evill, and good. Evill, h…e by afflictions partly preventeth, partly purgeth. Prevent hee doth, both evill of Sin firſt: for, ſhould hee not take us in hand ſometimes, hovv fooliſh, and froward p. 63would wee grow, yea, how wilde and vvicked? What would not Abimelech have done, if God had not faſtned him to his bediiGene. 20.17Gen 20:17? Whither would S. Paul have ſwell'd, if Satan had not buffetted him? How far would not Sampſon have run, being once out, if God had not ſtopt him with the croſſe? Next,Sinite virgam cor…iprentem ne ſe…iatis malicum conterente Bu…. for evill of paine, both that which is temporall, 2 Chron. 24.28.The ſtaile and the wind hurteth not the wheat, but clenſeth it frō the chaffe. Sop…, though it be black, ſoyleth not the cloth, but rather at length makes it more clean; ſo doth the black croſſe helpe us to more whiteneſſe, if God ſtrike with hi… battledore. …radford, Act. & Mon. …. 1486 and that which is eternall, 1 Cor. 11.32. is prevented by affliction. But, ſecondly, as it prevents evill, ſo it purgeth it: for as droſſe is vvith ſilver, offall with corne, ſoyle with cloth; ſo is corruption with our graces. Neither is there any ſo pure, but needs fining. Affliction is Gods fire: winnowing affliction is Gods fanne, Iere. 4.11. waſhing affliction is Gods ſope, Dan. 11.35. Winds and thunder p. 64cleere the ayre, ſo doe Afflictions the ſoule. Thus, in reſpect of evill, God hath his ends in his peoples afflictions. Secondly, for that which is good in them, firſt to try their ſincerity, and to know what is in their heartskk2 Chr. 32.312 Chr 32:31; whether they love him, for himſelf, and will ſerve him vvithout vvages. The carnall Capernaites follow'd Chriſt vvhile he fed themllIohn 6.26.John 6:26. Iudas can be content to beare the croſſe, ſo hee may beare the bag: but Iob vvill truſt in God though hee kill himmmIob 13.15.Job 13:15: and David in deep…ſt diſtreſſe or deſertion, vvill hang on ſtill; and be perſwaded, he ſhall yet praiſe him, who is the helpe of his countenance, and his God nnPſal 43 ult. Bradford.Ps 43A faithfull wife, ſaid that Martyr, is never tried ſo to be, till when ſhee is aſſaulted: nor a faithfull Chriſtian ſo approved, till proved by affliction. Peace and proſperitie p. 65hides many a falſe heart, as the Snow-drift covers an heape of dung. But when affliction, like Simeons ſword, pierceth thorow the ſoule, then the thoughts of many hearts are diſcoveredooLuke 2.35.Luke 2:35: then it plainly appeares, that the love of Gods children was not meretricious, nor their obedience mercenary. The triall of their Faith, being much more precious than that of Gold which periſheth (though it be tried with fire) is found unto praiſe, and honour, and glory pp1 Pet. 1.7.1 Pet 1:7. That a man is indeed that hee is in triall. Secondly, God, as hee tryeth the good that is in us, by croſſes and calamities, ſo he exerciſeth and increaſeth it. What uſe were there of the Graine, but for the edge of the Sickle, the ſtroke of the I laile, the waight of the Mill, the fire of the Oven? ſo, what uſe were there (in compariſon) of p. 66Patience, Faith, Hope, Humility, godly Wiſedome, Courage, Conſtancie, and divers other Gods graces in us, ſhould we not fall into divers afflictions, I…n. 1.2, 3. Rom. 5.3, 4. Rev. 13.9. Here is the faith, and patience of the Saints, ſaith Saint Iohn, after that hee had fore-told ſome grievous perſecution: That is, Here is matter for excuſe,Marcet ſinc adverſa…io virtus. S…n. and increaſe of theſe graces in them, which before, lay hid, and had not that good occaſion to worke upon. Sauls malice ſerves but to inhance Davids zeale: The likelihood of loſing Iſaac, doth both evidence, and intend Abrahams love to GodqqGen. 22.12.Gen 22:12: Good m…n are like Glow-vvormes, that ſhine moſt in the darke: like juniper, which ſmelleth ſweeteſt in the fire: like Spice, which favours beſt when it is beaten: like the Pomander, p. 67which becomes more fragrant by chaſing:Inclinata icſurgit. like the Palmetree, which proves the better for preſſing: like Camomile, which, the more you tread it, the more you ſpread it: like the Roſe,Pondere ſic preſſus ſurgit acanthus humo. Caiveru…. which yeelds ſweet water when it is diſtilled: like the Grape, which commeth not to the proofe, till it come to the preſſe: laſtly, like God himſelfe, who then doth his beſt works, when men are at worſt, 1 Pet. 1.5. 2 Pet. 3.3. 2 Tim. 3.1. David vvas never ſo tender, as when hee was hunted like a Partridgerr1 Sam 26.20.1 Sam 26:20: Ionas was at his beſt, in the Whales bellyſſIon. 2. Vig…iabat in ceto qui ſtertebat in naviJonah 2: Stevens face never ſhone ſo faire, as when he ſtood before the CouncellttActs 6.15.Acts 6:15. Who is it (ſaith one) that hath beene in the purgatory of trialls,Hues of Conſcience. but m…y acknovvledge more humility; a more narrow heeding of the heart, better abilities in Prayer, more intimate p. 68communion with God, and ſweeter experience of his Fathers endeared affection, Rom. 8. ult. And ſhould not Gods beſt beloved, then be much afflicted? But what uſe may this be put to?

Vſe 1 Firſt, Doe Gods entire friends ſcape no better? what then will bee the end of his enemies?Si in Hieroſolymis ma…eat ſemtinium, quid ſiet in Babylone? Bernard. Pſal. 68.21. Doth he make bloody wailes on the backs of his children? vvhat will become of Baſtards? doth hee deale thus with his Sons? what will hee doe to his ſlaves? Cannot all the obedience of his people beare out one ſinne againſt God (as wee ſee in Moſes, David, Zacharie, others) where will they appeare, that doe evill, onelyonly evill, and that continuallyuuGene. 6.5.Gen 6:5? If involuntary weakneſſe paſſe not unpuniſhed, how ſhall wilfull wickedneſſe? If they that croſſe the ſtreame onelyonly, p. 69are corrected, thoſe that ſtill ſwim againſt it, What will they doe, when God riſeth up? and when hee viſiteth, what will they anſwer? Job 31.14. This is an inference, than the which nothing is more common in holy Scriptures: Ier. 25.29. & 49.12. Pſal. 11.5, 6. Prov. 11.31. Luke 23.31. 1 Pet. 4.17.18. Rom. 11.29. Conſult the places, and conſider of an anſwer.

Theſe are but bug-beare-tearmes, deviſed on purpoſe,Ob. to affright ſilly people: I ſit warme, and feele no hurt.

Indeede becauſe God holds his peace,Sol. and his hands for a time, Men are apt to imagine him ſuch a one as themſelves zzPſa. 30.21.Ps 30:21, an approver and abbettour of their evill courſes, and carriages. And becauſe Iudgment is not ſpeedily executed, therefore the heart of the ſonnes of men is ſet in them to doe miſchiefe aaEccleſ. 8.11Eccl 8:11: p. 70But looke too't betimes, and know that Gods forb…arance is no quittance.Cave ne malum dilatum ſia… duplicatum. Buchol. The Lord is not ſlow (as ſome men count ſlowneſſ…) 2 Pet. 3.9. Or if he be flow,Tarditatem ſupplicit gravitate compenſ…t. he is ſure, he hath leaden heeles ſaith one, but iron ha…ds: and the farther he fetcheth his blovv, the deeper he vvill vvound, vvhen he ſtriketh. …e that hath drunke poyſon, hath his bane about him, though he fall not dovvne dead in the place. Be ſure, ſaith Moſes, your ſin will finde you out bbNum 32.23Num 32:23, as a blood-hound: and although, like Cains dog it ſleep… a vvhile at your dooresccGen. 4.7.Gen 4:7, y…t it vvill avvake, and pull out your throate.

Ob.Yea but I proſper in the m…ane while, and am in very good plight, my bones are full of marrow, my breaſts are full of milke, I want nothing, that heart can wiſh.Sol. Eaſe ſt…yeth the fooliſh ddProv. 1.32.Prov 1:32, ſaith Salomon, p. 71and proſperity (though the wicked ſee it not) is a peece of their curſe.Magna ira eſt quando peccantibus non i… aſciturdeus; ſicut medicus ſi ceſſaverit curare, deſperat Hiero…y …. Indeede there can be no greater plague (out of hell) then to thrive in ſin. When God would lay the heavieſt of his puniſhments upon Iſrael, he threatneth to leave them unpuniſhed, Hoſ. 4.14. Hophni and Phineas had no diſeaſe nor diſaſter, becauſe the Lord meant to deſtroy themee1 Sam. 2 51 Sam 2:5.

I have wealth to my health:Ob. am well underlaid, have a faire eſtate, and the world favours me.

An ill ſigne: the better,Sol. the worſe (as he ſaid of dancers) fatted ware is but fitted for the Shambles.Diogenes. God puts money (as ſome hoarders doe) into theſe earthen-boxes that have onelyonly one chinke to let in, but none to let out; with purpoſe to breake them when they are full.

I have worſhip to myOb. p. 72wealth, and high-place to my hoards of gold.

Sol.God wreſtleth with thee, Pſal. 18.26.Tolluntur in altum, ut lapſug…aviore t…ut. and in wreſtling, hoyſeth thee from the ground (as Hercules did the earthſprung Giant) that he may let thee fall with the greater poiſe. What was H…man the better for his honour, while the King frown'd upon him? or the happier for being lift up the ladder, when he was to come downe againe with a rope?

Threatned folke live long. I have ſeene ſo many ſummers,Ob. and yet am in ſafety.

Sol.Though a ſinner doe evill an hundred times, and his dayes be prolong'd, yet that's no ſuperſedeas:Patientia Dei erga impios quo d…ru…nior, co minac…ot. Buchole. Eccleſ: 8.12.13. for it ſhall not alwayes be well with the wicked, and ſo tell him from me, ſaith God, for the reward of his hands ſhall be given him, with a woe to boote. Eſay, 3.11.

p. 73Ey, but when?Ob.

This very inſtant thou mayſt heare that dreadfull doome,Sol. Iac. Revius, hiſt. Pontif. Roman. p. 177that ſorrowfull ſummons, that Pope Innocent the fourth did as he was walking in his palace, and was found dead in his neaſt the next day. Veni miſer in judiciū, come thou wretch, receave thy judgment.

I may, and I may not.Ob.

Be not ye mockers, Sol.leſt your bonds be increaſed, Eſay, 28.22. 2 Pet. 3.3, 4. If thou goe on in ſinne, notwithſtanding whatſoever hath beene ſaid to deterre thee, thou art truly accurſt even in this life, though not fully, Ioh. 3.18. Thy preſervation (in the meane time) is but a reſervation, as it fared with Sol…m and her ſiſters, who were reſeued from the foure Kings; that God might raine downe hell from heaven upon them: and Senacherib, who eſcaped the ſtroke of the p. 74puniſhing Angell, that he might fall by the ſword of his owne ſonnes, Eſay, 37.37.38. Say then, that one woe hath paſſed thee,Praeſens indulgentia ſutu…am poenam accerſi…. Iſid. Pe…uſ. there is a ſecond and a third worſe behinde, Rev. 9. 12. and 8.13.

Vſe. 2 But, ſecondly, doth God much afflict thoſe whom he moſt affecteth? This convinceth the blinde world of a double errour in judgment. Firſt, in gueſſing of a mans felicity by his outward proſperity. Secondly, in concluding his miſery from his calamity. Of both which eſtates a wiſer then the wiſ…ſt of them pronounceth (and that by an unerring ſpirit too) that no man knoweth either love or hatred by any thing that is before them. And that, becauſe all things come alike to all ffEccle. 9.1, 2Eccl 9:1Eccl 9:2. The ſunne of proſperity ſhines aſwell upon brambles of the wilderneſſe, as fruit-trees of the orchard: the ſnow and p. 75haile of adverſity lights upon the beſt gardens,Scit… Lactantius, ſi…nt ad verum bon… per falla …a mala, ſic ad verum malam per tallacia bona pervenitur. Inſtit. 6.22. aſwell as upon the wild waſt. Ahabs and Ioſiahs end concurre in the very circumſtances: Saul and Ionathan, though different in their diſpoſitions, yet in their deaths they were not dividedgg2 Sam. 1.232 Sam 1:23

Let no man therefore ſo far delude himſelfe, as to conclude his comfortable condition, his good eſtate to Godward, from his outward proſperity: except his ſoule proſper with Gaius, as well as his body hh2 Iohn 2.2 John 1:2. The men of this world (called other-where, the inhabitants of the earth iiRevel. 12.12Rev 12:12, in oppoſition to the Burgeſſes kkPhil. 3 20. foreign.Phil 3:20of the new Ieruſalem) are thoſe men of Gods hand that having their portion in this life, have their bellies filled with Gods hid treaſure, inſomuch that they are full of children, and leave the reſt of their ſubſtance to their babes, Pſal. 17.14. Their houſes are ſafe p. 76from feare, neither is the rod of God upon them. They are not in trouble like other men: there are no bands in their death. Their eyes ſtand out with fatneſſe: they have more then heart could wiſhllPſal 73 4, 5, 7.Ps 73:4Ps 73:5Ps 73:7. They dance to the Timbrell and Harpe, but ſuddenly they turne into hell, Iob. 21.13. And ſo their merry dance ends in a miſerable downfall. They ſwimme merrily downe the ſtreame of proſperity, as the ſilly fiſhes doe downe the River Iordan, Solinus.till anon they fall into the dead Sea, whereby and by they p…riſh. God often gives proſperity in wrath, as he gave the Iſraelites a King to vex them; as he gave their fore-fathers quailes to choke them: as Eutrapelus gave his enemies wealth to ſpite them;Eutrapelus cutting, no …e…e vulchat, Veſtune…i… da…s precioſa. Herat. as Saul gave Michal to David to be a ſnare to him: or laſtly, as Ebud gave Eglon a preſent, that p. 77he might ſheath his dagger in his panch.Nihil eo infelicius, cui nihil in…elix contigit. Sen. Why ſhould any one then ſlatter and fleſh himſelfe in an evill way, as favour'd of God, becauſe he lives at eaſe in Sion mmAmos. 5.1.Amos 5:1, and feeles no want of outward bleſſings? which, what are they elſe,foreign. Soph. to ſuch, but giftleſſe gifts. Prov. 20.28? Bleſſings of the left hand, Prov. 3.16. throwne upon them in great diſpleaſure, and committed unto them no otherwiſe, than the bag was to Iudas, to detect the rottenneſſe of their hearts?Permulta maximarum non expreſſa ſi, na, ſed adumbrata virturum habuit — nec ſumptui nec modeſtiae pepercit Vell. Catiline whiles poore, had many ſeeming vertues; but having feather'd his neſt, you could hardly ſay which he was moſt laviſh of, his money or his modeſty. And yet 'tis a world to ſee, how men ſtroke themſelves on the head as the onelyonly happy, Gods deareſt darlings, and chiefeſt favourites, becauſe of their immunity from croſſes, p. 78and confluence of temporall contentments. Juſt like Leah, God, ſaith ſhe, hath given mee my hire, (when he had given her a fifth ſonne) becauſe I have given my maid to my husband nnGen. 30.17, 18. foreign Ariſt. Rhet. l. 2.Gen 30:17Gen 30:18. She ſhould rather have repented then rejoyced: but ſhe was in the common errour, and conſidered not that God may be angry enough with a man, though he outwardly proſper.

And as far wide is the world in the other extreme: when they judge a man hated of God becauſe rebuked, and chaſtened. Thus the Jewes cenſured our Saviour, Eſay, 53.3.4. Thoſe three good men miſiudg'd of Iob: the Barbarians of Paul: and thoſe, Luc. 13. of them that died by the tower of Siloam. This is to condemne the generation of Gods children ooPſa. 73.15.Ps 73:15, whoſe portion here is ſharpeſt affliction. In the world ye ſhall have trouble, p. 79ſaith our Saviour,ppIoh. 16. ult.John 16 there's no avoyding of it. And all that will live Godly in Chriſt Ieſus, ſhall ſuffer perſecution qq2 Tim. 3.12.2 Tim 3:12, every mothers child of them. And through many tribulations we muſt enter into the kingdome of heaven rrAct. 14.22.Acts 14:22. If any thinke to goe another way to heaven,Erigito tibi ſcala…, Aceſi, & ad …elum ſolus aſcendito. Socrat lib. 1. cap. 7. the… this, he muſt (as Conſtantine the Great once ſaid to Aceſius the Novatian heretike) erect a ladder, and goe up alone. Let no man therefore be worſe thought of for his croſſes, if other wiſe godly, nor the better for his proſperity, if a worker of iniquity. It is equally abhominable before God, to condemne the juſt man and to juſtifie the wicked ſſPro. 17.15.Prov 17:15; upon ſuch ill grounds eſpecially. You ſee how the good husband deales with his trees: thoſe in his garden, he is ever and anon medling with them, lopping off the ſuperfluous branches, p. 80paring of the moſſe, pruning of the roote, digging, and dunging, dreſſing, and uſing all good meanes to make them fruitfull. Thoſe other in the field or forreſt, he lets alone, never lookes after them, never troubles them or takes paines with them, till at length he comes with his axe and cuts them downe to the fire. Loe ſuch is Gods dealing with the ſonnes of men. His beſt plants have moſt pruning, his beſt trees moſt dreſſing, his beſt children moſt whipping, when baſtards ſhall goe without. God will not ſo much as foule his fi gers, with them, Eſ. 1.5. t… wrath come upon them to the utmoſt. tt1 Theſ. 2.16.1 Thess 2:16Or if he wrap them up (both ſorts) in one common calamity (as it ſometimes befalls) yet as corne is cut downe with the weedes, but to better purpoſe; ſo he makes a difference betweene the chaſtiſements p. 81of his owne, and the puniſhments of ſtrange children. Thoſe he fanneth, to cleanſe and gather them as wheate, Matth. 3.12. theſe with the fanne of vanity to drive and ſcatter them as chaffe, Eſ. 30.28. The wicked he ſmiteth with his hand, the godly he phillippeth with his finger. Or if he doe more then ſo, 'tis with the palme of his hand onelyonly, but the other with his clutch-fiſt: he layes upon them, as a man doth upon his ſlave (not as upon his ſonne) he cares not how he ſmites, nor where he hits. Hath he ſmitten him, as he ſmote thoſe that ſmote him, ſaith the Prophet? No: but in meaſure, in the bunches onelyonly will he debate with him uuEſa 27.7 8.Isa 27:7, the roote ſhall remaine untoucht. A Chriſtians croſſes reach oftimes but to his fleſh, Col. 1.25. he can call his ſoule to reſt, when his body is p. 82full of unreſt. Still he hath ſomewhat to uphold him, when he is at worſt**Habac. 3.17, 18., as David had in that great diſtreſſe at Ziglag xx1 Sam. 30.61 Sam 30:6: and Iehoſaphat at that dead lift, 2 Chron. 20.12. when he knew not vvhichwhich way to looke but to heaven: and thoſe good ſoules in Micah, chap. 7.7, 8. Priſoners they may be (with Ioſeph) in the pit of affliction, but they are priſoners of hope: and ſhall come out of the priſon by the blood of the covenant yyZach. 9.9, …1.Zech 9:9Zech 9:1. Yea, as one houre changeth Ioſephs fetters of iron, into chaines of gold, his ragges into robes, his ſtocks into a charret, his priſon into a Palace, the noiſe of his Gives into Abrech; ſo ſhall it be with Gods afflicted in the day of their deliverance. Then ſhall Chriſt (the Judge) ſtand forth, and ſay to thoſe wicked, that here haply have flouriſhed, while better men have met p. 83with harder meaſure: Behold my ſervants ſhall eate, but yee ſhall be hungry: behold my ſervants ſhall drinke, but yee ſhall be thirſty: behold my ſervants ſhall rejoyce, but yee ſhall be aſhamed: Behold my ſervants ſhall ſing for joy of heart, but ye ſhall cry for ſorrow of heart, and howle againe for vexation of ſpirit. And ye ſhall leave your name for a curſe unto my choſen: for the Lord God ſhall ſlay thee: but call his ſervants by another name zzEſa. 65.13, 14, 15.Isa 65:13Isa 65:14Isa 65:15, handle them in another nature.

Vſe 3 Next, here's a two-fold inſtruction from this point. And firſt, to looke for affliction, even the beſt of us, and to make account of it. Secondly, to endure, and hold out under it, not making more haſt then good ſpeed, after eaſe and deliverance.

For the firſt of theſe: you ſee (all that will live godly in Chriſt Ieſus) what yee muſt p. 84truſt to. God chaſtiſeth every Son whom hee loveth. The Son of his love was perfected by afflictions, Hee learn'd obedience by the things that he ſuffered aaHebr. 5.8.Heb 5:8: hee b…re his Croſſe before he wore his Crowne. He hath begun to us, in the cup of his fathers diſpleaſure, and we muſt pledge him our part: we muſt fulfi…l the reſidue of his ſufferings bbC…loſ. 1.24.. Hence the Church (which is myſticall Chriſtcc1 Cor. 12.1…1 Cor 12:1) is called Gods Threſhingfloore, Iſa. 21.10. becauſe it is daily threſhed, and exerciſed with afflictions. Hence ſhee is ſet forth by the Myrtletrees in the bottome, Zach. 1.8. that lye open to all kind of ill weather: by a brand taken out of the fire of affliction, Zachar. 3.2. by Noahs Ark, toſs'd to and fro upon the waves of this world: by Moſes his Buſh**Rubus ardens eſt ſigura Eccleſia, &c. Hieron., never without ſome fierie triall: by that p. 85white horſeddReve. 6.…, 4Rev 6 in the Revelation, that is ever follow'd and chaſed by a red.Hic veteres c…ediderunt myſtice ſign ſicari pios in hac vita per crucis malleo. & ſecures expoli…i &c. Buchol…. This alſo to ſet forth, the ſtones of the Temple were firſt hewen in the mountaine, before they were ſet into the building: the Sacrifices of the Law were firſt ſlaine, before they were offered; the veſſells of the Sanctuary were firſt to paſſe the fire, before they were put to any ſervice: ſo muſt Gods lively ſtones ee1 Pet. 2 5.1 Pet 2:5, reaſonable ſacrifices ffRom. 12.1.Rom 12:1, veſſels of honour gg2 I…m. 2.2…, paſſe the hammer, the knife, and the fire of affliction, before they can be fit for the maſters uſe. You ſee then your calling brethren, 1 Cor. 1.26. You ſee your condition: no Chriſtian is without his croſſe, no heaven to be had, but by touching upon hell-coaſts. Sit downe therefore, and caſt up the coſt, thou that intendeſt to build the tower of GodlineſſehhLuk 14.28Luke 14:28, leſt elſe p. 86thou come in with a fooles Had-I-wist, foreign.and be forc'd to give over with ſhame in the midſt of the worke. And having once ſet thy foot toward heaven, and finding all faire before thee, bind not upon any long continuance, Say not with Iob, I ſhall die in my neſt iiIob 29.18.Job 29:18: or with David, I ſhall never be moved kkPſal. 30.Ps 30: for, as ſure as the night followes the day, a change will come; and this calme will be follow'd with a ſtorme: foreſee it therefore in the clouds, and provide for it: Let not the tempeſt take us without our cloakes, light upon the bare, hit us on the blind ſide: but he wiſe, and expect that which will certainely befall you: Provide double cloathing againſt the cold of Winter, which though it linger, and be long in comming, yet it never rots in the ayre. Troubles foreſeene, come p. 87never a whit the ſooner, but farre the eaſier: 'tis a labour well loſt, if they come not, and well ſpent if they doe. Goe forth, then, by an holy Providence, and meet them on the Frontiers, as Lot did the Sodomites before they came to his houſe. Encounter them as Ionathan did his enemies, before they came into his countrey. Make them preſent, I meane, in conceit, before God ſends them in the event: for after the nature of the Baſiliske, they dye if they be foreſeene: whereas, comming all on the ſudden,Nam leviùs …dit quicquid providetis ante. they finde weake mindes ſecure, make them miſerable, leave them deſperate.

Next, is it the lot of Gods beſt beloved to be much afflicted? Have patience then, and hold out; accept of the Chaſtiſement of thine iniquity, Levit. 26.41. and make not p. 88haſte from under Gods hand. Hee that believeth, will not make haſtellEſay 28.16Isa 28:16: that is, hee will not get out by a back-doore, ſeeke redreſſe by unlawfull vvayes, lift up his ſoule to e…ill meanes, grow to thoſe deſperate reſolutions of the Jewes in Ezekiel, If our tranſgreſſions, and our ſins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how ſhould wee then live mmEze. 33.10Ezek 33:10? but, buckling on his armour of Patience and Wiſedome, hee labours for a right uſe, and then doubts not of a good iſſue. Yet a very little while, and hee that ſhall come will come, and will not tarry nnHeb. …0 37..

Ob.By, but when?

Sol.When thy bottom-corruption is purged out; and till then (if thou be wiſe) thou wilt not deſire it. Afflictions, like Lots Angels,Prapara anin…am tuam ad omnem tolerantiam, & citò eà preſſu a liberaberis. Chryſ. will ſoone away, when they have done their errand: like plaſters, p. 89when the ſore is once whole, they will fall off; as till then, they will ſticke faſt by us. In the meane time, let this ſuſtaine thee, thy preſent eſtate is thy beſt eſtate, how bad ſoever thou eſteemeſt it. 2. Is it ſit, with thoſe Bethulians, to ſend for God by a Poſt?

My croſſes come thicke,Ob. Fluctus ſlactū trudit. foreign. as Iobs meſſengers, or as vvaves of the Sea, one in the necke of another; changes of ſorrowes, armies of afflictions, ſo that I have ſcarſe time to breath, to ſwallovv my ſpettle, to—

Spare your Rhetorick,Sol. and ſee vvhom you have to thanke for all your ſmart. If thou vver't not a frovvard child, vvhat needed ſo much vvhipping? if not a knotty piece, vvhat needed all this hewing? if thy diſeaſe vvere not complicate, and the matter of it tough and viſcous, an eaſier purge ſhould ſerve the turne. p. 90Thoſe that are in a Lethargy or Apoplexy muſt have double the quantity given them, that others have: to avvaken their dull ſenſes, and arouſe their dead ſpirits. So it is here; God is a vviſe Father, and Phyſitian; hee knovves vvell enough, that hard knots muſt have …ard vvedges, that ſtro g eff…ctions muſt have ſtrong afflictions, and great corruptions, great croſſes to cure them.

Ob.My afflictions are not onelyonly ſtrong and grievous, but longlaſting and tedious.

Sol.That's becauſe your diſeaſe hath beene long-growing on you, and will not avvay haſtily. P…yſitians, ſaith one, to bring avvay ſicke matter more fully & ſafely, are fore'd againe and againe to open the veine, taking avvay now ſome matter, novv other ſome, as the Patient may beare it. But for p. 91thy comfort, and that thou maiſt not grow weary of Gods correctionooHebr. 12.5.Heb 12:5, though from thy youth up, thou ſhouldeſt beare Gods terrours ppPſal. 88.15. & 129.1, 2.Ps 88:15Ps 129:1Ps 129:2, with David: Conſider firſt, that thou art afflicted leſſe than thy Sins; ſecondly, leſſe than thy Saviour, vvho endured many a little death all his life long for thy ſake, and at length, the painfull and curſed death of the croſſe.See Purcha… his Microcoſmus. To ſay nothing of that ſoule of ſufferings, which … ſuffered, vvhen hee ſweat clotty blood qqLuk 22 44. foreign.Luke 22:44in the garden, and cryed out on the croſſe as forſaken of his Father; after hee had beene ſet upon, and laid at with utmoſt might and malice by the infernall Spirits in that three-hours darkneſſerrMatth. 27.45, 46.Matt 27:45Matt 27:46. Thirdly, that it is a bleſſed thing to beare Gods yoke from thy youth ſſLam. 3.Lam 3: to be betime, and a good while, in Gods nurturing-houſe, and under p. 92his diſcipline. It is moſt hard, and happy, not to grow vvorſe with liberty: the ſedentary life is moſt ſubject to diſeaſes. Fourthly, that theſe light and momentary afflictions are nothing, if compared either to thoſe vvoes we have d…ſerved in hell, or thoſe joyes vvee are reſerv'd to in heaven. Looke thorovv the preſent cloud then, whatever it be, and ſee the Sun-ſhine of comfort on the other ſide: eye not the ſtreame thou vvadeſt thorow, but the firme land thou tendeſt to; and be not overhaſly, nor thinke long of thy Sea-toile, ſo long as thou canſt looke up, and ſee thy place of arrivall a little before thee. Maſter thy croſſes by Chriſtian patience: Hee that delicately bringeth up his ſervant, ſaith Salomon, ſhall have him become his Son ttPro. 29.21.Prov 29:21, nay, his Lord at the length. Afflictions, like fire p. 93and vvater, are good ſervants,Fe…tur equis auriga, &c. but ill Lords. Give them the head once, and there will be no hoe vvith them. Remember the children of Ephraim; they growing weary of the Aegyptian bondage, ſought to breake priſon before Gods goale-delivery, but had more waight ſaid upon them for their labour. They went for…h arm'd, and carried bowes. ſaith the Pſalmiſt, but they turned backe in the day of battel, Pſal. 78.9. This fell out about the birth of Aaron, vvhile their father Ephraim was yet living, 1 Chron. 7.21. and the ſtory is this: God had promiſed them the land of Canaan: but they, impatient of the Aegyptian bondage, not waiting Gods command, nor tarrying out his time, vvould needs, in all haſte, ſet upon the men of Gath, that held a part of the promiſed Land; but they p. 94loſt their hopes and lives together:Hoc c…at importuno tempore p…ma …uhu. …erba & …uda dec…e…c. Cy…es. vvhichwhich made Ephraim mourne many daies, becauſe it went evill with his houſe, and haply gave occaſion to Pharaohs cruelty, according to that in Exod. 1.10. Come on, let us deale wiſely with them, leſt they multiply, and it come to paſſe, that when there fall out any war, they joyne alſo with our enemies, and fight againſt us, and ſo get them up out of the land.

Vſe 4 Laſtly, this ſpeakes comfort to all Gods afflicted, to conſider, that As many as hee loves, he rebukes and chaſteneth. Wee muſt frame a new Bible, ſaith one, e're wee can find any colour out of Gods afflicting us, to prove that he doth not love us. It is a very foolery to conclude after that manner. Gods rod (like Ahaſhueroſh his ſeepter) is never ſtretcht out toward any of his, but in love: p. 95hee never ſends forth his armies to chaſtiſe us, but he gives Davids charge, Handle the young man gently for my ſake. It is our Iſaacs uſe, firſt to handle us, and then to bleſſe us. By afflictions wee may underſtand our fathers handling of us. And after wee have ſuffered a while, then take a bleſſing, my Sonne. Watch therefore againſt diſcouragements, and faint not in thy good way. The way is not to be judg'd by the afflictions, but the afflictions by the way: let not the outward diſtreſſe drive us, either into hard conceits of God, or heavie conceits of our ſelves.

Ob. My croſſes are ſuch, as no good man hath had the like.

Sol. What? not Iob? his ſtory is a booke-caſe to anſwer this objection. Never any before or ſince his time was ſo handle…; inſomuch, as his friends p. 96ſaid unto him, Call now, if there be any that will anſwer: and to which of the Saints wilt thou turne thee uuIob 5.1.Job 5:1? as vvho ſhould ſay, what good man was ever in ſo bad a taking? And yet yee have heard of the patience of Iob, and what end the Lord made with him xxIam. 5.11.Jas 5:11.

Ob. Iob had his trouble laid upon him for his triall, but I have pulled mine upon my ſelfe by my ſinne.

Sol. Fooles becauſe of their tranſgreſſion are afflicted, ſo that their ſoule abhorreth meate (through extremity of ſickneſſe) and they draw neare to the gates of death: Pſal. 107.17, 18, 19.Ps 107:17Ps 107:18Ps 107:19yet they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he ſaveth them out of their diſtreſſes. See this exemplified in Ionah. How came he into the whales belly? was it not by his owne undutifulneſſe? See it in David: whence came all his trouble… by Abſalom, Amnon, Adonijah? p. 97was it not for his fondneſſe, and indulgence? See it in Iacob: what might he thanke for all his afflictions, whereof God gave him not a draught, but made him a diet-drinke: ſo that he had ſcarce a merry day, for one trouble or another? Laban followes him, with liue and cry, as a theefe: Eſau meetes him with foure hundred cut-throats at his heeles; Rachel, and Deborah dye upon his hand: his daughter is raviſht: his ſonnes are ſome adulterers, otherſome murtherers: the famine pincheth him, the loſſe of Ioſeph afflicts him, &c. But whence all this? and whom had he to thanke for it? did he not thruſt his owne feete into the ſtocks, by that three-fold lye of his, uttered in a breath, to get the bleſſing? And yet before he was borne, it was, Iacob have I loved: and before any of this p. 98befell him, God ſaid unto him, Be not afraid, I am with thee, and will doe thee good yyGen. 31.Gen 31. And ſo he did by his croſſes: and that's my good, we ſay, that doth me good.

Ob. Oh! but I find not that mine afflictions have done me good, and therefore I feare they were not laid upon me in love.

Sol. Firſt, if that be true indeed, you have cauſe to feare:Que enim in i…ſpes ant remedium eſt, qu… ab uſitata impuritate, ne… miſeriarum ogeſtate, nec vitae extre…mtate revocantur? Salu… au. de gub. Dei, lib. 7 for it is a ſore ſigne of a man given up by God, when afflictions will not worke upon him. But ſecondly, it may be thou miſtakeſt; and art better'd by that thou haſt ſuffered, but ſeeſt it not as yet, becauſe thy ſoule is bemiſted, or imbittered, as thoſe, Exod. 5.21. But thirdly, ſay it be as bad with thee, for preſent, as is poſſible, yet deſpaire not. Aſa was not one pin the better at firſt, for all his afflictions. God ſent him a Prophet, and he impriſoned him. p. 99God ſent the gout to reduce him, and he put his truſt in the phyſitians, &c. But he lived, I doubt not, to ſee and retract his errour: for it is reported of him (and all in one verſe) that the high places were not removed, that, was his fault: yet the heart of Aſa was perfect before God all his dayes zz1 King. 15.14.1 Kgs 15:14. That's thy comfort, it is certaine there's no godly man but is or ſhall be ſhortly a gainer by his afflictions: he ſhall exerciſe patience, prayer and praiſe, and be dayly more and more perfited and purified by this fiery triall, 1 Pet. 4.12. In a word. The God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternall glory by Chriſt Ieſus, after that ye have ſuffered awhile, ſhall make you perfect, ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen, ſettle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amenaa1 Pet 5.10, 11.1 Pet 5:101 Pet 5:11.

FINIS.

THE AFFLICTED MANS LESSONS, Laid downe to Him in a ſecond Diſcourſe upon Revel. 3.19.

By JOHN TRAPPE, Preacher of the Word.

PSAL. 94.12.

Bleſſed is the man whom thou chaſtiſeſt, O Lord: and teacheſt him in thy Law.

Chryſ. ad pop. Ant. hom. 17.

foreign.

LUTHER.

Chriſtianorum Theologia, Crux.

LONDON, Printed by RICHARD BADGER. 1637.