A Treatise of Faith, Part 4
THE FOVRTH GENERALL HEAD, OF LIVING BY FAITH IS CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS.
WE are now in the fourth place come to afflictions, which as they be the lot of Gods children, ſo wee finde them heauie to beare, and ſuch as much hinder the comfort of many poore ſoules: in ſuch ſort, that if wee bee not heartned to beare them with patience and quietneſſe, we ſhall neuer be able to hold out our Chriſtian courſe vntounto the end, with any comfort to our ſelues, or good example to others.Many hindred by afflictions. Lamentable proofe heereof all ages hauehave affoorded. In that many who in the faire ſunne-ſhine of the Goſpell, made a good profeſſion; When troubles and perſecutions came, then they went backe and with Demas embraced this preſent world,2. Tim. 4. 10. 16. as many others did forſake Paul at his firſt anſwer before the Emperour at Rome. Yea, it's often heard to bee the complaint of many a good Chriſtian, who ſerued God conſtantly, and cheerefully, in their health and quiet eſtate, yet when ſickneſſe came and other croſſes, they were diſquieted, vnſetled, and could not goe on, as in times of peace and quietneſſe. And ſome good reaſon heereof there may be alleadged, that howſoeuer the principal end of afflictions (ſpecially to the children of God) is to make them better eueryevery way; yet by reaſon of naturall infirmitie, which is ſo loath to ſuffer and can ſo hardly beare any affliction; they cannot get their minds and hearts to be fit to any Chriſtian duty, no not to prayer, as at ſome other time of peace they hauehave beene: But rather bee prouoked to fretting, impatience, murmuring; yea in greateſt extremities to deſpaire, and ſeeking many vnlawfull ſhifts to get out of their troubles; theſe with ſundry the like, be the hurts which come by afflictions, when we be not well armed to beare them, and inſtructed how to make the right vſe of them. By all which we may ſee, what neede we hauehave to bee ſtrengthened againſt all the diſcouragements, and other hinderances: we meete withall in afflictions;No helpe but by faith. which wee ſhall plainly ſee, can by no other meanes bee attained, then by faith; whereby we may boldly reſt vponupon God for his direction and aſſiſtance, how to beare and profite by all our afflictions of what ſort ſoeuer. This is that which now I vndertake to ſhew; how we may liue by faith in all afflictions, ſo as they ſhall in no ſort hinder vsus in our courſe of Chriſtianitie, but rather further vsus, till we attaine vntounto the end our courſe in Gods kingdome. Wherein I intend to ſay leſſe then otherwiſe I would, for that ſince I tooke this work in hand, I hauehave light vponupon a Treatiſe of Mr. Bifield, Mr. Bifield of promiſes.called The Promiſes: wherein he ſhewes both plainly and ſoundly, how a godly Chriſtian may ſupport his heart with comfort, againſt all the diſtreſſe, which by reaſon of any afflictions, or temptations can befall him in this life. To which Treatiſe, I referre all who deſire to be further ſatisfied in this matter. But ſeeing I had (before I ſaw his booke) gathered out of the Scriptures, both thoſe promiſes, and many moe concerning afflictions; I will proceede as I hauehave begun, to ſhew the vſe of faith in all manner of outward afflictions, belonging to this naturall life; how we may be armed to beare them patiently, and made able to profite by them.Of inward troubles in the three former points. For inward and ſpirituall troubles of minde, which ariſe from doubts of Gods fauour, and of our ſaluation by Chriſt, as alſo of ſuch griefes as riſe from our infirmities, either vnableneſſe to mortifie our ſinnes: or very weake performance of all holy duties; I hauehave ſufficiently ſpoken in the three former generall heads of this Treatiſe, how we are to liue by faith in all of theſe. Therefore heere onelyonly I intend to gather out of the Scriptures, ſuch ſweete comforts, as God hath plentifully ſet downe for our comfort in all the outward croſſes,Now of outward. whereto we be ſubject, while we liue heere in this vale of teares, that ſo we may better hold out vntounto the end.
In ſetting downe whereof,Order in handling afflictions. to keepe ſome order, for our better helpe in making vſe of them. Our firſt ground of comfort,1. ariſeth from hence, that all our afflictions come directly from God, by what meanes ſoeuer. The ſecond is,2. to obſerue in what manner the Lord doth afflict vsus his children, that is, moſt wiſely in all reſpects, and moſt louingly.3. The third, to what ends, namely his owne glory: example to others, and our own good.4. The laſt is, that hee will both helpe vsus in them, and giuegive vsus a good end of them. For the firſt, that all our afflictions come from God, as the ſupreme judge and diſpoſer of them, needs not ſo much proofe of the truth of it, as due conſideration to make the right vſe of it. It is ſaid by the Prophet,Amos 3. 6. Shall there be euill in a City, & the Lord hath not done it; meaning of the euill of affliction not of ſinne; further, then it is a puniſhment of ſinne. So likewiſe the Prophet Hoſea 6. 1. Come let vsus returne vntounto the Lord, for he hath torne, and he will heale vsus; he hath ſmitten, and he will binde vsus vp. And this is manifeſt in that common ſpeech. The chaſtening of the Lord; ſo often vſed, eſpecially Heb. 12. 5. &c In which one Scripture be contained many ſpeciall conſolations, againſt all manner of afflictions, as we ſhall ſee eueryevery one in his place: heere onelyonly I would joyne this with the former; that as all the afflictions which Gods children doe ſuffer, come from the hand of God,Afflictions bee common to all Gods children. ſo hee ſpareth none of them, but as it is ſaid, verſe 6. He ſcourgeth eueryevery ſonne whom he receiueth, and verſe 7. What ſonne is he, whom the father correcteth not; and more to like effect both there and elſe-where.Application. Both which, that all our afflictions come from God, and that hee dealeth ſo with all his children, may miniſter much comfort vntounto vsus in all our afflictions; firſt, ſeeing what God doth, muſt needs be good, how euill and bitter ſoeuer it ſeemes to vsus: Yea, Pſal. 39. 9.wee muſt hold our peace, becauſe he hath done it. Although we cannot ſee any reaſon thereof, yet we may be ſure the Lord doth neuer correct his children, but he ſeeth iuſt cauſe ſo to doe. As the Prophet Dauid plainly profeſſeth:Pſal 119. 75. I know oh Lord that thy iudgements are right, and that thou in faithfulneſſe haſt afflicted mee. But more, ſeeing God who correcteth vsus is our Father, we may much more comfort our hearts in all that hee ſends, that he will neuer ſend any croſſe, but ſuch as ſhall bee for our good, as we ſhall more ſee. And ſeeing this is no other then ſuch, as befals the reſt of Gods children. As the Apoſtle Peter affirmeth, ſaying.1. Pet 5. 9. Knowing that the ſame afflictions are accompliſhed in your brethren that are in the world. Yea more, ſeeing God did not ſpare his owne Sonne, but he was a man of ſorrowes and acquainted with griefe. Yea ſmitten of God and afflicted, as Eſa. 53. 3, 4. Theſe ſhould much more make vsus willing to beare the croſſe, yea and much the rather, ſeeing it is the way to glory, as more heereafter.
But this will yet be more effectuall for our conſolation in all troubles,In what manner God correcteth his, in Wiſedome, LoueLove. if we ſhall aduiſedly waigh in what manner God dealeth with his children, when he corrects them, which as it is eueryevery way and in all repects very well, ſo this may epecially be ſeene in theſe two: In wiſedome, and louelove, both which well regarded, will make vsus much more willing to beare any thing at Gods hand, and to looke for ſome good iſſue out of all the afflictions which hee ſhall lay vponupon vsus. Although thoſe two diuine properties in God be vnſeparably ioyned together in all his dealings with his owne children.Both ioyned. Yet, it ſhall much more increaſe our comfort in any affliction which befalles vsus, to conſider them apart: and firſt that wee may behold how wiſely God ordereth the matter in all his chaſti ſements vponupon his owne children.Moſt wiſely.
This may ſufficiently be ſeene in theſe two.With meet corrections in iuſt meaſure. Firſt that God doth chaſtiſe his with moſt meete corrections: and ſecondly, in iuſt meaſure. The fitneſſe of Gods correction ſtands in this, that God knoweth all circumſtances, both when and how to chaſtiſe his children, and ſo accordingly diſpenſeth this ſpirituall Phyſicke, as he ſeeth moſt fit for the good of the patient, and qualitie of the diſeaſe. This me thinkes may be well gathered out of that compariſon, which the holy Ghoſt makes betweene our naturall parents, and our ſpirituall Father in correcting their children, ſaying: Furthermore, Heb. 12. 9, 10.we hauehave had the fathers of our fleſh which corrected vsus, and we gaue them reuerence: ſhall we not much rather be in ſubiection to the Father of our ſpirits and liue. For they verily, for a few dayes chastiſed vsus after their owne pleaſure, but hee for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holineſſe. Wherein beſides other differences, this is manifeſt, that earthly parents, oft correct their children after their owne pleaſure, to ſatisfie their will, not ſo reſpecting wiſely, what might be eueryevery way beſt for them: but God our heauenly Father, in great wiſdome conſidereth with what correction, and when to chaſtiſe his, ſo as may be moſt for their profite; yea the beſt profite, to repaire his Image of holineſſe in them, which is a chiefe end and vſe of all afflictions, as wee ſhall hereafter ſee. This wiſedome of God in chaſtiſing his children, may cleerely be ſeene in the hiſtories of all ages of the Church. Memorable is that of the children of Iacob, Gen 37. 28.who mooued with enuy, ſold Ioſeph their brother into Egypt and deceiued their old father,verſe 33. 42 who thought that an euill beaſt had deuoured him. Wherat the Lord holding his peace for many yeares, they were quiet, all was well. But afterward the Lord tooke a fit ſeaſon and meanes to make them ſee their ſinne, namely, by their brother Ioſeph, who (though they knew him not) roughly handled them, accuſed them for ſpies, caſt them into priſon, and many other waies ſorely grieued thē: then their guiltie conſciences could make them confeſſe their ſinne, and ſay. We are verily guiltie concerning our brother, in that we ſaw the anguiſh of his ſoule, when he beſought vsus, and we would not heare: therefore is this diſtreſſe come vponupon vsus. And another time Iudah confeſſed to Ioſeph, what ſhall we ſay vntounto my Lord? what, ſhall we ſpeake? God hath found out the iniquitie of thy ſeruants. The like courſe did the Lord take with Dauid, 2. Sam. 12. 15.in correcting his grieuous ſinnes in the matter of Vriah: both by the death of the childe ſo borne in adultery, and by the fact of Abſolon, not onelyonly riſing vp in rebellion,16. 22. to driue him out of his kingdome, but openly before all Iſrael defiling his wiues & concubines, as was denounced by Nathan vntounto him. So likewiſe the Lord corrected his pride in numbring the people, by that fearefull plague whereof dyed threeſcore and ten thouſand.2. Sam. 24. 15. In like manner the Lord denounced his iudgement againſt his owne people. Deut. 2…. 47. Becauſe thou ſeruedſt not the Lord thy God with ioyfulneſſe and with gladneſſe of heart, for the abundance of all things. Therefore ſhalt thou ſerue thine enemies, which the Lord ſhall ſend againſt thee, in hunger and in thirſt▪ &c. The Prophets alſo in their times, did oft foreſhew like chaſtiſements to the peoples treſpaſſes. As Haggai and Malachy: Becauſe they were ſumptuous in their owne houſes, and neglected the Lords houſe, therefore the Lord ſent a great dearth and ſcarcitie among them. So for the contempt of the word, God threatned to ſend a famine of the word. Amos 8. 11. The ſame might we ſee in Gods dealings with our ſelues, if we would obſerue them. When we ſet our affections on any thing too much, whereby our hearts be ſtolne from God, whether they bee perſons or things, pleaſures or profits; It is vſuall with the Lord, either to take them from vsus, or to make them bitter vntounto vsus, that wee may leſſe eſteeme them, and hauehave our hearts free for better things.
The comfort which we are to take by this wiſe dealing of God with vsus,Application. is this, that as we know all afflictions to Gods children, to be Phyſicke, to cure their corruptions; ſo knowing alſo they all come from ſo wiſe & skilfull a Phyſician who cannot erre, but alwaies ſends ſuch Phyſicke, and in ſuch ſeaſon, as ſhall ſurely doe vsus good. This muſt make vsus not onelyonly quietly to beare them, but to be thankfull to God for them, and to labour to be the better by them.
But this will more appeare, if we ſhall well conſider Gods wiſedome, in moderating all his chaſtiſements, both for the meaſure and continuance of them,2. In meaſure. ſo as may be moſt fit, both for the ſtrength of the patient, and qualitie of the diſeaſe: both which may be ſhewed in all the afflictions which God layeth vponupon all his children, though he chaſtiſe ſome much more ſeuercly and holdeth the rod longer vponupon them, then vponupon others, who either hauehave not ſo much prouoked the Lord, or be not ſo able to beare the hand of the Lord. This is plainely taught by the Apoſtle,1. Cor. 13 ſaying, There hath no tentation taken you, but ſuch as is common to man. But God is faithfull, who will not ſuffer you to be tempted aboue that you are able but will with the tentation make way to eſcape, that ye may be able to beare it. In which one ſentence, we hauehave theſe ſpeciall incouragements, to beare ſuch afflictions, as God our heauenly Father ſhall lay vponupon vsus; firſt, that God deales no otherwiſe with vsus then with others, euen of his owne children (whereof before;) ſecondly, that God neuer ouer-loadeth his, but wiſely moderateth the burthen according to his ſtrength that beares it. And this he doth according to promiſe moſt faithfully: nothing ſhall mooue him to deale otherwiſe: yea more, God will ſo aſſiſt vsus by his Spirit, to endure and beare, that in due ſeaſon wee ſhall hauehave a good end and deliuerance out of all: which if there were no more might be ſufficient to vphold vsus from ſinking in any triall, though neuer ſo great. But becauſe the Lord well ſaw how hardly we be perſwaded heereof, and be euer thinking our burthen too heauy for vsus to beare; therefore the Lord is faine oft to beate this into our mindes and memories, as El…hu told Iob, Iob 34. 23.That God will not lay more on man then is meete, that he ſhould enter into iudgement with God: and ſo much the Apoſtle Peter intendeth when he ſaith, that the faithfull did greatly reioyce in their ſaluation purchaſed by Chriſt, Though for a ſeaſon they were in heauineſſe through manifold temptations, 1. Pet. 1. 6.yet he addeth (if neede be) meaning that this is neuer, but when God ſeeth needfull in all reſpects, for this cauſe alſo doth the Prophet Eſay notably ſet out this wiſe dealing of God with his people,Eſa. 27. and with the wicked, comparing theſe to thornes and bryers, but his people to a vineyard, which the Lord did keepe and water eueryevery moment, leaſt any hurt it.Verſe 3. As for the bryers and thornes, he would burne them together: And thereupon ſaith,Verſe. 7. Hath he ſmitten him, as hee ſmote thoſe that ſmote him, or is he ſlaine according to the ſlaughter of them that are ſlaine by him. Verſe 8.In meaſure, when it ſhooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it, &c. Which I vnderſtand, that wheras God will ſtub vp as thornes by the rootes, and caſt into the fire the wicked aduerſaries of his Church, hee will but ſhred and prune as a vine his Church, that they may bring more fruit, as our Sauiour plainly ſpeaketh: Iohn 15. 2. And more plainly doth Ieremie 46. 28. and 30. 11. ſay. Feare thou not O Iacob my ſeruant, ſaith the Lord, for I am with thee for I will make a full end of all the nations, whither I hauehave driuen thee: But I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in meaſure, yet I will not leaue thee wholy vnpuniſhed. Wherein we ſee great oddes, betwixt Gods dealing with his children, and with the wicked whom he vtterly conſumeth, when he moſt wiſely moderateth the corrections of his children, that they may better beare and profite by them, which muſt needes allay the ſharpneſſe of them if well conſidered. And this no doubt was that which the Prophet Dauid and Ieremie ſo earneſtly begged of God,Pſal. 6. 1 that he would not correct them in his anger,Iere. 10. 24 neither chaſten them in his hot diſpleaſure. But with iudgement, that is, moſt wiſely conſidering what they were able to beare, leaſt otherwiſe they ſhould bee conſumed and brought to nothing.
This wiſedome of God in chaſtening his children, as it manifeſteth it ſelfe in the meaſure of the burthen laid vponupon them:Gods wiſedome in moderating the continuance. ſo alſo in moderating the time of the continuance of it, leaſt it ſhould be ouer tedious, and make them faint and giuegive ouer. Heereof the Prophet Dauid had great experience, as hee oftentimes profeſſeth. Pſal. 30. 5. For his anger indureth but a moment, in his fauour is life, weeping may endure for a night, but ïoy commeth in the morning. Pſal. 103. 9. He will not alwaies chide, neither will he keepe his anger for euer. Pſal. 129. 3. For the rod of the wicked ſhall not reſt vponupon the lot of the righteous, leſt the righteous put forth their hands to iniquitie. The Prophet Eſay in the name of the Lord profeſſeth the like.Eſay 10. 25 For yet a very little while and the indignation ſhall ceaſe, and mine anger in their deſtruction, and Chap. 26. 20. Come my people enter into thy chambers, and ſhut the doores about thee, hide thy ſelfe as it were for a little moment, vntill the indignation be ouer-paſt. and 54. 7, 8. For a ſmall moment hauehave I forſaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee, for a moment, but with euerlaſting kindneſſe will I hauehave merciemercy on thee, ſaith the Lord thy redee…er, and 57. 16. For I will not contend for euer, neither will I be alwaies wroth, for the ſpirit ſhould faile before mee, and the ſoules which I hauehave made. Likewiſe the Prophet Ieremie in his time, witneſſeth the ſame in the name of the Lord,Iere. 3. 12. ſaying. For I am mercifull ſaith the Lord, and I will not keepe anger for euer, and to the ſame effect. Ezek. 16. 42. So will I make my fury towards thee to reſt, and my iealouſie ſhall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry. Notable to this purpoſe is that of the Prophet, Micah 7. 18. Who is a God like vntounto thee, that pardoneth iniquitie, and paſſeth by the tranſgreſſien of the remnant of his heritage! he retaineth not his anger for euer, becauſe he delighteth in merciemercy: and to conclude with that of the Apoſtle. 2. Cor. 4. 17. For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for vsus a far more exceeding and eternall weight of glory. Thus may we behold Gods wiſe dealing with his children in all his chaſtiſements,Application obſeruing the fitteſt ſeaſons, and iuſt meaſure both for the quantitie of the correction and for the continuance thereof, all as is moſt agreeable to the ſtrength of the patient, & qualitie of the diſeaſe, which if it be beleeued, muſt needs in further degree make vsus contented to beare the hand of the Lord, and neither to fret at, nor faint vnderunder any affliction, which the Lord ſo wiſely doth order for our good eueryevery way. And therefore ſo oft as we ſhall finde any affliction to lye heauy vponupon vsus, either for the greatneſſe of it, or long continuance in our feeling: ſo oft let vsus runne to ſome of theſe promiſes, wherein the Lord aſſureth vsus, that he will lay no more vponupon vsus, then wee ſhall bee able to beare; and will ſuffer no affliction to lye longer vponupon vsus then ſhall be needfull and for our good, that thus reſting vponupon Gods word, wee may waight Gods leaſure for our eaſe and full deliuerance.
For our better furtherance herein,Gods loving dealing with his in affliction. we are to conſider Gods louing and tender dealing with his children in all their afflictions, which is plentifully ſet ſet forth vntounto vsus in the holy Scriptures, both by many compariſons, expreſſe teſtimonies, and examples, all little enough to hold vsus vp from ſinking, if the affliction ſeeme great or long, in which we are ready to feare God forgetteth vsus, or at leaſt doth not pitty vsus. For this cauſe the Lord is ſaid to be a Father of the fatherleſſe, Pſal. 68. 5.and a Iudg… of the widdowes. And Pſal. 103. 13. Like as a father pittieth his children, ſo the Lord pittieth them that feare him. For hee knoweth our …, he remembreth that we but duſt. Yea more; The Prophet Eſay 49. 13. &c. notably ſets out this compariſon in God towards his afflicted people, ſaying, Sing O heauen, and be ioyfull O earth▪ and break… foorth into ſinging O mountaines: for God hath comforted his people, and will hauehave merciemercy on his afflicted: But Zion ſaid the Lord had forſaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten mee. Can a woman forſake her ſucking childe, that ſhe ſhould not hauehave compaſſion on the ſome of her wombe. Yea they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. So Dauid, Pſal. 9. 18. For the needy ſhall not alwaies be forgotten, the expectation of the poore ſhall not periſh for euer. To the ſame purpoſe he ſaid to God. Pſal. 31. 7. I will be glad and rei…yce in thy mercy▪ for thou haſt conſidered my trouble, thou haſt knowne my ſoule in aduerſitie. And Pſal. 38. 9. Lord my deſire is before thee, and my gr… …ing is not hid from thee▪ And to the ſame end it is ſaid, Pſ. 56. 8. Thou telleſt my wandrings, put thou my teares into thy bottle, are they not in thy booke: which ſhewes ſuch tender compaſſion, that he was ſo affected with the calamities of his ſeruant, that he moſt narrowly obſerued eueryevery one: yea, he made ſo pretious a reckoning of their griefes and ſorrowes, that not a teare fell to the ground, but he kept them in memory (as men preſerue pretious liccours in bottles) that in due time he might comfort and ſuccour them: For which cauſe it is ſaid, Pſal. 116. 15. Pretious in the ſight of the Lord is the death of his Saints. And to like effect. Eſa. 63. 9. In all their affliction hee was afflicted, and the Angell of his preſence ſaued them, in his louelove, and in his pitie hee redeemed them, and hee bare them, and carryed them all the dayes of old. Wherein (as in many other places of Scripture, for it would be to long to recite all) wee may ſee moſt admirableApplicatiō. compaſſion in Almightie God towards vsus in all our afflictions, that euen as the bowels of a tender hearted mother are mooued within her, when ſhee ſeeth her childe in any perill; ſo is the Lord troubled, to ſee his children in any extreamitie, that he doth as much pitie them, and is as ready to ſuccour them, as if his bowels were mooued within him,Mat. 14. 14▪ which was in very deed ſo in our Sauiour Chriſt in his humanity,Marke 1▪ 41 and 6. 34. as is * often teſtified of him in the holy ſtory. This ſhould yet more comfort vsus in all our afflictions, that he who is God ouer all; of ſuch infinite power to helpe, both whom he will, and how, and when it pleaſeth him, is ſo tenderly affected towards vsus, that he doth not onelyonly take ſpeciall notice of all our grieuances, but doth after a ſort, euen as a tender mother ſuffer with vsus, and by his Spirit doth beare the burthen of our infirmities with vsus, as it is ſaid, Rom. 8. 20. This compaſſion of the Lord (if well waighed) muſt needes allay the heate of ſuch fiery tryals as Gods children doe oft fall into, and make vsus more patiently indure whatſoeuer ſo tender hearted a Father ſhall lay vponupon vsus. And therfore theſe promiſes in which Gods louing and compaſſionate dealing with his, is ſet forth vntounto vsus, muſt be oft in our minde and thoroughly thought on, that in time of neede wee may reſt vponupon them, to finde like fauour at the hands of our moſt louing Father. And th…s ſhall ſuffice for this ſecond ground of comfort in all afflictions taken from the manner of Gods dealing with his, as in great wiſedome ſo in like louelove.3. Ground of comfort in afflictions from the ends of them.
Wee are now in the third place to conſider what be the worthy ends, why God ſo exerciſeth his children to beare the croſſe, euen from their youth to their old age, theſe we heard be generally three. Firſt, glory to God, ſecondly example to others, third profit to our ſelues: all which ſhould ſtrongly mooue vsus to be ſo farre from repining to ſuffer them that we ſhould rather reioyce and be glad, as our Sauiour exhorts his Diſciples,Math 5. …1 …2. and the Apoſtle Iames 1. 2. which was often practiſed by the holy ſeruants of God. Acts 5. 41. And Paul and Silas in the priſon Sang praiſes vntounto God. Act. 16. 25.Wee reade alſo of Paul how he tooke pleaſure in infirmities, that is bodily, not ſpirituall; as himſelfe expreſſeth, in reproches, in neceſſities, in perſecutions, 2. Cor. 12.in diſtreſſes for Chriſts ſake. In all which it cannot be doubted, but that the chiefe cauſe of this reioycing in afflictions was this, that their ſufferings made ſo much for Gods glory, and the good of Gods Church, who were greatly confirmed in the truth,Phil. 1. 14 made bold to profeſſe it, and ready to ſuffer for it) beſides the manifold benefits themſelues did reape thereby. Heere I might take iuſt occaſion more largely to ſhew how God is glorified by the afflictions of his children, whether they bee ſent for correction or for triall. And likewiſe how theſe afflictions ſerue many waies for the good of others: both which ſhould and oft doe make Gods children more contentedly to beare them.
But ſeeing nothing can more preuaile with our fraile nature, to make vsus take ſuch an vnpleaſing potion or byting coraſiue, then the certaintie of the good it will doe vsus; therefore we will now conſider what bee the chiefe benefits which God promiſeth,Chiefe Benefits by afflictions. and his ſpirit worketh in the hearts of his children by afflictions. Among all which this is moſt generall,Bleſſed▪ that they be bleſſed whom the Lord correcteth, as Iob 5. 17. Behold, happie is the man whom God correcteth, therefore deſpiſe not the chaſtening of the Almightie. The like Iam. 1. 12. 5. 11. Pſal. 94. 12. Bleſſed is the man whom thou chaſteneſt O Lord, and teacheſt him out of thy Law, that thou mayeſt giuegive him reſt from the dayes of aduerſitie, vntill the pit be digged for the wicked. In the ſame ſenſe it is ſo oft ſaid,Pro. 3. 12 whom the Lord loueth he correcteth, euen as father the ſonne, 11.in whom he delighteth. Where this vſe is made of it, not to deſpiſe the chaſtening of the Lord, neither to bee wearie of his correction. Which is to like purpoſe repeated,Reve. 3. 19▪ Heb. 12. 5, 6. &c. Dauid alſo profeſſeth the like. It is good for me that I hauehave beene afflicted, Pſal. 119. 71.that I might learne thy ſtatutes.
In all which and the like isVſe. plainly declared, that how bitter ſoeuer afflictions be to our feeling, yet to Gods children they be very profitable meanes, and ſo markes of happines and ſpeciall tokens of Gods fatherly louelove, and therefore ſo to be accounted of, and with thankfulneſſe to be receiued. The ſame is ſaid of all the ſufferings which Gods children endure for righteouſneſſe ſake, which though they greatly differ from chaſtiſements for ſinne: yet ſeeing they be bitter to our taſt, and oft ſore afflict vsus, we hauehave neede to be heartned to beare, and directed to make the right vſe of them. For this cauſe the Lord doth pronounce them Bleſſed that thus ſuffer, Mat. 5 10. 11which in all former ages of the Church,Luke 6. 22. hath made the faithfull to ſuffer patiently and cheerefully for righteouſneſſe ſake,1. Pet. 3. 14 4. 14. and ſo muſt it mooue vsus, that ſo wee may glorifie God in our generation, as they hauehave done in theirs.
But for our better incouragement heerein, let vsus more particularly conſider ſome of thoſe benefits, which Gods children doe obtaine by afflictions. Theſe are fitly drawne to three heads by the Prophet Daniel, Chap. 11.3. Benefits by affliction. Who ſoreſhewing the afflictions which ſhould happen to Gods faithfull people, verſ. 33. That they ſhould fall by the ſword, and by flame, by captiuitie, and by ſpoile many daies verſ. 35. he addeth. And ſome of them of vnderſtanding ſhall fall, to try them, and to purge them, and to make them white. Meaning heereby that theſe were the three chiefe ends why God ſent ſuch afflictions on his owne children.
Firſt, to take triall of them, what droſſe of corruption, and what ſound metall of grace was in them.
Secondly, to purge out that corruption which was found yet remaining in them.
The third, to make them more beautifull and ſhining in grace, all which ſhould turne to the glory of God, to the good enſample of others, and to their owne comfort.
For the firſt, Afflictions be trials.they be trials of our ſtrength and weakeneſſe, what faith and patience we hauehave in bearing them, what louelove we beare to God who ſends them, and what we be the better by them. This is oft in Scripture ſet out by this compar…ſon of gold and ſiluer tried by the fire, So, Zach. 13. 9. Speaking of the remnant of Gods people, who ſhould be reſerued out of that generall deſtruction ſaith. And I will bring the third part thorow the fire, and will refine them as ſiluer is refined, and will trie them as goldis tried: the effect whereof followes. They ſhall call vponupon my name, and I will heare them. I will ſay it is▪ my people, and they ſhall ſay the Lord is my God. So, Ierem. 17. 10. Complaining of the deceitfulneſſe and wickedneſſe of the heart to be exceeding, ſaith. I the Lord ſearch the heart, I try the reines, to giuegive eueryevery man according to his waies, and according to the fruite of his doings, heereof Salomon ſpeaking more generally. Prou. 17. 3. ſa…th, The fining pot is for ſiluer, and the furnace for gold, but the Lord trieth the hearts. But more ſpecially to the preſent purpoſe is that of 1. Pet. 1. 6, 7. where he ſheweth that the end of thoſe manifold temptations, which for a ſeaſon made ſad the hearts of Gods children, when neede required was this. That the triall of your faith being much more precious then of gold that periſheth▪ though it be tried by fire, might be found vntounto praiſe, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Ieſus Chriſt. And therefore chap. 4. verſ. 12. he exhorts them; Beloued, thinke it not ſtrange concerning the fiery triall, which is to try you, as though ſome ſtrange thing happened vntounto you. But reioyce, in as much as yee are partakers of Chriſts ſufferings, that when his glory ſhall be reuealed; yee may be glad alſo with exceeding ioy. To like effect the Apoſtle Iames 1. 2. exhorts; My brethren count it all ioy, when yee fall into divers temp…tations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Many moe Scriptures might to this purpoſe be alledged.
In all which may be ſeene,Application. that this is one ſpeciall benefit of the afflictions of Gods children, that by th…ſe may be made manifeſt as to others ſo to themſelues, what droſſe of ſinne and pure metall of grace is in them. Its not to be doubted, but God knows perfectly what is in them yet he is ſayd oft to proue them, that he might make knowne what was in them, both good and euill: whereby as he would raiſe vp glory to himſelfe: ſo likewiſe he would draw out much good to themſelues, and to others by their example, as may well be gathered out of that one place,Deut. 8. 2. 3. Deut. 8. 16. where Moſes ſpeaking of Gods marvailous providence over his people in the Wilderneſſe, ſayth; who fed thee in the wilderneſſe with Manna▪ which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might proue thee, to doe thee good at thy latter end.
We hauehave da…ly experience,Many iudge amiſſe of themſelues. how fooliſhly many deceiue themſelues: ſome, and they the wor…er ſort, promiſe to themſelues more ſtrength of faith, patience, louelove, & other like graces, then indeed they hauehave, which when they come to triall, find it farre otherwiſe, to their iuſt ſhame, and yet amendment, if they belong to God.
Others, indeed better (though they ſee it not for want of experience) much miſtruſt themſelues, who being brought to the triall, well approue themſelues to hauehave ſound faith, and ſo other good graces accompanying the ſame. Memorable examples hereof all the ſtories of the Church ſet forth vntounto vsus in all ages, among which that is famous in the Booke of Martyrs, of Mr Lawrence Saunders, who in the beginning of the Raigne of Queene Mary, ſeeing the alteration of Religion, manifeſted his great feare to ſuffer Martyrdome vntounto Doctour Penington, who being a big fat man, ſaid, he would ſee every drop of his greaſe molten, before he would forſake the truth. Yet after he ſhamefully yeelded, and maſter Saunders conſtantly profeſſed the truth, and ſuffered Martyrdome very chearefully.
Againe,Godly miſiudged by the world. as by theſe trialls, the faithfull grow to know themſelues better, which is of good vſe: ſo on the other ſide, whereas it is the common lot of Gods people, to be hardly thought on, & by many worldlings thought to be no better then themſelues. But as Sathan accuſed Iob, Iob. 1. 9. 11.that he did not ſerue God for nought, and that if he ſhould afflict him hee would curſe God to his face, ſo ſay they, if theſe profeſſours (as they in reproch call them) were in ſuch caſe as others, in great diſtreſſe be, you ſhould ſoone ſee what they would doe I warrant you, they would be as impatient and take as bad courſes to ſhift for themſelues as others doe. But when God calls forth his children to ſore trialls, as ſpecially to Martyrdome, to ſuffer patiently and with rejoycing great torments, then the world is conſtrained to confeſſe as the Centurion did of Chriſt;Luc. 23. 47. Certain…y this was a righteous man. So then we ſee this one juſt cauſe of comfort in our afflictions, that by theſe trialls as God hath the glory of his graces in vsus, we hauehave the better proofe and comfort of them, and others be conſtrained to conceiue and ſpeake better of vsus. In which reſpect we are bound better to beare them, and to bleſſe God for them.
Another ſpeciall benefit which we reape by all kind of afflictions is this,Second benefit by afflictions, is to purge ſin that they be made by Gods bleſſing effectuall means to purge out that ſinful corruption which growes in our nature, vnleſſe by theſe and other like meanes it be daily purged out; In which reſpect afflictions moſt aptly be compared to Medicines, for ſo indeed they are to all Gods children, moſt ſoveraigne meanes to kill their ſpirituall diſeaſes, in that they doe driue them more to ſearch out their ſinne▪ make them more weary of them, and as to ſeeke pardon for them, ſo more to endevour to overcome them, all which be worthy fruits of affliction, plentifully ſet out vntounto vsus in Scripture, both by precept and practiſe of the faithfull. Nothing more common then to call Gods people to repentance, which containes all theſe by Gods judgements either threatned or executed.
That this ought to be, cannot be denyed, but that we ſhall be thus purged by our afflictions is moſt doubted, and therefore we find not ſuch comfort in afflictions as otherwiſe we ſhould, if we might be ſure to reape this fruit by them for our comfort, wherein I know not what can be greater then that which the Apoſtle ſayth, Rom. 8. 28. Alſo we know that all things worke together for good to them that louelove God, to them that are called according to his purpoſe; where, in one word he ſayth as much as may be deſired or conceived, that all afflictions (for of them ſpecially hee ſpeaketh) how many or great ſoever they be, ſhall by Gods bleſſing as meanes by him appointed, procure and further our chiefeſt good, that is, the welfare and happineſſe of our ſoules, a principall part whereof is the purging of our ſoules from ſinne (which is the ſole cauſe of all our miſery) which benefit by afflictions, though it be moſt excellent, yet it is no leſſe ſure and certaine, as appeares by the Apoſtles owne words, ſaying (we know) that is, not onelyonly I and you, but all the faithfull people of God, hauehave good proofe of it by daily experience, and therefore cannot doubt of it, that all our afflictions ſhall turne to our good, which becauſe it is (in time of ſore afflictions) ſo hardly beleeved.
I will make it manifeſt by one vndeniable reaſon, that it cannot otherwiſe be but that whatſoever befalleth Gods children, ſhall moſt certainely make for their good. Which is this, ſeeing God did from all eternitie of his own good will chooſe them to be heires of glory, and ordained that all things which ſhould befall them, ſhould ſerue to that end, then whatſoever comes to them ſhall turne to this their chiefe good, otherwiſe God ſhould either change his will, or be not able to doe that which he determined to doe, neither of which can in any ſort be ſaid of God, and therefore it cannot poſſibly be, that any affliction vponupon Gods children ſhould turne to their hurt, but all of them muſt needs turne to their good. This one Scripture (if there were no more) may ſufficiently aſſure vsus hereof, and ſo perſwade vsus, more contentedly to beare them.
But as this doth more generally ſet out the fruit of afflictions: ſo in other places this fruit of purging vsus from our ſinfulneſſe is more ſpecially declared, as Dan. 12. 10. like to that before of Dan. 11. 35. Many ſhall be purified, made white, and tryed. So Eſa. 1. 25. the Prophet denouncing Gods fearefull judgements againſt the wicked rebellious Iewes, verſ. 24. addeth this as a bleſſing to the Church; And I will turne my hand vponupon thee, and purely purge away thy droſſe, and take away all thy ſinne▪ meaning their droſſe of ſinne, which corrupted the purer metall of grace. And to like effect, Chap. 27. ſetting forth Gods different dealing with his beloued, aboue their wicked enemies in their afflictions, adds this in verſ. 9. By this therefore ſhall the iniquitie of Iacob be purged, and this is all the fruit to take away his ſinne. This alſo is part of that which is ſayd of our Sauiour Chriſt,Iohn. 15. 2. that eueryevery branch which beareth fruit, he purgeth it that it may bring more fruit. And how ſhould Gods chaſtiſing vsus, keepe vsus that we be not condemned,1 Cor 11. 32. if it did not weaken our ſinnes, the ſole cauſe of condemnation. But I will ſpare many moe places to this purpoſe, as Prou. 20. 30. Pſal. 119. 67 71. Eſa. 4. 4. &c. I will onelyonly ſhew thet ruth heereof in a few examples for many; moſt famous is that of Manaſſeh, who exceedeed in ſinne all that ever I heard of to be ſaved: yet it is ſayd of him when he was in affliction, 2 Chron. 33. 12.he beſought the Lord his God, and humbled himſelfe greatly before the God of his fathers 13.And prayed vn…to him, and he was intreated of him and heard his ſupplication &c. After which followes how many things he reformed. Which is a ſpeciall example of this fruit of afflictions, the more to ſtir vsus vp to looke for the like. The ſame may beſeene in the Prophet David, Pſal. 32. and els where oft.
But to leaue all particular perſons in whom this is to be ſeene that by their afflictions they were brought to repentance. It is obſerued to be the ordinary practiſe of Gods people in their afflictions, to ſeeke to God in prayer, and to turne from their ſinne,1 Kin. 8. 35. as Salomon ſhews in his prayer to God. And Eſa. 26. 16. profeſſeth the like, ſaying; Lord in trouble hauehave they viſited thee, they powred out a prayer when thy chaſtening was vponupon them. Yea, God himſelfe, Hoſ. 5. 15. ſayth no leſſe; I will goe and returne to my place till they acknowledge their offence, and ſeeke my face, in their affliction they will ſeeke me early.
Thus we ſee this point ſufficiently proved, that afflictions be ſpeciall means to purge vsus from ſin, in which regard they ſhould be more welcome vntounto vsus, and not ſo vnkindly entertained as vſually they be.
But before we make further vſe hereof,Third benefit by affliction. Stir vp grace. ſeeing the third benefit by afflictions, namely, to make vsus white (as the Prophet ſpeaketh,Dan. 11. 35 12. 10 that is, beautiful and ſhining in grace) is never parted from the former (if either of them be in truth) I will though more briefly manifeſt the truth thereof, and let vsus ſee what helpes afflictions be by Gods bleſſing vponupon them, to quicken and ſtir vp Gods graces in his children. This is evidently ſayd Heb. 12. 10. that whereas our earthly parents chaſtened vsus after their owne pleaſure, God our heavenly Father chaſteneth vsus for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holineſſe. David, Pſal. 119. 67. profeſſeth the like of himſelfe, ſaying; Before I was afflicted I went aſtray, but now I hauehave kept thy Word. And verſ. 71. It is good for me that I hauehave beene afflicted, that I might learne thy ſtatutes. Eſa. 26. 9. When thy iudgments are vponupon the earth, the inhabitants of the world ſhall learne righteouſneſſe.
As this is true in the generall that the faithfull be made better and more fruitful by afflictions,Afflictions ſtir vp faith & patience. ſo this is moſt apparent in faith and patience, both which be moſt exerciſed by afflictions, and the worth of them more manifeſted, and magnified. For faith, the Apoſtle Peter 1. Epiſtle, 1. Chap. verſ. 6. 7. excellently ſets it forth, where in the former verſe in a high degree he extolleth the exceeding mercies of God towards all the faithfull (which although I digreſſe, I cannot paſſe over, in the deſire I hauehave they may be better admired, and ſought after) the words I will leaue to be pervſed by ſuch as deſire better to waygh them.Prerogatiues of the elect. The ſpeciall prerogatiues belonging to all Gods choſen (of whom he ſpeakes) be theſe; That they were begotten of God as to be his children, ſo to hauehave a living and never dying hope, purchaſed vntounto them by the whole mediation of Chriſt, whereof his riſing from the dead was a chiefe part. The chiefe matter hoped for, is an inheritance, and that no earthly, one, which is full of imperfections and changes, but a heavenly, which is every way perfect and pure, and ſo laſteth without alteration for ever; whereof, that by no power they be deprived, its lockt vp and kept ſafe for them in heaven: And leaſt themſelues ſhould periſh before they ſhould fully enjoy it, and take poſſeſſion of it; They are kept ſafely by Gods power, applyed vntounto them by faith, till they attaine that ſalvation which is prepared for them, and ſhall ſhortly be fully beſtowed vponupon them.
What heart can ſufficiently be affected, either to deſire theſe or joy in them as were meet, and ſo be thankfull for them? yet this is it whereof the Apoſtle ſpeaketh of theſe beleevers; Wherein yee greatly reioyce, though now for a ſeaſon (if need be) yee are in heavineſſe, 1 Pet. 1. 6.through manifold temptations: 7.That the triall of your faith, being much more precious then of gold that periſheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found vntounto praſye, and honour and glory, at the appearing of Chriſt. In which Scripture, this one thing is cleare, that the great worth of faith is made manifeſt by the fiery triall of afflictions, ſo that faith is as much advanced by afflictions as gold by fire.
This ſhall ſuffice in a caſe ſo common, in the practiſe of the faithfull in all ages, whoſe faith hath beene made famous by afflictions. Take onelyonly the whole 11. Chapter to the Hebrewes for a patterne, wherein is at large layd out, how the faith of Gods people in all ages was made glorious by afflictions. The life of Iob, and David. Eſpecially I may not forget that worthy ſervant of God the Apoſtle Paul, whoſe whole life, after his converſion, was full of ſore affliction, yet where did we ever heare of greater faith? So that as great Battels ſet out the valour of a worthy Captaine or Souldier, and great ſtormes the goodnes of the Ship and Anchor, and skill of the Maſter; ſo doe afflictions commend the faith of true Chriſtians.
Now to ſhew how afflictions be ſpeciall meanes to invre to patience,Patience. I need not ſay much, ſeeing patience is the daughter, and an vnſeperable companion of faith, as is worthily ſet downe Rom. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. I onelyonly cite verſ. 3. where he ſayth; That we doe not onelyonly ſo (reioyce in hope of the glory of God) But we glory in tribulations alſo, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, &c. To like effect is that Iames 1. 2. 3. My brethren count it all ioy when yee fall into divers temptati…ons. Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
I will content my ſelfe with theſe two witneſſes as good as twentie, which in this caſe may ſoone be brought, and ſo will come to make our vſe of all theſe three benefits by afflictions. 1. That they be ſent from God, to be trialls to diſcover to our ſelues and others, godly and wicked, what ſtrength of grace and ſinne doth remaine in vsus, which is many waies profitable. 2. To be effectuall purgations to waſt and weaken thoſe ſpeciall corruptions which moſt hinder our ſoules health. 3. And laſtly to quicken all ſaving graces in vsus, and ſo every way to make vsus better, both to glorifie God in this life, and to be glorified of him in the life to come.
The leaſt of all which fruits of afflictions,Vſe of all theſe benefits by afflictions. though it went alone (if the profit and comfort it bringeth might be well priſed) would moue any good heart, (if lawfully they might) to deſire afflictions, at leaſt to be glad of them, when the Lord our loving Father, and wiſe Phyſitian doth ſend them to vsus, how much more then when as all theſe ſhall be joyned together, ſhould we rejoyce and bleſſe God for them. There is no good Chriſtian, but he greatly deſires to be more humbled in the ſight of his manifold ſinnes, and to be comforted with the ſweet feeling of Gods graces in him. Yea, much more deſires he to be purged from theſe ſpirituall corruptions, which take away his ſtomacke and ſtrength, that he can neither feed nor worke as his place requires. And aboue all doth he covet ſpirituall graces, that he might ſhine out in a godly life to the honour of his profeſſion, the winning of oothers, and making ſure his calling and election. All which ſeeing they be procured by afflictious, and hardly or never without them (as that place 1 Pet. 4. 18. proveth; And if the righteous be ſcarcely ſaved. And this is the chiefe cauſe why none of Gods children are without them, as Heb. 12. 6. 7. 8.) me thinkes there is great reaſon why we ſhould be thankfull to God for them; and ſo labour to reape this fruit by them, that we may ſay and ſing with the Pſalmiſt, (as it is ſweetly expreſſed in the Meeter) O h…ppie time may I well ſay, when thou didſt me correct: For as a guide to learne thy lawes, thy rod…d me direct. So little cauſe hauehave Gods children to thinke their condition miſerable, becauſe of afflictions, that if we will beleeue and practiſe what the Apoſtle Paul profeſſed and performed, we muſt in a holy manner boaſt of our afflictions,Rom. 5. 3. as a Souldier of his ſcarres got in battell. And as a little before we heard,2 Cor. 12. 10. Paul did take pleaſure in reproches, in neceſſities, in perſecutions▪ in diſtreſſes f… Chriſts ſake. Thus we ſee what comfort we may get out of Gods Word, fitly applyed vntounto vsus by faith, for the better bearing of all afflictions of what ſort ſoever. I might gather many other fruits of afflictions, as ſome hauehave done, but if all be well wayghed they may be referred to one of theſe three, and ſo having ſayd ſufficient of the three former grounds of comfort in afflictions.
I will come to the fourth and laſt,The fourth ground of comfort in afflictions. which is to ſet out what helpe God hath promiſed vsus in all our troubles, that we may be able to beare them; and in due ſeaſon to giuegive vsus a good iſſue out of them. Concerning which it will be profitable to obſerue, that the Lord knowing our great weaknes to beare the croſſe, and how full of diſtruſt we be, that God will not be ready to helpe vsus, at leaſt as we would, (both which are ſo often to be found in the liues of Gods faithfull ſervants in all ages, as needs no further proofe) the Lord, I ſay, well acquainted with this frailtie of his children, hath moſt plentifully provided all ſufficient helpe to ſupport them, and therefore made ſo many promiſes to be with them in all their troubles, and ſuccour them in all extremities, that they ſhall never periſh, but in the end find a good end and iſſue out of them, to his glory, and their endleſſe comfort.
Having pervſed theſe promiſes, and gathered them out of the Scripture, I may boldly ſay they doe farre exceed in number all the former, ſo that it would be too tedious to ſet them down all, I will therefore make choice of ſome of the chiefe, that we may hauehave them ready for our vſe againſt time of need.
Among all that is exceeding full of comfort which is written, Rom. 8. 26. In which chapter, the Apoſtle intending to teach, that nothing ſhould hinder the happines of thoſe that be in Chriſt, whereas there be but theſe two, corruption and affliction, hee firſt confutes the one, from verſe …. to …7. and ſecondly the other concerning afflictions, from verſe 17. to 31. And whereas it might be obiected, that though afflictions were profitable to thoſe that could endure them, yet oft they be ſo heauie that we cannot ſo much as cry to God for helpe as we ought: hee anſwers, that even then the ſpirit helpeth our infirmities, &c. meaning that when we begin to ſincke as not able to ſtand vnderunder the burthen, then Gods Spirit puts vnderunder his hand to ſupport vsus. Which is in ſo many words ſaid Pſal. 37. 24. Though he f…ll, he ſhall not vtterly be caſt downe, for the Lord vpholdeth him with his hand. Which is when hee doth by his Spirit ſtrengthen vsus with faith and patience, to waite for Gods helpe one way or other, either to rid vsus out of our afflictions, or make vsus, quietly to bea…e them, ſo long as ſhal ſeem good to his heavenly wiſedome to continue them. For which cauſe our Saviour Chriſt fortelling his Diſciples of many afflictions,Iohn 14. 15. 16. which ſhould befall them in the worlde, among other incouragements, hee oft tels them that he will ſend them his holy Spirit to be their comfo…r, who ſhall be ſtronger in them, then all their adverſaries. And to the ſame purpoſe,16. 33. telling them, that in the world they ſhould hauehave tribulation, he bids them bee of good cheare for hee hath overcome the World. Likewiſe the Apoſtle, 2. Cor. 1. 3 4. to hearten the Corinthians to indure all troubles, calleth God the God of all comfort, who comforted him and all others in all their tribulations, that they might be able to comfort others which are in any trouble. The like is to be ſeene almoſt in all the holy Epiſtles, in which the Saints be incouraged to ſuffer afflictions patiently.
But to proceede, exceeding many be the places in which God promiſeth to his people that he wil be a ſure and ſpeedy help in all troubles, in due ſeaſon ready to be found, David had great experience thereof. The booke of the Pſalmes is full of thoſe ſpeeches, God …s my …, my tower, my refuge, my ſhield and buckler, my health and ſtrength, and many moe, all tending to this, that looke what helpe any man in danger may find in any earthly meanes what ſoever, God is the ſame & much more to al his people in all their neceſſities, bodily or ſpirituall. Becauſe the fai…hfull in all ages hauehave ſtood in need of this comfort, therefore is this ſo oft repeated, that we in our generation may looke for the like helpe in our neede. To the ſame intent be many other like ſpeeches, That God will lighten our darkeneſſe hee will keepe the feete of his Saints, he will not forſake them, nor forget their complaint▪ That they ſhall not be confounded, In time of trouble he will hide them. His Angels ſhall pitch about them, He wil heale them and take all ſickneſſe from them They ſhal not feare their enemies, but God will make their enemies afraid of them, Be avenged of their enemies, That God wil repent him of the evill pronounced againſt them, with many other of like ſort and oft, more ſpecially of removing warre, peſtilence, &c.
The ſumme of all which is,Application. that into whatſoever calamitie or diſtreſſe Gods children ſhall fall, though the Lord doe leaue them for a ſeaſon, as though he did not regard it, yet hee will be with them by his Spirit to helpe them, that they ſhall not vtterly periſh: yea rather that they ſhall be able with patience to hold out, till God ſend them a happy end and iſſue out of all. That this hath beene Gods dealing with his beloved in all ages, needs no proofe, it is ſo manifeſt. Ioh, David, and Paul may be ſufficient to witneſſe this, how wonderfully God was with them in al their tryals▪
The other branch of this laſt ground of comfort is this,God will deliver. that the Lord will not onelyonly aſſiſt his vnderunder the burthen of their afflictions, with all needefull helpes, that they may be able to beare them: but will in due ſeaſon fully deliver them out of them all, which being ſo hardly beleeved, eſpecially in great and ſore afflictions, therefore the Lord hath very often renewed his promiſe of delivering his out of all their troubles. All of which for the moſt part being the fame, both in ſenſe & words a few may ſuffice for many. David had great proofe hereof, and therefore after a mighty deliverance (and that by a hard ſhiftfull of infirmitie) hee compoſed that excellent Pſalme 34 where magnifying Gods mercy for ſo great deliverance, hee riſeth higher to ſet out the like goodnes of God to all the faithfull, ſaying, verſe 7. The Angell of the Lord … round about them that feare him, and delivereth them▪ and verſe. 17. ſpeaking of the righteous he ſayth, they cry and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles, and verſe 19. many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of all. ſo Pſalme 27. 39. 40. But the ſalvation of the righteous is of the Lord, is their ſtrength in the time of trouble. And the Lord ſhall helpe them and deliver them, he ſhall deliver them from the wicked and ſaue them becauſe they truſt in him.
Theſe ſhall ſuffice in ſo cleere a point: for there are none that be any whit exerciſed in the Scriptures but may finde like teſtimoninies and proofs of the truth, though not alwayes in the ſame words. It is fully to the ſame purpoſe, that the Apoſtle …. Cor. 10. 13. comforteth them with this amongſt other Arguments, that God will with the tentation make away to eſcape… … ye may be able to beare it, and that of Ieremy 29. 11. For I know the thoughts that I thinke towards you ſaith the Lord, thoughts of peace; to giuegive you an expected end. By theſe and very many other the like, it is cleere that this is Gods wonted favour towards his Children, that though for ſundry and thoſe moſt iuſt cauſes, he lead them into troubles, and oft leaues them a long time vnderunder them, yet he never finally forſakes them: but when the time to hauehave mercy is come,Pſal. 102. thē the Lord will ſurely ſuccour all his, and deliver them by one meanes or other, ſuch as ſhall make moſt for his glory and the good of all his.
All of which being ſo certaine,Application. that how many and great ſoever, and of long continuance the afflictions of Gods children ſhalbe, yet the Lord will never leaue nor forſake them, but will be a preſent helpe in time of neede, miniſtring all needefull comforts, both outward helpes and inward graces to ſupport them, and in the end will one way or other fully ſet them free, and quite deliver them out of all their feares and troubles: we may ſee what ſmall cauſe wee hauehave to be diſcouraged by our afflictions, or to fret and repine at them: yea rather wee hauehave moſt iuſt cauſe to reioyce in thē to bleſſe God for them, and to labour both to beare them and to profit by them, that God may hauehave glory thereby, our ſelues may reape the benefit by them, and others may profit by our example. And thus laying all together which hath beene ſayd of afflictions, we ſhall find that they be no lets, but ſpecial helps as to godlineſſe in this life, ſo to happines in the life to come. Thus much for this fourth point how to liue by faith in all afflictions of what ſort ſoever.