Consolations for the Afflicted, Book 2 · Chapter 34
CHAP. XXXIIII.
How we may strengthen our faith, hope and patience, when God deferreth to performe his promises concerning our deliuerance.
BVT against that which hath beene said, some§. Sect. 1. How we are to vnderstand Gods promises concerning our deliuerance out of afflictions. happely may obiect, that they hauehave knowne many who trusting in God, and waiting for his helpe, and feruently calling vponupon him for deliuerance, hauehave notwithstanding long liued, and at last died in their afflicitons; yea, that they themselues doe still remaine in great misery and tribulation, though they hauehave often by seruent prayer cryed vntounto him, and depended vponupon no other for succour and freedome from their euils. To which I answere. First, that all Gods seruants hauehave deliuerance out of their afflictions in due time, whether it bee by life or death; and therefore seeing our longest liues are short and momentany, beeing compared with that euerlasting happinesse which is to follow after, the time of our afflictions cannot be long, nor our deliuerance farre off, although it should bee deferred to the day of dissolution. Whereas contrariwise the punishments of the wicked being begunne, doe neuer end, their earthly miseries leading and bringing them into those euerlasting and hellish torments. Secondly, I answere, that Gods promises of deliuerance from temporarie afflictions are not absolute, but alwayes to be vnderstood with this conditiion, if it will stand with his owne glory, and the spirituall good and saluaiton of the parties vntounto whom hee maketh them. For otherwise our freedome from affliction would be no benefit, but the greatest hurt, Gods promise would degenerate into a threatning, bringing vntounto vsus euill in stead of good, and it would proue vntounto vsus the greatest crosse, not to be thus crossed and afflicted. Now often times Gods glory and our saluation, are more aduanced by the continuance, then by the remouall of our crosses; as when God tryeth by them his graces in vsus, that hee may afterwards crowne them, and causeth our sight to be so much more long and dangerous, that accordingly our ensuing victorie may bee the more glorious; or when hee doth vse them either for an hedge to keepe vsus from leaping into the forbidden pastures of carnall pleasures; or fo… fierie fornace to purge and purifie vsus from the drosse of our corruptions. In which cases it is the greatest freedome not to bee freed; and Gods greatest merciemercy towards vsus, when as hee continueth vsus in our temporarie miserie. And therefore in all our crosses and calamities wee are to comfort our selues in this assurance, that if it will stand with Gods glory, and the euerlasting good of our soules, wee shall most certainely obtaine deliuerance; or otherwise, if it bee better for vsus in these respects, that wee should continue in them, then will the Lord assuredlie giuegive vntounto vsus such strength, patience and inward comforts of his spirit, as shall …nable vsus to beare them without fainting and sinking vnderunder them.
But oftentimes the Lord deferreth his helpe and our deliuerance,§ Sect. 2. The first meanes of comfort is meditation in Gods word, & first of Gods commandement to wait. either for our further triall, or for the restraining or mortifying of our corruptions, or finally to moue vsus hereby with more earnestnesse and feruencie of spirit to emplore his assistance; that being deliuered, wee may be more thankful, for this benefit, the want whereof hath made vsus to value and prize it, according to it worth. And when hee hath purified vsus from our drosse, and exercised our faith, hope, affiance and louelove towards him, hee will then free vsus out of all our miseries. And therefore seeing▪ wee are vncertain…, whether our deliuerance bee neere at hand, or farre off; whether the Lord will now, or heereafter, or not till the day of death giuegive vsus freedome from the miseries which afflict and greeue vsus; therefore it behoueth vsus to perseuere and continue in faith and hope, with patience and humilitie to waite the Lords leasure, and to stay the appointed time whether it be in life or death. The which duties, because they are not onelyonly hard, but meerely impossible to flesh and blood; let vsus earnestly labour in the vse of all good meanes which may enable vsus to performe them. And these meanes enabling vsus to waite and depend vponupon God, when hee delayeth the accomplishing of his promises, in deliuering vsus out of our afflictions, doe either respect meditation or action. Concerning the former, if wee would attaine vntounto this hope and patience when God deferreth to helpe vsus, wee must diligently meditate in his word, which alone containeth in it all such comforts as may vpholde vsus in this triall. For so Dauid saith of it; It is a comfort in my trouble, for thy promise hath quickned mee. I hauehave remembred Psal. 119. 50. 5…thy iudgements of olde, O Lord, and hauehave beene comforted. Thy statutes hauehave beene my song in the house of my pilgrimage. And a litle after. Except thy law had beene my delight, Vers. 92.I should now hauehave perished in mine affliction. More especiallie wee must meditate on the commandement of God, whereby he enioyneth vsus to waite vponupon him, and to perseuere in our faith, hope and patience, notwithstanding that hee deferreth to deliuer vsus. So the Lord hauing by vision, reuealed the deliuerance of the people of Israell from those miseries where-with the Chaldeans did afflict them, willeth to attend his leisure, for the accomplishment of it. For the vision (saith he) is yet for an appointed time, Habac. 2. 3.but at the last, it shall speake, and not lye; though it tary, wait… for it shall surely come, and not stay. And the Apostle to this purpose vseth that notable exhortation. Bee patient (saith hee) brethren, vntounto the comming of the Lord. Beholde, Iam. 5. 7. 8.the husband-man waiteth for the precious fruite of the earth, and hath long patience for it, vntill hee receiue the former and the later raine. Be ye also patient therefore and settle your harts, for the cōming of the Lord draweth neer. So the son of Syrach exhorteth vsus to prepare our soules for tentation, if we come with a resolution to serue the Lord, to set our hearts aright, and constantly Eccle. 2. 2. 7.endure, and not make haste in time of trouble; and willeth all those that feare the Lord to waite on his mercy, and not to goe aside, (namely, by vsing indirect and vnlawfull meanes to deliuer themselues) lest they should fall.
Secondly, let vsus meditate and consider, that vntounto this§ Sect. 3. The second meanes to meditate on Gods gracious promises. commandement, the Lord hath added his most gracious promises, to encourage all to yeeld vntounto it their obedience; with which the Booke of the Psalmes abounds in eueryevery place. So he saith, aPsa. 9. 18.The poore shall not alway be forgotten: the hope of the afflicted shall not perish for euer. bPsa 27. 14.Hope in the Lord, be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart, & trust in the Lord. cPsa. 33. 18.Behold the eie of the Lord is vponupon them that feare him, and vponupon them that trust in his mercy; to deliuer their soules from death, and to preserue them in famine. dPsa. 34. 22.The Lord redeemeth the soules of his seruants, and none that trusteth in him shall perish. ePsa. 37. 7 9.Waite patiently vponupon the Lord, and hope in him, &c. fPsa. 41. 31.For they that waite vponupon the Lord shall inherite the land. And the Prophet Esay assureth vsus, that they who waite vponupon the Lord, shall renew their strength; they shall lift vp their wings as the Eagles; they shall run and not be wearie, and they shall walke, and not faint. And else where, Thow shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that waite for me. And againe,Chap 49. 23. & 64. 4. Since the beginning of the world, they hauehave not heard, nor vnderstood with the eare, neither hath the eye seene another God besides thee, which doth so to him that waiteth for him. Yea not onelyonly helpe and deliuerance are promised in this life to those who waite vponupon God, and perseuere in their affiance and hope, when hee deferreth the accomplishment of his word; but also euerlasting blessednesse in the life to come, according to the saying of the Prophe…▪ The Lord is the God Esa. 30. 18.of iudgment; bl…ssed are all they that wait for him. Yea▪ so are present and future benefits promised to those that perseuere in their hope and affiance, that they are all appropriated vntounto them only. For there is none attaineth vntounto the crowne of glory, but he who hath first obtained full and small victory ouer all the spirituall enemies of our saluation, and among the rest ouer these trials, afflictions and tribulations, which fight against vsus vnderunder the conduct of the world. For … onelyonly that indureth vntounto the end shall be saued, as our SauiourMatth. 24. 13. teacheth vsus. He alone that ouercommeth is admitted to eate of the tree of life, which is in the middest of the Paradise of God; hee that ouercommeth shall not be hurt of the second Apoc. 2. 7. 10. 11. 17.death; he that is faithful vntounto the death, shall be crowned with the crowne of life. Hee that ouercommeth shall eare of the Manna that is hid, and shall hauehave that wh… … … stone, and in it a new name written, which no man knoweth, but he who receiueth it, &c. Now the meanes of obtaining this victory, is to perseuere and continue constant in our faith, affiance, hope, and patience, in all our afflictions and tribulations. For (as1. Ioh. 5. 4. the Apostle saith) All that is borne of God, ouercommeth the world, and this is the victory that ouercommeth the world, euen our faith. And because all Gods promises are made to those and those onelyonly who perseuere in these graces, and waite vponupon the Lord at all times, and in al estates and conditions, therefore vponupon this foundation the Church groundeth her prayers for helpe and deliuerance out of her afflictions. O Esa 3…. 2. Micah. 7. 7.Lord (saith she) hauehave mercy vponupon vsus; we hauehave waited for thee, be thou which wast their arme in the morning, our helpe also in time of trouble. And to the same purpose the Prophet Micah saith, Therefore I will looke vntounto the Lord; I will waite for God my Sauiour: my God will heare me.
Thirdly, let vsus comfort our selues when God deferreth§ Sect. 4. The third means is to cōsider that Gods promises are infallible. his promises, and continueth our conflict of afflictions, after we hauehave long waited for helpe and deliuerance, by considering that in his good time they shall most certainely be accomplished; seeing his truth being of his essence, it is no more possible that hee should faile of his word, then it is possible that he should deny him selfe; and therefore seeing he hath promised that wee shall ouercome the world, that we shall hauehave strength to endure all tentations, and hauehave an happy issue out of them, that if we suffer with Christ, wee shall raigne with him, and that by many tribulations and afflictions we shall enter into the kingdome of heauen; wee may be assured though our way be long and soule, yet at last we shall come to our iourneys end; that after our painefull sufferings, shall come our glorious raigning, and that after our dangerous and irksome fight, we shall obtaine an happie victory, and bee crowned with euerlasting glory. InSecurus potes pugnare, cum securus es de victoria. O verè tuta pro Christo & cum Christo pugna &c. Bernard. epist. ad Robertum nepotem epist.. 1. a. which regard (as one saith) wee may be secure in fighting, seeing wee are sure of ouercomming. O onelyonly safe fight, which for and with Christ is vndertaken; in which the christian souldiar neither wounded, nor ouerthrowne, nor troden vnderunder foote, no nor slaine can loose the victory; if hee manfully stand to it, and do not betake himselfe to a shamefull flight. FOr the onelyonly meanes of loosing the victory, is by shamefull and sinfull flying from our enemies, By flying we may loose it, but by dying we cannot. For blessed is hee that dyeth fighting, because he shall be crowned dying. But woe be vntounto him who by cowardly auoiding the conflict, doth loose both the victory and the crowne.
Fourthly, let vsus consider, that the Lord vsually exerciseth§ Sect. 5. The fourth means, is to consider▪ that God vsually deferreth to helpe th…se who are most strong in grace and most deare vntounto him. the faith, hope, affiance and patience of those who are most deare vntounto him, and enriched with the greatest measure of these sauing gtaces, with these delayes, and deferreth the accomplishment of his promises vntounto those especially, who hauehave receiued the greatest strength to endure this triall. Neither doth the Lord shoote his most pearcing bullets of tentations against his weakest armour, which would but disgrace his workmanship, and in mortall manner wound the wearer; but he dischargeth them onelyonly against such as hee hath made high proofe, which repell the shot without harme, and set forth the skill of him that made it. Hee will not lay a great waight vponupon weake shoulders, which would crush them downe and make them vnprofitable for vse, but he loadeth those with the heauiest burthen, whom he hath first enabled with sufficient strength. He will not leane too hard vponupon his brused reedes, nor cast water vponupon his new kindled fire, which he would hauehave encrease to a great flame; but he putteth to the greatest stresse his most solid timber and heart of oke, and casteth these waters of triall vponupon such a throughly inflamed zeale, as is but the more encreased in heate by this opposition and reluctation. And thus the Lord dealt with Abraham, the father of the faithfull; for hauing made many notable promises vntounto him and his posterity, hee kept him a long time without any issue, and hauing assured him, that in his seed both himselfe and al the nations of the earth should be blessed; hee exercised his faith in this promise, by deferring the accomplishment thereof, vntill he was growne so olde that it seemed impossible in nature to be performed. So he gieth Iacob the blessing, and promiseth him the land of Canaan in possession, but afterwards he is faine to waite for the accomplishment twentie yeares, as a stranger and seruant in another countrey. Hee promiseth Ioseph many priuiledges, and the soueraigntie ouer his brethren, but in the meane while they vse him at their pleasure, they sell him for a slaue into Aegypt, where hee passeth many dangers, and endureth many miseries, before hee seeth any likely-hood of the performance of Gods promise. And finally, thus he vsed Dauid, a man according to his own hart, for after that hee had chosen him for King ouer his people, and had assured him by his promise, that he should sit vponupon the royal throne, he deferreth the accōplishment thereof for many years, in the meane while exposing him to the persecution of his enemies, and to such innumerable troubles and tentations, that his faith sometimes receiued foyles, and brought into question the truth of Gods word. And this appeareth in many places of ye, Psalmes, where he maketh thesePsa. 13. 1. and such like cōplaints. How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord, for euer? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shal I take consel within my selfe, hauing wearines daily in mine hart? how long shall mine enemies be exalted about me? Yea, he crieth out as one vtterly cast off; My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me▪ and art so farre from my health, and from the words of my rearing? O my God, I cry by day, but thou hearest not, and by night, but hauehave no audience. And againe. Will the Psa. 22. 1. 2.Lord absent himselfe for euer? and will he shew no more fauour? is his mercy cleane gone for euer? doth his promise faile for euer & 77. 7. 8. 9.more? hath God forgotten to be mercifull? hath he shut vp his Psa. 116. 11.tender mercies in displeasure? and I said, this is my death. Yea, so was his faith shaken with these long delayes, that he said in his feare all men (and among the rest the Prophet Samuel, who had reported vntounto him Gods promises of the crowne and kingdome) were but lyars and deceiuers; and professethPsal. 119. 123. that his eie failed in expecting Gods saluation, and the accomplishment of his iust promise. And euen thus the Lord dealeth with the faithfull in these dayes; for howsoeuer when we are babes in Christ, and weake in faith, he will not break the brused reede, nor quench the smoking flax, and therefore is pleased to performe his promises speedily, and to encourage vsus in his seruice with the liberall wages of his rich and plentiful benefits; yet when we are growne strong in grace, and are endued with a great measure of faith, affiance, hope and patience, he will not lay light burthens vponupon our able shoulders, nor exercise these giftes with his slightest trials; but he will proue vsus with great and dangerous tentations, and seeme to leaue vsus in them without helpe and deliuerance for a long time together. And therefore, when this befalleth vsus, wee are not to bee discomfited and discouraged, yea rather we are to reioyce in these trials and afflictions, seeing they are signes of Gods greater louelove towards vsus, and that hee hath vouchsafed vntounto vsus a greater measure of his gifts and graces; and comfortably to attend Gods good leasure for our deliuerance, seeing we know that the Lord delighteth in them that feare him, and attend vponupon Psal. 147. 11.his mercy: as the Psalmist teacheth vsus.
Fourthly, let vsus consider, that howsoeuer the Lord hath§ Sect. 6. The fifth means is to consider that God neuer failed to performe his promises, at lest tothose that hauehave waited on him. made his faithfull and beloued seruants, to waite long for the accomplishment of his promises, yet at last hee neuer failed to be as good as his word. For though hee long delayed it, yet in the end hee gaue Abraham children; hee made way for the returne of Iacob into his owne countrey; he aduanced Ioseph aboue all his brethren; and deliuering Dauid from al his persecutions, he set him vponupon the throne of the kingdome, and made him happily to weld the royall Scepter. For so himselfe speaketh. I waited patiently (saithPsa. 101. 1. … he) for the Lord, and he inclyned vntounto me, and heard my cry, he brought me also out of the horrible pit, out of the myrie clay, and set my feet vponupon the rocke, and ordered my goings. And thus the Lord suffered his promises to be long vnperformed vntounto the people of Israell, whilest they remained in the Aegyptian seruitude, but no sooner the day came which hee had appointed, but they were presently freed out of theirExo. 10. 41. cruell bondage. And after hee had brought them into the promised land, he tryed and corrected them with many afflictions, and suffered them to bee led captiue of their enemies, deferring their deliuerance out of these troubles, till hee had caused them to waite long, and had made triall of their faith and patience, by absenting himselfe for a time, & withholding from them his promised helpe. So the Church saith. Therefore will I waite vponupon the Lord, that hath hid his Esa. 8. 17.face from the house of Iacob, and I will looke for him. And againe, In that day shall men say, loe this is our God, we hauehave Esa. 25. 9.waited for him, and he will saue vsus; this is the Lord, we hauehave waited for him, we will reioice, and be ioyfull in his saluation. And in another place, We O Lord hauehave waited for thee in the Chap. 26. 8.way of thy iudgments, the desire of our soule is to thy name, & to the remembrance of thee. After which expectation they were not disappointed of their hope, for when the 70. yeares were expired, which was the appointed time of their deliuery, then mauger the malice, policie and power of all their enemies, they wer graciously freed out of this their captiuitie. And therfore seeing we hauehave such assurance of the truth of Gods promises, and so manifold experience in others and in our selues, that his delayes though they sometimes cause doubting, yet they neuer bring vntounto vsus any danger; let vsus by a liuely and constant faith lay hold vponupon them, euen when they are long deserred, being assured that if with our father Abraham we tary patiently, wee shall at lengthHeb. 6. 15. with him enioy the promise. And so shall we hauehave a testimonie vntounto our owne consciences, that wee are endued with a true and liuely faith, when as wee doe not make haste (as the Prophet speaketh) but waite the Lords leisute for the accomplishmentEsa. 28. 16. of the promises. For these two goe together and admit of no separation; but as faith causeth hope, being (as the Apostle saith) The ground of things hoped for, and the euidence of things which are not seene; so hope accompaniethHeb. 11. 1. & demonstrateth faith, expecting the appointed time, when as the things beleeued shalbe enioied. Whereas on the other side we bewray our incredulitie, when wee will not hopefully waite vponupon God, for the accomplishment of his promises, but couet in post haste to hauehave our desires satisfied; resoluing that if God will not giuegive vsus lawfull meanes of freedome from danger, or deliuer vsus out of our afflictions when we would hauehave him; that wee will no longer attend his leisure, but vse such meanes as are next hand, not waighing or regarding whether they be lawfull or vnlawfull, so they be but likely to satisfie our desires in the remouall of our crosses. And of this haste wee hauehave an example in Iehoram, who professeth in plaine tearmes that hee would not2. King. 6. 33. attend on the Lord any longer then pleased him, but would vse his owne meanes for his deliuerance. And in many men who liue in these dayes, who will not waite on Gods leasure for their recouery of health, but send to witches and wizards; nor for the repairing of their poore estates in the vse§ Sect. 7. The sixth means is to consider that the Lord deferreth to deliuer vsus for the furthering of our spiritual good and saluation. of lawfull meanes, but fall either to oppression and violence, or to fraud and deceitfull dealing.
Fifthly, vsus consider, that if the Lord deferreth to performe his promises for our deliuerance, hee doth it not because he is vnable or vnwilling to helpe vsus, or because he taketh any delight in our miseries and afflictions; but as hee doth at the first inflict vponupon vsus these trials and chastizements for our spirituall good and the furthering of our euerlasting saluation; so he onelyonly continueth them so long as is fit for the effecting and perfecting of these his gracious ends. As for example hee afflicteth vsus for our triall, that his graces vouchsafed vntounto vsus may bee exercised and manifested to the glory of him that gaue them; and encreasing of the happinesse of those that hauehave them; and therefore if after the renewing of our faith and serious and sound repentance, our crosses are continued, we may be assured that the Lord is pleased to vse further as the instruments of his glory, and that he is purposed by continuing the conflict to magnifie our victory, and to make our crown much more glorious. Sometimes also he afflicteth vsus, that heere by our sinnes and corruptions may be mortified and subdued, and we purged and purified by this fiery triall: and therefore if after much praying and earnest suing wee are not freed, wee are to knowe that the drosse of corruption is not yet sufficiently consumed, and wee refined and purified, seeing the Lord continueth vsus still in this fiery furnace; and that the sores of sinne are not yet cured, nor the core of corruption yet drawne out, seeing ou… skilfull and louing Chirurgeon doth still cause these corrasiues to be applyed vntounto vsus. More especially he vseth these bitter medicines to weane vsus from the louelove of the world and worldly vanities; and therefore if after much loathing and complaining we are still compelled to taste of them, we may hence conclude, that our louelove and affection still too much doteth on these earthly things, and that we hauehave as yet a desire to suck this hurtfull milke, and to returne vntounto these poysonous brests, if the Lord did not still annoint them with the woremewood and gall of these temporarie afflictions. So the Lord doth afflict vsus, that his sanctifying and sauing graces may bee confirmed and encreased in vsus; and therefore if they are still continued vponupon vsus after we hauehave often sued for helpe and deliuerance, let vsus know that we hauehave not as yet profited by them as we ought, and that in infinite louelove the Lord will not leaue vsus, vntill hee hauehave brought vsus to greater perfection. More especiallie wee are corrected by the Lord, that by his chastizements our faith, repentance and obedience might be encreased, and therefore if after earnest suite we are not eased of them, wee may assure our selues, that our faith yet needeth more exercise, and longer and greater experience of Gods louelove, power and truth, in moderating our afflictions and supporting vsus with the power of his might, that we may be able to beare thē; & that we hauehave not yet, as we ought, bewailed our former sinnes, hated our present corruptions, nor firmely (as we should) resolued to labour in the vse of the meanes for the mortifying & subduing them; and for the time to come, to serue the Lord in holinesse and righteousnes, with zeale, integritie and vprightnes of heart. Finally, the Lord bringeth vsus into these dangerous straights of trouble and misery, that we may flee vntounto him by harty praier for helpe and deliuerance; and therefore if we hauehave already praied often, and are not yet heard according to our desires, let vsus perswade our selues, that the Lord stoppeth not his eares to our suits, but seeing that we are cold and negligent in solliciting of them, hee doth by these seeming refusals and temporary repulses, but make vsus the more feruent and earnest in suing for his helpe, and in begging such benefits and deliuerances, as are much endeared vntounto vsus by his momentany denials and our owne wants; as it notably appeareth in the exampleMatth. 15. 22. 23. of the woman of Canaan, who receiued at Christs hands diuers sore repulses, not because he was purposed to deny her request, but because hee would hauehave her prosecute it with greater earnestnesse, to which purpose one saith, that God inAugust. in sentē. tribulation stirring vp the faith to aske, and himselfe deferring to grant, doth not deny his aide, but only intendeth our desire. And therefore if being impatient of our crosses wee should immoderatly couet to hauehave them remoued before we hauehave by them attained vntounto these ends, wee doe in effectIer. 2. 30. desire that our corrections should become (like those of the Israelits) vaine and fruilesse. If we should sue to hauehave the plaisters remoued, and the bitter potions taken away, before our sores and sicknesse of sinne be healed and cured, wee doe thereby desire that the Lord would giuegive vsus ouer as a desperate cure, and leaue vsus to rotte and perish in our diseases and corruptions.
Sixthly, let vsus consider that the Lord oftentimes commeth§ Sect. 8. The seuenth meanes is to consider, that the Lord oftentimes deliuereth the faithful out of affliction, when their estate seemeth most desperate. to our aide, and saueth and deliuereth vsus out of our troubles, when wee are brought into the greatest extremities, and past all hope of recouering out of our miseries, for then is hee most glorified and his wisdome magnified, when as wee being brought vntounto our wits end, and seeing no possible meanes of escaping out of our tribulations, hee findeth an easie passage and egresse out of them; then is the Omnipotencie of his power manifested, when hee deliuereth vsus out of such euills as doe quell and ouerwhelme all humaine strength; then is the prowesse and might of our generall best knowne, when hee supporteth vsus in most terrible conflicts, and giueth vsus victory ouer inuincible enemies, wee seeing no strength in our selues to make resistance. And finallie, then principallie wee are occasioned to extoll and praise our heauenly Chyrurgion and Physitian, when as hee cureth our incurable wounds, and recouereth vsus out of our most desperate diseases. An example whereof wee hauehave in Abraham, whom God continued childlesse (though hee had made gracious promises vntounto him of multiplying his seede) vntill hee and his wife were so stricken in age, that there was no hope remaining: And yet hee abou… hope, beleeuing vnderunder hope, that Rom. 4. 18.hee should bee the father of many nations, as the Apostle speaketh, And not weake in faith, neither considering his owne Heb. 6. 15.body, which was now dead, being almost an hundred yeare old, nor the deadnesse of Saraes wombe, but tarying patiently, he did at length enioy the promise. So hee promised the people of Israell that hee would bring them out of Aegypt, and giuegive them possession of the Land of Promise; but this hee performeth not whilest Pharaoh liued, who was their friend, when as in reason there might hauehave beene some likely-hood of it, but when they were most endangered to the rage and malice of their tyrannicall enemies, and had no appearance of hope to be freed out of that cruell bondage, or to shake that iron yoake from off their necks. And thus afterwards hee deliuered them from the captiuitie ofZach. 3. 2. Babylon, not when they were in their cheefe floure and strength, and able to make some shift for themselues; but when their case was vtterly desperate, the Lord freed them out of this misery, plucking them (as the Prophet speaketh) like firebrands out of the fire. So hee saued Dauid when heePsa. 22. 1. seemed vntounto himselfe vtterly forsaken, and deliuered him out of the hands of Saul, not by keeping him farre off from danger, but when hauing inuironed him about with a strong army, he was euen ready to seaze vponupon him. And thus our1. Sam. 23. 26 Sauiour being in the ship with his disciples, did seeme to neglect them in their greatest danger, and did not awake out of sleepe, nor arise to deliuer them, til the ship was coueredMar. 4. 37. 38. with waues, and ready to sinke. And afterwards he suffered them to be tossed with a tempest, and by his miraculous walking on the sea to be astonished with feare; and then being brought into the last extremity, and past hope of escaping out of dāger, he giueth vntounto them comfort, by assuring them of his presence. Finally he would not preserue Lazarus life by going vntounto him in the time of his sicknesse, nor yetIoh. 11. 6. when hee was newly dead and buried, but hee purposely staieth from him foure daies at the least, after his death, and then goeth and raiseth him to life. Neither did hee by his Angell deliuer Peter out of prison presently after he was apprehended, but the very night before that Herode intened to proceed to his execution, when as he was strongly guarded betweene two soulidiars, bound with chaines, and had the keepers besides, waiting before the prison dore▪ euen then when all hope was past to naturall reason, hee saued and deliuered him out of that imminent danger. And so to conclude this pointe with an example which is fresh in memory, the Lord saued vsus from the gunpowder treason, not by discouering it when it was first plotted, but euen a few houres before it should hauehave beene put in execution, when as in humaine reason it was much more likely to hauehave beene still concealed, then to hauehave beene kept secret so long before, especially considering that besids those who were actors in this tragedie, they had so many lookers on, who were well acquainted with their courses and proceedings. The which experience of Gods mercy and power in deliuering vsus and others, out of most desperate dangers, should moue vsus still to depend and waite patiently vponupon God in all our troubles and afflictions, not onelyonly when wee hauehave any likely-hood of helpe, but when we seeme past all hope of recouery, seeing euen then the Lord is as able and readie to saue and deliuer vsus out of these miseries; and will assuredly doe it in his good tyme, if it will stand with his owne glory, our spirituall good and the euerlasting saluation of our bodies and soules. And therefore in our greatest extremities, let this consideration moue vsus to waite vponupon God, and raising and encouraging our deiected and fainting mindes, let vsus say with the Psalmist, Why art thou cast downe my soule, and vnquiet Psa. 42. 5.within me? Waite on God, for I will yet giuegive him thanks for the helpe of his presence.
Lastly, if we would with patience waite the Lords§ Sect. 9. The eighth meanes is to consider, that God waiteth vponupon vsus to saue and deliuer vsus in the fittest time. Esa. 30. 18. leisure when hee deferreth to helpe vsus in affliction, let vsus consider, that God no lesse waiteth vponupon vsus to doe vsus good, then wee to receiue it, expecting a conuenient time, when as hee may most fitly and seasonably extend his mercy in our deliuerance, both for his owne glory, and the furthering of our saluation; according to that of the Prophet; Yet therefore will the Lord waite, that hee may hauehave mercy vponupon you; and therefore hee will be exalted, that he may hauehave compassion vponupon you. The consideration whereof should moue vsus, with patience to attend Gods leisure for our freedome out of misery; for if the Lord waite vponupon vsus to shew mercy, much more should we waite that we may be partakers of it. If hee be content to watch for the most conuenient time of deliuering vsus out of trouble, and will not when it is come deferre his helpe (for who waiteth longer then hee must needs, and who that is wise letteth passe his best opportunitie of doing that good which hee entendeth?) then how much more should wee watch and waite with patience and comfort till this seasonable time come, when as it is best and fittest, that this promised mercy should be emparted vntounto vsus. Furthermore, let vsus consider, that our greatest andRom. 8. 35. longest afflictions shall not bee able to separate vsus from the infinite and euerlasting louelove of God, as the Apostle telleth vsus; but as in louelove hee beganne to correct vsus, so in the same louelove he continueth our chastisements, that he may by mortifying our sinne preserue vsus from condemnation, and by perfecting his gifts and graces in vsus, make vsus fit for his euerlasting kingdome; being euer ready in his tender compassion to vphold and strengthen vsus in our greatest conflicts, and to giuegive vsus victory by deliuering vsus from them, when as it shall be most seasonable for our profit and best aduantage. Finally, let vsus remember, that though our crosses and afflictions in this world be exceeding grieuous and tedious, yet1. Cor. 11. 32 they are light and momentany in comparison of those intolerable tortures and euerlasting torments of hell fire, from which the Lord in his infinite goodnesse hath saued vsus; vsing for this purpose the afflictions and sufferings of his deare sonne, as the onelyonly meritorious cause, and our afflictions who are the members of this body, as an inferiour, yet effectuall meanes of our freedome from these euils. And on the other side, let vsus call to minde those vnspeakable and eternall ioyes which wee shall come vntounto by this rough and thornie way of afflictions; which can in no comparison beeRom. 8. 18. matched with our miseries; For the afflictions of this present world, are not worthy the glory which shall be reuealed, seeing, they being light and momentanie, doe cause vntounto vsus, a farre most excellent and eternall waight of glory, and being tolerable2. Cor. 4. 17. to him who beareth them vponupon the shoulders of patience; and temporary, not outlasting the vncertaine time of our short (though longest) liues, doe bring vsus vntounto an inheritance, Vers. 6. 7.immortall and vndefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserued for vsus in the heauens, and that not through our owne power, which would soone faile, and at eueryevery encounter hazard our saluation, but through the omnipotent power of God, out of whose almightie hand none can pull vsus. In which regard we hauehave iust cause of reioycing, though now for a season (if need require) we are in heauines through manifold 1. Pet. 1. 4.tentations, seeing the triall of our faith, which is hereby exercised, being much more precious then gold that perisheth, shall be found vntounto our praise, and honour and glory, at the appearing of Iesus Christ, as the Apostle speaketh.