Consolations for the Afflicted, Book 1 · Chapter 4
CHAP. IIII.
Of the preparation, which is required before the conflict of afflictions; and first of our spirituall armour, which we must buckle vntounto vsus.
BY all which it appeareth, that these tentations of§. Sect. 1. That the dangerousnes of these spirituall enemies must not discourage vsus from the fight. affliction, though they bee not altogether so dangerous and powerfull as those of prosperity, yet are they strong enough to ouercome vsus, if we bee left to our selues, and to make vsus the captiues of sinne and Sathan. And therefore, as on the one side wee are not in such a cowardly manner to feare these mighty enemies, nor dispayring of victory to cast away our weapons, and betake our selues to flight: so on the other side, wee are not securely to contemne them, as beeing easie to ouercome; for if they hauehave foyled Gods greatest worthies and most valiant captaines; how shall not we be indangered, yea vanquished by them, if we were left vntounto our owne strength, who are but vnexperiensed weakelings and common souldiers? But seeing the strength of our enemies, and our owne weakenesse, we must bee moued heereby by a liuely faith, to rest vponupon the power of Gods might assisting vsus, to implore his helpe and succour in this spirituall conflict; and then in the next place, to vse all the good meanes appointed by God, for the defending of our selues, and the obtaining of victory. Of which (as order requireth) I am now to speake; for as in worldly wars, it is requisite and necessary that we first know the nature, quality, disposition and strength of our enemies, and then accordingly to thinke of the meanes, whereby we may be inabled to make resistance and obtaine the victory; so must wee doe in this spirituall warfare; and therefore hauing already intreated of the former point, I come now to the other; in speaking whereof my purpose is (by the assistance of God) to shew, first the meanes whereby the Christian may be strengthened to beare with patience, and by bearing to ouercome all afflictions in general; and then, besides the application of the generalls, to insist in the speciall meanes, whereby they may be armed, and prepared against some speciall and particular crosses and calamities.
The meanes, whereby we may be strengthened against all§. Sect. 2. That the meanes to strengthen vsus against afflictions, either respect preparation, or execution. afflictions generally, may bee referred to two heads, for eyther they respect preparation, or else action and execution; for as in warlike expeditions, those who desire victory ouer their mighty enemies, do first prepare their forces, furnishing them with armour, weapons, and all other warlike necessaries, and then enter the field, couragiously withstanding, or charging the enemy; wisely managing al the meanes prouided in the time of preparation for their best aduantage, and neuer giuing ouer their valiant fight, til they hauehave put their enemies to flight and obtained victory: so must wee in this spiritual warfare, first prepare our selues for the fight, and then manfully and christianly demeane our selues in the day of battell. And vntounto this preparation the sonne of Syrach perswadeth all those, who intend to serue the Lord in this spirituall warfare. My sonne (saith he) if thou wil… come into Eccles. 2. 1. 2.the seruice of God, stand fast in righteousnes and feare, and prepare thy soule to tentation; settle thine heart and be patient, bow d…wne thine eare, and receiue the words of vnderstanding, and sh…inke not away when thou art assayled, but wait vponupon God patiently. For if all be deferred to the day of battell, and no preparation made before we enter the field, and the alarme bee sounded; if in the time of peace, wee neuer thinke of warre, and in prosperity, neuer prepare for the day of aduersity and affliction; if we neuer expect nor feare the enemy, till hee beNon facile inuen…untur in aduersitate praesidia quae non fuerunt in pace quaesita. August. senten. in sight and ready to encounter as, but are then to be trained in this martiall discipline, when we should fight; to seeke for weapons, when we should vse them; and to put on our spirituall armour, when as already the skirmish is begun, it is a thousand to one that we shall be wounded to ye death in the first encounter, put to flight, and easily ouercome, being altogether vnable to make any resistance.
Now vntounto this preparation there is required, first that we§ Sect. 3. That we must prepare and put on spirituall armour against our conflict with afflictions. prouide and put on the spirituall armour, and then that wee be trained in the knowledge and skil of this Christian Warfare, whereby we may be enabled to vse our weapons, and strength to our best aduantage; vntounto which is required the learning and obseruing of certaine rules and instructions, whereby wee may know how to carrie and demeane our selues in this spirituall conflict. The weapons and armour required to this warfare are not the sword, speare & canon, nor the harnesse and shield of iron and steele, for wee wrastle not against flesh and blood, but against spirituall wickednesses, as the Apostle speaketh; but that spirituall armourEph. 6. 12. of a Christian, euen all Gods sanctifying and sauing graces, with which if we be furnished, we shall by them be inabled to make resistance and obtaine the victory; partly because, knowing the goodnes of our armour we shall be more bold and confident, and valiantly sustaine the sharpest encounter in hope of victorie; and partly, and that more principally, because the Lord of hosts our great commander, when hee seeth vsus armed, with his owne furniture, and adorned with his owne colours, will gratiously acknowledge vsus for souldiers of his owne band, and strengthen and assist vsus with his owne almighty power, whereby we are sure to put our enemies to flight and obtaine the conquest. Neither wil it stand with the glory of our mighty Generall, to hauehave his owne faithfull souldiers and seruants to bee foyled and ouercome, or to hauehave his owne furniture, armour, and weapons to bee found weake and insufficient, when they come to bee tried and approued.
Now the first part of this spiritual armour, which we must§. Sect. 4. Of the first part of our spirituall armour, which is sauing knowledge. put on in this time of preparation, is sauing knowledge; for this is the eye of the soule, which must guide vsus in al our trauels, and that heauenly light, which must direct vsus in these crooked and rugged waies; which if we want, we shal stumble and fall at eueryevery stone of offence, and loose our selues inVt nauis cum vndarum tempestate quassatur nisi gubernatorē peritissimum habeat, … fluctibus maris citò conteritur: ita et …omo cum in aliquibus aduersis fuerit constitutus, nisi habucrit ment…m diuinis eloquijs erudi…a cito animus eius frangitur et salutis su… sustinet damnū. Basil. tract. de cōsol. in aduers. this labyrinth of troubles; it is the pylote which must gouerne and guide vsus in these tempestuous stormes of miseries and afflictions, whilest wee sayle in the dangerous sea of this wretched world, without whose helpe we shall dash against the rocks of desperation, be ouerset and swallowed with the boysterous blasts, and huge billows of troubles and calamities, and so make shipwracke of our soules; in a worde, it is the sterne and charde, from which we hauehave all our direction through this sea of miseries into our heuenly country, without the helpe whereof we should hould wrong courses, and neuer find the way into the hauen of rest, But if we hauehave the eye of sauing knowledge illightned with the bright shining beames of the holy Scriptures, we shall be so guided thereby, that we shall easily ouercome all difficulties, escape all dangers, and notwithstanding al these lets & impediments, safely attaine vntounto the end of our hopes, the euerlasting saluation of our soules. For if wee hauehave learned out of Gods word that all these afflictions come from God, and that not as an angry iudge, but as a mercifull and louing Father; not as signes of his displeasure, but as testimonies of his fauour, and marks of our adoption; not to punish vsus for sin, but to purge vsus from it; not to destroy, but to increase and perfit his graces in vsus; not to condemne vsus, but to further our saluation, making this strait gate, and this narrow and afflicted way to serue for a passage and entrance into the ioyes of heauen; and finally, that the Lord our louing Father wil not correct vsus without measure, and aboue our strength, yea no more or longer then is necessarily required for our amendment, and for the better fitting of vsus for his seruice and our glory; and that then hee will deliuer vsus from all these troubles, wipe all teares from our eyes, and giuegive vsus beauty for Apoc. 21. 4. Esa 61. 3.ashes, the oyle of ioy for mourning, and the garment of gladnesse for the spirit of heauinesse; then shall wee bee sufficiently strengthened against the day of triall, withstand all these sharpe encounters, and obtaining victory ouer these enemies of our saluation, we shal with peace and comfort hold on in our course of righteousnes towards our heuenly country, and be rather furthered then hindred in our iourney by their assaults.
The second part of this armour is a liuely and iustifying§. Sect. 5. Of the second part of our spirituall armour, which is a iustifying faith. faith; for this is that impenetrable shield, which cannot bee pearced with these fiery darts, and that high and impregnable rampire and bulwarke, which our spirituall enemies can neither mount with their longest scaling ladders, nor batter and ouerthrow with their strongest engines of trials & tentations. And therefore, if we would ouercome by patience, when we are assaulted with afflictions, wee must in our preparation buckle vntounto vsus this shield of faith, & lay this foundation vpō which our patience chiefly resteth: for these two alwaies goe together, so that if faith goe not before, it is impossible that true and Christian patience should follow after. And hence it is, that they are conioyned in the Scriptures; so the Apostle exhorteth vsus to bee followers of them, Heb. 6 12. Apoc. 13 10.who through faith and patience inherit the promises, and thus the Apostle Iohn coupleth them together, Here (saith he) is the patience and faith of the Saints. If then wee would ouercome the world, as well when it frowneth as when it sawneth, and stand inuincible both against his bewitching allurements, and proud threats, let vsus buckle vntounto vsus this saith, as a principall part of our Christian armour, whereby we are enabled to get the conquest, for this is the victory, that ouercommeth 1. Iohn. 5 4.the world euen our faith. The which will euidentlie appeare vntounto vsus, if we consider, that it is faith alone which pulleth out the sting of afflictions, and so maketh them to become harmelesse; for thereby we are assured of remission of our sins, of our peace and reconciliation with God; and therfore that we are not now punished as slaues, but chastised as sonnes; the which maketh vsus not onelyonly patient, but euen ioyfull in our affl…ctions, for as the Apostle saith, beeing iustified by faith we hauehave peace towards God, through our Lord Rom. 5. 1. 3.Iesus Christ, and in this faith we stand and reioyce, not only vnderunder the hope of the glory of God, but also in tribulation. So it is faith onelyonly, which giueth vntounto vsus title and interest vntounto all the gracious promises of the Gospell, as beeing the alone condition of the couenant of grace betweene God and vsus; and therefore as without faith, all the comforts of the Gospell are no comforts vntounto vsus, because we hauehave no right vntounto them; so beeing indued therewith, wee hauehave our share and part in them all, whether they concerne this life or the life to come. For example by this faith we are assured that Iehouah is our Lord and King, our Redeemer and Sauiour, our sanctifier and preseruer; that hee is on our side, and therefore we neede not to feare who oppose against vsus; that hee will deny nothing vntounto vsus which is good and profitable; for if hee spared not his owne sonne, but gaue him for vsus all to death, Rom. 8. 31. Vers. 32.how shall he not with him giuegive vsus all things also, as the Apostle speaketh: that he ruleth and disposeth all things with his prouidence, and particularly all our crosses and calamities, euen to the falling of the least hayre of our head, and therefore that all shall turne to our good, and worke together for theRom. 8. 28. best, through his wisedome, power and goodnes, ordering them to this end. Furthermore by this faith we are so firmely vnited vntounto Iesus Christ our head, that nothing can deuide vsus, wherby we are assured, that there is not any thing,Rom. 8. 39. which can separate vsus from Gods louelove, because nothing can part Christ and vsus, in whom he loueth vsus. So hereby we are certainly perswaded, that Iesus Christ did not only suffer for vsus, but that hee doth also suffer with vsus, who is able to ease and comfort vsus, by vpholding vsus when we are ready to faint, and bearing the greatest part of our burthen. That if wee 2. Tim. 2. 12.suffer …ith Christ we shall raigne with him, and that our light and momentante affl…ctions shall cause vntounto vsus, a farre most excellent, 2. Cor. 4. 17.and an eternall waight of glory. Finally by this faith we are assured, that God himselfe is present with vsus in all our troubles, that …e measureth out vntounto vsus this bitter draught in a iust and conuenient proportion, and when hee hath wrought in vsus his owne good work of grace, he will remoue the crosse, & giuegive vntounto vsus a ioyfull deliuerance. So that there are no comforts like those which are brought vntounto vsus by a liuely faith, vntounto which when wee hauehave attained in ful measure, we may in al our afflictions say with the Psalmist, God is our hope and strength ready to bee found. Therefore will wee not Psal. 46. 1. 2. 3.feare though the earth bee moued, and though the mountaines fall into the middest of the Sea, though the waters rage and be troubled, and the mountaines greatly shake at the surges of the same. Neither is there any triall or tentation so great, which faith doth not easily ouercome, as the Apostle maketh it plaine vntounto vsus in the example of Abraham, who by faith offered vp his onelyonly sonne Isaac when he was tried; and ofHeb. 11. 17. Vers. 35. 36. 39. the rest of Gods Saints, who being strong in faith, bore with patience those great afflictions; being content to indure the racke and would not be deliuered, that they might receiue a better resurrection; to be tryed by mockings and scourgings (the one whipping the soule, the other the body) by bonds and imprisonment▪ by stoning and cutting in sunder, ouer which they triumphed, as glorious conquerers, by their faith, as the Apostle witnesseth. And therfore if we would stand in the day of battell, we must in our preparation buckle vntounto vsus this shield of faith, which is the chiefe instrument of deriuing vntounto vsus from God all comfort and consolation.
The third part of our armour, is a firme trust and affiance in§ Sect. 6. Of the third part of our spirituall armour which is trust & affiance in God. God through Iesus Christ, the which (as also those other parts that remaine) is the fruit of a liuely faith; for beeing thereby assured that God is both omnipotent in power, and almighty to saue and deliuer vsus, infinite in wisedome and knowledge, beholding and disposing, as all other things, so all our troubles and afflictions; and that as in himselfe he is louelove and truth, so hee is most louing and carefull ouer vsus, and alwaies ready to make good his promises, concerningIob. 10. 8. 9. his assistance and our deliuerance; wee rest and relye vponupon him in all our afflictions for helpe and succour, as vponupon our omnipotent and all-sufficient creatour, preseruer and redeemer; and resigne our selues ouer vntounto him our most faithfull Sauiour; hauing a firme and strong affiance and confidence in him, that hee will vphold vsus in all our troubles, and deliner vsus from all our afflictions, when as it shall bee most fit for his owne glory, and our spirituall and euerlasting good. And this is that confidence wherewith if we be indued, wee shall therby be meruailously vpheld in all our trials, & hauehave our patience so strengthened and confirmed, that wee shall easily beare all afflictions which hee shall lay vponupon vsus, in whom we put our trust, and couragiously indure the brunt of all tentations, not fearing what may befall vsus, seeing all things are ordered & disposed by his most wise prouidence, who is our chiefe rocke of defence, vponupon whom we rest in al difficulties and dangers. An example whereof wee hauehave in Iob, who being so confident in Gods mercy and goodnesse, that he professeth aIob. 13. 15.though he should kill him, yet he would trust in him; was also a paterne of patience to all posterity; and so Dauid resting vponupon the Lord, as vponupon his bPsalm. 18. 1. 2.rocke and fortresse, his deliuerer and strength, his shield, the horne of his saluation and his refuge, is heereby so armed with patience, that in his greatest affliction he saith, c2. Sam. 15. 26.heere am I, let him doe to mee as seemeth good in his eyes; and when as in his greatest distresse he was forsaken of all other hope and helpe, hee is saide to hauehave d1. Sam. 29. 6.comforted himselfe in the Lord his God. This made him, when sense of paine would hauehave forced him to murmure and complaine, to hold his peace and beare al with patience because ePsalm. 39. 9.the Lord had done it. Yea as heereby hee patiently suffered his present euils, so hee was bold and confident against all future crosses, for fPsal. 56. 4. 11.trusting in God, he did not feare what man could doe vntounto him; yea hee professeth, because the Lord was his gPsal. 23. 1. 4. &shepheard, and tooke care of him, that though he should walke through the valley of the shadow of death hee would feare no euill; and that h3. 5. 6. & 4. 8.he slept securely, not fearing ten thousand of his enemies enclosing him about, because the Lord sustained him. And therefore if we would hauehave our patience confirmed and strengthened both against present and future euils, we must seeke to attaine vntounto this affiance, and trust in God, as in our mighty and mercifull Father; and so shall we with patience and meeknesse depend vponupon his prouidence, both for supplying of those wants which pinch vsus, for our preseruation from those dangers we feare, & for deliuerance from these present miseries & afflictions, which we feele and suffer; seeing he is all sufficient to prouide for vsus, omnipotent to defend vsus, and infinite both in power and louelove to saue all those who trust in him.
The fourth peece of armour, which wee must prouide against§. Sect. 7. Of the fourth part of our spirituall armour, which is hope in God. the day of triall, is hope in God, whereby wee expect the performance of all those promises, which are made vntounto vsus in the Gospell, and especially such as concerne Gods assisting and strengthening of vsus in the day of tentation, or our deliuerance frō al our troubles. The which also is a fruit of our faith and affiance in God, for when we beleeue all his gracious promises made vntounto vsus, for the supplying of our wants, protection from perils, and deliuerance from those euils which wee sustaine and suffer, and doe relye vponupon them with assured confidence; then doe wee also wait Gods leasure▪ attend his pleasure, and hopefully expect when these promises shall be performed, and made good vntounto vsus for our vse and benefit. And this the Apostle teacheth vsus, where he saith, that Faith is the ground of things hoped for; and the euidence Heb. 11. 1.of things which are not seene; and the Prophet implyeth it, where he willeth those that beleeue, not to make hast, but to wait Gods leasure, and hopefully to expect the accomplishmentEsa. 28. 16. of his promises. Now as this hope is the daughter of faith and affiance, so it is the nurse of patience, whereby it is fed and nourished, and so strengthened and vpheld, that it cannot faint or fall. So the Apostle telleth vsus, that we are saued by hope which expecteth things inuisible,Rom. 8. 24. 25. and if we hope for that we see not, we doe with patience abide for it. And thus doth our hope strengthen our patience, as it expecteth the performance of Gods promises, eyther respecting this life or the life to come. In respect of this life our patience is confirmed, whilest we hopefully expect the performance of Gods promises for our deliuerance out of our afflictions, and in the meane time his assistance to strengthen vsus, in the bearing of all those crosses and calamities which he layeth vponupon vsus: for when we hope that our troubles will hauehave an end, and that the cloud of calamities being blowne away, the sunne of Gods fauour will shine againe vntounto vsus; when we expect rest and peace, after our labour and dangerous warfare, and that our mourning shall bee turned into ioy, and our troubles into comforts; then doe we beare the present brunt with patience, in respect of these future hopes; and are eased in those miseries which wee feele, by that immunity and freedome which wee expect. And thus doth the mariner whilest the storme lasteth, take excessiue paines to saue his ship and life, in hope that it will be ouerblowne, when as againe hee shall hauehave faire weather and a good passage; thus doth the poore man patiently indure his toylsome labour, whilest he hopeth that his paines wil bring riches, and his riches rest; thus doth hee who is tormented with a feauer, beare with patience his present greefe, whilest he hopeth for the end of his fit, & the recouery of his health; and thus doth the poore traueller patiently hold out in his weary iourny, whilest he hopeth for sweet repose at his iourneysIpsa spes peregrinationi-necessaria est, ipsa est quae consolatur in via. viator enim quando laborat ambulādo, ideò laborem tolerat, quia peruenire sperat. tolle illi spem perueniendi, continuò franguntur vires ambulandi Aug. in Rom. 8. 31. Tom. 10. serm. 16. Heb. 12. 1. 2. end. Whereas when hope vtterly faileth, the sayler letteth his ship rome at the mercy of the wind and weather; the poore man loytereth, preferring easie rest before hopelesse labour; the sicke man is as much tormented with impatiencie, and tyred with tossing, as with the sense and smart of his sickenesse and disease; and the poore traueller …ainteth not more for want of rest, then for want of hope of attaining the end of his labour. But especially is our patience confirmed by those hopes which respect the life to come; for then we cast away eueryevery thing that presseth downe, and the sin that hangeth so fast on, and run with patience the race which is set before vsus, when we looke vntounto Iesus the author and finisher of our Faith, who for the ioy which was set before him endured the crosse, despised shame, and is set at the right hand of the throne of God. Then doe we patiently beare al crosses and troubles, when our faith apprehendeth; and our hope expecteth (after our light and momentany afflictions) a farre most excellent and an eternall crowne of glory: because we count that the afflictions of this present time are not worthy the glory which shall 2. Cor. 4. 17. Rom. 8. 18.be shewed vntounto vsus: then doe wee with Moses refuse to bee heyres of worldly happinesse, and chuse rather to suffer aduersity Heb. 11. 24. 25. Apoc. 21 4. Psalm. 16. 11.with the people of God, then to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a season; esteeming the rebuke of Christ greater riches then treasures of this earthly Egypt, when we hopefully expect the recompence of reward, and that all teares being wiped from our eyes, wee shall hauehave fulnesse of ioy; and pleasures at Gods right hand for euermore. Then doe wee patiently endure the miseries of this life, when in respect of future hopes, they are not all able to make vsus miserable, and finally then do we with quiet meekenes suffer with Dauid long furrowes to be made on our backes, and submit our selues to bee euen harrowed with crosses, and to be threshed and winnowed with these tentations, when as faith assureth vsus, that the feede of happines is sowne in the deepe furrowes of affliction, and hope expecteth a fruitfull haruest. Whereas on the other side if hope forsake vsus, then our patience also; and no sooner doe we despaire of helpe and deliuerance, but presently wee begin to bewray our impatiency, murmure and repine against Gods prouidence, and euen to blaspheme him to his face, as Satan iudged of Iob, out of his owne experience.
The fifth peece of armour, which we must prepare and put§. Sect. 8. Of the fifth peece of spiritual armor, which is charity and the true louelove of God on, to strengthen vsus against the assaults of afflictions and tentations, is charity and the true louelove of God, for as this is the oyle which maketh vsus nimble and actiue in obedience, and in the works of godlinesse; so also it suppleth and softneth the swelling tumors of our corruptions, wherby Christs yoke becommeth easie and his burthen light, and if this heauenly flame hauehave illightned and warmed our hearts, it will so mitigate and euen extinguish the fire of afflictions, that it cannot burne vsus, and make it more like a colour or shadow then any substance or reall quality; or if wee be scorched by it, this heauenly and vitall heat will draw out that which is earthly, and so take away and ease vsus of all griefe and torment. For it is the nature of louelove to make things strange to become familiar, difficult things easie, and causeth men both to attempt, and also happily to atchieue that which otherwise would seeme impossible. So that if wee louelove the Lord, nothing wil be hard vntounto vsus which he enioyneth vsus, his will and pleasure will be the rule of our contentment, and whatsoeuer commeth from him for the triall of our louelove and obedience, we wil take it well at his hands, and beare it not onelyonly with patience, but euen with gladnesse and reioycing, seeing wee hauehave fit occasion to approoue our louelove vntounto him by these trialls. Againe our louelove to God is a notable meanes to worke and increase in vsus patience in afflictions, because our louelove toward him assureth vsus of his louelove towards vsus, seeing our louelove is but some small reflection of that heauenly heat, and but a little sparke of that infinite diuine flame; neither doe we beginne with him, but wee louelove him, because he loueth vsus first, as the Apostle speaketh. Now1. Ioh. 4. 10. 19. whosoeuer is thus assured of the louelove of God towards him, he may also with patience beare those crosses which come from him, seing they are not the punishments of a iust iudge, but the chastisements of a louing Father, in which hee aymeth not at his hurt and destruction, but at the bettering of his estate, and the euerlasting saluation of his soule. Furthermore this louelove worketh patience by giuing vsus hope and assurance of our deliuerance, seeing heereby we know, that God taketh no delight in the torments of those that louelove him. And therefore when he hath effected his owne good worke in vsus, and hath recouered our spirituall health by these bitter and vnpleasant medicines, hee will minister them no more vntounto vsus, but as he can, because his power neuer faileth him, so hee will, because his louelove neuer faileth vsus, deliuer vsus in most conuenient time out of all our troubles, and in the meane while will be present with vsus, and so support vsus with his might, that though we be sometime foyled, yet we shall neuer bee ouercome. And these bonds of louelove, whereby God hath voluntarily tyed himselfe to helpe and succour vsus, he hath further strengthened by the strong and inuiolable cable of his truth, promising deliuerance (to those that louelove him) out of all their euills and afflictions; Because (saith he) he hath loued mee, therefore will I deliuer him, I will exalt him because hee hath knowne my name, hee shall call Psal. 91. 14. 15. 16.vponupon me, and I will heare h…m, I will be with him in trouble, I will deliuer him and glorifie him, with long life will I satisfie him, and shew him my saluation. Or if in his wisedome hee thinketh it fit to continue vponupon such their crosses and calamities, yet shall they not hurt them, but be turned to their good. For he hath assured vsus, that all things (euen troubles and afflictions)Rom. 8. 28. Matth. 7. 14. Act. 14. 22. shall worke together for the best vntounto them that louelove God. Finally seeing afflictions are that narrow way, and straight gate which leade vsus into Gods presence, and no man can come vntounto him, but by the difficult passage of trialls and tribulations; therefore louelove, desiring nothing in comparison of Gods presence, and fearing nothing so much as to bee excluded from it, doth make vsus not to respect the foulenes of the way, by which wee are conducted to that faire end of our desires, and to trauell not onelyonly with patience, but also with ioy in this vnpleasant passage, rushing through those thornes and briars of troubles, which would stop and hinder vsus, leaping ouer all blocks of difficulties which lye in the way, and running resolutely through fire and water, tortures & torments, thicke and thinne, not caring what wee indure and suffer, so we may come vntounto God, whom wee so deerely louelove, and in his fruition hauehave fulnesse of ioy for euermore. And therefore, if we would beare with ease this cumbersome burthen of afflictiōs, let vsus labour after louelove, which wil make it light; if we would not be weary in trauelling this foule way, let vsus chuse louelove to accompany vsus in our iourney; and so hauing the Lord continually for the obiect of our sight, and hasting to enioy him whom we so dearely louelove, we shall not tyre in our trauels, but patiently passe all difficulties, and with much ioy and comfort come at the length to our iourneies end.
The sixth part of our spirituall armour is true humilitie,Sect. 9. Of the sixth peece of our spirituall armour, which is true humilitie. by which our patience is so notably strengthened and confirmed, that wee may surely conclude, where the one is, there is the other, and where there is a great measure of humilitie, there also there is patience in like proportion. An example whereof wee hauehave in Iob, who as he was a paterne of patience, so also of humilitie: for in sight and sense of his owne basenes, hee saith to corruption, thou Iob. 17. 14.art my father, and to the worme, thou art my mother, and my sister. And so vile he was in his owne eies, when he appeared in Gods presence, that he abhorred himselfe, and repented chap. 42. 6.in dust and ashes. So Dauid who had so denyed himselfe, that he was in his owne sight a flea, a Partrich on the mountaines, yea, a worme and no man, in his afflictions was armed with like patience, laying his hand vponupon his mouth, because Psal. 39. 9.God had done it. But aboue all is the example of our Sauiour Christ, who as hee exceeded all men in humilitie and meeknes, so also in patience; and as being the glorious Son of God, equall to his father, he was content in his humility to abase himselfe and to become of no reputation, takingPhill. 2. 6. 7. Esai 50. 6. 7. vponupon him the state of a seruant, and submitting himselfe in obedience to his father, to the death, yea the shameful death of the crosse; so being in this affliction, he as much exceeded all in patience, offering his back to the smiter, and his checke to the nippers, and with meeknesse suffering his face to be buffeted, his head to be pricked with thornes, his body to bee whipped, and after crucified, and that when almost all scorned and derided him, and none pitied him in his miseries; al which he suffered with meeknesse, and when he was oppressed and afflicted, he opened not his mouth, but Esa. 53. 7.was brought as a sheepe to the slaughter, and as a sheepe before the sheerer is dumbe, so he opened not his mouth; and as the Apostle1. Pet. 2. 23. speaketh, when hee was reuiled, reuiled not againe; when he suffered, he threatned not, but committed it to him that iudgeth righteously. And therefore if we will learne of Christ, and imbrace and imitate his meeknesse and humilitie, then will wee also with patience take his yoke vponupon vsus. For if wee hauehave an humble conceite of our selues, in respect not onelyonly of our vilenes and basenes, but also of our corruption and sinfulnes: then will we alwaies conclude, that our condition, though neuer so meane and miserable, is yet better then wee hauehave deserued; that if wee had our due, wee should suffer farre greater punishments; and that it is the great mercy of the Lord that we are not vtterly consumed, as the Church confesseth in her greatest afflictions; and thisLamen. 3. 22. will make vsus not onelyonly with patience, but also with thankfulnesse beare lighter crosses, when as wee knowe and acknowledge that we hauehave iustly deserued to hauehave farre heauier laide vponupon vsus. Moreouer, if we be thus humbled in our owne eies, then will we deny our selues and all that is in vsus, that God may bee all in all; then will wee submit our wil, which is subiect to be mislead by errrour and ignorance, vntounto the will of God, and bee contented in all things to bee guided and gouerned by his prouidence, because he is infinite in wisedome, and knoweth what is best for vsus; infinite in power, and therefore able to effect what his wisedome seeth best; and infinite also in louelove and compassion, and therefore alwaies ready to bring good vntounto vsus out of the greatest euill. And this is that which the Apostle requireth, namely, that those who suffer according to the wil of God, should 1. Pet. 4. 19.commit their soules to him in well doing, as vntounto a faithfull creatour, resting contented with his good pleasure, in whatsoeuer estate it is his will to place and bestow them; whether it bee prosperitie or aduersitie, health or sicknesse, plentie or pouertie, honour or dishonour, life or death. An example whereof we hauehave in Dauid, who in his greatest extremitie submitted himselfe to Gods good pleasure: Here I am (saith he) let him doe vntounto me as seemeth good in his eies. As also in2. Sam. 15. 26. iust Iob, who being spoyled of all his great substance, and brought to extreame pouertie, humbled himselfe and worshipped, saying, Naked came I out of my mothers wombe, and …ob. 1. 21.naked shall I returne thither; the Lord hath giuen, and the Lord hath taken it, blessed he the name of the Lord. And againe being grieuously afflicted with sores and sicknesse, and prouoked to impatiencie by his wife, he saith vntounto her, Thou Iob. 210.speakest like a foolish woman. What, shall we receiue good at the hand of God, and shall we not receiue euill? But aboue all, the example of our Sauiour Christ is to be propounded vntounto vsus for our imitation, who being to suffer the cursed and shamefull death of the crosse, and the heauie burthen of Gods wrath due to our sinnes, which his naturall and humane will most feared and abhorred, yet with all humilitie and patience submitteth himselfe to his fathers pleasure; O my father Mat. 26. 39. 42.(saith he) if it be possible let this cup passe from me; neuerthelesse, not as I will, but as thou wilt: and againe, O my father, if this cup cannot passe away from me, but that I must drinke it, thy will be done. And if we can thus submit our wills vntounto the will of God, and resigne our bodies, soules and states to be ordered and disposed of according to his good pleasure, it will exceedingly lighten our burthen, and ease our smart: whereas, if this humilitie be wanting, there will be nothing but impatiencie, murmuring and repining, fretting and fuming, as though our punishment were aboue our fault, and we suffered things farre vnworthie of vsus. By which meanes the waight of our afflictions is exceedingly aggrauated, for whereas in their owne nature they did onelyonly presse vsus, now also they vex and gaule vsus; like the yoke caried by the stubburne and refractarie oxe, which by his much struggling fretteth off the skinne, whereas it might be caried with ease and without hurt, if he would goe quietly, submitting himselfe to his owners pleasure. Finally, this humilitie whereby we deny our selues, and yeeld in all things vntounto Gods good will, is most necessary for the time of affliction, not onelyonly as a meanes to confirme our patience, whilest the hand of God is vponupon vsus, but also to free vsus from all our crosses and calamities; for aboue all other sinnes the Lord like a wise father correcteth in his children their pride and stubbornesse, and although other offences may be the causes moouing him to chastize them, yet if with meeknesse and quietnesse of spirit, they submit themselues in all humilitie vnderunder his chastizing hand, he wil in tender compassion spare them, and not deale with them according to their sinnes, nor reward Psal. 103. 10.them according to their iniquities: whereas if they shew themselues stubborne and rebellious, proud and impatient, whatsoeuer their faults be, which were the occasion of their correction, hee will in this case lay on loade and not spare, till he hauehave broken and pulled downe their stomacks, brought them vponupon their knees, and hauehave caused them to submit themselues with all humilitie and meeknesse vntounto his good will and pleasure. Which when he hath effected, then he wil spare vsus as a louing father spareth his onelyonly sonne, and being humbled, he will not onelyonly cease correcting vsus, but also receiue vsus into his former fauour, and set his face vponupon vsus for good and not for euill. So the Lord saith, that he taketh Esa. 57. 16. 17.delight to dwell with him, that is of an humble and contrite spirit, to reuiue the humble, and to giuegive life to them that are of a contrite heart, and that when his children are thus broken and humbled, he will not contend with them for euer, nor be alwaies wroth, for so the spirit should faile before him: but vponupon this humiliation hee will bee reconciled, exalt them who are thus abased, and take them vp in his armes of merciemercy and compassion, who hauehave cast themselues downe, acknowledging their faults, and crauing pardon, as we may see in the example of the prodigall sonne.
The seauenth part of our Christian armour, to strengthen§ Sect. 7. Of the seauenth peece of spiritual armour, which is vnfanied repentance. And that thereby we are preserued from afflictions. vsus against the assaults of affliction, is vnfained repentance for our sinnes, euen an hearty sorrow for our sinnes past, in this respect, because by them we hauehave dishonoured and displeased our gracious God and mercifull father▪ a true hatred of them both in regard of their owne vglinesse, and also of the bitter fruites of misery and affliction which spring from them; and a stedfast purpose of heart to leaue and forsake them for the time to come, and to serue the Lord in the contrary duties of holinesse and righteousnesse, all the remainder of our liues. For if we doe thus begin, and often renew our repentance as we renew our sinnes, then shall we thereby most assuredly either preuent these afflictions, and keepe them from falling vponupon vsus, or be deliuered from them, if already they be imposed, or finally beare them with such patience and comfort, that they shal be v…o vsus not only harmelesse, but euen good and profitable. Concerning the first, the Lord giueth vsus a generall rule for the expounding of all his threatnings, that they are alwaies to be vnderstood vponupon the condition of impenitency, and our perseuerance in sinne; namely that if we goe forward in our wickednes, and will not be reclaimed by these threats, then the iudgements threatned shall surely bee inflicted; but if wee forsake our sinne, and turne vntounto the Lord by vnfained repentance, then this obligation of threatning, binding vsus to satisfie Gods iustice by suffering punishment, is made voide and cancelled. So also the same rule is giuen for the expounding of Gods promises, namely, that if wee continue to feare and serue him, they shall bee made good vntounto vsus; but if like wandering Planets, we retrograde in the wayes of godlinesse, and slide back into our former course of wickednesse, then also this bond assuring vsus of Gods blessings, is made frustrate and of no vertue vntounto vsus, because the condition thereof is not obserued. Of this the Prophet I mas seemeth to hauehave beene forgetfull, which maketh him so much out of patience, because N…niuch was not destroied, according to the outward letter of his threatning; whereas Gods truth and their preseruation and deliuerance, might well stand both together, seeing this threatning was not absolute but conditionall, and they made it voide by their publicke and solemne humiliation and repentance. But the Lord plainly expresseth it by his Prophet Ieromie: I will (saith he) speake Ier. 18. 7. 8. 9.suddenly against a nation, or against a Kingdome to pluck it vp, and to roote it out, and to destroy it: but if this nation against whom I hauehave pronounced turne from their wickednesse, I will repent of the plague, that I thought to bring vponupon them. And I will speake suddenly concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdome, to build it, and to plant it; but if it doe euill in my sight, and heare not my voice, I will repent of the good that I thought to doe for them. And heereupon he calleth the people of the Iewes to repentance, that so they might escape his iudgments in the same place threatned against them. Speake vers. 11.thou therefore (saith he) vntounto the men of Iudah, and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem, saying, thus saith the Lord, Behold, I prepare a plague for you, and purpose a thing against you: returne you therefore eueryevery one from his euill way, and make your waies and your workes good. So else where to the same purpose:Ier. 4. 4. Breake vp (saith he) your fallow ground, and sowe not among thornes, be circumcized to the Lord, and take away the fore-skin of your hearts, ye men of Iudah & inhabitants of Ierusalem, lest my wrath come forth like fire, and burne that none can quench it, because of the wickednesse of your inuentions. And againe: Goe and try these words towards the north, and say, chap. 26. 13.thou disobedient Israell returne, saith the Lord, and I will not let my wrath fall vponupon you, &c. And in another place: Now therefore amend your wa…es, and your workes, and heare the voice of the Lord your God, that the Lord may repent him of the plagu…, that he hath pronounced against you. So when by a dreame the Lord had threatned against Nabuchadnezar a fearfull iudgement for his Idolatrie, pride and crueltie. The Prophet Daniel counsaileth him, to breake off his sinnes Dan. 4. 24.by righteousnesse, and his iniquities by mercy towards the poore, that this might be an healing of his errour. Yea so powerfully doth our repentance preuaile with God, for the with-houlding of his threatned punishments, that euen after sentence of condemnation is pronounced, execution begunne, and Gods messengers and sergeants are sent out alreadie for the attaching of sinners with his iudgements; those who hauehave vnfainedly repented of their sinnes, hauehave a protection from God, and being intertained for his seruants, and made knowne so to be, by his liuery and cognizance, are priuiledged from this generall arrest, and exempted from hauing any part in these common calamities. So the Lord intending to bring destruction vponupon the inhabitants of Ierusalem, commandeth his Angell to goe through the midst of the citie, euen through the middest of Ierusalem, and to set a marke Ezech. 9. 4. 5. 6.vponupon the foreheads of them, that mourned and cried out for all the abominations that be done in the middest thereof. And to the other Angels, the ministers of his wrath and vengeance he said, Goe after him through the citie and smite; let your eie spare none, neither hauehave pittie: destroy vtterly the old and the the young, the maids, and the children, and the women, but touch no man vponupon whom is the marke, and begin at my Sanctuarie.
By all which it appeareth, that vnfained repentance is a§ Sect. 11. That repentance is a notable meanes, whereby we may be f…eed out of afflictions. notable meanes for the preuenting of Gods iudgements, and the escaping of those afflictions, which our sinnes hauehave deseruedly drawne vponupon vsus. Whereas if we continue in impenitencie, wee shall inflame Gods wrath against vsus; if wee be not offended with our selues for our sins, wee shall make God offended with vsus, if wee will not iudge our selues, wee shall not escape Gods iudgements; if we doe not in sorrow and humilitie lay them open by confession before God; the Lord will lay open our shame by our fearefull punishments before men. And finally, if we do not by vnfained repētance take vponupon our selues an holy reuenge, that God may be glorified; Gods anger wil wax hot, and he wil glorifie his owne name by manifesting his iustice in our confusion. For sinne deserueth anger and iudgment, and anger and iudgment it wil hauehave▪ either from our selues, or else from God; neither need we to feare that we shall hauehave them from both, seeing our condemning and punishing of our selues, by vnfained sorrow for our offences, doth make vsus stand absolued and acquitted before the tribunall of Gods iudgment. But as repentance is a preseruatiue to keepe vsus from the tainture and infection of miseries: so being fallen vntounto them, it is a singular antido…e to expell this poyson, and a restoratiue to recouer vsus vntounto our former estate and condition. And as the Lord is ready vponupon our true repentance to pull back his iudgements, when they are ready to seaze vponupon vsus; so being plunged into them, he is as ready to pull vsus from them, as them from vsus, if now at the last with penitent and contrite hearts we humble our selues before him, imploring mercy and forgiuenesse. For as the Lord is slow to anger, so whenPsal. 103. 8. 9. Ier. 3. 12. he is prouoked, he will not alwaies chide, nor keepe his anger for euer. And of this we hauehave continuall experience in the people of Israel in the time of the Iudges and Kings, who no sooner repented of their sinnes, but the Lord presently forgaue them, and eased them of their afflictions. And our Sauiour hath left a perpetuall president of it in the prodigallLuc. 15. 5 sonne, whom his father vponupon his conuersion and humiliation receiued into his fauour, comforted him in his distresse, and releeued all his wants. With these examples agree plaine places of Scripture: for thus the Lord inuiteth his people of the Iewes vntounto repentance, that he might deliuer them out of all their calamities, into which they were plunged by reason of their sinnes. O ye disobedient children (saithIer. 3. 22. he) returne and I will heale your rebellions. So by the Prophet Ezechiel he willeth the people to returne from their transgressions, Ezech. 18. 30. 32.that so iniquity might not be their destruction, protesting vntounto them, that he desired not the death of him that dyeth, but rather, that they should returne and liue. And when as the people thought it too late to returne, because not onelyonly the sentence was passed out of Gods mouth, whereby they were adiudged to punishment, but execution also was already begun; for so they say, If our transgressions and our sinnes be vponupon vsus, and we are consumed because of them, how Ezech. 33. 10. 11.should we th… liue? The Lord returneth this comfortable answere by the Prophet: Say vntounto them, as I liue, saith the Lord God, I desire not the death of the wicked, but that he turne from his way and liue. Turne you, turne you from your euill waies, for why will ye die, O ye house of Israell? And as this well becommeth the infinite mercy and goodnesse of God, so it also agreeth with the rule of reason, that where the cause is taken away, there the effect also must needs cease. For our sinnes are the causes of our afflictions, as appeareth by the words of the Apostle; where hauing shewed how the Corinthians sinned in vnworthy receiuing of the Sac…ament, he addeth, for this cause many are weak and sick among you, and 1. Cor. 11. 31.many sleepe. And so the continuing and multiplying of our sinnes, is the cause which mooueth the Lord to continue and multiplie our afflictions; for if notwithstanding his meere gentle chastizements we will not obey him, but walke Leuit. 26. 27. 28. 1. Sam. 3. 12.against him stubbornly, then (as he hath threatned) he will walke stubbornely in his anger against vsus, and will also chastize vsus seauen times more according to our sinnes; for when he hath begun, he also will make an end, either for our conuersion and reformation, or our confusion and destruction, as hee saith to Eli. Whence we may inferre, that as sin is the cause which mooueth the Lord to inflict and continue his corrections vponupon vsus; so the leauing and forsaking of these sinnes will mooue him to pardon vsus and grant deliuerance.
And thus doth repentance vsually through the infinite§ Sect. 12. That repentance bringeth vntounto vsus singular ioy and co…for… if we still remaine vnderunder the crosse. mercy of God, free and deliuer vsus from those afflictions and m…series, into which sinne plungeth vsus: But if the Lord for his owne glory, our triall, and the excercise and increase of his graces in vsus, doth after our true repentance, suffer still the the cr…sse to lye vponupon vsus; yet are we so eased a…d streng thened hereby, that we beare his chast…zements not onelyonly with patience and peace, but also with ioy and comfort. For then wee are rea…y to si…ke vnderunder our burthen, when vntounto the waight of our afflictions is added the intollerable waight of sinne, and of the wrath of God which doth accompanie it; and then we faint vnderunder the easiest loade, when we are weakened with selfe-guiltinesse, and consider that the sinnes which we nourish in our bosomes and are loath to leaue, are the causes of all our miseries. But when we hauehave cast away eueryevery thing that presseth downe, and the sinne that hangeth fast on, when wee hauehave vnburthened our selues of our owne loade, and beare onelyonly that which God hath imposed, thenHeb. 12. 1. shall wee truely finde that our afflictions are but light, as the Apostle speaketh, and that when wee are most pressed with them, wee may euen runne with patience the race which is set 2. Cor. 4. 17.before vsus. Now repentance doth take away all our sinne, not by merit, but through Gods mercy and his gracious and free promises made vntounto it; and maketh vsus to appeare innocent, as though these sinnes had beene neuer committed by vsus; and consequently it plucketh out of our afflictions this sting of sinne, and of Gods anger due vntounto it, it maketh them to become harmelesse vntounto vsus, so that like the Serpent without a sting, they may feare vsus with their hissing, but can not hurt vsus with their biting: Neither (as one saith) can aduersitie harme vsus, if iniquity like a tyrant doe not reigne ouer Nulla mihi noce…it ad…ersitas, si mihi n…lla dommatu sit iniquitas. Idiot. inter orthodogr. lib. 2▪ cap. 20. 1. Cor. 11. 31.vsus. For if we hauehave truely repented vsus of our sinnes, then are we assured by Gods infallible truth, that they are pardoned and quite blotted out of his remembrance; that we are now reconciled vntounto him, and of enemies, are become seruants and children; that now there is not onelyonly peace betweene vsus, but euen louelove and amity. And that therefore the afflictions we beare, are not the fruites of enimitie and wrath for our destruction, but trials, whereby our gracious father prooueth and approueth our louelove & obedience; and whereby our captaine and great commander trieth our valour, our skill in the Christian warfare, and the goodnesse of those spirituall weapons and armour, wherewith he hath fitted vsus against the day of battell. From which assurance of peace and amitie with God, ariseth peace of conscience, which doth exceedingly comfort and stregthen vsus in al afflictions, pouertie and imprisonment, greefes and sicknesses; yea euen in the agonie of death it selfe, as our Sauiour implyeth in that speach to the sick of the palsie; Son be of good comfort, Matth. 9. 2.thy for sinnes are forgiuen thee. Finally, this peace with God, and peace of conscience, which followeth true repentance, is also accompanied with ioy in the holy Ghost, whereby we reioyce in Gods mercy and the assurance of our saluation, not onelyonly in prosperity, but also in aduersity and tribulation, as the Apostle speaketh. The consideration whereofRom. 5. 3. should make vsus earnestly indeuour and labour in the practise of repentance; and not to be discouraged with the present bitternesse and vnpleasantnes which wee feele in it; seeing wee shall find, that (as one saith) these teares are full of ioy, and this mourning the matter of our mirth; and therefore let vsus greeue with this greefe which is the mother of reioycing & not reioyce with that ioy which is the parentHuiusmodi lachrymae multa sunt …l…nae l…titia, huiusmodi luctus laetitiae materia, &c. …hrysost. homil. ad pop. 66. of heauines; let vsus poure out these teares which are the seeds of pleasure, & not laugh with that laughter, which shall end in wailing and gnashing of teeth; let vsus (as the Apostle speaketh) repent with that repentance which is neuer to be repented of, and not imbrace the ioyes of the impenitent, which shall be accompanied with eternall sorrow & lamentation. And because we hauehave it not at our owne becke, let vsus begge it of God, and seeing in our corrections wee behaue our selues like vntamed calues, which are not hurt so much with the waight of the yoke, as with their owne strugling and impatience,Ier. 31. 18. let vsus pray earnestly with the Church: Conuert thou me, and I shall be conuerted, for thou art the Lord my God.
The last part of armour which we must prouide & put on,§ Sect. 13. Of the eighth peece▪ of our spirituall armour, which is a good conscience. is a good conscience, by which the hart is defended against the assaults of affliction; so that though the outward parts, as it were the vtmost sconces and sorts, be battered and beaten downe with crosses and calamities, yet so long as this bulwarke remaineth sound and strong, it will so defend the castle of the heart, that it will neuer bee surprized and sacked, nor be cowardly yeelded vp vntounto our spirituall enemies. And this good cōscience the Apostle requireth in those who wil professe the faith of Christ, & suffer for their profession; because (as he addeth) it is better if the will of God bee so: that we suffer for wel doing then for euill doing. Now yt we may obtaine this, there is required not onelyonly that we labour to keepe our1. Pet. 3. 16. 17. conscience cleere towards men, by leading a spotlesse and vnblameable life, but also towards God, by dooing all goodAct. 24. 16. duties in simplicity and sincerity of heart; and that as much as in vsus lieth we nourish in vsus innocency, and bee faultlesse and vnrebukeable; as also that we adorne our soules and bodies with all vertue and piety; for this is the chiefe meanes of getting and retaining a good conscience, when as wee keepe it cleere and vnspotted of sinne. But if through frailtie and infirmity, we hauehave defiled our consciences with the filth of sin and wickednes, then in the next place we must labour to purge and cleanse them, washing out these spots & staines with the pretious bloud of Christ applyed by faith, and by the teares of vnfained repentance, issuing from the fountaine of a contrite heart; for by faith our sins are not imputed vntounto vsus▪ and by repentance (as I hauehave said) they are so done away, and quite blotted out of Gods remembrance, as if they had neuer beene committed by vsus. And this is the meanes to get and preserue a good conscience, which when we hauehave attained vntounto, it will serue as a brazen wall against all the assaultsƲacare culpain calamitatibus maximum est solatium. Crātor apud Plutarch. de consol ad Apollonium. Chrysost. ad pop. Antioch. Homil. 25. of affliction, and so strengthen and confirme our patience; that we shall not sinke nor faint in the greatest troubles; neither can (as one saith) tribulation, trechery and treason, nor any thing else, deiect and cast downe a godly mind thus armed & defended. But as a spark or fiery cole falling into water, is presently extinguished: so the heat and excesse of all sorrow and greefe is cooled and quenched, when it befalleth him, who hath a good conscience. And therfore if we would hauehave patience in the time of trouble and affliction, let vsus keepe our consciences cleare and vnspotted from sinne, and adorne our selues with all grace and godlines, for other vertues and patience are inseparable companions; which alwaies accompany the one the other; & therfore the Apostle linketh them together; Ioyne (saith he) vertue with your faith and with vertue knowledge, and with knowledge temperance, and 2. Pet. 1. 6.with temperance patience, and with patience godlines, &c. For if we hauehave our soules adorned with these vertues and graces, and bring forth the fruits of new obedience, it is a notable meanes to confirme our faith and hope in God for helpe and deliuerance, according to that; turne thou to thy God, keepe Hos. 12.mercy and iudgement▪ and hope still in thy God; and being assured heereof, we doe with patience waite Gods leisure for the accomplishment of his promises. And this appeareth in the examples of Gods saints; for thus doth Iob in his greatestIob. 31. extremity comfort himselfe, and strengthen his patience, by calling to minde his diligence and vprightnesse of heart in the seruice of God; which Sathan knew well enough, and therefore sought to disarme him of this helpe, and to plucke from him this stay of his patience, whilest hee vsed his wife and three friends as his instruments, to conuince him of hypocrisie and impiety against God. And thus doth Ezechias comfort himselfe and strengthen his faith, hope, and patience, by calling to minde his integrity of heart in Gods seruice; I beseech thee O Lord (saith he) remember now, how I hauehave walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect hart, and hauehave Esa. 38. 3.done that which was good in thy sight. And so Dauid doth vsually comfort himselfe, and confirme his patience, by remembring his innocency, and sincerity in the performance of all good duties both towards God and his neighbours, as appeareth in many places of the Psalmes. But contrariwise where the conscience is defiled and stayned with sin; there is nothing but impaciency, murmuring and repining, because selfe▪ guiltinesse maketh them that are afflicted to conceiue of God as of their enemy, and that the miseries they suffer, are the punishments of a reuenging iudge, and not the chastisements of a louing Father. So that an euill conscience maketh the smallest & lightest afflictions great and intolerable; because it selfe beeing most heauy and burthensome,Inter omnes tribulationes humanae animae nulla est maior quam conscientia d…l…torū. &c August. ena…rat. in Psal. 45. …. 8. doth adde exceeding waight to this load of the crosse, pressing the bearer downe, like water in leaden vessels, which would bee carried with case in leather or wood. To this purpose one saith, that among all tribulations and humane griefes, there is none greater then a conscience burthened with sinne; for if a man be not wounded in conscience, but whole and sound within; when hee suffereth any outward affliction, hee willl flye thither, and there hee will finde his God; but if there bee no peace there, because God will not bee where iniquity aboundeth, what shall a man then doe, and whether shall hee flye when hee suffereth tribulation, seeing whethersoeuer hee goeth, this enemy will pursue and torment him? In which respect hee compareth in the same place an euil conscience to a peece of wood rotten at the heart, which thought it may make a faire shew on the outside whilest it is vntouched and vntryed, yet if it bee put into the building, it indureth not when it beareth any waight; or if it be touched with the axe or wedge, it easily flyeth into fitters, and discouereth it inward rottennesse, whereas a good conscience which maketh outwardly no great shew nor flourish, is like a peece of timber, which though it be rotten on the outside in the sappie parts, yet is sound at the heart, and appeareth better the more it is tried, and strongly beareth the greatest waight that lyeth vponupon it. Let this therefore be our care, that hauing our consciences cleare we doe not suffer as euill doers, but let vsus eyther retaine our innocency whilest wee hauehave it, or regayne it, when we hauehave lost it, by true repentance; for a good conscience bringeth comfort, and comfort patience in afflictions; whereas there can be no consolation▪ where there is guiltinesse of ill deseruing, and without comfort nothing but impatiency, shame and horror of minde, as the Apostle implyeth, where he exhorteth that none of the faithful suffer as a murtherer, or as a theefe, or an euill doer, or as a busie body in other 1. Pet. 4. 15. 16. Non qualia sed quales quisque patiatur interest. August. de ciuit. Dei.mens matters; but that if any suffered as a Christian, hee should not bee ashamed but glorifie God in this behalfe. Or though men could shew patience in their sufferings for their faults, it were not worthy cōmendations, neither is it much to be respected what is suffered, but who it is, and for what he suffereth. And this the Apostle elsewhere sheweth. This (saith he) is thanks worthy if a man for conscience towards God, indure greese, suffering wrongfully: For what praise is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults ye take it patiently? but if when you 1. Pet. 2. 19. 20.do well, you suffer wrong, and take it patiently, this is acceptable vntounto God, as appeareth in the example of Christ, who beeing most innocent, was also most patient, not reuiling when he was reuiled, nor threatning when he suffered▪ but committing all to him who iudgeth righteously. And with the Apostle accordeth a worthy Father, saying: that the patience of these men who suffer in a bad cause, and for their demerits, isEt tamen in his hominibus miràda est potius quā lauda…da satientia, imo nec miranda nec laudanda, quae nulla est, sed miranda duritia, neganda patientia. Aug. de patient. lib. cap. 5. Patientia comes est …pientiae, non famula concupiscentiae; amic… bonae conscientiae non inimica innocentiae. &c. ib. rather to be admired then commended; yea in truth neyther to bee admired nor commended, because it is no true patience at all; rather their stupid senslesnesse is to be admired; but that they haueany true patience, it is vtterly to be denied: neither is there heere any thing which deserueth to bee commended, nor profitably to bee imitated and inforced; yea much more iustly may wee iudge such a mind worthie greater punishment, being vitious & wicked, by how much the more it hateth the instrument and meanes of reclaiming it to vertue. And againe hee affirmeth that patience is the companion of true wisedome, and not the slaue of lust and concupiscence, the friend of a good conscience, and not the enemy of innocencie. And therefore when you see a man suffer any thing with courage and quietnesse, doe not forthwith commend his patience, which nothing sheweth and approueth, but onelyonly the cause of suffering; for then onelyonly our patience is true, when our cause is good, and discerned from that which is false and counterfait, when it is not defiled with the corruption of concupiscence, &c.