Consolations for the Afflicted, Book 2 · Chapter 11
CHAP. 11.
That God so measureth our afflictions vntounto vsus, as that they doe not exceed our strength to beare them.
AND thus doth Gods louelove appeare in the measure of our afflictions, being considered in§ Sect. 1. That our afflictions exceed not our strength prooued by scriptures, and illustrated by similitudes. themselues both in respect of their quantitie and time: but yet this louelove and goodnesse of God will shine much more cleerly, if we further consider how he measureth them vntounto vsus; first in that he doth not suffer the measure of our afflictions to exceede the measure of our strength; and secondly, in that he proportioneth them according to the scantest measure of necessity, laying no more vponupon vsus, then he is necessarily inforced to impose, hauing herein respect to his owne glory and our benefit and saluation. Concerning the former, the Lord doth not measure out our afflictions according to our faults but according to our strength, and looketh not what we hauehave deserued, but what we are able to beare; for as the Prophet saith, in his anger he Habac 3. 2doth remember mercy, which maketh him in all our chastisements to intend our profit, and not our punishment. Neither doth he giuegive vntounto all his seruants a cup of the like size, or a burthen to beare of the same waight; but either fitteth their afflictions to the measure of their strength, or their strength to the measure of their afflictions, abating of the burthen because it is too heauie, or adding to their power who beare it, because they are too weake. He doth not obserue in sharing of afflictions an Arithmeticall proportion, giuing to all indifferently the same number and measure; but like a wise Geometrician he doth proportionate & fit them to the strength of the bearers, alotting a greater burthen to the strongest, and a lesse to the weakest. In which respect he is saidIer. 10. 24. 30. 11. to correct vsus, in iudgement, because he wisely deserueth (not only who deserueth most correction, but also) of their strength and ability who are to beare his chastisements; which not being obserued, in stead of loading them, he should ouerwhelme them, & in stead of amending them, he should destroy them. But this truth will more manifestly appeare, both by the scriptures, and by reason it selfe grounded vponupon them. For in the word of God we hauehave an expresse promise, made by him who is faithfull and true, and neither can nor will deceiue vsus, that the Lord will not suffer vsus to be tempted aboue that we 1. Cor. 10. …3.are able, but will giuegive the issue with the temptation, that we may be able to beare it. And euen reason it selfe inlightned by the scriptures will teach vsus, that it can be no otherwise, if we consider who is the author of our afflictions. For first they proceed from God our heauenly father, whose wisedome is infinit, and whose louelove is in comprehensible; and therefore if earthly parents out of their small modell of louelove, and little pittance of affection, guided and directed with their shallow iudgement and discretion, do not giuegive vntounto all their children the like measure of chastisement, though they be alike guilty of the same fault; but hauehave respect to their age and bignesse, giuing lesse to the yongest & weakest, and more to those who are older and of greater strength: because if they shold receiue these greater stripes, they would (exceeding their strength) make them dull or desperate; and if these should hauehave their lighter chastisements, they would hereby grow carelesse and negligent; how much more then will the Lord, so far exceeding them in louelove and wisedome, thus proportionate his chastisements to the strength of his children, not punishing his babes in Christ, and those of riper age in the same measure; but correcting them with such gentlenesse, that they may be amended and not oppressed, and these with such seuerity that they may lay them to heart, and not for their lightnesse scorne and contemne them; seeing he doth not in his chastisements ayme at the satisfying of his iustice by punishing the fault, but doth all ou… of meere louelove for the reformation of the offender? Againe the Lord is our heauenly physition, who hath vndertaken to cure vsus of our corruptions; and afflictions are the potion which he hath prepared for the effecting of the cure; and therefore if we so far trust earthly physitions whom we think faithfull and skilfull, that for the recouery of our bodily health, we dare aduenture to drinke the potions which they hauehave appointed, being perswaded that they will hauehave respect to our constitution and present condition, and not giuegive vsus a medicine aboue our strength; notwithstanding that common experience telleth vsus, that they themselues for want of skill are often deceiued, & somtime for want of care or honesty are ready to deceiue: then how much more willingly should we for the health2. Pet. 2. 9. of our soules, receiue this potion of afflictions prepared by our heauenly physition, seeing we can make no question either of his skill, louelove or faithfulnesse; and therefore may be assured that in making this medicine he will hauehave respect to our strength and ability, and will so correct this poison of affliction before he doe giuegive it vsus, that it will cure vsus and not kill vsus; and though it make vsus sick for the present euen to the death, as we imagine, yet we shall finde in the euent, that it will not hurt vsus, but only by working thus effectually, will purge away the noysome humors of sinne. He is also our king, and Emperor, who hauing pressed vsus to the spirituall warfare, guideth and directeth vsus in all our waies, and allotteth vntounto eueryevery of his souldiers their office, place, imploiment and enterprises; and therfore if euen earthly commanders both in their discretion and louelove to their souldiers, fit their imploiments according to their abilities, appointing the stronger and valianter for attempts of greatest difficultie and danger, and the weaker and fainter to more easie seruices; how much more will the great commander of heauen and earth, out of his infinite wisedome, louelove and care, appoint vntounto eueryevery of his souldiers whom he hath pressed out to fight in this battaile of afflictions, a fit taske for their vndertaking; and allot fit imployments both in respect of labour and danger for the strength of those which are designed to them? To conclude, if we fee all who are wise and iust, to hauehave this regard, not to oppresse their inferiours with labours, but to fit their imploimēts according to their abilities, if no good schoolmaster will appoint his scholar longer or harder lessons then they can learne, nor correct them with more or greater stripes then is fit for their age; but obserue a proportion & measure, both in their instructions and corrections, according to their seuerall capacities to conceiue or strength to beare and endure; if no good master will appoint his feruants a greater burthen then they can cary, but allotte the heauiest to the strongest, and the lightest to the weakest; yea if a good man be mercifull to his beast, fitting his load to his strength, and not oppressing him with more then he can beare; how much more may we be assured that the Lord wil be more carefull ouer his owne children, in proportioning their burthen to their strength, that they may not sinke vnderunder the waight of their afflictions, especially considering that he perfectly knoweth their power and ability, and can as easily adde to their strength, as detract from their burthen.
Secondly God the father hath committed the tempering§ Sect. 2. That Christ Iesus tempereth our cup, and therefore we maybe ass… red that he will fit it to our strength. of our cup vntounto Christ our Sauiour, who as he hath manifested his louelove vntounto vsus in giuing his life as the price of our redemption; and in not thinking those precious dainties too deare for vsus, euen his body to be our meat and his blood our drinke, that by them we may be nourished to euerlasting life; so hath he no lesse skill in tempering a cup fit for our strength, and the curing of our spirituall diseases, not only as being our creator who knoweth whereof we be made, and remembreth that we are Psal. 103. 14.but dust; but also as being our mediator, he had experience both of the cup which he tempereth for vsus, and of our weaknesse and infirmities who are to drinke it. For himselfe hath begun to vsus of this cup of afflictions, as it was tempered for him by his heauenly father, and did not only tast or sip of it, but drinke it off to the very bottome: and herein alone the difference is between his cup and ours, in that his was far bigger, and the potion much more bitter and distastfull, ours lesser, and lesse vnpleasant and loathsome; his was giuen vntounto him in anger for the purging away of our punishment in respect of sinne past, but ours in louelove, either to be a profitable potion to purge and cleanse our bodies and soules from their present corruptions, or to be a preseruatiue to preuent the contagious diseases of sinne for the time to come. And as he hath good experiēce of our medicine, so also of our weaknesse and frailty: for as he hath drunke of our cup, so likewise also he hath borne our infirmities, and caried our sorrowes; and being sicke of our sinnes which as ourEsa. 53 4. 5. s…ety he tooke vponupon him, he was also smitten with our plagues wounded for our transgressions, and broken for our iniquities. Neither hauehave we an high Priest which cannot Heb. 4 15.be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but he was in all things tempted in like sort, yet without sinne, as the Apostle speaketh And therefore as those who are pitifull and mercifull in their owne nature, doe take the greatest compassion, and doe most commiserate them who are afflicted with those griefes and diseases vntounto which themselues hauehave been formerly subiect: so may we assure our selues, that our Sauiour Christ, who hath had the feeling of our sicknesses and infirmities, and hath tasted sufficiently of these loathsome drugs of affliction, which are now ministred vntounto vsus, doth cōpassionate our griefes, and hath a fellow feeling in our miseries: and therefore hauing the mixing of our cup committed vntounto him, he will hauehave regard to our ability, and not make it so loathsome, but that we may well take it: and hauing all power committed also vntounto him, he will helpe our infirmities, and giuegive such strength vntounto vsus in our greatest weaknesse, that we shall be able to take so much of this vnpleasant phisicke, as is fit for the recouery of our spirituall health. And hereof it is that the Apostle hauing taught vsus that Christ our high Priest was touched with our infirmities▪ and tempted like vntounto vsus, maketh this the ground of our faith in all our troubles, and encourageth vsus hereby to goe bouldly vntounto the throne of grace, that Heb. 4 ….we may obtaine mercy, and find grace to helpe in time of need. So elsewhere he telleth vsus, that it behoued our Sauiour to be like vntounto his brethren, that he might be a mercifull and Heb. 2. 17. 18.faithfull high Priest, &c. for in that himselfe hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted, and that now he can hauehave compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way, because he himselfe also hath been compassed with infirmity. And therefore we needHeb. 5. 2. not now to feare …ither to be oppressed with an ouer heauy waight of troubles and afflictions, or that we should be tempted aboue our power, in regard of our frailty and infirmity, seeing he who maketh the wounds, hath also power to cure them, and he that mixeth our cup can also giuegive vsus strength to drinke it, according to the saying of Eliphaz vntounto Iob, He maketh the wound, and Iob. 5. 18. 19.he bindeth it vp, he smiteth and his hands make whole. He shall deliuer thee in six troubles, and in the seauenth the euill shal not touch thee, &c. And he hath also bound himselfeMath. 12. 20. by his most gracious promise, that he will not breake the bruised reed, nor quench the smoaking flax, till he bring forth iudgement vntounto victory.
Thirdly, God the holy ghost is alwaies present with§ Sect. 3. That the holy ghost is present with vsus and powerfully assisteth and comforteth vsus in all our afflictions. the faithfull in all their afflictions and tribulations, supporting their impotency with his might, and manifesting his greatest strength in their greatest weaknesse; so that though their tentations are grieuous and manifold, yet are they alwaies enabled both to beare & ouercome them. It is true indeed that the Lord suffereth the faithfull to run into desperate dangers, and in the sense and feeling of the flesh, to be almost ou…rwhelmed with the vnsupportable waight of their afflictions▪ as wee seeMath. 8. 24. in the example of Dauid, Iob, Elias, the disciples of our sauiour, who were almost couered with waues before they were freed out of danger; and in the whole Church grieuously afflicted in Egypt, and in most despur…te dangerExod. 2. 23. & 14. 10▪ at the red sea, the former making them crie out in sense of paine, the other in expectation of greater euills; but most plainly in the example of Christ himselfe, who was so loaded with afflictions, that drops of b…ood were pressed out of him, and so oppressed with the vnsupportable waight of the euills which he suffered, that speaking according to his present sense and feeling, he complaineth in agony of spirit, that he was left and forsaken of God. And all this may well stand with the truth of Gods word; for he hath promised, not that we shall not be sorely loaden with an heauy waight of affliction; but only that we shall not be oppressed and ouerwhelmed; not that we shall escape the assaults of terrible enemies, or neuer be foiled in the fight, but that in the end we shal obtaine the victory; not that we shall be freed from tentations of any kind, yea euen of the highest and most dangerous nature, but that we shal not be tempted aboue our power, but shall hauehave a good issue with the tentation, so as we shall be able to beare it. And thus the Lord is as good as his promise, when as loading vsus with the greatest waight of afflictiōs, he giueth vntounto vsus an answerable measure of strength, whereby we are enabled to beare and ouercome them; the which he neuer faileth to doe vntounto his faithfull children who trust and depend vponupon him. So that in their greatest afflictions they may say with Dauid: The Lord hath chastned me sore, but he hath Psal. 118. 18.not deliuered me to death; and with the Apostle Paul, we are 2. Cor. 4▪ 8. 9.afflicted on eueryevery side, yet are we not in distresse; in pouerty, but not ouercom of pouerty, we are persecuted but not forsaken, cast downe but we perish not. Not that we hauehave any strength in our selues to endure the fiery triall, or to resist the violence of these cruell enemies, but because in our greatest weaknesse we are supported with the power of Gods might, and held so fast by the hand of Christ, that the strongest afflictions inforced with all the violence of sathans temptations, are not able to pul vsus fromIoh. 10. 28. him. So that notwithstanding our greatest calamities, and little strength, we may rest perswaded with the Apostle, that neither tribulation, anguish, persecution, famine, Rom. 8. 35.nakednesse, perill, sword, nor any thing else, shall be able to separate vsus from the louelove of Christ. For first the spirit of God dwelling in vsus doth according to the greatnesse of our outward afflictions giuegive vsus an answerable measure of inward consolation; so that where there are great crosses, there also are great comforts: and when God sendeth an extraordinary measure of worldly miseries, which in respect of our owne strength would, in trying, tire vsus, he sendeth also an extraordinary measure of spirituall refreshings, and comfortable feelings of his louelove, which make ou… intolerable burthen to become light and easie; of which the Apostle sheweth that he had good experience, where he saith that as the sufferings of Christ 2. Cor. 1. 5.abound in vsus, so our consolation aboundeth through Christ. Whereupon he professeth his hope that the afflicted Corinthians should be made partakers of the same comforts. And our hope is stedfast (saith he) concerning you, vers. 7.knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings; so shall ye be also of the consolation. The like experience of these inward consolations had the Prophet Dauid, In the multitude (saith he) of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight Psal. 94. 19.my soule. All which inward comfort and consolation we hauehave from the holy spirit of God dwelling and raigning in vsus, whilst it doth apply vntounto vsus the mercies of God, and merits of Christ, and so assuring vsus that we hauehave our part and interest in all the gracious promises of the Gospell, which either concerne this life or the life to come, doth replenish our consciences with such peace as passeth all vnderstanding, and with such vnspeakable ioy and gladnes, as none conceiue but they who feele it. For it is the water of the spirit which likeIoh. 4. 14. Ioh. 7. 38. a liuing fountaine euer springeth in vsus vntounto euerlasting life, and like a cleare riuer floweth with the heauenly streames of sweet consolation, wherein being bathed and washed, in the scorching heate of afflictions and persecutions, we are presently cooled and refreshed, and so filled with ioy and delight, according to that of the Psalmist. There is a riuer whose streames shall make glad the Psal. 46. 4.city of God, the holy place of the Tabernacles of the most high. It is this spirituall annointing and heauenly oile, which preserueth vsus from being consumed in this fiery furnace of affliction, and wherewith being annointed after we are scorched with these flames, our sores are suppled, and the fiery heate of the burning so extracted and drawne out, that we receiue no more hurt thereby, then Moses bush, which in burning was not consumed, or the three children in the fiery furnace, whose very haires were not touched with the violence of the flames. So that though we were depriued of all worldly comforts, yet hauehave we no cause▪ to be faint in our afflictions, or to shew impatiency in our greatest griefes, as long as we hauehave this inward comforter to refresh and cheareIob. 15. 11. vsus: for the consolations of God should not seeme small vntounto vsus, as Eliphaz speaketh, seeing they so far exceed al earthly delights; neither should we be deiected in our minds though we want these earthly shadowes, when as we are replenished with this heauenly substance.
But as the afflictions of the faithfull, though neuer§ Sect. 4. That Gods spirit giueth vntounto vsus strength to beare our afflictions. so vnsupportable, are made tolerable with the consolations of Gods spirit, so also by that vigour & strength which it ministreth vntounto them: for this holy spirit which is the strong power of God, doth so comfort by strengthning, and so strengthen by comforting them, that though they are in themselues most weake and feeble, yet being supported with this diuine might; the heauiest waight of troubles and calamities shall not oppresse and ouerwhelme them. And this the Prophet Esay plainly teacheth vsus. He giueth strength (saith he) to him Esa 40. 29. 30. 31.that fainteth, and to him that hath no strength he increaseth power; so that though yong men who are in their chiefest vigour, being weary do stumble and fall, yet they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount vp with wings as Eagles, they shall runne and not be weary, and walke and not be faint. So the Psalmist pronounceth him blessed who considereth the poore, because the Lord wil either deliuer him in the time of trouble, or else at leastPsal. 41. 1. 3. will strengthen him vponupon the bed of languishing, and will make all his bed in his sicknesse. And the Apostle assureth vsus, that because the Lord is faithfull in keeping his promises, he will stablish vsus, when we are ready to stagger,2. Thes. 3. 3. and keepe vsus from euill, either that it may not touch vsus, or may not hurt vsus. According to that of the Psalmist; thou shalt walke vponupon the Lion and Aspe, the yong Lion and Dragon Psal 91. 13. 14▪shalt thou tread vnderunder thy feet. Because he hath loued me therefore will I deliuer him &c. he shall call vponupon me, and I will heare him, I wil be with him in trouble, I will deliuer and glorifie him. In regard of which helpe and assistance which we hauehave from God, he would hauehave vsus to lay aside all feare and cowardize, and to be bould and couragious in all our dangers and distresses. Feare thou not (saithEsa. 41. 10. 13. 14. he) for I am with thee, be not afraid for I am thy God: I will strengthen and helpe thee, and will sustaine thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse. And againe▪ I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying vntounto thee, feare not, I will helpe thee. Feare not thou worme Iacob, and yee men of Israell, I wil helpe saith the Lord and thy redeemer, the holy one of Israell. And vntounto this strength of confidence and vndanted feare, the faithfull do attaine, as we may see in▪Psal. 23. 4. the example of Dauid, who professeth, that though he should walke through the valley of the shadow of death, he would feare no euill, because God was with him, and his rod and staffe did comfort him: neither could he be deiected with the rod of his corrections, so long as he was strengthned and vpheld with the staffe of his consolations. And thus the whole Church and people of God professe, that being by faith, and their manifold experience assured, that God was their hope and strength, and helpe in troubles, ready to be found, therefore they would not Psal 46. 1. 2. 3.feare, though the earth were remooued, and though the mountaines should fall into the middest of the sea, though the waters thereof should rage and swell, and the mountaines shake with the swelling there of, &c. By all whic… it appeareth, that God dealeth with his children in their afflictions, as with Iacob in wrastling with him; for as in outward shew he did seem to contend and striue with him, as though he desired to foile and ouerthrow him, so indeed and truth he gaue vntounto him all that strength whereby he was enabled to stand, and in the end to ouercom: for so no sooner doth the Lord by sending afflictions seem to contend with vsus, and to desire to ouerthrow and cast vsus down, but presently he inableth vsus with strength & assistance of his holy spirit to ouercome in this conflict; and as soone as we are ready to stagger he staieth vsus from falling, and when we hauehave receiued a foile, he raiseth vsus vp againe, till at last we preuaile in the conflict and obtaine his blessing. Neither canPhil. 4. 13. our weaknesse be any hinderance to our victory feeing we stand not by our owne strength, but by the power of God assisting vsus, which is more manifested in our weaknesse, and magnified in our frailty and infirmity. And as the tender mother teaching her yong or sick child to goe…. Cor. 12. 9. doth oftentimes seem to leaue him to his owne strength, when as in truth he goeth by her helpe supporting him; and to let him alone to his owne care and prouidence, when as in the meane time she hath a watchfull eie vntounto him, so that he is no sooner ready to fall, but with nimble speed she catcheth hold of him, and preuents his danger; so doth the Lord deale with vsus his children, whilst in our nonage and greatest weaknesse, he teacheth vsus to go in this rough path of afflictions, which leadeth to his kingdom; for when he seemeth to neglect vsus, he watcheth ouer vsus: and when in our sense and feeling he leaueth vsus to our selues, euen then he staieth vsus by his strength: and when we are in greatest danger of sinking and falling, he stretcheth out with speed his powerfull hand, and preserueth vsus from receiuing any harme. An example whereof we hauehave in Dauid: who professeth that if the Lord had not holpen him, his soule had almost dwelt in silence, but when (saith hee) I said, my foot Psal, 9417 18.slideth, thy mercy O Lord staied me vp.
And thus are wee both comforted and strengthned,§ Sect. 5. That God mingleth comforts and benefits with our …fflictions and crosses. with Gods holy spirit, so as our afflictions cannot oppresse and ouerwhelme vsus, though they bee neuer so great and manifould, and wee neuer so weake and impotent in our owne strength. VntoUnto which wee may further adde, that the Lord in his infinite louelove towards vsus, doth not content himselfe to hauehave giuen vntounto his …hildren, this inward strength and comfort in their afflictions; but also in their greatest extremities, hee giueth them the fruition of many outward benefits, ioyning comforts with his crosses, blessings with miseries, blandishments with chastisements, and good things with euill; so that in our greatest mourning, wee neuer want matter of ioy, and thankes giuing. For as the Lord in his infinite wisdome hath made such a mixture of things in this life, that as there is no man so aboundeth and flourisheth in worldly prosperity, but that he hath some crosses and afflictions in his greatest iollity: so there is no man so deiected and ouerwhelmed withNil ade… fortuna grauis, miserabile secit, vt minuant nulla ga… dia parte malū. Ouid. 4. Pont. cleg. 4. troubles and calamities, but hee hath some comforts and refreshing. As no man is so loaded with benefits, as that he is in al respects happy, without any tast of misery; so there is none so oppressed with afflictions, that hee is eueryevery way miserable, without any tast of this earthly happines. And this mixture the wise Iudge of Heauen & earth hath made, to keepe vsus in a meane, who are too prone to run into extreames; and because wee would bee too much exalted with continuall prosperity, and too much deiected if wee should feele nothing but misery, and affliction; the Lord neuer suffereth vsus so to abound with worldly happinesse, but that wee hauehave somthing to humble vsus, nor so to bee plunged in misery and affliction, but that wee hauehave some cause of present comfort, or future hope. And like a wise father he doth not too much dandle vsus, which would make vsus wantons; nor alwaies beate vsus, which would make vsus desperate; but hee iudiciously mingleth the one with the other, not letting vsus hauehave our wils in all things, least we should neglect him; nor yet alwaies crossing vsus in them, lest we should hate & rebel against him; not alwaies cockering vsus, lest we should grow proud and insolent, nor alwaies correcting vsus, lest we should become base & seruile; but he giueth gifts, that we may louelove him, & stripes, that wee may feare him. Yea often times hee mixeth frownes with his fauors, when they make vsus malepart; and kinde speeches with his rebukes and chastisements, to shew in the hatred of our faults, his louelove to our persons, when hee seeth vsus humble and penitent; that so hee may make vsus in all things to reuerence him, and no lesse to feare him in his fauours, then to louelove him in his chastisements. And as the wise captaine and commaunder doth not alwaies tire and weare out his seruants, with long marches, wearisome watchings, and fierce skirmishes and assaultes; but after their tedious labours bringeth them into garrisons, that taking their rest and repose, and refreshing them selues with wholsome diet, good lodging, and pleasant recreations, they may renew their strength and courage, and afterwards bee more fit for seruice and imployment: so dealeth our great Commaunder with vsus, in this spirituall warfare, giuing vntounto vsus a breathing time after our fight, rest after our labours, recreation after sorrowes, and after troubles and afflictions, comforts and refreshings; that so hauing recouered our strength, and taken new courage vntounto vsus, wee may the better bee inabled to doe him further seruice. Yea hee doth not only▪ interchangeably let one of these succeed the other, but like a prudent generall hee intermixeth them together, giuing vntounto them in the time of their greatest labours, some rest, and in their sharpest conflicts and encounters with afflictions, some breathing, and refreshing; euen as contrariwise hee doth not, when they are in the garrison of prosperity suffer them to languish in idlenesse, and to spend their whole time in eating, drinking, pleasure, and delight, which would effeminate their mindes, and make them vnfit for seruice; but sometimes inureth them to labour, watching, and warlike ex…rcises, for the preseruing of their strength, and manlikeChrisost. in Math. 16. H…mil. 54. courage. To this purpose one sai…h, that God in gouerning the world, doth now send one thing, and then an other, and doth not at all times grant prosperity, nor alwaies inflict trouble, and aduersitie; but as there is in nature a vicissitude, & intercourse of al things, day following the night, and night the day; summer the winter, and winter the summer: so euen in vsus, sorrow, and pleasure, sickenesse▪ and health, hauehave their tu…nes, and changes. And therefore wee should not thinke sickne▪ strange, for then by the same reason wee should thinke it strenge also when wee hauehave our health; nor bee much moued when sorrow commeth; for then wee should bee alike troubled at the approch of ioy: because, in course of nature, these doe follow one the other: &c. Neither now say, that this is no comfort vntounto thee, who alwaies liuest in misery, and affliction, seeing hereby thou shalt but bewray thy vnthankefulnes, and forgetfulnes of Gods blessings; for no man can be alwaies in greefe, neither will our nature beare it: but because wee desire to spend all our time in pleasure and delight, therefore wee thinke the shortest greifes, to be as it were an age of sorrow. Besides, those things which are good, and delightfull, doe when they are past, easily slip out of memory, but that which is euil and greeuous maketh such a deepe impression, that though it bee past, yet it is neuer forgotten. Euen the weary hireling, and the idle gentleman, the King, and captiue hauehave both their comforts, and their crosses For he oftentimes in his prison, hath his pleasures, laughing, leaping, and playing to expresse his mirth; and the other, vnderunder his crowne hath his cares, and many a pang vnderunder his purple robe, sorrowing, shaking, carking, and dying, for feare of dying. So that there is no mans life, eyther without paine, or pleasure, matter of mirth, or cause of mourning, the which mixture, the Lord hath made for our profit and benefit, if wee had eies to see it, or grace to acknowledge it; for we could neuer well relish these dishes of prosperity, vnles they were seasoned with afflictions, and made pleasing to our palates, with these sharpe sawces; wee would take no delight in the day of ioy, vnlesse the darke night of sorrow went before it; nor esteeme of health, if we were neuer sicke; nor thinke plenty a benefit, vnles wee were sometimes pinched with want, and penury. Neither is the value of any of Gods benefits knowne in the fruition, but in their want. Delicates would not delight vsus, if they were not dainty; neither doe wee account any thing rare in excellency; vnlesse withall it bee rare in vse. Euen continuall pleasure would displease vsus, and sweetenesse it selfe without change, or mixture, would become as loathsome as gall or wormewod▪ Perpetuall ease, is worse then wearisome labour; and according to the prouerbe; Hee had neede to hauehave strong bones thatO …ertet essa esse robusta, quae ferant dies bonos. beareth the waight of continuall prosperity. For it is a kinde of misery, neuer to hauehave tasted misery; and no more delight to abound alwaies in pleasure, and plenty, then it is to hauehave alwaies a full stomack: seeing wee surfet of this saciety, and are more dangerously sick, being pampered with these worldly dainties, then when wee vse the most spare diet. And therefore it is in mercy, that the Lord mingleth our prosperity with aduersity; seeing by the want of earthly benefits, hee doth but whet our stomackes, and sharpen our appetites, that after when wee hauehave them, wee may feede on them with more delight. For our health is sweetened, and endeared by our sicknes, our plenty with our want, our liberty by our restraint, our rest by our labour, and the hauing our wils, by our sometimes wanting of them.
But here some will say, that howsoeuer there might§ Sect 6. Their obiection answered, who affirme, that their crosses doe far exceede their comforts. bee some pleasure or profit in an equall mixture of prosperity, and affliction; or when wee hauehave a little sowre to relish all our sweet; yet there is no great comfort, when the sawce exceedes the meate; neither can I finde any place for patience in mine afflictions, feeing I hauehave so many crosses, for so few comforts, and a pound of misery, for a dram of delight. To whom I answere, that these complaints arise from the corrupt flesh, which is so wholy intent, vponupon that present smart which it feeleth, that it vtterly forgetteth all Gods blessings, and benefits, which wee either hauehave formerly inioyed in time past, or doe inioy, in and after our afflictions; and through impatience, robbeth vsus of those comforts which God hath giuen vsus; which if they were duly pondred in the ballance of an vnpartiall iudgment, they would not only counterpoise, but euen much ouerweigh the causes of our greifes. Wherein wee are not vnfitly compared vntounto flies, who leaue all the sound flesh, though of far greater quantity, and seeke out only sores to sucke in; or vntounto little children, who if any of their many delights bee taken from them, in their peeuishnes and discontent cast away all the rest, and fall a crying: for so in our frowardnes and impatiencie, if wee hauehave not all wee can desire, wee thinke that wee hauehave nothing; and if God crosse vsus in any one benefit, by taking it from vsus, we are ready to crosse our selues in all the rest; casting them away by contempt, or careles neglect, when as they should serue as comforts to moderate our greife. And being resolued to torment our selues with excessiue sorrow, wee voluntarily forget all the good things which wee inioy, and imploy all our wit to inuent and finde out arguments, to iustifie our greife; that so wee may hauehave some reason for our madnesse; and to aggrauate the causes of our discontent with many circumstances, that according to the greatnes thereof, wee may also inlarge our sorrowes, and hauehave some pretext for our excessiue mourning. Like vntounto those who being foule by nature, doe paint their faces, that they may bee faire by art, and so may bee liked of others, who are deceiued with theire false bewtie; or (if the deceipt being discerned, they appeare hereby more vgly to their iudgment, then amiable to their eye) they may at least please themselues, who are willing to bee deceiued, with these adulterate, and adulterous colours, that they may increase their louelove and liking to their owne persons: for so these passionate mourners, beeing in louelove with their sorrowes, and knowing that they are vgly and monstrous when they are immoderate, they paint and set them out with false colours, that thereby they procure others approbation of them, or else fit them for their owne liking. And remouing out of sight all Gods blessings and benefits they still enioy, which would be so many arguments to conuince them of folly, in their impatient sorrow; and so many blots and aspersions to blemish the counterfeit beauty of their painted griefe, they doe by all meanes amplifie, and aggrauate their crosses, and if they be not heauy inough of themselues to presse them downe, they will increase their waight by calling to remembrance al their miseries past, and by feare will anticipate all that are to come.§ Sect. 7. That we must comfort our selues in afflictions, by considering wha… benefits we doe still enioy.
Such fondlings, it is hard to weane from this lothsom louelove; because they wilfully stop their eares against al cōlations, and therfore must for a time hauehave leaue to whip themselues, with these rods of their owne making; till sense of paine hauehave brought them out of this fit of frenzy, and made them more capable of reason and perswasion, and till being wearied with their owne waiwardnesse they become wiser, and more desirous of their owne good. But if we hauehave any desire in the time of our afflictions to hauehave our sorrowfull soules refreshed with true comfort, & to endure Gods fatherly chastisements vvith patience and thankefulnesse: let vsus not fixe our eyes only vponupon our present troubles, and turne them away from all causes of comfort, which God offereth vntounto vsus in the middest of our miseries: neither let our minds be only intent vponupon the euils which afflict vsus, to aggrauate them in our conceite and apprehension, that with them we may increase our sorrovves; but let vsus rather exercise them in meditating vponupon the manifold and great blessings which vve hauehave receiued from God in time past, vponupon those also which we presently enioy, and vponupon such as vve expect in the time to come. For, there is no faithfull man, though for the present neuer so miserable, who hath not had the fruition of many of Gods fauous in former times; the which he may to his comfort enioy by a gratefull remembrance, not taking occasion thereby to aggrauate his griefes, by calling to mind what hee hath lost, but rather to renew his ioy in himselfe and thankfulnes towards God, by thinking how long he did enioy them. As we may see in the example of Iob, who in his greatest extremities armed his patience, with the remembrance of those manifold blessings which he had receiued from God in former times; Shall we (sayth he) receiue good at the hand of God, and Iob. 2. 10.not receiue euill? Yea there is no man so ouerwhelmed with miseries, but that if it would please him to number them, he might finde as many of Gods mercies to set against them, which might serue to counterpoise the weight of his afflictions, and as much raise him with ioy and comfort, as he is deiected with griefe and heauinesse. Thou art troubled with sicknesse; but thou hast sufficient wealth to prouide diet, physick and other necessaries. Thou art weake and of a tender nature; but thou inioyest such a competency, as may maintaine thee without any great labour. Thou art poore in estate; but thou hast thine health and strength, whereby thou art inabled to take such paines as may earne thy liuing. Thou hast a troubled minde; but thou hast a strong body, or many friends which refresh thee with their comforts. Thou hast a weake bodie; but thou hast a couragious heart. Thou hast no goods nor meanes of getting them; but thou hast some friends which take care of thee. Thou art destitute of friends; but thou art able to liue of thy selfe without their helpe. Thou hast some bad children which grieue thee; but thou hast some other good which do delight thee: or, thou hast a vertuous wife which may supply the defect of all other comforts. Thou art vexed with miseries all the day, one griefe pursuing another; but thou hast rest in the night, and when sleepe commeth thy sorrowes vanish. In a word, God vexeth vsus not with a continuall feauer of afflictions, but onelyonly with some ague fits, which hauehave a good day as well as a bad; or at least hauehave many intermissions, if they be quotidian. Hee doth not suffer these spirituall enemies so continually to assault vsus, but that hee granteth vntounto vsus many breathing times to recouer our strength; and if hee suffer them to giuegive vsus great blowes, he grueth vsus also strong armour to beare them off: He will not depriue vsus of all his benefits at once, but if he cause the sunne of our chiefe ioy to set, he will make it to rise againe (as it were) the next day, and in the meane time he will supply the absence of this our great light, with the innumerable starres of lesser comforts. Yea (as I said) he so intermixeth comforts vvith our crosses that we neuer hauehave such cause of griefe, but that we hauehave as much cause of gladnesse. Thus hee taketh away a good mother from Isaac, but hee comfortethGen. 24. 67 1. Sam. 1. cap. 29. 31. him in his losse by giuing him a vertuous wife: thus when Leah was despised he made her fruitfull; and when Rachel and Hannah were barren, he comforteth them in their husbands louelove. Thus Dauid, when he serued a malitious King who sought his life, was recompenced in the louelove of a gracious Prince, who was as carefull to preserue him, as his father violent in seeking his destruction; and when he was vexed with vngracious sonnes, he was comforted in the louelove of most faithfull seruants. And therefore, when as wee still enioy from God so many benefits with our crosses, let vsus not so wholly be taken vp in thinking on our afflictions, as that wee neuer meditate vponupon Gods blessings ioined with them: for this is but like the Leach, to feede vponupon corrupted bloud, and to leaue that which is pure and sound; or like the foolish Merchant, of whom Plutarch Pl…arch. de tranqu, animi.speaketh, who reserued all his good wine for the vse of others, and drunk himselfe that which was palled, and no better then vineger: but let vsus thinke vponupon that which is left, as well as vponupon that which is lost, and not vexe our selues for that which we hauehave not, but inioy with comfort that which we hauehave. For otherwise though we professe Christianity, we shall come short of the wisdome which was in the Heathen Philosopher, who hauingPlutarch ibid. lost one of his fower goodly manours, sayd vntounto one who seemed much to condole his losse; Doest thou not know, that wheras thy selfe hast but one little farm, I hauehave three faire manours still remaining? vvhichwhich being acknowledged by the party, he further demanded: why then he should not rather condole with him, for hauing but one, then the other with him who was Lord of so many. Finally, as we hauehave had, and hauehave, many good things before and in the time of our afflicitons, which may serue as comforts to lighten our calamities: So may we also refresh our fainting minds, in assurance of hope, and in the certaine expectation of future blessings; when as rest shall follow our labour, and matter of mirth our causes of mourning. For, though weeping may abide at the Euening, yet ioy commeth in the Morning: Psal. 30. 5.though we hauehave a dropping seed time, yet our haruest shall be faire and dry; for as the Psalmist sayth: They that sowe in teares shall reape in ioy; and whereas Psal. 126. 5. 6.they went weeping carrying precious seede, they shall returne with ioy and bring their sheaues. And well this agreeth with the louelove of our heauenly Father, to turne his terrible frownes into gracious smiles, and to giuegive some comfort to his children, after that by correction, he hath throughly humbled them; well dooth it befit the skill and grace of our wise Physician, to minister the cordials and restoratiues of consolation, after the vomits and purges of affliction, that as by the one wee are cleansed from the grosse humors of sinne and corruption, so by the other we may be strengthened and inabled, to leade a new life, and to performe with comfort and incouragement all holy and christian duties both to God and our neighbours.
But though it were supposed that our whole life§ Sect. 8. That God moderateth our griefe for worldly crosses, by giuing vntounto vsus spirituall comforts. were full of miseries, and that we had no taste of earthly comfort, nor had euer spent a day in worldly contentment, yet hauehave all the faithfull so many spirituall consolations, both in respect of their present feelings and future hopes, that they are sufficient to out-countenance all their crosses, and to sweeten all their afflictions in their greatest bitternesse. For hauing the assurance of the pardon of their sinnes, and reconciliation with God, there followeth this peace with him, such peace of conscience, as passeth all vnderstanding, and such inward consolation and ioy in the holy Ghost, as maketh them to reioyce, not only in their prosperity, but also in their greatest miseries and afflictions, as the ApostleRom. 5. 3 speaketh.
Neither doe they make any reckoning of all the crosses and calamities which this world can inflict vponupon them: seeing all the miseries and euils which are to be found vponupon the whole earth are but as one little droppe, in comparison of that infinite Ocean of woe and hellish condemnation, from which through Christ they are deliuered. Besides, they hauehave assurance by a liuely faith, that in all their troubles and dangers, theyPsal. 91. 11. hauehave the guarde of Gods holy Angels attending on them, who hauing taken charge ouer them, doe keepe them in all their waies that they hurt not their foote against a stone; and that though they hauehave many and great enemies to assault them, yet they hauehave more and mighty friends who daily stand in their defence, to protect them from all their fury. Yea, they know that Gods owne holy prouidence watcheth ouer them; which as it sendeth, so it ordereth, moderateth, and mitigateth all their afflictions, conuerting and turning all to their good, and the euerlasting saluation of their soules. Finally,Act. 14. 22. by faith they hauehave assurance that this vnpleasant way of earthly tribulations, doth conduct them to their heauenly country, where they shall hauehave pleasures at Gods right hand for euermore; and that these short and 2. Cor. 4. 17.momentany afflictions shall cause vntounto them a farre most excellent and eternall waight of glory: and this maketh them to beare, whatsoeuer crosses God layeth vponupon them, with patience, seeing they know that the afflictions Rom. 8. 18.of this present life, are not worthy the glory which shall be reuealed. For if that Troiane Captaine thought it aForsan & haec olim meminisse inuabit. Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum Tendimus in Latium, sedes vbi fata quietas. Ostendunt. Virg. Aeneid. 1. sufficient incouragement, to comfort and hearten his souldiers in all their difficulties and dangers, when as he could giuegive them some hope, that after all these cruell tempests and toilesome labours, they should at length arriue in a pleasant country, where they should take their rest and pleasure, and delight themselues in the remembrance of their passed troubles: how much more should we with patience and courage passe through this sea of worldly miseries, who hauehave farre better assurance of farre better hopes; euen that we shall after these our painfull labours, safely ariue at the hauen of euerlasting rest, where it shall not be possible for all our enemies, so much as to interrupt our happinesse, or disturbe our ioy.
And thus was Elias comforted, when being forsaken1. King▪ 19. 5 of men, he had the Angels of God to minister vntounto him: Thus was Elizeus faint-hearted seruant incouraged, when as being beset with enemies, he had his eyes opened, and saw more on his side then were against him.2. Kin. 6 16. 17 Act. 7. 76 Thus was the martyr Steuen replenished with ioy and gladnesse in all his persecutions, by looking into heauen, where he saw his Sauiour, and that vnspeakable ioy and happinesse, which was there reserued for him; and this made him when the stones flew about his eares, to forget his owne paine, danger, and death, and in most feruent charity to pray for his enemies, that their sinnes might not be laide to their charge, and so debarre them of all these ioyes. And finally, this made Moses choose Heb. 11. 25. 26rather to suffer aduersitie with the people of God, then to inioy the pleasures of sinne for a season; esteeming the rebuke of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Aegypt, because he had respect to the recompence of reward. To thisMala vitae praesentis tantò durius animus sentit, quanto pensare bonum quod sequitur negligit &c. Greg…r. Moral. lib. 10. cap. 12. purpose one saith well, that the minde of man so much the more grieuously apprehendeth the miseries of this life present, by how much it neglecteth to ponder the good that followeth; and because he will not meditate on the rewards which are reserued for him, he thinketh eueryevery trifle burthensome which he beareth: whereof it is, that his blind cogitation causeth him to murmur and complaine, when he feeleth but the blow of a whip, and thinketh that an intolerable calamity, which is daily ended with the course of sliding time. But if a man once contemplate those ioyes which are eternall, and fixe the eye of his heart vponupon those things which doe for euer continue without change; he thinketh al that to be nothing which is still running towards an end, and beareth the afflictions of this present life so lightly, as though he thought all that nothing which slideth so fast away. For the more deeply those inward ioyes are rooted in him, the more slightly he apprehendeth all these outward griefes, &c. In which respect Zophar fitly compareth the miseries of this present life, to waters whichIob 11. 16. run and passe away; because these sliding calamities do not with their violence oppresse the mind of a faithfull man, but only giuegive him a little touch of sorrow as they passe by; and though he be moistned with the bloud of his wounds, yet he is not rent and plucked away from the assurance of his saluation.
And thus hauehave I shewed, that the Lord afflicteth none§ Sect. 9. That Paul was not afflicted aboue hi… strength, as his words seeme to portend. of his faithfull children aboue their strength, but when he sendeth any aduersity or tribulation, he withall sendeth the comforter, his holy spirit, who refresheth them with inward consolations, and both outwardly and inwardly mingleth many good things with their euils, and his gracious benefits with their afflictions, that by all these helpes he may support their weaknesse, and inable them to beare all their corrections with patience and comfort. Against which may be obiected the example of the Apost. Paul, who affirmeth that in his afflictions2. Cor. 1▪ 8 which he suffred in Asia, he was pressed out of measure, passing strength, so that he doubted of his life. VntoUnto which I answere, that the Apostles end is not there to shew the vnmeasurablenes of his afflictions, but he doth only aggrauate them, that he may the more amplify Gods mercy in deliuering him from such great euils. To which purpose he sayth, that he was pressed out of measure and aboue strength, that is, beyond his owne ability and naturall power, which was farre vnable to beare so great afflictions, that so he might magnifie the greatnesse of Gods mercies, who had strengthened him aboue nature, and when all naturall ability fayled, had supported him by his spirit, and raised him to health and strength when all worldly and naturall helpes and hopes failed and forsooke him, as though he should hauehave sayd, I was in respect of my fraile nature so vnmeasurably pressed vvith grieuous sicknesse, that there vvas no possible meanes for me to hauehave continued in this extremity, had not Gods power supported me, and raised me to life, who was euen but a dead man in mine owne apprehension. And that this is the meaning of the words, it plainly appeareth, both by that which goeth before, and that which followeth. For before, hee affirmeth that God …er. 4, 5.comforted him in all his tribulations, and that as the sufferings, which he indured for the name of Christ, abounded, so his consolation did abound through Christ. And the words following also, shew that he speaketh of the greatnesse of his sicknesse, which was out of measure, not in respect of that power which he had from▪ God, but of his owne naturall strength: for so he fayth, that he receiued the sentence of death in himselfe, because hee should not trust in himselfe, but in God which raiseth the ver. 9, 10.dead, and deliuered him from this great death. So afterwards speaking of his afflictions, he faith: We are troubled on eueryevery side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despaire, or without hope of helpe, we are persecuted 2. Cor. 4. 8, 9.but not forsaken, cast downe but we perish not.
Yea but the faithfull doe in their afflictions fall into§ Sect. 10. A second Obiect. answered taken from the example of di…ers of the f…ithfull. Iob. 6 2, 3, 8, 9, 11, 12. impatiencie, and make grieuous complaints like men for-lorne, and forsaken of God, which they would not doe vnlesse their afflictions vvere aboue their strength. Many such complaints vve find in the booke of Iob. For he crieth out: O that my griefe were well weighed, and my miseries were laide together in the ballance, for it would be heauier then the sand of the sea, &c. O that it would please God to destroy me▪ that he would let loose his hand and cut me off; what is my strength that I should hope, or mine end that I should prolong my life? Is my strength the strength of stones, or my flesh of brasse?
Thus also Dauid complaineth, that God had forsaken him, that hee had forgotten to bee mercifull, and shut Psa. 22. 1. Psal 77. 9. & 6. 6. & 38. 8, 10.vp his tender mercies in displeasure, that hee fainted in his mourning, that he was weakned and sore broken, and roared for the very griefe of his heart, that his heart panted, and his strength failed him, and that the light of his eyes was gone away from him. And the whole Church in her lamentations crieth out with great passion: HaueHave ye no regard Lam. 1. 12all ye that passe by this way. Behold and se… if there be any sorrow like vntounto my sorrow, which is done vntounto me, wherwth the Lord hath afflicted mee in the day of his fierce wrath? To which I answere, that all these are the complaints of the weake and fraile flesh, out of the present sense and feeling of Gods heauie iudgements, ioined with a sight of it owne, infirmitie and inability to beare and indure them by it owne strength, vntounto which the spirituall and regenerate part consenteth not, hauing in the middest of all extreamities some taste of spirituall comfort, and some assurance of Gods presence & power assisting and st…engthening it; but resisteth these tentations of the flesh, and neuer ceaseth opposing and labouring against them, vntill it hauehave ouercome them and confirmed the Christian with patience and comfort, Yea, euen when the flesh most doubteth and despaireth, in regard of it owne strength, fayling, and fainting in the time of trouble, because resting wholly vponupon it selfe, it is forsaken of all hope, when it seeth this strength infeebled, and the affliction increasing in waight and violence: then doth the spirituall part labour and indeuour to rest securely vponupon God, knowing that we stand not by our owne power, but by the power of his might; that when we are weakest, then he is strongest, and taketh delight to manifest his great power, in our greatest infirmities: and finally that he hath boūd himself by his most gracious promises neuer to faile vsus nor forsake vsus, but will assist and hold vsus vp in all tentations vntill at the last we obtaine the victory. It is true indeed, that the Christian is diuersly affected in this spirituall conflict, in respect of these diuers parts, which like mortall enemies fight one against the other, sometime …ighing and groaning, and sometime singing and reioycing; one while complaining as one forsaken of God, and ouerwhelmed with his heauy iudgements, and another while refreshed and comforted in his inward feelings, when as the louelove of God breaketh out and appeareth vntounto him, through these clouds of trouble and affliction; now murmuring and repining in sense of paine, and vtterly desperate and destitute of all hope and helpe; and soone after reioycing in tribulation, and triumphing ouer all his miseries in assurance of Gods louelove, whereby he refleth perswaded, that God will turne all to his good, and in the meane time neuer cease to assist him in all difficulties and distresses. And all this will well stand, both with the truth of Gods word and promises, and also with this christian consolation; that God measureth vntounto the faithfull such a proportion of affliction, as befitteth their strengh, laying vponupon no man more then he is able to beare. For the Lord hath not promised that we shall not be soiled in this conflict, but that wee shall not be ouercome, not that we shall not be pressed and pinched with the weight of afflictions, but that wee shall not be oppressed and perish in them, not that wee shall not sorrow and sigh, lament and weepe in our miseries; but that our sorrow shall be turned into ioy, and all teares shall be wiped from our eyes; that our mourning shal end in mirth▪ and our impatient murmurings, shall be changed into cheerefull thanksgiuings and songs of deliuerance: he hath not promised that we shall alwaies feele power sufficient in our selues to indure all tentations, for where is alwaies feeling, there is no place for faith; but that in our greatest weaknesse his power shall be sufficient for vsus, and that when we are most feeble in our selues, we shall be strong in him. Finally, he hath not stinted himselfe to any number or waight of afflictions, nor promised that we should bewray no impatiency and infirmities in the time of our trials, whilst thisRom. …. 28 1. Cor. 10. 13. heauy weight dothly vponupon vsus, but that he wil in the end turne all to our good, and not so suffer vsus to be tempted, but that at the length he will giuegive a good issue vntounto our tentations, that we may be able to beare and ouercome them.
Yea but we see many, who hauehave formerly made profession§ Sect. 11. A third Obiection answered, taken from the example of some who fall away in th… time of affl…ction. of religion, and seemed to make some conscience of their waies, who are quite ouerthrowne in this combate of afflictions, falling into extreame impatiency, murmuring and repining against Gods prouidence, and vttering fearefull blasphemies against his maiesty; and that which is worst of all, doe continue in these desperate courses vntounto the end.
To which I answer, that what shew soeuer such hauehave made, they were at the best but meere hypocrites, vntounto whom Gods promises of not tempting aboue power, and afflicting aboue strength are not made, seeing they are appropriated only to true beleeuers. And therefore it is no maruaile, if this chaffe which before did lie quietly with the wheat, is scattered abroad when the wind & fan of triall commeth, no maruaile if this drosse be consumed in the fiery triall, though, before it was put into the furnace, it made some glittering shew. Neither shold it seem strange vntounto vsus, that these green blades, which for want of ground neuer tooke root, do wither away when the sunne of tribulation and affliction ariseth, seeing our sauiour Christ hath long agoe giuen vsus warning of it.Mat. 13. 20, 21. Neither doth this befall them because God laieth vponupon them intollerable affliction; but because through their weaknesse and naturall corruption, they are able to bear nothing; nor is their destruction to be imputed to the greatnesse and grieuousnesse of their miseries, but to their infirmnesse and impotency in enduring any triall. For if a man through the weaknesse of his stomacke doe not receiue or retaine a profitable potion, which would purge him from his corrupt humours and restore him to health, because it is vnpleasant and bitter to his tast, and so dieth for want of helpe, his death and destruction is not to be ascribed to the physicke, but to his indisposition who would or could not take it: So the ruine and ouerthrow of hypocrites is not to be ascribed to their bitter potions of afflictions, which if they were taken according to the prescript of our wise Physicion, would purge them of their corruptions and recouer their strength; but to their owne impotency and sinfull imbecillity, which cannot beare nor profit by them. AndChrysost. in Rom▪ 5. ser. 9. Nulla infoelicitas fra…git, quem nulla foelicitas corru… pit August in sente…. of these wee may truly say with that auncient Father; That if they are ouerthrowne with tribulation, they would much more hauehave come to the like destruction by pleasures and prosperity, rest and …dlenesse. For, if being bound, and (as it were) fast tyed vntounto God by the cords of tribulation, they notwithstanding fall away from him; how much more would they hauehave fallen if they had been loose and left to their owne libertie. And to the same purpose he sayth else where, that if tribulationChrysost. in Epist. ad Hebraeos. cap. 12. Homil. 28. doe ouerthrow and destroy any, it is not to be imputed to the strength of these assaylants, but vntounto their owne sloth and cowardise For if being sober and watchful we pray vntounto God, that he will not suffer vsus to be tempted aboue our power, if we alwaies adhere and cleaue vntounto him by faith and affiance, stand to it valiantly▪ prepa…e our armour and set our selues to fight, we shall alwaies finde him to be our helper and defender; and although tentations come rushing vponupon vsus like a furious tempest, yet they shall be vntounto vsus as light as stubble, and like a leafe that is carried in the ayre.
Now this doctrine whereby we are assured, that GodSect. 12. That the former consideration is full of comfort. measureth our afflictions according to our strength, and neuer tempteth vsus aboue our power (but alwaies g…ueth a good issue to our troubles and tentations) is so full of christian comfort, that if there were no other argument besides to perswade vsus, to beare all our crosses and calamities with patience and comfort, this alone were sufficient. For who would not bee content to beare a burthen of Gods owne imposing, when as hee is sure he shall not be ouerloaded? who would refuse to be tried in this furnace of affliction, if hee certainly know that it will not consume, but onelyonly purge and purifie him from the drosse of sin? Who being pressed into Gods seruice would not couragiously fight against such enemies, as being inferior in strength, he is sure to ouercome? and who would refuse to receiue a potion prepared by this most heauenly and wise Physicion, though it be bitter and vnpleasant vntounto the taste, if he be ascertained, that the poison of affliction is corrected with so many preseruations of his louelove, and testimonies of his fauour, and so mingled with innumerable numbers of Gods blessings and benefits, and fitted to his constitution and strength who is to take to it, that howsoeuer whilest it worketh vponupon his grosse humors, and purgeth away those tough corruptions which naturally adhere vntounto him, he is for the present sicke in his sense and feeling, yet he shall thereby be recouered and restored to his health? To this purpose one sayth, that it is a singularGregor. moral. lib. 3. cap. 7. comfort in the time of affliction, to call often to mind Gods blessings and benefits; neither will our griefes breake and depresse vsus, if wee vphold and comfort our fainting and sinking soules, by calling to our remembrance the gifts of God bestowed on vsus. And therefore it is well sayd: In thy good dayes be not vnmindfull Eccles. 11.of the euill, and in thy euill dayes bee not forgetfull of the good: For whosoeuer daily receiueth giftes, and feareth not correction, through too much ioy he perisheth in his pride; and contrariwise he who is worne out with chastisements, and doth not comfort himselfe in the giftes which hee hath receiued, is destroyed through despaire. And therefore both these are to be ioined together, that one may helpe to support the other; in as much as the remembrance of the gift doth temper and mitigate the griefe and smart of the rodde;Bernard. in ram… palmaru. serm. 2. and the suspition and feare of the rodde, dooth temper and moderate the ioy of the gift. And to the same effect another sayth, that the faithfull are mindfull of their good things in the day of aduersitie, lest they should be faint hearted and impatient; and in the day of prosperity they are not vnmindfull of euils and affliction, least being exalted and lifted vp, they shouldPsal 30. 6. say, we shall neuer be remoued. As therefore when our eyes are dimmed and dazeled by looking vponupon hurtfull obiects, or by too much intention of the sight, we do againe refresh and repaire their strength and vigour, by beholding of greene colour: so when our hearts and minds are tyred and vexed by considering the good things we want, or the euils and miseries which lie vponupon vsus; wee must not suffer them to bee wholly intent vponupon these hurtfull and pernicious obiects, but exercise them in meditating vponupon those manifolde blessings which God suffereth vsus presently to enioy, for the mitigating of our smart, and moderating, and as it were sweetning the bitternesse of our griefe; and also vponupon that future happinesse which we enioy in hope, and that euerlasting and incomprehensible ioy and glorious blessednesse, which wee shall receiue in the kingdome of Heauen, when our course is ended, and our conflict finished.