Consolations for the Afflicted, Book 2 · Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI.
That God aduanceth the good of the faithfull by their afflictions, and first as they are trials of their spirituall graces.
BVt if this bee not sufficient to make vsusSect. 1. That God in our afflictions aymeth at our good. beare our afflictions with patience and comfort, because in them God neither intendeth vsus any harme, nor in effect bringeth by these euils any euill vponupon vsus, either in this life or the life to come: Let vsus now further consider that in all our crosses hee aymeth at, and accordingly doth by them powerfully effect our good, being of such infinite wisedome, power, and goodnes, that he can bring sweetnes out of this gall, blessings out of these curses, and wholsome nourishment out of these deadly poisons. So the Apostle telleth vsus, that all things (and namely afflictions of which he there specially intreateth) worke together for the best Rom. 8. 28vntounto them that louelove God, euen to them that are called of his purpose; and else where hee saith, that the Lord giueth (not only a harmelesse, but also) a good issue to all our tentations: Thus the Lord himselfe affirmeth, that hee brought the Israelites into the wildernesse, where they indured much affliction, to humble them, and proue them, Deut. 8. 16that hee might doe them good at their latter end. And the Church in the middest of her greatest calamities out ofLam. 3. 27 her owne feeling and experience sayth, that it is good for a man that he beare the yoke from his youth. And Dauid Psal. 119. 71for his owne particular sayth; It is good for me that I hauehave beene afflicted, that I might learne thy statutes. Yea, not only doth the Lord alwaies aduance by afflictions the spirituall and euerlasting good of the faithfull, but sometimes also turneth them to their greater benefit euen in the things of this life; as we may see in the example of Ioseph who was sold as a slaue that he might be made a great commander, and lost his patrimony at home, that he might receiue a much more la…ge inheritance in a strange country; and therefore he professeth that when his brethren intended euill against him, GodGen. 50 20 disposed it to the good, not of himselfe alone, but of many others. And thus also Iob by his afflictions was not only assured of heauenly glory, but also got endlesse …ame on earth, and was not alone enriched much more with Gods spirituall graces, but also had a twofold increase in his worldly estate. Neither ought this to seeme strange, that God through his infinite wisedome and power, should be able to bring happinesse out of misery, comfort out of crosses, and so much good out of these afflictions, which both to the flesh and the world do seeme so euill; seeing it is a familiar course with earthly Physitions, by medicines to make men weaker, that they may recouer strength, and sicker for the present, that they may be more healthy euer after, and with Surgeons to cutte, launch, scarre and torment their Patients with torturing corrasiues, that they may cure their wounds, and giuegive them perfect ease for the time to come.
But because the knowing and acknowledging of this§ Sect. 2. That …r afflictions are sometimes trials of Gods graces, and not chastisements for our sins, in respect of their maine & chief end. point is the chiefe fountaine of all true comfort and consolation, and the want of this assurance is the cause of all impatience, murmuring, and complaining; I will the more largely insist vponupon it; and will plainely proue, and by cleere euidence of truth demonstrate, that in all our afflictions & chastisemēts, the Lord both intendeth our good, and also doth accordingly by his wisedome, power and prouidence, effect it and bring it to passe. To which purpose let vsus consider, that God by our afflictions intendeth, and powerfully worketh our good, both in respect of this life and the life to come. In this life we hauehave much good by our afflictions whether wee consider them as trials, or as fatherly chastisements and corrections.
Concerning the former we are to know, that the afflictions which we suffer are not alwaies chastisements for our sinnes, but sometimes gracious trials wherewith God trieth and tempteth vsus for his owne glory and our owne good. And this may appeare both by testimonies of Scriptures and by examples: For thus the Lord sayth, that he led his people forty yeeres in the Wildernesse, Deut. 8. 2for to humble them and proue them, to know what was in their heart, whether they would keepe his commandements or no. So speaking of the remainder of his people, whom he did not vtterly cut off in iudgement, he sayth by the Prophet Zachary: I will bring that third part through the Zach. 13. 9fire, and will fine them as siluer is fined, and will try them as gold is tried. And the Apostle Peter comforting the faithfull in their afflictions, would not hauehave them astonished and dismayed with them; for though they were hot and fierie, yet they were but trials to proue, and in proouing to purifie them, that when they came to the touchstone, they might also be approued and allowed. Dearly beloued (sayth he) thinke it not strange concerning the 1. Pet. 4. 12 13fiery triall, which is among you to prooue you, as though some strange thing were come vntounto you: but reioice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings, that when his glory shall appeare, yee may be glad and reioyce. So the Author of the booke of Wisedome speaking of the afflictions of the faithfull sayth, that God proued them, and found them worthy for himselfe, as gold in the furnace Wisd. 3. 5, 6hath he tried them, and receiued them as a burnt offering. And of this we hauehave many examples in the Scriptures: For thus the Lord excercising Abraham with that great affliction of offering vp his owne Sonne euen his Isaac, Gen. 22. 1so dearely beloued, and the ioy of his heart, is sayd herein not to hauehave corrected Abraham for his sinnes, but only to hauehave proued him, that his faith and obedience might be manifested and approued, to the glory ofGen. 22. 1. him who gaue them, to his owne comfort who had receiued them, and that he might be a notable example vntounto all the faithfull who were to follow him. Thus the Lord tried Iob that by his afflictions, his faith, affiance and patience might be manifested, and that it might appeare to bee a slaunder, which Sathan laide to his charge; namely, that he serued God for rewards, andIob. 1 9. 10. 12. not for louelove, to which purpose Iob himselfe sayth, God knoweth my way and trieth me, and I shall come forth like cap. 23. 10the gold. Thus also sometimes was Dauid tried, not for the chastisement of his sin, but that his innocency and righteousnesse, faith and holinesse, might be more manifest. Thou hast proued (saith he) and visited my heart in the night; thou hast tried me, and foundest nothing; for I Psal. 17. 3.was purposed that my mouth should not offend. So the whole Church speaking of her afflictions sayth, Thou Psa. 139. 1. 5.O God hast proued vsus, and hast tried vsus as siluer is tried. Thou hast brought vsus into the snare and layde a straite chaine vponupon our loines. But most plainely doth this appeareMath. 4. 2. in the example of our Sauiour, who being free from sinne, was notwithstanding tempted and tried by Sathan and the world, that his heauenly and diuine vertues, and the infinite wisdome, power and goodnesse of his diuine nature might appeare.
Now that the Lord trieth the faithfull by crosses and afflictions, not because hee himselfe is ignorant of§ Sect. 3. That God trieth …s not to better his owne knowledge, but to make vsus knowne both to our selues and others. Iob. 42. 2 Ier. 17. 10 Heb. 4. 13. their estate and condition, and needeth these trials and experiments, that hee may come to a more perfect knowledge of them; for, as the scriptures teach vsus, He knoweth all things, and there is nothing hid from him, he searcheth our hearts and reines, and vnderstandeth our thoughts long before we thinke them. Yea as the Apostle sayth, there is not any creature which is not manifest in his sight, but all things are naked and opened vntounto the eyes of him, with whom w… hauehave to doe: But God is sayd, after the maner of men, by these trials and afflictions to know vsus, when by them he discouereth and maketh knowne, both vntounto our selues and others, either his hidden graces, or our secret infirmities, of which before we were ignorant, or not so well assured. And thus he sayth vntounto Abraham, now I know that thou fearest God, seeing for Gen. 2…. 12.my sake thou hast not spared thine only Sonne; that is, by this triall I hauehave made knowne and discouered thy faith and obedience, that I may hauehave the glory, thou the comfort, and others the benefit of thine example. For otherwise, God himselfe knoweth all before he trieth them; and therefore Iob placeth knowledge first, and triall after: He knoweth my way, and trieth me, and I shall come Iob. 23. 10.forth like the gold. And this triall of the faithfull by afflictions is most necessary, for the rectifying, both of their owne and others iudgements in the true vnderstanding of their estate and condition; For either wee are so blinded with naturall pride and selfe louelove, that we ouercome our graces and good parts, thinking that we are strong, when we are weake and feeble, constant and couragious, when as we are cowardly and faint-hearted; inuincible and fully assured in our faith and affiance, and that our patience is come to such perfection, that we can with ioy and contentednesse beare all, which God sendeth, when as we are full of doubting and infidelity, diffidence and distrust, impatience, murmuring and repining; like the Angell of the Church of Laodicea,Apoc. 3. 17 who thought himselfe, rich and increased in goods, and needed nothing, when as he was wretched and miserable, poore, blinde and naked; or like the Apostle Peter, who imagined that he was so furnished with faith, courage and louelove towards Christ, that though all the world should deny and forsake him, yet he would not, whereas he was so feeble, infirme and faint-hearted, that he was ready before any other to make this Apostasie in his outward profession: or contrariwise, when we are deiected with the sight of our naturall infirmities, wee are ready to make our estate desperate, to thinke that we are destitute of all grace, and vnable to stand in the least tentation. And therefore the Lord bringeth vsus into these trials, that wee may come to a true estimate of that which is in vsus, and neither ouerweene and magnifie our giftes and good parts, to be thereby puffed vp in pride, through a conceit of our owne excellency; nor too much vilifie and vnderunder value the gifts and graces which we hauehave receiued of him, and so rob him of that glory and praise which is due vntounto him. So that as oneChrysost. in Math. 3. Hom. 3. sayth of Christs righteous iudgements, so may I say of his trials, that he dooth by them search and examine vsus, not so much that hee may know how to iudge iustly, as that man himselfe may know that he is iustly iudged, his owne heart & conscience approuing his righteous sentence, according to that which is written: Their consciences also bearing witnesse, and their thoughts accusing Rom▪ 2. 15.one another or excusing: for so in like manner God trieth vsus, not that he may know vsus, but that we may know our selues, and may rightly conceiue both of his graces and our owne infirmities, that our owne weaknes may humble vsus, and his strength shining therein so much the more, when we are tried, may moue vsus with greater ardency of affection to praise and magnifie him. And thisMiserum te iudico quod nunquam fuisti miser, transisti sine aduersario vitam. Nemo scit quid potueris; ne tu quidem ipse, &c. Senec. de prouid. cap. 4. knowledge of our selues, arising from our afflictions is so profitable, that euen the heathen Philosopher pronounceth him miserable who had neuer been in misery, because passing his life without an aduersary, no man could know, no not he himselfe what was in him: for that we may attaine vntounto this knowledge, it is needfull that we hauehave some experience what we are able to doe, and this experience is not learned, vnlesse we hauehave been tried; In which respect magnanimious spirits reioyce no lesse in their afflictions, then valiant souldiers doe in the warres.
So also the Lord by these trials doth make vsus knowne§ Sect. 4. That God by our afflictions maketh vsus better known vntounto others. vntounto others, either discouering by them our graces or infirmities: For nothing is more common then to erre grosly in our iudgements, whilest we censure their vertues and good parts, we being easily deceiued, either by their outward shewes, because our weake and dull sight cannot pierce their secrets and inward parts; or by our owne affections, according as we ouermuch like, or dislike the parties of whom we iudg…. And thus do wee iudge some to hauehave little or none of Gods sauing graces, because they make no glorious shew in their outward profession, that in truth doe much exceed others, who by externall florishes and formalities, hauehave not on…y drawne from vsus excessiue praises, but brought vsus into a kinde of admiration of their vertue and excellency: Thus we iudge some who are in their nature and disposition mild and gentle, to hauehave little or no zeale of Gods glory, or of the good of his Church; whereas herein they farre exceed others, whom, being naturally hot and violent in their passions and affections, we admire as most feruent and zealous; though when they are brought to the triall, their naturall affections & passions which gaue so faire a blaze quickly going out (as not induring long the heate of this fierie furnace, because they are but blazing straw, or crackling thornes, which are no sooner kindled then extinguished) doe leaue them scarce luke-warme in their chiefest heate. So we vnderunder-valew some as cowardly, faint-hearted, and vnable to beare any thing for the name of Christ, because they are of a still and quiet disposition, yea it may be timorous, in respect of that sense which they hauehave of their owne naturall frailty and weaknesse, who when they come to the fiery triall, doe proue more constant and couragious then others, who by their great bragges and confident speeches, hauehave possessed vsus with an opinion of their vndaunted magnanimitie, and immoueable constancy. Finally, we are apt to iudge some destitute of all patience, because in their naturall disposition they are inclined to anger and choller; when as comming to this touch-stone of triall, they beare with much more meeknesse and contentednesse all their crosses and calamities, then others whose vntried patience we hauehave praised and extolled, whereas indeed they had neuer the true grace of patience, but some naturall mildnesse and quietnesse, which though it made a glittering and golden shew, yet (like drossie brasse) it flieth all into fitters, when it is brought to be tried vponupon this anuile of afflictions. And therefore, that false shewes and naturall shadowes, may not rob his substantiall vertues and sauing graces of their due esteeme and deserued commendation, God bringeth all to the touch-stone, and by pu…ting all into the fiery furnace of tribulation, he maketh vsus easily to discerne, his true golden gifts, from the counterfeit copper, and impure drosse of our naturall faculties and abilities, which through our ignorance we could neuer distinguish the one from the other.
Now the Lord thus trieth vsus with afflictions, first to§ Sect. 5. That God trieth vsus by afflictions, whether wee are true Christians indued with sauing graces, or no. make it known, whether we are true and sound christians or no, indued▪ with his sanctifying & sauing graces; or whether we deceiue both our selues and others with shews and shadowes only: and secondly, if we be sincere professors of religion, he trieth hereby, how much we hauehave profited, what progresse we hauehave made, and how rich we are grown in these spirituall treasures. Concerning the former, our Sauiour hath taught vsus in the parable, that there are some hearers like vntounto the stony ground, who receiue the seed of the word with ioy and bring foorth a faire green blade of an outward profession,Mat. 13 5, 6 but yet hauing no root in thēselues they endure but for a season, and when the hot sun of affliction and persecution ariseth and shineth vponupon them▪ they withe… and fall away. And therefore that these time seruing hypocrites may be knowne & discerned from true professors and sincere christians, he causeth this sun of tribulation to arise, that these may be tried and approued, and they discouered and reiected. We all make profession that we are the children of God, though many in truth remaine still the seruants of sinne and slaues of sathan; and therefore the lord, like the eagle, taketh all his yong eaglets, after that he hath for a time fed and nourished them in the nest of the Church, and maketh them to looke vponupon the piercing beames of this sunne of affliction; that he may discouer and seuer the bastard broode whose weak sight indureth not this blazing brightnesse, from those who being true bred are able to behold it with vndazeled eies. We professe our selues to be gold fit for Gods treasury, and pure corne meet for the graners of eternall blessednesse: and yet there is among vsus more drosse then gold, and more chaffe then wheat: and therefore the Lord casteth vsus into the fiery furnace of affliction, that the pure mettall may be tried and in triall purified, and the drossie substance may be seuered, and in the separation burned and consumed: and fanneth and winnoweth vsus with the strong wind of tribulatiō, that the chaffe may be blowne away, and the pure corne remaine for his owne vse. We professe our selues trees well planted by Gods owne hand in his garden of grace, and that we are houses fit for his owne dwelling, which hauehave a good ground and sure foundation, euen the rock Iesus Christ: whereas in trueth there are many plants of the diuells setting, which hauehave no other hold but the weake and short roots of carnall ends and worldly respects: which are there planted by sathan, to hinder the growth, to sucke away the nourishment, and to shade and annoy, disorder and disgrace those fruitfull and choice trees of Gods owne grafting; and many houses which are not built vponupon the rock Christ, but vponupon the sands of humane inuentions and traditions, vponupon the examples of their superiours, or their owne good meaning and vngrounded superstition: and therefore the Lord causeth the winds to blow, and the tempestuous stormes of trialls and troubles to arise; that his owne trees may be approued, and take the more deepe rooting by how much the more they are tossed and shaken, and that those plants of sathans setting may bee ouerturned and rooted vp, and maketh these boisterous blasts of trouble to blow, and these billowes of tentations to beat vponupon these buildings, that the temples of his owne erecting, for the habitation of his holy spirit, may by their standing in all these stormes, approue the skill of the workmaster and the excellency of the worke, and that these chappells of the diuell, which being guilt with hypocrisie, make no lesse a shew may be ouerturned and vtterly ruinated, hauing no other foundation but the sandy respects of worldly vanities, which faile and sinke when these waues of affliction d…e beate vponupon them. Finally we professe our selues to be souldiers in the Church militant fighting vnderunder the standard of the Lord of hoasts, and we hauehave in our baptisme (as it were) taken our oath, receiued the presse▪ mony, and taken vponupon vsus the colours & cognisance of our great cammander and chiefe cap…aine Iesus Christ: And therefore the Lord suffereth sathan and the world to assault vsus with afflictions and persecution, to trie vsus whether we be traitors, who vponupon the first encounter will ioyne with the enemy or true-harted souldiers, who will liue and die in our Lords quarrell; whether we be such cowards and dastards as will presently yeeld at the first on-set, though before we hauehave made many brags of our strength and valour: or of such couragious and magnanimious spirits, as will not flie backe one foot to saue our liues. And this our SauiourM…. 10. 22. tried the yong man in the Gospell, who though he seemed at the first sight, a great worthy of vndanted courage, yet when our Sauiour did but speake of those two enemies pouerty and the crosse, at the very naming of them he was discomfited and did run away▪
And as we are thus tried with afflictions whetherSect. 6. That God by our afflictions …rieth vntounto what measure of grace we hauehave attained, and first of the measure of our faith and affiance. we be true christians and indued with any grace or no; so also therby he sheweth what progresse we hauehave made in christianity, and vntounto what measure of grace we hauehave attained. For as when we are winnowed with the wind of afflictions eueryevery small blast is sufficient to separate & driue away the chaffe from the wheat, so when a stronger gale bloweth, there is a second diuision made; for howsoeuer the weaker and stronger christians remaine together in the same Church and communion, as it were in the same floore and heape, yet when any strong blast of tentation bloweth, those that are weaker in grace like the lighter corne, shake, stagger and flie somewhat back, whereas the stronger are not moued, but keep their place, like the purer wheat and waightier graine, with great constancy and vndanted courage. And thus doth the Lord trie our faith, and by these afflictions shew vsus vntounto what degree and measure of assurance we hauehave attained; for when it is weake and but of small growth, though we imagine with Peter, that we can walke vntounto Christ vponupon the deepe waters, yet if but a small waue of affliction arise and come against vsus, we are through infidelity ready to sinke and perish, if Christ did not catch hold of vsus; howsoeuer in selfe confidence and conceipt we are ready to boast with him, that though al the world should forsake Christ, we will not: yet when we come to the triall, the voice of a poore damsell is enough to quell all our courage▪ and to make vsus shamefully flie backe and forsake our master. But when we are come vntounto fulnes of perswasion, then are we ready to say with Paul, vntounto those who disswade vsus from bearing the crosse which God layeth vponupon vsus; what doe you weeping and breaking my heart, for I am ready not only to be bound, but also to suffer death for the name of Christ; and to professeAct. 21. 13. with him in another place, that neither tribulation nor anguish, n…r persecution, nor famine, nor nakednesse, nor Rom. 8. 35. 38.perill, nor sword, nor death, nor diuell shall be able to separate vsus from the louelove of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. So by this fiery triall appeareth the measure of our affiance; for when it is weake, then if God withdraw from vsus visible and outward meanes, and thrust vsus into some danger not shewing vsus an euasion, nor putting a thread into our hands which may guide vsus out of this labyrinth▪ we are presently dismaide, and without courage or comfort, and bee ready to thinke of vnlawfull meanes for our safety or deliuerance; but when we hauehave attained vntounto some high degree of confidence and affiance, then can we firmly rely our selues vponupon the power and prouidence of God, with comfort and assurance, as well when we are weake in secundary helps, as when we are strong; yea when in outward appearance we are destitute and abandoned of them, as when they guard and compasse vsus about, offering vponupon all occasions their aide and assistance: neither doe we only confesse our confidence in God when as we are hedged in on all sides with Gods blessings and benefits, but in our greatest miseries and extremities, in assured affiance, we a…e ready to cry out, with holy Iob, though he kill me yet will I trust in him.
Thus also doth the Lord by these afflictions makeIob. 13. 15. triall of our louelove. And as the tender mother sometimes§ Sect. 7. That God by our afflictions …aketh triall of the measure of our louelove, patience humility and obedience. withdraweth and hideth her selfe from her child, to trie how he will brooke her absence, taketh again the things which she had giuen him to trie his louelove and obedience; and vponupon fit occasion correcteth him, not only to mend him of his faults, but to make an experiment of his nature, how louing he is vntounto her: and if in all th…se trialls he approueth himselfe, bewailing her absence, patien…ly parting with hi… delights for the louelove he beareth her, and increasing in louelove and fondnesse after his chastisement; it doth notably inlarge her affection towards her sonne; whom she now loueth▪ not only out of motherly duty, but with much comfort and delight: euen so doth the Lord make triall of our louelove by withdrawing himselfe and his gifts, and by inflicting vponupon vsus his fatherly corrections; that our louelove and obedience being approued by experience, he may increase his fauours towards vsus, and entirely louelove vsus with more pleasure. For to shew our affection towards him, when being in prosperity we abound with his blessings, is no great matter; seeing we are hyred thereunto with the wages of worldly benefits, and doe therefore louelove God because we first louelove our selues, not for his owne sake, but because of his gifts and rewards: but if our louelove continue in his wonted heat, when as God withdraweth this fuell of earthly plenty, and we imbrace him with ardent affection, when (as it were) he stoppeth our wages, or resumeth into his hands that which formerly he bestowed on vsus: then will it plainly appeare, that we louelove the giuer, better then his gifts, and that we find cause enough in God himselfe to vnite our hearts vntounto him, though all these bands of earthly blessings be broken or taken away. Yea if the fire of affliction doe not lessen, but much intend and increase the heat of this our louelove, and no danger seeme difficult into which God thrusteth vsus▪ no burthen heauy which he laieth vponupon vsus; if (as it fared with Iacob being in louelove with Rahel) many yeeres miseries do seeme but a few daies because we suffer them for his sake; yea if we are glad being assaulted with these enemies, to indure many wounds, to receiue many foiles, and sustaine much griefe and labour, that by these trialls we may shew our affection, and that loues triumph may be more glorious, after it hath obtained victory ouer so great forces; ther… are our hearts throughly warmed with this heauenly flame, and our louelove is strong yea (as the wise man speaketh)Cant. 8. 6. 7. stronger then death, seeing these waters of worldly miseries cannot quench it, nor these flouds of afflictions coole or drowne it. And as the Lord by these afflictionsChrysost. Math. cap. 3. Homil. 3. sheweth how great the measure of our louelove is towards him, so because the louelove of him and the world are quite contrary, he doth by the same meanes discouer, how much we hauehave profited in the contempt of the world, and are weaned in our affections frō doting vpō it. For as the graine of come which is full & ripe, & is no sooner touched with the flaile but it presently flieth from the straw and empty eare, and if it be small and light is not beaten out, vnlesse it be with much more difficulty, but if it be altogether empty and vnripe it cannot with much thrashing be seuered, but remaineth still in the straw, and is cast out or burnt with it: so those who adhere vntounto worldly delights like the corn to the chaffe & care, if they be ful of grace & ripe in godlines, are with the least touch of this flaile of afflictions seuered from the louelove of the world; and being vnited in their heart and affection vntounto God, they flie vntounto him; whereas if hauing begun to imbrace vertue and holinesse, they hauehave made as yet but small progresse, they are not weaned from these worldly vanities except they be much beaten with many crosses and calamities, but if they be quite empty of all grace and goodnesse, then doe they in their heart and affections sticke so inseparably fast vntounto the things of this life, that though they be neuer so much beaten with afflictions and tribulations, yet they cannot be disioyned and parted, and so are cast out and reiected of God, perishing together with these transitory euills, because they will not be deuided from them. Finally God by these afflictions doth trie the measure of our patience, obedience and humility; for where there is no passion and suffering, there is no place for patiēce; where there is no difficulty danger or burthen to be vndergone, there is no triall of obedience; and when Gods will doth not crosse ours, eueryevery man can shew humility and submission; but then our patience is manifested and magnified, when being vnderunder heauy crosses and calamities, we beare them with meeknesse and cheerfulnesse, without any murmuring and repining; then are we truely obedient, when with the Apostle, we can serue the Lord with all modesty, & with Act. 20. 19▪many tears and tentations, in respect of the miseries which accompany our seruice, and the dangers which attend vponupon it; and (as elsewhere he saith) when we can hold on a constant course in godlinesse and righteousnesse, and in all things approue our selues as the seruants of God, In much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in prisons, in tumults, in labours, by watchings, 2. Cor. 6. 4. 5.by fastings, &c. by honor & dishonor, by euill report and good report, &c. then is our humility shewed and approued, when in our greatest distresse and danger, we can say with Dauid, Behold here am I, let him doe to me as seemeth 2. Sam. 15 26. Mar. 14 36.good in his eies, and with our Sauiour Christ, not my will but thine be done. In a word all sanctifying and sauing graces, both in their truth and measure, are much better tried and knowne, in the time of trouble and affliction, then when they are enfolded and wrapped vp in the rich furniture of plenty and abundance. For as the starres do not appeare in the day time; but shine most brightly in the darkest night; so these glorious starres of Gods sauing graces, which were hardly discerned in the day of prosperity and worldly happinesse, do shine clearely, and (as it were) in their full strength, in the darke night of troubles and afflictions. And as in Maisteries, men healthfull, strong, and of good habitude and proportion of lims, doe not plainly appeare so to be, when hauing their garments on, they come marching in all their brauery, but when they hauehave stript themselues, and appeare naked on the Theater; then are the beholders most rapt with admiration, when nothing shadoweth or hideth the excellent proportion and strong making of all their parts and lims: euen so the inwarde graces and good parts of a Christian, are not so well discerned when the ornaments of prosperity, the riches, honours and delights of this life doe shade and couer them, but when they are stript of all, and are with Iob brought to the theater to contend and striue with the aduersaries of our saluation, that they obtaining the victorie, may bee crowned with the garland of glory and happinesse; then all vailes and shadowes being taken away, the gifts and graces receiued from God doe appeare in their naked beautie, and then are the behoulders rauished, when they view their worth and excellency, which were neither discerned nor regarded whilest they were hid and couered.
And thus the Lord trieth, and by triall discouereth,§ Sect. 8. That God tryeth vsus principally for his own glorie: and in the next place for the aduancing of our credit and esteem, through the manifestation of his graces in vsus. both his gifts and the measure of them; chiefly and principally for his owne glory from whom we hauehave receiued them: for as the art of the shipwright appeareth when the ship brooketh all weathers, continueth firme and strong in al stormes and tempests, and say leth wel with all windes and in euerie sea; and as the cutlers and armorours skill is made manifest, not whilest the sword hangeth by the side in a veluet scabberd; or whilest the armour is cleane kept and well oiled in the armorie; but when the one is tried in fight, or by smiting the anuile or barre of iron; and the other in the field with the caliuer or musket shot: so these workes of Gods spirit, these sanctifying and sauing graces, doe then most commend their workmaster, when they come to be tried in this sea of miseries, and with these bullets of tentation; for if they then hould out, and neither leake nor sinke, and being neither peirced, nor much battered, do preserue vsus from all outward violence in this combate against our spirituall enemies, then the wisedome and skill, power and bountie of God, who both made and gaue them, doth clearely shine and manifestly appeare. And as the Lord the donor of these gifts and graces is glorified in the triall of them, so we the owners, comming by these meanes to the knowledge and sight of them, hauehave in our selues much more ioy and comfort, and are more highly valued and esteemed in others iudgements, when these rich treasures and vnualuable Iewels of Gods sauing graces are discouered vntounto them: which if they were not thus tryed would be obscured, and lye hid both to them and vsus. To this purpose one saith▪ that to be alwaies in a prosperous estate: and to passe all a mans time without any vexation of mind, is to remaine ignorant of the one halfe of nature and humaine affaires: thou maiest be a man of magnanimious spirit, but how shall I know it, if thou neuer hauehave occasion to shew thySenec. de Prou. cap. 4. vertue? thou commest into the theater to striue for masteries: but there commeth no aduersarie to contend with thee, thou maiest well hauehave the prize, but not the victorie. And againe; how shall I know with what patienco thou canst beare pouertie, if thou doest alwaies abound in riches? how shall I discerne what heart and courage thou hast to indure shame, infamie, and popular hatred, if thou wax old in vulger applauses, & the stream of their fauours flow vntounto thy graue? how shall I know with what constancie and contentednesse thou couldest sustain the losse of thy children, if all, which hauehave beene borne vntounto thee, are still in thy sight? well may I heare thee whilest thou art comforting others: but then only I truely see and discerne thee, when thou giuest comfort vntounto thy selfe, and commandest thy griefes to auoide thy presence. He that would know the skill of the Pilate must not looke on him lying quietly on his bed in a safe port: nor sayling in a faire sea, with a prosperous winde: but when he is in the middest of syrts and sands, tossed & indangered with boysterous stormes and cruell tempests, then to quit his ship and selfe out of these perils, and to bring it safe into the wished hauen, argueth the greatnesse of his skill, and gaineth him the reputation of a cunning mariner. The prowesse, fortitude, and vndaunted courage of a souldier is not discerned whilest he securely resteth in the garrison without feare of foe: but in the fight and skirmish, when as he is in the throng of enemies, beset with dangers; and (asSenec. in sap. nō Cad. iniur. lib. cap. 3. one saith) his strength is more approued, who fighting is not vanquished; than his, who is not at all assaulted: and whereas vntried valour is very doubtfull and questionable, that fort…tude is most assured which ouercommeth in all incounters: So the sweet odour of the precious ointment, whilest it is kept in the glasse, safe and close, is scarcely sented; but being stirred and powred out, it perfumeth all the roome, and is highly commended of all that hauehave the benefit of this fragrant smell. The gold is accounted (of those who iudge by outward appearance) base and of small worth, whilest it lyeth in the oare, but when it is purified in the fierie furnace, and tried by the touchstone, then is it valued and esteemed. And therefore the Lord bringeth vsus into a sea of miseries, and tosseth vsus with the tempest of tentations, that by well acquitting our selues in these perils, our skill, wherewith he hath indued vsus, may be manifested and approued. He suffereth vsus not in this christian warfare to lye at ease in garrison, but bringeth vsus into the field, and suffereth many and strong enemies to incounter vsus; that demeaning our selues manfully in this fight, he our graund captain may hauehave the chiefe glorie, & we that due approbatiō & praise, which of right belongeth to our courage and fortitude. He wil not let the sweet ointmēt of his spiritual graces to be kept close, & so to become vnprofitable both to our selues and others, but rather battereth and breaketh these glassie and …arthen vessels of our bodies, that they may send out a sweet perfume to the great comfort of others and ioy of our owne hearts. Finally, he will not suffer vsus to lye in the oare of our earthly corruptions, but casteth vsus into the fierie furnace, that being purified from our drosse, we may be approued in the touch, and be esteemed and prized, as well befitteth our worth and value, according to that of the Prouerbs: As the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for gold: so the Prou. 17. 3.Lord trieth the hearts.
Yea the Lord thus trieth vsus, not onelyonly for the discouery§ Sect. 9. That God also discouereth by afflictions our corruptions & infirmities for our humiliation. of his graces to his glory and our comfort; but also of our infirmities and corruptions, for our humiliation, and others instruction. For naturally we hauehave an ouerweening opinion of our owne worth, an high conceit of our own gifts; and presume too much vponupon our own strength; and like fresh-water souldiers we thinke our selues, before we come into the field, so strong and valorous, that no enemie is able to withstand vsus: whereas contrariwise there oftentimes lyeth hid in vsus much infirmitie and weakenesse, many imperfections, and such a huge masse of grosse corruptions, that no sooner are we assaulted, but we presently yeeld or run away; or if we stand to it, we are eyther foiled by our enemies, or taken captiue, and led away in the fetters of sinne; shewing our impatiencie and murmuring against our ground, captaine who by his prouidence hath brought vsus into this fight. Now to be thus conceited of our abilities, is exceeding dangerous and pernitious; for it puffeth vsus vp with pride, it maketh vsus to rest and relie vponupon the broken …ffer of our owne strength, and not vponupon the Lord afflicta…; it maketh vsus negligent and cold in prayer for help and succour from God, and in praises and thanksgiuing, when he hath supported vsus. And therfore the Lord; to preuent these great mischiefes, bringeth vsus into the field to be incountred by our spirituall enemies; and as he sometimes strengtheneth vsus with the power of his might, that he may hauehave glorie, and we comfort, and incouragement by the victory: so sometimes hee leaueth vsus to our weake abilities, & suffereth vsus to receiue many foiles and wounds; that we may be truely humbled in the sight of our infirmities, flee out of our selues, as wholly distrusting in our owne strength, craue his aide and assistance, and that hauing obtained it, and with it victorie ouer our spiritual enemies, we may not rob him of his glorie by attributing any part of the praise vntounto our selues, but ascribe all the honor vntounto him onelyonly; by whose power alone we know that …e hauehave ouercome, seeing we finde by experience that we are in our selues so weake and impotent, that when we are left vntounto our owne strength, we are in eueryevery small tentation easily ouercome. An example whereof we hauehave in Iob, who was no sooner left of God in that greiuous conflict of affliction, but he curseth the day of his birth, repineth against Gods prouidence, and is readie to vtter blasphemies against his iustice; and no sooner againe is he supported by Gods assisting spirit, but he is humbled in the sight of his infirmities, giueth glorie to God, and easily ouercommeth all those tentations, which formerly finding him in his naturall weakenesse, did with greater ease giuegive him the foile. And thus also the LordPsal. 81. 7. tried the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah, when as leauing them to the frowardnesse of their owne disposition, they presently forga…e what great things he had done for them, and began to murmure and repine against his prouidence. And the Apostle Peter likewise was thusMatth. 26. 70. 7…. tried by God, that being foiled after all his bragges, with the voice of a sillie Damosell, he might be humbled in the sense of his infirmitie, boast no more of his owne strength, and that ouercomming afterwards in farre more dangerous conflicts, he might ascribe nothing to himselfe, but giuegive the whole glorie vntounto God, by whose might alone he obtained victorie.