Consolations for the Afflicted, Book 2 · Chapter 20
CHAP. XX.
That God by afflictions increaseth in vsus all his spirituall graces, and first those which are seated in the vnderstanding.
AND thus hauehave I shewed how the Lord vsethSect. 1. That afflictions exercise and by exercising preserue in vsus Gods sauing graces. afflictions as a notable meanes to free vsus from our sinnes: It now followeth that I also shew, that he doth by them exercise and strengthen, multiplie and increase in vsus all christian vertues, and the sanctifying & sauing graces of his holy spirit. To which purpose we ar… to know, that as the master of the masteries will not suffer his scholars to spend their time in idlenesse, but keepeth them in continuall exercise, as running, wrastling, leaping, fencing, and accustometh their bodies to painfull labours, to keep them in breath, and not only to preserue their strength and agility, but also to increase it; so doth the Lord exercise the faithfull in this world, as in a schoole of masteries, making them to wrastle and striue with troubles and afflictions, that he may hereby both confirme & preserue the strength of his sanctifying graces in them, & also increase and multiplie them by this spirituall exercise; wheras they wouldTorp…scit virtus vbi certam…n defuerit, & facilè hostis malitia coalescit, si pgrescat …▪ animus repugnantis Chrysost de interdict. arb…ris serm. languish and grow faint with sloth and idlenesse. For as it fareth with the strength of the body, so also with the vertues and powers of the mind; the more they are disused from labour, and rest at their ease without an enemy, the more weake and impotent they daily grow, but the more they are exercised and assaulted, the more they are strengthned and confirmed. And as the trees which are tossed in the winter with tempestuous stormes, do thereby take the deper rooting, so Gods graces are not ouerturned with these boisterous blasts of trouble and affliction, but are the more firmly rooted in vsus; and the more that the flesh is weakned by them, the more strong we grow in the spirituall part; and though hereby our outward 2. Cor. 4. 16.man perisheth, yet the inward man is renewed daily. It is true that whilst we are in this combat of afflictions,Nauigium vitae nostrae agitationibus gaudet; sola tranquillitate turbatur. Stupet enim cursus cessantibus ventis. periclitatur si periculis non probetur. Hieronym. ad aegrotum amicum epist. T. 4. wearied with labours, and tyred with resisting; this spirituall strength doth not so sensibly appeare, but rather seemeth to be abated and weakned (euen as it also befalleth vsus in the exercises and contentions of the body) but yet after the conflict is ended, our strength vponupon a little rest is presently renued, & becommeth much more able and actiue then it was before. Yea sometimes it commeth to passe, that afflictions like a cloude doe hide out of our sight the bright beames of these spirituall graces, and these miseries and calamities, like ashes, couer these shining and burning coales of Gods sauing gifts, so as neither their heat nor light is discerned by the outward sense, but whilst they hide them, they also preserue them, which otherwise would be more subiect to wasting and going out, if they did lie open to the outward aire of worldly prosperity.
Yea these troubles and calamities doe not only confirmeSect. 2. That afflictions do not only preserue and confirme, but also increase and multiply in vsus Gods sauing graces. and preserue in vsus Gods spirituall graces, but also doe (as I sayd) increase and multiply them. For these holy seeds of Gods sauing gifts doe become most fruitfull when as they are pinched with the frost of afflictions; and this heauenly fire of sanctifying grace doth much increase both in heat and brightnesse, when the wind of tribulation doth blow vponupon it. And this commeth to passe, both because the Lord is then most willing to bestow vponupon vsus these rich treasures of grace and sanctification, when by these crosses and calamities we are fitted to receiue them, and also because we then aboue all times, most earnestly desire to be thus spiritually inriched, when as we are impouerished in worldly comforts, and vtterly spoiled of all earthly delights. For the Lord will not cast the seed of his graces into the ground of our hearts, before they are prepared to receiue them. And as the wise husband man will not hazard his wheat by sowing it in all kinds of land, but maketh choise of that which is fittest, and then ploweth, falloweth, and harroweth it, that it may be the better prepared to receiue the seede: so much lesse will the Lord sow that much more precious graine of his sauing graces, in the stony and thorny hearts of wicked worldlings, but maketh choise only of his elect, which being made good grounds by his alone goodnesse, and the sole sun-shine of his grace and fauor; he first prepareth them for this holy seed by plowing, breaking vp and harrowing of their hearts full of naturall hardnesse, with troubles and afflictions, and then casteth it into them with a liberall hand. He will not giuegive his graces to the proud and lofty, who would contemne and despise them, but to the humble & lowlie; and because our harts are naturally haughty and exalted aboue measure, therefore the Lord first humbleth and presseth them downe with the waight of affliction, before he will giuegive vntounto them this spirituall aduancement. He vouchsafeth these precious gifts vntounto none, but them whose hearts are inlarged to receiue them, because such alone will esteeme them when they hauehave them; and whereas they are naturally streight, and hauehave this narrow roome, filled with carnall, and worldly louelove, therefore he first emptieth them of this earthly trash by taking it from them, and then stretcheth and inlargeth the heart in holy desires with troubles and afflictions, and so satisfieth and filleth them with his heauenly treasures. He will not giuegive these spirituall dainties to be fed vponupon by full stomackes, seeing they would loath this diuine sweetnesse and be cloied with it: but he filleth the hungry with these good things, & because we naturally want this appetite, he vsually getteth vsus a stomacke and sharpneth our hunger, by withholding from vsus all worldly delicates, and by appointing vsus to feed on the bread of affliction and water of sorrow. And as the Lord most willingly giueth his spirituall graces to those, who are by afflictions and tribulations fitted to receiue them: so do they who are in this afflicted estate, aboue all others, esteeme these precious gifts, and accordingly desire, and with all diligence vse the meanes to attaine vntounto them: for when by our afflictions wee are so humbled that we become nothing in our selues, then do we most earnestly desire, that God by his grace and holy spirit may bee in vsus all in all; when by calamities we are emptied of all earthly consolations, then do we most eagerly hunger after these spirituall comforts: when we are dispoiled of worldly riches, honours, pleasures, health, strength and the rest; then do we most couet to bee inriched with that chiefe riches of Gods sauing graces which can neuer be taken from vsus, and with great diligence seeke them from God by prayer, hearing the word, and vsing all other good meanes for the satisfying of our holy desires with vnwearied cheerefulnesse.
And thus doe the faithfull, like painfull Bees, gather the greatest store of this sweet hony of Gods graces, out of the bitter thime of trouble and affliction; and grow most rich in God when they are most impouerished in the world. In regard whereof one calleth afflictionTribulatio est virtutum omnium mater. Chrysost. in Math. 12. Hom. 29. the mother of Christian vertues, because as in a fruitfull wombe, shee breedeth, nourisheth and increaseth them to their perfect growth and full strength; the which is not to be vnderstood of it being considered in it owne nature, but as it is sanctified by God for this vse and purpose; for in her selfe this mother hath a barren wombe and dry breasts, or is only fruitfull in bringing forth sinne, vnlesse the spirit of God, the father of all grace and goodnesse, do make it fruitfull by infusing vitall power and strength into it; and these waters of affliction in themselues are ready to drowne vsus, if they were not scattered with the breath of Gods spirit, whereby they become like fruitful showers fit to water vsus, that these fruits of Gods sauing graces, may spring and grow in vsus.
But to let vsus descend to some particulars, and for orders§ Sect. 3. That God by afflictions increaseth in vsus sauing knowledge and spiritua…l wis…om. sake consider these graces as they respect God, or else our neighbours and our selues: The graces which respect God, are either seated in the vnderstanding mind and intellectuall part, or in the heart, will and affections, or in both together; or else the fruits of them all, appearing in our vnfeined repentance and new obedience; all which are either confirmed and preserued, or else increased and multiplied by our troubles and afflictions. The graces which are seated in our minde and vnderstanding, are knowledge and remembrance of God and his will, which in his word is reuealed vntounto vsus. The first grace is sauing knowledge and spirituall wisedome, the which is notably preserued, and exceedingly increased by crosses and calamities: for this fire of afflictions doth giuegive great light to the vnderstanding; and this sharpe eye-salue, though it doth for the present dazle the sight, yet afterwards it doth singularly cleere the eyes of the minde, so as they are much fitter to see spirituall things, and to discerne the wayes of God. And whereas prosperity, vsually making men drunke with worldly pleasures, doth so take away the heart, intoxicate the braine, and infatuate the vnderstanding, that it is not capable of the knowledge of God and spirituall things: when by a fast of afflictions wee are freed from this surfet, and by long abstinence hauehave these intoxicating fumes of worldly vanities taken away, then doe we come vntounto our selues, and recouer our vnderstanding, wherby we are inabled to iudge and discerne of spirituall things, and to conceiue of God and his will, as they are reuealed vntounto vsus in his word. So the wise man sayth, that the rod and correction giuegive wisedome. Pro. 29. 15And the Prophet telleth the people, who were growne desperate in their wickednesse, that seeing they did not regard Gods word and terrible threatnings, to be reclaimed by them from their sinnes, and nothing but feare, proceeding from sense of Gods iudgements, would worke vponupon their hard hearts; therfore the Lord would inflict vponupon them plagues and calamities, that these punishments might cause them to feare him, and this feare might make them so attentiue to his word, that they might vnderstand it and profit by it; and there shall be only feare (sayth hee) to make you vnderstand the hearing; that is the word of the Lord, sounding in yourEsa. 28. 19. eares by the ministery of his Prophets, which in your security caused by prosperity, you would not vnderstand, but scorned and tormented. Thus the people of Israell being in great afflictions, are brought in by the Prophet saying one to another: Come and let vsus returne Hos. 6. 1. 3to the Lord: for he hath spoiled and he will heale vsus, &c. then shall wee hauehave knowledge, and indeauour our selues to Chap. 8. 2.know the Lord. So afterwards hee sayth, that being in great straights, by reason of their mighty enemies preuailing against them, they should cry vntounto the Lord; My God we know thee. That therefore which Salomon speaketh of naturall children, may be truly sayd of the children of God; foolishnesse is bound in their heart, but Pro. 22. 15the rodde of correction shall driue it away from them. And as experience teacheth vsus, that cockered chilren are seldome wise, because the Parents indulgence and fondnesse maketh the child wanton, and wantonnesse is the cause of much foolishnesse; and contrariwise, that those, who are kept vnderunder a seuere discipline, doe most excell in knowledge, discretion and vnderstanding, because they are made hereby more watchfull ouer their words and waies, powdring them with wisdome, before they dare offer thē to be tasted by their gouernours: So likewise, when our heauenly father suffereth vsus to abound in earthly delights, and to hauehave the world at will, we become wanton through prosperity, and foolish through our wantonnesse: but when hee nurtereth vsus in the schoole of afflictions, we labour to informe our selues in those things which please ordisplease him, and so accordingly we frame our words and actions. An example wherof we hauehave in Nebuchadnezzar, who being in prosperity, was blinde in his vnderstanding, and ignorant of the true God, from whence proceeded his foolish boasting and vaine-glorious bragging: Is not this great Babell, which I hauehave built for the house of the kingdome, by the might of my power, and for the glory of my maiesty? Dan. 4. 27. 31.But when he was humbled by a grieuous affliction, then his vnderstanding was restored vntounto him; and hee doth not foolishly magnifie himselfe, but giueth thanks vntounto the most high, and prayseth and honoureth him that liueth Dan. 4. 27. 31for euer: whereby it appeareth, that as the sun-shine of prosperity doth so dazle our spiritull sight, and so dim the eyes of our vnderstanding, that wee are not capable of the knowledge of God and heauenly things, so the darknes of afflictions doth notably recouer and cleare them, so that they can discerne the will of God, when the light of the word appeareth to them. And this commeth to passe first, because in our afflictions we are made more diligent in hearkening vntounto those admonitions and instructions, which we hauehave contemned in the time of prosperity, and are more industrious and laborious in learning those spiritual lessons of wisdom, when as we feare the rod of correction, and do feele the smart of our negligence and ignorance. So Elihu sayth, that God openeth Iob. 33. 16. & cap. 33. 15the eares of men by their corrections, and causeth them to hearken vntounto his word in the time of trouble. An example whereof we hauehave in Dauid, who professeth that it wasPsal. 119. 71 good for him to hauehave beene afflicted, that he might learne Gods statutes. So the Iewes when they were troubled in conscience, & afflicted in mind, through the sense which they had of their …; doe exceedingly hunger after this sauing knowledge, crying out, Men and brethren Act. 2. 37.what shall wee doe? And the Iaylor, being in great feare and astonishment, and throughly humbled in the sight of his sinne, came trembling, and fell downe before Paul and Silas, saying: Sirs, what must I doe tobee saued? Chap. 16. 29Secondly, these afflictions doe notably increase spirituall wisedome and sauing knowledge, as they doe season our natural wit, and that knowledge which we hauehave attained vntounto by the light of Gods word, making them which are vnsauoury and fruit lesse in then selues, to become sauoury and profitable. For, by our afflictions wee hauehave experience, and by experience wisdome; in which respect it is truly sayd, that afflictions doe make fooles wise; for whereas almost none can make any vse of that knowledge which they hauehave by their owne wit and naturall vnderstanding (in regard whereof it is truly sayd, that wit is nothing worth, vntill it bee dearely bought) no nor yet by the experience, which they hauehave by others euils: whē their knowledge is seasoned & approued by their owne experience, then they make vse of that they know, and eueryevery notion in their vnderstanding thus confirmed, becommeth a principle to inform their iudgements, and a rule to reforme and direct their liues. And thus in our afflictions we hauehave experience of Gods wrath and anger against sin, seeing he doth chastise and correct it euen in his owne children; and so hauing felt the smart of our former folly in committing it, we become wiser for the time to come, and will not easily be allured to swallow this hooke againe, after wee hauehave been once pricked with it, though it bee couered with the inticing baites of worldly vanities, or to feede on the dainty meats of sinful pleasures, when we by experience find what a bitter and loathsom after-tast they hauehave left behind them.
Thus also wee hauehave experience in our afflictions of Gods infinite wisedome, whereby hee bringeth good out of euill, light out of darknesse, blessings out of curses, and maketh the fruits of sinne the meanes of saluation, causing vsus to finde a ready way into the ioyes of heauen, by the gates of hell, and the first flashes of hellish fire: And also of his omnipotent power, whereby he mightily effecteth all this which he hath in this wisdome purposed, supporting vsus in our greatest weaknes, and defending vsus, when we are most vnable to helpe our selues, against all the furious assaults of our malitious enemies. Thus we hauehave experience of his wise and powerfull prouidence, when as we perceiue that all our afflictions, with whatsoeuer circumstances belong vntounto them, are ruled by it; and though in themselues they are euill and hurtfull, yet that they are so wisely disposed, that in the end they turne to our good, and do much further the saluation of our soules; of his infinite mercy and louelove wherby he moderateth and mitigateth all our afflictions, so as they may not exceed our strength, and sweetneth them by the inward comforts of his spirit, & the taste & feeling of his grace and fauour, that we hauehave more true ioy in them, then worldlings in the fruition of all their pleasures: And finally of his truth, both in afflicting those chastisements which he hath threatned, and in performing of all his promises, both in strengthening and supporting vsus whilest we are vnderunder the burthen of the crosse, and in deliuering vsus from all our afflictions, in such time as is most conuenient and seasonable, both for his owne glory, and the aduancing of our spirituall good.
Yea, not onelyonly doe wee by afflictions attaine to the knowledge of Gods excellencies and perfections, but also of the worlds mutability and vanity. For howsoeuer looking vponupon men in their flourishing prosperity we think their estate so excellent that it cannot be matched, and so permanent that it cannot be changed; when we see our health turned into sicknes, and strength into weaknes, our riches into pouerty, and our honors into disgrace and contempt, our mirth into mourning, and our liberty into imprisonment, then do wee plainly discerne that worldly felicity is but a smoake or dreame which sodainly vanisheth and leaueth nothing behinde it; and therefore we will not, when we enioy it, put our confidence in it, nor set our hearts vponupon it, and as we will not much reioyce when it befalleth vsus, so wil we not vnmeasurably mourne when it departeth.Sect. 4. That the benefit of spirituall wisdome much exceedeth our hurt by afflictions.
And therefore, seeing these worldly afflictions doe so much increase sauing knowledge & heauenly wisdome, this consideration should moue vsus to beare them with great patience and comfort, in as much as our earthly losses, are far exceeded by our spirituall gaine; and our outward grieuances are abundantly recompenced with inward benefits. For this wisdome is better then pretious Pro. 3. 11. 19. & 3. 15.stones, and all pleasures are not to be compared vntounto her, her fruit is better then gold, euen then fine gold, and her reuenews better then fine siluer. It is more pretious then pearles, and all things that thou canst desire, are not to be compared vntounto her. It is that by which wee hauehave our very essEnce, and being in christianity; for as by natural reason & vnderstanding we are men, so by sanctified reason, spiritual wisdome, and sauing knowledge we are christian men; and as (our Sauiour saith) this is that life, whereby wee must liue for euer, to know the only true God, and whom he Ioh. 17. 3.hath sent Iesus Christ. It is the fountaine & foundation of all true religion, and the only sure ground of all other sauing graces: for as they all arise from faith, so faith it selfe from this sauing knowledge. In all which respects holy Dauid is so far from thinking a man miserable that is afflicted with worldly crosses that he accounteth him happy, when as he profiteth by it in wisdome and knowledg.Psal. 94 2. Blessed is the man (saith he) O Lord whom thou chastisest, and teachest him in thy lawe.§ Sect. 5. That aff…ct…ons are notable meanes to put vsus in remembrance of God.
The other grace seated in the intellectuall part of the soule, is the remembrance of God and his will, which is also much increased and renewed by afflictions. For whereas plenty and prosperity make vsus to looke vntounto, and rest in our owne prouision, in secundary causes and inferiour meanes, forgetting in the meane time God, who is the author of al our good, because we are so supported with outward helpes, that wee doe not sensibly feele any neede of his assistance: when wee are forsaken of these worldly succours, and are left of these false friends in our greatest need, then do we begin to remēber him, who neuer forsaketh those that trust in him, and is alwaies willing, able, and ready to comfort vsus, when wee flee vntounto him in our distresse. An example whereof wee hauehave in the prodigall childe, who whilest hee had goods in his owne hands, spent all his time in reuellingLuk. 15. and riot, in banqueting & whoring, and neuer thought of his gratious father, from whom he had receiued these guifts, which hee thus abused, till (all being consumed) hee was brought into extreame pouerty and misery; and then he remembred him, and thinketh of returning. And as in our afflictions wee are put in remembrance of God himselfe by standing in neede of helpe and comfort from him; so also of his word and commaundements, and those profitable admonitions, instructions, and consolations, which wee hauehave formerly heard out of them. And whereas in the time of our prosperity, wee carelesly forget them, and negligently cast them behinde our backs, when wee are pinched with miseries and crosses, wee doe not only diligently hearken vntounto those profitable lessons which are presently deliuered vntounto vsus, but also for our comfort, recall that which wee hauehave formerly heard; and is now through sloth & neglect carelesly cast (as it were) into some by-corner of the memory. And as the seede in time of drought, lyeth, long after it is sowen, buried vnderunder the clods, and seemeth lost and perished because it appeareth not; so the seed of Gods word being sowen in the furrowes of our hearts, doth lie buried often times vnderunder the heauy clods of worldly incumbrances, appearing neither to our selues nor others: but when it is soaked and steeped in these waters of tribulation, then it sprouteth, springeth vp, and bringeth forth abundant fruits to the ioy of others, and comfort of our selues. And as slothfull triuants, whilest their play daies last, cast their bookes carelesly vnderunder the cupbord, and for want of care and meditation quickly forget that which they hauehave been long in learning; but when they are constrained to come to the schoole, and dofeele the smart of their former negligence, then they labour to recall to minde their lost lessons, and recouer that which was slipt out of memory: so it vsually fareth with vsus; for whilest the world affourdeth vntounto vsus the play daies of prosperity, wee reuell and play the wantons, securely casting all those instructions, which we hauehave learned in the scoole of Christ, behind our backs, as though wee should neuer hauehave further vse of them; but when our heauenly Schoolemaster putteth an end to our play, and with the rodde of affliction whippeth vsus for our former sloath, then doe wee take paines to regaine our lost learning, and to recall to minde those fruitfull lessons which hauehave been taught vsus in this spirituall Schoole. In which respect afflictions are of singular profit; in that by an vrgent necessity they make vsus to esteem & treasure vp in the closet of our memories these treasures of knowledge, which wee would otherwise vilifie and cast out of doores: for so are wee ruled by the senses, which only apprehend present obiects, that wee value eueryevery thing according to present and carnall vse, and doe not care for the glad tidings of the Gospell, and the sweete consolations of Gods spirit before wee bee brought into miserie and distresse. And as hee who is in perfect health contemneth the Phisition, and is ready to cast his drugs and medicines out of dores; but being visited with some greeuous sicknesse, doth honour and reward him, and thinketh the best roome in his house not to good for his potions and cordialls; and as in the time of secure peace, wee let the sword rust in the scabberd, and our armour vponupon the wall; but in time of warre doe highly value them, and doe rub, scoure, and gird them to vsus: so whilest in the time of prosperity wee hauehave no sense and feeling of our spirituall diseases, wee carelesly cast at our heeles the phisicke of our soules, and neuer gratefully remember our spirituall Phisitions, because wee doe not finde any neede of them; wee let the sword of the spirit rust in the scabberd, and the booke of God to ly moulding vnderunder our cup-bords, and neuer thinke of preparing and fitting our spirituall armour, that wee may hauehave it in readines, because, though wee bee in the greatest daunger, yet wee can discouer no enemy which is ready to assault vsus: but when wee are diseased in our worldly estates, & f…ele the smart and pain of miseries and calamities; when afflictions like mighty enemies doe assault and vexe vsus, and wee finde our selues so weake, that wee cannot in our owne strength, make resistance; then doe we highly esteeme, and accordingly thinke vponupon, both our spirituall Phisitions, and that phisicke of our soules, which they prouidence for the procuring of our ease, and the recouery of our health; then do we think of drawing the sword of the spirit, and of buckling vntounto vsus the armour of Gods graces, that wee may bee inabled to withstand the violence of our enemies, and obtaine the victory in this dangerous conflict.