Consolations for the Afflicted, Book 2 · Chapter 21
CHAP. XXI.
That God by our afflictions doth much confirme, strengthen and increase our faith.
THe next grace is faith, which is seated§ Sect. 1. That afflictions strengthen our faith by making vsus more carefull in the vse of the meanes; and by exercising it with these trialls. both in our head and heart, in our vnderstanding and also in our will and affections, for it is not only a perswasion which is an act of the vnderstanding arising from knowledge, but also a willing assent and application of that we beleeue vntounto our selues for our owne vse; vponupon which followeth our voluntary cleauing vntounto the Lord, and our reposing and sole resting vponupon his power, prouidence and gracious promises in Iesus Christ. And this faith is exceedingly strengthned and increased through our troubles and afflictions; first because we are then most carefull in the vse of the means for the increasing and confirming of it, as hauing in our sense and seeling much more vse of it, then in the time of our prosperity. For whilst we liue in secure peace, and doe not find our selues molested with any enemy, we cast the shield of faith aside, and count it but a burthen, if we should beare it: but when sathan and the world daily cast against vsus the fiery darts of trouble and affliction, which as soone as they hit vsus doe in a sensible manner burne and torment vsus, then doe we make pretious account of this impenetrable shield, and are neuer at rest, but whilst we find it fast buckled vntounto vsus. Secondly our faith is stērgthned and increased by afflictions, as they are vntounto it a spirituall exercise, wherein all the vertue and powers therof are tried and imploied. For as when our bodies are inured to sloth and idlenesse, their strength doth languish and decay: but when they are in daily exercise, they increase much in vigour and ability; so when our faith hath no spirituall exercise, it is in short time enfeebled and groweth faint and weake; but when we are in aduersity and affliction, vexed with sicknesse, pinched with pouerty, forsaken of friends, blemished and defamed for our louelove to goodnesse, and subiect to innumerable dangers, then our faith hauing enemies to resist and aduersaries to striue and wrastle with, doth stir vp it owne vigour, gather all it strength and powers together, and finding it selfe too weake to make resistance, doth earnestly seeke to hauehave it strength encreased and renued, and to this end it first wrestleth with God by praier, instantly imploring and beseeching him to perfect the good worke which he hath begun, and so to strengthen and confirme it, that it may not be destroied and troden vnderunder foot in this spirituall conflict; and also meditateth in Gods gracious promises, whereby he hath assured all those that beleeue in him, that he will neuer leaue and forsake them, but will heare them in the day of trouble, deliuer them out of all their dangers and giuegive a good issue to all their tentations. And thus our faith is exercised and by exercise increased in our afflictions; the which is one of the most speciall ends, why the Lord doth bring vsus into these troubles and calamities. For whilst we hauehave the world at will, and are on all fides hedged in with the blessings of prosperity, our faith may seeme both to our selues and others a meere speculatiue vertue, whereof there is little vse, and like an vntried arm or which doth not assure vsus of defence in the day of danger; but when we are in the middest of afflictions, it is tried with the bullets of tentations, and the more it is tried the more it is approued, and the more it is approued, the more it is strengthned against the next incounter. And in this manner was Abrahams faith exercised: for after that the Lord had made his gracious promise vntounto him of multiplying his posterity, and that in his feed all the nations of the earth should be blessed, he long exercised his faith with that great affliction of his wiues barrennesse, which seemed directly to crosse Gods promises and ouerthrow all his hopes; and gaue him no child till he and his wife were growne so old, that in naturall reason the promise seemd impossible to be performed. With which exercise his faith was so strengthned and increased, that after he had his promised sonne, and was commaunded for his further triall to sacrifice him with his owne hands he became also victor ouer this tentation, because by the former triall he had learned that God was able to raise him to life againe, seeing in respect of the deadnesse of Saraes wombe, he had before after a sort (as the Apostle saith) receiued him from the dead. Thus also after he had promisedHeb. 11. 9. to giuegive vntounto the posterity of Abraham the land of Canaan, he long exercised their faith, first by bringing them into a cruell bondage in the land of Egypt, and after their deliuerance by afflicting them with so many calamities in the wildernesse, that they seemed, not to hauehave escaped, but only to hauehave exchanged their miserie and tribulation. And so the Lord after he had promised Dauid the crowne and kingdome, did euercise his faith with innumerable afflictions, and by this exercise did wonderfully confirme and increase it, as appeareth by the hystory of Samuell, & that singular book of the Psalmes, the most part whereof was penned in the time of his trouble and persecution.
Thirdly our faith receiueth much strength and power§ Sect. 2. That our faith is strengthned in afflictions through the experience which we then hauehave of the truth both of Gods threatnings and gracious promises. in our afflictions, because in them we hauehave experience of Gods truth, both in his threatnings, in that for our sinnes he hath inflicted those chastisements and iudgements which in his word he hath denounced; and also in his promises; seeing he performeth all which he hath vndertaken, not only in assisting vsus in our afflictions, but also in deliuering vsus in due time; in both shewing his infinite wisedome, omnipotent power, and all-gouerning prouidence, wherby he hath disposed of all things to the best. For when by experience we find, that the Lord hath shewed vsus great mercy in crossing of our most earnest desires, hath brought vntounto vsus much comfort out of our greatest calamities, turned our feares and dangers, into safe security and ioifull triumph, and hath made the Whale, which in swallowing seemed to deuoure vsus, to be a meanes of our safety and deliuerance: then is our faith by this experience maruellously strengthned and increased, and we thereby are inabled to indure the next afflictions with much more patience and contentment. And as the Pilot hauing escaped out of many stormes, and the souldier out of many dangerous conflicts, are so hartned hereby that they are maruellous confident & couragious when they are tossed with tempests, and assaulted with their enemies; whilst vnexperienced passengers and freshwater souldiers tremble and feare in the least danger: so those who hauehave been exercised in afflictions, and hauehave had manifold experience of Gods mercy, power and louelove, both in assisting them in their troubles and in deliuering them out of their greatest dangers, hauehave their faith in God hereby so strengthned and increased, that they are much more patient in afflictiōs, and more couragious in perils, then those who were neuer exercised with these trialls; because they know that God is immutable in his goodnesse, and is now as ready and willing to helpe and deliuer them as he was before. So Dauid concludeth that because he had found God mercifull and powerfull in deliuering him from the lion and the beare; therefore he would assuredly deliuer him in like manner from the vncircumcised Philistine,2. Sa. 17. 36. 37 and make him to become as one of them. And Paul being raised by God, when the sentence of death by the verdit of nature, had passed against him, by this experience confirmeth his faith for the time to come in this2. Cor. 1. 9. 10. assurance, that the Lord would againe deliuer him, if so be he were ouertaken by the like danger.
Fourthly, afflictions confirme and increase our faith as they are notable meanes of working or renuing our§ Sect. 3. That afflictions doe strengthen our faith by causing vsus to renew our repentance: and assuring vsus that our fins thus corrected shall not come into condemnation. repentance, for as sinne doth wound and weaken our faith, making vsus to doubt of Gods fauour by reason of selfe guiltinesse; so repentance doth cure and strengthen it, because by it (through Gods mercy and free prom…ses made in Christ) sinne is done away, as though it had neuer been committed, and so we are assured that we are reconciled vntounto God and receiued againe into his former fauour. And fiftly our faith is strengthned by our afflictions, as they giuegive assurance vntounto those who are exercised with them and profit by them, vntounto amendment and newnesse of life, that their sinnes which are here in this world thus corrected, shall neuer appeare to their condemnation in the world to come. For as they who prosper and flourish in their wicked courses, hauehave iust cause to feare, that they are in Diues his estate, who hadLuk. 16. 25. all his good in this life, and was reserued to torment in that life which is endlesse and euerlasting: so they who hauehave no sooner sinned but they are presently corrected for it, and by their chastisement reclaimed and amended may assure themselues, that as now they are like vntounto Lazarus in his paines, so they shall hereafter be made like vntounto him in his ioyes and comforts, and not suffer both1. Cor. 11. 32. now and then too, seeing (as the Apostle plainly telleth vsus) we are purposely chastned with these afflictions, that we may escape the condemnation of the world.
But most notably is our faith strengthned & increased§. Sect. 4. That afflictions strengthen our faith as they are signes of our adoption. Rom 8. 29. by our afflictions, as they are vntounto those who profit by them in newnes of life, infallible signes and notes of their election, vocation and adoption. They are signes of our election, for as the Apostle teacheth vsus, those whom God hath predestinate to be made like vntounto his son in glory, he hath also predestinate to be made like vntounto him in afflictions; and as by this holy decree his naturall sonLuk. 24. 26. was first to suffer, and then to enter into his glory; so we, who are adopted in him, must follow him in the same way to our heauenly home, first suffering, and then raigning2. Tim. 2. 12. with him as the Apostle speaketh, This also appeareth in the Lords owne speech to the people of Israel, you only (saith he) hauehave I known (or chosen) of all the families of Amos 3. 2.the earth, therfore I will visit you for all your iniquities. And to Ananias concerning Paul: Go thy way, for he is a chosen Act 9. 15. 16.vessell vntounto me, &c. I will shew him how many things he must suffer for my names sake. The consideration whereof should much comfort vsus in all our afflictions and persecutions, which though to those who are the instruments of our will, they are tokens of perdition, yet vntountoPhil. 1. 28. vsus who patiently suffer them they are signes of our saluation through the grace of God, as the Apostle telleth vsus. In regard wherof the same holy Apostle doth not onelyonly bear with patience & comfort his troubles & grieuous2. Cor. 11. 23. to 31. & ca. 6. 4 afflictions, but being to maintain his credit against the false Apostles, he maketh choise of his sufferings to glory and reioyce in them, rather then of those excellēt graces of Gods holy spirit wherwith he was so richly adorned.
Thus also our afflictions are notable signes of our effectuall§ Sect. 5. That afflictions strengthen our faith as they are signes of our effectuall calling. 2. Tim. 3. 12. calling, whereby we are seuered from the world, and admitted into Gods church and family. For they are Gods liuery and cognisance which he giueth all to weare who will be his seruants; for, as many as will liue godly in Christ Iesus shal suffer persecution, and our Sauiour telleth vsus, that if any man will come after him, and waite vponupon him as his seruant and disciple, he must deny himselfe, and Luk. 9. 23.take vp his crosse daily and follow him. Neither may we liue like libertines when we are intertained into his family, and runne on in wicked courses without correction: but we must make account that our wise Lord and master will keepe vsus vnderunder a seuere discipline, chastising vsus for our sins, that we may be reclaimed from them, and not suffering vsus to goe on in euill waies without checke and controulement, to his dishonour and our destruction: and howsoeuer hee suffereth others that are without to prosper in their wickednesse, and without any punishment to adde sinne vntounto sinne, yet he will be honoured of those 1. Pet. 4. 17. Ier. 25. 29.who draw neere vntounto him, and as the Prophet and Apostle speake, hee will cause iudgement to begin at his owne house, and first plague the citie where his name is called vponupon. As therefore when the Mason and Carpenter polish their stones, and square their timber with their tooles and axes; it is a signe that they hauehave chosen them for the vse of building, whereas that which is vntouched is left as refuse, fit for nothing but to be cast into the high-way, and to be burned in the fire: So when the Lord doth polish, square and plaine vsus with troubles and afflictions from the knots and knobs of sinne and corruption, it appeareth hereby, that he hath made choise of vsus to be stones in the building of his spirituall Temple; whereas those which are let alone, and not hammered and squared by this heauenly workman, are reiected as refuse stuffe, which is altogether vnfit for this holy building. Againe the world onelyonly loueth her owne, and therefore when our Sauiour Christ by the preaching of the Gospell hath chosen andIoh 15. 19. c…lled vsus out of the world, then presently it beginneth to maligne and hate vsus, and to vse all meanes whereby it may bring vponupon vsus misery and affliction. In regard wherof we may conclude, that when we are hated of the world we are beloued of God; when it basly esteemeth vsus and cruelly vseth vsus, as though we were the very out-casts and of scouring of all things, then may we be assured (if we make good vse of these afflictions, by contemning the world which contemneth vsus, and drawing neerer vntounto God by repentance and hearty praier) that the Lord highly valueth vsus, and hath chosen and seuered vsus like pure gold and good graine, out of this masse and heape of drosse and chaffe.
Finally as our afflictions are notable signes of our calling§ Sect. 6. That afflictions strengthen our faith as they are signes of our adoption, Gal. 4. 1. and admission into Gods family, so also of our adoption whereby we become sonnes of God and heires of his promises. For (as the Apostle speaketh to anoth…er purpose) the heire as long as he is a child differeth herein nothing from a seruant, though he be Lord of all, but is vnderunder tutours and gouernours vntill the time appointed of the father; and is subiect to the like chastizement and correction: yea oftentimes our heauenly father (according to the custome of men) when his sonne and slaue doe both offend, correcteth his child, but letteth the other escape vnpunished, because he is purposed to thrust him out of doores, and to take no further care of him; whereas he intendeth to make his sonne his heire, and therefore keepeth him vnderunder discipline, that he may be found worthy to receiue the inheritance. And this the Apostle plainly expresseth, saying, whom God loueth he chasteneth, and he Heb. 12. 6. 7. …scourgeth eueryevery sonne whom he receiueth: If then ye indure chastening, God offereth himselfe vntounto you as vntounto sonnes; for what son is it whom the father chasteneth not? If therfore yee be without correction, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sonnes. Thus also God promiseth Dauid, that he would choose Salomon for his son, and approue himselfe to be a father vntounto him, by correcting him for his sins, and continuing his louelove vntounto him. I will be (saith he) his father and he shall be my sonne: and 2. Sam 7. 14. 15.if he sinne I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the plagues of the children of men, but my mercy shall not depart from him, &c. And therefore we must not doubt of our adoption, and imagine that we are not the children of God, because we indure such grieuous and tedious afflictions; for though Salomon was Gods chosen child, and was called Iedidiah, because he was beloued of him;2. Sam. 12. 25. yet he saith, that if he sinned he would correct him, but in the meane time, would not take his merciemercy from him. So though Israel were chosen for Gods first borne sonne, and were as much more precious in his eyes, as the purest gold then the basest drosse, or the wheat then chaffe; yet were this beloued people grieuously afflicted in a miserable bondage and captiuity, whilest Pharaoh and the Aegyptians their cruell enemies, insulted ouer them as their lords and masters, in all prosperity; and whilest the cursed Cananites liued in voluptuous pleasures, hauing al those delights and comforts, which the land of promise could yeeld vntounto them. And thus also before the flood, the wicked Caynites, and after the flood, the filthy Sodomites, had all the pleasure and glory of the world, whilest the posterity of Shem, and the worthy Patriarches, passed their time like pilgrims and strangers, and were turmoyled with innumerable afflictions: yea the Lord not only spareth the bondman and slaue, when he scourgeth his beloued sonne; but oftentimes correcteth his child by the hand of his seruant; according to that of the Apostle. He that was borne of the flesh persecuted him that was Gal. 4. 29.borne after the spirit: the which is so euident by the innumerable examples of all ages, that it were but lost labour to stand vponupon it. The consideration whereof as it may keepe vsus from enuying the impunity and felicity of worldly wicked men, and from grudging and repining against Gods prouidence, because they who sinne more suffer so little, and we who sinne lesse suffer so much; they who rebell against God and despite him with their abominations, hauehave plenty of worldly blessings, and all things at their hearts desire, and we who serue and feare him suffer miseries and want necessaries; so may it much confirme our patience and increase our comfort when we are vexed with afflictions, and feele the bitter smart of Gods chastizing hand: seeing it is a signe that they are reiected as slaues, and are therefore left to their owne liberty; and we adopted as sonnes who are kept vnderunder seuere discipline that we may be reclaimed from our sinnes, incited to the performance of all good duties, and so be prepared and fitted to receiue our patrimony. Neither hauehave they herein any more priuiledge then the Oxe who being appointed to the shambles, is freed from the yoake and suffered to runne at liberty and take his pleasure in faire greene pastures; or we more hurt then the Oxe inured to labour, who indureth the yoke, suffereth more paines and feedeth vponupon bare fields, because his master louing him, is purposed to reserue him for his owne vse. In regard whereof as wicked men hauehave no iust cause of glorying and reioycing in their worldly prosperity, whereby they are but fatted against the day of slaughter; so the faithful hauehave little cause of sorrow and impatiencie in their afflictions, seeing their present smart increaseth their future hopes, and these corrections which they suffer and profit by, are vntounto them vndoubted signes of their adoption, and that God is their louing father in that he taketh such care for their amendment? for as when a man, taking two children as they are committing the same fault, doth correct the one and let the other goe vntouched, we seeing it, are ready to conclude, that he is a father or gouernor to him that is chastened, and but a stranger to him that escapeth, seeing he taketh no care for his reformation: so when we see and feele that God correcteth sharply those sins in vsus which others commit and escape vnpunished, let vsus not grieue so much in our smart and paine, as reioyce to hauehave this assurance of our adoption. And this an holy father illustrateth and inforceth by this similitude. A man (saith he) hath two sonnes; the one he chasteneth, the other he leaueth to his owne courses. This faulteth haynously and is not corrected by his father;August. enarrat. in Psa. 93. the other can scarce looke awry but hee is rebuked or scourged. But why is he let alone, and this beaten? surely because he intendeth to make this his heire and to put the other from the patrimony, seeing he conceiueth no possible hope of his amendment. Now he that is kept vnderunder this seuere discipline, out of his childish follie iudging all things according to present sense, thinketh his brother happy because he is not beaten, and lamenting his owne estate is ready to say: My brother hath done such and so great wils, and at his pleasure transgresseth the commandements of my father, and for all his faults hath not so much as a hard word giuen him; but I am beaten if I but step awry. Wherein hee bewraieth his folly and want of wisdome, seeing he onelyonly looketh to that which he suffereth, and not vntounto the inheritance reserued for him &c. And therefore (as he saith) in another place) patientlyAgust. in Psal. 88. Concione 2. beare the hand of thy heauenly father vponupon thee, and though thou be a good sonne doe not refuse his discipline; for he correcteth vsus that he may not take his mercy from vsus. If thou be contumacious let him beat thee, that he may not in iust displeasure disinherit thee &c. for why should the adopted sinfull sonne grudge to be corrected when he seeth Gods only and innocent sonne to be whipped and so seuerely handled? Let him in rage flie vponupon thee, yet he is thy father: Let him whip, afflict and breake thee (as it were) in pieces; yet he is thy father. If therefore thou criest, crie as vnderunder the hand of a father with humility and meekenesse and not with pride and indignation.Noli repellere flagellum si non vis repelli ab haereditate. Noli attendere quam paenam habeas in flagello, sed quem locum in testamento. August. in psa. 102. enarrat. Heb. 12. 9. 10. Thy sufferings which thou bewailest are a medicine and not a punishment, correction and not damnation: doe not put backe the rod, if thou wouldest not be put backe from the inheritance. Doe not regard what smart thou hast by thy but stripes what place thou houldest in thy fathers testament. For if (as the Apostie reasoneth) we hauehave had the fathers of our bodies which corrected vsus and hauehave giuen them reuerence: should we not much rather be in subiection to the father of spirits that we may liue? For they verily for a few daies chastened vsus after their owne pleasure: but he chasteneth vsus for our profit that we may be partakers of his holinesse.