Consolations for the Afflicted, Book 2 · Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII.
That God by our afflictions worketh and increaseth in vsus repentance and new obedience.
ANd thus hauehave I shewed that afflictions are§ Sect. 1. That by afflictions we come to examine our waies, to see …ur sinnes and to bewaile them with bitter griefe. Tua enim paterna tribulatio pr…ducit maerorem & compunct…onem, inducit timorem & contritionem, educit languorem & infectionem, adducit vigorem & cucationem Idi…ta inter orthodoxagr. de petient. verae c…ntempl. c. 6. vsed by God as a notable meanes to work in our mindes and hearts all sanctifying and sauing graces: It now followeth to declare how the fruits of these graces, repentance and new obedience, are by these f…therly corrections furthered and increased. For as afflictions doe notably helpe forward our effectuall calling and first conuersion vntounto God, so do they much further our repentance, and prouoke vsus continually to renew the act thereof after our many relapses and daily slippes into sinne. And when hauing resolued to walke in the way of holinesse and righteousnesse towards our heauenly home, we are in our passage allured to turne out of the right path into the by-waies of sin and wickednesse, by hauing the baites of worldly vanities set before vsus, the Lord casteth into our waie these thornes and briars of affliction and tribulation, making thereby our wandring and digressing so distastfull and vnpleasant, that we are neuer at rest vntill we be returned by repentance into the right way againe: So one saith that God striketh into the heart of man terrour and feare, that he may weane and with-draw it from the louelove of the world, and pricketh him with tribulations, that hee may not louelove his way better then the end of his iorney, nor his pilgrimage better then his country. For his fatherly chastisements produce sorrow and compunction, bring into vsus feare and contrition, draw out of vsus infirmity and infection, and cause vntounto vsus strength and recouery of our health. But this will better appeare if we particularly shew how affliction furthereth vsus in all the duties and actions, which are performed by vsus in the practise of repentance; for first, when God correcteth vsus, we looke backe vntounto our former courses, and consider and examine our selues what sinnes wee hauehave committed, which hauehave moued the Lord to inflict vponupon vsus these iudgements and chastisements; and by this examination we come to a sight and sence of sinne, and to an humble acknowledgement, that we suffer nothing from God, but that which our sinne hath iustly deserued: an example wherof we hauehave in Iacobs sonnes, who by their troubles and affliction were brought to a sight and feeling of that grieuous crime, of betraying and seling their brother Ioseph. We hauehave verily sinned (say they)Gen. 42. 21. against our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soule, when he besought vsus, and we would not heare him: therfore is this trouble come vponupon vsus. And because pride, selfe-louelove and liking of our most esteemed sinnes, doth commonly dazle our sight and make vsus euen starke blinde in this search & disquisition; therfore doth the Lord oftentimes obserue (as hath beene shewed) an analogy, proportion and similitude, betweene the quality of the sinne and the correction which he inflicteth for it, and so leadeth vsus (as it were) by the hand, that we may come to finde and feele it by this his guidance and direction. An example wherof we hauehave in Dauid, whose sinne of murther and adultery, was corrected with the rape of his daughter and concubines, and the murther of his children and subiects by one another. Secondly, when by affliction we are wakened out of our security, brought to looke backe and to say, what hauehave I done; and when by searching and examining our owne consciences we see and acknowledge, how haynously we hauehave offended God, and feele the burthen and smart of sin pinching and oppressing vsus both at once, then are we hereby moued to bitter griefe and harty sorrow, because we hauehave offended our gracious father, and forced him by our wickednesse to proceed in these seuere courses for our correction and reformation. For when our hearts are so hard that sinne alone will not worke in them sorrow and remorse, afflictions and sense of smart being added to them as a double weight, doe bruse and presse out of them sighes and grones: and this rod of correction beating vponupon these hard rockes, doth cause them to yeeld streames of teares, and (as it were) to wash and bath our sinfull soules in the waters of true repentance. For howsoeuer in Gods dearest children griefe for the afflictions themselues which they suffer, hath commonly the first place, yet this sorrow for smart, doth alwaies end in sorrow for sinne and when correction with sence of paine hath made the heart soft and tender, and hath filled (as it were) the cesternes of the eyes with plenty of water; then grace commeth and altereth the vse, and whereas it was prouided by nature for the deploring of our affliction, it is now imploied and powred out by grace for the bewayling of our sinnes, which are the deseruing cause of all our smart and misery.
Thus also doth the Lord by our afflictions worke§▪ Sect. 2. That by afflictions we are mooued to hate our sinnes, to confesse them vntounto God, to flee and forsake them, and to serue the Lord in the duties of holinesse and righteousnesse. in vsus a true hatred of sinne; and▪ hereas it is so sweet to corrupted nature, that we are ready (as licorous children doe sugar) to keepe it vnderunder our tongue; yet when it is imbittered with this gall of afflictions, we spit it out like a loathsome medicine, and begin to abhor that before liked meate, when such vnpleasant sawce is mingled with it. By them likewise are we brought to an humble confession of sinne vntounto God whom we hauehave offended, and to an earnest desire of pardon and forgiuenesse, that so being freed of our sinnes, we may also be eased of our smart. And thus Dauid, when the hand of God was heauy vponupon him day and night, and his moisture therby turned into the drought of sommer; laied open his sinnes before the Lord by humble confession, and spread in his sight all his bonds of debt, that hauing his sinnes pardoned and bonds cancelled, hee might be deliuered from that affliction and correction which did accompany them. Then (saith he) I acknowledged my sinne vntounto thee, Psal. 32. 4▪ 5.neither hid I mine iniquity; for I thought I will confesse against my selfe my wickednesse, and thou forgauest the punishment of my sinne. And furthermore hauing tasted and felt the bitternesse and smart of these loathsome sawces and sharpe whips, we flee sinne with all watchful care for the time to come, which (as wee hauehave found by experience) hath made vsus obnoxious to them, and heedfully auoide the committing of any wickednesse least we thereby displeasing againe our heauenly father, do moue him to resume into his hands these rods of chastizement and to correct our new sinnes with new afflictions, which in al likelihood will be more sharpe and seuere, then those which we suffered in time past, because we hauehave no better profited by our former corrections. And this benefit of afflictions mouing vsus to flee and forsake sinne, is implied in that excellent praier made by Salomon: when heauen 1. King. 8. 35. 36.(saith he) shall be shut vp, and there shall be no raine, because they hauehave sinned against thee; and shall pray in this place and confesse thy name, and turne from their sinne when thou doest afflict them; then heare thou in heauen and pardon the sinne of thy seruants, &c. Neither doe afflictions serue onelyonly as a meanes to make vsus see, bewaile, confesse, hate and forsake our sinnes, but also doe incite and prouoke vsus to serue the Lord in all holy and christian duty, which respect him, our neighbours or our selues; nor are they behoueful alone for the mortifying of our sinnes, but also for the quickning and inabling vsus to performe all the workes of holinesse and righteousnesse which God in his law requireth of vsus. For though our hearts (through the gift and grace of God) are become good ground, and fit to receiue and retaine the seed of Gods word, yet are they made much more fruitfull by the winter of affliction, and by hauing the cold snow of trouble and misery lying vponupon them. Though wee are already inflamed with a true zeale of Gods glory, yet doth this heauenly fir… burne much more feruently when the winde of tribulation doth blow vponupon it: though for the present it seemeth to be kept downe and hindred from burning by these tempestuous blasts. And this the Apostle plainely expresseth:Heb. 12. 11. No chastising (saith he) for the present seemeth to be ioyous but grieuous; yet afterward it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousnesse vntounto them which are thereby exercised. To which purpose another saith that the sweetestNonsic semina d…l…tus imber germinare & crescere facit, vt pietatis semen …xcitat & vernare facit ex lachry mis ruens imber. &c. Chrysost. ad pop. Anti…ch. Homil. 4. tom. 5. showers doe not so cause the seede to bud and grow; as this shower of teares doth make the seed of godlinesse to sprout and spring. For when the soule is washed and the minde watered with these teares of repentance, the bud and branch of holesome doctrine within a while springeth and shooteth vp. The consideration whereof should much comfort vsus in all our afflictions, seeing this profitable fruit of repentance ariseth from them; for thrice happy are those blowes and stripes which by making the body to smart for the present, doe inflict mortall wounds into our killing sinnes, and preserue both body and soule from these deadly stings, which otherwise would wound them vntounto death euerlasting. Most blessed vntounto vsus are these rods and whips which by causing the skin to smart, doe cure those deadly wounds in our hearts and soules; and by vexing vsus with their stripes, doe keepe vsus from vexing God with our sinnes. And most happy may we thinke our selues when the Lord vseth these afflictions, as spurs and goades in our sides to pricke vsus forward in the way of holinesse and righteousnesse, when in our selues we are drowsie, dull and dead, vntounto all good actions; and as cords to draw vsus on in holy and christian duties, when in our owne disposition we are backeward and sluggish.
And thus it appeareth that by afflictions our repentance is daily renewed and increased: The like may be§ Sect. 3. That God byafflictions worketh and increaseth in vsus obedience to his will. Heb. 12. 11. said of our new obedience, and that whether we vnderstand that actiue obedience, whereby we striue and indeauour to doe the will of God; or that passiue obedience, by which we are content with meeknes and patience, that Gods wil may be done in vsus. Both which the holy Apostle propoundeth vntounto vsus in our onelyonly patterne and precedent Iesus Christ, whose example hee exhorteth vsus to follow, both in willing and meeke suffering that which our heauenly father inflicteth on vsus, in ceasing from sinne, and in liuing for the time to come, not after the lusts of men, but after the will of God. Concerning the former we are to know, that whereas we like pampered or resty horses, are ready either to goe out of the way of righteousnesse, or else to stand still, or goslowly forward; the Lord vseth afflictions as a staffe to beate vsus into the way, and to make vsus to returne into our right course, from which we hauehave digressed; and also as a spur or goade to pricke vsus on when we make a stand, or but small hast in going on in this spirituall iourney. And whereas like children wee cast the commandements of our heauenly father behinde our backes, when wee are too much cockered: and grow carlesse and negligent in all good duties which we owe vntounto him, being left to our own liberty; when he stricktly calleth vsus to account, and finding vsus idle and sloathful, doth sharply chastise vsus for our neglect of that duty which he hath required; then doe we with all care and diligence informe our selues in his holy will, treasure vp his commandements in our hearts and memory, and with all readinesse put in practise, as occasion serueth, whatsoeuer duty is inioyned vntounto vsus. So that this sweet incense of our new obedience doth then send forth the most delightfull odour, when as it is offered vntounto God by the fire of affliction: And as the sweetest rose doth spring out from among the sharpest prickles, so the duties of obedidience which we owe vntounto God, do then appeare in their chiefe beauty and brauery; and yeeld the most sweet and pleasing sent, when they grow and sprout vp from among these prickles and briars of affliction and tribulation. And this the Apostle plainly testifieth, namely that though afflictions in themselues are vnpleasant and grieuous, Heb. 12. 11. Esa. 26. 9. Psal. 119. 67. Minus p…è viuis, si minus persecutionem pertuleris, Gregor. epist. lib. 6. cap. 191.yet being watered with the dew of Gods grace, they bring foorth the quiet fruit of righteousnesse vntounto them that are thereby exercised. So the Prophet telleth vsus, that seeing Gods iudgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world shal learne righteousnesse. Yea so necessary are these afflictiōs for the keeping of vsus in the right way & the furthering of our fruitfulnesse in holy duties, that when we are freed & secured from them, we are ready to erre out ofPsa. 44. 17. 18. vt terra nisi cultaf…rit licet fertilis sit, tamen non solum fructus hominibus denegat, sed è contrario generat spinas: ita iustus nisi… ariis tentationibus fuerit Confectus assiduè non solum ipse non pr…ficit sed aliquoties in lapsum incurrit. Basil. tract. de consol. in aduers. § Sect. 4. The former point illustrated by similitudes and examples. the path of Gods precepts, (as we may see in the example of Dauid who out of his owne experience saith; before I was afflicted I went a stray; but now I keepe thy word) yea and to become barren and vnprofitable, not yeelding any store of these fruits of obedience; whereas when we are continually vnderunder the rod, and feele the smart of our sloth and negligence; then doe we heedfully remember what God requireth, and dare not falter and faile in the performance of our duty, as we may see in the example of the afflicted church, who saith; All this is come vponupon vsus yet doe we not forget thee, neither deele we falsly concerning thy couenant: Our heart is not turned backe, neither our steps gone out of thy path, &c. In which respect wee are fitly compared vntounto Walnut-trees, which are so much the more fruitfull, by how much they are the more beaten; or vntounto arable grounds, which bring forth no good graine but weed… and thistles, briars and thornes, vnlesse they be broken and torne insunder with the plow and Harrow.
We are indeed a fruitful vineyard of Gods own planting, and we who were wild branches barren of all good fruit of holinesse and righteousnesse, are through Gods infinite mercy and louelove ingrasted into the true Vine Iesus Christ, from whom receiuing all our life and sappe, we are inabled to bring forth the pleasant grapes of new obedience; but yet if we were let alone, and suffered to run out with vncontrouled liberty wee would like the fruitfull Vine, which is neuer pruned, returne to our old naturall wildnesse, and bring forth no other fruit, then those sowre grapes of iniquity and sinne. And therefore our heauenly vintager for his owne glory and our good cutteth away the superfluities of our licencious liberty, and pruneth vsus with this pruning knife of trouble and affliction, that being kept short in our worldly and carnall desires, wee may become more fruitfull in all holy duties. So our Sauiour saith; I am the true vine, and my Ioh. 15. 1. 2.father is an husbandman. EueryEvery branch that beareth not fruit in me, he taketh away: and eueryevery one that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. We are fruitfull trees of righteousnesse planted by God himselfe; but yet that we may continue in this good estate, we had great neede to be washed with the boysterous stormes of tribulation, and to be nipped with the pinching frosts of trouble and affliction, that so those cankers and caterpillers of pride, forgetfulnesse of God, and carnall security which the summer of prosperity & wretchlesseArbores numerosiore grauantur fructu, quando acerbioris frigoris violentia reprimuntur. Hieronym. epist. ad aegrotum amicum. tom. 4. ease doe breed in vsus may be killed and destroied; as also that we may be hindred from sending forth the vnprofitable shutes of wil-worship and superstition, through the vnseasonable warmth of preposterous zeale which, if they were not nipped in with the feare of God arising from his correction, and making vsus carefull, that we offer nothing vntounto him, but that pleasing seruice which he hath required; wee should spend our whole strength in bringing forth these fruits of our owne inuentions, and be vtterly barren and bare of those timely ripe fruits of new obedience. Wee are through the election of grace Gods faithfull seruants, but yet not thorowly purged from our seruile disposition; for the more bountifull our master is, the sooner we forget him; the more richly he rewardeth vsus, the more negligent wee are in performing of our duty; and the more liberally we are vsed, the more licentious we wax, growing vntounto such pride and insolence, that whatsoeuer we lust after, we thinke to be lawfull, and make our will the rule of al our actions: and therefore we force our Lord and master to alter his course, to with-draw his wages of worldly blessings, to handle vsus roughly, and to keepe vsus vnderunder seuere discipline, correcting our negligence, & forcing vsus to the performance of our duties with chastisements and afflictions. Which meanes if they be not powerfull enough to worke in vsus this reformation, then doth hee oftentims turne vsus out of his outward gouernment and protection, and suffereth our enemies to preuaile against vsus, and to bring vsus into their slauery, that finding the difference of these two seruices, and growing weary of this present bondage; we may more earnestly desire to be re-entertayned by our old master, and being admitted may be more carefull & diligent in the preformance of our duty. And thus the Lord dealt with the Israelits; for when they had neglected his seruice, and sinned against him, yet he saith because they had humbled themselues he would not destroy them, but would send them2. Chro. 12. 8. shortly help and deliuerance; Neuerthelesse they should for a time become the seruants of Shishak that they might know the difference betweene the seruice of the Lord and the seruice of the kingdomes of the earth.§ Sect. 5. That these fruits of new obedience springing from afflictions, should moue vsus to beare them with patience and comfort.
Seeing therefore the Lord by our afflictions doth not intend our hurt, but out of his meere louelove, and mercy vseth them as a notable meanes to make vsus more fruitful in all holy and christian duties, which shall hereafter be crowned with all glory and felicity, let the expectation of this rich haruest of holinesse and happinesse replenish our hearts with patience, comfort and spirituall reioycing in the winter of afflictions, seeing there is no proportion between our paine and the profit which it bringeth. We are trees of righteousnesse which Gods right hand hath planted, let vsus not therefore feare to be cut and pruned with troubles & afflictions, seeing GodEsa 61. 3. thus purgeth and pareth away our superfluous branches that we may bring forth more fruit, as our Sauiour teachethIoh. 15. 2. vsus. Yea rather we had great cause of feare, if we were exempted from these calamities, fos as that is a fruitlesse tree which is suffered to grow wild and vntouched, and is neuer beaten with poles nor shaken with mens hands, nor hit nor hurt with any stones or cudgels; which is therefore daily in danger to be cut downe and cast into the fire, because it doth no good by standing and growing: so it is a signe that we are fruitlesse trees still growing in the wild wood of the world, which must one day be cast downe and cast into euerlasting fire; if our heauenly husbandman taketh no care to purge & prune vsus with crosses and afflictions, & if no blowes or strokes of aduersity and tribulation doe light vponupon vsus, who hauehave far greater cause of sorrowing in our expectation of our future burning, then of reioycing in our present flourishing. We are▪ vines of Gods owne setting, whose glory and excellency consisteth not in the broadnesse and beauty of our leaues, nor in the handsomnesse and straightnesse of our body and branches; but only in our fruitfulnesse, whereby we bring forth great plenty of the ripe and sweet grapes of holinesse and righteousnes; and therefore when we hauehave the beauty and brauery of our outward estate taken from vsus, and hauehave these leaues of earthly vanities blowne away with the winds of aduersitie, and our superfluous stemmes of worldly substance pruned and plucked from vsus in this winter of affliction, there is no cause of griefe and mourning, seeing our chiefest excellency is not hereby impaired, yea rather because it is much aduanced, in that we are made more fruitfull, by how much the more we are by these afflictions pruned from our superfluities, this may iustly increase our ioy and comfort.
But for the better clearing of the former point, let vsus§ Sect. 6. That God by afflictions maketh vsus more deuout and zealous in the duties of his seruice. descend vntounto some particulars, and insist in some speciall fruits of this new obedience. And to this end let vsus consider, that by these our afflictions we are made much more deuout, diligent and zealous in performing of all holy and christian duties of Gods seruice, then when we flourish in prosperity; the which is so euident that it needeth no other proofe or witnesse then common experience in others, and the testimony which eueryevery mans conscience is ready to giuegive vntounto this truth by that which he findeth in himselfe. For who seeth not that when we abound with earthly blessings we grow forgetful of God, & negligent in his seruice, either not performing it at all, or but with great coldnesse and drowsinesse, in meere formality and hypocrisie, because we seeme then to stand in our owne strength, and to be so well stored with our owne prouision, that we neede not his helpe for our preseruation and defence? whereas when we are brought into the streights of afflictions, and are dispoiled of all our worldly succour, when we feele the smart of pouerty, sicknesse, imprisonment, infamy; and hauehave no meanes of our owne whereby we may be deliuered; when we are not only sensible of present paine, but apprehend future dangers, and vntounto our priuate euills, expect, that God will for our sinnes adde those publicke miseries of plague, famine, war and desolation: then are we awakened out of our drowsie lethargie of security, shake off our sloth and negligence, and finding that all our helpe is in the Lord both for deliuerance from present smart, and preseruation from approaching calamities, we think how we may appease his anger, and make him propitious, that together with his wrath the iudgements which we feele or feare may be remooued from vsus. And then with all diligence and deuotion we worship and serue the Lord not for forme and fashion, but with all intention of mind and feruency of zeale, that so our seruice may be pleasing and acceptable in his sight. The which great difference in mens cariage and behauiour will euidently appeare, if we will but compare flourishing courtiers with poore cotagers; the mariners which are in a dangerous storme, with those which are arriued in the safe hauen; those which are sicke, weake and in expectation of death, with those who are lusty, healthy and in their full strength; prisons, with theaters; burialls with banquets, and those who are inuaded by their enemies and in danger of vtter desolation, with those who inuade them and hauehave got the victory. For as among the one sort a man shall seldome obserue any example of religion, piety and the true feare of God, but contrariwise contempt and neglect of all the duties of Gods seruice, blasphemous swearing, impious cursing, prophanation of Gods sabbaths, wantonnesse, ribaldry and vnchast dalliance, lying, dissembling, treachery and supplanting one another, gaming, reuelling, drinking, gormandising and such like fruits of darknesse: so among the other we shall finde, that the fire of affliction hath inflamed the heat of their deuotion, making them to breake of their sinnes by vnfained repentance, and to turne vntounto the Lord with an earnest desire and indeauour to performe all the duties of his worship and seruice, in that maner and measure which he requireth; then they humble themselues before God in fasting and praier, acknowledging their impotency and insufficiency to defend or deliuer themselues, and vnworthinesse to receiue any helpe and comfort from God. And yet being incouraged by his gracious promises, and the experience of his louelove and mercy; they flee vntounto him as their only refuge, protectour and defender, and place all their hope and affiance in his alone helpe and allmighty assistance. Then they receiue his word with feare and trembling, and withall reuerence and attention harken vntounto it, that their sinnes which hauehave brought them into all their miseries, may be mortifyed and slaughtered by the sword of the spirit: that they may be informed in the knowledge of Gods will, and also by effectuall reasons and powerfull exhortations, may be perswaded and pricked forward to the performance and practise of that which they learne and know, to the end that by this meanes they may be deliuered from their present afflictions vponupon their reformation and amendment, and may not be indangered to suffer the like or greater miseries for the time to come, that they may hauehave their patience confirmed and encreased with such arguments and reasons as the word of God plentifully yeeldeth, which will much lessen their miseries and make the weight of all their afflictions much more light and casie to be borne. Finally being forsaken of worldly comforts, they doe with so much the more diligence harken vntounto the word of God, that thereby they may replenish their soules with spirituall consolations arising from the feeling of Gods louelove, and fauor towards them in this their afflicted estate, and the assurance of future happinesse in the life to come. For as those who flourish in worldly prosperity, doe with Ahab refuse to heare the word of the Lord, because it prophecieth no good vntounto them, but telleth them that they hauehave their portion in this life: Luk. 16. 25. Psal. 17. 14.and that after the fruition of their worldly ioyes, they must come into iudgement, and render a reckoning of their abused blessings and mispent talents; so they who are in affliction doe with hungring appetite feed vponupon this foode of their soules, and with reuerent and chearefull attention listen vntounto this heauenly ambassage, because it assureth them, that if they make an holy vse of these fatherly corrections, they shall hauehave heauenly mirth, after their earthly mourning, laughter and reioycing, after their wailing and weeping, a most delightfullLuk 6. 21. 2. Cor. 4. 17. country and glorious kingdome, after their painefull pilgrimage and weary iorney; and that these light and momentany afflictions, shall cause vntounto them a far most excellent and eternall waight of glory.
But aboue all other parts of Gods worship and seruice,§ Sect. 7. That God by afflictions maketh vsus to performe vntounto him the duty of praier. afflictions and miseries doe make vsus most frequent and feruent, diligent and zealous in powring forth our praiers and supplications vntounto God. For whereas in our prosperity we either vtterly neglect this duty, or performe it carelesly and slothfully, more for custome then conscience sake, and for forme and fashion, rather then out of any respect of duty which we owe vntounto God, or of any need which we think we hauehave of his helpe: when we are brought into miseries and calamities, and hauehave a sense and feeling of our owne wants, and of the great need which we hauehave of Gods assistance, then doe we flee vntounto him by earnest praier, crauing his aid and helpe for the supplying of our wants, ease of our griefes, or protection from dangers. And as the child, fearing nothing, is so fond of his play that he straieth and wandreth from his mother, not so much as thinking of her; but if he be scared or frighted with the sight or apprehension of som apparant or aproaching danger, doth presently run vntounto her, cast himselfe into her armes and crie out to be saued and shielded by her: so we securely enioying the childish sports of worldly prosperity, do so fondly dote on them that we scarce thinke of our heauenly father, but when perils and dangers approach, and are ready to seise vponupon vsus, then doe we flee vntounto him, and cast our selues into the armes of his prouidence, and protection, crying and calling vntounto him by earnest praier, for helpe and deliuerance in this our extremity and distresse. The truth wherof will more manifesty appeare, if we consider the examples of the faithfull in former times, who being in affliction hauehave shewed themselues forward in performance of this duty; thus Hezechias being besieged by the hoast of Senacherib flieth vntounto God as his only aide by effectuallEsa 37. 1. 2. 3. praier, whereas being deliuered in the time of his prosperity, he was ready to glory in his owne prouision of riches, and to relie too much vponupon his treasures. So what excellent praiers and Psalnies did holy Dauid make in the time of his afflictions, flying vntounto the Lord, as vntountoPsal. 18. 1. 2. his only rocke and refuge, shield and strength; but being possessed of his kingdome, and become famous through many victories, glorying in his power, and relying too much vponupon his owne forces, he giueth commandement2 Sam. 24. 2. Chro 33. 12. to number the people. Yea euen Manasses himself whose hart was ful with idolatry, his mouth with blasphemies, and hands with blood, whilst he flourished in his kingdome; when he was led captiue by his enemies and fast bound in fetters and chaines, powred foorth effectuall praiers vntounto the Lord his God. Neither was this the practise of some priuate men only, but euen of the whole people and Church of God; for though inIer. 2. 27. their prosperity (as the Lord himselfe obserueth) they turned their backe vntounto him and not their face, yet in the time of their trouble they say arise and helpe vsus. So the Prophet Esai saith; Lord in trouble they hauehave visited thee, they Esa 26. 16.hauehave powred out a praier when thy chastning was vponupon them. And the Psalmist speaketh to the same purpose, when he Psal 78. 34.slew them (saith he) they sought him, and they returned and sought God early. Yea speaking of the manifold kinds of miserie wherewith the faithfull are exercised, he maketh this the foot of his song: then they cried vntounto the Lord in Psal. 81. 7. & 107. 6. &c.their trouble, and he deliuered them out of their distresse. And this eueryevery man may find verified in his own experience, for such is our corruption, that whilest we abound with worldly blessings, as we set our hearts vponupon them by louing them aboue measure, so also in trusting and relying vponupon them without reason; and howsoeuer they are but vaine hopes and helpes to saue and deliuer vsus, yet when we may hauehave free recourse vntounto them, we seldome and slackly flie vntounto the Lord for aide and succour. But when he taketh from vsus these earthly idols, and emptieth our hearts of all worldly confidence, bringing vsus into desperate dangers, and hiding from vsus all inferior helpes; then hauing no other place of safety vntounto which we may resort, we flie vntounto the Lord for succour and reliefe, crying out with the Psalmist, O Lord giuegive vsus helpe in trouble, for vaine is the helpe of man. And with goodPsal. 108. 12. 2. Chro. 20. 12 Iehoshaphat, O God wilt not thou iudge them? for there is no strength in vsus to stand before this great multitude that commeth against vsus, neither doe we know what to doe, but our eyes are towards thee.
Yea being in this difficulty and distresse, we are not§ Sect. 8. That in our afflictions we incite our selues to call vponupon God with many reasons. only content to be pricked on to the performance of this duty with the spurre of afflictions; but we also incite and stir vp our selues, to call vponupon the Lord for helpe and deliuerance, by many other arguments and reasons. As first by the consideration of Gods expresse commandement, vntounto which he hath encouraged vsus to performe obedience by his most gracious promises. So our Sauiour willeth vsus to aske and we shall receiue, seeke and we shall Math. 7. 7.find, knocke and it shall be opened vntounto vsus. More especially by his holy Apostle he hath required vsus to performe this duty in the time of our afflictions, Is any among you (saithIam. 5. 13. he) afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry let him sing. And againe, Let vsus goe boldly vntounto the throne of grace, that we Heb. 4. 16.may receiue mercy, and find grace to helpe in time of need. So the Lord himselfe hath enioyned vsus after a more especiall manner to make our supplications vntounto him in the time of our afflictions. Call vponupon me (saith he) in the Odit dum offenditur, i…scitur dum non rogatur offensus. Hieronym. ad Aegrotum ancicum …pist.time of trouble, and I will deliuer thee, and thou shalt glorifie me. The which duty if we at this time do neglect we shall double his displeasure against vsus, for be is not more offended with our sinne which hath deserued this chastisement and affliction, then at our negligence or stubbornnesse whereby we refuse, or slothfully neglect to beg at his hands, pardon and deliuerance. Secondly, by calling to mind, that he alone is of omnipotent power, and therefore able to shield vsus from all dangers, and to deliuer vsus out of all our afflictions; and infinite in his louelove and mercy towards vsus, and therefore willing to extend his power for our preseruation and freedome from all our troubles Both which are strong motiues to make vsus flee vntounto the Lord by earnest praier: for as when the storme bloweth and the sea rageth, the poore passenger can see no place of safety till he be ariued in the quiet port, so when we are tossed and turmoiled in this sea of miseries, and can see in all the world no safety or security, then doe we by feruent praier flee vntounto the Lord, as being the only hauen and harborough which can keep vsus safe in these tempests of affliction. Thirdly, by considering that whatsoeuer the instruments of our troubles be, the Lord is the sole author and chiefe cause of them; And therefore as the offender sueth not to the executioner for pardon, because he knoweth that he hath no power to punish or spare him, sauing that which he hath receiued from the iudge, but beggeth and intreateth that he will forgiue and release him, who alone had authority to condemne and deliuer him vp, to suffer deserued punishment for his offences; so we will not so much sue vntounto the inferior meanes of our afflictions, when we are in trouble and misery, because of themselues they can neither hurt nor helpe vsus; but with Iob we will make supplication vntounto our Iob 9. 15.Iudge, and by hearty prayer craue of him pardon and deliuerance, who hath absolute power in his hand to grant or deny it. Finally by calling to mind that he is (as the Apostle stileth him) the God of consolation, who comfortethRom. 15. 5. vsus in all our troubles, causing our consolations to abound and exceed our sufferings, as himselfe prosesseth;2. Cor. 1. 4. 5. Esai …1. 12. I euen I am he that comforteth you. And therefore when being in afflictions all worldly comforts faile vsus, it will be an effectuall reason, to moue vsus by daily praier to flee vntounto him who is the God of all consolations, that we may receiue from him some comfort and refreshing, in the time of our heauinesse.
And thus by our afflictions and by these considerations§ Sect. 9. That God by afflictions maketh vsus more frequent and feruent in praier. arising from them, we are moued to performe this duty of prayer, and that not only after an ordinary manner, but with great earnestnesse, heate of zeale, and feruencie of spirit; for though we be slacke and loose in this holy exercise, whilst we are at ease and rest, and not so much as touched with any trouble, yet when the waight of affliction lieth heauy vpō vsus, it presseth out of vsus strong cries, and salt teares; bitter sighes and deepe grones; and as waters running at their full liberty in an open plaine hauehave little force and strength, but when they passe through a streight and narrow current, are of such might that nothing is able to withstand their violence, so when our praiers proceed from hearts inlarged with worldly liberty, and not straightned or bounded with any trouble, they are very weake and wandring, and of no force to preuaile with God; but when they issue out of the straits and narrow passages of trouble and affliction, they offer an holy violence euen to God himselfe, holding as it were his hands when he is ready to strike, so as he is faine when we crie vntounto him, to crie vntounto vsus againe,Exod. 32. 10. as he did vntounto Moses, let me alone, that I may proceed in the execution of my iudgements. And this feruency and zeale was in the praiers of holy Iacob, when he was in danger of being destroied by his enraged brother; for as he outwardly with his body wrastled with God, not leauing his hold till he had the blessing; so much more powerfully did he contend and preuaile with him, when as inwardly he powred forth his soule in feruent praier, weeping and crying vntounto God for helpe and deliueranceHos. 12. 3. 4. as the Prophet sheweth. The like we see verified in his posterity Israel, who in their trouble sought the Lord, and powred out a praier when his chastning was vponupon them, and that not in a cold and formal fashion, but with great feruency and earnestnesse, crying like a woman in herEsa 26. 17. paines of child bearing, as Esay witnesseth. And this heat of zeale and feruency of spirit they shewed when being in danger to be destroied by the great army of the Philistims comming against them, they humbled them by fasting and praier before the Lord, weeping so abundantly, that by a strange, yet excellent metaphor, they1. Sam. 7. 6. are said to hauehave drawn out water from their eies, as with buckets out of a well, and not only to hauehave besprinkled the ground with distilling teares, but to hauehave powred them out in full streames. So the Church and people of God being grieuously afflicted in the time of their captiuity doe in a most patheticall manner shew this feruency of spirit and importunate earnestnesse in their praiers vntounto God for helpe and deliuerance. For their heart cried vntounto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Sion, let teares Lam. 2. 18. 19run downe like a riuer day and night, giuegive thy selfe no rest, let not the apple of thine eie cease. Arise, cry out in the night, in the beginning of the watches powre out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift vp thy hands towards him for the life of thy yong children that faint for hunger in the corners of eueryevery street. And this was vsuall with them, as we may see in the history of the Iudges and Kings (as also Nehemiah obserueth) namely, that when forNehem. 9. 27. their sinnes they were deliuered into the hands of their enemies, then they would crie vntounto the Lord in praier, till he heard them from heauen and sent them sauiours. Yea so feruent were they at such times in their supplications, that they could not content themselues with their owne importunity, but earnestly intreated Gods Prophets to become suiters and soliciters for them. For in that wonderfull humiliation before spoken of, they say vntounto Samuel, Cease not to cry vntounto the Lord our God for vsus …. Sam. 7. 8.that he may saue vsus out of the hand of the Philistims. And being terrified with an extraordinary thunder and raine in the time of haruest, they earnestly desire him, to pray for them vntounto the Lord his God that they might not die and perish. Thus also the Niniuites being in daunger ofChap. 12. 19 destruction, are commanded by their King, to humble themselues by fasting and putting: on sackcloth, and to crie mightily vntounto God. And the disciples who left Christ quietly asleepe, when they were secure, being in danger of drowning run vntounto him with great earnestnesse, and cry aloud, master, master, saue vsus we perish. Yea our SauiourMath. 8. 24. Christ himselfe, though he was continually conuersant in offering vp the sacrifice of praier vntounto his father; yet was he most frequent and feruent in performing this duty in the time of his greatest afflictions; for being inMath. 26 44. Luk 22. 44. his agony, he is said to hauehave praied more earnestly, and in feruency of spirit, to hauehave vttered thrice the same words; and to hauehave offered vp his praiers and supplications, with Heb. 5. 7.strong crying and teares, vntounto him that was able to saue him from death, as the Apostle witnesseth. By all which it appeareth that afflictions doe make vsus more frequent, instant and earnest, in this holy exercise of praier, whereof it is, that the Lord taking speciall delight in this zeale & feruency, doth after a more especiall manner command vsus to offer vp vntounto him our praiers and petitions in the time of affliction, & incourageth vsus therunto by a special promise of helpe & deliuerance. Call vponupon me (saith he) in the day of trouble, so will I deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie Psal. 50. 15.me. So by the Prophet Ioel, he commandeth them in their grieuous famine, to sanctifie a fast, to call a solemne assembly, to gather the Elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of their God, and to crie vntounto the Lord. Ioel. 1. 14.Yea in truth this is one especiall end why the Lord bringeth the faithfull into troubles and afflictions, that whereas they in the time of their prosperity neglect this duty of his seruice, or performe it formally and coldly, they may be moued with the sense and smart of these euills to call vponupon him with all zeale, earnestnesse and feruency of spirit, as appeareth by the scope and drift,Luk 18. 1. 7. at which our Sauiour aymed in the parable of the distressed widdow and vnrighteous iudge, who by her often crying and calling vponupon him, was moued to do her iustice; and of the two friends the one whereof borrowethLuk 11. 8. of the other three loaues, through his importunity, though he had a deniall at the first motion. And thus our sauiour Christ gaue vntounto the woman of Canaan diuers repulses, not because he was vnwilling to grant her suit, but to make her more instant and earnest in praying forMath. 15. 28. helpe and deliuerance from her grieuous affliction.
And thus hauehave I generally shewed, that troubles and calamities make vsus more diligent and seruent in performing§ Sect. 10. That by afflictions we are made more sincere in our confession of sinne and more earnest in our petitions. this duty of holy praier, the which is a sacrifice most acceptable vntounto God and most profitable for vsus. Now further this wil also appeare, if we consider the seuerall parts of praier; for first howsoeuer in the time of our prosperity we disguise and so cunningly hide our sinnes, that euen our selues hauehave no sight or sense of them, yet when we are brought into misery and affliction, we straitly examine our waies and workes, yea and narrowly search into the secret corners of our harts, that so we may find out those sinnes whereby we hauehave prouoked Gods displeasure; and hauing found them, we (as it were) hale them into Gods presence, and with all sincerity lay them open in his sight by humble confession, being incouraged by Gods gracious promises, that if we confesse and forsake our sinnes we shall find mercy; Pro. 28. 13.and that if we acknowledge our sins we shall find him faithfull 1. Ioh 1. 19.and iust in forgiuing them and in cleansing vsus from all iniquities & not only so, but in deliuering vsus from those euills of punishments which doe accompany them. An example whereof we hauehave in the people of Israel, whoNum. 21. 6. 7. being stung with the fiery serpents confesse their sinnes and pray vntounto the Lord. So being sore vexed and tormented by their enemies, they crie vntounto the Lord saying, we hauehave finned against thee, because we hauehave forsaken our Iudg. 10. 9. 10.owne God, and hauehave serued Baalim. And thus the prodigall sonne being pinched with hunger and grieuously afflicted returneth vntounto his father, and with an humbled soule and prostrate body, crieth out, Father I hauehave sinned Luk. 15. 21.against heauen and against thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy sonne. So Daniell in the time of the captiuityDan. 9. humbleth himselfe before God, and confesseth his owne and the peoples sinnes. Yea Pharaoh himselfe though he had no grace or goodnesse in him, yet by the waight of affliction had the confession of his sinnes pressed fromExo. 11. 16. 17. him. Thus also by afflictions are we made diligent and earnest in making our petitions vntounto God, and that both deprecations whereby we feruently desire to be freed and defended from the dangers which hang ouer our heads, and from the afflictions and miseries which doe presently vex vsus (neither are we euer more zealous, earnest and importunate with God, then when we are forced herunto with smart and sense of paine;) and also our suits and requests, especially that God will giuegive vsus grace so to profit by our afflictions; and in such sort direct and guide vsus with his holy spirit for the time to come, that we may amend our sinfull liues, and so walke in the waies of his commandements, that we may not hereafter prouoke the Lord to anger by our sinnes, and moue him in his iust displeasure to inflict againe vponupon vsus the like or more heauy iudgements.
Finally by our afflictions we are prouoked to render§ Sect. 11. That by our afflictions we are moued more frequently and hartily to giuegive thanks vntounto God. thanks vntounto God, and to magnifie and praise his holy name; first because (as I hauehave shewed) we hauehave then the truest valuation and estimate of Gods rich mercies, when we are for a time depriued of them, the which is one end why the Lord taketh them from vsus, that by wāting them we may learne their worth, and accordingly shew our selues thankfull vntounto God, either because he vouchsafed vntounto vsus the vse of them so long, though now for our sinnes they be taken from vsus, is pleased againeQ…n…em ob bena presentia gratias deo non agimus, necessaria nobis est priuatie, vt quid habueri… sentiamus Basil. Tom. 1. p. 368. to restore them vntounto vsus. For because (as one faith) we doe not render thanks vntounto God for his present benefits, it is necessary that we should be depriued of them that by wanting them we may know what we did once enioy: for as the eies cannot discerne glorious obiects when they are held close vntounto them, but when they are remoued in some proportionable distance: so our vnthankfull minds cannot iudge of the greatnesse and excellency of present benefits; but when they are taken a little from vsus, then in their departing we clearely discerne the riches of Gods boūty. Secondly because Gods infinite wisedom, powerfull prouidence, iustice, mercy & truth, do most clearely shine, like glorious stars, in the night of our afflictions; namely as he doth inflict them, & also order & dispose them, appointing their manner, measure, and all circumstances, and so moderating them, that not exceeding our strength, we plainly discerne mercy in his greatest iudgements. And also his louelove & compassion do plainly apear vntounto vsus, in that the doth not deale with vsus according to our iniquities, nor punish vsus according to the greatnes of our offēces, but cōtenteth himself to hauehavePsal. 103. 8. inflicted smal corrections for great falts, and light & momentany afflictions for such hainous & grieuous sins, as hauehave iustly deserued euerlasting condemnation. In confideration whereof we hauehave great cause to magnifie and praise the Lord, acknowledging with his afflicted Church, that it is his wonderfull mercy that we are not vtterly consumed. So also his mercy, goodnesse and truthLumen. 3. 22. doe clearely shine in our afflictions, as he doth bring light out of darknesse, and good out of euill, making these punishments of sinne to serue as effectuall meanes to further vsus in attaining vntounto both grace and glory: and finally his louelove appeareth both by his supporting vsus with strength to beare whatsoeuer he is pleased to inflict, by refreshing vsus with inward consolations, and by sauing and deliuering vsus out of all our troubles, when in respect of outward meanes our estate seemeth desperate. All which and much more being obserued by the faithfull, doe moue them to breake out in admiration of Gods wisedome, power, mercy and goodnesse into praises and thanksgiuing, as we may see in the example of the Israelites deliuered out of the Egyptian seruitude, in the song of Deborah and Barak for their freedom fromExod. 15. 1. Iudg. 5. 1. Iabin, and victory ouer Sisera; In the Psalmes of Dauid, many of which were penned vponupon this occasion, that this holy prophet and other of the faithfull might shew their thankfulnes vntounto God for his powerful protection in the time of danger, and his gracious deliuerance ofPsal. 30. 11. 12 them out of all their troubles. Thou hast turned (saith he) my mourning into ioy, thou hast loosed my sacke and girded me with gladnesse, therefore shall my tongue praise thee and not cease: O Lord my God I will giuegive thanks vntounto thee for euer. And againe, I will sing of thy power and will praise thy Psal. 59. 16. 17.mercy in the morning, for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble; vntounto thee O my strength will I sing, for God is my defence and my mercifull God. Neither doe the inferior meanes of their deliuerance so dazle and blunt their sight, but that they are still able to ouerlooke them, and to behold the Lord as the principall cause of all their good, working by these inferior instruments, as we may see in the example of Paul, who being deliuered by the chiefe captaine, when the Iewes wentAct. 21. 31. about to kill him, doth in reporting this story vntounto Agrippa, attribute the praise of his deliuerance only vntounto God. For this cause (saith he) the Iewes caught me in the Act. …6. 22.temple, and went about to kill me, neuerthelesse I obtained help of God, and continue vntounto this day. And this is one speciall end which God propoundeth vntounto our afflictions and his gracious deliuerāces, that being afflicted we may pray, praying we may be heard and deliuered, and being deliuered we may take occasion thereby to glorifie and praise him who is the chiefe author of our deliuerance; according to that of the Psalmist; Cal vponupon me in Psal. 50. 15.the day of trouble, and I wil deliuer thee, and thou shalt glorifie me. And hereof it is, that when our Sauiour had helped one possessed with a diuell, he willeth him to go home to his friends, and to shew what great things the Lord had Mark 5. 19.done vntounto him. Yea this end the faithfull themselues doe also propound of their helpe and deliuerance which they hauehave from God, according to that of the Psalmist, HaueHave mercy vponupon me O Lord, consider my trouble, which Psal. 9. 13. 14.I suffer of them that hate mee, thou that liftest me vp from the gates of death; that I my shew all thy praises within the gates of the daughter of Sion, and reioice in thy saluation.
And thus it appeareth that the Lord vseth our afflictions§ Sect. 12. That the former consideration may much comfort vsus in our afflictions. as notable meanes, to further and helpe vsus in this excellent duty of praier, and all the parts thereof, confession, petition and thanksgiuing. The consideration wherof may exceedingly comfort vsus in all our crosses and calamities; seeing all our griefes and losses are sufficiently counteruailed and abundantly recompenced by this alone benefit which we hauehave by them. For praier is a most especiall part of Gods worship and seruice wherby he is glorified, and becommeth gracious and propitious vntounto vsus; it is a most notable fruit of the spirit whereby we are vndoubtedly assured that we are the adoptedRom. 8. 15. sonnes of God, seeing we crie in our hearts Abba father. It is the meanes to inrich vsus with all spirituall graces, forIam. 1. 17. as eueryevery good and perfect gift descendeth from God the father of lights; so praier is the hand whereby we receiueMath. 7. 7. them, and which we thrust into the rich treasury of his graces, taking vntounto vsus whatsoeuer we need. It is a chiefe part of our spirituall armour whereby we are not onlyEph. 6. 18. enabled to resist all the spirituall enemies of our saluation, but also to ouercome and put them to flight. Finally it is our chiefe comfort, our strength and stay; for as allPsal. 121. 2. our consolation, abilities and support is from the Lord alone, who made heauen and earth; so the meanes which he hath appointed vntounto vsus, to receiue helpe, assistance and inward refreshing from him is prayer and supplication. And therfore let vsus patiently and thankfully indure the small smart of our short troubles, which deriue vntounto vsus so much spirituall good, let vsus be content to be pricked with these thornes of afflictions, feeing they keepe vsus from falling into the sleepe of carnall security, which would make vsus a pray to our rauenous enemies; and giuegive vsus occasion to sing these most melodious notes of praier and thanksgiuing, which is the most sweet and delightfull musicke in the eares of God.
And thus hauehave I shewed that our afflictions are vsed§ Sect. 13. That God by afflictions werk…th and increaseth our patience. by God as notable meanes to further vsus in our new obedience, as it is actiue and exercised in doing his will. The like may be sayd of our passiue obedience, whereby we are content that his will may be done in vsus; suffering with meeknesse and patience whatsoeuer crosses and afflictions it shall please him to inflict vponupon vsus. For whereas by prosperity our mindes are made weake and effeminate, by reason that our too much hauing our wils doth make vsus wanton, and wantonnesse doth make vsus way ward and peeuish, which causeth vsus to shew great impatience, in our smallest crosses, and to murmur and complaine when but the sight or shadow of any affliction doth appeare, and approach towards vsus; when we are daily exercised in carrying the crosse, and inured to beare heauy burthens, and to indure smart and paine, then are we freed from our peeuish wantonnesse, and nice tendernesse, and taking vntounto our selues manlike hearts and christian courage, and by daily vse growing better acquainted with our afflictions we now esteeme them small and light, which before seemed grieuous and intolerable. In which respect one saith, that a man may well call them miserable, who by tooI…os m…riti quis dixerit miseros qui nimia s…elicitate torp…scunt, quos velut in mari lento tranquillitas …uers detinet. &c. Senec. de prouid. l. b. c. 4. much prosperity doe grow sluggish and weake, and whom flothfull ease hath as it were becalmed in an vnmoued sea: seeing whatsoeuer befalleth them will seeme strange. Crosses seeme heauiest to those who neuer vsed to carry them; and the yoake is grieuous to a tender necke: the fresh-water-souldier waxeth pale, when hee but suspecteth himselfe wounded, whereas the old souldier beholdeth his owne bloud with vndaunted courage, because after the effusion of bloud hee hath oftentimes obtained victory. Againe by our manifold afflictions wee hauehave experience of Gods power and louelove, mercy and truth both in strengthning vsus to beare whatsoeuer crosse hee laieth vponupon vsus, in turning them all to our profit and benefit, and also in deliuering vsus out of them in his good time, when his good worke which he intended is effected by them; from which experience as we grow stronger in faith and affiance towards God, perswading our selues, that as he hath in former times, so he will now also vphold vsus in all tentations and saue2. Cor. 1. 10. and deliuer vsus out of all our afflictions: so also thereby is our patience confirmed and increased, whilest with quiet meeknes and contentednes we wait Gods leasure for our deliuerance, and in the meane time submit our selues willingly to indure his good pleasure; being assured by our manifold experience, that as hee hath, so hee will helpe and free vsus from all our calamities, and in the meane time giuegive vsus strength to beare them. And this is manifest by plaine testimonies of the scriptures; for so the Apostle Paul saith, that tribulatiō bringeth forth patience; Rom. 5. 3.And the Apostle Iames saith, that the triall of our Iam. 1. 3.faith, by afflictions and tribulations, bringeth forth patience. And the examples of the Saints do clearely shew, that by their much suffering they were inabled to suffer, and grow stronger in patience the more they were inured to beare the crosse. Thus Iob as he exceeded all in afflictions, so also in patience; and holy Dauid by suffering innumerable crosses and calamities, came at last to that meeke submission of himselfe in all things vntounto the will of God; Behold heere am I, let him doe vntounto me, as 2. Sam. 15. 26it seemeth good in his eyes; yea our Sauior Christ himselfe the patterne of all true patience, and the quiet lambe that opened not his mouth, though he were th… son (as the Apostle speaketh) yet learned he obedience by the things Heb. 5. 8.which he suffered. And this eueryevery man may finde true by his owne experience: for how bitter is sicknesse vntounto vsus when wee hauehave from our child-hood enioyed health? How irkesome is hunger, to those who hauehave been accustomed to full diet? How grieuous is want and misery, shame & disgrace, to those who hauehave had alwaies plenty, prosperity, and the praise and applause of all about them; wheras when men are a while inured to suffer these crosses, and are growne into better acquaintance with these afflictions, they grow so ordinary and familiar, that they doe not much trouble them, nor yet moue them to shew any impaciency. The consideration wherof should greatly comfort vsus in all our crosses and troubles, seeing this excellent grace of pacience is much strengthened and increased by them, which is a salue that easeth all sores, a shield of proofe which defendeth the vitall parts from being pearced with any fiery darts of the worlds tentations, and a faithfull helper which inableth vsus to beare the greatest burthen, making those things which are heauy in themselues light vntounto vsus, and those easie to be indured, which to a natural man seeme intolerable. In regard whereof the Apostle Iames willeth vsus, to countit exceeding ioy when we fall into diuers Iam▪ 1. 2. 3.tentations, because this trying of our faith bringeth forth pacience; and the Apostle Paul making himselfe with theRom. 5. 3. rest of the faithfull examples of this rule and precept, saith, that because patience was increased by tribulation, therefore they reioyced and euen gloried in it.