Consolations for the Afflicted, Book 2 · Chapter 33
CHAP. XXXIII.
Of the arguments of consolation which arise from the assurance which we hauehave of our deliuerance out of all our afflictions.
HItherto we hauehave spoken of such arguments as§. Sect. 1. That God deliuereth the faithfull in that time which is most fit and seasonable. Lib. 1. cap. 11. are fit and sufficient enough, if they be duely thought vponupon, to make vsus patient & thankfull in al our afflictions, although we should continually lye vnderunder them euen vntounto the day of our death. And now, according to our order first generally propounded, we are come to speake of such consolations as arise from the assurance which wee hauehave of Gods gracious and most seasonable deliuerance: For though the Lord doth not remoue our afflictions at our owne pleasure; yet hee will doe in his owne good time, when as it shall be most for his owne glory and our spirituall and euerlasting good; though our troubles be tedious, yet he will not suffer them to be endlesse; and though (as the Psalmist speaketh)Psalm. 118. 18. he chasteneth vsus sore, yet he will not deliuer vsus vntounto death. And as the louing Father doth not, when he correcteth his sonne, leaue off at his first motion (for then hee would neither care for him nor his correction) but when hee thinketh the chastisement sufficient for the reclaiming of him from his faults and vices; so the Lord our heauenly Father heareth our cries in the time of affliction, not according to our lusts & childish will, but so as in his infinite wisedome hee seeth it toAct. 16. stand best wt our profit & the reformation of our former euil courses, which when he seeth effected, he will cast his rodde aside, and (like the iaylour wash and heale the stripes which before himselfe had made. So the Psalmist saith, that the Psal. 34. 17. 19. & 147. 3.righteous crye and the Lord heareth them, and deliuereth them out of all their troubles; and that though they be very great, yet he deliuereth them out of all. That he healeth those which Psalm. 9. 9. 1. Cor. 10. 13.are broken in heart, and bindeth vp their sores; and that hee is a refuge for the poore, a refuge in due time, euen in affliction. For the Lord (as the Apostle saith) will not suffer vsus to be tempted aboue our strength, but will giuegive a good issue with the tentation that we may be able to beare it. And as elsewhere he affirmeth, he correcteth vsus (not for any pleasure which he taketh in our paine and smart) but for our profit, that hee might make vsus partakers of his holinesse; not to punish vsus, but to polish and perfit vsus; not to disable vsus and weaken our strength, but rather to exercise & it make vsus stronger. Now if our burthen of affliction should bee intolerable, either in respect of the waight or continuance of it, it would not accomplish Gods end, at which hee aymeth in our chastisements, but rather hinder and defeat it, it would not make vsus more holy, but rather more wicked and prophane; not more patient, humble, and meeke; but more raging, desperate and wilfull, murmuring and repining against Gods wise prouidence, as though thereby some wrong were offered vntounto vsus. And therfore the Psalmist saith, that the rod of the wicked shall not rest Psalm. 125. 3. Esa. 57. 16.vponupon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hand vntounto wickednesse. And the Lord himselfe promiseth, that he will not contend for euer nor be alwaies wroth, because so the spirit should faile before him. And this louelove and care we see euen in mortall men; for the wise and discreet schoolemaster doth so correct his scholler, that hee may make him more quicke in pulling his wits together, and more diligent in labouring his lesson, and not so, as his wits should be thereby dulled, and he made vncapable of learning. The louing Father chastiseth his sonne in such measure as is fit for the amending of him; and not so much as will dead his sprits and make him to become foolish or desperate,; yea he that breaketh a wilde colt so moderateth his stripes, that he may therby be t…med and made more seruiceable; and will not beate him so vnmeasurably, that hee should become lame and vnprofitable for his vse. And therefore we may be assured, that the Lord infinite in mercy and goodnes; will shew this louelove and care in our corrections, not suffering our afflictions eyther in waight or continuance to exceed the measure of our strength, whereby wee should become vnseruiceable and good for nothing, but will moderate our corrections according to our ability, and put an end vntounto all our troubles and trials; when as he seeth vsus sufficiently purged from the drosse of our corruptions in this fiery furnace, or his graces tryed and approued in this spirituall conflict, which were the ends for which we were brought into them.
But for the better confirmation of our faith in this assurance§. Sect. 2. That God seeth & taketh notice of all our afflictions to deliuer vsus out of them. of our deliuerance out of all our afflictions in such opportune and seasonable time, as will best stand with Gods glory and our owne good, let vsus well waigh and ponder these considerations following. First that God seeth and taketh notice of all the crosses and calamities which by any meanes whatsoeuer doe happen vntounto vsus. So the Psalmist saith, that the eyes of the Lord are vponupon the righteous, and his Psalm. 34. 15.eares open vntounto their crye. And howsoeuer the wicked flatter themselues with a conceipt, that God regardeth not the oppressions of the faithfull, and say in their hearts God hath forgotten, he hideth away his face and will neuer see; yet as hee affirmeth, the Lord doth see it, and beholdeth mischiefe and Psal. 10. 11. 14. and 94. 7. 9.wrong, that he might take it into his owne hands. Neither is the Lord onelyonly a bare beholder of the troubles and afflictions of his seruants, but he so seeth and knoweth them, as withall he seeth and knoweth the meanes of their deliuerance, yea and also doth indeede saue them in their greatest neede, according to that of the Psalmist, Behold, the eye of the Lord is Psal. 33. 18. 19.vponupon them that feare him, and vponupon them that trust in his mercy, to deliuer their soules from death, and to preserue them in famine, with whom the Apostle Peter according, saith, the 2. Pet. 2. 9.Lord knoweth to deliuer the godly out of tentation, and to reserue the vniust vntounto the day of iudgement to be punished. With which consideration Dauid comforteth himselfe in his distresse. Though I be (saith he) poore and needy, the Lord thinketh Psalm. 40. 17.on me; thou art mine helper and my deliuerer; my God make no tarrying. And certainely it must needs adde much to our consolation in afflictions and our assurance of deliuerance, when as we are perswaded that the Lord seeth and knoweth all our miseries. For whereas if hee had neuer so much power and will to helpe vsus, we might neuerthelesse be obnoxious to many wrongs, and be ouerwhelmed with many calamities, if he were ignorant of our afflictions and did not see and know our state and condition; now when wee are assured, that he not only dearely loueth vsus, and is of power and ability to saue and deliuer vsus, but also doth behold and consider al our griefes & crosses, we may be assured also that he will suffer them no longer to lye vponupon vsus, then shall bee for his owne glory, and the euerlasting good of our soules, for if wee put such trust in earthly parents, that they will not see vsus want, suffer wrong, or be oppressed with any misery, (they being able to releeue and help vsus) further then will stand with our good and benefit, as in the case of triall and chastizement: then how much more should we put our confidence in God for helpe and deliuerance, seeing he loueth vsus much more entirely, and is able to defend and saue vsus much more easily, and continually seeth and knoweth all our wants and miseries?
Secondly, let vsus consider, that the Lord doth not onelie§ Sect. 3. That God is present with the faithfull in all their afflictions to helpe and releeue them. see and behold our tribulation (as it were) a farre off, hee being included in heauen, as we are in the earth, but that as he filleth all places with his essence, so after a more especiall manner he is present with the faithfull in all their miseries and afflictions, And as the carefull Physitian attendeth vponupon and watcheth ouer his dearely loued patient, that hee may apply vntounto him, fit medicines, which may so purge away the corrupt humours, as that in the meane time nature it selfe be not too much weakened: and as the cunning goldsmith when as he hath cast his gold into ye fiery furnace, doth not there carelesly leaue it, but watcheth by it, that hee may moderate the fire, and so order it in respect both of the heat and the time of induring it, that it may bee refined and not burned, purified from the drosse, and not spent and consumed in the purest substance, so doth the Lord stand by vsus when wee are in our sicke beds like a carefull Physition to cure and recouer vsus, and like a wise artisan hee watcheth ouer vsus, when hee hath cast vsus into the furnace of affliction: that when we are according to his owne minde purged and purified, hee may withdraw his bitter potions, and pull vsus like pure mettall out of the fire, that we not in our spirituall parts receiue any hurt or detriment. Neyther is the Lord onelyonly present with vsus as a pittifull friend to take compassion on our griefes, but also as a powerfull and wise helper he putteth to his hand, that wee may bee deliuered from them; taking the best course, and vsing the fittest meanes, for the effecting of that which hee willeth and intendeth. And according to the saying of Eliphaz and Elthu; he saueth Iob 5. 15. 16. & 36. 15.the poore from the sword, from the mouth of the wicked, & from the hand of the violent man; so that when they expect his help they are not frustrated of their hope. Hee deliuereth the poore in his affliction, and openeth their eare in trouble. So the Psalmist more plainely speaking of this powerfull and workingPsalm 34. 18. presence; saith, that the Lord is neere vntounto them that are of a contrite heart, and will saue such as are afflicted in spirit. That hee is our keeper, and our shadow at our right hand, so that the Psalm. 121. ….sunne shall not smite vsus by day, nor the moone by night. And againe, that the Lord is neere vntounto all that call vponupon him, yea to all that call vponupon him in truth, hee will fulfill the desire of them that feare him, he also will heare their cry and will saue them. The Lord preserueth all them that louelove him, &c. And this thePsal. 145. 18. 19 Lord himselfe promiseth because (saith he) he hath loued me, therefore will I deliuer him, I will exalt him, because hee hath knowne my name. He shall call vponupon me, and I will heare him, I Psal. 91. 14. 15.will be with him in trouble, I will deliuer him and glorifie him. And our Sauiour ascending into heauen in his bodily presence, promiseth his disciples, and, in them, all the faithful,Ieh. 14. 18. Matth. 28. 20. that he would not leaue them comfortlesse, but would come vntounto them, by his holy Spirit, and be present with them vntounto the end of the world. The which gracious promises wee see accomplished in the examples of the afflicted Saints, for thus God was present with Iacob in his greatest extremitie, holdingGen. 32. 24. him vp when he wrastled with him, and defending himGen 39. 2. & v. 21. 22. when he seemed to oppose against him. Thus was he present with Ioseph to saue and deliuer him in the land of his banishment, yea he was with him in prison, giuing him grace and fauour in the sight of the Iaylour, and afterwards an happie deliuerance out of trouble. And thus hee was presentDan. 3. 25. with the three children in the firie furnace, in a visible manner, walking with them in the middest of the fire, and preseruing them from sustaining any harme. And thus euen in these dayes hee is present with the faithfull in all their troubles, though not thus sensibly and miraculously, yet spiritually and inuisibly by his wisdome and power, finding out fit meanes for their deliuerance out of all their afflictions, in such a time as is most seasonable.
The which consideration may serue to replenish our§ Sect. 4. Of the consolation which ariseth from the assurance of Gods presēce with vsus. hearts with singular comfort, in that hee is alwaies present with vsus who is most louing, and best able to giuegive vsus succour and releefe. And therefore the Lord himselfe, when hee would cheere his Church drouping in her afflictions, doth much insist and beat vponupon this argument of his gracious presence. Feare thou not (saith he) for I am with thee; be not Esa. 4. 10. 13. 14afraide, for I am thy God, I will strengthen thee and helpe thee; and will sustaine thee with the right hand of my iustice: The men which warre against thee shall be as a thing of nought; for I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying vntounto thee, feare not, I will helpe thee. Feare thou not, thou worme Iacob, and ye men of Israel: I will helpe thee, saith the Lord thy redeemer, the holy one of Israell. And againe, Thus saith the Lord that Esa. 43. 1. 2.created thee, O Iacob, and he that formed thee, O Israell, feare not, for I hauehave redeemed thee, I hauehave called thee by name, thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the floods, that they doe not ouerflow thee. When thou walkest through the very fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle vponupon thee. And thus the Lord encourageth Paul to be constant and couragious in all troubles and afflictions which should happen vntounto him, for the preaching of the Gospell. Feare not (saith he) but speake, and Act. 18. 1….holde not thy peace, for I am with thee, and no man shall lay hands on thee to hurt thee. And accordingly thus hauehave the Saints and seruants of God comforted themselues in al their afflictions, by calling to minde, that the Lord their God was alwaies present with them, to saue and deliuer them out of al their troubles. For so Dauid professeth, that though he should walke through the valley of the shadow of death, he would Psa 23. 4. & 118. 6.feare no euill, because God was with him, & his rod & staffe they did comfort him: and else where, The Lord (saith he) is with me, therefore I will not feare what man can do vntounto me. The which his professiō he putteth in practise in his greatest extremitie. For when the Amalakits had sacked and burnt his city, spoiled him of al his goods, led his wiues captiues, and when his own people adding sorrow vntounto sorrow, wer readie to stone1. Sam. 30. 6. him, euen then he comforted himselfe in the Lord his God. Thus also Hezechiah comforted himselfe and his people, when his countrey was inuaded with the huge armie of the Assirians. Be strong (saith he) and couragious; feare not, neither 2. Chro. 32. 7. 8.be afraide for the king of Ashur, nor for all the multitude that is with him, seeing there are more with vsus then with him. For with him is an armie of flesh, but with vsus is the Lord our God to helpe vsus, and to fight our battels. And thus the whole Church triumpheth ouer all troubles and dangers, in the assurance which shee had of Gods powerfull presence. God is our hope Psa. 46. 1. 2. 3.and strength, and helpe in troubles readie to be found. Therefore will we not feare, though the earth be moued, and though the mountaines fall into the middest of the sea. Though the waters thereof rage and be troubled, and the mountaines shake at the surges of the same. Yea, thus did the head of the Church, Iesus Christ, comfort himselfe in all his great sufferings by the presence and assistance of the diuine nature. I gaue (saith he) my back vntounto the smiters, and my cheeks to the nippers; I Esa. 50. 6. 7.hid not my face from shame and spitting; for the Lord God will helpe me, therefore I shall not be confounded: therefore I hauehave set my face as a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. According to which examples, let vsus labour to cary our selues with comfort and patience in our greatest afflictions, being assured that God is alike present with vsus, as hee was with them, to saue and deliuer vsus out of all our troubles; for it is better to hauehave him wrastling with vsus like an aduersarie, as he did with Iacob; then to be vponupon any tearmes without his company, seeing his gracious presence is al-sufficient to sweeten and lighten the bitternesse and burthen of all our crosses, to turne our grones and cryes into the heauenly musick of praise and thanksgiuing, and to make hel it selfe better & more delightful, then the cheefest Paradise of worldly pleasures. And therefore because Gods presence is so sweete and comfortable, and hee hath promised to vouchsafe it vntounto those who are in misery and affliction, some hauehave desired and beene in louelove with their crosses and calamities, though not simply for their owne sakes, yet in this respect, because through Gods gracious promises, they had the betterDa mihi semper tribulationem vt semper possis esse mecū. Gregor. Idiota inter orthodoxogr. de patient. verae contemplat. 1. lib. cap. 10. Bernard. in Psa. qui habitat. vers. vlt. assurance of the enioying his company. To which purpose one saith, seeing thou hast promised, O Lord, to bee with me in mine afflictions, therefore let mee euer be afflicted, rather then at any time be without thee. And another. It is better for mee to embrace thee in tribulation, and to hauehave thee with mee in the fierie fornace of affliction, then enioying all worldly prosperitie, to be without thy company. And a third making the like profession, saith, It is better for me, O Lord, to be in trouble whilest thou art with mee, then to raigne and reuell, feast and flourish in worldly pompe, & be without thee. It is a farre greater good to embrace thee in tribulation, and to enioy thy company in the fire of affliction, then to be in heauen it selfe, being depriued of thy presence.
Thirdly, let vsus consider, that the Lord who seeth all our§. Sect. 5. That Gods power is omnipotent and al-sufficient to helpe vsus. afflictions, and is alwaies present, and readie to helpe and deliuer vsus, is also Omnipotent and Almightie, and therefore able and al-sufficient to saue vsus, and to giuegive vntounto vsus an happy issue out of all our troubles. For as the Psalmist speaketh, Who is God besides the Lord? and who is mightie, Psal. 18. 31. Iob. 42. 2. Esa. 63. 1.saue our God. Hee can doe all things (as Iob saith) and there is nothing hard vntounto him. Hee is glorious and walketh in his great strength, hee speaketh in righteousnesse, and is mighty to saue, as himselfe affirmeth. And therefore the faithfull when they hauehave been forsaken of all their other hopes, hauehave notwithstanding rested vponupon the Lord in all their troubles and dangers for helpe and deliuerance, as being their onelyonly strength and stay, as wee may see in the example of the Prophet Dauid, The Lord▪ (saith he) is my rock and my for tresse, Psal. 18. 2.and he that deliuereth me, my God and my strength, in him will I trust; my sheeld, the horne also of my saluation and my refuge. So the Prophet Nahum hauing spoken of the wrath andNahum. 1. 6. 7. vengeance that should befall the Assyrians, affirmeth that God would be good to his Church, and as a strong hold in the day of trouble, knowing them that trust in him. Yea this the whole Church knew & acknowledged, according to that of the Psalmist, In the palaces thereof (that is, of mount Sion)Psal. 48. 3. God is knowne for a refuge. And vponupon this ground of knoledge they exhort one another, to rest vponupon the Lord in all troubles for helpe and deliuerance. Trust in the Lord (say they) for euer; for in the Lord God is strength for euer more. Esa. 26. 4.Now if nothing can be more cōfortable vntounto those who are in any danger & distresse, then to be assured yt their deerest friends are not onelyonly present with them, and beholders of all their greefes; but also hauehave abilitie and power sufficient to free them from the things they feare, and to deliuer them out of all difficulties; then ought our hearts much more to bee filled with all ioy and consolation in our greatest afflictions, seeing we are assured, that the Lord who is infinite in power and louelove, is continually present with vsus, and both able and readie in the fittest and most seasonable time, to grant vntounto vsus deliuerance, and freedome from all those crosses and miseries which doe vex and trouble vsus.
Neither are wee onelyonly to comfort our selues in the assurance§. Sect. 6. That God is most louing towards vsus, and therefore willing and readie to helpe vsus. of Gods presence and power to helpe vsus, but also of his infinite louelove and goodnesse towards vsus; the which now commeth in the fourth place to bee considered, as a chiefe and maine argument of our consolation; for if God knoweth all our afflictions, and is neere at hand and readie to help vsus; if he be almightie in power, and able to doe for vsus whatsoeuer he will, farre aboue all that wee can aske or thinke, and doth also dearly louelove vsus, and in regard thereof is still willing to defend vsus from euill and to doe vsus good, then is there no doubt to be made of Gods helpe, and our deliuerance in his due and most conuenient time. But as the former points appeare plainly by that which hath beene said, so is it easie with the like euidence of truth to demonstrate the infinitnesse and immutabilitie of Gods louelove towards vsus. For not onelyonly doth he as our Creator, louelove vsus his creaturesDeut. 7. 6. & 32 9. Tit. 2. 14. 1. Pet. 29. and the workes of his owne hands; but also as our God, Lord and master, who hath made choice of vsus aboue all others to be his owne peculiar people, subiects of his kingdome, members of his Church, and seruants of his familie, vntounto whom he sheweth himselfe, and by whom he is continually worshipped and serued. Yea, in farre neerer bonds hath he in his infinite louelove and mercy vnited vsus vntounto himselfe, for he is our heauenly father, and wee his children by grace and adoption; he is our husband, and we his spouse; yea he is in Christ our head, and we the members of his bodie; whose louelove, mercy and goodnesse towards vsus, doe as much exceed that which is to be found in earthly parents, husbands and heads, as himselfe doth exceed them, beeing infinite and incomprehensible. And this the Scriptures doe plainly declare vntounto vsus; for thus the Lord himselfe saith to his Church, that he had loued them with an euerlasting louelove, and in mercy had drawne them vntounto him, when being ignorantIer. 31. 3. of his excellencie, they made no haste to come. The which his louelove, as it is in time endlesle, so it is in quantitie matchlesse, howsoeuer in the Scriptures it hath some resemblances that we might the better conceiue of it. For it is compared to the louelove of a father, according to that of the Psalmist. As a father hath compassion on his children, so will the Lord hauehave Psa. 103. 13. Mal. 3. 17.compassion on them that feare him. And by the Prophet Malachie the Lord promiseth, that he will spare the faithfull, as a man spareth his owne sonne that serueth him. Yea the louelove ofEsa. 49. 15. God is by himselfe compared to the louelove of a tender mother, and preferred before it. Can a woman (saith he) forget her childe, and not hauehave compassion on the sonne of her wombe? though they should forget, yet will I not forget thee. Beholde I Hos. 2. 19.hauehave grauen thee on the palmes of my hands, thy walls are euer in my sight. Yea he loueth vsus as the husband loueth the wife, for he hath marryed vsus vntounto himselfe for euer in righteousnesse, iudgment, mercy and compassion: the which his coniugal louelove is notably set forth vntounto vsus in the booke of the Canticles. And if we would yet hauehave a louelove aboue this, he loueth vsus as the head the members of the body, pitying and preseruing vsus, as those parts, which being of greatest vse, are also most tender and subiect to iniury. For so the Prophet saith,Zach. 2. 8. Deut. 32. 10. that he who toucheth the faithfull, toucheth the apple of Gods eie. And Moses in his song saith, that God taught his people, and keept them as the apple of his eie. In assurance of which louelove Dauid maketh that prayer. Shew thy meruailous mercies, Psal. 17. 7. 8. § Sect. 7. That God especially sheweth his louelove to the faithfull in the time of their afflictions.O thou that sauest by thy right hand them that trust in thee, from such as rise vp against them. Keepe mee as the apple of the eie, hide me vnderunder the shadow of thy wings.
And as God sheweth this his infinite louelove vntounto the faithfull at all times, and vponupon all occasions, so especially in the time of their troubles and afflictions, and that both by compassionating and as it were condoling with them in their greefes, and also by sauing and deliuering them out of them in due time; for so hee saith of the afflictions of his people,Esa. 63. 9. that in all their troubles he was troubled, and the Angell of his presence saued them. That his soule was greeued for the miserie Iudg. 10. 16.of Israel; and that he earned in the bowels of his compassion, according as himselfe speaketh by his Prophet. Is Ephraim my deare sonne or pleasant child? For since I spake against him, Ier. 31. 20.I, doe earnestly remember him still. Therefore my bowels are troubled for him, I will surely hauehave mercy vponupon him, saith the Lord. For this his louelove and compassion cannot be idle; but as it will shew it selfe in pitying the miseries and troubles ofvers. 9. his children, so also in giuing vntounto them seasonable helpe and deliuerance. For so he saith of the same people, and in them of al the faithful. They shall come weeping, and with mercy will I bring them againe. I will lead them by the riuers of waters, in a straight way wherein they shall not stumble; for I am a father vntounto Israel, and Ephraim is my first borne. And so the afflicted Church speaketh out of her owne experience. The Lord will not forsake for euer. But though he send affliction, yet Lam. 3. 31. 32. 33.will he hauehave compassion, according to the multitude of his mercies; for he doth not punish willingly, nor afflict the children of men; yea contrariwise, hee taketh the greatest delight in shewing his mercy and goodnesse to those who serue and depend vponupon him, as being an action most naturall and familiar vntounto him, according to that of the Prophet Micah. Micah. 7. 18.Who is a God like vntounto thee, that taketh away iniquity, and passeth Psa. 103. 14.by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for euer, because mercy pleaseth him. All which his mercy and goodnesse hee is aboue all other times most ready to extend towards vsus in the time of our afflictions, in regard of our weaknesse to beare these burthens; for hee knoweth whereof we be made, and remembreth that we Esa. 53. 3.are but dust, and he hath experience of our infirmities, as the Prophet speaketh, knowing what to lay vponupon vsus, and the fittest time to ease vsus of our burthen. The which may serue as a singular consolation vntounto vsus in all our troubles and afflictions, in that the Lord who is almighty and most able to helpe vsus, is also infinite in louelove and compassion towards vsus, and therefore alwaies ready and willing to giuegive vntounto vsus deliuerance in time most conuenient. For if the childe so presumeth on his Fathers louelove, that hauing also power in his hand to supply his wants, protect him from dangers, & free him from any euill, he comfortably resteth vponupon him in his greatest pouerty and misery; If the beloued wife so trusteth in her husbands louelove, that shee careth not to hauehave much in her owne keeping, so she be assured that he hath inough for both, nor feareth any enemy in his presence which she knoweth he is able to resist and ouercome; nor is much troubled with any present paine or sicknesse, if she be perswaded, that he at pleasure can giuegive her ease by curing of it; And finally if the members of the same body doe securely rest vponupon the wife prouidence and direction of the head, and when it so appointeth are content with meekenesse and patience to indure any paine or torture, as binding, lancing searching, searing, for the helping and healing of their infirmities and sores, because by naturall instinct they know, that it wil impose vponupon them no more then necessary paines, seeing in all their troubles and vexation it doth condole with them: then how much more should wee in all our afflictions and miseries rest and relye vponupon Gods aide and assistance with security, comfort and spirituall ioy, seeing we can make no question of his power and ability to deliuer vsus, and may be assured that he infinitely more loueth vsus, then the most louing father his onelyonly sonne, the kindest husband his dearest wife, or the naturall head the true members of his owne body.
Lastly, let vsus consider, that the Lord is not onelyonly powerful§ Sect. 8. Consolation arising from Gods gracious promises of helpe and deliuerance. able, and graciously willing to giuegive vntounto vsus help and deliuerance out of all our afflictions in respect of those relations of louelove betweene him and vsus; but hath also freely bound himselfe by his most infallible promises, which therfore can no more possibly fal to the ground vnaccomplished, then he and his truth can bee seuered and parted, who are of the same infinite essence and being. So he saith, Call vponupon me Psal. 50. 1. and 91. 15.in the time of trouble, so will I deliuer thee, and thou shalt glorifie me. And else where. Because he hath loued me, therfore will I deliuer him, I will exalt him, because hee hath known my name. He shall call vponupon me, and I will heare him, I will be with him in trouble, I will deliuer him and glorifie him. And in another place; Cast thy burthen vponupon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee, Psalm. 55. 22. and 145. 19.he will not suffer the righteous to fall for euer. He will fulfill the desire of them that feare him; he also will heare their crye, and will saue them. The Lord preserueth all them that louelove him, &c. And againe, Before they call I will answer, and whilst they speake I will heare; And that I may not multiply more places, becauseEsa. 65. 24. they are obuious and easie to find, vntounto any that looke into the holy Scriptures, the Apostle assureth vsus, that he will not suffer vsus to be tempted aboue our power, but will giuegive a good 1. Cor. 10. 13.issue with the tentation, (both in respect of waight and continuance of it) that we may be able to beare it. The which gracious promises are most infallible, because (as the Apostle there speaketh) he is faithfull and true who hath made them. 2. Thes. 3. 3. Christus dixit plorabitis et flebitis, sed tristitia vestra vertetur in gaudium. Ergo quia praedicta patimur, restat vt etiam promissa sperare debeamus. Gregor. lib. 7. indict. 1. cap. 3.Yea he is not onelyonly true but truth it selfe, and therefore no more able to goe from his word then to denye and forsake his very nature and being. And therefore if when we are in distresse we are cheered and refreshed, when a faithfull and able friend doth promise his aid and assistance for our helpe and deliuerance, from the euils which gaule and vexe vsus, though their power be often subiect to crossing, their wil to changing, and their faith to failing: then how much more should our hearts bee replenished with ioy and comfort, when as we hauehave the promises of God, who is omnipotent and subiect to no thwarting, immutable in his louelove, and cannot§ Sect. 9. That God is called the God of comfort and consolation in the former respects. alter, and truth it selfe, who cannot faile in performing of any thing which he vndertaketh?
In all which respects God is said to be our chiefe and only comforter in all our troubles and afflictions, because all true and substantiall consolations doe issue and flow from him, as the fountaine of ioy and comfort. Thus the Apostle1. Cor. 1. 3. 4. stileth him, the Father of all mercies, and God of all comfort, who comforteth vsus in all our tribulation. And the Lord appropriateth it vntounto himselfe. I euen I am he that comforteth you, who art thou that thou shouldst feare mortall man, and the son Esa. 51. 12. and 66. 13.of man which shall be made as grasse, and again, as one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you, and ye shall be comforted in Ierusalem. In respect whereof our Sauiour Christ callethIoh. 16. 7. his holy spirit, by the name of comforter, because it is a speciall office of his to comfort Gods saints in all their tribulations. And of this Dauid had experience where he saith in the multitude of my thoughts within mee, thy comforts delight Psal. 94. 19.my soule. Whereof it is that in his afflictions hee desireth no other comforter; I pray thee that thy mercy may comfort mee, and 119. 76. 77.according to thy promise vntounto thy seruant. Let thy tender mercies come vntounto me that I may liue▪ for thy Law is my desire. Neither in truth is there any other in comparison of him to bee sought or looked after, for as one saith, hee is our onelyonly and singular remedie in all our afflictions and miseries. He is the best Physition, a captaine and leader that neuer misleads vsus; a King that alwaies comforts and rayseth vsus vp beeing deiected, and a most valiant champion, who onelyonly fighteth in vsus and for vsus against al enemies, and after our victory crowneth vsus with glory, when by his helpe alone we hauehave ouercome. And what can we seeke which wee may not finde inIn omnibus aduersitatibus Christus quaerendus est tanquam vnicum et singulare remedium. Ille optimus medicus, dux non seducens, rex suos erigens &c. Bernard. de passione Domini. cap. 22. him? If we be sicke, he is our Physition; If like pilgrimes we wander in a strange country, he is our guide; If wee be desolate, he is our King; If we be assaulted, he is our champion; If we thirst, he is our drinke; If we be cold, he is our garment; If we be sorrowfull, he is our ioy; If wee be in darknes, hee is our light; If we be Orphans, he is our Father, husband, friend and brother? he is the cheefe goodnes. Most mercifull, most mighty, most beautiful, most wise, who euerlastingly gouerneth and disposeth of all by his most wise and powerful prouidence.
And these are the reasons whereby wee may be assured of§. Sect. 10. Examples of those who hauing trusted in God hauehave beene deliuered in due time. our deliuerance out of all our afflictions; which are not grounded vponupon our works, merits, worthinesse, or any thing which is in vsus; but vponupon God his all-seeing knowledge, gracious presence, power, louelove and truth; which beeing things without vsus, cannot bee crossed by our sinnes and vnworthines, if we performe that condition of faith, laying holde on these mercies and gracious promises of God, and bringing forth the fruits of repentance, whereby wee bewaile, hate and forsake all those sinnes, which hauehave mooued the Lord to inflict vponupon vsus all these crosses and afflictions. Now vntounto these arguments of comfort arising from our assurance of deliuerance, let vsus adde breefly some examples of the faithful from time to time, who hauing trusted in God, hauehave in his due time beene saued and deliuered out of all their troubles and afflictions. And thus we read, that God saued Noah and his familie from perishing in the vniuersal deluge, and Lot from the common destruction of Sodome and Gomorrah. Thus he freed Abraham from the danger of loosing either his life or wife, by plaguing the heathenish kings, and also of loosing his sonne, by prouiding in an instant another sacrifice to bee offered in his place. And thus hee deliuered Iacob from the grieuous seruitude of churlish Laban, as also from the mischiefes which hee intended against him at his departure; from the armed malice of his brother Esau, and out of innumerable other afflictions and dangers, as appeareth in his story. So how graciously did the Lord deliuer Ioseph from the bloudy conspiracy of his brethren, making their malice to serue his prouidence, as a meanes of his preferment; as also out of all those miseries into which he was deepely plunged through the lustful rage and false slaunders of his dishonest mistresse? how miraculously did hee deliuer Moses in his infancy from killing, drowning and staruing; and in his mature age from the malitious intendments of Pharaoh and the Aegyptians, as also from the mutinings and often rebellions of the vngratefull Israelites: What an happy issue did he make for Iob out of all his troubles? and how meruaylously did hee protect Dauid from the Philistines, from the persecutions raised against him by Saul, and the rebellious treason of his owne sonne? how did he manifest his omnipotent power and watchfull louelove, in preseruing Elias from the malicious rage of Ahab and Iesabell, in feeding him by the ministery of his Angell, and afterwards by the rauens, and the poore widdow; in safe-guarding Elizaeus from the army of the Aramites, and the bloody designements of his owne vngratefull King? in preseruing the three children in the fiery furnace. Daniell in the Lions den, Ionas in the whales belly; and Ezechias from the mighty hoast of Senacherib, and afterward from the iawes of death when as it was ready to seaze vponupon him? yea how wonderfully did he deliuer the whole people and church of Israell; first out of the bondage of Aegypt, and afterwards in the time of the Iudges from the subiection and oppression of their many and mighty enemies, as from the Amorites, Ammonites,Iud. 10. 11. 12. Nehem. 9. 28. Philistims, Zidonians, Amalakites, and Maonites, as the Lord himselfe telleth them? So likewise out of the captiuitie of Babylon; and from the most cruell conspiracie of Haman, whereby he intended at once, to roote them out from being a people. Finally, in the new Testament, when as neuerthelesse he was purposed to make the blood of his Martyres the seed of his Church, yet till the appointed time came, how strongly and powerfully did hee preserue them from the crueltie and malice of the Scribes, Pharisies, and the rest of the Iewes, deliuering Peter, Paul and Silas out of prison by the ministerie of hi… Angels; and Paul himselfe from the conspiracie of the Iewes at Damascus, and afterwards at Ierusalem, from their rage and vproares, out of desperate dangers both by sea and land, and lastly, from the persecution of bloody Nero, who like a rauenous Lyon (as himselfe speaketh) gaped vponupon him, thirsting for his blood. In a word, we may see this verified in the examples of all the faithfull, who depending vponupon the Lord, hauehave had experience of his louelove, power and truth of his promises, in their meruailous deliuerances out of all their afflictions. SoPsa. 9. 9. 10. the Psalmist saith, that the Lord will be a refuge for the poore, a refuge in due time, euen in affliction, and that they who know Psalm. 34. 19his name will trust in him, because he hath neuer failed them that seeke him. And else where speaking out of his owne experience, both in himselfe and others, hee saith, that great are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord deliuereth them out of all. Yea setting downe the manifold miseries and afflictions vntounto which Gods people are in this life subiect, hee still concludeth with this, as the foote of his song, So they Psa. 107. 6. 13. 19. 28.cryed vntounto the Lord in their troubles, and he deliuered them out of their distresse. The Prophet Esay likewise out of his owne obseruation speaketh to the same purpose; Thou hast (saith he) been a strength vntounto the poore, euen a strength vntounto the needie in his trouble, a refuge against the tempest, and a shadow against the heat. The Prophet Asariah also saith, that who so euer returned in his affliction to the Lord God of Israel, and sought vntounto him, he was found of him. And the sonne of Syrach maketh a chalenge to whomsoeuer should take vponupon him to contradict this truth, namely that he should find out one, who hath trusted in God, and beene forsaken of him in his afflictions. Looke (saith he) at the generations of old, and see, did euer any trust in the Lord and was confounded? or did Eccl…. 2. 10. 11.despise that called vponupon him? for the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, long suffering and very pitifull, and forgiueth sinnes, and saueth in the time of affliction.
The consideration whereof should exceedingly comfort§. Sect. 11. Of the greast consolation which ariseth vntounto vsus, by remembring the deliuerance of others out of their afflictions. vsus in all our crosses and calamities, seeing we hauehave not onelyonly Gods gracious promises of helpe and deliuerance out of all our troubles, but such manifold experience of the performance of them, vntounto all the faithfull who hauehave trusted in him, and reposed themselues vnderunder the shadowe of his wings; especially considering that there is in him no mutabilitie or shadow of change; & therefore if we in like manner rely our selues with firme affiance, vponupon his prouidence and promises, we shall finde him alike readie to saue and deliuer vsus out of all our afflicitons. When then we see me to be forsaken of God in the day of our tribulation, let vsus comfort our selues with Dauid and say, Our fathers trusted in Psa. 22. 4. 5.thee, they trusted in thee, and thou diddest deliuer them; they cried vntounto thee, and were deliuered; they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. For this is the right vse of their deliuerances, that our faith and affiance may be confirmed and assured, that the Lord will bee alike gracious vntounto vsus, if wee rest and relie vponupon him. According to that of the Psalmist.Psa. 9. 9. 10. the Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble: and they that know thy name will put their trust in thee, for thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seeke thee. And this vse he affirmeth the faithfull would make; of his meruailous deliuerances; for hauing said, that vponupon his seeking the Lord, he was heard of him, and deliuered out of al his feare; hee inferreth, that others also shall looke vntounto him, and runne Psa. 34. 4. 5. 6.vntounto him, and their faces shall not be ashamed, saying, This poore man cryed, and the Lord heard him and saued him out of all his troubles.
Yea, not onelyonly may we comfort our selues in the remembrance§. Sect. 12. That we may comfort our selues in the remēbrance of our owne deliuerances. of these examples in former times, and those which wee may daily obserue in our owne daies; but also in the consideration of those manifold and wonderfull deliuerances, which either together with the rest of Gods Church, or particularly by our selues, the Lord hath in mercy vouchsafed vntounto vsus. As namely our freedome from that most miserable captiuitie of sinne and Satan; our deliuerance from the greeuous yoake and slauish subiection, both in respect of body, soule and state, vntounto the Romish Antichrist, by the preaching of the Gospell; when as there was impossibilitie, in regard of his strength, and our weakenesse of euer comming out of his cruell thraldome; our wonderfull deliuerance in the yeare 1588. from the inuasion and bloody intendments of the Pope and Spaniard; the raising vp of our heads hanging downe with sorrow, & refreshing our hearts deiected with feare, at the death of our late worthie and renowned Queene, by reparing our losse in our gracious Soueraigne, by whose means the sincere preaching of the Gospel and the flourishing estate of the Church and kingdome is continued and preserued. Finally, our strange and almost miraculous deliuerance from that horrible conspiracie, and vnmatchable treason of the blood-thirstie Papists, who had intended to blow vp at once both King and State, and within some few houres had brought their dānable designe into act and execution. VntoUnto which publicke deliuerances eueryevery one may adde all those which they hauehave had experience of in their owne particular; as protection from enemies, preseruation from dangers, supplie of necessaries in the tyme of want, recouery of health after most dangerous sicknesses, and such like; which being innumerable in respect of particular men, I leaue them to the consideration of eueryevery one, as they hauehave obserued them out of their owne experience. All which gracious deliuerances from dangers and passed miseries, should serue as effectuall arguments to comfort our hearts in our present afflictions, seeing in regard of Gods vnchangeable louelove, they giuegive vntounto vsus assurance of the like freedome from our present afflictions, beeing so many pledges and pawnes of Gods merciemercy, truth and carefull prouidence, still watching ouer vsus. And thus Dauid concludeth, that the same God1. Sam. 17. 37. who had deliuered him from the Lyon and Beare, would also saue him from the vncircumcised Philistim. And Paul hauing experience of Gods power and louelove, in deliuering2. Cor. 1. 9. 10. from that great affliction, which so much pressed him, that hee doubted of his life, professeth his confidence in God for helpe and succour in all future dangers. And beeing deliuered out of the mouth of the Lyon; that is, from Nero that cruell persecutour, he comforteth himselfe, and strengtheneth his faith in this assurance, that God would deliuer 2. Tim. 4. 17. 18him from eueryevery euill worke, and preserue him vntounto his heauenly kingdome. Yea euen the heathen captaine calleth toO socij (neque enim ignari sumus ante malorum) O passi grauiora dabit Deus his quoque fiaē. Ae…eid. 1. remembrance the former deliuerances of him and his fellowes, that he might heereby comfort himselfe and them, in assurance of like preseruation from present troubles, whose example may conuince vsus of greater weaknesse and infidelitie, if hauing many more pledges and experiments of Gods louelove and power, wee come short of him in our courage and confidence. The which will lye as an heauie sinne vponupon our soules, and adde much to the waight and bitternesse of afflicitons; seeing we so much distrust God, that we will not onelyonly, not giuegive credit to his word and promises, but not so much as beleeue him when hee hath, by former experience, put into our hands the pledges and pawnes of2. Chr. 16. 7. 8. his louelove and care ouer vsus. And this was the sinne of Asa, who hauing beene deliuered from the huge hoast, chariots and horsemen of the Aechiopians and Lubims; did not after this experience of Gods mercy rest vponupon him for deliuerance and victory ouer B…astra king of Israel. As also of the Israelites, who hauing had continuall experience of Gods care, power and louelove, in defending and prouiding for them, did in their next wants and dangers, shew so much diffidencePsa. 78. 19. to 25. & v. 42. and distrust, as though they had neuer seene any of his works of wonder, as the Prophet doth at full declare it, in the 78. Psalme.