Consolations for the Afflicted, Book 2 · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
Of the comforts which arise out of meditation, and first from the consideration of the causes of our afflictions; as namely, that God is the cheefe cause and principall author of all our afflictions.
AND thus hauehave I shewed what is required in§ Sect. 1. That the Lord is the cheefe cause of all our afflictions, first as he doth preordaine vsus to suffer thē. our prayers, that they may bring vsus comfort and deliuerance in all our troubles and afflictions. Now wee will propound such arguments of consolation, as doe arise out of meditation and consideration, which being wel waighed and pondered, may strengthen our patience, and inable vsus to beare all our afflictions with much comfort and inward reioycing. All which for order sake, I will reduce vntounto two heads. The first are such as may serue to comfort vsus in our crosses and calamities, though wee should continually lye vnderunder them, euen to the day of our death; the second, such as arise from the assurance which wee hauehave of Gods gracious and most seasonable deliuerance. The arguments and reasons of the first sort, are either spirituall, arising and springing out of the holy Scriptures; or else …iuil and worldly, grounded vponupon some earthly meanes, and meere morall considerations. The arguments of comfort which are spirituall, are either simple or comparatiue. The reasons simply to be considered doe arise either from the causes and effects, or the subiect and adiuncts of our afflictions. The causes of our afflictions to bee considered of▪ are either efficient or finall; the efficient causes, are either the inflicting, or mouing causes. The principall cause inflicting all troubles and afflictions vponupon vsus is God himselfe, and that in a three fold respect. First, because he hath predestinated and fore-ordained vsus to suffer these afflictions. Secondly, as he doth according to this his purpose execute his decree. And thirdly, as hee doth by his most wise and powerfull prouidence, order and dispose of al our crosses of calamities, with all circumstances which belōg vntounto them. That the Lord hath preordained vsus to suffer afflictions, the Apostle sheweth in the eighth of the Romanes, where speaking of afflictions he saith, that whom God knew before, he did also predestinate, to be made like to the Rom. 8. 29.image of his Sonne, (namely, in suffering worldly miseries, and bearing the crosse) that he might be the first borne among Luk. 24. 26many brethren; and so by suffering these things, might enter into his glory, as our Sauiour Christ himselfe speaketh. To which purpose Eliphaz also saith, that misery commeth not forth of the dust, neither doth affliction spring out of the earth; Iob. 5. 6.namely, as from their first fountaine and originall, But man is borne vntounto trauaile, as the sparkes flye vpward. And this consideration the Apostle vseth as a singular consolation in that place, seeing God had not onelyonly appointed vntounto them all the afflictions which they did suffer, but also had herein made them conformable to his deare and onelyonly Sonne; prescribing vntounto them no other way to glory and happinesse, but that which his best beloued had gone before them. So the holy Apostle vseth the same argument of comfort vntounto the afflicted Thessalonians, saying, that no man should be moued with these afflictions, because themselues doe know that they 1. Thes. 3. 3.are appointed thereunto. And surely it is a singular consolation when wee consider that the miseries which wee suffer, come not of themselues, or by chance or fortune, but by the determinate counsaile and appointment of God; nor are inflicted on vsus at the command of some cruell tyrant who hateth vsus, or at the disposing of our arch-enemie the Diuell, who seeketh our destruction; but according to the most wise and iust counsaile of our gracious God, from whom we hauehave our being, and all other blessings and benefits which we enioy.
Secondly, God is the principall efficient and cheefe author§ Sect. 2. That God is the chiefe cause of al our afflictions as he executeth this decree, and actually layeth these cr…sses vponupon vsus. Esa 45. 7. of all our afflictions, as he doth execute this decree both for the correction and trial of his seruants, or the iust punishment of the wicked and vngodly. For so the Lord himselfe speaketh; I forme the light, and create darknes; I make peace, and create euill, I the Lord doe all these things. And againe, Shall a trumpet be blowne in the citye, and the people not bee afraid? or shall there be euill in a citie, and the Lord hath not done it? And elsewhere; Behold now, for I am hee, and there is no gods with me; I kill and I giuegive life, I wound and I make whole; neither Amos. 3. 6.is there any that can deliuer out of mine hand, And with this agreeth the song of Hannah: The Lord killeth and maketh Deut. 32. 39.aliue; bringeth downe to the graue, and raiseth vp, the Lord maketh poore, and maketh rich, bringeth low and exalteth. And1. Sam. 2. 5. 6. Lamen. 3. 38. the question of the afflicted Church in her Lamentations: Out of the mouth of the most high, proceedeth not euill & good. And thus the faithfull (whatsoeuer the inferiour causes and instruments hauehave bene of their afflictions) hauehave stil acknowledged the Lord, to be the cheefe agent and principall cause of them. So Ioseph being betraied by his brethren, saith that God had sent him into Aegypt. And Naomi in her afflictions ascribeth them all to the will and worke of God; The Gen. …5. 8. Ruth. 1. 20. 21.almighty (saith she) hath giuen me much bitternes, I went out fall, and the Lord hath caused me to returne empty. Why call ye me Naomi seeing the Lord hath humbled me, and the almighty hath brought me into aduersity. Thus Iob beeing spoiled by the Chaldeans and Sabaeans saith, that the Lord had giuen, & Iob. 1. 2….the Lord had taken away: And holy Dauid being reuiled and cursed by wicked Shemei, acknowledgeth that God had sent 2. Sam. 16. 10.him to curse him. So the afflicted Church saith: come and let vsus returne vntounto the Lord, for hee hath spoyled and hee will heale Hos. …. 1. 1. Cor. 11. 32.vsus, he hath wounded vsus, and he will bind vsus vp. And the Apostle Paul giueth it as a generall rule, that whatsoeuer the next causes and meanes of our afflictions be, yet when wee are thus iudged, we are chastened of the Lord, because wee should not bee condemned with the world. The consideration whereof should serue much to confirme in vsus patience and contentednes in all our afflictions and tribulation; first because the Lord from whom they come is infinite in glory, power, and maiesty, who hauing created vsus of nothing may dispose also of vsus according to his pleasure; for why should the clay murmure against the potter; the seruant against his master, the subiect against his Prince; or seely wormes, yea dust and ashes against the glorious King of heauen and earth? wee see that the same man who will not take an hard word from his equall, suffereth with patience a …low giuen vntounto him by his King and Soueraigne; and standeth not to dispute with him why hee doth it, being ouer-awed with his power and maiesty: But what are all the princes of the worlde in glory, power and maiesty, beeing compared with the great Iehouah King of heauen and earth? who made of nothing this glorious frame of the world, the sunne, moone, and starres, calling eueryevery one by his name; with al the huge hoast of the creatures which inhabite the heauens and the ayre, the earth and the great deepes. Who measureth the earth with his span, and poyseth it as in a ballance, who vpholdeth all things by his word, and ruleth them at his good pleasure. In whom we liue, and moue, and hauehave our beeing; so that if he he sustaine vsus we continue, but if he blow vponupon vsus we are presently destroyed, and returne againe vntounto our dust. Who hath in his hand the keyes of heauen and hell, of life and death, shutting and no man openeth, and openeth and no man shutteth. Who sendeth out of his treasurie the raine, haile and snow, the thunder and lightning, and both raiseth and stilleth the boysterous winds, causing at his pleasure both cruell tempests, and pleasant calmes. Who ruleth the great Behemoth and Leuiathan, and putting his hooke into his nosethrils, turneth him how hee will. And this is that argument of power and maiesty which Elihu first propoundeth, and God himselfeIob. c. 32. to 42. more fully insisteth vponupon, to worke patience in Iob beeing grieuously afflicted, and to keepe him from murmuring and repining. Secondly, wee must with patiencePsal. 119. 137. beare all our afflictions which come from God, not only because he is in Maiesty glorious, and in power almighty but also because he is iust in al his iudgements, & righteous in al his waies, as the Psalmist telleth vsus. And therefore if he correct vsus we should beare his blowes, because his exact iustice assureth vsus, that he inflicteth no more thē we hauehave deserued. If he taketh any good thing from vsus which we inioy, Let vsus know that he taketh nothing but what he gaue, and that not absolutely, and for euer; but onelyonly to vse for a time, till he againe did call for it. And therefore seeing God taketh nothingEx Ep…teti en…hir. cap▪ 10. apud Stobaeum. … 108. T. 2. Iam. 1. 17. 1. Tim. 6. 7. but his owne; we are not (as one well obserueth) when we are depriued of any benefit to say that we hauehave lost it, but onelyonly that we hauehave restored it to the right owner. For as the Scriptures teach vsus, eueryevery good gift descendeth from the Father of light; for as for vsus, we brought nothing into the world, and it is certaine that we can carry nothing out. So our Sauiour Christ teacheth vsus in the parable, that all the good things which we enioy are but talents lent of God, which we mustMatth 25. 14. Luke. 19. 12. not vse at our owne pleasure, but to our Lord and masters best aduantage; the which we are to giuegive account of when he calleth vsus to a reckoning, and patiently to restore them when he is willing to resume them. And this made Iob when he was spoyled of all his goods to beare it patiently, because the Lord had taken them who before had giuen them. The Lord (saith he) hath giuen, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. Thirdly, we are to beare all our crosses with patience seeing they come from God; not only because he is powerfull and righteous, and therefore must and ought bee yeelded vntounto; but also because hee is the cheefe goodnes, from whom there can come no euill, for whatsoeuer God doth, he willeth, and whatsoeuer hee willeth is therefore good because hee willeth it; and what is good ought also to be taken in good part; especially of those who would themselues be reputed good. For as one saith, heSenec epist. 76. onelyonly is to be reputed good, who approueth himselfe so to be, by his piety towards God, namely by bearing patientlie whatsoeuer by his prouidence hapneth vntounto him; because hee knoweth that it is befallen him by the disposing of that diuine Law by which all is gouerned. To which purpose els where he affirmeth, that it is the first part of diuine worship to beleeue God, and the next to ascribe vntounto him due Maiesty, and goodnesse, without which there is no maiesty. To know that he who ruleth the world, and tempereth and ordereth all things as his owne; and especially taketh care of mankind, yea of eueryevery particular person; neither doth nor hath any euill in him.
Yea, much more may wee beare all our afflictions patiently,§ Sect. 3. That this consideration may much comfort vsus, that all our afflictions c…me from him who is the cheefe fountaine of all our good. Grego. Nazianz. yea ioyfully, if we further consider that they proceede from God, who is not onelyonly the chiefe goodnesse in his owne nature, but also in respect of vsus the roote and fountaine, from whom all goodnesse doth grow and spring, in which regard one saith, that afflictions are bitter and sharpe arrowes shot from a sweet and mercifull hand. For he is our gracious creatour, who hath giuen vntounto vsus our being when we were not, making vsus men, when he might hauehave made vsus serpents; and our careful preseruer who sustaineth our liues, and ministreth vntounto vsus all the good things which we enioy, and who may beter chastize vsus, then he who created vsus? who hath more right to correct and nurture vsus, then he who feedeth and nurseth vsus? wee see that the most sauage beasts which will not indure the looke of a stranger, take stripes from their owner, who feedeth and tendeth them; and shall we, more brutish then they, snarle & repine when the Lord, who not onelyonly giueth vsus foode, but also maketh it nourishment, doth chastize vsus for our good? Hee is our generall and commander; and eueryevery good souldier submitteth himselfe with patience to his captaines discipline; and with chearefulnes obeyeth al his commands, marching and encamping, watching and labouring, fighting and retiring, according to his appointment; and all for a trifling pay, and in a doubtful hope of vncertaine victory, and shall not wee yeeld the like, and greater obedience and submission to the Discipline of the great commander of heauen and earth, who assureth vsus that by following his directions, wee shall obtaine a glorious conquest, and of common souldiers become crowned Kings. The Lord is our King and soueraigne, vntounto whom we are to yeeld absolute obedience; and therefore if earthly Princes punishing their subiects, iudge them insolent if they repine, and rebellious if they resist, not induring expostulation, or to hauehave their actions called to account though theyIn regno nati… sum…, deo par… re libertas est. Senec. de vita be…ta. cap. 15. be vniust, and ayme more at their owne pleasure, then their profit: how shal we be acquitted, if being corrected by God we impatiently murmure, and by vsing vnlawfull meanes to free our selues, as much as in vsus lyeth, resist him in his most righteous iudgements which are all disposed to our good, if we submit our selues vntounto them; seeing by ruling vsus thus on earth, he fitteth vsus to raigne with him in heauen. He is our most skilfull and faithfull Chirurgian & Physition, who in al he doth, aimeth at the curing of our sicknes, & the recouerie of our health; and therefore when the working of the corrasiue, the searing and searching of our wounds, the bitter pils and potions, which for the present make vsus sicke vntounto death in our owne sense, would force vsus in impatiency to crye out and complaine; let vsus beare all with meekenes and quietnes, considering that in all this hee intendeth the cure, and that his louelove would not suffer him to vse these rougher and more distastfull remedies, if those which are more gentle and easie were also effectuall for our recouery. Finally he is our most gracious and louing Father who grieueth at our griefes, and euen earneth in pitty & compassion, when contrary to his owne nature, we by our sinnes doe moue him to correct vsus, and to doe this his strange worke, wherein hee taketh no pleasure, but onelyonly out of his louelove and wisedome isEsa. 2…. 21. forced (in some manner) to take these seuere courses for our amendment, that he may preserue vsus from destruction. And therefore let vsus beare with patience that which he inflicteth, and say with our Sauiour, shall I not drinke of the cuppe which Ioh. 18. 11.my father hath giuen me? He is our eternall and heauenly father, vntounto whom we daily pray, that his name may be hallowed; and how can it according to our prayers be better sanctified and glorified, then when with patience and meekenesse wee submit our selues vntounto his good pleasure, both in prosperitie and aduersitie; and by assured affiance and resolued patience rest vponupon his promises and prouidence, attending his pleasure and leasure for helpe and deliuerance? So we pray vntounto him that his kingdome may come and bee aduanced; and how can this bee better done, then when by his fatherly chastizements he destroyeth in vsus the kingdome of sinne and Satan, and maketh vsus tractable and obedient to his lawes and gouernment? And finally▪ wee pray that his will may be done; and therefore when we see it performed, why doe we not willingly, yea ioyfully submit our selues vntounto it? Why doe we murmure and repine, struggle and striue against it through our impatiencie, & so proclaime our hypocrisie, in crauing that which our iudgment approueth not, and vntounto which our heart assenteth not? Lastly, the Lord is our husband and head; by vertue of which communion with him, as wee participate with him in all his graces and goodnesse, so he doth (after a sort) sympathize with vsus in our sorrowes; and is more then our selues delighted with our wel-fare. Now who hauing a most carefull and louing husband would feare to receiue hurt from him? Or what member of the bodie would doubt of the care and prouidence of the wise head, whereby it is ruled, or would impatiently complaine of hard vsage, though it should inuent and approue of some rough and painfull courses, whereby it might bee cured of some infirmities? And how much lesse should wee murmure and repine against God, and his prouidence, who infinitly excelleth in wisedome and louelove, all heads and husbands? Or how can we doubt of receiuing from him helpe, deliuerance, freedome from euill, or fruition of good; whose mercy is so vnmeasurable, and goodnesse vnspeakable; that hee spared no… to giuegive his onelyonly and best beloued Sonne to the death, euen the bitter death of the crosse for vsus, when wee were strangers, yea enemies vntounto him? What will hee deny vntounto vsus thus neerely allyed, and being now become friends, yea sonnes, and which is more, spouses, yea members of his glorious body▪ who gaue his blessed selfe vntounto vsus and for vsus, when we were so much estranged, and so farre at odds? And these and such like were the meditations, which moued the Saints in former times to beare their afflictions with patience and comfort, seeing they looked not so much to their crosses, as to the hand of God by which they were imposed. So Ezechias looking to the Lord from whom his affliction came, cryeth out, What shall I say? for he hath said it to me, & he hath Esa. 38. 13.done it. And Dauid professeth, that he was dumbe, and opened Psal. 39. 9.not his mouth, because he saw that the Lord had done it. So looking rather to Gods righteous iudgment, then to his sonnes wicked mallice, pursuing him; and espying Gods iust displeasure, through proud Absalons vniust and rebellious fury; he submitteth himselfe with patience to be afflicted at his good pleasure; But if (saith he) he thus say, I hauehave no delight in thee; Beholde heere am I, let him doe to me as seemeth 2. Sam. 15 26.good in his eies.
VntoUnto which measure of patience if we would attaine, we§. Sect. 4. That if we could hauehave patience in afflictions, we must not look…nly to inferiour causes, but principally vntounto God the supreame cause of them. must learne to imitate this example; not looking to the inferiour causes and subordinate meanes, by which our crosses are immediatly imposed; but vntounto the Lord our God, who is the cheefe and supreame cause of all our afflictions. For if wee hauehave no eie to God, who is the first mouer and principall agent; but looke onelyonly to the inferiour and next meanes; there will bee no place for patience, seeing the malignitie of the instruments will poyson our sores of impatiencie and repining, and so make them the more to fester and rankle, not suffering the holesome salues of afflictions, which is soueraigne and profitable, as it commeth purely from Gods hand to be effectuall for our humiliation, and the cure of our corruption. But will cause vsus to fret and fume more at the circumstances, which we are readie wittily to aggrauate for our owne greater torment and vexation, then at the matter and substance of the afflictions themselues. Thus sometime when we could well beare the crosse it selfe, as it is sent from God, we make it intolerable, and so fall into most impotent impatiencie, when being inflicted vponupon vsus by the meanes of some worldly enemie, wee looke vponupon his malice, crueltie, and proud insolencie in the cariage of the matter, and not vntounto the Lord, who therein aymeth at our good, humbling vsus by his chastizements, and by these tryals enriching vsus with his spirituall graces. And much more doe wee aggrauate the burthen when it is laide vponupon vsus by the treacherie, neglect, or vnkinde dealing of some friend of whom wee hauehave deserued well, and therefore least of all suspected to hauehave receiued from him such hard measure. Or when it befalleth vsus through our owne default, negligence, or want of prouidence; in which case we adde vntounto it the waight of many criminations, and oftentimes false accusations against our selues, as though it were not heauie enough in it selfe to presse vsus downe; vnlesse wee added thereunto the loade of bitter inuectiues against our owne negligence, and of sharpe censures for our owne faultines, as being the cause which hath brought vponupon vsus these crosses and calamities. All which motiues and enticements vntounto impatiencie if we would auoide, we must not looke to inferiour causes and meanes whereby our crosses are imposed; for this is all one, as if wee should regard onelyonly the staffe which giueth vsus the blow, and neglect the smiter who ruleth it; and like the foolish curre to bite at the stone which hit and hurt vsus, not regarding him who threw it at vsus; but wee must lift vp the eies of our minde aboue the earth vntounto heauen, and consider that the Lord is the cheefe cause of all our afflictions, and like a iust iudge vseth wicked enemies, false friends, the dumbe creatures, as also our owne improuidence and negligence, as the executioners of his righteous iudgements, and inferiour instruments, whereby hee serueth his most wise prouidence, effecting by these meanes, his owne purposes for the aduancing of his glory, and the good and saluation of the elect and faithfull. AndGen. 45. 5. 8. 50. 20. Psal. 105. 17. thus did Ioseph arme himselfe with patience, when passing by the malice of his brethren, who sold him into Aegypt; he looketh to the supreame cause, and considereth that God for his owne glory, and the good of his Church, had sent him thither. Whereas if hee had looked no higher but to their wicked treacherie and cruell spite, hee could neuer hauehave vsed that meekenesse and moderation; but rather hauing gotten oportunitie would in stead of comforting, hauehave insulted ouer them, and onelyonly thought of taking sharpe reuenge. So Iob retaineth patience in his grieuous affliction, because hee had an eie to the cheefe cause, which was the hand of God correcting him; the Lord (saith he) hath giuen, Iob. 1. 21.and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. Whereas if his thoughts had mounted no higher then those inferiour instruments which the Lord vsed, as the malice of his enemies, and the theft and violence of the Chaldeans and Sabeans, he would wholy hauehave beene transported with desire of reuenge, and burst out into all impatiencie, if being shortned of meanes, he could not attaine vntounto his will. And Dauid likewise being exceedingly prouoked by wicked Shemei, doth with admirable resolution beare all his outragious iniuries meekely and patiently, and when but by speaking the word, hee might hauehave had all his wrongs reuenged, looking not so much to this wicked instrument, as to the iust hand of God, who vsed him for the correcting of his sinne, he would not yeeld to his owne passion, and his friends prouocations enciting him to giuegive way to the deserued punishment of his malicious enemie, but rather reproueth them for making the motion: What (saith he) hauehave I to doe with you, you sonnes of Zeruiah? for hee curseth euen because the Lord hath bidden him to curse Dauid. Who dare 2. Sam. 16. 10.then say, wherefore hast thou done so? Whereas if he had onelyonly regarded the malice, insolencie, and notorious outrag… of this lewde person, he would hauehave been impatient of these indignitie…, and the first man that would hauehave laide hands vponupon him for the reuenging of th…se wrongs. Finally, our Sauiour Christ himselfe doth not in those intolerable iniuries which were offered vntounto him, looke vntounto the treachery of Iudas, the malice of the Priests and Pharisies, nor to the corruption and iniustice of Pilate and Herod, but hee considereth of all his afflictions, as of a cup put into his hand to drinke by his heauenly Father, and so forbidding his Apostles to take reuenge, he doth with meeknesse and patience suffer all, and without grudging and repining drinketh vpIoh. 18. 11. the very dregs of this bitter potion. Which notable presidents, if wee propound vntounto our selues for our imitation, then will we not in distempered passion and vnbridled fury, storme and rage▪ against the meanes and instruments of our crosses and afflictions, nor in burning desire thirst after reuenge, seeking to ease our greefes by requitall of those wrongs vponupon our enemies, which they hauehave offered vntounto vsus; but rather with our Sauiour, we will pray for them that persecute vsus, saying, Father, forgiue them, for they know not what they doe; for whilest they onelyonly aime at their owne designes, and to atcheiue their malicious ends; they vnwittingly and vnwillingly serue the prouidence of God in executing his righteous iudgments, and correcting the faults of his children and seruants; yea in truth they serue also the faithfull themselues, euen whilest they seeme to insult and tyrannize ouer them, being vsed by God as bug-beares, to make his children to flee vntounto him, as fires to purifie them from their drosse; as files to scower thē from the rust of their corruptions; and as rodds to correct their faults, and to reclaime andGr…gor. Moral. lib. 20. chap. 22. amend them for the time to come. To which purpose one saith, that the wicked man, as a foole euen in ruling doth serue the wise and vertuous, and whilest hee presseth him downe, aduanceth him to a better state; herein like vntounto seruants, who beeing made ouerseers and teachers to their young masters in their none-age for their instruction and education, doe keepe them vnderunder and correct them; and yet notwithstanding all this, they are their seruants still; because they are ordeined to this vse, that they may serue their young masters, whilest they profit them by their beating: and therefore, because the tyrannie and ill vsage of the wicked towards the good, doth purge them whilest they afflict them, euen their power doth serue for the profit of the iust. In which respect wee hauehave litle cause to be furious in our anger against these instruments of our afflictions, seeing they are so …oueruled by God, that wee hauehave by them great profit and benefit; all the hurt redounding to themselues; for whilest like rodds they serue our heauenly father to chastize and amend vsus, themselues are torne in peeces, worne to stumpes, and beeing no longer fit for this vse are cast into the fire. In which respect one saith, that when traps are laid for vsus by our enemies, and iniuries offered; wee doe not suffer iniury, but they that doe it. For the Lord hath said, that the soule that sinneth, shall die; and he hath sinned, who hath done the euil, and not he who hath borne and sufferedChrysost. in 1. Thess. 5. Homil. 10. it; and therefore let vsus not reuenge these iniuries; for then (like them who hurt vsus) wee shall with the seelie bees, by stinging them loose our owne liues. And as we must not be enraged against these instruments of our greefe; so much lesse must wee in our troubles and afflictions sue vntounto them for ease and deliuerance; for as the malefactour doth not sue vntounto the executioner, but onelyonly vntounto the Iudge, who hath sole power to pardon, repriue or hange him; so must not we put vp our petitions and supplications to these executioners of Gods righteous iudgments; but hauehave our recourse by humble prayer to the Lord cheefe-Iustice of heauen and earth, who hath power in his hand to restraine their power, and to bridle their malice that they cannot hurt vsus.