The Theater of Gods Judgments, Book 2 · Chapter 53
CHAP. LIII. How the afflictions of the godly, and the punishment of the wicked differ.
WHich seeing it is so, it is necessary that the wicked and perverse ones should feele the rigor of Gods wrath for the presumption and rebellion wherewith they daily provoke him against them; and although with those that feare God, and strive to keepe themselves from evill, and take paines to live peaceably and quietly, it oftentimes goeth worse here below than with others, being laid open to millions of injuries, reproches, and cruelties, and as it were sheepe appointed to the slaughter; whereof some are massacred, some hanged, some headed, some drowned, some burned, or put to some other cruell death; yet notwithstanding their estate and condition is farre happier than that of the wicked, for somuch as all their sufferings and adversities are blessed and sanctified unto them of God, who turneth them to their advantage, according to the saying of S. Paul, Rom. 8. 28.That all things worke for the good to them that feare God: for whatsoever tribulation befalleth them, they cannot be separated from the love of God, which he beareth unto them in his welbeloved son Christ Jesus: be it then that God visiteth them for their faults, (for there is none that is clear of sin) it is a fatherly chastisement to bring them to amendment: be it that hee exerciseth them by many afflictions, as hee did Iob, it is to prove their faith and patience, to the end they may be better purified like gold in the furnace, and serve for example to others. If it bee for the truth of the Gospell that they suffer, then they are blessed, because they are conformed to the image of the sonne of God, that they might also be partakers of his glory, for they that suffer with him, are assured to reign… with him: hence it is, that in the midst of their torments and oppressions, in the midst of fires and fagots flaming about them, being comforted with the consolations of Gods spirit, through a sure hope of their happy repose and incorruptible crowne which is prepared for them in the heavens, they rejoyce and are so chearefull: contrariwise the wicked, seeing themselves ensnared in the evils which their owne sinnes brought upon them, gnash their teeth, fret themselves, murmur against God, and blaspheme him, like wretches, to their endlesse perdition. There is therefore great difference betwixt the punishments of each of these, for the one tendeth to honour and life, the other to shame and confusion: and even as it is not the greatnesse of torments that maketh the martyr, but the goodnesse of the cause; so the infliction of punishment unjustly, neither maketh the party afflicted guilty, nor any whit diminisheth his reputation: whereas the wicked that are justly tormented for their sinnes, are so marked with infamie and dishonour, that the staine thereof can never be wiped out.
Let every one therefore learne to keepe, himselfe from evill, and to containe himselfe in a kinde of modesty and integrity of life, seeing that by the plagues and scourges wherewith the world is ordinarily afflicted; Gods fierce wrath is clearely revealed from heaven upon all impiety and injustice of men, to consume all those that rebell against him. Thinke upon this you inhabitants of the earth, small and great, of what qualitie or condition soever you be.
If you be mighty, puissant, and fearefull, know that the Lord is greater than you, for he is almighty, all-terrible, and all-fearefull: in what place soever you are, he is alwayes above you, ready to hurle you down and overturne you, to breake, quash, and crush you in peeces as pots of earth: hee is armed with thunder, fire, and a bloudy sword, to destroy, consume, and cut you in pieces: heaven threatneth from above, and the earth which you trample on from below; shaking under your feet, and being ready to spue you out from her face, or swallow you up in her bowels: in briefe, all the elements and creatures of God looke askew at you in disdaine, and set themselves against you in hatred, if you feare not your Creator, your Lord and Master, of whom you have received your Scepters and Crownes, Esay 40.and who is able (when he please) to bring Princes to nothing, and make the Rulers of the earth a thing of nought. Forsake therefore, if you tender the good, honour, and repose of your selves and yours, the evill and corrupt fashions of the world, and submit your selves in obedience under the Scepter of Gods Law and Gospell, fearing the just retribution of vengeance upon all them that doe the contrary: for it is a horrible thing to fall into the hands of the Lord. And you which honour and reverence Heb. 10. 31.God already, be now more quickned and stirred up to his love and obedience, and to a more diligent practising of his will, and following his commandements, to the end to glorifie him by your lives looking for the happie end of your hope reserved in the heavens for you by Christ J…sus our Lord, to whom … everlasting,
Amen.