Moses Choice, Treatise · Part 1 · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI. Many Reaſons why God orders things in his providence ſo, as his beloved ſhould be under ſore afflictions in this world.
BUt though it be true, that the Devil and world are malicious; yet, does not God rule over all? why then will God ſuffer his beloved ones thus to be troubled and afflicted?
Anſw. Pſal. 97. 1. The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoyce; it is well for us that the Lord reigneth, or elſe his people could never ſtand before the rage of the world, and Devil; one or two wolves, were able to devour a flock of ſheep, what then would many wolves do amongſt ſheep, if there were not an over-ruling hand? but as Pſal. 76. 10. Surely the wrath of man ſhall praiſe thee, the remainder of wrath ſhalt thou reſtrain; God ſuffers, and orders this ſo, that he might turn all to his own praiſe. For,
Firſt, ſometimes by this means, he ſcatters his people abroad in the world to diſperſe his truth, to ſpread 1.his Goſpel further then otherwiſe it would be; as Acts 8. 3, 4. it is ſaid, Saul made havock of the Church, haling men and women, committing them to priſon, therefore they that were ſcattered abroad, went every where preaching the Word; according to the propheſie of Daniel, chap. 12. 4. propheſying of the times of the troubles of the Church, he ſays, Many ſhall run to and fro, and knowledge ſhall be increaſed.
Secondly, this God ſuffers for the manifeſtation of his glorious power, and that four ways,2.
Firſt, in the continuing of his Church, and the profeſſion of his truth, notwithſtanding all the rage 1.of men and devils; Gods power was ſeen in preſerving the buſh from being conſumed, though it were all on a light fire: to preſerve a ſpark of fire alive, in the midſt of the waves of the ſea, and to keep a light ſet up, in the midſt of ſtorms and tempeſts, is a great work; there appears as great a power of God, in preſerving his Church in the midſt of ſo much oppoſition, notwithſtanding their grievous afflictions and perſecutions, as there did appear in the preſervation of the three Children in the fiery furnace. Eliah would have water poured upon the ſacrifice, he would have it covered with water, that the power of God might more appear in the fire that came down from Heaven upon it; ſo God will have afflictions, perſecutions, troubles, to befal his people, that he may manifeſt his power ſo much the more in their preſervation.
Secondly, the power of God appears not onelyonly 2.in the upholding, but in the raiſing the ſpirits of this ſervants in their afflictions, with what courage, holy magnanimity, heavenly chearfulneſs that appeareth in them: even weak women and children, triumphing over the moſt ſore afflictions, and grievous diſtreſſes, which made a Heathen, one Calocerius beholding Vere magnus eſt Deus Chriſtianorum. Quam ſuavis Dominus, quam fortis Dominus Berde conſcientia, ca. 2.this, break forth with this acclamation, Of a truth, great is the God of the Chriſtians! Bernard ſays, Thoſe whom God frees from troubles, have experience how ſweet the Lord is; and thoſe whom he exerciſes with many troubles, have experience how ſtrong the Lord is. The glory of Gods power is as clear in the raiſing the ſpirits of his ſervants in ſuffering, as if he ſhould deliver them from ſuffering by miracle. And therefore Rupertus ſaith, that God did more gloriouſly triumph in St. Laurence his patience and conſtancy when he was broiled on the Gridiron, then if he had ſaved his body from burning by a miracle.
3. The power of God is glorious, not onelyonly in preſerving his Church, in raiſing the ſpirits of his ſervants in their greateſt afflictions, but in increaſing his Church by them: if it be a wonder to be upheld in Plures effitimur quoties metimur.them, it is much more to be encreaſed by them; the more we are cut down, the more ſtill we are, ſaith Tertullian. The Church never grew ſo faſt, as when it was under moſt affliction. Sulpitius ſays of the Chriſtians in the primitive times, that they then were as greedy of Martyrdom, as in his time men were greedy of Biſhopricks. The blood of Martyrs was the ſeed of the Church. Pliny reports of the lilly, that it is increaſed by its own juyce that drops from it: ſo the Church which is the lilly that grows among the thorns, the very blood that falls from them, multiplies them; the ſufferings of one begets many to the love of the truth. Mr. Knox in his Hiſtory of Scotland, reports of a Gentleman one John Lindſay, familiar to Biſhop James Bettoun, that he ſaid to the Biſhop upon the occaſion of the burning of Mr. Patrick Hamilton, My Lord, if you burn any more, you will deſtroy your ſelves; if you will burn them, let them be burnt in hallow cellars, for the ſmoak of Mr. Patrick Hamilton hath infected as many as it blew upon. It is a report of one Cecilia a Eccleſia totum mundum ſanguine, & oratione convertit. Luth. T. 2.Virgin, that by her conſtancy and exhortations, before and at her Martyrdom, was the means to convert four hundred people. By blood and prayer the Church converts the whole world, ſays Luther.
Fourthly, God ſhews the glory of his power, in doing ſuch great things as he doth, by a few afflicted, diſtreſſed, perſecuted, contemptible people: The greateſt things that ever God hath done in the world, have been by theſe: the more afflicted, the more mean and deſpiſed they have been, the more hath the arm of the Lord appeared in them. Gods power is made perfect in weakneſs, 2 Cor. 12. What great things hath God done by a few afflicted, perſecuted fiſhermen, the Apoſtles? What great things by St. Paul? who many times had not rags to cover his nakedneſs; who was whipped up and down, and put into ſtocks, and counted the baſeſt and vileſt of men, the very off-ſcouring of men, and the filth of the earth: and yet never were ſuch great things done in Ubi Plato, ubi Pythagoras, ubi Stoicorum turba? Sed fuerunt apud Gentiles illuſtriſſimi, duces qualis Themiſtocles ille, qualis Pericles: puerorum, ludos, & ineptorum ſtudia res geſtas judicabis, ſi cum bis, quae Piſcatores geſſerunt conferre volueris.the world, by thoſe who had the greateſt learning, the moſt power, the moſt valor, the moſt glory in the world, as was done by theſe; they did even ſubdue the world unto them, and that by preaching the Goſpel, a Doctrine ſo above nature, ſo contrary unto nature. Chryſoſtom in a Sermon upon the 10. of Matthew, ſpeaking concerning this argument, calls forth Plato, and Pythagoras, and the reſt of the Phyloſophers, and challenges them to ſhew what they had done in compariſon of theſe. But becauſe ſome might ſay that amongſt the Heathens there have been moſt famous Captains, who have done great things, as Themiſtocles and Pericles: If you compare, ſays he, what they have done, with what hath been done by theſe poor fiſhermen, all their braveſt acts will appear but childes plays, and the enterprizes of ſimple men.
Thirdly, that which God ayms at, is the tryal of the graces of his people: an afflicting condition is a 3.trying condition: Hence, Dan. 11. 35. Some ſhall fall and be tryed: This is a propheſie of the times of the Maccabees under Antiochus Epiphanes: in the Apparet virtus arguiturque malis, Ovid.11. Heb. we have the Hiſtory of this, where verſe 36. we have the like expreſſion: others had tryals of cruel mockings and ſcourgings: We read of Queen Elizabeth in her ſiſter Queen Maries days, when ſhe was locked up cloſe in the priſon, at firſt ſhe was much daunted, but after ſhe brake forth into this ſpeech, The skill of a Pilot is unknown, but in a tempeſt; the valor of a Captain is unſeen, but in battel; and the worth of a Chriſtian does not appear, but in time of tryal and temptation. Fire tryes mettals what droſs is in them; ſtrong winds, ſtorms, and tempeſts, try what our foundation is, whether we be built upon the rock, or upon the ſands: they diſcover what ſap the leaves have from the root; withered leaves when the wind riſes, fall off, the green leaves that have ſap holds on: they try what ſoundneſs is in us: if you hang heavy weights upon the boughs of trees that are rotten, they preſently break, but if upon ſound, they bear them: hard weather tryes what ſoundneſs and health there is in the body; ſo afflictions and troubles, what ſoundneſs the Spirit hath. Wooden or earthen veſſels, if they be ſet to the fire empty, they are ſoon riven, and break, but not when they are filled with liquor: ſo empty hearts, when they feel the heat of afflictions, they ſoon break, but if filled with grace, and the comforts of the holy Ghoſt, they hold ſound. When a mans cloaths are on, the deformities of his body cannot be ſeen: but when he is ſtripped naked, then all appears. In Summer time, when the trees are covered with leaves, foreign Nemo vi…es ſuas in pace cogno…cit, ſi enim bella deſunt, virtu…um expe…imenta non prodeunt Improvidus est miles qui fortem ſe in pace gloriatur. Greg. Mor l. 23. c. 18.you cannot ſee the knots, and rifts, and moſſineſs of the tree; but in winter when the leaves are gone, then you may ſee all. Hence the Hebrew word that is uſed for Winter, comes from a word, that ſignifies diſgrace and ſhame, becauſe winter takes away the glory and beauty of the earth, and puts a kinde of ſhame and diſgrace upon it. The deformities and diſtempers of mens hearts, are much diſcovered in the winters of their affliction: although there was much glory and beauty on their profeſſion before, yet now they appear moſt vile and baſe. We read Luke 2. 35. That Chriſt was appointed for the fall of many, and for a rock of offence, that is, in regard of the ſufferings that ſhould follow upon the profeſſion of the Goſpel: and mark what God ayms at in this, it is that the thoughts of mens hearts might be revealed; there are many ſecret thoughts, ſecret haunts of evil in mens hearts, ſecret windings and turnings of mens ſpirits, that are not revealed until then: when the cauſe of God, and our own ends come in competition, when they muſt part one from the other, then is the tryal what we are: as when a ſerving-man follows two Gentlemen, you know not whoſe he is, until they part one from the other: as we read Ezek. 21. 21. the King of Babylon ſtood at the parting way, at the head of the two ways, to uſe divination; the beſt divining of men, is at the parting way: although the times of afflictions, in regard of the darkneſs of them, one way be called the night of afflictions, yet they have light in them, and may be called a day, in regard of the diſcovery they make of a man what he is. In proſperity a man is apt to judge amiſs of himſelf, not onelyonly becauſe ignorance deceiveth the minde; but becauſe of the preſent contentment he hath, he is unwilling to be diſquieted with any thoughts of diſparagement: Adverſity though it be a hard Tyrant, yet it is a true Judge; though it ſpeaketh roughly, yet it ſpeaketh truly.
We read Deut. 8. 2. that God led his people through the wilderneſs to humble them, and to prove them, and to know what was in their hearts: God knew before, Orat. 28.but he would make themſelves and others to know. I read of Nazianzen, walking by the Sea ſhore, ſeeing how the ſea wrought in a ſtorm, that it caſt up light and empty things, but not things ſolid and heavy; he applies this to afflictions, and ſays, that light and empty ſpirits are toſſed up and down by them, and keep not their conſtancy; but ſolid ſpirits are like the rock that ſtands firm, and abides the ſame: men do not know their own hearts, they finde their hearts otherwiſe when troubles come, then ever they thought before; they never thought they had had ſo much pride, ſo much impatience, ſo much unbelief; they thought before they could have ſubmitted to the hand of God, that they could have born more then is now upon them with patience and meekneſs; but now they finde their wretched hearts murmure, repine, fret, vex; now they finde corruptions ſtir exceedingly: they had thought they could have depended upon God in ſtraits; but now they finde their hearts ſinking, they finde they have baſe ſhifting hearts. When the fire comes to green wood, there comes out abundance of watery ſtuff that was not diſcerned before; ſo when the fire of affliction comes, much evil runs out that you ſaw not, that neither you nor others thought to be in your hearts before. When a Pond is empty, then appears the mud and the filth, and Toads in the bottom: ſo when God empties men, when he takes from them his bleſſings, then much filth, many crawling luſts appear that did not before: ſometimes more grace appears in afflictions then did before: ſome of Gods people are low in their own eyes, they ſuſpect and fear themſelves, they think their graces will fail them in trouble, that their peace is falſe; yet when it pleaſes God to bring them into trouble, they finde more peace, more aſſurance, more ſtrength then ever they did before, or then they thought they ſhould have done; never ſuch ſweet joy, never ſuch full aſſurance, never ſuch uſe of faith, and patience, and love, as in the ſoreſt and ſtrongeſt afflictions. This indeed is very rare, there are few that finde more good in their hearts in afflictions, then they thought they had before; but where this is, it may be a ſweet ſeal to the ſoul, of the ſincerity of it ever after. When Corn ſtands in the field we may gueſs what it may yield, but we cannot know fully, till it come to the flail, and then it yields ſometime more, though often leſs then we made account of. When grapes come to be preſſed, then is diſcerned what is in them.
Fourthly, an afflicted condition gives opportunity for much exerciſe of grace, it calls forth whatſoever 4.grace there is in the heart to the exerciſe of it. Rev. 13. 10. St. John ſpeaking of the ſufferings of the Saints, Here (ſays he) is the faith and the patience of the Saints; here is matter for their faith and patience to be exerciſed about, this calls for the working of their faith and patience; and ſo for other graces, as humility, ſelf-denyal, love to God. Phyſick ſtirs up natural heat, and makes it active; ſo afflictions the ſouls Phyſick. What mighty prayers, and lively ſtirrings of ſpirit are there many times in afflictions? Eſay 26. 16. They pour out a prayer, when thy chaſtening was upon them: our prayers do but drop out before, now they are poured out, and one work of heart do's ſo follow another, that there is no intermiſſion, it is all but one prayer they have poured out, not prayers, but a prayer; and it is obſervable, the word that here is tranſlated prayer, is a word that is uſed for inchantment foreign becauſe ſuch words were conceived to be full of efficacy, containing much in a little room. So the prayer now is not an empty thing, but full of efficacy, containing much in a few words. The graces of Gods Spirit are the moſt lovely things in the world in Gods eyes, and therefore God delights much to ſee the exerciſe of them. When ſpices are beaten, then they ſend forth their fragrant ſmell; ſo when Gods ſervants are in afflictions, then their graces ſend forth their ſweetneſs, in the activeneſs of them: when the box is broken, and the precious oyntment is poured forth, then it ſends forth its delightful ſavour; ſo when the heart is broken with afflictions, and the grace is poured forth, then they give a ſweet ſmell in the noſtrils of God and men. A tool that is daily uſed, is kept bright and ſhining; and ſo grace, when it is moſt exerciſed, it it is moſt beautiful: The glory of the things of the world miniſhes in the uſe of them, but grace is ever better for the wearing.
Fifthly, in afflictions the power of grace does much appear; the abiding ſtrong againſt oppoſition, is a 5.true argument of ſtrength: this was the honor of Joſephs ſtrength in his bleſſing, Gen. 49. 23, 24. The archers have ſorely grieved him, yet his bow abode in ſtrength. It is nothing for a man to go on in the profeſſion of Religion, while all things are well about him, while he feels no trouble, but God hedges about his way: if God ſhould always proſper his people in outward things, who would not be a profeſſor of godlineſs? When the people ſaw how Mordecai was raiſed, then many became Jews. I read of one Pamachius a Heathen, that he ſaid to the Pope, Make me a Biſhop, and I will be a Chriſtian. Every Fac me Pontificem & ero Chriſtianus.bird can ſing in fair ſun-ſhine weather: but here is the power of grace, not to be offended in Chriſts ſufferings: Bleſſed are they who are not offended in me, ſays Chriſt, to deſire to know nothing, but Chriſt and him crucified: To embrace Chriſt in his rags, in his poverty, in his ſhame, in his afflictions and ſorrows; this argues a power of grace indeed: it argues the power of love, that much water cannot quench it. It is a note that Joſephus hath, writing Joſeph. l. 18. c. 4.the Hiſtory of the time of Chriſt; At that time, ſays he, Jeſus a wiſe man did many miracles, and although he was condemned to the croſs, yet did not thoſe that followed him from the beginning forbear to love him, notwithſtanding the ignominy of his death; He notes it is an argument of great love in his followers, as it was indeed, that they did not forbear to love, notwithſtanding his ignominious death. As it is a ſign our love to ſin is ſtrong, when we have many afflictions to quench our love, when we meet with much trouble and oppoſition in a way of ſin, and yet our love to it is not abated; ſo it argues our love to God and godlineſs is very ſtrong, when the greateſt oppoſition cannot prevail againſt it: to account Chriſt precious as a tree of life, although we be faſtened to him as to a ſtake to be burned, this is love indeed. It was the glory of Scipio, in which he much boaſted, that there was not any of his Soldiers, but would venture his life for him, if it were to leap into the Sea, to caſt themſelves from a high Tower, or any other way that he ſhould require of them, this argued their ſtrong love to him; and it is the glory of the Lord in which the Lord delights, that he hath a people whoſe hearts are cloſely knit to him, in the moſt afflicted diſtreſſed condition that can befal them, who are content to ſuffer any thing for him, to ſubmit to his bleſſed will, to honor him any way that he ſhal pleaſe, though it be in the loſs of deareſt comforts, and ſuffering the ſoreſt and hardeſt afflictions.
Sixthly, by afflictions the graces of the Saints are 6.much increaſed, as Iſrael never increaſed ſo much as when Pharaoh moſt oppreſſed; for two hundred and fifteen years before, they increaſed but to ſeventy; but in leſs time, when they were oppreſſed, they increaſed to more then ſix hundred thouſand men fit for War, beſides women and children: thus the ſpiritual increaſe of the true Iſrael of God is much in afflictions more uſually then at other times. Gods people to whom afflictions are ſanctified, never thrive ſo much in grace, as when they are watered with their own tears. The Roſe is ſweeter in the Still, then upon the ſtalk. Fiſh thrive better in cold and ſalt waters, then in warm and freſh: the largeſt fiſh are not in the freſh Rivers, but in the coldeſt ſalt Seas. The ground is moſt fruitful that is moſt harrowed. The moſt plentiful Summer, follows after the hardeſt Winter: The face of Religion is never ſo beautiful, as when it is waſhed with its own tears. The Walnut tree is moſt fruitful when it is moſt beaten: Camomel flouriſheth moſt, when it is moſt trodden on, and preſſed down: ſuffering for truths does much confirm men in them; that which a man hath bought at a dear rate, he is loath to part with: thus we finde it in men who ſuffer for errors, they are ever the more ſtiff in them: like the Merchants, holding up their commodity, becauſe it coſt them dear. All oppoſitions, if they do not overcome, they ſtrengthen that which they do oppoſe: as water caſt upon the fire, it makes that fire Tolle congeriem malorum & non cri… plenitudo virtutum. Chryſoſt Hom. de apſu. Adami.burn hotter, that it does not quench. Wind ſhaking the tree, makes it grow more ſteady. Thus the tribulations of the godly, and the perſecutions they ſuffer, do oppoſe their graces, but becauſe they cannot overcome them, they ſtrengthen them: As we read Pſalm 45. when the Church forſakes all, when ſhe leaves her fathers houſe, and her kindred, then doth the King greatly delight in her beauty, her beauty is great then, and exceeding delightful in the eyes of the Lord: Cant. 2. 14. O my dove (ſays Chriſt to the Church) thy voyce is ſweet, thy countenance is comely: let me hear thy voyce, let me ſee thy countenance: This is ſpoken of the ſtate of the Church, after her deliverance from great afflictions, after her return from captivity; before her captivity ſhe was loathſom and vile in Gods eyes; God hateth her, as appears, Jer. 12. 8. Mine heritage is unto me as a Lyon in the forreſt; it cryeth out againſt me, therefore I have hated it: but now ſhe is delightful; Chriſt bids her ariſe his love, his fair one, and come away. God before cared not for her ſolemn meetings, they were a burthen to him, as appears Eſay 1. 11, 12, 13, &c. but now he expreſſeth his deſire of their ſolemn meetings, O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rocks, in the ſecret places of the ſtairs, thou who worſhippeſt me in ſecret places, in holes and corners, let me ſee thy face, let me ſee thee aſſembled into the face of a Church in my Sanctuary; let me hear thy voice, let me hear thee there calling upon me, ſinging praiſes unto me, Pſal. 66. 12. We went through fires, and through waters (ſays the Church) but thou broughteſt us into a wealthy place. Thus God deals with his Church ſpiritually, by bringing them through the fire and water of afflictions, he brings them to a wealthy place, a wealthy eſtate. The Church of Iudah before the Captivity, was as a Vine that brought forth wilde Grapes, upon whom the Lord reſolved to command the clouds not to rain, and from whom he would take the hedge of his protection, Eſay 5. but after the captivity he ſpeaks otherwiſe of it, Eſay 27. 2, 3. In that day ſing ye unto her, a Vineyard of red wine (which was the beſt wine) now the Lord will keep it, and water it every moment. I have read of a Fountain, Pomponi' Mela: fons tognomento ſolis in Cyrenaica regione.that at noon-day is cold, at midnight it grows warm: it is thus with many, they are coldeſt in their proſperity, and the nights of afflictions contract their heat, and intends it: fire never burns ſo hot as in froſty weather. The winter time of affliction, ſometimes proves to be the moſt fruitful time of a Chriſtians life; contrary to the work of nature, for all things ſeem dead then, and they flouriſh and grow onelyonly in the Summer; but a Chriſtians Winter is ſometime better then his Summer; grace flouriſhes and grows moſt in his Winter. Our Benoni's, ſons of ſorrow, prove oftentimes our beſt Benjamins, ſons of our right hand: the beſt corn is that which lies under the clods in froſt and ſnow; Paul rejoyced much in Oneſimus, whom he had begotten in his bonds, Philem. ver. 10. Baſil in his Sermon upon the forty Martyrs, calls them the ſtars of the world, the flowers foreign.of the Church. And Chryſoſtome upon Acts 12. ſpeaking of thoſe who were praying for Peter in the night, ſays, That they were made by afflictions more pure then the Heaven. And ſome of the Ancients, as Chryſoſtom and Salvian, have called afflictions Puriores oelo afflictione facti Chryſoſt. in Hom. 16. in Acta 12. Virtutum nater.the mother of Vertue. Manaſſes his chain was more profitable to him then his Crown. Hebr. 12. 10. God is ſaid to chaſtiſe his people for their profit, that they might be partakers of his holineſs: God communicates of his own holineſs unto the ſouls of his people by their chaſtiſements, in a ſpecial maner: love is often encreaſed in affliction; ſheep run together when the dog is ſet on them: after the Church was delivered from violent perſecution, it ſuffered much by diviſions, the very bowels were rent by their diſſentions, it was then in a worſe condition then before, the fire of their diſſentions being worſe then the fire of their perſecutions; the one hindred, but the other furthered their growth. John 15. 2. Every branch in me my Father purgeth, that it may bring forth more fruit: as Vines are made fruitful by pruning, ſo are Gods people by the pruning knife of afflictions; and hence it is, when the Lord hath ſome great employment, ſome great ſervice for any of his people, he firſt ſends them unto, and trains them in the ſchool of afflictions, as Joſeph and David. And as our Benoni's, our ſons of ſorrows, that which we get out of our ſorrows, proves oftentimes our chiefeſt Benjamins; ſo Gods chiefeſt Benjamins, whom he uſeth as the ſons of his right hand in ſpecial ſervices, are firſt Benoni's, ſons of ſorrow. There is a great deal of difference, ſays Luther, between a Divine in outward Mul…ū intereſt inter Theologum gloriae & Theologum crucis.pomp, and a Divine under the croſs. It is a rare thing to have any mans eyes opened as Jonathans were, by taſting of honey, by proſperity; but in afflictions many are: afflictions prove to them, as the clay to the poor mans eyes that gave him ſight. They Qui tribulantur ſacras literas melivs intelligunt, ſecuri & fortunati eas legunt ficut. Ovidii. carmen.that are afflicted, do better underſtand Scripture, ſays Luther, but thoſe who are ſecure in their proſperity, read them as a verſe in Ovid. Amongſt many others, this is one ſpecial means whereby an afflicted condition comes to be uſeful for the encreaſe of grace, becauſe in it the ſoul gains much experience; experience of God and of his ways, experience of the good there is in, and faithfulneſs of his word; as we read, Pſal. 107. Thoſe who go down into the Sea, ſee the wonders of the Lord; much more thoſe who come into the ſeas of troubles and afflictions, how do they ſee the wonders of the Lord? they can tell their friends much of the wonders of the Lord towards them: ſo Iſrael in the time of trouble cryes out, Hoſ. 8. 2. My God we know thee; now we know thee otherwiſe then before we did: and experience of the evil of ſin. It was a ſpeech of a Germane Divine in his ſickneſs, Gaſper Olevianus; In this diſeaſe I have learned how great God is, and what the evil of ſin is, I never knew what God was to purpoſe before, nor Hoc morbo didici quanta majeſtas Dei & quid ſit peccatum.what ſin meant. When God ſpake to Job out of the whirlwind, cap. 38. he anſwers, cap. 40. 3, 4. Behold, I am vile, what ſhall I anſwer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth. And experience likewiſe of our weakneſs, and the vanity of the Creature more now then ever, Pſal. 39. 11. When thou with rebukes doeſt correct man, Vexatio dat intellectum. Schola crucis ſchola lucis. Cyp. Ser. 4 de. immort.thou makeſt his beauty to conſume away like a moth: ſurely every man is vanity, Selah: he can then ſay Surely, and that with a Selah, that every man is vanity. It is very obſervable, that of all the ſeven churches that Chriſt wrote unto, in the ſecond & third Chapters of the Revelations, there are onelyonly two which he charges no evil upon; the Church of Smyrna, and the Church of Philadelphia: and theſe two were exerciſed with much trouble; as the Church of Smyrna, cap. 2. 9. is ſaid to have endured much tribulation, and to be in poverty, yet Chriſt commends her, and ſays ſhe is rich: her poverty made her rich, her tribulations made her glorious in the eyes of Chriſt. And the Church of Philadelphia, cap. 3. 8, 10. ſhe had but a little ſtrength, ſhe was in a low, poor, afflicted, contemptible condition; yet ſhe denyed not the name of Chriſt, ſhe kepe the word of Chriſts patience, that word for which ſhe ſuffered much, being ſtrengthened thereunto by the patience ſhe received from Jeſus Chriſt.
Seventhly, afflictions preſerve from much ſin, they are bleſſed preventing phyſick: our falls into ſore afflictions, 7.keep us from falls into ſin. Hoſea 2. 6. God ſays, he will hedge the way of his people; if the hedge of the command will not keep us from tranſgreſſion, it is a mercy for God to hedge in our way by another hedge, the hedge of afflictions, they are bleſſed ſtumbling blocks caſt in the way of ſin, to hinder us in it. I have read of Auguſtine, that once by wandring out of his way, he eſcaped one who lay Cor Solomonis idcirco funditus Donum ſapi…ntiae deſeruit quoniam ipſum nulla diſciplina interius cu ſtodivit. Greg. in paſtorali.in wait to miſchieve him; it falls out ſo many times with us, if afflictions did not put us out of our way, we ſhould fall into the power of ſome ſin or other which would miſchieve us. Gregory ſaith of Solomon, that he left the houſe of wiſdom, becauſe the diſcipline of afflictions did not preſerve him. Salt brine preſerves from putrifaction: the ſalt marſhes keep the ſheep from the rot.
Eightly, by afflictions, decayed grace comes to be recovered: Theſe are Gods files, that file off the ruſt 8.of ſecurity. Phyſitians uſe to cure a Lethargy, by putting their patient into a feaver: the ſpiritual Lethargy of ſecurity, is often cured by hot and ſtrong afflictions. When men are in a ſwound, we uſe to nip and pinch them, and ſtrike them, and caſt cold Traditam nobis divi nitus diſciplinam pax longa corruperat, jacentem fidem & pene dixerim dormientem cenſura coeleſtis crexit Cyp. ſer. de lapſis. 5.water upon their faces: Gods ſtrokes, and the cold water of afflictions being ſanctified by him, recover many from ſpiritual ſwounds: many who have ſo far decayed in their ſpiritual vigor and activeneſs, that they have ſeemed to be even dead, yet they have been recovered this way. Job 36. 15. God opens their ears in oppreſſion; many mens ears are clogged up with the world, but when God gives them up for a while to the oppreſſions of men, then their ears are opened. It is good for me, ſaith David, that I was afflicted, for before I went aſtray, but now have I learned thy word. In the 2. Hoſea, God threatens the Church to ſtrip her naked, and to ſet her as in the day that ſhe was born, and to make her as a wilderneſs, to hedge her way with thorns; and thus the Lord did to that Church: but mark what he ſays ſhal be the fruit of all, verſe 7. Then ſhall ſhe ſay, I will go and return unto my firſt husband, for then was it better with me then it is now. When Abſolom ſent for Joab once and again, yet he came not unto him, until Abſolom cauſed his corn fields to be ſet on fire, and then he comes: God ſpeaks and calls to his people who are grown ſecure, once and again, but they neglect God, until God comes with the fire of afflictions, and then they come. Afflictions are like the prick at the Nightingales breſt, that awakes her, and puts her upon her ſweet and delightful ſinging. Gulielmus Pariſenſis ſaith of Musk, when it hath loſt Muſcus odorem amiſſum juxta ſter cora vel ad latrinam poſitus recuperat; fic humilitas. Guliel. Pariſ. de Motibus Fol. 127.its ſweetneſs, if it be put into the ſink amongſt filth, it recovers it; this he applyed to decayed grace in the times of afflictions, in afflictions it revives, and recovers.
Ninthly, afflictions are of great uſe to mortifie luſts, to purge out filth and corruption. Iſa. 27. 9. By this ſhall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit thereof. When Phyſitians purge the body, they purge out that which is good, as well as that which is evill, but when God purges in the ſanctified 9.uſe of afflictions, he onelyonly purges out the evil, this is all the fruit thereof. As Aloes kills worms, ſo Venit tribulatio mea veniet & purgatio mea. Auguſt. in Pſ. 61. Tribulatio eſt aqua ſalſa quae Scabiem purgat & abſtergit. Guliel. Pariſ. de moribus. Qui tribulationem meis parant Balneum eis & Lavatorium exhibent. Guliel. Pariſ. ibid.do bitter afflictions crauling luſt in the heart. Cold and hard winters do deſtroy much vermine, which otherwiſe would be very noiſom: ſo cold and hard afflictions vermine luſts. Violent ſtorms and thunder clear the air, ſtrong afflictions clarifie the heart; by them we are as it were poured from veſſel to veſſel, from whence the ill ſavour of our heart-diſtempers comes to be taken away. Ier. 48. 11. Foul and ſtained cloathes are made white by laying abroad in cold froſty nights, ſo the defiled heart. Salt marſhes purge rank humours, ſo do the ſaltneſs of afflictions rank luſts. Men let their armour lye ruſting by them in the time of peace, but in the time of war they ſcour all bright, to make fit for ſervice: ſo mens hearts in the time of peace grow foul, but in times of trouble, they are then cleanſed. It is a great mercy to have the act of ſin hindered; afflictions are very uſeful for this, and therefore, Hoſea. 2. 6. they are; as you heard, called a hedge of thorns; whereby the ways to ſin are hedged up: but to have the inward luſts mortified, this is a greater good. All the Prophets preachings could not purge the Jews from idolatry, ſo as the Babyloniſh captivity: it is obſerved, never ſince that time have idols been found amongſt them.
Tenthly, Gods people are often in an afflicted condition, 10.as chaſtiſements for their ſins, they bring many evils upon themſelves, by their looſe walkings, by their indiſcretions, by their pride, by their ſelfſeeking, by their forwardneſs, by their wilfulneſs, and worldlineſs: God chaſtens even whom he loves: the Apoſtle tells the Corinthians, that they were chaſtened of the Lord, that they might not be condemned with the world. Thoſe whom God would never condemn, yet he will chaſten: God will have his children feel ſomething of the evil of their ſins, and will have them and others ſee how diſpleaſing ſin is to him, in the fruits of his diſpleaſure, upon thoſe who are his beloved ones, who are exceeding dear, and precious in his eyes: becauſe the Lord is careful of his honour, therefore if his children ſin, he will chaſtiſe them, hence the Greek word for chaſtiſement, ſignifies foreign. Filii ſub ira, non filii irae.care of honour. GODS children may come to be children under anger, though not children of wrath: yea God uſually holds a more ſtrict hand over his people, then over any, he quickly brings them under the rod, when he lets other go on, and rot in their ſins; yet he comes not upon his children as a revenging Judge, to deſtroy the perſon for the ſins ſake: but as a gracious Father, to deſtroy the ſin for the perſons ſake: he is angry that they have ſinned, but eſpecially angry that they might ſin no more.
Eleventhly, that which God ayms at in the afflictions of his people, is to make them conformable to Chriſt their head, that they may enter into their glory, as Chriſt did into his. Ought he not to ſuffer theſe things, and ſo to enter into his glory? Luke 24. 26. We read of S. Paul, Phil. 3. 10. that he earneſtly deſired to be partaker of the fellowſhip of Chriſts ſufferings, and to be conformable to his death; God will have a conformity to the death of his Son. We read of Godfrey of Bulloin, that he would not be crowned in Jeruſalem with a crown of gold, where Chriſt was crowned with a crown of thorns; becauſe he would not have ſuch a great diſproportion between him and Chriſt. It is reported of Origen, when Alexander Severus the Emperor ſent for him, he appearing to be meanly cloathed, there were divers coſtly garments prepared for him, and ſent to him, but he refuſed them, and when he came near to Rome, there was a Mule and a Chariot ſent for him, that he might chooſe which liked him beſt, but he refuſed them likewiſe, and would not go in pomp to the Emperor, ſaying, He was leſs then his Maſter Chriſt, of whom he never read that he rode but once.
Twelfthly, the afflictions of Gods people are in 12.juſt judgement a rock of offence, and a ſtumbling block to the ungodly. Chriſt in regard of the afflictions that attend the profeſſion of the Goſpel, is ſaid to be a rock of offence, and ſo appointed for the fall of many, Luke 2. 34. How many thouſands periſh, becauſe they are offended at the mean, afflicted, perſecuted eſtate of Chriſt in this life? Thy heart is ſet upon vanity and outward pomp, this perſecuted eſtate of godlineſs is thy ſtumbling block, at which God in his wrath lets thee ſtumble, that thou mighteſt fall, break thy neck, and periſh for ever: hence is that ſpeech of Chriſt, Bleſſed are they that are not offended in me: O its a great mercy of God, not to let this be a ſtumbling block, it is a mercy that God grants but to a few; here and there a poor ſoul, who is able to ſee the beauty and glory of godlineſs, through all the dark clouds of troubles, afflictions, perſecutious, that attend it: but for the generality of men, this is that which hides the glory of it from them, unto their everlaſting perdition.
Laſtly, Gods people are here afflicted, that Chriſt 13.in them, and they in Chriſt, may in the concluſion of all be the more glorified.
Firſt, in the overcoming of all evils, in the final deſtruction of all their enemies.
Secondly, in their happineſs after ſo many evils endured: the bitterneſs of foregoing grief, commends Amaritudo prae cunt is doloris cō nendat amplius gaudia ſequutura. Hier. ad virginem in ex lium miſſam.the ſweetneſs of following joys.
Thirdly, their afflictions work to the encreaſe of their glory. 2 Cor. 4. 18. Our light afflictions work for us an exceeding weight of glory. Gordius that bleſſed Martyr (whom St. Baſil ſo much commends in an Oration of his) accounted it a loſs to him, not to ſuffer many kindes of tortures; he ſays, that tortures are but tradings with God for glory.
Tertullian hath an expreſſion to that purpoſe, The Majora certamina majora ſequuntur praemia. Turtu! ad Scapulam.greater the combates, the greater are the following rewards. Bernard ſays of perſecuters, that they are but his Fathers goldſmiths, who are working to adde pearls to the crowns of the Saints. The ſeeds of happineſs are ſown in the deep furrows of affliction, and the deeper the furrows are, the more precious are the ſeeds that are there ſown, and the more glorious and plentiful will the harveſt be. When a curious glorious picture is to be drawn, the grounds uſe to be laid in black, but not in dirt: ſo our grounds may be laid Sape per dulcedinem fructus placet, quod amarum horruit in radice. Hieronym. ep. at Virginem in exilium miſſam.here in afflictions, but let them not be laid in ſin. Here then we ſee, that although afflictions are a bitter root, yet there ſpring from them fair flowers, and pleaſant fruit: no marvel then though God hath a hand in ordering things ſo, that his people ſhould be in ſuch an afflicted condition in this world: from Gods determining things to be thus, let us learn,