The Whole Duty of a Christian, Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII.
§ 1. SIxthly, Suppose he is in distresse of conscience, and at the very brink of despair, expecting nothing but hell and damnation; suppose God hides his face, and seems to have utterly forsaken him, and to reject his prayers; yea suppose the terrours of God fight against him, and the Arrowes of the Almighty stick so fast in him, … the venom thereof hath drunk up his spirit, so that in his own apprehension God is become his mortall enemy, as it fared with Iob, yet all this is for his good, and shall do him good: yea this extream severity of God argues favour; for nothing more usuall then for God to work joy out of fear, light out of darknesse, and to bring to the Kingdom of Heaven by the gates of hell, and thus he deals with his dearest darlings. When he meant to blesse Iacob, he wrestles with him as an adyersary, even till he lamed him: when he meant to preferre Ioseph to the Throne, he threw him down into the Dungeon: and to the Golden chain about his neck, he laded him with Iro… ones about his leggs. Nor would Christ cure Lazarus, till after he was dead, buried, and stunk again: no question to teach us, that we must be cast down by the Law, before we can be raised up by the Gospell; and become fools before we can be truly wise. Nor hath he cause to fear, be his case never so desperate; for God will measure his patience▪ and make it proportionable to his suffering, and equall his strength to his temptations: his grace shall be sufficient for him at the least, 2 Cor. 12. 9. Phil. 1. 29. and he that made the Vessel, knowes her burden, and how to ballast her. The Bush, which was a type of the Church, consumed not all the while it burned with fire, because God was in the midst of it. The Anchor lyeth deep and is not seen, yet is the stay of all. The Bladder blown, may float upon the floud, but cannot sink nor stick in filthy mud, Sinne, Satan and the world may disturb him, but they can never destroy him: his head Christ being above, he cannot be drowned; there can be no disjunction, unlesse he could be pluckt from his arms that is Almighty, for his life is hid with Christ in God, Col. 3. 3. Besides, if he suffers much, it shall not be long; if he suffers long it shall not be much: if his sorrowes be sharp they are the shorter. Grievous and sore trials last but for a season, 1 Pet. 1. 6. a little while, Ioh. 16. 16. yea but a moment, 2 Cor. 4. 17. For a moment in mine anger, saith God, I hid my face from thee, for a little season, but with everlasting mercy have I had compassion on thee, Isa. 54. 8. Weeping may abide for a night, but joy cometh in the morning, Psal. 30. 5. And it is ever seen, that his joy both succeeds and exceeds his sorrow; that his sadnesse ends in gladnesse, and his sorrow in singing: and the more grievous his exigent, the more glorious his advancement. But the last (which is the best) gain of all, he growes more holy then ever: for like the Vine, he bringeth forth the more and better fruit, for paring, and …uning, and bleeding; and though his outward man perish, yet his inward man is renewed daily: even as a Lambe is much more lively and nimble for shearing; these very tempestuous showers, bring forth spirituall flowers and herbs in abundance.
§ 2. Seventhly, Let judgements be i…licted upon the wh…le Land, they shall not touch him nor his family, he shall be singled out for mercy: Or if they do, they shall be so sanctified, that they shall rather pleasure then hurt him. As if the Corn be cut down with the weeds, the one shall be carried into Gods barn as Lazarus was, the other cast into the fire like Dives: yea, every stroak in the judgement shall be a monitor, and serve as a Sermon to him: when he sees another struck he takes warning; for he will be put unto duty even by the shadow of the wand.
§ 3. Eighthly, The strictest and severest Laws if they be not contrary to Gods Law, have not power to smite him: for he does those things unbidden, which others can scarce do being compelled. Yea, the Law protects him against his enemies, who fear the Jayl more then they fear Hell; and stand more upon their silver, or their sides smarting, then upon their souls. Good Magistrates also are the breath of his nostrils and protect him, while they take vengeance on them that do ill. Yea they are the Ministers of God for his wealth, and bound to see him righted, when he receives wrong in his person, goods or good name.