The Life of Faith in Times of Trial and Affliction, Consideration 14
CONSIDERATION. XIV. Other precious Beleevers have been Afflicted so, if not worse.
THough such, as are ease in Zion, think little of all the Trouble and Anguish, that the Afflicted are put unto; and not a few prove like Iobs Friends Iob. 6: v. 15. &c. though to him, that is afflicted Pity should be showne vers. 14. Yet such, as are under the Affliction, can subscribe to the truth of that, which the Wise Man hath Prov. 15: 15. All the dayes of the afflicted are evil: for, so long as the Affliction endureth, they are ready to think, that their Condition groweth worse and worse daily. Nay, ordinarily Affliction so seazeth upon them, that they cannot perceive the Grounds of Comfort, though hard at hand, and can make little use of Cordials, though within their reach. A time of Affliction is such a thoughtful time, that they are as a Ship at Sea, tossed with Tempests and contrary Tides. Among other disturbing thoughts, this is one, How is this (think they with themselves) that the Lord hath pitched upon me, and singled me out, from all the rest, or the most part of His Children, at least, whom I know, and set me up for His mark, at which He is shooting His Arrowes? My case is not like the ordinary case of others; there is something extraordinary in my case: I know, that His Followers have been in Affliction, but their Affliction was nothing comparable to mine: Were all things laid together, my Affliction would be found to be of another kind: Were my Affliction but such as others have had, I should be able to bear it; but there being something Odde and Uncouth in mine, I cannot choose but be troubled.
Though He only, who comforteth those, that are cast down, can comfort such, 2 Cor. 6: vers. 7. Yet he can do it by unlikely meanes, and blesse a few words to this end. We shall therefore only propose a few things, that may serve to make a Diversion, as to these perplexing and disturbing thoughts; and reduce them to these few Heads.
First, We shall propose a few Generals, which such afflicted persons would take notice of.
Secondly. Shew how, possibly, their case is not so singular, as they conceive it to be.
Thirdly, We shall show, how little cause they would, possibly, befound to have, to speak thus, if all things were well considered.
Fourthly, We shall show, how that, seing they will take notice of others, and compare their case with theirs, they may and should improve the example of others, better than thus.
As to the First, let these Particulars be considered.
1. It is ordinary almost with every one to be accounting their own case and condition, in Affliction, singular; and to say, as much as those of whom we are now speaking. Every one feeleth that best, which is neerest to himself: they are more sensible of their own paine, than of the pain of others; and paine felt is more touching, than what is understood by the report of others only. Hence every one is ready to conclude, that their own case is worst. And therefore this should be looked upon, as no strange thing.
2. Every bodies Temper and Disposition not being alike, some may be obnoxious to distempers and diseases, that others are not much acquainted with; and some by their Folly and Intemperancy may bring peculiar diseases upon themselves; and when such must have peculiar Physick, adapted to their diseases, should they complean of the Physician; that he giveth them not such gentle and easie Medicines, as he doth to others? So the compleaner here may have brought upon himself some uncouth spiritual distemper, which calleth for some Afflictions, more than ordinary, to cure the same: Should they then be anxious to finde out a precedent, or one that hath been so handled, as they are? Ought they not rather, to reasone thus with themselves, doth the Lord purge and afflict me more than ordinary, then it is like my peccant humors, & my corruptions, have been more than ordinary.
3. Be it so, that thy case is in some respects singular, what knoweth thou, if there shall be two found, in all particulars, or in all considerable circumstances, every way alike? May not the Lord hereby declare and preach forth his Infinite Wisdom, in guiding so many Sones and Daughters to glory, through so many several Kindes of Trials, Exercises, Afflictions and Temptations? Will it not be much to His Glory, when every one of the Redeemed shall, beside their wondering at the gracious Work of Redemption, common to them all, have each something peculiar to himself, raising his Admiration? As it commends the wonderful Workmanshipe of God, that among so many millions of faces of Men, two shall hardly be found, betwixt which no difference shall be discovered; so, may not this commend the Work of Gods Providence?
4. And what if, as to those Particulars, wherein they think their owne case singular, it be otherwayes indeed? Have they had through acquaintance with all the Saints of God, in all ages? Why then do they speak so confidently?
5. But be it so, as they say; yet they should know, that they are in the hands of a well skilled Physician, and of a tender Father, who knoweth their Constitution, their Distemper, and their Strength; and will make the Physick no stronger, than He knoweth they can bear, and will work, and do them good. And this should cause them forget their complaints.
6. All that people say, while under a distemper, must not be taken for certaine. Iob had many expressions, while under the Affliction, that he would not owne or approve of, afterward.
As to the Second Head, that we may come neerer their case, what if it be found, that even as to these same Particulars, upon the account of which they account their case singular, others, of whom we read in Scripture, have been in the like case before? We shall therefore mentione some Particulars, which people in Affliction use to aggravat their case from, and because of, look upon their case as singular,
1. Some may think their case singular upon this account, That they never knew much in experience what prosperity meant; their Life hath been nothing but a Life of Exercises, Temptations and Trouble. Such would know, that some therefore would possibly think, they might bear Afflictions the better, being so accustomed therewith, and inured thereunto, and trained up at that School. But however, they erre, if they think, that this case is singular, or that none but they have been so exercised; not to mention our Lord Jesus, whose Life was a Life of bitterness, as we saw above; see one Instance of Heman Psalm. 88: vers. 15. I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up. His Trouble and Affliction was not of Yesterday; He was under it from his youth:
2. Others, it may be, will complaine, and think their Affliction so much the sadder, that they have not been much enured with, nor trained up at the School of Affliction; & that if they had been used with Trouble, they would have thought this, that now lyeth upon them, the more light and easy to be born; but now, having been so long in prosperity, and at ease, the Affliction coming is more terrible, and seemeth more insupportable. Oh what is man, that will thus abuse and pervert all things; and can be satisfied with almost nothing! Others would look upon this Dispensation as gentle and easie, and as a great favour, and yet what some would account a mitigating ingredient, others will look upon, as a great aggravation. Some would say, that such were not much to be pitied, who have had such a long Summer-day of prosperity: who would think much, if a Shipe, that hath for many dayes had a faire winde, should towards the end of her Voyage, meet with a contrary blast; But the truth is, so rebellious are our hearts, that none of Gods Dispensations with us, can satisfie us; and every Body is better pleased with anothers Lot, than with his owne; and therefore we are so ready to choose any condition, but what God is pleased to carve out unto us; and we think every bodies Affliction is more easie, than our owne; and we could bear any Lot better, than what we are called to bear. May it not be thought, that such as compleane upon this account, would complaine much more, if it were with them, as it was with Asaph Psal. 73: v. 14. All the day long have I been plagued and chastenedevery morning? However such as cry-out, because after a long time of prosperity, they meet with adversity, would know that their case, in this, is not singular; as Iobs instance can evince, who was not much acquainted with adversity and affliction, till Satan began to pursue him; but dwelt at ease, and in prosperity Iob. 16: 12. I was at ease, but He hath broken me asunder.
3. Some possibly will look upon their case as sad and singular, because the Crosse, under which they stand, seemeth so heavy, that they see not how they shall be able to stand under it. As if, forsooth, every one almost were not ready to say the same; How few are there, who look upon their own Affliction, as the lightest and easiest? David told us, Psal. 6: vers. 3 that his Soul was sore vexed and Psal. 55: vers. 4. that his heart was sore pained within him. Was not the Israelites case in Egypt hard, when their lives were made bitter with hard bondage Exod 1: 14. and they were made to sigh by reason of the bondage Exod. 2: 21? Was it not sad with Paul and his Companions, when he saith, they were pressed out of measure, and above strength, in so much, that they despaired even of life 2 Cor. 1: v. 8. We hear of some, who have come out of great Tribulation, Revelation 7: v. 14.
4. Some possiblie will account their condition singular, in that it is not with one or two rodes, that they are chastened, but with many, and with several sorts, their Affliction is complicated, and many are twisted together; whence they are ready to say, That none was ever so visited and afflicted, as they are. But the case of Iob is enough to confute this mistake. Hath God taken away thy goods, and made thee of a rich man, a poor man? So did He to Iob, whose riches were great; for he had Seven Thousand Sheep, Thr… Thousand Camels, Five Hundred Yoke of Oxen, Five Hundred She Asses Iob. 1: vers. 3. Hath God taken away thy pleasant Children, in whom thou tookest delight? So did He take away Iob's Seven Sons and Three Daughters, and that in one houre, and that by an unusual manner, he neither seeing them die, nor getting one word of them, before they died. Read his book, and see what a multitude of evils came upon him at once. See a short summe Chap. 19: vers. 8,—21. He hath fenced up my way, that I cannot passe, and He hath set darkness in my Paths, He hath stript me of my glory, and taken the Crown from my Head. He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone, and mine hope hath He removed, like a tree. He hath also kindled His wrath against me, and He counteth me unto Him, as one of His Enemies. His Troups come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my Tabernacle. He hath put my Brethren far from me, and mine acquaintaince are verily estranged from me. My Kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. They that dwell in mine house, and mine maidens account me for a stranger; I am an alien in their sight. I called my servant and he gave me no answere, I intreated him with my mouth. My breath is strange to my wife: though I intreated for the Childrens sake of mine own body. Yea young Children despised m…: I arose, and they spoke against me. All my inward friends abhorred me, and they whom I loved are turned against me. My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh; and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. Paul 2 Cor. 6: 4 5, 8, 9, 10. giveth us a catalogue of calamities of various kindes, that he and others did meet with: such as, Afflictions, Necessities, Distresses, Stripes, Imprisonments, Tumults, Labours, Watchings, Fastings, Dishonour, Evil reports, accounted Deceivers, Vnknown, Dying, Chastned, Sorrowful, Po…r and having nothing. And againe he giveth us an account of what befell himself, 2 Cor. 11. vers. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27.—In stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft; of the jewes five times received I fourty stripes save one; Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stonned; Thrice I suffered shipwrack, a night and a da… have I been in the depth; in jurneying often, in perrils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrey-men, in perrils by the Heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false Brethren, in weariness, in painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness &c. Who can say, that his condition runneth parallel with this? And if not, have they any cause to complaine, and cry out, never man was so hardly dealt with, as they are? See also what hardships those did undergo, of whom we read Hebr. 11. vers. 36; 37, 38. They had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea moreover of bonds and Imprisonments, they were sawne asunder, were tempted, were slaine with the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, &c. Can they say, that they are more hardly dealt with, than these were? If not, is not their complaint very groundless?
5. Some possibly will account their case singular, in that afflictions attend them, as the shadow doth the body; where ever they be, and whithersoever they go, Crosses, Troubles and Temptations are their constant Companions. But do they verily think, that none before them, hath had as good cause to speak thus, as they? Sure, the Catalogue of calamities, that Paul reckoneth up, as we heard lately, saith, he had such a lot, before them, He met with trouble both by sea and land, in cities, in wildernesses, by his own countrey-men, by strangers, and by false Brethren; in some places was he scourged, in some places beaten with rods, in some places stoned, in some places imprisoned &c. so that a short view of his life will put this beyond question. And himself said Act. 20. 23. that in every citie bonds and afflictions did abide him.
6. Some may possibly think, that their sufferings are so much the sadder, that they reach not their goods, but their good name, and credite, and that without all coloure of ground. Yet, for as heavy as this appeareth to be; it is no new or uncouth thing. It is true, it may prove sad to some, who are tender of their name and credite, and would glory thereof; but how sad so ever it be to them, they must not say, that their case, as to this, is singular. Wo to you (said Christ to his Disciples and followers Luk. 6. vers 26,) When all men speak well of you; for so did their Fathers unto the false Prophets. And againe, Mat. 5. vers. 11, 22. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you,—And shall say all manner of evil against you falsly, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glade; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the Prophets, which were before you. So that this was the common lot of the Prophets, & was to be the lot of the Apostles, & accordingly Paul tels us, 1 Cor. 4. vers. 9, 11, 12, 13.—That they were made a spectacle unto the world, and to Angels, and to men; and he addeth, Even unto this present houre, we both hunger and thirst, and are naked and are buffeted, and have no certaine dwelling place, and labour working with our own hands; being reviled, we blesse; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we entreat; we are made as the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things, to this day. Was not here a suffering of an high degree, both in body and in name? So 2 Cor. 6. vers. 8. As deceivers, and yet true. So were they accounted, the chiefe of Traitors, such as turned the world upside down Act. 17. vers. 6. He was accounted, the man, that taught all men every where against the People, and the Law, and the Temple Act. 21. vers. 28. Elijah was called the Troubler of Israel 1 King. 18. vers. 17. We heard above, how Christ himself suffered in His Name. So that this must be no rare or uncouth thing.
7. It may be an heavy affliction to some, possibly, to be persecuted by their own Countrey-men, Neighbours, and Relations. But was not Christ so? was not Paul so exercised 2 Cor. 11. vers. 26. Were not the Thessalonians so afflicted 1 Thes. 2: vers. 14? Knew not David this in experience Psal 55. vers. 12, 13. And Iob also, when not only his Friends and domestick Servants & neighbours carried so unfriendly and untenderly with him; but even his own wife, that lay in his bosome, had no other consolatory counsel to give him, but to take his leave or last good night (as we say) of God, and so be destroyed out of hand; for thus the sentence may be interpreted, which in the Original is, blesse God and die; as we use to blesse, or wish well to them, of whom we are taking our leave; and so this benedicere, is, as it were, valedicere: Her saying blesse was as much, as if she had said, Bid Him fare well.
8. Some may think their crosse heavy upon this consideration, that they have to do with men, who know no Justice, and walk not either by Law, or Equity; but do what they please. But neither is this any strange thing; for not to speak of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was thus dealt with; what Law or Justice did Iohn Baptist meet with, when upon the desire of a light dancing Damsel, his head was cut off in prison, without so much as a forme of process? What Law or equity acted the confused rabble, that rofe up against Paul, at Ephesus Act. 19? By what Law was he and Silas beaten openly and uncondemned at Philippi Act. 16. vers. 22, 23, 37? By what colour of law, was he drawn out of the Temple, and almost killed by the Jewes Act 21?
9. If it adde to the griefe of any, when they consider, that such as persecute and oppose them, are not openly profane, and wicked Persons; but such as are accounted good and sober persons; and such as may be judged to have the grace of God in them: It would be remembered, that howbeit this indeed be a sad Ingredient in the cup of affliction, & may make the trouble heavier, than otherwise it would be; yet it is no uncouth thing: Iob's friends were good, sober, understanding Persons, though in a great mistake as to the application of their discourse unto Iob's state. Paul did meet with some thing like this Act. 13. vers. 30. at Antioch, when the jewes stirred up devout and honourable women against him. The false Teachers, that on all oc casions opposed Paul, were not profane, wicked Persons; for they had transformed themselves into the Apostles of Christ 2 Cor. 11: v…rs. 13. We read also of some, that preached Christ of envy and contention, supposing thereby to adde affliction unto Paul's bonds. Phil. 1. vers. 15, 16.
10. Some may possibly think much to be put to open shame, and made a gazing stock, and to be exposed to open contempt, and ludibrie; and indeed, that may be a sad affliction to some noble and generous spirit, and heavier than death it self. But yet it is no strange thing; for we read of some Hebr. 10. vers. 33. who were theatrized, brought to open scaffolds, and put on pillories, and made publick spectacles, and exposed to open mockery. So Hebr. 11. vers. 36. some had trial of cruel mockings: Was not Iob made a by-word of the people, and their song Iob 17: 6. and 30. vers. 9.
Several other things of this nature might be named, but I shall haste unto the third particular, and shew, how little ground there would be for such complaints and outcryes, if all were known and rightly considered: and to this end I shall mentione these particulars.
1. When Peter is writting to a scattered company, living as strangers, in a strange land, he saith unto them 1 Pet. 4. vers. 12. Beloved, think it not strange, concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing hapned unto you. Though they were scattered thorow many Countreyes' and were to meet with trials, yea and fierie trials; yet he would not have them troubled thereat, or look upon it, as any uncouth accident, befalling them: teaching us thereby to look otherwayes upon the sharpest of trials and exercises, that we meet with, than we readily do; and not to think, that we are worse dealt with, than others, or that God taketh some uncouth un-heard-of course with us.
2. What if it be found, after impartial trial, that there have been many, who have drunk deeper, by many degrees, of the cup, than they have done; and that their affliction, under which they groan and cry-out so much, is nothing comparable to what others of the Lord's worthies have been exercised with? Will not this appear by an impartial view of the Instances adduced? And seing their crosse is light, in comparison of what some dear to the Lord have had, is there or can there be any ground for their so complaining?
3. Will it not be found, that such as complaine thus, dar not compare themselves with others, who have been as sore afflicted, if not sorer, than they, as to Grace, Sanctification, Communion with God &c? Will they arrogat to themselves that honourable Epithet, which the Lord gave David, a Man according to God's own heart; or Iob, a perfect man and upright, and one that feared God, and eshewed evil? And if not, is there ground for their complaint, when God is dealing no worse with them, than He did with those, yea is dealing with them in a far more gentle manner?
4. What if it be found, that such as have been visited with the same affliction, with which they are visited, and under which they groan so much, have not provoked the Lord, so much as they have done? And will not their complainings then be found most unreasonable and groundless?
5. What if it be found also true & undeniable, that those who have met with the same calamities, have been more usefull in their generation, than they are, or ever were? If God spare not the green tree, shall the drye tree, that is sapless and barren, doing little more than cumbering the ground, complaine, that it is cut down? We should be content with the same lot, that both the Prophets and Apostles had. It needed not grieve the Philippians, that they had the same conflict, which they saw in Paul, and heard to be in him. Phil. 1. last.
The last particular, is to shew a better way of improving the example of others, who have been afflicted before us, than to take occasion therefrom to complaine of God's dealing, as if it were worse with us, than with them: to wit, to be considering their Christian carriage under their afflictions, that we may be ashamed of our deportment, and may be stirred up to follow their example, in what is truely commendable, and is for that end held forth to us in Scripture: many particulars of this kind might be mentioned, we shall name only a few.
1. We finde them patient under the crosse, and their instance proposed to us for imitation, in this respect: So saith the Apostle Iames Cap. 5. vers. 10, 11. Take, my Brethren, the Prophets, who have spoken in the Name of the Lord for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we account them happy which endure; yee have heard of the patience of Iob, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. If the carriage of the Prophets under the crosse, and particularly of Iob, were narrowly searched, it would be found, that there was sometime too much Impatience, but the Spirit of the Lord would not have us poreing upon that, but to take special notice of their patience; and in this, to look upon them, as a copie, set before us; for albeit there was much Impatience to be observed in Iob's carriage; yet his Patience is taken notice of by the Spirit of God, and we are bidden look to that, as if we had never heard of one of his impatient expressions.
2. We finde them looking especially to God's hand in the matter, and overlooking all Instruments, adoring and reverencing the holy Providence and Disposal of God, laying their hand upon their mouth, and giving God the glory: and in this we should study to be followers of them. David said Psal. 39. vers. 9. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it: And when Shimei railed upon him, and cursed, he said, let him curse, for the Lord hath said unto him, curse David, and Iob said, the Lord hath given and taken, blessed be His name.
3. We finde them following their duty, notwithstanding of all the trouble and calamity which they did meet with; Paul, notwithstanding of all that befel him, went on, and minded his work; when he was persecuted in one place, he went to another, and there preached the Gospel: And in this we should follow them; for, for this end, are these things left on record.
4. We finde them so far from fretting and repineing at the Lord's Dispensations with them, in suffering wicked instruments to afflict them and persecute them, for righteousness; that they therein rejoice, as the Apostles did Act. 5. vers. 41. And Paul glorified in these his infirmities 2 Cor. 12. And it is commendable to follow them here.
5. We finde them likewise, notwithstanding of all their Sufferings, standing fast in the faith, adhereing to their principles, refusing deliverance upon any sinful or base termes. Heb. 11. vers. 35. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtean a better resurrection: And it were good, if we were considering them to this end, that in this we might follow their footsteps.
6. We finde them acting faith on God, in the mean time, Heman Psal. 88. was in a very sad case, yet for all that was come upon him, he would not quite his interest in God; but beginneth that sad Psalm thus, O Lord God of my salvation. So did Iob likewise act faith on God, Chap. 19.
7. We finde them exercising Hop, for as desperat-like as their case would seem to be; as David Psal. 38. the beginning whereof sheweth that his case was then very sad; yet V. 15, he crieth out, In the Lord do I hope.
8. We finde them taking with their iniquity, whereby they provoked God, to deal so with them, or desireous to understand what is the ground of God's controversie: so the Church Mica. 7. vers. 9. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him. See likewise Lam. 3. vers. 39, 42. And Iob said, Chap. 10. ver. 2. I will say unto God, do not condemne me; shew me, wherefore thou contendest with me.
If we were thus taking notice of the commendable deportment of other worthies, when they were in Afflictions, to the provoking of our selves unto the like carriage, we would finde it a more profitable exercise, than to be, in our mindes, aggravating our lot, beyond the lot of those before us, and imagining that God dealeth worse with us, than He hath done with others, before us.